by Jordan Baker
Eric rose from the throne and walked toward them. Ariana was surprised at how old the king looked, though she was curious at how tall he seemed, even though he stood no greater in height than Borrican.
"Father, I present to you Queen Ariana of Maramyr, Princess of House Coromyr and Princess of House Solari of Elvanar."
Eric sniffed at her. "I thought I smelled the blood of an elf. It's been a long time since I've had the pleasure. Fresh as a summer breeze you are. What's that on your face, girl?"
"It is an Elven mask, King Eric," Ariana said. "I have come with the Elven Guard to help defend Kandara against its enemies."
"Bah, your own armies are the enemy," he scoffed.
"My uncle, Cerric has usurped my throne, King Eric," Ariana told him and the wizened old king stared at her for a moment.
"That I understand," Eric said, then he leaned in to her and spoke in a low voice that was almost a whisper. "Truth be told, my other son, Elric seems to have usurped mine. He thinks I'm unfit to govern and my brother Boric speaks to me like I'm a child as though I couldn't beat him proper, which I'm of a mind to doing. Perhaps I should thrash them both. That might scare some respect into young Elric and wake him up. You might want to think about giving Cerric a smack. That might smarten him up as well."
"I certainly hope for the opportunity," Ariana said. "Unfortunately there is an army in the way, preventing me from doing so, for the moment."
"Young lady, it is irritating trying to talk to you while looking at that mask on your face," Eric said. "Either be an Elven Princess or be a Maramyrian Queen."
"I am both," Ariana said, then she sighed, realizing that she was going to have to take off her mask at some point. "Out of respect for you, I will honor your request, King Eric, though I would rather not."
Ariana took off her mask and the old king stared at her for a moment then he stepped close to her and stared closely at the scars on her face. It was awkward and a little uncomfortable for the old man to be so close, especially because she could hear him sniffing at her. Borrican, who stood to her right, could not yet see what his father was looking at, so he found Eric's behaviour even stranger.
"I smell the trees, a drop of water, the hardness of stone, the earthy loam, the breeze and the wind," the king said, sniffing her even more. "You have tasted fire."
"Yes," Ariana told him, not sure about the rest of what he had said, but acknowledging the scars on her face. "I was injured when my uncle's men tried to kill me."
"You've a little fire in you but not nearly enough," Eric said, still sniffing at her then he glanced at Borrican. "That won't do. It won't do at all."
"If you mean my magic," Ariana said. "I can make fire like most mages, but it is not one of my strengths. My family has had bad luck with fire." Eric sniffed her again.
"You have the sight, likely a gift from your mother," Eric said. "Your father had such gifts as well, but he did not pursue them and that was his folly."
"You knew my parents?"
"Of course," Eric told her, standing up straight and proud. "I am the King of Kandara, Eric Akandar of the House Akandra. King Gregor and Queen Aria were guests here at my palace as I was at theirs. It was a different time then, mind you I was against their marriage at first, but you are an interesting creature and perhaps that is the way of things now."
"I don't really understand," Ariana told him, "but I am pleased to know that you were fond of my parents."
"Oh yes. They were a lovely pair. Lovely. They were dear friends with my wife," Eric said and his eyes took on a faraway look for a moment, then his attention returned and he looked at Ariana with a fierce look, like that of a predator defending its young. "I will give you a gift. That will help you. Yes, that is what I will do. Would you like me to give you a gift?"
"A gift?"
"Yes, it is a secret gift," he said. "Borrican could give you the gift, but he doesn't know how yet, though he will learn it soon enough. His foolish brother may learn it someday if he ever gets his fire back. It is the gift of fire. Would you like the gift of fire?"
"Father," Borrican said, starting to feel uncomfortable at his father's strange talk. "I think Ariana must be tired from her journey. She insisted on coming to see you, out of respect. Perhaps we should allow her some time to refresh herself."
"Borrican," Eric said, his voice suddenly stern and powerful. Ariana was shocked when the old king's hand shot toward her and grasped her chin, then turned her face toward the prince. The old king's fingers were unyielding like iron but he was gentle as he moved her face. "Look at what has been done to this lovely girl."
Borrican looked at Ariana and saw the other side of her face that had been covered by the mask. He was shocked when he saw the harsh ridges and dark red lines that streaked her face from her cheekbone down to her jaw.
"If you love this girl, you will give her the secret of fire, Borrican," Eric told his son, then he released Ariana's chin and laughed. "But I forget, you are younger even than your brother. You do not even know the fire, though it burns within you."
"Father, I do not know what you are talking about," Borrican said then he turned to Ariana. "I am very sorry about what happened to you and I wish I could have lent my sword to defend you. Cerric has much to answer for."
"That he does," Ariana said.
"Children," Eric said. "You look so grown, but you are still so young, so very young. An old man forgets. First thing is first, young lady. I will give you the secret, if you promise not to tell anyone I have given it to you, except Borrican. Perhaps you can help him find his true fire."
Ariana was not quite sure what secret the old king was referring to, but she wondered if it had to do with fire magic.
"Is it magic?" Ariana asked.
"Of sorts," Elric said. "I must touch your power, to a place deep within you, and I would only do such a thing with your permission."
Ariana hesitated for a moment. Something about the old king made her think of a kind old grandfather, but from one moment to the next, she almost feared him. She could sense a king of power in him, but it was strange to her and not like the magic she knew, though something about it reminded her of the elves and the way she could talk to the trees. Even though the old king was unpredictable and she could see why Eric's sons and brother had taken over ruling the kingdom, she still felt as though she could trust him.
"You may," Ariana told him.
Eric's hand moved so quickly it was a blur as it came to rest on her scarred cheek. Ariana almost flinched but there was no impact despite how fast he had moved and she wondered at the level of precision and control he must have despite his erratic behavior. A moment after the old king touched her, Ariana felt a strange sensation in her cheek and she began to see strange visions appearing in her thoughts.
"Father," Borrican said with a note of urgency in his voice when he saw Ariana's eyes widen. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing harmful, Borrican," Eric said. "I am protecting her."
"How can you protect her?"
"You will understand, my boy. There is much fire in her life and more in her future. That much is plain, and I would not see the young lady harmed," Eric said then he removed his hand. "Ariana understands now, don't you?"
Ariana reached up and touched her face, where the king's hand had been. Her scars were still there, but they no longer hurt and her whole body felt different, stronger than it was. More surprising, was the knowledge Eric had given her, and she wondered why he had chosen to trust her with so much.
"Thank you, King Eric," she said.
"Try your fire magic now," he said, clapping his hands, his kingly demeanor gone and seeming almost like an ancient child.
"You want me to use mage fire in the royal court?" Ariana asked. She had grown accustomed to not using her fire at all, throughout her time in Elvanar, but even before, she knew how volatile and uncontrollable even small amounts of fire magic could be. The king shook his head.
"Do not be afraid," he said.
"The castle cannot be burned, and neither can you. Never again will fire hurt you. That is my gift to you and your mate. Please, show me some fire. Mage fire is always so amusing. Let me see it."
Ariana was not sure what Eric had meant about her mate, though she wondered if the old king had some idea about her and Borrican. It did not surprise her that Eric might think of her in such away, given how hard Borrican's uncle had tried to arrange things between them while at Maramyr. Either way, the old king seemed intent on seeing her use her mage fire and, considering what she had just learned from him, Ariana thought it would not hurt to indulge the old man a little. She reached out with her will and gathered her power of fire and focused it into flames that danced just beyond the tips of her fingers. She was amazed at how easily it came to her and how the flames no longer seemed like they might burn her or escape from her grasp.
"Ha ha!" the old king laughed, excited. "Your flames are pretty, just like you are, young lady. Can you make them bigger?"
Ariana nodded and she drew a little more of her power, increasing the size of the fire in her hand to that of large blaze. Strangely, she could feel the warmth of it, but unlike the times in the past when she had used fire magic or been near a fire that was burning, she no longer feared being burned by it.
"Do you see?" Eric asked. "Can you feel it now? It is part of you and it cannot hurt you."
"I understand," Ariana said in wonderment.
"Throw the fire in the hearth. I will show you a trick."
"Father," Borrican said, his voice a little more urgent. "I think we have had enough entertainment. In case you haven't noticed, there is a war outside."
"Borrican," Eric said, fixing his younger son with a stern look that betrayed none of his madness, the look of a powerful king who was in full control of himself, the look of a father, who would brook no nonsense from a child. "I do this for you and for the girl. You may not understand this, but you will, when you have real fire in your belly. Now be quiet and pay attention and perhaps you will learn something." Eric smiled again and turned to Ariana. "The hearth can handle a little patch of flame like that, just toss it in there. My old bones ache, so it will be nice to have the warmth."
"Yes, your highness," Ariana said, glancing over at Borrican, who she could tell was very frustrated. She threw the fire toward the hearth and the wood that had been placed there burst immediately into flame.
"Very good, my dear," Eric said then he walked over to the hearth and picked up a piece of burning wood in his bare hands.
"Father!" Borrican exclaimed. "What are you doing?"
"Borrican," he said. "Can't you see? The fire cannot touch me. It cannot touch you either, and now it cannot touch your lovely wife."
"She is not yet my wife, father," Borrican said, not realizing what had said. "Now please put that down, this instant. I am going to call the healers." Borrican turned and started toward the doors but Eric suddenly appeared in front of him, holding the burning firelog under his face. Borrican stumbled backwards in surprise and Ariana was amazed at how fast the king had moved, like a blur of white hair and fire, so much so that she let go of her momentary irritation at the talk of her becoming Borrican's wife, as though such a thing was already the case.
"Take it boy," Eric said, holding the burning log. "It cannot harm you."
"It is on fire," Borrican said but he noticed that his father's hands did not seem to be burning.
"Fine then," Eric said. "If you're too coward to take the fire, I'll give it to your lady wife."
Eric tossed the burning wood to Ariana. She moved back a step as the flaming log flew toward her, more in surprise than anything, but she reached out and caught it in her hand, for she already knew that it would not burn her.
"Borrican," Ariana said. "The fire no longer burns. It is a wonderful gift the king has given me. I wish I had such a gift long ago."
"We are children of fire," Eric said, his tone returning to the resonant power that it had when he had chastized Borrican a few moments ago. "Some older, some younger, but children we remain. Ariana Coromyr, you have been given the gift of fire by me, Eric Akandar, that those you may love may never harm you and those who make you their enemy may not burn you. This is a gift I have given only to one other who is not of my kind and I have pushed the boundary of a vow to my brethren in doing so. I give you one warning. You are now safe evermore from the fire of wood that burns and the fire of magic as you know it, but true fire may still touch you, so do not tempt your fate with those who possess the true fire, who would intend to do you harm."
"Thank you for this gift, King Eric," Ariana said as she walked over to the hearth and replaced the burning log. "I understand and I am very grateful."
"I don't understand," Borrican said. "Why did you give her this gift, father? Why not me? Why not Elric?"
"Borrican," Ariana said. "He already gave you the gift, long ago."
"Yes," Eric said, sniffing at Borrican. "It burns deep within you, but it cannot truly live until you accept the truth of it."
"I don't understand," Borrican repeated.
"You will," Eric said.
Ariana smiled at the Kandaran prince and she hoped he would soon come to understand what his father meant, for the sake of his kingdom and its people, for the sake of Kandara.
*****
"Are the mages in position?" Cerric asked the mage named Henton, one of Dakar's lackeys, who was overseeing the priesthood of mages in his absence.
"Yes, your highness," Henton said, looking over the vast army in front of him and the god-king, and he could easily pick out the black robes among the soldiers. "May I ask what is the purpose of this?"
"You will see soon enough," Cerric said, with a note of irritation in his voice.
"Of course, your highness," Henton replied, knowing better than to question the god-king. "May I ask instead if there has been any word from Dakar?"
"That you may ask," Cerric said. "He is far to the west, visiting your mage island. I had hoped he would have returned by now, but it appears we will have to go about things a little differently than I planned."
"As his majesty wishes," Henton said.
"No. It is not my wish. It is simply the truth of things. Tell the mages to begin the bombardment."
"Yes, your highness."
Henton made his way toward the assembled soldiers and Cerric nodded to Mirdel and Berant, who gave the signal for the siege engines to begin rolling forward. As the various colors of destructive mage fire began to fly from the mages positioned throughout the army, groups of soldiers rolled large catapults forward toward the city. Calexis walked up to Cerric and put her hand on his arm.
"Husband," she said. "I am pleased to see the Kandarans suffer for their crimes and their insolence. This looks to be a rich land, and it will provide much to our power and comfort once our conquest is complete."
Cerric smiled at the woman. He found it amusing that she thought her opinions on such matters to have value of any kind. Calexis was the queen of a poor and impoverished bit of swamp, a kingdom that had tried to conquer its neighboring lands many times over many generations and had consistently failed. The one intelligent thing she had done was to harness the power of the Darga, though Cerric found her method of doing so both repugnant and intriguing. Likewise, her lack of fear irritated and excited him, though her arrogant belief in her own value was worthy of only laughter. Nonetheless, he found her entertaining and enjoyed her company, for her lust for power in this wretched world was the only thing that came close to matching his own. It was also a good thing Calexis was skilled in other ways, and, in that sense, she was a welcome diversion, though she would soon discover just how little her importance was to this battle.
"Behold the destruction of Kandara," Cerric said. "It is but the first step on the path of the one god."
*****
The elves split into three units, the hundred soldiers of Ariana's Queen's Guard stayed within the city to ensure her safety and to assist with t
he defense of the walls while the two hundred Elven Rangers and the two hundred Elven Guard, who were commanded by Quenta, took up positions outside the city, just beyond the range of the siege engines. The Maramyrian soldiers under Nathas had found a low point and a rise in the land just outside the castle and they had dug a series of trenches, which they hoped would keep them safe from the mage fire and catapults, until Cerric's soldiers were upon them. The riders under Kaleb's command were waiting on either side of the city, out of the line of fire and waiting for Cerric's army to move closer to the city walls.
Ariana, Borrican, Elric, Duke Boric, Keira and Margo stood atop the walls watching the vast army advancing toward the city. A few moments later, the mage fire began to fly from the many black robes, who were interspersed throughout the army. Everyone atop the wall ducked behind the parapets as black, purple and orange balls of flame and energy smashed against the walls of the city, except for Boric, who remained in the open, laughing.
"Uncle," Elric said. "Do you wish for death? Perhaps you should move to safety."
"Cerric and his mages think such puny magic will damage the walls of Kandara," Boric said, shaking his head. "Fools." He turned to his nephew, the young man recently made the king of the court. "Elric, you are in no more danger than I am."
A blast of mage fire whipped past the walls and smashed into the roof of a tall building in the city. The stone and mortar exploded violently, sending chunks of rubble crashing down to the streets below. Boric turned and frowned.
"That was unfortunate," he said, his laughter chastened. "It appears we have built the city too high over the years. That was somewhat foolish as well."
"Why does the mage fire not affect the city walls, Duke Boric?" Ariana asked, wondering if it had something to do with the things the old king had shown her when he had touched her power.
"The walls of Kandara have stood for countless generations and they were built to withstand such attacks. These mages will not break through."