Ari put the burdens on the ground beside the haversacks. “You do the fire circle and I’ll trap fish.”
Once the blanket rolls were in the shade of a willah and the fire circle filled with wood, Ria looked up. “I’d like to bathe,”
“Agreed. Come and look at the stream.”
Ria joined him and gasped. Near where the entrance to the cavern had been, the stream spilled over its banks. “What happened?”
“The quake shattered the cliff and the rocks have blocked the stream.”
“Will there be a lake?”
He nodded. “Especially if the outlet from the glen has been blocked.”
“Is camping here safe?”
“For tonight. The basin will take time to fill.”
She sat and pulled off her boots. “I want to rid myself of this dust.”
“My thought, too.” He pulled off his tunic. “After we bathe, we must complete the final bonding.”
Must we, Ria wondered? Would taking that step mean they would never be alone with their thoughts?
She stripped off the remainder of her clothes, grabbed a cloth and the soap, and then plunged into the stream. Ari stepped beneath the waterfall. Droplets glistened on his muscular body. The chill of the water spilling from the heights did nothing to reduce the heat of her desire for him. She washed her hair and body, and then handed the soap to him. Once he washed, they frolicked for a time.
He grasped her waist and drew her against his body. Mouths fused. Tongues explored. His erection swelled against her. Her nipples tightened and her breasts felt as engorged as his organ. Pulses throbbed in her nether lips.
Ari caught her earlobe between his teeth. She ran her nails along his spine. “Come to the blankets with me,” he said.
She tensed. To experience again all he’d been, and to know he lived her memories, brought a sense of unease. “I’m not sure I can.”
His tongue traced her ear. “’Tis the time and the place.” He took her hand.
She walked with him to the shore where he lifted her from the stream. As she towel dried her hair, a warm breeze dried her skin. Ari tied his hair back with a thong. When they reached the blankets, he drew her down beside him and kissed her lightly. He lifted the blue crystal.
“Must we?” Ria hated the tremor in her voice.
He nodded. “We do.”
Ria fitted her hand to his. He rose over her. Warmth turned to molten fire flowing from the stone. She felt Ari’s desire. Moisture gathered on her nether lips. His erection slid along her crease.
Body to body.
He plunged into her channel. She felt the sheath stretch, felt the pulsations of his organ and knew the urgency of his need.
Their scents, laden with the aromas of desire, the scent of soap and the smell of the earth and growing plants, surrounded her/him. They heard the beating of their heart, the rasps of breaths, birdsong and the rustling of the long leaves of the willah. Mouths touched, opened. Tongues thrust and bodies moved to the same rhythm. His body extended into hers and she received him with joy.
Heart to heart.
Love and belonging flowed in a never-ending circle. Their hearts beat in unison. Joy and wonder, laughter and pain. They knew a depth of caring beyond measure. their need for oneness became a steady stream.
Mind to mind.
Bodies tensed. Pulses of energy flowed from the blue fyrestone to match the movement of his organ in her sheath and the movement of her flesh on his rod.
They saw, knew and experienced everything the other had lived. Her carefree days with the children of the clan were shared. His early life with loving parents, younger siblings and friends sprang from the memories he had hidden. The restrictions of her life as a girl of the clans and the narrow days she’d lived in the temple. These blended with his adventures and freedom while living with the stone seekers. All his knowledge and hers flowed in a dual stream. With the sharing came a cleansing of hatred, of abandonment and of loss.
As they drove to completion, they became one in body, heart, and mind. They rode until the climax tossed them beyond all feelings. The blue crystal fell on the blanket and they slept.
* * *
Ari stretched and stared at the sky. He and Ria had slept the entire night. He pulled on his clothes and joined her at the fire. He brushed her mouth with a kiss and felt a sense of contentment he’d never known. The expression on her face showed she shared the same emotion.
He helped himself to the fish, plantains and citrons she prepared. “Delicious.”
“Your recipe.”
He laughed. “There are no secrets.”
“Perhaps a few buried inside.”
When he finished the food, he reached for a water flask to drown the fire. “We need to join the others.”
She nodded. “I fear this area will soon be flooded.” She rose and went to gather the clothes she’d washed.
He glanced toward the orchard. “A priestess and a guard are on the way. What do you think they want?”
Ria made a face. “Who knows?” She placed her hand on the scarlet crystal. Had the women come to challenge her?
Ari moved to her side. “I’ll back you.”
“Thank you.”
The priestess stopped a few yards from them. She bowed her head. “Chief priestess, Ria, what are your commands?”
“What?” Ria turned to Ari. “How can I be the chief priestess?”
The woman raised her head. “You defeated Malera. By the customs of the temple, you now stand in her place. Yours was the crystal that remained untouched.”
“I have no desire to rule.”
The woman’s eyes widened. “You must. Only one who calls fire from a scarlet can lead us. Of those who serve the temple, two are too old. There is no one, but you. Should we bind this man until we return to Rosti and he’s safe in the harras?”
“No,” Ria said. “He is free to go or stay.”
The woman glared. “Priestesses are free from all bondage to men. As chief priestess, should you wish to reserve this man for your use, no other will touch him. Years ago, there was such a case and it brought about a rebellion. I suggest you share.”
Ria met the priestess’ gaze. “You don’t understand. We are thrice bonded. I have no desire to serve the temple.”
“You must. Who will control the rituals? Who will decide which petitions to answer? Who will define the rewards and punishments for those who defy the temple’s rules?”
Ria clasped Ari’s hands. “I didn’t defeat Malera. Her attempt to use the blue fyrestone without a triple bond led to her death. Ari and I are equals. Without his aid, the protective dome would have shattered and all would have died.”
“How can a man be your equal?”
Ria pulled her scarlet stone from beneath her robe. Ari revealed his. She called a flame and he matched hers. Slowly he blended the flames. “Do you see?”
The priestess nodded. “I see, and must believe.”
Ari pressed his lips against Ria’s ear. “We need to leave today. Should there be more quakes, the pass could be blocked and we would be trapped.”
Ria nodded. “Have the servants prepare a midday meal. The guards should gather fruit from the orchard and tubers from the garden to take with us. The fyrestones and scrolls must be packed.”
“Scrolls? There were none in the cavern.”
“I removed them on the day Ari and I opened the cave.”
“What do they say?”
“We haven’t opened them,” Ria said. “They must be taken to the scriptorium.”
The priestess bowed and left. Ria shook her head. “I don’t want to rule the temple.”
He put his arm around her waist. “Until there are circles in every hamlet, you have no choice. I’ll be at your side.”
“What about your quest to find your siblings? When we were bound mind to mind, I learned what you want to do.”
“In time we will undertake the search. Who knows where the slavers sold them?”
“Before we join the others, we must discuss our plans. We are two made one. We must show these priestesses we are equal in power. They must accept this before we return to Rosti.”
He smiled. “You speak the truth. I know what you see as the future of the temple. When we were mind to mind, all you know about the fyrestones became mine.”
“There is so much more to be learned.”
“We will discover these things and teach others. Thus, we will earn our freedom.” He lifted their blanket rolls and the sack of cooking gear. Ria gathered the damp clothes and the haversacks. They strolled to the camp to help with preparations to leave.
When the midday meal was ready, the priestesses and acolytes came to the fire. Ria gestured to the guards and servants. “Join us. Is this everyone?”
“There is a stud,” one of the guards said. “Two came with us, but one has vanished. Should we look for him?”
Ari piled meat on a piece of flatbread. “I saw him enter the third passage from the cavern. He said the way led through the mountain to his land.”
Ria bowed her head. “I pray the fates help him find his home.”
Ari met her gaze. “Have the stud join us.”
Moments later, the young man appeared. When Ria saw the chain on his wrists, she scowled. “Free him.”
“But he belongs to the harras,” a priestess said.
Ari turned to the guard. “You heard the chief priestess. Thus I vow, on our return to Rosti, the harras will be emptied and the men free to go or stay.”
Gasps were heard. “Ria, is this so?” a priestess asked.
She nodded. “That is the second change, and this is the third. The slavers will be driven from our markets. Our people will no longer be sold, nor will we buy slaves.”
“But ... but ...,” the priestess sputtered.
The guard captain frowned. “The slavers are powerful and have strange weapons.”
Ari grinned. “I believe with the power of the blue, they cannot prevail.”
The stud looked from Ria to Ari. “If you close the harras, what will I do?”
“Remain with us until we reach Rosti,” Ari said. “During the journey, you can think of what you would like to do.”
One of the priestesses rose. “What other changes will occur?”
Ria finished her portion of the meal “The priestesses will follow the old ways. A circle would be founded in every hamlet. Men and women will be tested and trained to use fyrestones.”
“Will those who remain in Rosti accept the changes?”
Ria shrugged. “Some will resist, but they will be tested by the blue as you were. The temple in Rosti will become a training center. If the fates are kind, a way will be found to restore the wastes.”
* * *
Ari watched as the last of the fyrestones were loaded into the panniers. The return trip to Rosti would take no longer than a ten-day. With the number of those able to use the fyrestones, the wastes would present no problems. Malera’s death, and the escape of a stud, had left coursers free for Ria and him. He watched with envy her ease with the stallion. He took his place beside her.
She turned to him. “I’ll miss the glen.”
“We can return.”
‘Twill not be the same.”
He nodded. “Most of the orchard will be under water.” He prodded the courser and followed the burden beasts into the pass.
Five days later, they reached the first of the wastes. As they made their way across the barren plain, he wondered if the crystals could be used to restore the land the way Ria hoped.
The journey from the first waste to the gates of Rosti took four more days. Ari watched Ria’s shoulders brace and saw the uncertainty in her eyes. He leaned toward her. “’Twill be all right. We can stand united against all trouble. We are triple bonded.”
“So were your parents.”
“Without the blue, there can be no mind bond. Where do we go first?”
“I’m not sure,” Ria said. “I favor the slavers. Their days of buying and selling people must end. If they fight, I’ll use fire to drive them to their ships.”
Ari clasped her hand. “Though I want them gone, I believe you must go to the temple. Surely Malera left those who favor her in charge. Until we’re acknowledged, the guards won’t heed us.”
“I fear you’re right.”
“Also, you’ll need coins to redeem those held by the slavers. They have armed men, and would fight to take their property with them.”
Ria nodded. “To the temple then.”
Instead of making their way through the market square to the temple’s main entrance, they rode down the lane just inside the walls. A guard opened the rear gate and summoned servants to unload the burden beasts. Guards took the coursers to the stables. The sacks of fyrestones and the scroll cylinders were carried inside. Ria clasped Ari’s hand and led him through the halls to the rotunda to await the arrival of the priestesses and acolytes.”
“Should I release the studs?” he asked.
Ria shook her head. “The priestesses and acolytes must be tested and the changes announced first. I’m sure the young man who returned with us will tell them all he knows.”
“Are you sure you want me at your side?”
“You are part of the changes. To call fire from the blue takes two, so you must be with me.”
Once all the priestesses and acolytes arrived, Ari studied the women. In the stances of two, he sensed women who could cause trouble.
Ria displayed her scarlet crystal. “As you have heard, Malera’s ashes were scattered by the winds.”
“So you challenged and won,” the oldest of the priestesses said.
“This is what happened.” Ria related the tale of the ancient temple and what had happened there. “Thus Malera destroyed herself, and our heritage lies buried beneath the rocks. By temple custom, I am now chief priestess. There will be these changes.” Her list of what she planned caused mutterings among the women. Several of the priestesses drew their stones.
“I do not stand alone.” Ria turned to Ari. “Shall we show them what a thrice bonded pair can do?”
Ari freed his scarlet and held the blue fyrestone. Ria’s fingers meshed with his. Together, they called the flames, white, yellow, orange, scarlet, and blue. They enclosed the group beneath the dome. Three of the priestesses screamed and collapsed. When the dome was released, the three women were dead and their crystals dark cinders.
Ari held his and Ria’s hands high. “Times have changed. Ria and I will need coins to free the slaves from the slavers. Places will be needed for those we release. Guards and priestesses will be selected to escort the slavers to the coast and see them aboard their ships.”
Gasps filled the room. One of the priestesses approached. “Malera has had many dealings with the slavers. They paid a tithe to the temple. They brought her gifts and males for the harras. Chief priestess, is it really your will to see them gone?”
“I was sold to the slavers and brought here. I saw what they do to those they sold. They are evil.”
Ari released Ria’s hand. “Since the harras will be closed, there is no need for that trade.”
Ria nodded. “There is much to be done. All who wish will be tested. There are sacks of fyrestones to be sorted and stored, and scrolls to be opened and studied.”
“Why will you test others?” one of the priestesses asked. “Will men be taught?”
“Once, priests and priestesses served the circles. When there are enough trained in the use, circles will be established in every hamlet. The temple here will become a teaching center.”
The elderly priestess who attended the scriptorium approached. “Treasures you have brought in the new scrolls. To see them properly cared for, more scribes are needed.”
“Where can they be found?” Ari asked.
“At the hiring hall, or there may be some in the slavers’ pens.”
Ria nodded. “I will have those in the pens questioned.”
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The elderly priestess who had charge of the fyrestones signaled the acolytes. “Come, we must sort and store the stones.” She placed a chest on the table beside the entrance to the inner chamber. “Within are the temple’s assets. How will we live if we have no more coins?”
“Ways will be found.” Ria waved to the guard captain. “We need an escort to the slave market and a company to follow the slavers to their ships.”
* * *
Twelve guards and six priestesses accompanied Ria and Ari. As they strode toward the South Gate and the slave pens, Ria’s gut knotted. Though she hadn’t been ill-treated, she recalled how the slavers had raped the women and girls, and lashed the men. With every step, dread walked at her side. These slavers had strange weapons they used to enforce their wills.
When they neared the stockade, cries and pleas filled the air. Ria wanted to shove her fingers in her ears to shut out the wails of those in the pens. Did any of the women and children taken from Gydon remain, or had they been sent away?
A tall man with hair bleached white by the sun strode from a long, low building. A flock of carrion crows roosted on the roof. The slaver bowed. “Priestess, welcome. Have you come to purchase a slave or two? We have several untouched females, and a handsome young man.”
Ria displayed her scarlet crystal. “I’ve come to purchase and free all you hold captive. I have come to tell you your kind are no longer welcome here.”
He laughed. “Does Malera know you’re here?”
“Malera’s ashes ride the winds.”
His dark eyes narrowed. “And you wish a greater share of our profits than a tithe. I, Grogor can arrange this.”
Temple of Fyre (Island of Fyre) Page 17