A Question of Power (The Fire Chronicles Book 2)

by Susi Wright

  Luminor moved, his creature of Fire, Ra, instantly close on his heels. Shadowing him perfectly on elegant wings, the dragon hovered by his side when he leapt high into the air, both visible to all of his men, with nothing but a silent, curt signal towards the western horizon.

  All at once, they took to the night sky – the Lord of Fire, with a diminutive dragon and a hundred Gaian warriors – trusting in the power of love, to embark on the next chapter of their destiny.

  CHAPTER 37

  Battledance

  Power and Love?

  Love or Power?

  Twin sisters of True Happiness,

  Having mischief in their power,

  Run and play and make a mess.

  To dance with one,

  Or bow to one,

  Both thwart the best-laid plans,

  To truly have one or the other,

  The True heart, quiet, stands.

  Power and Love,

  Love and Power,

  Begin a merry dance,

  Of all things in her power,

  Fate turns these not to chance.

  One movement as one,

  One movement apart,

  Both flee the chaser’s art,

  Yet drawn like moths,

  Unto a flame,

  They rest in tranquil heart.

  To die for Power?

  Or die for Love?

  Perhaps a fearsome bane,

  But death for Love,

  Not death for Power,

  Alone, is worth the pain.

  For bringing Truth for all to see,

  Both, in Love’s arms entwine

  To set the dancer, whirling, free.

  Love.

  ‘Tis Power, formed Divine.

  Ardientor, Son of the Lord of Fire, brother to Espira, son also to Lady Fralii and a precious hybrid child, possessed of many virtues present and future, made his entrance into the Known World with a mighty howling roar!

  Shimbu’s exclamation was delivered in her mellifluous Morvian language, punctuated with a few abrupt indigenous expletives. It mirrored Aleana’s thoughts. By the Ancestors! My ears are burning! This son of all the Fires. . .has the lungs of a bloody dragon!

  Attendant to Ardientor’s dramatic entrance into Existence, the evening storm that had been threatening all afternoon broke with a vengeance over the villa. Thunderclaps and lightning seemed to applaud his arrival, adding weight to the squalling wails of a hungry babe. The hale and hearty baby boy was swaddled tight by a clucky, adoring Shimbu. He was passed to his proud grandmother to hold briefly and on to Fralii who, though exhausted from the birth, eagerly took the newborn babe in her arms. The delivery had been longer than expected and difficult; this baby had been so much larger and sturdier than her first. However, he was safely here now and she would recover her strength in time with the help of family and friends. Fralii settled the infant onto her breast to quieten him and her attention returned to her ailing daughter. She raised questioning eyes to Aleana.

  Aleana answered with a slight shake of her head and a regretful look that said, There is no answer yet!

  Throwing the door open, an excited Altor burst into the room, duly acknowledging his new nephew with an eager and affectionate glance and a brotherly smile to Fralii. He rushed on with an urgent summons, yelling above the noise of the storm. “Come! You must see this!”

  The creeping dawn stalked the Gaian’s flight, as they sped west towards the Plains of the King. But not for much longer would they need the cover of night. Once the opposing forces sighted them, however fast they moved, the surprise would be over and it would all come down to a question of agility and various talents. While combat skills and the higher arts would go a long way in such a conflict, none of them, even Lord Luminor with his Supreme Power over it, was physically immune to the ravages of Fire – although legend would have it that dragons could not be destroyed by the element that gave them life. And if that were true, they might indeed have a powerful weapon in the coming conflagration after all!

  The fliers swept around behind the peaks that bordered the plains on the northern side, a counter move to the expected tactic which would bring them in on a wind from the south. There, Luminor’s warriors would be well-positioned to swoop in behind the Xian ranks, arrayed towards the south at their lord’s command.

  Lord Xian, thwarted in his attempts to locate his nemesis, had to rely solely on tactical understanding. He was confident that Luminor would not approach overtly from the direction of Baram. But he had left one archer-guard positioned high on those northern hills, purely as a safeguard. Move. Counter-move. It was all a game of bluff. Xian was prepared. He had the field, waiting to draw out his enemy and one single flaming arrow from that vantage point on the hill would alert him to a surprise attack from the north.

  The heavy drifting mist which clung along the top of the ridge was a convenient boon to the Gaians. Flying at speed most of the way, they advanced under its cover to within a couple of hilltops of the sentry, at which point Luminor gave the signal for his warriors to stay hidden on the eastern slopes of the largest peak. He sent a scout to spy from a crevice at the summit because he expected at least one or two watchmen; he was not about to underestimate his adversary in any way and it was something he would have done. The intermittent visibility between drifts of mist gave away the exact position of the sentry, when the dawning light glinted on his armour and the Gaian scout hurried back down the rocky slope to report this to Luminor.

  Dispatching a single warrior to the Ancestors would normally have been an easy task, but they could not afford to disturb Xian’s mental shield over his northern watchman. Luminor decided the best strategy would be not to kill him, but to advance along the lower slopes in stages, using the mist to cloak their passage, just as he masked the movement of their energy. Dividing his army into three groups, Luminor’s signalled to one of his Elite to exert subtle manipulation of the breeze, gathering the mist over each group each time they moved. In this way, the entire company skirted the base of the ridge to a low pass which led down on to the plains, beyond the watchman’s line of sight. Here, and very soon, they would have to abandon the mist to become airborne for the attack, using their flying speed alone to catch the waiting enemy unawares from the rear. The use of a sudden strong wind at this point could alert Lord Xian, but if employed prudently, would serve their purpose more than hamper it.

  Luminor army gathered, closing ranks in the damp shadows of the rocky pass. He surveyed the warriors as they formed up in preparation for the assault. Under his protective shield, he was in tune with every one of them and his intuition would help guide theirs. But he could not protect them entirely from physical harm. That is where their individual talents would have to come into play and soon no restraint would be required. Each of them specialised in control of a particular element. Earth or water could be coaxed forth to douse errant flames. The same dust could blind or choke an adversary, helping to gain the upper hand in combat. The normal advantage a Gaian might have, the ability to confuse an opponent, would not be available to them due to Xian’s shield. But that would not stop the Elite among Luminor’s warriors from trying every trick they had. And, of course, Luminor would have Fire! They would all trust in Fate but, like her, would leave nothing to chance.

  Luminor mentally scanned the plains below, easily picking up the presence of Xian and his pet necromancer. The two were joined together by an unfamiliar aura. Some kind of spell? Most Gaians had heard the legends about the ancient sorcerers and dark wraiths who could use black-magic, but all those wizards and mystical entities had disappeared into the annuls of time, banished there for eternity by the Guardians, a thousand years ago. There were no instructions as to how to break such spells. That Lord Xian ever accumulated the mental power to summon such an entity was a mystery, but also cause for cautionary respect. A few more moments here, to ponder, would not go amiss.

  Xian was extremely powerful. However, he had made two serious mistakes at o
nce – misusing Fire and simultaneously entering Luminor’s dreams to steal more of the element. He had unwittingly made his identity visible, made an unretractable, one-way connection with the object of his jealousy while he was now blind to Luminor’s energy. Xian’s abject craving was a weakness which Luminor intended to use to the fullest. In this quest, even more than in his first, he would need to turn Fire on itself. He suspected that Xian’s recent abilities had been supported and strengthened by his wraith and its evil magic, that if he could somehow separate the two. . . .

  A movement drew his eyes to the creature resting quietly at his feet. The animal had preened, a deliberate move to gain his attention. Regarding the attentive red eyes that always seemed trained on him, whether he returned it or not, Luminor recalled how he had been anxious at first, receiving such a gift from the Guardians without instructions. Likewise, he had been given the title, Lord of Fire. Although trained in the other Gaian arts to the highest level, the control and application of the Supreme Power continued to come to him without specific instruction. At his inheritance ceremony, the only advice from his father, Thunis, before he had passed over, had been for Luminor to use his own intuition! Now, with no time to train the little dragon for the battle, it had come as a welcome boon to realise that the creature was connected to his own soul. In this, Ra would share Luminor’s knowledge, absorb his life experiences and his Gaian virtues; in return, Luminor hoped for something from the Ancient Realm – wisdom which belonged uniquely to dragons – lost to men when the creatures disappeared from Existence so long ago. With the Link, both would have access to the myriad unique possibilities laid out for every soul. His intentions could manifest in ways that remained to be seen.

  Yes, Ra. I am ready!

  Sumar could see the drug was wearing off as he sat beside his new charge. Lady Saria was stirring slightly, comfortably settled on a folded cloak; a deep bed of hay covered the floor of one of the monastery buildings which was still intact, the only one completely untouched by the fire. Surprisingly, even the hay had escaped the flames. It had been a stable to house the milking-bovinos, but the monks had kept it meticulously clean, so it smelled only of sweet lupin hay. The building provided warm shelter for the small group, especially now it had started to rain and Sumar still considered it advisable to avoid lighting a fire.

  Late that afternoon, the size of the company swelled when Melu arrived with the seriously injured Churian and their escort of two warriors. The old warrior was made comfortable in the same way as Saria and the loyal Morvian settled himself to watch over his comatose friend.

  Beror, one of the carriers, gave brief report of how Churian had come to this misfortune, but Sumar preferred a first-hand account from Melu’s mind-pictures. This overcame the fact that Melu had learned very few words in either human or Gaian language. The emotion was reciprocal. Sumar greatly respected Melu’s constancy to his pledge. He was grateful to him for saving the man who had also discovered him wandering lost in the streets of Siva city. Churian had introduced him to Xandor, now a dear friend, given his clan something to believe in and somewhere to call home. Sumar liked Melu immensely from the first meeting, it was impossible to disregard his tenacity and indomitable spirit. He smiled, leaving Melu to his vigil, knowing there was nothing more that he could do to help Churian except offer his protection for as long as necessary.

  For the next couple of hours, he took to watching over Saria’s sleeping form. Without a doubt, this was Xandor’s betrothed. Sumar suspected that his friend did not want to carry out his duty to her. In leaving before she woke, Xandor had neatly avoided his responsibility to offer any explanation. Once she heard his name, likely told to her as a child, there would be questions. One did not forget the name of his or her betrothed, even if it turned out, through misfortune, that they would never meet. Just as one never forgot one’s true love. With a sharp pang of sadness, he thought of Mala.

  In all the time before and since he had lost his wife, life had been so tumultuous, his clan was constantly on the move and he had been their sole protector in the absence of a chieftain. His grief – not being able to save the one he loved the most – numbed him at first, until he set his mind to being completely occupied with the daily survival of his clan. With perseverance, he had managed to get some of them to a place where they could finally live in safety. In all those years, he had not desired a woman. He didn’t know why he thought of that now, except that he had just been considering how remiss Xandor was in his duty, that Saria was very fair to look upon – undeserving of such negligence. He felt deep sympathy for the woman, having been told that Xian executed her lover, forced the marriage and abused her.

  Sumar knew he faced a challenge, to influence and shield a very distraught soul. When she woke, her mind would be in turmoil. Even with his intervention, the effects of the edict would be strong. His best hope was to buffer her emotions as he doubted he could break the tyrant’s hold and remnants of the drug in her body would add to her confusion. She would be afraid. Nevertheless, he would do his best, glad of Xandor’s confidence in him. His heart swelled to be part of this quest. He was determined to keep this woman and the rest of the group under his protection. He had become far better now at keeping people safe!

  Focussing carefully as Saria blinked and tossed her head from side to side, he began the employment of his talent during this vulnerable waking stage. Once in place, some state of calm should hold as long as he willed it. She would consider everyone around her as a friend – easier to achieve because it was the truth.

  Her eyes opened, a little clouded from lubio, searching her unfamiliar surroundings groggily. “Where am I?” she murmered, squinting at Sumar who was kneeling over her.

  “You are at the monastery. I am Sumar. . .and you are safe now!” Sumar’s kind smile, one of his defining characteristics, was soothing in itself.

  “Oh. . . .good!” Her half-sighed reply, confirmed her acceptance of the situation. Exactly what Sumar hoped for, his smile widened with the happy accomplishment of his purpose. He liked the feeling of being able to ease this woman’s mental and emotional pain. It was a good thing, even if it did involve a little subterfuge.

  The first rays of sun crept over the ridge and across the plain below, chasing away the last vestiges of the morning mist as it went, glinting off the weaponry of the army amassed on the southern side of the field. All was eerily quiet, except for the occasional clink of a shield or spear, or the sniff and cough of a warrior, chilled from waiting through the long damp night out in the open. Certainly, Xian would hear no complaints from his thralls. They would die for him. Without question.

  Looking down at the scene, Luminor prepared himself mentally to lead the attack, ever careful not to project his intention. His heart ached with regret for the tragic circumstances and pity for Lord Xian, who should have been an ally, a brother! And for those mentally bound Gaian warriors who would perish under Xian’s edict, for they would not be free until he was dead. Yes, it was a tragedy, but then, Luminor had never been so naive as to believe an idealistic Alliance would easily slip into place without some momentous challenges. Its birth was not easy, neither would its future be. Everything in Existence, even beyond that into the Ancient Realm, was a dance between good and evil, and ironically, one could not exist without the other!

  It is time! Luminor gave the signal to his men, joining them as they rose up out of the pass, to fly full speed towards the enemy. He had ordered his men to draw the Xians away from their leader. He hoped he could spare as many as possible, from both sides, from the ravages of Fire.

  In a heartbeat, Xian sensed them, just before he turned to see Luminor’s warriors were upon them. His eyes searched out the leader, drawn to the powerful presence of the Lord of Fire whom he had longed to usurp. He noticed the small dragon flying in Luminor’s shadow. For an instant he was so fascinated by it, distracted by the second surprise in as many seconds, he almost dropped his guard, musing, How fitting a pet! Perhaps the drago
n can also be mine! He expected Luminor’s focus would be on him now. He welcomed this emergence and the final showdown that would give him what he so desired – Power – and a dragon into the bargain! He relished, rather than feared, the imminent contest of wills.

  He felt the heat of Luminor’s gaze over the distance that still separated them and steeled his mind to withstand a mental attack. He knew the binding spell protected him. His wraith was his armour, draped around his shoulders and woven within the folds of his cloak and the recesses of his mind, giving him strength and assurance. He smiled grimly. Raising his magnificent fortified obsidian cloak, he leaped into the air and circled out from what had been the front line, into the open ground of the battlefield. He knew, once engaged, there would be no close combat between leaders, but the power of Fire would bind them closer than any shackle!

  The Gaians were agile and fast, flying in on the enemy with an unexpected gust of wind, raining arrows as they came, giving the Xians no time to use their bows in the first instance. But the enemy warriors were a match in agility and use of the air-cloak, their archers quickly gaining sufficient range from the air to fire at will. The conflict became a blur of arrows, of swooping and diving, hand-to-hand combat with a few men from both sides already bloodied, if not down. A dust cloud rose and became a khamsin; some of it formed into willy-willies, aimed here and there as a few, who might have been Gaians, used other tricks.

  Luminor mirrored the movement of his adversary, skirting out into the open, making sure the main fray was a considerable distance away. He tried to assess his opponent’s vulnerability, surprised to find the man’s mind was a fortress! Xian’s psyche was blanketed by the dark amorphous aura that had been constantly associated with him. Luminor had been able to recognise it since the first dream encounter. With it, Xian appeared to have developed an impenetrable shield against Luminor’s mental intrusion.