A Question of Power (The Fire Chronicles Book 2)

by Susi Wright

  Xandor felt his own sense of unease increase dramatically. This was not the time for questions which might stir up further irritation. He grabbed Troyan’s arm, pulling his surprised friend with him through the door, giving him nothing but a warning look.

  As they made their way along the corridors, an affronted Troyan stopped Xandor with a hand on his arm. “What was that all about? What was the hurry? Everyone will be asking that same question!” In reality, he had not missed the censure in Luminor’s eyes as they had fixed on Xandor, though he had no idea of the reason. Troyan, still slow on the uptake of perceptive skills, had been completely oblivious of his friend’s personal struggles and was still curious, as was everyone, to hear what happened to the dragon.

  “That is the point! Whatever there is to be told – will be – at the Telling tonight! Could you not see Lord Luminor was about to bathe?” Xandor shook off his friend’s light grip and continued along the corridor. Troyan sighed, pressing his lips together. He was none the wiser about Xandor’s mood, but forgave him anyway and followed. Things had a habit of coming to light, in time.

  At the doorway to the open courtyard, Xandor spotted Sumar and Saria on the far side of the square. The nauseous flip in his gut confirmed that the day had taken a second downward turn and was fast sliding into possible disaster. The confidence he just gained evaporated. His immediate reaction, like a warrior at the sight of danger, was to seek concealment while he planned his next move. He dove head-first into the next alcove to avoid stepping out into the square, ignoring how ridiculous that might look to Troyan, or any other observer.

  Naturally, Sumar didn’t miss it, even from a distance. He had been expecting Xandor’s appearance for the last few minutes and saw his comical dive into the shadow of the archway. Xandor! You coward! Sumar’s explosive laugh startled Saria, who was standing beside him. She was still unaware of things and had not noticed the two strangers emerging among many others who had recently bathed. She glanced at Sumar with a puzzled expression, but he dismissed it with a shake of his head and smiled, taking her hand.

  “Come, Saria! There is someone you must meet!” he said, leading her across the square for the inevitable introduction. Unfortunately, there was no time now left to talk to his friend about any of this, because Xandor’s own actions had absented him for far too long! Things would play out as they would. Sumar was beginning to feel that as certainly as Xandor must face his demons to find tranquility of heart – and he himself was willing accept what Fate might deal – happiness would be on the cards. . . eventually, for all of them!

  Several strides from the archway, he called a loud greeting to Troyan, who had paused to check why Xandor had taken a fall.

  “Hie! My brave brothers, I have not seen you since before the battle! How glad I am, that you, Troyan at least, is still standing!” It also served as a forewarning to Xandor that he would not be avoiding his obligations this time.

  But Xandor had already seen the folly of his actions, even before he saw Sumar striding purposefully towards him. He knew his immaturity was as clear as day to his sentient friend, his thoughts reverberating with a confronting question. I am a warrior! I have faced Death! How can I be so afraid of a woman?

  In an attempt to save face, Xandor stumbled out of the alcove into full view next to Troyan, who was looking at him strangely. He limped slightly and leaned a hand on Troyan’s shoulder. “Curse those cobbles – I almost broke my ankle!”

  Sumar smiled wryly. “Well. . my friend. . .I am glad that you survived this unlucky fall, especially after living through the one of the greatest battles in history! And, I hear, helping to save Lord Luminor’s life! It certainly would not do for us to lose you now! For one thing – I want you to meet our new sister, Saria!”

  Xandor did not miss the slightly mocking tone in Sumar’s voice, even as it gave him the chance to salvage a little pride, but also noted that his friend had omitted the mention of his own name. By design, he suspected, because Sumar was the kindest person he had ever met.

  He threw Sumar a grateful look, tinged with chagrin, removing his hand from Troyan’s shoulder and straightening to his full height. Finally, he would introduce himself to Saria, thereby testing the unknown waters of the betrothal. He had noticed that Sumar had addressed Saria without her title, so followed that example himself.

  “I am Xandor, and pleased to meet you. . .Saria.” He chanced a quick respectful look at her eyes, to see if there was a glimmer of recognition of his name, before deciding how to continue.

  “Like wise, brother . .Xandor!” Something flashed in her eyes in the brief pause, which could have been vague recognition, but was lost behind the lingering pain there. She bravely shuttered her vulnerability with a genuine friendly smile. Aware or not, she gave the next move to Xandor.

  A quick glance at Sumar’s ambiguous expression told Xandor to use this opportunity to increase his own wisdom, delve into his intuition to make the right choices. Without help or hindrance from his friend. In that moment, he noticed Sumar withdraw the hand that had lingered a second too long, protectively hovering at Saria’s back, though his friend’s facial expression had given nothing away. For once, he could see part of the ocean of latent possibility. Inexplicably, his mental turmoil melted away and he knew what to do.

  He tested the waters.

  “We are all now on the brink of a new era, it seems! We will face many weighty questions. If I may ask. . .do you, sister Saria, intend to join the Alliance. Lord Luminor’s offer of protection sets us free to choose. And, going forward into this new age, are we to keep all the old traditions – or make new ones? What are your thoughts on this, your wishes?”

  “I have accepted Sumar’s protection to accompany my parents to a new life in Baram, so the answer to your first question is ‘yes’ – if that is the same as joining the Alliance.” Saria smiled wryly and her tone became hard. “I have to say, tradition and convention have already dealt me too much pain! My wishes? I am more than prepared to leave the past behind – and everything in it!”

  It was clear that she was alluding to the tradition of arranged marriage, with Xian’s abuse still raw in her mind. By her impassioned statement, her choice was made. Far simpler than he had ever thought possible – by facing his problem with a true heart – it had solved itself and simply vanished! Fate had mysterious ways, requiring only pure intention to prove her own special magic.

  Feeling more than a little accomplished, Xandor’s eyes flickered to Sumar who blinked once and inclined his head with a half smile, in acknowledgment of a problem wisely and agreeably solved.

  Troyan, silently watching the exchange with avid interest and finding a great deal of entertainment there, tried to decipher the riddle between the three. It seemed to defy logic that why, with all the words in the Known World in several languages at their disposal, people so often failed to make their meaning clear. He wondered, not for the first time, if he was any better being Gaian, at understanding the vagaries of love – or anything else – than if he had been born human. He had always struggled in the art of Perception and preferred to keep it simple, just glad to see Xandor, at long last, release himself from whatever had been dogging him for weeks. His friend was actually beaming. For whatever reason – it was good. Perhaps, now he was in a happier mood, Xandor would explain the intrigue. Things had been serious for far too long!

  “Come friends! We have a celebration to attend!” urged Troyan, eager for the distraction. He was always one for some revelling.

  CHAPTER 47

  Celebration

  Luminor searched out Prince Rolin immediately after his bath. Very little could be done about his dusty clothing except a hefty shake, but at least his body was clean for the meeting. The two guards on the door admitted Luminor without question when they recognised him. At the call to enter, he stepped inside, noting the young prince still seemed exhausted from his recent travels and traumas.

  Rolin sat up from his reclining position, looking
small in the large feather bed that had been his parents before the invasion, but his strength of character shone, matured by trial and circumstance, from clear blue human eyes with only the faintest dark circles beneath them. His innocently boyish face belied all that he now represented. Luminor hoped the prince was ready to assume the leadership of his people despite appearances. He bowed deferentially.

  “Lord Luminor!” acknowledged Prince Rolin, gaining his feet to stand proudly before his enigmatic visitor. “I owe you thanks for the deliverance of my people from the tyrant Xian!”

  “I am sorry for all that befell you, your family and your people. Xian also had Gaian clans-folk under his evil control. I ask that you do not blame them. Do you believe in magic, Prince Rolin? – I doubt you would have seen any of it in your young life!” He waited, giving the boy a chance to say something.

  “My family – ” Rolin swallowed the words with a surge of emotion. “I did not believe in magic before I saw the devil’s fire – now I do! We lost so much! If my parents had not sacrificed themselves trying to defend the palace and ordered the guard to take me and escape through the secret tunnels, I would be dead too!” Rolin looked at Luminor with the pain of loss in his eyes.

  “Yes. . .there was dark magic at work, against which they were powerless. I lost men also. Greed eats up the innocent in its path, ultimately consuming the guilty, in the end!” Luminor smiled humourlessly.

  “So. . Lord Luminor, you have not come to take my lands from me, then? I suspect you could do so. Easily! You have many empowered warriors, a legion of human soldiers and who-knows-what-else at your disposal!” Rolin’s gaze held a hint of suspicion.

  “I am here to offer my friendship, foremost. Also, the choice to accept an alliance that offers protection for us all. . .and help into the future, to regain what has been lost and more!” Luminor’s eyes glowed with deep and genuine appeal.

  Wisdom beyond his years, beyond the constraints of his humanity, was evident in Prince Rolin’s next statement.

  “I know I cannot pretend – to you! I do find the fact that you are Gaian disconcerting, now that I have seen first-hand the powers you people wield!” He looked at Luminor as if he believed one of those talents to be mind-reading. “Of course, I assume that your rank, as Supreme Lord of Fire, would naturally give you even greater power than Xian. It radiates from you – even when it seems you are not trying!” Brief indecision flickered in his face, quickly replaced by the opposite, before he issued a condition. “I thank you again, for defeating Xian and releasing the survivors of my people. You could have had us all killed outside the palace, but you did not! I trust that you will not employ coercion to force my decision. If you can prove to me that your love for All-Living exceeds your love of power – that my position as ruler will not be threatened and my people would continue to be safe – then I might accept your offer!”

  Luminor smiled at the young prince’s confidence and well-schooled statesmanship. With his own mental powers, he could convince any human, or Gaian, to believe they had made an autonomous decision when they had not. He was more than capable of issuing an edict far more powerful than Xian’s – if he so chose! However, he respected the giving of trust. It was not an easy thing. Of course, being trustworthy, he would not abuse it.

  He already knew how he would comply with Prince Rolin’s condition. He did not need to prove anything – just do exactly as he had intended all along! Love, loyalty and hope held their own truth, as surely as the sun shone.

  “Prince Rolin, I believe we have an understanding and I will honour it!” Luminor smiled widely. “Now. . .it seems both our peoples have conspired to organise a celebratory feast. Perhaps we should attend. Everyone deserves some happier times!”

  Luminor politely waited for Rolin, whose tense expression had relaxed considerably, to precede him through the chamber door. Flanked by two of the prince’s bodyguards, they walked side by side towards the palace courtyard, where preparations had been completed. The sound of music and singing, laughter and the clatter of crockery drifted along the corridors as they approached, heralding an evening of food, merriment and entertainment for all.

  The moment the guests of honour were spotted entering the square, a wave of cheering went up, taking precedence over all the activity. Luminor escorted Prince Rolin past the table that had been set up for them, to a clamour of well wishes and greetings, leading him towards the far side of the courtyard. He leaned down to speak, so the boy-prince could hear him above the noise as they approached a group of people crushing together just inside the palace gates. “Prince Rolin, there is someone I would like you to meet.” The new distraction of the prince’s arrival broke up a large huddle of people who had gathered there, revealing what had drawn their interest. Bystanders were chattering with excitement, turning to greet both leaders; some were still uttering cries of alarm, at the strange, hairy, one-handed being in their midst.

  Melu’s arrival, carried by a Gaian warrior in his air-cloak, had certainly caused a stir! The attendant warrior kept one hand on the hilt of his sword, ready for any adverse reaction that might endanger Melu’s life, but there had been no show of violence so far.

  Luminor, having felt a sudden surge of pleasure some time ago, expected his friend’s attendance at the feast and he rushed forward to greet him in Morvian, before ushering him to be introduced to the prince.

  “Prince Rolin, this is my Minister for Foreign Affairs and esteemed Morvian friend, Melu Nilva. Melu this is Prince Rolin of Lealand.” Luminor turned to Rolin to observe his initial reaction, surprised and impressed at the boy’s ability to appear impassive under the confronting circumstances. “Melu is one of our newest members of the Alliance. He and his family escaped from invading warlords in his motherland. Morvia is beyond the Impossible Mountains, yet he found safety with us, against all the odds. He speaks neither of our languages well yet, but you would be amazed at his powers of communication! I will let him explain in his own way – you must be prepared to accept how different he is, accept his talents without fear, and allow it!”

  The entire crowd now watching the proceedings had fallen silent, some craning their necks, others climbing on to stone ledges around the square so they could better see.

  Prince Rolin appeared to be fascinated, rather than afraid. He showed no sign of flinching or recoiling when Melu closed the distance between them and reached out his one long, thin and extremely hirsute arm, to touch the boy’s shoulder in order to begin transference. The large black eyes held Rolin’s mildly apprehensive gaze without resistance. Mere seconds passed and Melu dropped his hand to step back, leaving Rolin calmly nodding in understanding and, more importantly, acceptance.

  “This is a wonder. . to be sure!” The prince’s face lit with sudden boyish enthusiasm, as he added loudly, “I suggest everyone meet Melu, personally, and tries this! It is truly marvelous!”

  The onlookers, Gaians who had lost touch with the old arts and humans alike, seemed to breath a collective sigh of relief that nothing untoward had befallen the prince at the hands of the alien being; they burst into excited comments to each other, though more than half of them had no real idea of what had just happened. Most of the people who had been freed from Xian’s rule were just so grateful to be alive they could afford to be magnanimous to others who had suffered misfortune, whatever their origin. To many, their growing belief in the existence of magic had also opened up a myriad possibilities and acceptance of the unexpected.

  Suddenly a blood-curdling scream rose above the muttering of the crowd. Heads turned in startled fear to search out the source of the noise. The people immediately surrounding the disturbed human woman had recoiled from her in fear, clearing a space of several metres around her as she screamed a second time, wailing, “It is a devil! By all that is Divine! Someone please kill it!” Her arms were flailing about as if she was fighting invisible assailants, having possibly lost her senses. She had obviously just arrived on the scene, caught sight of Melu and was
terrified of him. A Gaian woman stepped forward to try to comfort her and was whacked across the ear for her trouble, but she persevered, putting a firm, kind arm around the woman’s shoulders to try to quieten her. It all seemed too much for the poor woman, who promptly slumped in a dead faint and would have unceremoniously hit the ground if her helper had not kept a supporting hold on her. A few people clustered to help remove her to somewhere she could recover.

  “Do you know this woman, Prince Rolin?” Luminor asked, turning to the anxious-looking boy.

  Yes, Lord Luminor, I do. She was one of the palace cooks and a very good one. She used to make delicious pekunis pies! People are remembering. . .everything. Hers is one of the most abominable of many stories, I have listened to in the last few hours. I know there are many more. But I fear she has lost too much. . . apparently she has not slept for days, imagining demons and such chasing her day and night! Seeing a strange being like this Morvian – no offense meant to you Melu – must have been the last straw. I heard from some of my people earlier today, that her three children were some of the first to be slaughtered when Xian culled the number of slaves – starting with every one of the surviving children he found within the palace walls. Her ailing husband was also murdered by the tyrant. Xian did nothing to prevent her being raped by a group of mercenaries he brought in to do manual labour around the palace. They cornered her when she was cleaning up, alone in the kitchens one night. Of course, some of the other men found out about it – bucked up the courage to give them what they deserved – but all three were executed by Xian without a hearing.

  “Perhaps if she is given the right care. . . she will heal,” suggested Luminor. As always, he wondered if there might be something he could do. Thinking of the poor woman, her children and all the others that were murdered, of so many mental and physical injuries caused by Xian’s greed, made him consider again the long road of healing in store for Churian, some of the Gaian warriors and all these other people. No seriously injured human that Xian had encountered had been allowed to live, but he had kept the strongest as slaves, forcing them to work with various, lesser degree burns and no treatment. Now many of them had badly-infected wounds that needed urgent attention. Luckily the Baramese army had brought plentiful supplies of Prian powder with them. He was sure that over the coming days, as the troops moved out to search, they would come across more survivors from further afield. So much to do!