The Phoenix Grail

by Helen Savore

  “He knows enough.” Adhomai looked like a petulant child, holding on to the Grail as if it were a favored toy.

  “Not enough to take this seriously.”

  A force slapped Moralynn’s face back to Raebyn. She rubbed her jaw.

  “I am beyond serious, Moralynn. The Phoenix must not fly again.”

  Alexandrea pushed herself out of Jamie’s arms. “We have to go now.”

  He took her by the shoulders and pushed her down. “That’s a nasty gash on your head and you’re coming out of a concussion. You shouldn’t go anywhere. I’m sure Moralynn left you here to heal.”

  She blinked her eyes, and they came into better focus. She flooded her head with light, trying to heal faster than she ever had before. “The Grail is getting away.”

  “Moralynn can handle it.”

  She spun to her feet, summoning a whirlwind to knock Jamie away.

  “Hey! That’s uncalled for.”

  She panted and her head jerked. “We can rest later.” She held out a hand. “You don’t have to do this, but I do.”

  The floor of the cavern rose, thrusting Jamie level to her, and he grabbed her hand. “I thought my dedication upset you earlier. I’m not standing down.”

  She gulped. If she asked him to trust her, perhaps it was time she trusted him. “Okay, let’s go.”

  Air swooped behind and below them, carrying them out of the cavern. They didn’t fly long before spotting the figures.

  A trio.

  Raebyn was here.

  For all their encounters with the cristiline, they’d managed to escape each time, but she suspected it would be different this time.

  Jamie grabbed her. “Drop me, I can travel and gather a ground swell.”

  “Jamie, there's bound to be hikers somewhere.”

  He stared at her. “If you can be reckless, so can I.”

  She nodded and released him without another word. Jamie barreled into the mess of dirt and detritus that littered the volcanic mountainside. He ran a few feet and then jumped into the dirt, straightening it into a slide and gathering the rock and dirt he passed and displaced beneath him.

  Confident he was on his way, Alexandrea picked up speed. Moralynn and Raebyn ranged about the slope. It was almost a dance, as both moved to shape the elements and respond to each other. More importantly, though, Adhomai remained still, watching them. With his back to Jamie and Alexandrea.

  Damn, maybe Jamie riding the mountain was a bad idea if they could get to Adhomai before he noticed.

  Raebyn stopped moving. Moralynn scored a hit with her sword, but Raebyn simply dissolved. “Phoenix Sparked heir.” His voice ranged out as the blue particles reformed. He held out a hand and the dirt slide halted. Jamie’s momentum carried him forward, throwing him to the ground.

  Alexandrea zipped towards him, helping him stand.

  Jamie grinned at her as they hoisted each other. “Well, we got their attention.”

  “Moralynn.” Raebyn held his hands up, palms out. “Let us pause our dance and discuss.” He turned to Adhomai. “Adhomai, hand me the Grail.”

  He bowed. “Of course, Lord Raebyn.” He offered it across his arms.

  Raebyn hefted it in one hand and shook it towards Moralynn. “Phoenix Sparked, we both know this has never been about the Grail.”

  Alexandrea jerked to a stop. It wasn’t?

  Moralynn’s eyes narrowed. “Do not try to mince words with me, Raebyn. If not the Grail, what is it? Do you simply enjoy thwarting me?”

  Bits of Raebyn’s back swirled off him, creating a haze. “The Phoenix, I will not let it rise.”

  Adhomai sputtered, but Raebyn held up a hand, silencing him.

  “Phoenix Sparked is enough to perpetuate the cycle of reincarnation without other complications.”

  Moralynn took a step forward, as but Raebyn and Adhomai took a step back. “What does it matter?” she said. “These words get us nowhere.”

  “The Investiture requires several components. The Grail to contain the flames, the Spark or body of the previous Phoenix to kindle them. The mantle to hold the connection”—Raebyn’s gaze fell on Drea—“and a host Druid.”

  Alexandrea’s breath hitched. She was Moralynn’s apprentice, the eyes of an elder were not unfamiliar to her, but there was something more going on here.

  “You tell me things I already know. What is your intent?”

  “Simple,” Raebyn said, brandishing the Grail. “I will give you the Grail, if you give me Alexandrea’s life.”

  Adhomai lunged for Raebyn, who sidestepped in a swirl of blue particles. “That is not yours to give, Raebyn! We need it.”

  Alexandrea blinked. She couldn’t believe her ears. She couldn’t process this. They’d faced Raebyn before; he’d always been a threat. But to so casually suggest this? It was inhuman.

  Jamie jumped in front of her, too. “That’s… you can’t just casually trade for a murder. A life for an object, seriously?”

  Alexandrea squeezed Jamie’s hand, and stepped past him. “Not that you will have it, but ask it of me, Raebyn, not Moralynn. Say it to my face.”

  “I am not saying this is something I want to do, fledgling. I have indeed been careful not to take your life prior. A Druid is already rare, but I know you are more than a bit special. I did not want to anger your mentor unnecessarily.” He tipped his head to Moralynn.

  Jamie rolled his eyes. “Well, as long as we’re polite about it.” He looked back over his shoulder, catching Moralynn’s eye. “You’re not seriously considering this, are you?”

  Moralynn shook her head as if coming out of a daze. She grasped Alexandrea's arm. “Of course not. She is my apprentice.”

  Pride swelled in Alexandrea. She knew how desperately Moralynn wanted the Grail, and the Phoenix, but she should not have worried. Moralynn would not ask this of her, regardless that it was not hers to give.

  Adhomai reached for Raebyn, and again he sidestepped. “Good, it’s settled, there will be no trade. Let us depart, we have work to do.”

  Raebyn ran a hand along the Grail’s diamond surface. “You think there will be another chance. Do not fool yourself. I will bury this where no one can find it. No matter how many generations of Druids you train, it will be for naught, Moralynn. Can you risk letting this opportunity go?”

  Alexandrea closed her eyes. He had a point.

  She had been so focused on summoning the Phoenix. That was what she prepared for for years. Longer than she realized, since Moralynn visited her shortly after birth. Their connection made it more certain the ritual would work, despite Moralynn being a chimera, despite the unconventional remnants of Merlin’s body.

  The Phoenix could fly without her.

  She didn’t have to like it, but she had to accept it, even if it was almost too late. She always believed her destiny was to summon the Phoenix, but maybe it would not be as she expected.

  Alexandrea swallowed and closed her eyes. She had to do it before she lost her nerve. “I accept.”

  “No!” Jamie grabbed her, pulling her into an embrace. “No, you can’t do this, Drea.”

  She snuggled into him. Taking strength from his lean frame, breathing in his sweat. Gosh, she was such a fool. Why had she waited so long to be with him? She had unknowingly wasted her last few days, angry at him for leaving. Now she would truly lose him, in a much more permanent way.

  She stepped back and took his hands. “Jamie, this is the best path forward. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t accept”—your love? Your support? Your strength?—“you agreeing to help the Llehfin.”

  He shook his head. “Drea…”

  “I know I fought this tooth and nail. It wasn’t just that I was afraid…” She didn’t want to die with Jamie hating her, but she had to say this. If she couldn’t be honest, especially in the end, maybe death wasn’t what really parted them again. “This was mine. It was my world. It was a grave responsibility, but one I spent my whole life knowing I would fulfill.

  “I d
on’t like this, and this isn’t giving up.” She paused and squeezed his hands, searching for the right words. “And I don’t like asking you this. You’re the only druid we know of, we need you to see this through. The Phoenix must fly.”

  “This is not what I wanted,” Jamie shouted. “This is magic and fantasy and nonsense. There must be another way.”

  Alexandrea shook in place, her resolve wavering. This was hard enough. Damn it, Jamie, don’t make me hate you too. “You don’t think I would try it, if there were?”

  He yanked her close again. “I can’t let you do this, Drea.”

  She gave him a kiss on the cheek and stepped away.

  He didn’t hold on. His hands lingered, caressing hers, but didn’t prevent her movement.

  She offered an arm to Moralynn. “Thank you. And good luck.”

  Alexandrea couldn’t read her expression. Her mouth hung open, her eyes were half closed, her body still. It was like she wasn’t even breathing.

  Moralynn took the hand and pumped it. “Words cannot convey what this means. I salute you, and honor you, Phoenix Sparked Heir.”

  Moisture formed in Alexandrea’s eyes. Moralynn had affirmed her confidence and trust in her many times throughout the years, but this was the proudest moment of all. She swung back round and took a step towards Raebyn. “Okay, I’m ready.”

  “Grail first,” Moralynn said, stepping past her.

  “That is fair.” Raebyn stepped forward and put it in Moralynn’s outstretched hands.

  Adhomai reached out, but did not touch it. “Raebyn, you are making a mistake.”

  Raebyn turned his gaze on the elf. “The Grail is found, that is enough to satisfy the Regalia for now. Both causes can be served.”

  Moralynn’s fingers curled around the rim. She traced the edge and pulled. The Grail grew in diameter, stretching. Her gaze turned to Alexandrea, but she said nothing.

  Raebyn lunged forward and grabbed Alexandrea’s wrist.

  She struggled initially, and then she let him yank her back. Now she faced Moralynn and Jamie, barely a step away. Would she be forced to look them in the eyes as she died? Could Raebyn be that cruel?

  “How will you kill me?” she whispered, not bothering to look back.

  “I am not sure. I will have to give it some thought.”

  She whipped her head around. “Some thought? How long do you intend to drag this moment out?”

  Raebyn chuckled. “Indeed, no. You believed I would kill you here, now, in front of your companions? How callous. No, Alexandrea, I did not bargain for your death, but your life. You shall return to the Tower and serve until I choose your end.”

  Alexandrea tried to jump away, but Raebyn held on tight. “That isn’t what we agreed to.”

  “Ah, but it is, you simply misunderstood.”

  It was life, a chance—but no, this would be worse. What would Raebyn put her through? Horrors filled her mind. She couldn’t do it. She had been prepared to die, to leave behind her loved ones, not to live in torment.

  “Drea!” Jamie yelled at her. “He outsmarted himself. This is a chance, don’t believe him. We will find a way.” He stepped forward, but Adhomai rested a hand on his sword and he halted.

  “She made her choice.”

  Perhaps she was a coward, but knowing Raebyn, this seemed the best course.

  She ripped her phoenix pendant off from around her neck, brandished the sharpest end, and stabbed her wrist. Pain blossomed, and blood spurted everywhere. She continued to dig in, dragging the jagged cut down the length of her arm.

  The world spun. She had to focus on not healing this, and it was hard, but it worked. She lost focus, grew faint. Eventually she staggered and fell forward.

  46

  Moralynn dropped the Grail, shoving it beneath Alexandrea to break her fall. She fell to the ground, too, grabbing her dagger and making two quick cuts, one in her left palm, and one below her wrist. She held her arm over the Grail and squeezed. Red drops splashed against the crystal surface, creating strange patterns in the varied reflections.

  “With my blood I share my Spark and the blood of old. To summon the Phoenix as it has been foretold.”

  Fire surged, an entire column blazing red, orange, and gold, spiraling within itself until it hit the clouds above.

  Moralynn stepped within the fire and dragged Alexandrea up. Had Alexandrea known what she meant to do? When Raebyn claimed he’d take her life later, she feared she’d overreached, outsmarted herself. But no, then Alexandrea spilled her own blood. Freely given, initiating the Investiture ritual.

  Moralynn suspected Alexandrea did not know of her plans. The fear in her eyes was real when Raebyn stated he would take her back to the Tower. How brave her apprentice was. With all the pieces together now, at least she would not die in vain.

  But the fires continued to roar, without the spirit of the Phoenix returning. Moralynn could not keep up with the burn, so she resorted to other methods to stay whole. Capabilities she hated, ones she ignored. Soon that would be behind her, and she would fly again.

  Consciousness returned to Alexandrea. Her eyes flew open. Flame surrounded her, she was in the middle of a blaze, though someone held her upright.

  The Phoenix flames?

  She laughed and fire chased down her throat, burning her lungs from the inside. The pain was excruciating, but she was alive, and soon the Phoenix would fly. How had she not seen it? Raebyn had outlined all the components of the ritual, and they were all here.

  But then the fire continued. Skin crisped, burning then sloughing off, her body falling apart.

  All hope fled.

  This was not a friendly fire, one that would fill her and summon the Phoenix to bolster her life shaping.

  This fire ate, it took, it burned.

  Her hair disappeared, but it was nothing amid the rest of the destruction. Foci stuck to her skin, magnifying the flames’ pain tenfold. Her clothing crisped and was eaten by flame, too, removing more and more measly protection.

  Then she felt something. Something inside moved, perhaps the magic within her? Or her soul? Or the soul piece she shared with Moralynn, adjusting to draw in the Phoenix?

  The change brought her to her senses, and she gave up doing nothing. She healed some. It did not change the nudging, though, so she continued to refresh herself. Less concerned with baby fresh skin, and more making sure the fire would not roast her innards.

  Pain filled her skull, and she almost laughed. A headache within a flame death? Then there was something more, and she tried to hold on to it, hoping it would lead to the Phoenix. It shifted, and it did not feel right. Something was there that should not be. It was neither life, nor fire, nor Phoenix hope.

  A new sensation, something punching her back made her double over, but she could not address that with the blaze she battled.

  Then there was cold, and she passed out.

  Alexandrea woke with a start.

  She pulled her eyes open, surprised there was resistance from her lashes.

  Hair fell into her face, silver grey. How much life did she lose? But she lived, so she could figure that out later. Each shallow breath brought more awareness of her surroundings. She gazed into the overcast sky, and felt the rich earth and grass beneath her, thoughtfully sculpted to support her. A mist of water in the air provided phantom relief.

  They were no longer on the mountainside. Someone had brought her home after she passed out. She cried. A little while ago she didn’t think she’d see anything again, let alone her home. She was alive, she was grateful, but she was also puzzled. What had happened?

  “Drea?” Jamie’s face peeked into view. “Are you awake down there?”

  “Yes,” she whispered, realizing her throat hurt, too. She was healing, but not completely. Despite their life abilities, it was nothing short of a miracle.

  Jaime dropped and hugged her but sprung back. “Sorry, I don’t want to hurt you more, but I wasn’t sure you’d wake.”

  “How lo
ng?” she croaked. She continued to grow better with each breath, but she had more important areas to focus on besides her throat. Now conscious, she could direct the healing.

  “Hours, but don’t rush. Take whatever time you need.” He frowned. “It wasn’t the smoothest journey back, but it didn’t seem safe to stay on a volcano.”

  “Raebyn? Adhomai?” She lifted her head, but it fell back. She hadn’t the strength yet. “How did we escape?”

  Jamie caressed her cheek. “They took off as soon as the flames appeared. Raebyn didn’t want to risk being near when the Phoenix flew.” His eyes teared, but he blinked them away. “Please don’t hate me.”

  She tried to squint, but it hurt. So she spoke instead. “Why?”

  He glanced and he spoke through gritted teeth. “I pulled you out. I’m sorry, Drea, that fire was killing you, again, and no mystical being of legend was appearing. Moralynn followed, too. Your hands were stuck together.” He glanced around, then swore. “That woman is stone cold. She had nary a burn and was only a bit stunned by the fire. Stunned!”

  Alexandrea winced. Jamie still didn’t quite understand what Moralynn was. It was nice to know she didn’t suffer. She owed her mentor much. Moralynn probably meant to summon the Phoenix, and though it didn’t work, it did save her.

  “Not you.” She coughed. Her throat was improving, so she spoke longer. “I don’t think it was you. Something else was wrong.”

  A shadow fell over them. “The question is what.”

  Alexandrea shifted her head and caught Moralynn’s frozen expression. “You agree, then?”

  She frowned, brushed herself off, and settled on the ground to Alexandrea’s left. Viviane came into view and took a seat beside her.

  “Viviane?”

  She nodded. “Do not think I would not help. After easing your journey home, I thought to remain and see you recovered. We are allies.”

  Alexandrea blinked, her head still hurt too much for a nod. “My thanks.” It was a nice sentiment, but that wasn’t what concerned her now.