by Alia Johnson
“The necklace I gave you I carved from the very soil of Baklan.”
Mar stopped his retreat when he heard her statement. He stared at the doorway he had been about to take to leave the room and kept his eyes averted when he felt her reach for him. He couldn’t bear to be around her anymore. Didn’t she realize the walls had eyes and ears?
“I know. I feel her presence inside the soil and smell it on you,” he replied, gently touching the carved dragon he had come to treasure.
Vashti hurried through her speech, afraid of what would happen when he knew the truth. “The day I walked through the tunnel that passed the kitchen, I learned something you should know. Inside was Uruti, a guardian, talking with a winged demon. He turned half of his face toward me, and I recognized Gorius talking with her. They plan to attack during the Hunt tomorrow with an army hidden on one of the paths and kill you.”
Mar still hid his face from Vashti. She couldn’t see his reaction, and it made her worry. With a sigh, he replied, “You saw much. Why tell me this? Are you not afraid?”
Vashti whispered her hidden thoughts, “I’m afraid for you.”
Mar turned with a gleam of savagery in his eye. It took Vashti off guard to see his anger directed toward her. “I have never competed in the Hunt.”
With tears in her eyes, Vashti turned and fled to the tunnel with his answer ringing in her mind. Magnamar, King of the Horde, rammed his fist through the thin wall causing it to crash around him in his fury.
Hurrying through the passageway to her room, Vashti noticed Medorah waited on her bed with Bitsy curled up on her lap napping.
“Did you find a way out?”
A lone tear fell down Vashti’s face. She caught it on her finger, looking at it forlornly. She hadn’t cried when she had been tortured, the day she had been captured, or the day she was pulled away from Odesha. But Mar’s verdict had torn her heart apart. He was her fire; she knew that deep down. If she could escape, find Saphira, and come back… what if she could convince him they were meant to be together?
Medorah stood up, placing Bitsy on the bed, wrapping Vashti in her cold embrace. Vashti burrowed in Medorah’s arms, leaning on someone for the first time in her life and told her what had happened in the tunnels of Baklan.
Chapter 14
The next morning, Vashti and Medorah both readied themselves in silence. Both of their hearts were hurting and broken; the pieces littering the floor. Cassira helped bring their determination up, crashing into their room with excitement. Bitsy became so startled he hurtled back to his hiding hole where Vashti had placed a mouse inside. He would be content for the rest of the day until they came back, if they came back.
Medorah tried to make Vashti smile, holding in her own laughter.
“I’ve come up with a new nickname I think you’ll approve.”
Vashti sullenly replied, “What’s that?” So far, she hadn’t been impressed with Medorah’s odd nicknames.
“Vase.”
Vashti reared up from the bed, shouting at Medorah, “I gave you a nice nickname! Rah! A God in some cultures! What do I get? Boobs and pottery, I tell you!”
Medorah howled with laughter, holding her sides.
“I hope you were joking again, Medorah. Honestly, you have a strange sense of humor.”
Before Medorah could reply, Cassira interrupted their banter. She was getting comfortable with them, that was obvious. Vashti felt bad they were leaving.
“Good morning, my favorite wards! Today is the day. Look at all the shiny things I brought you to try.” Cassira laid out all the formal dresses of her fallen wards of the past. The shimmery fabric was beautiful to behold. Medorah snatched a long gown that resembled flames. The shoulders had high golden points, the red and gold bodice fitted, the skirts flaring out with red and golden colors. It was dazzling and light. Vashti couldn’t remember the last time she had worn something so elegant, having had been in training so much.
“This is yours, Vashti. It is perfect.” Medorah flicked her wrist, indicating the entire gown. Vashti couldn’t agree more. She would be a queen on her last day in Baklan, and they would all miss her when she was gone.
She would show them all she was fit to rule at Mar’s side even though she planned to leave. The dress helped to conceal the ugly scars on her back. The last thing she wanted him to see would be her confidence and skill, not the pain she had gone through in the past.
Cassira dug deeper into the pile. The rustling caused tinkling bells to sound.
“Ah, here it is, Medorah! I picked this for you.” Cassira held up two pieces of fabric. The top half was fitted with chains of coins hanging from it. The bottom half hung strips of fabric short enough to not get caught in her tail but fitting over her hips and hanging down to showcase her curves. The black and gold lacing matched her diamond coloring perfectly.
Medorah blinked owlishly at the outfit with wide slitted eyes. “It’s perfect, Cassira. Truly perfect.”
Cassira became more excited, jingling the fabric with a happy shout. Medorah and Vashti laughed together at her exuberance. Medorah moved to her table drawer, pulling forth her jewelry she had removed the night before. She placed her piercing back in her nose, attaching it to the earpiece.
“It’s time to show who we are, Vashti. Let’s leave a trail of broken hearts behind us.”
Cassira nodded her head, tears forming in her eyes, her bottom lip quivering. She didn’t seem to understand the hidden meaning behind Medorah’s words, and the girls weren’t going to inform her they weren’t staying. “I’m so excited to watch you both!”
They entered the hallway together. Cassira ran through the instructions again beforehand. “You both, of course, go last again. Medorah before Vashti this time since Vashti left a bit of a bloody mess in the stadium. The elders want to be cautious. The families, generals, and Horde King have already gathered and are watching the contestants.”
“The King doesn’t have any family, right Cassira?”
“Gorius is by his side, and the families with single daughters are trying to get his attention so that he will show favor to their houses for the next trials. It’s all politics. Don’t worry, Vashti.”
Vashti waited until Cassira turned her back before she bared her teeth. She was feeling murderous, and it was directed to those “daughters” that wanted Mar.
Medorah elbowed her. Vashti grunted and stopped staring at the door as if she would destroy everyone in her path.
Medorah and Vashti both kept their cloaks on over their beautiful garb. They didn’t want to reveal their secrets on accident just yet. Torches burned brightly in the stadium, helping them to see the large crowd in the stands better. The final trial had already begun. Several women they had seen in the previous trials that had been fierce fighters had left crying.
There weren’t many that had been triumphant when they started to watch, which didn’t help their nerves.
Some painted beautiful pictures; others sang songs or recited poetry. They were mundane things until one juggled, accidentally throwing a club at Mar up in the stands clumsily.
Mar batted the club away with his wing like it was a fly, but ended up hitting Gorius in the nose. The club wouldn’t have hurt him if he hadn’t pushed it away because his armor was fully in place for this trial. Everyone in the crowd laughed at Gorius’s red mark, but he took it in good stride and waved to the crowd. Mar shook his head at the show his General put on.
The juggler left sobbing after Dramon’s loud and angry refusal for her to join the Hunt.
Dramon must be feeling extra harsh on his verdicts today.
Cassira rushed up to Medorah, informing her, “You’re next! I pray to Baklan that you make it through this trial, Medorah. I wish it more than anything for both of you.”
Vashti wrapped her arm around Medorah. “For luck.” Vashti could see the nervousness in Medorah’s slitted eyes that she tried to hide. Their fate was tied together, and this trial would change the path they would ta
ke.
Medorah nodded and tried to appear more confident. “I’ve come up with a new nickname for you that I think you will love.”
Vashti stared up at Medorah with narrowed eyes. She braced herself from her foul humor. “What’s my new nickname?”
Medorah answered promptly, “Dragon Queen.”
Vashti perked up, exclaiming, “I like that one.”
“I knew you would, my friend.”
The sound of a gong rang out. Cassira jumped up and down breaking Vashti and Medorah apart.
“Medorah, hurry!”
Vashti adjusted Medorah’s mask to hide her face better before she was ready.
“Slay em’, Rah.”
A small smile helped Vashti to know Medorah was going to do just that.
“It’s a promise, my Dragon Queen.”
Chapter 15
The stadium quieted with the approach of the snake woman. She didn’t bother hiding her tail. It was about to be her asset for this trial. It trailed behind her, making her approach gracefully even beneath the cloak. At the side of the stadium, instruments had been set up to accompany the other competitors. She would use them as well. Slithering over, she whispered in the head guardian’s ear to what she wanted them to play for her.
The guardian nodded and turned to the other band members to explain what to do. Medorah approached the center stadium at her own pace. She looked up to the Generals encircling King Magnamar but was careful not to catch the eyes of Gorius.
Today’s trial was different. Hordes of demon women surrounded the Generals vying for the King’s attention or speaking with the Generals themselves.
Do they have no shame?
Out of the corner of her eye, Medorah could see that Gorius ignored the women trying to speak with him, his arms crossed over his chest, but his eyes stayed locked on her approach. He was showing her he couldn’t be swayed.
If only if he meant not to betray me.
Light tinkling of bells sounded from the band, beginning Medorah’s dance. She held her arms outstretched, feeling the music. A stringed instrument thrummed to the rhythm of the bells.
Medorah clasped the cloak’s edges, pulling them apart to showcase her formal wear, throwing it across the stadium, intentionally hitting the woman trying the hardest to gain Gorius’s attention in the face. The demon shouted and fell to her knees. Medorah smiled under her mask, feeling strangely triumphant.
Good riddance.
Her body was designed to move to music, swaying across the stadium with a flick of the tail. Her arms told a story passed along her family lines. A drumbeat joined the other sounds, creating a melody easy to dance to.
Medorah grasped her mask for the final reveal.
Gorius’s back straightened at attention, clenching his fists at his side. Magnamar moved a wing to keep an eye on the tension coming from his General. He wanted to monitor the situation closely and looked like he would intervene if needed.
The mask Medorah wore was flung to the side. The crowd gasped at the face of the great beauty pierced with gold that was revealed with the sleight of hand. The coins on her body swayed with the movement of her hips. She was a charmer, and her target happened to be the audience.
It was mesmerizing to watch her perform. Cassira and Vashti were speechless.
Gorius more so.
His eyes flared with heat while he stared raptly at her, moving to join her in the stadium. Magnamar held out a wing, stopping his advance nonchalantly. Gorius shook his head, casting a bemused smile at the King as he remembered to hold his position. He couldn’t wait to see what happened when “golden eyes” performed and the King had to watch from far away.
Medorah finished her dance to the thump of the loud drum beats. Her dance ended with a flourish to the roar of the crowd. They raised on their feet, stomping and shouting the praise she had earned. Golden coins were cast into the stadium showcasing their favors to the Dynast, while the money covering the floor shined with radiance. It would be gathered by the guardians and used as a dowry for the female if she made it through the trial.
Dramon stood, held up his hands, and halted the shouting of the crowd. They were eager to hear his verdict and watched the decision with rapt attention.
“Medorah. Dynast of Croatia of the Pit. I have seen much dancing in my lifetime. But nothing such as this. We would be honored to have you join the Hunt.”
The roar of the crowd was unrivaled, lifting the stadium with joy.
Medorah slithered back to the hall to join Vashti, but couldn’t stop herself from sharing a last look with Gorius.
For she would never see him again. And her heart was destroyed because of it.
Vashti met her in the hall, eagerly hugging her. “Congratulations, Rah. I’m so happy for you.”
Medorah smiled shyly, so used to her mask around everyone. “Thank you, my Dragon Queen. Now it is your turn. Tell Dramon who you truly are. Release the fire and the lies. Let’s begin new today.”
Vashti wasn’t sure that was a great idea.
But what do I have to lose?
I’m escaping from the Horde today.
Chapter 16
The dreaded gong echoed through the hall, signaling Vashti’s time to compete. Medorah and Vashti shared their hug for luck, as was the custom for them. It was their charm in the face of this adversary.
Cassira was nearly squealing with her excitement. She expected big things this round. She seemed satisfied with one win for her charges, but if she had two that would make history with the guardians.
Vashti approached the band first to explain what she needed for her choice of music.
Then, she decided to approach Dramon on a whim. She was going to trust Medorah and her instinct.
Coming up to the elders table, she indicated for Dramon to lean down to hear her words. If he became angry, she didn’t want the entire stadium to know the truth just yet.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t truly honest with who I was when I first arrived here. My name is Princess Vashti Corallina Bay Desmond of Merdi, an Incendie Tanssijja of Romule. I’m going to do something quite alarming for this trial...” she whispered the last words in his large pointed ear.
Vashti hoped he would approve of her choice.
Dramon replied gruffly, “All is forgiven, child. You have made our King spread his wings again. If it is important to you, I will allow it.”
Vashti nodded her thanks, turning away.
Dramon cleared his throat to stop her from going far.
She stopped moving away and looked at the older demon questioningly.
“I hope you obtain what your heart desires. He is just as much a son in my heart as Gorius.” Dramon stared pointedly at her. She had thought he wanted her for himself? The wily old coot was trying to help her win the King! The stadium was on the edge of its seat trying to hear their whispered exchange, but they couldn’t make out what they were saying.
“One can only hope,” she whispered back, winking at him. He chuckled, waving her back to the center stage to begin.
She took a deep breath.
It is time.
Vashti walked to the middle of the stadium and stood at attention before the demons staring down at her with mixed expressions. Mar’s wings were folded back neatly against his back to see her clearly. Gorius worriedly watched him along with the other Generals. The women surrounding the arena with their noble daughters looked at Vashti with disdain.
Vashti concentrated hard on feeling the heat around her. She pulled the flames from the torches to her to shroud the room in complete darkness. This was what had first attracted Ruben to her, her command of fire, but she wanted to attract someone else.
Magnamar.
The crowd was starting to become restless in the dark and shouted out their confusion until the drum beats started.
Vashti removed her mask and cloak, getting ready for the reveal before the lights began to shine. The red dress and what she was doing couldn’t be seen from the stadium i
n the darkness. She took her hidden poi balls from the inside of her cloak. Vashti has always been told that she could wield them with a finesse never seen before. This was one skill she treasured that the Incendie had taught her. It was an art of seduction and looked beautiful in her mind.
She closed her eyes, arms outstretched, lighting the poi balls beside her to the gasp of the crowd. It made the red dress stand out. Vashti was unable to see the people in the stands yet, but soon she would.
The poi dance started slowly, the fire twirling in the air to the beat of the flute. Instruments joined together, the flames swirling through the air with just a flick of her wrist. The light cast out made the coins left from Medorah’s dance shine. The gold illuminated her fire dress and golden hair. The curls fell in soft waves to twirl around Vashti’s curves.
The crowd’s oohs’ and aah’s over the beautiful picture she created helped her confidence grow. Dancing lightly across the stadium, she pulled the shadows of the room along with her to give the crowd a vision they would never forget.
The drumbeat carried her back to the center. The poi balls moved across the ground, then over the top of her head like a windmill, showering a beautiful ray of sparks toward the crowd.
The demons sat stunned in the stands, watching the beauty depicted in the sparking flames. Vashti drew flowers, a dragon, and finished with a heart sending the sparking vessel in the direction of Mar.
The drumbeats stopped.
Her final turn, she splashed the fire back to the torches to illuminate the room and threw the empty poi ball she had held to the side. Her arm now motionless, she stared into the crowd and stood tall. One by one, they bowed their heads in respect of the fire dancer, the Incendie Tanssijja before them.
A great shout rose up chanting her name, so loudly her ears were about to burst. The gold flowed from the stadium, raining over her, worshipping her.