Chapter One
(1)
“W ake up. The tradesmen have arrived.” Shala blinked groggily and looked out the window of the third floor pavilion-villa. Then looked up at Roxa.
“When did they arrive?” she threw back the thin sheets and jumped out of bed, reaching for her vest and shorts.
“Only a few hours ago.” Roxa said pulling on the rest of her clothing. “If we hurry we can hop on the levy and not have to take the steam jumpers.”
“Why don’t you like to ride the steam jumpers? It’s the closest thing the Earth Tribe’s get to flying.” Steam jumpers were mechanical devices that were able to ride the steam pockets of hot air that rose up from the underworld. The Fire tribes were able to ride off the steam by using their craft to catch the hot air and allowed them to glide with the thermals, but people who were not of the fire tribe did not have this ability, and seeing as how Roxa was earth tribe, Shala couldn’t carry her the traditional way by just flying through the thermals.
“Sorry to disappoint, but we Mexnas prefer to keep our feet on the ground as much as possible.” She slipped into her wicker sandals. “I still can’t get over how hot it is here in the capital city. I’m still used to temperate climates.” Shala reached out and patted Roxa on the shoulder.
“I still don’t understand how you could pass through the veils by yourself so easily.” Shala said softly. “I always read that you had to ride a Tarni to get through from one elemental territory to another.” Roxa just shrugged softly and finished dressing herself.
Roxa didn’t talk much of her life back in Mexnas, but from what Shala could discern some type of war had broke out in her home place, but just before she fell through the veil she saw a bright light and a pair of outstretched wings, and landed right inside of Shala’s pavilion. The red headed girl welcomed her new friend with open arms, and the two seemed as if they had been friends forever, which seemed strange due to the fact that the fire tribe’s High Priest’s daughter was outspoken and possessed an explosive temper that had (at first) overwhelmed the quiet yet strong child of the wood. But Roxa’s down to earth nature blunted Shala’s explosive personality. And many of the pavilions servants thanked Roxa on a daily basis for helping Shala act more sane than she had in the past nineteen years of her life.
Not that the two of them didn’t get into trouble on a regular basis.
Once they were both dressed they ran down the flights of stairs to the communal hallways and into the kitchen where the very large woman who was beyond a shadow of a doubt the actual head of the household stood with her arms crossed.
“Hello Auntie Janelle.” They both said with a grin.
“And where do you girls think you are going this early in the morning?” She large woman replied with narrowed eyes as she flicked her very large wooden spoon at each of the girls in turn.
“The Tradesmen from Shelobra came in today.” Shala said excitedly. “So you know there is going to be a festival between the two tribes after the initial market, but we wanted to get to the market early so that we could see what all they brought this time. Before the courts picked out all the really good stuff.”
“Baron already left to see what kinds of fish they have. I’ve been wanting to make some Skeleton eel saute for quite awhile now.” Roxa and Shala both held back a grimace. The cook looked at the two of them and sighed. “I have some fresh wheat cakes that have just come out of the oven if you are interested.” She turned around and thumped a tray of them on the counter along with two glasses of iced tea and fresh churned butter. A clash of dishes redirected the cook’s attention to the back of the room. “If you will excuse me ladies it appears I am needed elsewhere.”
Shala cracked open her wheat cake and spread some butter on the inside before looking behind her and turning to Roxa.
“I hate the courts.” she said hotly. “So what if they own the majority of the land? They act like they own everything, even the things they can’t buy with the coin in their purses.” Roxa let out a sigh.
“Shala, you live in a court, and once you turn twenty you will be officially a member of a court.” She stuffed the rest of the half of the wheat cake she was eating into her mouth and took a sip of tea. They had had this same conversation hundreds of times before. “Besides, whats wrong with the courts? They take care of their people, most of them anyway.”
“That’s not the point Roxa, the courts are all a bunch of whoey, when it all comes down to it all that counts how powerful your craft is and how much coin you possess. Whoever gets into the courts just has to possess power. It doesn’t matter at all in the end if you really want to help your people or not. That’s why the system doesn’t work.”
“It’s the same in all of the territories. But the people just trust that the aristocracy will do what is best in the end.” Roxa finished off her tea and hopped down from the stool, and ran a hand through her short black hair. “Are you ready?” Shala nodded and pushed her plate back and walked towards the front of the pavilion in the direction of the levy.
“Papa says I have to buy something nice to wear to the festival tonight.” Shala snorted. As they approached the lifts. When Roxa started laughing she shot her a malevolent smile. “Don’t start laughing yet girly, he says you have to wear a dress as well.”
Roxa choked.
As they reached the waiting station they noticed a few other early risers who also felt the desire to get the first pickings of the market.
“So aside from the mandatory stops at the clothing booths where all else are we going to stop at?” the black haired girl asked as they plopped down onto one of the benches. “I’m assuming the bookshops as well as the animal pins.” Shala gave her a thumbs up.
“We will also run by the gardening shops as well so you can find some new additions for your garden.” Roxa grinned and watched the levy approach.
“As rickety as these things are they are so much better to ride than the steam jumpers.” she grumbled. Shala gave her a playful punch on the shoulder. The levies weren’t much more than baskets that were attached to ropes. Besides steam jumpers and wyverns they were also the only other way to get to the lower levels of the capital city.
They shuffled onto the levy and gripped the sides to keep themselves steady until the operator started to turn the wheel that began their gradual decent towards the second level of the city.
“I know I’ve asked before but… how was the city made again.” Roxa said with a small smile. Shala just let out a breath and grinned.
“Well… originally the capital started off as a small town which grew as the trade routes kept crisscrossing through it. Once the Tarni ships were created the first elemental road that connects to the other territories grounded itself in the city, which led to even more people settling near the biggest trade route. As the city grew the richer nobles wanted to separate themselves more and more from the ‘common folk’ which led to the creation of the second level of the city, and eventually with the coming of the courts came the third level.” Now that they had passed through the mists that covered the second level from the third the rest of the city spread out in front of them like a spiral.
“When the great wars occurred came the need to fortify the city, so the great walls were erected.” she pointed out at the three large walls that separated the heart of the city from the inner city, and finally from the outer city. “Originally there were only the first two walls, but over time the city grew even more the last wall was built. Then the steam engines came in and created the spider web type pattern that crosses over the walls. The fields and farmland however extend out past the third wall.” Shala looked whistfully past the walls and out to the jungles that extended far into the horizon.
“Shala… have you ever been out of the city?” Roxa asked innocently. Shala shrugged.
“Everyone says its to dangerous to go out there and just explore because of all of the different animals that live in the jungles, besides you have to have a pass to get past the gates.”
“But Shala… didn’t you get passes to get through the first two gates off the black market?” Roxa whispered with a grin. Shala laughed to herself.
“The last gate requires some kind of pass with some special rune or whatever in it.” The levy reached its unloading dock and everyone shuffled off while the people at the bottom took their places on the levy.
“So when is your next craft test.” Roxa said with a wide grin. Shala just groaned and walked a little faster. “Eventually they are going to find out that you are just holding back and not making any type of attempt. If you keep this up you will never get into a high level court.”
“Maybe I don’t want to get into a court.” Shala hissed as she passed through one of the checkpoints as they made their way to the heart of the city.
“But… but its expected of you.” Roxa squeaked. “You are the High Priests daughter! And you have the potential to eventually create your own court and rule a province! And that’s coming from the teachers who you have never even shown your real strength to.” Roxa ran in front of Shala and stopped her. “You could create your own court, and rule as you please if you wanted to.”
“That’s not why courts should be created, courts are supposed to be created to protect the people. Those who rule are supposed to use their strength in order to protect those weaker than them.” She shook off Roxa’s hands. “Can we please talk about something else? You know I dislike these conversations.”
“I just don’t understand why you are so afraid of joining a court. Where I come from that’s what all young men and women aspired to do.” Roxa said as she watched Shala head towards the arches that opened up to the great marketplace.
(2)
E ven though they had arrived there early the Great Marketplace was already packed with hundreds of the upper crust of society. Later on in the day the rest of the inhabitants of the city would also pile into the square to look at the Shelobra’s goods.
“It really shouldn’t surprise me that they always bring so much fish with them.” Shala said with a grin as they passed all the seafood stalls. Fresh shrimp and other exotic Aquarian life swam around in the large tanks that the Water Tribe had brought with them to keep the fish fresh. After all, fish where the water tribe’s main source of food and income, and they worshiped the fish just like the fire tribe worshiped the volcanoes who supplied them with the ash that kept their crops strong and hearty, and provided them with the minerals that sold for such high coin to the aristocracy of the other tribes.
Shala and Roxa both smiled as they passed a group of children tapping at the glass containers and cooing at the fish.
“The gardening stalls are just a little further up.” Roxa added a little extra skip to her step as soon as Shala spoke the words. Roxa being of the Mexnas tribe she had a natural affection and love of the earth as well as caring for and nurturing plants. Shala found it all somewhat odd seeing as how she really didn’t know anything about gardening, but Roxa’s expression whenever she helped the servants in the garden reminded her of her own joy when riding the steam or lava surfing. Sure it wasn’t as much of an adrenaline rush, but it certainly seemed to make her happy.
The woman at the stall smiled warmly at them. And showed them some of the plants that would thrive better in warm environments. From what Shala could discern due to the woman’s hair color and accent, she was probably from the earth tribe herself and traveled around learning about the different kinds of plants in other territories.
While Roxa was busy going through packets of seeds and discussing ways to create a cold climate house for the plants. Shala looked at some of the rose bushes and leafed through a few of the books on kitchen gardens while she waited.
Plants where so damn boring.
“Um… Roxa, I’m going to head to the stall right up there with the books if you need me.” She said over her shoulder. The other girl nodded as if she heard but really didn’t seem interested one way or the other.
Shala made her way through the throngs of people until she reached the bookshop and scanned the titles. She selected a few on Shelobra lore and a few romance titles that she stuffed under history books and detective stories before making her way up to the counter. Before she reached it; however, a young male ran into her causing her to loose her balance and caused her to drop all of her would be purchases. As she scrambled to pick up her books before anyone could read the titles; however, he reached down and picked up one of the romance titles.
“Fire among the Ice. Not exactly what I would expect a good school girl to be reading.” He raised an eyebrow and looked at her. “But then again, you don’t seem to be the type who would be spending her time studying anyway.” Shala jumped up and snatched the book from his hand and snarled.
“You should apologize when you knock a noble down, and who are you to say I don’t study!”
“Oh a noble! I apologize, I should have been able to derive that from your oh so elegant attire.” waved his hand dismissively at her shorts and vest before giving her a lopsided grin. “But may I ask, my dear noble lady where is your escort? I thought they didn’t allow you ladies out without a male to protect you.”
“I need no male to protect me!” Shala pointed to her hip where her two daggers hung in their sheaths, and it would do you good to remember that.” His laughter made her seethe.
“Young ladies really shouldn’t be playing with knives.” She made a sound that was something close to a tea kettle. “But I will be sure to make a personal note of it. And as I have more pressing issues to attend to than dealing with spoiled brats.” He held the book out for her and she snatched it from his hand and he turned and walked away before she had a chance to throw it at his head. She stomped over to the counter to pay for her books and shot the man a look that dared him to make even one comment about her purchases.
She was shoving them into her bag when Roxa walked up, her bag already more than half full of packets and books.
“Who was the good looking guy?”
“GOOD LOOKING? Don’t you mean the fat headed jerk who knocked me down and then made fun of what I enjoy reading?” She pulled the draw string on her bag shut and threw it over her shoulder.
“Well that all depends on what kind of books you decided to buy.” Shala shot her a glare that only Roxa could laugh at. She really did have more balls than you could give her credit for. She slapped Shala on the shoulder. “Come on girl, remember we still have to pick out a dress for tonight.”
“I thought you were trying to console me.” Shala grumbled. As she followed Roxa off into the crowd again to locate the dress stalls. “Um… Roxa.”
“Hmm?”
“That guy… did he look familiar to you?” Roxa paused and put a finger to her temple and thought for a moment.
“Now that you mention it, he did kind of look familiar, but I don’t remember from where.” She shrugged. “Lets get moving, I want to look for a few more things before we have to spend the rest of the day complaining about having to wear the dresses we’ve selected.” Shala leaned back her head and laughed, but before they had moved to far away from the bookstore, she turned back and stared at it quizzically. Why did he seem so damn familiar?
“Because the system doesn’t work.”
(3)
“I ‘ve never really been a fan of shellfish, but these are actually quite good.” Roxa cut the scallop with her fork and took another bite. “They are so tender, and there is a hint of something else as well, something spicy.”
“Its curry.” Shala reached over and stole one of the scallop slices and popped it into her mouth and took a sip of her flavored water. “Its going to be cooler tonight than normal.” she said idly and nudged the bags that where piled around their table with her foot. “I hope those are going to keep us warm enough.”
“The capital city is always warm, even when the suns go down.” Roxa said with a smooth grin as she toyed with the rice on her plate. “Do I really have to go to the festival? I would prefer to just work in my garden and get those seeds planted.”
“You know Papa, he is going to want you there just as much as me. You are the only known user of Earth Craft in the entire city, what if he wants to show off the diversity of his house to the ambassadors and nobles who came in on the Tarni? Even if he doesn’t have you use your craft you would still be a pleasing face at the dinner table.”
Roxa groaned and slid her finger up and down the handle of her cup.
“Let me go!” Came a cry from closer to the bar. “I said. Let. Me. Go!” Shala and Roxa turned their heads to the commotion. The girl was thin, and had waist length blue hair that she let hang loose. Her white dress hung loose over her body and swirled around her like water as she pulled at the arm the much older and heavier man was gripping. The rest of the people in the restaurant tried hard not to look in the girls direction.
Shelobra. Shala thought to herself with interest. Must be related to one of the merchants.
“Shouldn’t we help her?” Roxa asked starting to get up. Shala raised her hand and stopped her.
“Wait just a moment, no use in us getting into trouble as well if she is perfectly capable of taking care of herself.”
“But-”
“Just wait. If he starts to get violent then we can step in, but until then just hang back.” Roxa raised an eyebrow.
“You don’t want to get caught.” Shala snorted, Roxa’s eyes widened. “We aren’t supposed to be out here are we, Your father didn’t want us to come out here, so that stuff about the dresses was just a-” Shala raised her hand up and smiled.
“Okay, so I lied about papa wanting us to go out and pick out the dresses ourselves, but I if you knew I was grounded you wouldn’t have left the pavilion with me.”
“Of course I wouldn’t have left the pavilion with-”
The girl let out a yelp as the man raised his hand up to hit the young girl.
“Okay, now we help.” Shala jumped out of her seat and drew one of her two daggers from her belt. “Hey!” She called out as she walked towards the man twirling the thin blade in her hand. “I think the young lady would prefer to be left alone.” As the man turned around Shala realized why nobody else in the dining area made any move to help the girl.
“Shut up you little bitch, I’m just trying to talk to the girl is all, and she’s not being to cooperative.” His badge glinted in the sunlight like a dull flame.
Palace guards. She thought with disgust. She knew enough about them to know that they threw their weight around and treated many of the civilians like nothing more than gutter trash, and thought they where the gods gift to every woman in Xnarsas.
“I said let her go, and watch your tone with me you insufferable male or you would learn that my tongue isn’t the only thing that I possess that is exquisitely sharp.” The man laughed and released the Shelobra girl’s arm and started walking towards Shala.
“So the little bitch thinks she can fight.” Two other men now flanked the ox like man. “What do you think guys? Should we indulge her or drag her back to the fort and just take turns.”
“The only thing you will be dragging back to the fort will be your bleeding carcass if you lay one finger on me.” Shala hissed through her teeth. She could feel her temper burning and fraying at her common sense. She really could tear him to shreds. That was one of the problems of accepting the flame into your heart and unlocking your ability to use craft. Whomever did so opened themselves fully to the fire, the passionate fury of the flames. And it took so much self control to leash a temper once it had been pricked.
Self control that Shala had never been known to possess even in moderate amounts.
The man took another step forward and ran his hand up and down the hilt of his sword. His slow smile revealed several unhealthy looking teeth in his mouth.
“Heh, I like them feisty.” He reached out and grabbed her by the vest and pulled Shala up a foot off the ground so that his face was right in hers. “But whatcha gonna do now?” His breath reeked of alcohol and something else she couldn’t quite place. But a smile bloomed on her lips anyway.
“I told you… not a finger.” She said calmly, and slammed the blade of her dagger into his arm with such force that only the hilt was visible. The man let out a howl of rage and dropped her with a thud. “Ouch.”
“You stupid little-”
“ROXA A LITTLE HELP!” Shala jumped back up and took a few steps back as the other two men began to descend upon her.
“I’m on it.” Roxa reached her hands out and closed her eyes.
The man reached down with his good hand and grabbed a fistful of Shala’s long red hair and jerked her up. Shala gripped her hair by the roots and swung her weight to the side to throw him off balance and rolled back on her feet when he dropped her again. Throwing herself forward she used the inertia to slam the hilt of her second dagger into the mans side. He reeled and fell back.
“Bitch!” He yelled and started to lunge again but stopped short. “What the hell?” The man looked down and saw that the earth had cupped around his feet up to the ankle and held him in place. “What type of witchery is this?” He roared.
“Its earth craft.” Roxa said with a smile. The guard turned back to yell for help from his men, but they were likewise imprisoned and unable to move. Although they also had small flowers springing up around their feet. Shala raised an eyebrow as she looked at Roxa’s handiwork.
“Flowers?”
“I didn’t mean for them to be there, they just kinda… happened.” Shala rolled her eyes and walked over to the young Shelobrian girl and extended her hand.
“Are you okay Mrs….”
“Netsuke.” She said softly and reached out and took Shala’s hand. “And its just Ms. I’m not married.” She pulled herself up and looked at the men. “Will they be okay?”
“Um…” Shala scratched the back of her head. “They should be fine, they have fine medics at the palaces and courts so… I’m sure that they will be well taken care of.” Roxa walked up to Netsuke and smiled.
“Maybe this is a bad time but welcome to Xnarsas.” Netsuke smiled and shook Roxa’s hand. “Would you like us to walk you back to wherever you are staying?” The black haired girl said as she started to lead the young Shelobrian girl out of the restaurant as Shala dumped coins on the counter to pay for all their meals and to sooth the ruffled feathers of the owner before hurrying back to join them.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m afraid that I must hurry back, my father isn’t very keen on having strangers come onto the Tarni.” Shala’s eyes widened as she snapped to instant attention.
“Your father is the captain of the Tarni ship?” if Shala had been born with a tail, it would most certainly be wagging at this particular moment.
“Not… quite.” Netsuke backed up at Shala’s overabundant amount of interest. “He owns the ship but Mr. Olivan is the captain of it.” She smiled weakly as the fire haired girl bounced her weight from one foot to another.
“Are you sure we can’t see it? I mean, I’ve only seen the outside but I would really like to understand more about the mechanics of traveling through the veils, or maybe you can tell me about it seeing as how you yourself have passed through them.” Netsuke stammered and looked down.
“I’m afraid that I don’t know anything about how the ship is run, I’m just a dancer and a healer you see. So most of my time is spent on the stage performing for the royals whom I am entertaining at the time, and although I have a proper education as you may expect, I’m sorry to say that I don’t know anything about the mechanics and circuitry that make the Tarni run.” Shala looked deflated but nodded solemnly.
“Please forgive Shala, she can be overly exuberant at times. My name is Roxa, we both live on the third level of the cit-” Shala cut Roxa off with a jab to the ribs.
“Oh, I see, you are members of the courts. So I will see you again at the festival.” Netsuke said with a smile.
“Are you going to be performing?” Shala asked with a grin. Netsuke nodded and smiled back shyly.
“I hope my routines will be to your liking. I have never performed in the capital city of the flame before, so I have no idea what to expect from the audience.” She looked up at the suns and down to her watch. “I really hate to rush, but I am afraid that I must be returning back to the ship now, I have much to prepare for. But perhaps I will be able to enjoy your company later after I have finished performing at the festival.” She bowed slightly, and started in the direction of the ship.
“What a pleasant young woman.” Roxa said with a smile. “I hope she makes some kind of an impression on you Shala, so that maybe you can learn some manners or whatnot.” Shala glared and looked over her shoulder.
“Are you going to let the men loose before we head back?”
“I warped the ground so that once I get a certain distance away the earth will crumble and they will be released, that way we wouldn’t have to worry about them pestering us or Netsuke once we left.”
“Smart girl, picking up some of my cleverness?”
“More like I’m using common sense, which I wish you would pick up from me. Come on, lets get some more shopping done and head back, Your father will probably be looking for you and we do have a formal dress dinner to attend.”
Shala just grumbled and followed Roxa.
Chapter Two
(1)
N ot many people enjoy having meetings with the High Priest of the Flame. The unsurpassed master of the art of Fire Craft and leader of the armies of Xnarsas. He was not only tall, but broad shouldered and although he was past his prime, he still retained much of muscle and all of his wisdom. He also held the temper of one who had made a full commitment to the flames of the gods and worked with all his strength and honor to please both them and his people. And his eyes had an intensity that even the most well built and strong willed men would sweat under.
But to have to deal with a man who was both the high priest and your father made things even worse.
The middle aged man looked over his steepled fingers with great disappointment. His dark grey eyes held no amusement in them as stared at the young woman in front of him who shifted her weight steadily from one foot to the other. Good thing his mouth was hidden behind his hands so she couldn’t see the slight smile that crossed his lips. His darling daughter hadn’t changed much since she was a child, she could raise hell with almost anyone, but the two people she couldn’t ever stand up to where her dearly departed mother and himself.
“You went out after I explicitly told you not to do so.” he said evenly. She looked down at her feet and nodded at the floor. “To make matters worse, you attacked three guards from well respected courts, and even though their wounds where not serious, their matrons are naturally upset and advised me to ‘get my brash and rude daughter under control.’” he tapped several pieces of paper that lay on his desk idly and looked up at her. “What do you have to say for yourself.”
“The girl was being attacked by those men.” she said softly. “We had to help her.” Her father bristled.
“Who was being attacked?”
“A young girl, she is the daughter of the man who owns the Tarni, at least that’s what she told me. The man who had her by the arm was drunk, and I think he was planning on doing more with her than talking.” Shala stole a glance at her father before looking back down.
“If they really where planning on doing what you think they where going to do, then you more than likely saved their lives by stopping them. That young girl Netsuke is the daughter of the very well respected Matriarch of Shelobra Victor Seline, husband of the Matriarch of Shelobra, and it just so happens that he was kind enough to send me a letter thanking me for having a ‘Daughter who is so deeply devoted to making sure that her homeland is free of crimes and protecting those who are most in need of help,’ he also says that he ‘most looks forward to when she becomes a Matriarch of her own court, as it appears that she has strong moral values and cares deeply about those around her.’ he also continued to say that once you do that he will be more than happy to negotiate reasonable trade agreements once you establish your own court.” He raised an eyebrow. “Victor used to work as a tradesmen, even after he married Mina he still has a love for the markets.”
“Um… papa?” She said weakly. “Does this mean that I’m not in trouble anymore?” He laughed, his full hearty laugh that she knew much of when she was growing up, but as she got older and started to get into more and more trouble, heard less and less of.
“For dealing with those men, yes. You behaved accordingly and I applaud your attempts to make the damage to them minimal. But as for leaving the house when you where already being punished for your last little escapade.”
“I didn’t mean to cause a fire in the kitchen! Janelle was trying to teach me how to bake a cake! And I kinda… got distracted and left it in there to long.” He gave her a blank look and she returned her gaze to the floor.
“For breaking your last punishment you will be attending the ball following the end of the market tomorrow.” she groaned. “and you will act like a delicate young woman of society while you are there. Do you understand me Shala?” She nodded solemnly. “Now go find Roxa, I’m sure she wants to console you after being ‘chewed out’ as you put it.” She looked up and smiled at him but stayed where she was.
“Papa. I have a question.”
“Yes my most respectable and darling daughter?” He reached for his pen and for a large stack of papers that he had to work on.
“Um… at the ball do you think that you could…” He looked up at her with a raised eyebrow.
“Could I what?” he asked calmly. She shot him a grin that made his spine turn to something gelatinous.
“Could you dance with me a once… like when I was little?” She batted her eyes at him and giggled. He just smiled.
“If you honestly want me to, it would be my pleasure. Now scram you little tart, I have work to do.” She just laughed and shot him a kiss before hustling out of the room.
She was so much like her mother it was unnerving. Except for her red hair, while it was long and thick like her mothers it was the same red as his used to be. Bright and vibrant. He ran a hand through his, it was still a fiery red, but his age had made it something dusky and the gray hairs where coarse and thick. She did have her mothers eyes; however, deep blue which was a striking contrast to her hair. But she was a beautiful girl, and he couldn’t help but think that he would strangle the first man that was brave enough to come home with her.
Setting the thoughts of his only daughter aside he turned back to his paperwork.
(2)
S he ran the brush over the stallion’s coat and smiled. There where no better steeds than those of the Fire Tribe. They won more races than any other breed of horse, and where gentle and kind to their humanoid kin. There where tales that when marauders attacked their owners that the horses would fight back at the men who attempted to do their masters harm, and even fought fiercely to protect the body of their slain owner.
“Do you plan to take Sir Alain out for a ride today my lady?” asked the gentle stable master as he approached Shala.
“I’m afraid not today, I just stopped by to visit.” her horse let out a dismayed neigh and nibbled at her shirt sleeve, he understood fully that he would get no time out of the stables and was none to happy about it.
“It appears he isn’t satisfied with that answer.” The man reached out and ran his hand over the stallion’s black coat and clicked affectionately at him. Mr. Bernard the stable master had a devout love for animals, and cared tenderly over any animal that was brought into his care as if they where his own children. “Why not just a quick ride around the stables? It would do him good.” he then grinned and looked behind him before continuing. “But such a short ride really shouldn’t call for hassling the stable boys to get him saddled, if you would prefer to ride bare-back that is.”
Shala’s eyes twinkled brightly as she patted Alain on his side, signaling for the horse to lower himself for her. He casually bent one knee and she climbed atop and grabbed two fistfuls of his main before the horse shot off across the stable yard.
Only a fool would say that stallions ran, no. No horse simply runs, they soar across the terrain with almost a magical grace that could put even the dancing hawk to shame. She didn’t steer him, but let the stallion choose his own course and simply allowed him to take her along for the ride. He careened around the side of the stables and over the fence that separated the turning out section from the castle gardens. He turned and looped around the gardens and headed back for the stable and once again jumped the fence and halted before his stall.
Bernard laughed loudly as Shala dismounted.
“Truly a wonderful horse you have here, and he loves you dearly.” He patted the stallion on its rump and watched as it trotted back into his stall to eat. “When you establish your own court I’m sure he will make a fine addition to your stables.” Shala grumbled and looked away from the man as he laughed. “Why do you despise the idea of establishing your own court so? Even if you dislike the way that others run their courts you can always rule yours as you see fit. Maybe you could even change the ways that courts are seen in this country.”
Shala just shrugged and ran her fingers though her hair.
“I don’t want that kind of responsibility. I never have, I just want to be able to wander and explore.” Bernard clicked his tounge and waggled his finger.
“My lady, you are eventually going to have to accept the fact that you cannot remain a child forever, responsibilities come with age, and with station as well. While I am sure you take full advantage of who your father is and what you can get away with, there is a price for being born into such a prestigious family. Everyone has to come to terms with adulthood and the facts of life eventually.” He gave her a long look before sighing and turning away. “You will learn for yourself soon enough child.”
“My father says the same thing.” she called after him with distaste.
He just shook his head and kept walking.
(3)
R ist leaned back in the wooden chair and watched lazily as his younger brother dealt another hand of cards to the other young guards.
“Where did you two say you transferred from again?” asked one of the more seasoned guards.
“One of the smaller provinces outside of the city.” said Lain cheerfully as he picked up three of the discarded cards and laid down four from his hand. “Your turn Louis.” the other man looked at his cards and frowned before picking up another card from his deck and laying down one from his hand in the discard pile.
“Element on the board.” said the third and picked up the second mans card and laid down two of his own before drawing from the deck again. Rist simply rolled his eyes and looked out the window.
“Your brother doesn’t talk much does he?”
“Not unless he feels like he really has something to say. He is much more of a physical being if you catch my drift.” The other card players cast a wondering look at Rist who returned their looks with a feral smile. They quickly turned their heads back to the game.
Rist turned his head back to the window and continued to stare at the pavilion-villa three levels above the one whose guard house they were currently occupying.
“Hey bro, you should start lightening up or everyone will start asking more questions.” Lain sat down across from him and smiled cheerfully.
“And you should stop attracting so much attention to yourself. You have a tendency to say to much when you get excited, not to mention the fact that you are far to enthusiastic about this whole thing.” Rist replied boredly.
“How can I not be excited! Three of the four-” Rist shot him a look which made him lower his voice. “Er… most famous dancers are going to be at the festival tonight to celebrate the new growing season and the alliance between the water and fire tribes. What could be better?” he finished lamely.
‘If you are going to babble at least speak to me in a way that others cannot hear you dumbass.’ Rist shot at Lain’s mind with a shot of orange.
‘I’m still not very….. At this yet.’ Replied Lain in a somber blue.
‘If you actually practiced what you had learned at your lessons then you would be better prepared for the field and this mission. I don’t understand why they have me here babysitting you as well as working on our main motive.’ This message was shot with a bit of pale red. Rist was apparently annoyed. But ever since Lain had begun to learn thought-speak every time his brother had attempted to speak to him in such a way, it had always kept traces of red and orange, furthermore, Rist had always been a bit of a grump, so it never bothered him.
‘I do study, but its hard to keep the connection sometimes.’ another shot of blue, but this time slightly brighter, eager. ‘Do you have any pointers that could help?’ Rist rolled his eyes.
‘When you first start off its hard to keep a connection. But once you get used to the idea you won’t have to strain yourself as hard or concentrate as hard. There aren’t really any tricks to it at all except practice. Its easier to keep connections with people you are close to, or if you have something of theirs to hold onto so that they feel closer.’ this time the thought came in on a thread of green-blue.
Lain began to ask another question when Rist held up his hand and pointed to the terrace of the pavilion he had been staring.
‘There.’ on a thread of pitch black. ‘That’s the red one.’
(4)
S hala peered warily over the edge of the guardrails. She never could understand why the elders originally decided that the aristocracy would prefer to be so far high off the ground. The thought of getting near the ledge normally scared the bageeses out of her. But she felt something odd since she first walked out on the terrace. Like someone was looking at her.
She cast a gaze over the lower pavilion-villas and gave up on her creeped out feeling.
“Whatcha doing out here?” Roxa leaned on the doorway and smiled. “Still getting that feeling?”
“Its so weird, I normally only feel this creeped out when I come out on this ledge. Whoever is watching me does it when I’m out here most of the time.” Roxa just laughed at her.
“I get those feelings sometimes to, but its nothing to stress over. A lot of guys stare at girls when they are our age. Its probably just some guy trying to work up the nerve to-” she shivered. “Yeah I feel it to.” She walked over to the ledge and looked over. “Like I said, its probably just some guys who think we are cute and are trying to work up the nerve to ask us to the festival. This has only been going on for the past couple of weeks, so it’s the only logical explanation.”
The red haired girl just rolled her shoulders and shook herself.
“But this is so different, its like something icy is wrapping around me and keeps prickling me between the shoulder blades. Its some kind of craft I just know it.” Roxa chuckled and shook her head.
“You think every time something weird happens around here that its some craft user who is trying to torment people, and you make me go with you to investigate. Then we both end up in your father’s study and get grounded again, which of course doesn’t matter because we go out anyway or you just outright lie to me about getting into trouble in the first place.”
“I can’t help it if you are a goody goody who doesn’t want to ever get into trouble.” Shala said with a mock grin.
“Well considering the fact that I am only here out of your family’s good graces makes me want to please them somewhat.” retorted Roxa. Shala just rolled her eyes and kept looking around. She couldn’t tell where the person was, but she knew that they probably weren’t far off.
“So what punishment did your father dole out for you this time?” Roxa jumped up onto the ledge and balanced herself. Shala simply gritted her teeth at the demonstration.
“I have to go to the actual ball and be polite and follow protocol. I’ll probably have to do a dance or something for the ambassadors and such.” Shala pulled at a stray thread on her shirt. “Sometimes I think I was supposed to be born into a family of farmers.” Roxa just laughed.
“You and I both, the only difference is, I actually was born into a family of farmers.” The two girls just giggled and walked back inside of the pavilion, Roxa ignored the way that Shala pulled the curtains and shuddered as they headed back to their rooms.
Chapter Three
(1)
I t was hot. Hotter than normal for the waning dry season. Shala kicked off the thin covers and jerked open the window so that the fresh outside breeze would help alleviate the intense heat in the room. She narrowed her eyes and groaned when she realized how much cooler the outside air was than her bedroom. She hurried over and flicked the lock on her door before continuing to open all the windows in her large room before sinking into her chair and running her hands over her face.
Anyone who used any kind of craft went through certain levels of increase in their abilities, the final increase occurred when they reached the start of adulthood and came into the full scale of their power. Different people experienced these growths differently, but one thing remained the same, while the person was asleep they seemed to manifest in a physical form. Potions and charms could be taken or worn to keep someone from say, burning down their house while they were asleep, but few people rarely needed to stem their power in such an extent. Shala had hammered several charms to the underside of her bed in an attempt to keep anyone from being aware that she was taking such extensive leaps in strength, as well for her own safety.
She pulled at the front of her thin white shirt to fan herself before turning on the air circulators and wondered how long it would take the temperature to even out to something more hospitable, she couldn’t leave in case the housemaids came in to clean and felt the heat. If her father knew about how strong she already was…
Shala shook her head and began rummaging through her closet for something to change into that wouldn’t suffocate her while she waited for the room to cool down, idly wondering if Roxa was having the same problems as herself.
(2)
N arrowing her eyes in annoyance the black haired girl adjusted the temperature of the cold climate box that she had spent most of last night building. It wasn’t that the box was difficult to create, it was the fact that she had to construct several of them, and from what she could feel from the seeds she was going to have to let the soil she had mixed freeze to a certain degree or the seeds would fail.
The books she had bought from the dealer, although helpful, lacked what she felt was necessary information. Then again, whomever wrote these books probably wasn’t from a Mexnas tribe and didn’t know when a plant had reached its full growth. The thought of so many plants not reaching their full potential of life saddened her but she also realized that it was not so much the fault of the humans that cared for them, plants tended to be lazy on their own part.
Tapping the temperature gauge to make sure the needle was working properly she leaned back and looked at the atrium that the High Priest had built adjacent to her own bedroom. He had really outdone himself, ordering soils from territories outside of his own to make sure that she could grow many of the same plants that were from her homeland. He had also ordered a construction team to dig several feet into the living rock that was the foundation of the pavilion so that her plants could have plenty of room to take root. She had overseen the organization of the room, dedicating different areas for different types of plants, closing off others with glass and vents so the right air temperature could be maintained. One small section of wall had been dug out for a bookshelf so she could keep all of her current research materials in close reach. In short, as far as her needs were concerned, this room was nothing short of a sanctuary.
Although; now that she thought about it, she had never planned on attempting to grow cold climate plants in such a hot place before. Once the seedlings started to fill out she wasn’t sure what exactly she would be able to do with them. She highly doubted that Mrs. Janelle would be willing to let her dig a hole in her freezing unit to give her new flowers a little room to grow.
Standing up Roxa brushed the dirt from her hands onto her pants and walked over to one of the large windows and pushed it open to let the fresh air in. The heat of the summer season was finally waning and the slightly cooler air was a wonderful reprieve from the stifling heat would be a welcome change for her.
Leaving her atrium she walked into her bedroom and continued into the adjoining bath, twisting the water knobs until she had the right temperature and slid into the bath with her work clothes still on sighing at the cold water. The festival to celebrate the growing season and the arrival of the Shelobra tribes would be tonight. She and Shala had the same feelings when it came to wearing formal attire and attending balls. She just hoped that Shala wouldn’t be creating any kind of havoc during the festivities that would cause the High Priest to come down on their heads.
She reached up and fingered the pendant that she always wore around her neck. It was simple, to say the least. Two wooden beads and a small square of wood with a oak leaf carved into its center. It was her mother’s pendant, the only thing she had from her life back in Mexnas other than the clothes that she was wearing at the time she appeared in Xnarsas. She didn’t talk much about her life across the veil, mostly because she didn’t remember much of it.
Oh, she remembered some things. She could remember her mother’s long black hair and how she always wore it in braids, and the way she wove leaves and feathers into the folds. She had a younger brother, brash and vibrant. Having just turned sixteen, he spent most of his time in the main part of the village helping repair the buildings–if only for the excuse to shed his shirt in front of all the young women. And her father, a strong, patient man, the person who had cultivated her love of gardening. The gentle man who would take his daughter into the kitchen garden and let the young girl help him weed out those pesky pieces of grass, even though she spent most of her time attempting to pull up the peas because they were her least favorite vegetable.
Those were good memories, strong memories. But there were so many blanks that she couldn’t fill. She had spent the first seventeen years of her life there, and yet only a few trace memories of her family were all she could call upon in her own mind. She knew that there had been a battle when she fell through the veil, but she couldn’t remember why it had occurred.
Sighing and growling in frustration she released the pendant that hung around her neck and lifted herself out of the tub and shrugged out of the wet fabric and wrung as much water out of the clothing as she could before throwing it into the hamper.
(3)
T he High Priest pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose and forced himself not to glare at the maid who stood in front of his desk. He felt sympathetic for the delicate fingers that she continued to wring in her distress, and at the same time force down the cold twisting in his stomach as to what he may or may not have to do to the poor woman if he could not be certain that she would in fact keep the information to herself.
“Sir… its not just your daughter’s room that is so stiflingly hot, its effecting the entire wing of the estate. Nobody in the staff is sure of what to do about the problem, and no matter how many windows or doors we open to air out the heat, it doesn’t seem to be helping. Even more startling, the young Mexnan girl’s rooms don’t seem to be effected at all!” She lowered her eyes to the floor as he stared at her, a bored expressionless mask covered his face.
“My dear, the entire problem has to do with the fact that there is a leak in the exhaust vents that power the estate, we are diligently working on alleviating this fact; however, the heat is leaking out into the tunnels that honeycomb the earth under this building. It will take time for this problem to be fixed, and I assure you, that whatever problems that are being caused by this… inconvenience, will be taken care of in due order.”
“But sir-!” He raised his hand and smiled slightly at the woman, his tone stern.
“Madam, I assure you that the exhaust vents are the only reason for the stifling heat in that wing of the estate, and it is no concern of yours. If you find the temperature of the area far to hot to deal with, I’m sure we can re-locate you to another part of the house so you can continue your services.” The young woman pinched her lips together and said nothing. When it appeared that she had nothing more to say he removed his glasses and picked up the pen that sat atop a large stack of paperwork. “If that is all you have come to speak to me about, I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask to take your leave, I have many pressing matters to attend to with the ball occurring tonight, as well as other affairs of state that I must get underway.” He raised his hand slightly, a silent dismissal, and watched as the young woman hurried out of the room.
With a long sigh he leaned back in his chair and vigorously rubbed his temples. Did his daughter, in all her scheming brilliance think for even a second that he didn’t have the slightest clue what was occurring? He knew all to well how difficult and drastic her leaps in power would be, it didn’t come simply from his side of the family. Her mother had also been terrifyingly powerful in her fire-craft. The only reason he did not attempt to allow her to know that he knew what was happening to her rested on the fact that she was apparently so terrified of the fact that she had so much strength that she felt the desire to keep it hidden.
She had no interest in ruling. If the rest of the populace knew of her strength she would undoubtedly be sitting in this very office when he resigned from his position as the High Priest, and he did not want that for her… not in the slightest.
He wanted her to be able to run freely and enjoy her life. Her temperament was such that he felt that she would never be happy falling into step behind a male or sliding with the intricate dance that was court life, weighing words and finding hidden double meanings in everything that was said to her. Despite holding the position that he did, he understood clearly that the system wasn’t working in the same way that it had used to, instead of watching over those who remained in the lower cities the nobility had decided that they were above those whom they ruled. What really separated the two people? Nothing more than bloodlines, and those who were nobility now had apparently forgotten those who sired them, as well as the rights and ties of honor that kept all of their power from spiraling out of control and consuming them.
Standing, and moving towards the open window he felt the devastating heat of Shala’s power being swept away on the light breeze, hoping that she would eventually find a way to escape this city and the destiny that loomed over her head.