Scribbled Thoughts

Chapter Twenty Nine:

Tallulah and Baptista

 I woke slowly, groaning as I forced my eyes open. It made no difference; it was still pitch black even with my Anellan eyes.

            Is this Tempit?

            I shuffled my stiff body, the surface beneath me smooth like glass, but feeling denser, tougher. My wings reached each end of the prison as I lay down. I struggled to sit up, finding the length was higher and I had to stretch my arms straight up before feeling the top.

            Standing is out of the question then.

            I lay back down, trying to relax.

            Panicking isn’t going to help. Eilir wouldn’t have sent me somewhere dangerous.

            …Right?

            I tried to reach out to Firo in my mind, but her presence was too faint.

            A small light was moving closer below me, no bigger than the fairy-lights in Laven. More appeared, moving along the floor, the ocean floor -I now realised- which was the length of a house below me.

            The lights were too far away to see well, but they looked like small creatures. They bobbed along contently, weaving through a small caverned area filled with eggs. They resembled bird eggs, but much larger, propped up and half buried in the sand.

            I could see all this because the cube container holding me was transparent. It was also unmovable, but not visibly supported by anything.

            This thing could fall and smash at any…

            Do not worry, young Firo, you are quite safe.

            I spun my head around, seeing two women-like creatures next to my prison. One had a hand pressed against the cube’s side. Their whole body gave off a warm glow, calming my nerves.

            Both had pale, white skin with long flowing white hair, which was covering their bare breasts. Their upper body was human, while the lower was a fish tail. The scales were a deep, shimmering blue on the chunkier one, while the smaller was a lilac colour. It was the smaller one who’d spoken into my mind and had their hands pressed against the glass.

            What am I doing here? I asked, trying to appear polite but unwilling to drag this situation out.

            I am Tallulah.The lilac one said, pretending I hadn’t spoken. Eilir brought you here so my mistress, Baptista, could read you.

            I glanced at the blue one, trying not to shake.

            Baptista? That means she’s…

            Yes.Tallulah said, voice amused. She is the current strongest of the immortal children…And yes, we can hear every thought you have, whether you project it or not. As long as Baptista is present no truth can be hidden.

            That isn’t good. I thought, flinching back when Baptista moved nearer, placing both her hands on the glass. Tallulah immediately retracted her own hand and moved back.

             Young Firo, Baptista’s thoughts rang through me, deep and authoritive. I read you while you slept, so I could offer you advice on what is to come?

            W-what? I asked.

            I have the power to read a person’s destiny, and therefore predict their future based on this. Many of my fellow immortals have lost faith in my gift, but I knew I had to meet you and advise you on what I know.

            Lost faith? Why?

            I have predicted the next, and last, immortal to be born will not be the strongest among us, as everyone believes.

            I tried to stand out of shock, knocking the top of my wings on the roof and wincing, forcing myself to crouch.

            You mean the birth of Arŕ Wel? My father was sent back to Aneller to prepare for it. I paused, cursing myself for thinking this. I shouldn’t be revealing personal information they can use.

            I have read your destiny, young Firo, I know everything about you. Baptista said, sounding amused. Do not worry, it stays with me alone.

            Even my name?

            Yes, especially that.

            I nodded, having no choice whether I believed her or not. Instead I frowned, remembering what she’d said earlier.

            What do you mean Arŕ Wel won’t be the strongest?

            That is not what I said. She said sternly. The next and last immortal will not be Arŕ Wel at all.

But-

Enough of that. All I can say is he will come one day, but not in a form you’d expect. You will meet, influence, and be influenced by him. But that will be far in the future, when you have become very different from what you are now. I did not meet you here today to explain that. I came to instruct Tallulah to introduce her water people to you. I will leave you to it. Goodbye, young Firo.

Wait! I mind-screamed, making her pause from turning. If you know my destiny, can you see my sister? What happens to Annie?

She gave me a searching look, studying my face for a long time. Eventually she looked away, half turning before she answered.

Your sister will lead a happier life in the next seventy years than you. That is all I will say.

With that she removed her hands from my prison wall, cutting off our communication and swan away into the vast ocean.

---

I was left alone after that, Tallulah swimming to the ocean floor without another word. I watched her weave through the eggs, inspecting them, while I rummaged through my thoughts.

            Looks like they have to touch this cube prison thing to hear my thoughts. I sighed. Or communicate with me…What is she doing down there?

            I tried to stay focused on the situation, but my mind kept drifting away to Baptista’s final words. Did they mean Annie would lead a happy life? Or did it just mean her life would be miserable, but mine would be even worse?

            Does it mean she’s dead, and she’s happier than me because she doesn’t have to live with the agony of loss the way I will?

            I shook my head, trying to dispel the terrifying thoughts. But now that they were there I couldn’t ignore them.

            Annie. Please, please be alive.

            Young Firo.

            I jumped in surprise, turning to see Tallulah with her hand on the prison’s side again. With her were two similar beings. Like Tallulah they were part human, part fish. One was male, the other female. Their hair was also white, their fish tail the same blue as Baptista. Their faces held more expression than the immortals, staring at me with open wonder. Like Tallulah and Baptista, they wore no clothes, but unlike them, the woman fish-person wasn’t covering her breasts with her hair. I couldn’t stop myself from staring at them.

            These are two of the merpeople who live here. Tallulah spoke again. I nodded, still staring. They use the water realm’s seal as a barrier to keep them safe. I am the guardian and protector of both.

            I snapped my gaze away then, staring at her in shock.

            Water seal? We’re at the water seal?

            Yes. No one can hurt you here.

            The female merperson placed a webbed hand on the cube, moving so close her breasts pressed against the glass. They had my full attention again.

            We are pleased to meet you. It is an experience we will always treasure.

            Uh huh, was my intelligent response.

            His thoughts suggest he wants to mate. A male voice spoke, sounding curious and a little excited. What an interesting egg that would make!

            That is not possible. Tallulah said, sounding amused. He would drown before the coupling was complete, no matter what his thoughts say otherwise.

            My face felt like it was on fire. I shrunk back so far as I could, trying to control my thoughts and ignore them at the same time.

            We are flattered by your interest. The woman said, sounding sincere. Including you in our link would have been an honour, if possible.

            Link? I asked, my puzzlement overriding my humiliation.

            Yes, the merpeople have individual bodies, but they share all the memories of the previous generations.

            …I don’t understand.

            For example, when an egg is laid, it contains all the memories and life experiences of both its parents, as though it had been them itself. But it also inherits their grandparent’s memories and experiences, and their parents back as far as the merpeople’s original creation. This is the link, meaning they all have the same memories, experiences and way of thinking. They are a race without individuality, joined forever with their link. It is a powerful and beautiful thing. It has evolved, so that what you tell these two will be seen by the others here as well.

            That sounded pretty creepy, but I nodded, trying to smile.

            We know the concept of losing individuality is daunting to you, the male spoke. We are not offended by your opinion.

            Their link could prove a very powerful ally one day. Tallulah said seriously.

            I agreed with that, but wasn’t sure why Baptista had wanted me to know about it so much.

            Who knows, Tallulah answered honestly. Even Baptista can’t see all the details.

            I turned my gaze downwards, seeing more merpeople were moving around the eggs. Some hugged them close while others merely inspected them. All had at least one merperson near it except one. This egg was on the outskirts of the crater, away from the others. Its shell was dull, neglected, yet…

            Those are the children yet to be born. The woman piped up, Some stay in longer than others, gathering knowledge at their own pace.

            What about that one? I asked, pointing at the lonely egg.

            That egg was laid one hundred and eighty years ago. Tallulah answered, watching me closely.

            What? I asked, staring at her. That’s insane!

            Indeed, the longest before that was fifty. The merpeople are beginning to think it will never hatch, that it should be disposed of.

            No! I screamed, trying to stand again and hurting my wings. Do not hurt that egg!

            All three stared at me in shock, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t explain why, but I knew that egg was more important than anything here, including the seal.

            You have to let it hatch no matter what! Swear you’ll keep it safe. Swear it will hatch and survive, no matter what happens.

            All the merpeople below stopped moving, glancing up at me.

            We swear The man and woman said in unison. They removed their hands from the wall, swimming towards the egg.

            Now I understand, Tallulah said with a smile.

            I’m glad one of us did.

            Don’t worry; I will personally make sure the merperson in the egg will live through whatever comes.

            So do I. I said, thoughts commanding. One day I will send a gift, make sure he gets it.

            Very well.

            My eyes began to droop, I frowned in puzzled sleepiness.

            Rest now, young Firo. I will return you to land, so you can continue your journey. I look forward to the day we meet again.

            I kept my eyes on the egguntil they closed completely.

            Please stay safe, no matter what.

Chapter Twenty Eight:

Family complications

Lance was waiting at the top, his face pale, anxious, but full of barely concealed hope.

            ‘Dagan?’ he choked, only seeing the now unconscious farry-turned-elf next to me. ‘All this time, you were still alive…’

            ‘Can you carry him?’ I asked, wincing as I stood. ‘It’s been a long day, and-’

            I didn’t get any further before Lance hurried over to his son and scooped him up, striding away towards his house.

            I sighed, having no choice but to follow.

---

Dagan was laid on Lance’s bed, his face being lovingly wiped with a damp cloth, removing all traces of dirt before Lance even acknowledged I existed.

            ‘What happened to him?’ he whispered, gently massaging Dagan’s scarred ears, where his missing eartips were even more shocking now they were clean.

            ‘I don’t know the details.’ I said cautiously, remembering the darker side of Lance I’d occasionally glimpsed. ‘But I know the King stole his dark magic from him, and he’s been a slave ever since. He helped me escape Lar, and is helping me reach Firo in Tempit. He-’

            I stopped, realising saying he wants to kill the King and get his magic back might put me in a difficult position with Dagan.

            Lance didn’t seem to notice my hesitation, or he wisely chose to ignore it.

            ‘With no magic, he’s stuck in elf form now.’ He sighed, taking Dagan’s hands and squeezing reassuringly. ‘He must have been affected by the forest’s illusions.’

            I coughed awkwardly.

            ‘Yeah, I didn’t realise that would happen. I don’t think he did either. He might still be a bit shaken when he wakes up, so don’t hold anything he says against him, okay?’

            Lance gave me a piercing stare, searching for the meaning behind my words.

            ‘…I see.’ He said finally, making me wince. ‘He did not plan to meet us. Would you be so kind as to do me a favour? Bring Sapphire here; she deserves to see her son is alive.’

            I nodded, not sure it was a great idea, but not daring to argue.

---

I debated leaving Dagan there with his parents and going to Eilir alone, but knew if Dagan ever met me again he’d kill me for sure. So I waited in the background as Lance and Sapphire fawned over their sleeping son, wiping off the dried blood and dirt as best as I could. My clothes smelled foul; the plain slave clothes hadn’t been changed since my wings grew. I didn’t dare interrupt Lance to ask for more.

            How am I going to wear a shirt now? I thought, Or should I just keep this filthy thing on the rest of my life and wash it by jumping in a river? Not that I can swim…

            My personal hygiene dilemma was interrupted when Dagan groaned and opened his eyes, blinking several times to clear his vision.

            I thought the look of horror on his face when he recognised his parents was a little extreme, even for him.

            ‘Hello, son.’ Lance smiled, ignoring Dagan’s reaction. ‘How are you feeling?’

            Dagan opened his mouth to speak, but only a strange squeak came out.

            ‘Oh Dagan, what happened to you?’ Sapphire whispered, her voice filled with pain.

            Immediately Dagan’s jaw clenched shut and his eyes went cold. He sat up quickly and slapped away any helping hands.

            ‘Do not concern yourself with me, Mother. I chose this path, and I live with the consequences, just as Father instructed me to.’

            Lance flinched, raw pain visible in his eyes.

            ‘Dagan, I didn’t mean it-’

            ‘Yes you did.’ Dagan spat, standing unsteadily. ‘You meant everything you said. Well, don’t worry Father; I paid for my sins and arrogance. I’ve been paying for two hundred years.’

            ‘I know, but it can be over now.’ Sapphire burst in, taking one of Dagan’s hands in both of hers. ‘You’re back; you came home. Stay here with us, Dagan, and be at peace.’

            ‘Be at peace?’ he laughed, snatching his hand away. ‘Stuck like this? I think not. I know what I have to do, and Laven has no part of my future.’

            ‘You plan to kill the King.’ Lance said, his voice cold and calm. ‘To get back your cursed dark magic?’

            ‘I am nothing without it.’ Dagan admitted quietly. ‘And I will not live on as nothing.’

            ‘You’d rather return to being out of control, slaughtering everything in sight?’ Lance asked, eyes hard. ‘You wish to be that monster again?’

            ‘If I kill the King I’ll get both his powers.’ Dagan argued. ‘I’ll be able to control myself this time.’

            ‘No, you won’t.’ Lance said with such certainty Dagan flinched back. ‘You’re not a patient person, Dagan, you never were. You’ll never gain control of that magic; it will just use you until there’s nothing left.’

            Dagan’s eyes glistened with angry tears, a bitter smile on his face.

            ‘I was never good enough for you, was I? You always longed for a normal child, one you could manipulate into what you wanted.’ He turned his angry gaze to me, making me freeze. ‘Is it everything you hoped for, finding such a gullible fool?’

            ‘Hey.’ I began, angry.

            ‘Dagan.’ Lance interrupted, his voice turning desperate. ‘Don’t go to Tempit with him; he can do this alone. Please stay, son. Please.’

            A heavy silence settled in the room, so thick that I didn’t dare breathe. Lance’s pleading gaze bore into Dagan’s angry one. Finally, Dagan spoke, his voice as cold as ice.

            ‘I’d rather live another two centuries as the King’s slave then stay here with you. I will get my magic back, and I’ll never see you again.’

            With that he walked out of the room, heading to the hut’s exit.

            Sapphire sank to the floor, helpless sobs escaping her. I shuffled awkwardly, seeing only black despair on Lance’s face.

            ‘I’m sorry.’ I muttered, before following Dagan out.

---

I didn’t dare speak to Dagan as we walked to Eilir’s hut. His very aura radiated hatred, and I didn’t want it directed at me.

            ‘Why did you take me there?’ He growled out through gritted teeth.

            ‘I didn’t.’ I said, as calmly as I could. ‘Lance was waiting at the platform.’          

            Dagan seemed to accept this, nodding before sinking back into his dark mood.

            Eilir was waiting outside his hut, only acknowledging Dagan with a slight eyebrow raise before focusing on me.

            ‘So you have come at last.’ he said, turning to enter his hut. ‘Firo has been in contact with me and explained her wish.’

            ‘Great.’ I said, relieved I wouldn’t have to convince him myself. ‘So you’ll send us to Tempit?’

            He didn’t answer. As soon as I entered the hut he took out his knife, closing his eyes a moment before slashing the air.

            He moved aside and I stepped closer.

            ‘What the?’ I asked, seeing only blue as the slash opened further, big enough to step into.

            ‘There is someone you must meet before freeing Firo. I wish you luck.’ He said, before shoving me hard, making me fall through the portal.

            I hit the water, and couldn’t breathe.

Chapter Twenty Seven

Illusions

‘Is he always going to stay that far back?’ I asked, glancing behind to see the wolf figure in the distance. ‘Not that I mind, but he’ll need to be closer when we get to the entrance for Laven.’

            Dagan shook his head, distracted as he stopped in front of Line Woods.

            ‘He won’t enter Laven. No immortal may enter without all the elders consent. Earth immortals can enter Line Woods, to reach their realm, but they’re not allowed near the elves or the seal.’

            I frowned, glancing back again.

            The seal and the main earth realm entrance are different?

            Yes, Firo answered, clear again now we were near the woods. The seals lead to a hidden part of each realm. It is connected to the realm, but it is not the main entrance. It was the only place I could hide it, from both humans and immortals.

            Hide what?

            She didn’t answer.

            ‘Well, we better get moving.’ I said pointedly after Dagan just stood staring for two minutes. ‘The faster we are the less likely anyone else will realise we’re here.’

            Dagan sighed but stepped forward into the woods.

            ‘This should be fun,’ I muttered, glancing back at Ulmar in the distance. He had stopped moving closer when we’d stopped at the entrance.

            ‘Hurry up!’ Dagan called back, irritated and anxious.

            Dagan started acting weird soon after I caught up, batting his arms at something in front of his face.

            ‘A fly?’ I asked, not seeing one.

            His gaze whirled towards me, scowling like he’d never seen me before.

            ‘Who are you?’ he almost growled, his frown turning into a manic grin. ‘Have you come to try your luck against the black scurge?’

            ‘What are you talking about?’ I asked, wondering if he’d whacked his head on something when he’d gone ahead.

            ‘You’ll never win.’ He smirked, the look in his eyes leaving no doubt he would happily kill me. ‘I’m too strong. You couldn’t even touch me.’

            I gave him a deadpan look and poked him in the chest. The look on his face was priceless, his mouth open like a gaping fish as he stared at my finger in complete shock.

            ‘But that can’t be…’ he quivered, making alarm bells ring in my head.

            ‘Dagan, are you okay?’ I asked, trying to place a hand on his shoulder. He skidded back, eyes staring at me in horror.

            ‘I won’t let you take it, human! You can’t have my magic! My wings…’ he trailed off, gazing off to the left, forgetting I was even there.

            Then his attention snapped back to me, leaping forward and knocking me to the floor.

            ‘I’ll kill you first!’ he snarled, grabbing the top of my wings and pulling. ‘And take them back!’

            I cried out in pain, my tail sweeping round to whack Dagan off me. His grip pulled my wings even more, but luckily he let go before they were ripped off.

            ‘What is wrong with you?’ I asked, wincing as my hands went to massage my wings. ‘Attacking me won’t get your magic or wings back.’

            ‘It’s the forest,’ A female voice answered, making me whirl around and look up.

            Just like six years ago, Zara was sat casually on a tree branch, swinging her legs silently as she smiled down at us.

            ‘W-what?’ I asked, hearing Dagan groan and begin to stand behind me.

            ‘This forest casts illusions in people’s minds to prevent intruders.’ She giggled, swinging her legs high enough to jump off the branch. She landed gracefully in front of me, making me skid back. ‘Everyone sees something different, but it’s usually something personal and painful.’

            A knife slammed into my shoulder blades, where my wings connected to my back. The knife bounced off harmlessly, making me spin around in surprise and Dagan curse darkly.

            ‘Protecting yourself with magic, you foul creature?’ he spat, staring at me with such hatred that I felt a spark of fear. ‘I won’t rest until you’re a rotten corpse in a forgotten ditch.’

            ‘I see your bloodlust hasn’t simmered.’ A child’s voice spoke from behind Dagan. I’d half turned when Dagan attacked me, keeping one eye on him and the other on Zara. Dagan did a similar pose now, allowing me to see Vance beyond him. The young-looking earth immortal wore a satisfied grin. ‘To think you’d be stupid enough to come back here.’

            Dagan’s gaze was unfocused, eyes staring past Vance with a confused frown.

            ‘Amelia, what are you doing here?’

            Vance let out an amused chuckle, moving closer.

            ‘Look how pathetic you are now! You can’t even guard yourself against an illusion. I think I’ll take my time carving up your face while you-’

            ‘As if you could reach.’ I scoffed, trying to sound casual.

            Vance’s childish glare immediately landed on me, stalking past the inactive Dagan to stop near my left side.

            ‘As for you,’ he hissed, vines beginning to grow near our feet, ‘I don’t care what Ignatius says, I’ll never let you become one of us!’

            I saw his hands twitch and swung my tail, sending him flying into a tree in front of me. The impact made me wince in sympathy.

            I glanced at Zara, who was watching her master with a blank look.

            ‘Don’t just stand there.’ Vance wheezed, struggling to stand.

            ‘But he managed to hurt you.’ Zara said, voice void of emotion. ‘Doesn’t that prove he’s one of us already? V and Z wouldn’t stand a chance against F, let alone an original.’

            ‘He is not one of us! Now attack, that’s an order!’

            Zara sighed. Something snapped around my ankles, making me glance down. Vines were wrapped around my legs, locking me in place. I tried to swipe her with my tail, but she was too far away.

            As the vines climbed up me, trapping my tail and lower body, huge vines began to grow near me, covered in thorns. They joined the normal ones, twisting and wrapping around me. Some managed to wedge themselves between my scales, cutting the flesh beneath.

            Don’t let them take your blood! Firo’s urgent warning rang through my mind.

            I began to cough, feeling like I was choking. There was something rumbling in my throat, moving up. Smoke trickled from my mouth, making Zara’s eyes widen with fear and back away.

            ‘What are you doing?’ Vance snarled at her, glancing my way. I saw him audibly swallow, but a moment later his own sharp vines began to slither up my body.

            I opened my mouth, ready to unleash something…

            …When a shaggy figure stepped in front of me, forcing me to swallow whatever it was.

            ‘Ulmar?’ Vance asked, voice filled with disbelief. ‘What are you doing with them?’

            Ulmar didn’t answer. He glanced briefly my way, touching the vines around me and making them wither into nothing. I winced at my multiple small wounds, but was relieved to see the bleeding had already stopped.

            ‘Do I always have to rescue you?’ The wolf man sighed. ‘Take that idiot and go. I’ll keep these two occupied.’

            Vance laughed.

            ‘Oh really?’ You’re only one above me Ulmar, and there’s two of us. Don’t be so delusional.’

            I didn’t want to hear more. I grabbed hold of the glass-eyed Dagan, leading him as fast as I could towards Laven.

            Despite everything, I had to fight myself not to glance back.

---

The journey to the entrance took twice as long as usual. Dagan’s blank compliance didn’t last long. At times he tried to attack me again, others he clung to me, weeping in fear and despair. I tried to erase these moments immediately from my memory, knowing neither of us wanted me to witness it.

            Damnit, I don’t want to feel sorry for this guy! He’s crazy, and I get the feeling he’ll get me killed if I’m not careful.

            I’d thought Dagan would start to calm down once I activated the lift. Boy, was I wrong.

            ‘Don’t take me back there!’ he screamed, clawing at my face in a desperate attempt to make me let go. ‘It’s so dark. So, so dark!’ he sobbed, ‘I can’t bear it anymore! Just kill me! Kill me!’

            Anymore words were lost as the platform shot up into the trees.

Chapter Twenty six

Consequences and an Alliance

‘Oh? And where are you taking my pet, slave? I didn’t give you permission to let him loose.’

            The wolf jumped between me and Earl, growling low. Earl frowned, but didn’t look worried.

            ‘What are you doing here?’

            The wolf was engulfed in a bright light, making Dagan shield his eyes. With my Anellan eyes I was able to see the wolf’s body shifting within the light, bones breaking and growing into a human form. He was covered in clothes made from the same scraggly grey fur he’d had in wolf form. From the back all I could see was that his scraggy dark hair came to his shoulders.

            ‘Go!’ he growled, not looking away from Earl. ‘I’ll catch up.’

            ‘Fine.’ Dagan said, not even hesitating as he started dragging me away. I didn’t bother resisting.

            There were no soldiers in the town. It was late evening, so the streets were quiet, but not deserted. Citizens stopped and gawked at me openly, pointing. One woman even screamed and ran away. But no one tried to stop us, and no one from the castle came after us.

            There’s probably no one left to try.

            I glanced at the modern houses, seeing they were made of stone, but unlike the houses in Firo the stone was less bulky. All the houses looked the same, lined up neatly in rows, compared to Firo’s more wobbly structure.

            That was all I got to see before Dagan dragged me out of the city, pulling me East. I stopped dead.

            ‘What are you doing?’ Dagan seethed. ‘Do you want to get caught?’

            ‘Do you?’ I seethed back. ‘Are you seriously heading towards Haven? That’s where Cedron brought me from! The Duke there will hand us straight back to Earl if he sees us.’

            ‘We won’t be going that close.’ Dagan insisted, not sounding too confident.

            ‘Really? Are you going to go through the bog fields then? We’d have to go close going round that!’

            ‘What else can we do?’ Dagan snapped. ‘Go all the way round the lake and across two bridges? That’s an easy place to be attacked, and it would take months!’

            ‘We go to Firo for supplies,’ I said, ‘Earl won’t look there because it’s the opposite way of Tempit. Then we can head to Laven and have Eilir transport us straight to Tempit. It’s the fastest and safest way.’

            What colour Dagan naturally had drained away at the sound of Laven. He shook his head vigorously.

            ‘No, I won’t go to Laven.’

            I frowned.

            ‘Why? You’re a farry, right? You must have lived there.’

            Dagan let out a cold, harsh laugh.

            ‘Do I look like a farry? My magic was stolen from me, and so I’m stuck in elf form, no longer able to fly. Laven won’t easily welcome someone like me back.’

            ‘They don’t have to welcome you; they just have to help us. Eilir will help, now that Firo’s agreed I come to Tempit.’

            I paused, a sudden memory tugging at my mind. A harsh comment Sapphire had once said to Lance.

            ‘That is not Dagan, no matter what you wish.’

            ‘Besides, you’re wrong. I know Lance would welcome you back.’

            Dagan’s whole body stiffened, his face turning as white as a corpse’s.

            ‘How do you know my father?’ he whispered, voice shaky.

            ‘W-what? He’s your father?’

            Lance is a parent? That lunatic?

            Then again, from what I’d seen, Dagan wasn’t the most stable of creatures…

            ‘How do you know him?’ He asked again, his voice shifted into that deadly cold tone.

            ‘I’ve known him for years. He lets me stay at his house sometimes when I go trading in Laven.’

            ‘Oh?’ Dagan laughed that cold, deadpan laugh again. ‘So they still have Ignatius choose some Anellan fool to trade the ash with? I guess some things won’t change. I’d rather die under the hands of the King then see my parents again.’

            ‘Fine, we’ll just go straight to Eilir’s hut, but we have to go there. You must see that.’

            I didn’t bother arguing further, I just started walking in the direction of home.

            Eventually Dagan began to follow.

---

We walked all night, my legs and muscles aching from the sudden exercise after eleven months of inactivity. But we’d wasted enough time arguing in front of Lar and couldn’t afford to stop.

            It was mid-day when I noticed a figure in the distance, catching up to us at an alarmingly fast pace. As it got closer I realised it was a wolf. That fact didn’t make me relax any.

            ‘Your friend is back.’ I told Dagan. He frowned, glancing behind us and squinting.

            ‘It doesn’t look like he’s being followed at least.’ He said, not slowing down.

            The wolf soon caught up with us anyway, shifting into a man and walking beside us.

            ‘Weren’t we supposed to be going the other way?’ he asked, his voice still deep even when not growling. Like all earth immortals, his skin was decorated with visible vein outlines. His eyes were an animal yellow.

            ‘This plan made more sense.’ Dagan admitted. ‘We’re going to Firo for supplies, then to Laven for Eilir’s help.’

            The wolf man raised an eyebrow in surprise but didn’t comment.

            ‘Is Earl following you?’ Dagan asked.

            ‘No, he’s too busy clearing up his mess. He knows where we’re headed and knows it will take time to get there, so he’s not worried. He’ll head to Tempit with his and the Duke’s army within days.’

            Dagan gritted his teeth in irritation. ‘Cocky bastard.’

            The wolf man shrugged. ‘He isn’t wrong; even if we go to Laven he’ll get there first.’

            ‘But he can’t conquer the city that fast. We’ll have time.’

            ‘Then you should be glad he’s so cocky. It’s better for everyone if he’s wrapped up with is father and forgets his other objective.’ He said, glancing at me meaningfully.

            ‘Who are you?’ I asked, making sure I stared him right in the eye.

            ‘Names have power, why should I give you mine?’ he answered with a sneer.

            Dagan rolled his eyes.

            ‘This is Ulmar.’ Dagan said, earning a glare from the wolf-man. ‘His master is Querida of Arswing village. For this mission of rescuing Firo and killing the King you can trust him.’

            I didn’t. In fact I didn’t trust either of them.

I’d never seen my hometown of Firo devoid of tourists, not once since I was born. Even during the rainy season a few would be caught in it and forced to stay.

            Not one tourist wandered the town now. The usual bustling of locals was subdued, trading replaced with building and repairs. Even after nearly a year a lot of houses were unliveable.

            The people were naturally skittish. Ulmar had waited a mile from town, but Dagan had entered with me. Some people recognised me, smiling in relief. Others recognised me and a deep spark of hatred grew in their eyes. But they didn’t dare approach me.

            ‘Dint? Is…that really you?’

            I turned to my right, a relieved smile invading my face to see Aaron. He was thin, too thin, with a haunted look on his face, but he still had a will to live clear in his eyes.

            ‘Yeah, it’s me. I can’t really go into it, but I’ve become more….dragon-like since I was last here.’

            Aaron nodded slowly. I knew he must have had tons of questions, but he pushed them aside and asked the only one he knew mattered to me.

            ‘Did you find Annie?’

            ‘She’s in Tempit,’ I said, ‘That’s where I’m going now.’

            He nodded again, turning towards the Inn.

            ‘Then you’d better come grab what you can; take whatever you need.’

            There were no tourists at the Inn, but it was packed with people who’d lost their homes. I was surprised and relieved to see so many survivors after all the death I’d remembered that day.

            ‘Some people managed to hide, and the houses further in hadn’t been reached when they withdrew. They spared some of the older people, like Mary, but…a lot of people died, or were taken.’

            I nodded, not knowing what to say.

            ‘I wish I could go with you.’ He said, surprising me with the venom in his voice. ‘I’d love to kill the bastard who slaughtered my dad, Iris’ Mum, Chuck…’

            ‘Don’t worry, he’ll die.’ I promised glancing at Dagan who nodded with fierce determination. ‘You need to stay here and look after this place.’

            Aaron nodded, stuffing two backpacks with as much long-lasting food as he could. We followed him as he went upstairs, grabbing blankets from the cupboard and adding them in.

            ‘Dimi?’ Came a hesitant voice. I turned, seeing Iris peeking her head out of Aaron’s room, her eyes wide. ‘Is that really you?’

            ‘Yeah,’ I said, trying to smile. ‘I just came to stock up before I go save Annie.’

            She bolted out of the room, pulling me into a tight hug. I blinked in surprise.

            ‘Iris?’

            ‘You’re alive!’ she sobbed, holding me tighter. ‘Thank goodness you’re alive!’

            ‘I told you he wasn’t dead.’ Aaron smirked at her, a ghost of the smirks he used to have. ‘Nothing would keep this guy from his sister.’

            Iris pulled back, staring straight into my eyes. She didn’t flinch once, reminding me of the young woman I’d once known.

            They didn’t deserve this.

            You’ll bring her back, right? You’ll both come back? Aaron and I…we wanted to get married, but not unless you and Annie are here.’

            I smiled, pulling her into another hug.

            ‘I’ll bring her back, I promise. Everything will be the way it used to be.’

            From her eyes I knew she couldn’t believe me, but she still gave me a watery smile.

            ‘Thank you, Dimi. Thank you for coming back.’

Chapter Twenty Five

Dagan

‘Ceee?’ I tried again, struggling to focus on the elf instead of the ash field.

            ‘Yes, Cedron. He was sent to trade in Tempit, and convinced the King to send me in reply to Earl’s…peace offering.’

            I gave him a confused look. The elf sighed.

            ‘When Earl attacked Firo eight months ago, it was without the King’s consent. Earl sent young girls to Tempit as slaves in order to appease him.’

            My eyes widened.

            Annie!

            ‘The King accepted it easily. He’s grown too comfortable and arrogant in his reign to realise Earl is planning to overthrow him.’

            I don’t care about the stupid king! Did you see Annie? I wanted to scream.

            ‘Don’t worry; I’m going to get you out of here. I’ll help you get to Tempit and save Firo.’

            I sighed in relief, glad words weren’t needed.

            ‘You’ll need to be able to move on your own, so I’ll start cutting back your…blood intake.’ He circled around me, staring at my back and frowning. ‘…Or maybe I should increase it and let those come through first. Having them half formed would be problematic.’

            I stared at him like he was crazy.

            ‘Trust me, you don’t want half-formed wings, the pain would distract you.’

            Great. I thought, But how am I supposed to move with giant wings on my back?

            I knew how big my wings were in dragon form on the field; they were longer than my body.

            ‘I’ll look after you, and I’ll keep you informed on what’s happening. I need to wait for my accomplice anyway, so we have three months to get you in shape.’

            I groaned, already dreading it.

---

Dagan wasn’t a naturally chatty person, and I couldn’t form words properly. A lot of our time was spent in awkward silence, him helping me eat, bathe, relieve myself. Not anything I wanted anyone to help me with, let alone a stranger.

            ‘Earl has been planning a coup ever since he was sent away from Tempit. Usually the King waits until his children turn twenty five before relocating them to Lar, but Earl has shown an alarming interest in the King’s dark magic.’

            So he really does have dark magic.

            Yes, Firo answered, surprising me. A dark power that no human should ever possess.

            ‘Earl wants that power for himself, but he didn’t inherit it. For dark magic to be inherited the parents must both possess magic, and pass them onto the child. This balances out the power of the dark magic a little. If a child is born with just dark magic they are still-born, usually killing the non-magic mother too. The King’s children only live because they have no magic.’

            Does that mean the King has another magic too? I asked Firo, seen as my physical mouth wasn’t co-operating.

            Yes, he was originally born in Arswing, and inherited foreseeing magic. He can use water or reflective items to spy on people.

            But doesn’t that mean he knows Earl is planning a coup?

            Yes, to a degree. He knew it before Earl left Tempit…but now you are blocking his magic. Any of Earl’s plans involving you are invisible to him.

            Why?

            Immortals are too powerful for his magic to work on. He cannot see into the immortal realms or spy on the immortals. So any plans Earl makes involving Ignatius and you he’s ignorant of. This makes him overconfident and believes Earl is no longer a threat. He views the attack on Firo the equivalent of a temper tantrum. He has grown too lax and arrogant in his long reign. It will be his downfall.

            ‘The only way Earl can gain dark magic is to kill the current owner, then he will inherit both of the King’s magic…which is the last thing we want. Earl would be a bigger tyrant than his father. Someone needs to kill the King before he gets a chance.’

            I gave him a dubious look.

            I’m not killing him and gaining dark magic. I mentally tried to tell him.

            ‘As an elf I would be a better host for such magic.’ He said, his gaze demanding I agree.

            Do you agree with that? I asked Firo.

            I think no being should wield such darkness. But if an elf must do it, it should not be Dagan.

            I didn’t know why, but Dagan’s name sounded familiar. Where had I heard it before?

            ‘Earl will dispose of his siblings before killing the King. Hopefully that will give us some time.’

            Yeah, time to grow some wings, which was not fun. Even when most of my senses were in the ash field the pain was excruciating. Every nerve and muscle was in constant spasms as the wings slowly grew.

            Weirdly, Dagan seemed to know a lot about wings and massaged my back to ease the spasms, caressing the nubs that started to form. I was starting to worry he had a fetish.

            After two months I was relieved to see the wings weren’t as big as I feared they’d be, reaching to the back of my knees. I could no longer sit down though, having to lay on my side while my personal wing-carer fussed over them.

            ‘You need to stretch and exercise them regularly, otherwise they’ll be useless. It would be unforgivable to waste them.’

            I tried to turn my head, looking at his wistful expression, full of longing.

            He may be an elf now, I thought, But he used to be a farry.

            While Dagan looked after my physical body, Firo insisted I start moving my dragon self, leaning to use my unfamiliar body parts. Firo herself couldn’t move anymore, too weak, but she watched and encouraged me as I learned to move my tail and wings. My physical body began to respond, so Dagan began cutting back on Firo’s blood.

            I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to fly, but I could now fold them neatly against my back.

            ‘Now we wait.’ Dagan said, ‘And hope my ally gets here before Earl makes his move.’

---

I’d been in the dungeon eleven months when Dagan’s ally showed up. By then we’d stopped Firo’s blood completely, her presence a faint but constant spark in the back of my mind.

            What’s that? I was startled awake by a quiet rumbling. The whole ground was shaking, the noise growing louder and louder. I glanced over at Dagan, who was awake, but not concerned.

            ‘About time.’ He muttered, glancing over at the dungeon door where the usual guards were absent. ‘It looks like Earl is making his move.’

            I listened, hearing screams and sounds of fighting coming from above in the castle halls.

            ‘He will come here when he’s killed all his siblings and take you to Tempit with him.’

            No thanks, I thought, my attention going back to the shaking ground. Cracks were beginning to form next to Dagan, the concrete being pushed up.

            What kind of monster can push through concrete?

            Finally the concrete parted and a grey, shaggy wolf crawled through the hole, looking irritated.

            ‘Wha?’ I drawled out, starting to question whether I was back in reality.

            ‘I guess going out that way won’t work.’ Dagan sighed. ‘You’d get stuck. We’ll have to go through the castle.’

            I was still too busy staring at the wolf to contribute to this.

            ‘Can you get us out?’ Dagan asked the wolf instead.

            The wolf stopped shaking the dirt off itself and padded to the cell door. Out of the stone cellar the door was the only thing made of wood, with a high barred window for the guards to peer through and a little light to enter. Dagan had commented once that the dungeons had been here before the castle was built, but the King had changed the prison into a mansion, naming it a castle to appease his children as he banished them here.

            I’d wondered how long Dagan had been a slave to know that.

            The wolf stood staring at the door, not moving. I was about to whisper my questions of what the hell is going on? when saplings began growing up the door, weaving into cracks in the wood.

            My whole body went cold.

            That thing isn’t a wolf; it’s an earth immortal.

            The door began to crack and split apart until there was nothing left except a pile of firewood, the plants immediately withered away. The wolf trotted away around the corner, out of sight.

            ‘We’ll have to be careful.’ Dagan said as he helped me stand. ‘We’re about to walk through a massacre.’

            ‘Why are you working with that thing?’ I hissed, backing away from him as far as my chains would let me. ‘Immortals can’t be trusted!’

            ‘I know that.’ Dagan said, eyes on the doorway. ‘But I’ve known him and his master a long time; they have the same goals we do. As long as we’re useful to him he won’t betray us.’

            I doubt he sounded convincing even to himself.

            I would have continued but the re-appearance of the wolf made my throat seize up. His fur was covered in blood and he carried a set of keys in his mouth. Dagan took them with no hesitation, not even noticing the blood.

            ‘Right, let’s get moving before Earl remembers you.’

---

Dagan had been right; this place wasn’t a castle, just a fancy mansion. The floors were carpeted, the walls coated with large tapestries. It was more enclosed, warmer, with mosaic glass windows rather than stone bar ones.

            The carpets and tapestries were splattered with blood, some of the beautiful windows had been smashed, stray bits of glass all over the floor…And there were bodies. Most of them in the corridors were soldiers, probably the ones Earl couldn’t convert to his coup.

            ‘He would have instructed his men to attack while all his siblings were eating with him in the great hall.’ Dagan whispered, his voice lacking any sympathy at the sight before us. ‘Now they’ll have joined him there to slaughter them.’

            ‘Can’t we stop them?’ I asked.

            Dagan gave me a cold look that made me tense, expecting him to attack.

            ‘Why would I help them? The royal family have kept me captive for two hundred years. I want them all to suffer and then die. If Earl kills all his siblings then only two of my sworn enemies are left.’

            The wolf gave a loud snort, turning Dagan’s intense hatred to it.

            ‘You be quiet! I will kill the King and get my magic back!’

            Wait, what?

            I was starting to wonder whether staying with Earl would have been the safer option.

            We were near the supposed castle’s entrance, which was also the great hall. We’d walked past it, almost at the unguarded gates leading us to freedom when the great hall doors opened.

            Earl stepped out, covered head to toe in blood, and grinning from ear to ear.

Chapter Twenty Four:

Lar

My mind was clearer by the time we reached the harbour close to Haven. I was still shackled, so my jailers retrieved their chain ends and led me off the boat. I wobbled like I was drunk, the soldiers going at a slower speed due to Earl’s presence. I doubt he was about to march anywhere.

            We reached Haven within an hour, approaching from the back of the city. Two men were waiting there with a carriage and a cart, horses already attached and saddled up, ready. One of the men’s eyes widened at the sight of me. I frowned, trying to focus my mind.

            It was Cedron.

            ‘What on earth? Samuel, what is this?’

            ‘Like I said,’ the other man sighed, ‘You are helping Prince Earl transport his property, nothing more.’ He turned his full gaze to Cedron, eyes full of warning.

            The man, Samuel, was older than Cedron, old enough to be his father. His black, greying hair came down on his shoulders, and he wore clothes as fine and beautiful as Earl’s.

            Cedron lowered his gaze and nodded, moving towards the cart. Samuel smiled and turned back to Earl.

            ‘Cedron is a reliable trader; he will be discreet with your parcel.’

            ‘Good.’ Earl said, already heading towards the carriage. ‘I thank you for your help, Duke, and will reward you when I can.’

            Samuel bowed slightly. The soliders tugged at my chains again, leading me to the cart.

            ‘Cee…’ I tried, but realised my tongue still felt too heavy. Cedron looked over at me, wincing with guilt. He turned back to the cart, lowering one of its sides so he could climb in.

            ‘Lay him out.’ Cedron told the soliders.

            The soliders gave each other dubious looks but moved forward, half of them climbing into the cart and trying to pull me up.

            ‘You want me to lift my legs up that high with all these on?’ I snorted, finding my voice for my important sarcasm. ‘I don’t have super strength you know.’

            ‘He’s right.’ Cedron said, looking everywhere but me. ‘You’ll have to lift him.’

            What followed was an embarrassing five minutes of soliders groping me, trying to get a steady hold on my legs and waist to lift me up. Meanwhile the soliders still on the cart heaved on the chains. I definitely felt hands on my butt when I was half-dangling on the cart’s edge.

            ‘You should invest in a cart with a ramp.’ I told Cedron once I was on. He still avoided my gaze. Instead he lifted the cart’s side back up, securing it in place. It was then I noticed the large holes in the sides, big enough to slip chains through.

            I sighed as I was shoved to the centre of the cart, the soldiers rearranging the chains and handing them to Cedron. He slipped them through the holes, looped them back over the side and secured it further up on the same chain using a handcuff shaped lock, which was hammered shut.

            ‘Isn’t it a bit loose?’ One soldier asked, realising I could stand and move a few steps if I wanted, enough to reach the cart’s edge but not to climb off.

            ‘He can only move from one side to the other, not to the front or back, so he can’t tamper with the horses. Trust me; if he needs to relieve himself this will make things a lot easier.’

            Twelve hours ago I might have shuddered at the thought, but since then I’d experienced the humiliation of ‘relieving myself’ with eight soldiers watching, holding my chains.

            ‘Maybe I’ll aim at your head.’ I said coldly.

            Cedron winced, but didn’t tighten the chains.

            ‘Can I rely on you to get him to Lar safely and promptly?’ Earl interrupted, calling out from the carriage window. ‘I have things to prepare for his arrival.’

            Cedron nodded. ‘Of course, Your Majesty.’

            Earl nodded, pleased.

            ‘I’ll leave the soldiers with you then.’

            With that Earl’s General climbed to the front of the carriage, urging the horses forward into a steady trot. Cedron let out a heavy sigh as the four soldiers climbed off the cart, awaiting orders.

            ‘I need one of you to steer the horses, and one to walk in front of them as lookout. The rest should surround the cart, two on either side and two at the back. I’ll stay on the cart and make sure the chains stay secure.’

            My hopes rose at this.

            Is he going to help me escape?

            I waited patiently for over an hour, expecting Cedron to suddenly spring his daring plan to set me free.

            But all he did was check my chains and stare stubbornly into the distance.

            ‘Cedron.’ I whispered harshly, now fully focused on reality and able to control my body. ‘What’s the plan? We should act now before we get too close to Lar.’

            ‘I have no plan.’ He said, dead pan. It was the first time he looked me in the eye. ‘I don’t know what trouble you’ve got into with Earl, but I can’t get you out of it.’

            I sat in stunned silence, feeling tears of betrayal in my eyes.

            ‘W-what? Are you serious?’ I seethed, a harsh whisper. ‘You’re really going to deliver me to that monster?’

            ‘I…’ he faltered, head dropping in defeat. ‘I can’t risk my position with the Duke. I’d never see Elena again…’

            ‘Who?’ I asked, still reeling with emotion.

            ‘His daughter.’

            I just shook my head, determined not to cry in front of him, someone I’d viewed as a friend and trusted.

            ‘I can’t believe you. The king has the dragon Firo imprisoned, slowly bleeding her to death. Earl has some dark alliance with Ignatius, which somehow involves me. How can you ignore that? You’re an Anellan, aren’t you? Our people descend from dragons.’

            ‘You forget; I come from the clan that doesn’t.’ Cedron said quietly, but not sounding as sure.

            ‘So that means you’ll do nothing as the original dragon dies? Free me and I can save her!’

            For a moment I’d thought he’d do it, his hands hovered over the closest chains, pure anguish on his face. His gaze darted to the soldiers surrounding us. He sighed and clenched his hands into fists, lowering them.

            ‘I can’t. I’m sorry, but I can’t.’

---

Cedron didn’t speak another word to me for the rest of the trip, and we arrived at Lar all too soon. The cart headed straight for the castle, the soldiers joined with more back up to keep any curious citizens from looking at me. I was forced to lie down out of sight, the chains now too tight for me to move freely.

            I’d heard Lar was a more modern town, its castle more of a large mansion than a historical landmark. All I could tell was the sky was the same colour here as Haven, the sun warm but nothing compared to the desert’s heat.

            The cart was led right into the castle walls before I was finally unbound from it, back into my jailer’s control.

            Earl was there, waiting eagerly with another blood vial. Cedron nodded his head at Earl and reversed his cart, not looking back as he left.

---

Time soon began to lose meaning for me, as did a sense of reality. I was left chained in a dungeon room, hooked to the floor, and forced to drink vial after vial of Firo’s blood. Sometimes I’d get human food too. Sometimes they would draw blood from me before giving me Firo’s.

            Firo would curl around me in the ash field, like a protective mother, and tell me stories. Old stories of a young world, where people were full of hope and potential. She told me more about immortals, especially Berthilda.

            You knew the real Eilir, what was he like?

            She paused, her thoughts sad and full of longing.

            He was the mate of my soul. I miss him greatly. But his current task is more important, which you’ll see one day.

            I was about to question her further when I suddenly felt a familiar, overwhelming presence.

            Firo drew back her wings, allowing me to see the snake-like red dragon near us, staring in open curiosity at me.

            It is too soon, my child. Firo said softly. He is not ready.

            The dragon was smaller than Firo, closer to my size. It stepped forward, reaching out its long neck. It couldn’t help but respond, moving so our noses could touch.

            We stayed that way a long time, heat and energy focusing between our chests. When we finally parted I realised a small red blob had formed, still without a shape, but very much alive.

            Did we just create that?

            The dragon didn’t answer, they just bowed and vanished , the small life going with them.

            I am impressed,Firo said. You already have enough power to create. That messenger will be a great help to communicate with your new ally.

            Who was that?

            You will see, young one. One day you will see.

---

If I’d been more connected to my body and emotions I think I would have cried in fear and revulsion to what was happening to me. Firo’s blood contained magic, which meant my transformation was no longer limited to my human body’s capacity. The two horns on my forehead grew first, splitting my skull apart to add to the bone structure. Then came the long tail almost the length of my body, covered with red scales and topped with red spikes. Now I could feel something stirring under the skin on my back, growing and readying itself to break through my skin.

            What would life hold for me if I ever escaped? If I rescued Firo, could she fix me? Could I ever be human again?

            How long have I been here?

            Firo grew weaker everyday. My hair, which had been a scraggly, thin length on the back of my neck was now thick against my shoulders.

            ‘Can you hear me?’

            ‘He doesn’t respond much. Just make sure to feed and bathe him when needed.’

            ‘…As you wish.’

            I heard a door close, and was going to retreat back to the ash field when the first voice spoke again, surprising me.
            ‘Well that’s good. We don’t have to worry about the guards hovering over us.’

            I focused more on the voice, blinking my eyes a few times until they focused on the dungeon.

            A dark haired elf stood over me, holding a bowl of broth. His eartips were missing, and he was wearing the plain ivory clothes of a slave.

            ‘Whooo…’ I tried, my tongue thick.

            ‘Hello Firo.’ He said, trying to twist his face into a smile. ‘I am Dagan. Cedron sent me from Tempit.’

Chapter Twenty Three:

Blood vial

They attached so many shackles and chains I couldn’t move an inch on my own. The large shackle around my neck even prevented me from turning my head, trying to find Annie.

            ‘Annie!’ I screamed as they dragged me further away from the school. They didn’t try to silence me, but no one answered me either.

            I was paraded around, soldiers stopping their slaughtering and cheering, following behind.

            At least they really are stopping the attack now.

            At the town’s entrance, standing where the archway used to be, was a soldier directing the others. His armour was more refined and he was the first man I’d seen wearing a helmet.

            ‘Sir! We’ve captured him.’ One of my eager jailers reported.

            The man, General of the army, gave a stern nod before spinning around and heading towards the desert.

            ‘Then you four follow me. The rest begin evacuating as planned. Main Team head back to Lar, Side Team escort the prisoners to Tempit.

            ‘No!’ I screamed, trying to struggle and forcing the men to stop and focus on restraining me. ‘Give my sister back!’

            ‘Bring enough people to keep him under control.’ The general said, not even looking back.

            Four more people grabbed chains attached to me, pulling me until I was forced to walk or get dragged.

            When I realised where we were going, I prayed they’d just kill and bury me in the sand.

---

The general strode right into the caverns, not even flinching at the flames. The soldiers were more hesitant, but their fear of him must have been greater, dragging me into the caves of my nightmares.

            I laughed coldly as the soldiers flinched at the flame’s heat and their eyes watered at the smoke.

            ‘You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into.’ I chuckled. ‘What monster lives in these caves.’

            Still they followed their general, who headed straight towards Ignatius’ throne.

            So he knows the way. I thought, Is Earl giving me to Ignatius then?

            The soldiers were coughing openly by the time the flames opened out to Ignatius’ throne area. Ignatius was sat there, face smug. Earl stood next to him, grinning in delight when his eyes landed on me.

            ‘Well done, General Shmy. Take your men and prepare the boat; I will bring him along shortly.’

            General Shmy inclined his head and turned. Immediately my captives released the chains and followed him out of the caves.

            I glared at Ignatius, trying to hide my trembling.

            ‘You no longer have Rafferty to protect you, boy.’ His voice boomed, making me shiver.

            ‘I don’t see why you bothered indulging him.’ Earl shrugged. ‘But you got rid of him when it was needed, at least.’

            Horror filled me.

            ‘What did you do to him?’ I demanded, dragging my chains to move forward.

            Ignatius’ booming laugh made me stop.

            ‘Worried for an immortal? You really are a fool. I just told Katriona it would be better if she ordered his return sooner. Clearly she saw the reason in this.’

            I exhaled in relief, unable to stop myself.

            At least they can’t drag Lennie into this anymore.

            ‘What do you want with me?’ I asked.

            ‘I thought that would be obvious.’ Earl answered, startling my gaze away from Ignatius. ‘When we met last you claimed to be Firo, the true form of fire. She clearly has touched you. Ignatius has been watching you for years, waiting to see if his suspicions of Firo’s chosen successor was true. And so it is. We came to an agreement soon after.’

            Ignatius rose from his throne, moving towards me. I tried to back away, but couldn’t move fast enough with the chains weighing me down.

            ‘You will be the perfect tool I need for my goals.’ Earl gloated, ‘And so Ignatius has gracefully allowed me to borrow you.’

            ‘I don’t belong to him!’ I screamed, just as Ignatius reached me and clamped a death grip on my shoulder, making me wince.

            ‘What is your name?’ He demanded, his grip tightening.

            I winced in confusion.

            ‘You don’t know?’ I asked, eyes widening as I realised he didn’t.

            Father always called me ‘boy’ in his presence. I didn’t tell Earl my name either.

            And they had just killed most of the people who knew my real name, not realising some still lived.

            I hope Annie realises that too.

            ‘Tell me!’ Ignatius bellowed, gripping my other shoulder too and squeezing.

            I winced again, but held my head high, staring into his eyes with pure hatred.

            ‘I am Firo,’ I said, almost spitting with venom. ‘And one day I will kill you.’

            Ignatius’ face twisted with rage, releasing my left shoulder and back-handing me across the face. My ears ringed at the force, tasting blood in my mouth.

            ‘Stop!’ Earl ordered, ‘Don’t worry about that for now. We don’t need total control over him, just give him the vial.’

            Ignatius paused, struggling with his temper for a moment. I wasn’t sure if it was aimed at me or Earl this time. Finally he gritted his teeth and released me. I dropped to my knees like a rock, my face and shoulders screaming in pain.

            ‘Very well.’ He said, one hand going to his belt and opening a pouch there. From it he pulled out a glass vial half the size of a mug, the red liquid inside visible. A small cork stopper sealed it shut, which Ignatius popped off.

            ‘Drink.’ He commanded, shoving the bottle under my nose.

            The smell confirmed that it was blood.

            ‘Are you crazy?’ A hysterical chuckle escaped me.

            Ignatius grabbed the back of my neck and shoved the open vial into my mouth, tilting it back so the liquid flowed down my throat. I almost choked, trying to escape his grip and automatically swallowing. When Ignatius released me I fell forward, retching. But it was too late, most of the blood had already been swallowed.

            I immediately realised it was her blood.

            ‘You’re a monster.’ I said shakily, unable to stop trembling. ‘Both of you! What are you hurting her for?’

            ‘Oh, I can’t take credit for that one.’ Earl chuckled, ‘That honour belongs to the King. I’m just taking advantage of the situation.’

            I could barely feel my body anymore, my vision overlapping with the fire caves and the ash field. I was dimly aware of Ignatius picking me up, following Earl out of the caves towards the harbour where a boat was waiting.

            In the ash field she was no longer a red blob in the distance. She was close enough to touch, her figure clear and breath-taking. A huge red dragon, injured, bleeding from all over, but still powerful. Her eyes opened, seeing me, and throwing back her head, releasing an angry and sorrowful roar.

            They have my little one! How dare they!

            In reality Ignatius dumped me on the boat and turned to Earl, nodding his head.

            ‘I have fulfilled my end; I look forward to you fulfilling yours.’ He half-warned the prince.

            ‘Don’t worry, God of Aneller, I have been planning this far too long to falter.’

            Ignatius nodded and left the boat, heading back to the caves without another word. The boat immediately started to move.

            In the ash field Firo wrapped her bleeding wings around me, her dragon body sheltering my own.

            I am sorry, little one. I am truly sorry.

            I’ll still come for you, I vowed. I will find a way to save you.

            She paused a moment before wrapping her wings more securely around me.

            Yes, she said finally, Escape and come to Tempit. Come to me, my little hatchling.

Chapter Twenty Two:

Attack on Firo

The archway was a burnt pile of rubble at the town’s entrance; the perfect gateway into a town filled with screams and blood.

            The mosaic pattern was littered with bodies of traders and tourists. Nearby houses were on fire or ransacked. No living soul was in sight.

            I moved slowly, deeper into the town, staying pressed close to walls for shelter. The further in I went the more activity I saw. Soldiers were breaking into homes, slashing panicked tourists and locals, leaving them bleeding where they fell. One soldier went to a woman on the floor, who was clutching her bleeding stomach, and grabbed her by the hair, pulling her up.

            ‘Where is the boy with scales? Tell me and we will stop this attack!’

            The woman just cried out in pain, unable to form coherent words. It was only then I realised she was Mum’s employer, Felicity.

            The soldiers tsked, letting her drop to the floor and bringing his sword down, striking through her back, into her heart.

            I sank further into the shadows, waiting until he moved to a tourist further away before dashing towards my house.

            The street looked deserted of soldiers, clearly already suffered through their raid. Our house wasn’t ablaze, but the door had been destroyed, now just chunks on the floor.

            I stepped in cautiously, my gaze darting from the floor to the corridor, the morning light making it easy to see.

            As soon as I stepped around the corner into the kitchen I saw Mum’s body. The table was overturned, chairs scattered and damaged. She was laid on the floor, clearly arranged that way, as if she was already in a coffin. Legs straight, arms crossed over her chest, except her eyes weren’t closed, her face showing the terror she’s felt as she died. A small trickle of blood flowed from her mouth, down the side of her face, not yet dry.

            I moved closer, reaching out a trembling finger to touch her but pulling it back at the last moment.

            ‘Mum,’ I choked out.

            Something tried to plunge into my shoulder. A snap and a curse followed, making me spin around so fast I fell on my butt next to Mum on the floor.

            ‘Damn,’ A soldier muttered, staring at the broken tip of his sword. ‘Wasn’t expecting that to happen.’

            I shuffled away, standing to my feet as he dropped the sword, glaring at me.

            ‘Well, I did have orders to take you alive, so maybe this is better.’

            ‘Did you do this?’ I asked, voice hoarse as he unclipped some shackles from his belt.

            ‘The woman? Yeah, she wasn’t really cooperating, but I had a feeling this was your house, so I stuck around. I kind of regret killing her so fast; if I knew you’d take this long I’d have had more fun with her when she was alive, instead of having to amuse myself using her corpse as a manikin.’

            ‘Annie,’ I choked out, shaking with rage. ‘What did you do to Annie?’

            ‘Annie? Is that who the other bedroom belongs to?’ He grinned, swinging the shackles in a lazy circle. ‘What indeed?’

            All rational thought left me as I charged forward, lowering my head and plowing into his chest, grabbing his sides in a vice grip. We both went flying backwards, the soldier hitting the wall with a whelp.

            He immediately slapped one shackle on my right wrist, grimacing with pain.

            ‘Now, now, behave yourself. Prince Earl is very eager to see you again.’

            I stood and yanked my arm back, releasing his hold on the other end of the shackle. It flew past my head until I moved my arm again, directing it towards the shocked soldier. He rolled out of the way, clumsily, the shackle narrowly missing his head and dinting the wall behind.

            ‘Are you crazy?’ The soldier shouted, scrambling away on hands and knees until he was far enough away to stand safely.

            ‘Where is she?’ I screamed, charging towards him again. I briefly registered him fumbling with his belt, half drawing a dagger…

            …And then I slammed into him, driving the dagger that had still been facing towards him into his stomach. His hand still clutching it.

            The pain and shock in his eyes wiped all rage from me, replacing it with horror.

            ‘I-I…’ I stuttered, backing away, his blood already on my shirt and hands.

            The soldier sank to the ground, staring is disbelief at his own dagger.

            ‘D-damn lizard.’ He coughed, before slumping lifeless on the ground.

            An inhuman wail escaped my mouth, filling the lifeless house.

---

I don’t know how long I stared at his body, letting those awful sounds escape me. Probably not long enough, considering what I’d just done. But a sudden, urgent thought snapped me back to reality.

            Annie.

            I stumbled into her room, finding it ransacked but empty. I searched Mum’s room, my room, every single corner of the house, calling her name.

            Nothing.

            Maybe she wasn’t here. She could have been at school early, or at Iris’.

            I clenched my fists, bracing myself as I went back to the soldier’s body. I grabbed the dagger and yanked it free before I could change my mind, causing me to retch.

            I need a weapon, I justified myself.

            I turned to leave, but paused, turning back to the kitchen. This time I didn’t hesitate, bending down next to the woman who had given me life and closing her eyes for the last time.

            ‘I’m sorry,’ I said. ‘This is my fault, and I couldn’t save you. But I’ll find Annie and keep her safe. I promise.’

            And with that I stood and walked out of my home.

            I would never walk back in.

---

Iris’ house wasn’t far away but I was nearly spotted twice. Perhaps my wailing had summoned soldiers back to the area, or maybe they would have come anyway. The thought of fighting them made my stomach clench in pain and my head swim. But surprisingly my mind was calm, no hint of a panic attack trying to overpower me.

            How childish they seem now. I thought bitterly as I slipped into Iris’ house.

            I immediately heard her panicked scream, her voice sobbing out desperate pleas.

            ‘Please stop! Please!’

            I followed her voice to Marge’s bedroom, seeing Marge herself dead just outside the door. Her eyes were open in shock, with her throat cut.

            Iris was being pinned down on the bed, one man on top of her, fumbling with his belt, while another watched, his back to the door and me.

            ‘Save some for me,’ the man leered. ‘Might as well get the best out of her before she’s shipped off to Tempit with the others.’

            I took in a shaky breath, letting my mind empty of emotion or remorse.

            I’ve already killed, what difference will two more make?

            I stabbed the man between the back of his shoulder blades twice before he could react. I shoved him hard to the right so his falling body wouldn’t block my way. The other man turned his head, one hand still half in his pants when I stepped forward and brought the knife across his throat. He gaped and spluttered, eyes wide as his life slowly ebbed away, exiting this world to the sound of Iris’ mournful screams.

            I rolled the body off of her, letting it fall to the floor. Immediately she sat up and scuttled away, terrified eyes staring at me.

            ‘D-Dimi?’ she asked.

            ‘Where’s Annie?’ I responded, voice cold. ‘Was she here when they arrived?’

            She tried to control her sobs enough to speak.

            ‘N-no, she w-went to school early to set up the tests…’ she trailed off, eyes landing on Marge’s body behind me and choking her words away. ‘M-Mum.’

            ‘I need to find her.’ I said, turning away. ‘Hide somewhere until it’s over.’

            I’d just entered the corridor when I heard someone burst into the house.

            ‘Iris!’ Aaron’s panicked voice called out, making me relax my grip on the dagger.

            ‘In here.’ I called out, hoping he wouldn’t attract anymore soldiers. Aaron’s face appeared moments later, his eyes widening at my appearance. I guess I was pretty blood-soaked by this point.

            ‘Dint? Is that you?’

            ‘Iris was attacked,’ I said.

            ‘What?’ he paled, running past me into the bedroom. Iris moaned at the sight of him, opening up her arms. Aaron immediately embraced her, looking around the room in disbelief while muttering softly to her.

            ‘Look after her.’ I said before turning away, not pausing as Aaron called after me.

            Annie. I have to find Annie.

---

The closer I got to the school the harder it was to avoid being seen. Houses were still being broken into and set on fire. Soldiers were chasing citizens and tourists, rounding them up. Most they killed straight away, but the younger women they dragged towards the school.

            A few times I was spotted and had to silence the soldier before they could alert others. Cutting their throat was definitely proving the most effective method.

            Finally the school was in sight, which I peered at round a house corner. Many young women, ranging from ten to early twenties, were already in front of the building, under guard. More were being dragged there from the town and out of the school building.

            I spotted her coming out straight away, the soldier having to practically carry her. She was struggling desperately to get back in the building, calling out ‘Chuck! Chuck!’ over and over. Tears were running down her face and blood covered her clothes.

            I lost all sense of reason and began running towards her.

            ‘Annie!’ I screamed, drawing all the nearby soldier’s attention. ‘Annie!’

            ‘Dimi!’ She sobbed, starting to struggle towards me. ‘Help!’

            I hadn’t even covered half the distance when four soldiers tackled me at once, slapping shackles on every limb before I could even struggle.

            ‘We’ve got him! We’ve found the lizard boy!’ They crowed, causing the soldiers to cheer.

            I didn’t take my eyes off Annie, who could only bow her head in defeat and keep sobbing.

Chapter Twenty one:

Fire Temple

‘Behave yourself while I’m gone.’ I told Annie sternly.  She rolled her eyes but didn’t look up from her work, spread out on the kitchen table.

            ‘I have thirty tests to give out and then mark. I doubt I’ll even get to see Chuck before you come home.’

            ‘Good.’ I grinned, leaving the house without another word. Mum had already gone to work, thinking I was taking Lennie on my usual Laven trip.

            It should be fine, I tried to convince myself. I’ll come back before heading to Tempit, no matter what I find.

            No matter how many times I said it, it didn’t feel true.

‘You’re expecting to be gone a while, aren’t you?’ I asked as we set off into the desert, in the opposite direction of the fire caves.

            Lennie winced.

            ‘How did you know?’

            ‘Because you spent way too long going through the stall details and routine with Mary. You even hired that new guy to help her out. Does that mean you’re coming to Tempit with me?’

            Lennie didn’t answer.

---

It took four days to reach the fire temple. It was a simiar distance away as Laven, but taking the most direct route meant travelling through the desert the whole time. So instead we headed north long enough to reach the end of the desert, then walked east for three days before entering the desert again.

            ‘Good job you don’t overheat anymore.’ Lennie said.

            ‘Yeah,’ I agreed. It had taken a few trips to Laven after my skin had changed, but now when I got too hot heat evaporated from the cracks between my scales. It was actually better than sweating, but it also meant when it was really warm I had steam constantly leaving my body. It left my clothes damp and the startled looks people gave me were constant, having to do a double take to make sure I wasn’t on fire.

            It was close to night on the fourth day when I spotted the temple in the distance. Or rather, I spotted a large area on fire.

            ‘The temple is hidden inside the inferno.’ Lennie explained.

            ‘Of course it is.’ I sighed, ‘I take it you know the way in?’

            Lennie gave a mischievous grin, startling me.

            ‘Have you forgotten who I really am?’

            We continued walking until we were a few meters from the flames.

            ‘So, how does an earth immortal get past fire, exactly?’ I asked, feeling dizzy from the amount of steam leaving my body.

            Lennie closed his eyes, brow wrinkling in concentration.

            ‘Do you trust me?’ he asked, distracted.

            ‘You know I do.’ I frowned, ‘Why…’

            I trailed off, noticing the ground shake in front of us. The soil began to move, being pushed upwards as a green shoot broke through the surface, growing rapidly.

            He’s going to break through with a flower? I thought sceptically.

            The flower grew until it reached my chest, then sprouted open into a red rose. At its centre a thorn posed to strike.

            ‘Er, I think the thorns are supposed to be on the stem, Lennie.’

            ‘Can you lift one of your scales up so the thorn can prick you under it?’ Lennie asked, his eyes still closed.

            I gave him a funny look which he couldn’t see. After a moment I shrugged, using my right hand to lift a scale on my left arm. The plant striked immediately, stabbing with deadly accuracy between the scale gap. I flinched back, watching as the plant began to wither and die.

            ‘Thank you,’ Lennie said, opening his eyes. ‘Part of me thought you wouldn’t do it.’

            ‘Gee, I wonder why.’ I said, irritated, releasing the scale and wincing as blood began to well up between the cracks. Even with my scale drawn back, the strike had only been as effective as a needle prick.

            ‘Can you flick your blood at the fire?’

            ‘You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?’ I accused, ‘Testing my limits.’

            ‘Maybe a little,’ he shrugged, an amused grin tugging at his lips.

            I did an underhand swing towards the fire, sending blood flying towards it…

            It landed a few steps short.

            ‘Shut up.’ I said, glaring at Lennie. He held up his hands in surrender, his face a mask of innocence.

            I stepped as close to the fire as I could bear and swung my arm again. The blood that hit the fire sizzled like acid, melting the flames away and spreading. I stepped back and watched as the entire length of fire dissolved into nothing, revealing a temple beyond.

            It was ancient, older than anything I’d ever seen, built from crumbling black stone that was coated in sand and soot.  Pillars surrounded it as a type of courtyard, with a black paved path leading to a large doorway entrance.

            ‘…Is my blood acid?’ I squawked, staring at my bleeding arm in horror.

            ‘No, no.’ Lennie said, chuckling. ‘In order to gain entry to the fire temple a fire immortal must open it using their blood. The fire will stay absent while you are within a mile radius, then it will reignite.’

            I kept staring at my arm, my stomach filling with dread and fear.

            If my blood can open it, am I really still human?

            ‘It’s the same with the Earth, Water and Ice Temple, only an immortal of the temple’s type can open it.’

            ‘Why? I thought they’d want mortals to come worship them as Gods.’

            ‘Step inside and see.’

            My boots were covered with soot in a few steps, mixing with the sand already there. I touched a pillar as we went past, its texture like something burnt, but still sturdy in structure.

            There was no door for the entrance, just a doorframe, twice my height and wide enough to fit three men side by side.

            Inside I could see a fire in the centre of the room, set up like a big bonfire, but the burning wood never seemed to need replacing. The fire’s heat was pleasant, lacking the usual uncomfortable sting when getting too close. At the flame’s centre a statue was visible, one of a dragon.

            ‘Firo,’ I breathed, moving closer so the flames touched me. Their warmth was pleasant, not even burning my clothes. I stepped further in until I was face to face with the statue.

            It was a dragon, smaller than her real life form, looking more human sized. But it was damaged, cracked and crumbling. I didn’t dare touch it in case it broke beneath my fingers.

            ‘It’s damaged!’ I called back to Lennie. ‘Who did this?’

            ‘No one can damage these statues. They reflect the state of their owner, and no other being can harm them. The only person who can step through that fire to reach Firo’s statue is Firo herself.’

            I turned and exited the flames. ‘So she really is dying.’ I whispered. ‘But how can an immortal die? That’s impossible.’

            ‘Not impossible, just unknown. Firo is not immortal, but a dragon. The power over fire will pass onto Berthilda, against Firo’s wishes, unless you become her successor.’

            Around the perimeter of the circular room where statues, all facing towards the fire. Unlike Firo’s, all these statues were in perfect condition. Lennie pointed at the nearest statue. I reluctantly moved closer for a better look.

            All immortals looked to be in their early twenties. Berthilda was no different. Her face had a cold scowl, with long hair done into a single plait reaching her mid-back.

            ‘No good would come of Berthilda taking Firo’s place, for any of us.’

            I nodded, distracted, as I moved to the next statue, squinting my face in disgust when I saw it was Ignatius.

            Pity I can’t damage this; I’d love to come back with a sledgehammer one day.

            I moved around the room to the other statues, pausing at the tenth and last one.

            The statue was a dragon, but very different from Firo. Instead of a big body with wings this dragon was snake like. All my senses of the world had dulled, solely focused on the statue.

            Who are you? I wondered, leaning forward.

            ‘That is the newest immortal formed. I don’t know much about them.’ Lennie’s muffled voice said.

            I didn’t reply, moving closer. I closed my eyes, focusing, sensing. I reached out, drawn to a presence similar to Firo, yet so different.

            I was in the ash field flying, flying towards a red glow. Unlike Firo this wasn’t a warm, comforting blob, but a bright fierce red that warned of burning and passion, making me want to reach it all the more.

            My dragon body landed, sensing the red spirit acknowledge me, reach out…

            ‘Firo!’ Lennie shouted, shaking my shoulders. ‘What’s going on?’

            I blinked my eyes open, realising I now had my arms wrapped around the statue and was sniffing its neck!

            I pulled away, stumbling into Lennie, who steadied me.

            ‘Are you alright?’ he demanded, turning me around to look me over.

            ‘Yeah,’ I said faintly, struggling to come back to myself.

            ‘Come on,’ Lennie said, leading me out of the temple. It took all my willpower not to glance back at the statue.

            It wasn’t until we were a mile away from the temple, causing the barrier flames to reignite, that my mind finally cleared. I shook my head vigorously.

            ‘What happened?’ Lennie asked, eyes narrowed in worry.

            I stayed silent, strongly reluctant to share what had happened.

            ‘Why me?’ I asked instead. ‘Why did Firo choose me?’

            ‘Because you are extraordinary in many ways, ones that you still don’t see. You can cause a dint in the immortal’s power, I’m sure of it.’

            I stayed silent for a few minutes before finally speaking in a quiet, but firm voice.

            ‘I need to go to Tempit. I don’t know what I’ll do when I get there yet, but I have to go.’

            Lennie nodded, his eyes filled with pride and anxiety.

            ‘I know…but I can’t go with you.’

            My head spun to face him, eyes wide with shock.

            ‘My master has called me back. I must return to the earth realm.’ He sighed, his grief sincere. ‘I wish I could stay, I do, but-’

            ‘No, I understand,’ I said. ‘I saw how much control Ignatius had on Father…So that’s why you prepared Mary.’

            ‘Yes, she thinks I’m going to live with relatives in Carmina for my retirement. The stall is yours now, as well as my house.’

            ‘Thanks.’ I said, looking down. I didn’t know what else to say.

            ‘Well,’ Lennie said awkwardly, clearing his throat. ‘We don’t need to part until we’re out of the desert, so there’s still a little time.’

            I nodded mutely, a lump in my throat.

---

It was late night, early morning by the time the edge of the desert was in sight. I squinted in the distance.

            ‘What’s that?’ I asked.

            ‘Men, I believe.’ Lennie said, frowning. ‘I think we should camp here tonight and avoid them.’

            I frowned, feeling I should argue but not sure how it would help.

            They weren’t just men; it was a small army marching past.

---

Neither of us slept well, just watching the army move past, then imagining and pondering why it was here.

            ‘Were they from the King, or from Lar?’ I wondered aloud as we finally left the desert.

            ‘…Dimitri, travel to Laven now, it’s in the same direction I’m going. Don’t go back to Firo, just leave with me now.’

            I shook my head, his sudden urgency filling me with dread.

            That army is going to Firo, and it’s all my fault.

            ‘Dimitri, I can’t return to Firo now. I can’t go where Ignatius is without severe consequences, not now the understanding between him and my master is over. Please come with me!’

            I looked at his panicked face, seeing true fear there. Fear for me.

            ‘I can’t leave Annie.’ I said.

            His whole posture slumped in defeat as he nodded in understanding.

            ‘…I guess this is where we say goodbye, Rafferty.’ I smiled weakly. ‘Thank you for everything.’

            Lennie grimaced and darted forward, pulling me into a fierce hug.

            ‘We will meet again someday. I promise.’

            Without another word he released me, turning to head north. His whole body was rigid, but he didn’t hesitate or look back.           

‘Goodbye,’ I whispered, turning to run north-west. ‘I hope you’re right.’

Chapter Twenty

Decision

‘So, you two are finally friends again. About time!’ Aaron grinned as he walked to the town’s entrance.

            ‘Yeah,’ I said. ‘I guess I forgot how forgiving and nice she really is.’

            ‘Do you think you and her will ever-?’

            ‘No.’ I said firmly. ‘Neither of us feel that way anymore, but I’m glad we’re friends again.’

            ‘Does that mean you accept Annie’s relationship with Chuck too?’

            I wrinkled my nose but gave a reluctant, stiff nod.

            ‘Don’t worry, he’s been in love with Annie for years; he won’t hurt her. Besides, I think he’s still a little scared of you, so a friendly reminder will keep his…intentions respectable.’  

            I grinned at this, seeing Aaron answer with a mischievous chuckle.

            ‘Just let me be there when you do, it will be the greatest entertainment of the year!’

            We stopped outside the town’s entrance, turning to look at the archway.

            ‘So they finally did it, huh?’ Aaron said. ‘They’ve asked you to carve it?’

            ‘Yeah, I guess they’ve noticed the odd carving jobs I’ve been doing over the years.’

            ‘It’s going to take years for you to carve this thing.’ Aaron whistled. ‘Hope you weren’t planning your Tempit mission anytime soon.’

            I frowned, biting my lip.

            ‘I…’

            ‘I thought that was you!’ Iris interrupted, coming up from behind us. ‘I heard from Annie you’ve been hired to carve the archway. Congratulations.’

            ‘Thanks,’ I said, puzzled. ‘Were you just out in the desert?’

            ‘Yeah, I’m teaching my class about the desert and plant life, so I wanted to get some samples to show them.’ She said, holding up a wooden basket with cactus’s in.

            ‘In that case, you should show them some Opuntia ficus-indica too.’ Aaron said.

            ‘Opuntia ficus-indica? You mean a pear cactus?’ Iris asked.

            ‘Yeah, it’s edible and it will be a good survival tip for them. I can show you a good spot for them if you like.’

            ‘Sure, that would be great.’ Iris beamed. ‘Aaron, right?’

            ‘Yep, good memory. Are you coming too, Dint?’

            ‘I need to head to Laven, so I can head part of the way with you.’

            I stayed silent as we walked, letting the two of them chat. I spotted Aaron flirting and Iris responding, surprised but not upset.

            I guess they do have similar personalities.

            ‘Well, I need to head this way.’ I said, unable to hide my knowing smirk. ‘You two have fun.’

            Perfect. Those two will have each other when I leave for Tempit.

---

‘You’re looking pale.’ Eilir said as I poured ash into his pouch. ‘Are you unwell?’

            I shook my head, fighting a wave of nausea.

            ‘I don’t think this is from me.’ I admitted, ‘I’ve only felt like this since arriving here.’

            ‘So it is Firo.’ He said wispily.

            ‘I think she’s dying. I need to go to Tempit and help her. Will you open a portal for me?’

            ‘Only if she allows it,’ he said. ‘Speak to her tonight, and hear her decision.’

---

The ash field was being assaulted with wave after wave of pain. Stabbing, bleeding, tearing, shredding pain. I roared out in agony, searching for the familiar red blob.

            Where are you?

            I am here, little one. Came the tired voice. I spun around, my big body clumsy, seeing her in the distance. Like always, I couldn’t get any closer.

            You’re dying! Let me help you! I’ll come to Tempit and save you.

            You’re not ready, she said softly.

            I can’t let you die!

            I will die, there is no changing that. Are you ready for what coming to witness it will entail?

            I shook my head, the whole of my long neck moving with it.

            I can’t become you, I’m human. I’ll come and save you instead.

            She fell silent for a long time. I was afraid her presence had disappeared.

            Firo?

            …Go with Rafferty to the fire temple. If you still decide to come after being there, I will not stop you. Go there and decide your destiny once and for all.

            The next wave of pain woke me up screaming.

---

‘Will you come with me?’ I asked Lennie impatiently.

            Lennie blinked calmly, sipping his mug of tea as he thought. He hadn’t complained when I’d barged into his house so late after returning, just sat and listened.

            ‘So it’s begun.’ He sighed, looking tired beyond his physical age. ‘You really can’t stay sheltered here anymore, can you?’

            I didn’t answer.

            ‘Give me two days, young Firo, and then I will take you to see the fire temple. Perhaps then, you will finally understand.’