An Image in Fire
G
RAY STRODE TO THE CENTER OF
the room with the others at his side. In front of them were marble stairs with wide steps leading to a cavernous throne. Rows of servants stood at either side of the marbled throne.
“Welcome…” King Katsu said, his voice both deep and commanding.
Gray appraised the man known as King Katsu who sat in the throne. White robes hung from his frame, the design and fit much like the other citizens, only with more layers. He had a white patch of hair beneath his lower lip, a trimmed mustache, and straight white hair that fell to his shoulders. Karil stood at the side of the king, and while she was still in her simple forest garb, she didn’t look a bit out of place.
“Mor ‘in dunindas. Forgah ‘l sendria tu va varius,” Mura said and knelt. He grabbed Gray’s sleeve, yanking him down, and the other’s knelt as well.
“Rise,” Katsu said. “You speak Yorin well, if a bit rusty. Food or drink?” The servants began to move forward with trays piled with food, as well as silver and gold pitchers and chalices.
Mura raised a hand, stalling the servants. “Thank you, but if we could move to pressing matters.”
The king nodded. “You have come a long way. Your urgency is not taken lightly.” King Katsu studied them. “But before I hear what you have to say, I will ask you a question and I hope for a sincere answer. Your friend has filled me in on your journey and the danger that follows you. From all counts, it seems you and your friends have brought death to the doorstep of my fair city and have endangered my people. Is that true?” The nobles in the stands whispered, a dark hum.
Mura spoke, “You are not wrong, yet…”
The king’s powerful voice overrode him. “Then why should I help you? Make no mistake, I have already heard the pleas of your fellow traveling companion, so do not rant about the claims of a dark army.”
“Claims?” Gray repeated, incredulous.
The king turned, brows arching, “Excuse me?” he said. Gray was rooted by his scrutiny and scathing tone. A chorus of shuffling sounded as those in the balconies shifted and followed Katsu’s gaze, examining Gray.
A tall man rose from the gallery on Gray’s right and spoke, “Who is this man who dares to interrupt his Excellency?” He wore robes like the others of deep blue, but was distinguished by a stole that looked like a thin ribbon of white.
Shouts erupted from the balconies.
“What is your name?” a man called.
“Speak!” said another.
Ayva and the others swiveled to each new, harsh voice.
Mura grumbled beneath his breath, “You’ve done it now. Well, go on, answer the mob.”
Gray rose to his full height. “I am Gray,” he said loudly. “And if you want someone to blame, blame me! I am the one who led the villagers over the impasse.”
The tall dignitary, who stood first, spoke again, “You led them over the impasse? I see. Then you were the one who lied and used my name to Captain Mashiro.”
Councilor Tervasian, he remembered and swallowed, “If I lied, it was only to save the lives of many.”
“And at the same time, risk a whole city and its people. How valiant,” Tervasian answered.
Gray remembered the stable hand’s words, but he would not argue with a fool. He directed his focus to the king. “Listen please, you point fingers and blame, but as we speak a dark army moves towards this city! Whether or not we brought them here does not matter, the danger is not us, but the Kage!”
Tervasian shrugged, “Yet perhaps this is another lie.”
Gray ground his teeth.
“The councilor is correct,” King Katsu proclaimed. “The greater question is, can you even be trusted? Who is to say this isn’t a trick? Perhaps you and your friends are even allies with this enemy?”
“That’s ludicrous!” Ayva shouted, “How can you say that? Hundreds have died to come here, and at the hands of the Kage! They killed my father!” Tears filled her eyes.
“Moving words, but still I see no reason to trust you,” the King answered.
The councilor smiled toward the king, a sleek, greasy look. “His Excellency is most correct. Furthermore, this council demands to know how you crossed the impasse.”
Gray ignored the man again, his blood pumping, “How do you not see the truth? We are few and they are many! The Kage are coming. Fighting with one another is useless and only serves to aid them! If not for us, at least see reason for your own people!”
The councilor spoke again, “You speak stirring statements, as does your queen. Still, the fact of the matter is, what cause do we have to believe there is a threat? The council does not take action on mere hearsay. So far, all we’ve heard is children’s tales of the Ronin coming to life.”
At the word, cries gushed from the galleries like a floodgate being opened.
“Fables!”
“A cursed name!”
“They are real!” Darius shouted in return. “And it’s not the Ronin to fear! It’s the Kage. If you can’t see reason, you are all fools and cowards!”
Tervasian continued, his calm mask breaking as his face twisted in anger. “Fools are those who expect others to listen to children’s tales. Fools are those who bring down a cursed name like that. Fools are you, who try my patience and the king’s with no proof of this threat!”
Karil descended the plinth, as the fearful whispers and shouts echoed off the walls. She turned to those in the balcony. “You want proof?” she said, voice ringing with crystal clear authority.
The King raised his hand and silence fell over the grand chambers, “I will allow you one last chance to make me believe your claims.” Gray noticed councilor Tervasian. He wore a look of disdain and he wanted to wipe the look from the man’s face.
Karil whispered to Gray, “I may need your help.” He gave a curious nod and she closed her eyes, placing a hand to the white flame upon the marble floor. Her brows drew down and sweat dotted her forehead. Suddenly, a fire sparked, sprouting from the stone. Whispers of fear and awe suffused the wide chambers. The flames grew to form a large pane like a sheet of orange glass. Coldness radiated from the flame. Still, it grew, large enough for all to see in the hall. Karil’s legs trembled and she called his name. He reached to grab her, but Rydel was quicker, catching her before she fell.
“What do you want me to do?” he asked anxiously.
“Contain it,” she whispered, face strained.
Gray could see now that the flames from the fire were beginning to snap outward hungrily. She was losing control. He reached for the nexus and a flood of light entered his vision. Focusing on the roaring fire, he reached out. Strands of golden air shot from his fingertips. The strands stretched like flowing water over the rampant flames, and the tongues of fire were contained and shielded like a sword being sheathed.
Karil stood straight with Rydel’s aid, “Thank you.”
Gray stepped back. He looked to Ayva and Darius. Their mouths were wide, mimicking the rest of the chamber. On the marble dais, even the King watched in wonder.
The guards at the tall doors and behind the dais, shifted their halberds in their hands and clutched their curved swords threateningly, ready to move at a mere word from their king.
“What is this?” Katsu questioned.
“Proof,” The elvin queen replied. Karil turned to the flame, lifting a hand. An image appeared in the fire, and gasps filled the chambers. Men and women laughed and danced in an open green field. Suddenly, screams echoed from inside the flames as they were slaughtered by the rampaging horde. The screams reached a peak as flames enveloped the town.
“What is this place?” the King asked, stricken.
“Lakewood,” Ayva answered.
“A small taste of what has already passed, though I’m not done,” Karil said loudly for all to hear. “Observe!” The red flames roared. Nine cloaked men flashed within the window of flames, riding dark steeds with an endless army at their back. The balconies erupted in chaos.
“The Ronin!” voices murmured.
“No! The Kage!” Karil shouted. The image of the Kage vanished and was replaced by horrific scenes, one after another… Charred streets, bloated bodies, ruined cities. Karil spoke, “All of these are images I have seen, events already come to pass. This is what you should fear!”
The faces of the dignitaries grew in horror with each fiery red vision.
“Enough!” The king shouted finally, his words bringing an end to the images.
The man’s face looked ghostly white. Gray couldn’t help but take some satisfaction in the king’s rattled visage. “Now you see the truth.”
Councilor Tervasian laughed. The condescending sound filled the vast chambers. “That is all?” he said snidely, “The cheap tricks and witchcraft of an elf? What sort of truth is this?”
“Silence!” The King bellowed. Tervasian quieted, but glowered at Gray. “Let’s say we believe you,” Katsu continued, hands gripping the arms of his ornate throne, “If we do, and those images are real, what would stop them? How am I to protect my kingdom from this evil?”
“No one knows how to destroy the Kage,” Mura voiced, “but their army is composed of vergs and saeroks, and they bleed and die just like you and I.”
Rydel stepped forward. “You have to make a stand here. Gather your men—with your numbers and your high walls, you should be able to, at the very least, hold out against the dark army. They cannot bring siege weapons in the high passes. You can fight them!”
The dignitaries in the balconies looked to the King in his deep-seated throne. He rose and spoke, “I will protect my people! The Shining City will prepare for war! As for you six, you will be confined to your inn.”
“Confined?” Karil exclaimed.
“If I could leave you with your dark evil and spare my city, know that I would throw you from my walls at this moment. However, it seems too late for such things. As it stands, you will stay out of the council’s way. As for your villagers, they are not welcome. They may stay tonight, but they must leave tomorrow—the way they entered. Fail to heed my word and see yourself forever locked below the keep!” Other dignitaries in the stand seconded the motion. Tervasian watched Gray with a snake-like grin of satisfaction.
Gray strode forward, eyeing the guards, ticking off how many there were. Fifteen. But he had already seen more throughout the palace. He wasn’t sure what he was doing, but he felt tendrils of air swirling at his fingertips as his eyes fogged with rage. He wanted to grip the sword and unleash its power.
Mura gripped his arm, holding him back. The hermit shook his head.
“Leave us now!” The King commanded, “The council and I have much to discuss.” The stone-faced guards approached with hands upon their pommels. He eyed the hermit and at last released his power. Flanked by steel, with the others at his side, Gray was led out of the vast chambers, dark whispers at his back.
A Hallway of Gold
I
N THE WEST, THE SETTING SUN
lit the dark keep. The open hallway glowed from the sun’s rays. Between the shadowed pillars and far below, Gray glimpsed the vast city.
Baked-clay houses were crammed together, sprawling into the distance. Colorful stands lined the many streets. In the heart of the city was a domed castle, easily twice as big as the Shiroku Palace. More buildings just as massive could be seen in the distance, growing like mountains in a sea of cream-colored buildings. Where am I? Gray thought, standing in the corridor’s orange light. He looked down and saw flaxen robes. The coarse weave was strangely familiar.
No use standing here, he thought and started forward. He moved through the hall that led to a wide set of stairs and he took them two at a time. He passed a few more halls when he realized what seemed so strange about the place. There were no people.
Abruptly, he stood before a door, hand upon the doorknob, though he couldn’t remember putting it there. Dread suddenly filled him. The last thing he wanted was to open the door. He tried to let go, but panicked as his grip tightened. His hand twisted and the door swung open.
A young woman knelt in the center of a dark room while black tendrils seeped along the ground. They pooled around his boots and flowed into the hallway. The woman clutched something at her chest. Morrowil. Malevolence sprouted from the sword. The woman reached out, pleading for him to save her life, but Gray was rooted to the ground, helpless. The light faded in the woman’s eyes. This is a dream! This isn’t happening! he shouted to himself, begging to wake. This is a dream! he shouted louder. Suddenly, he stood before the woman. He looked down and saw he gripped Morrowil, hands coated in blood.
The woman gave a breathless whisper, “Why?”
No, he said in horror, trying to back away.
Suddenly voices sounded from behind. Gray twisted to see men dashing down the hallway, swords raised. A gong rang, echoing in his ears—the alarm had been sounded. It was too late. He yanked at his legs, trying to pry himself free, but he was stuck. He wanted to throw Morrowil, but the blade was fused to his hand. The men drew closer, their face’s becoming clear.
Everything flashed, and the woman and the room crumbled.
“Ren…” he whispered.
Gray awoke.