Cast in Fire Read online

  Cast in Fire

  A Phoenix of Hope Novel

  >

  by Zora Marie

  Cast in Fire

  Copyright © 2020 Zora Marie

  Cover design by: Zora Marie

  Edited by: Ducky Smith

  All rights reserved. Published by Starcatcher Press. No part of this book may be reproduced, duplicated, copied, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the express written consent and permission of the author.

  This work is of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any person or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

  For contact information, please visit:

  www.starcatcherpress.com

  To Ducky for pushing me to be the best I can be.

  (and for putting up with all my nonsense)

  1

  “They know what is coming.”

  Zelia was climbing among the upper branches of her home when she froze at the sound of Eleanor’s anxious voice. She hadn’t expected anyone to be up here today, and she had never heard Eleanor use that tone before. Leaves brushed her cheek as she crept closer to the high platform. Eleanor was the closest Zelia had ever known to a mother. She had been with Eleanor and Eadon for half a century, but she was not an elf as they were. Zelia was... well, she didn’t know, but she’d hardly grown in all that time and still looked like a young child, barely the height of Eleanor’s waist.

  “Why do they not help us fight this war? The elders of all the people should be willing to stand up and fight against the Darkans. Is that not why these powers were given in the first place? The fight against the Darkans and the war against the gods to come are the only reasons—”

  “Shh. They may hear you. You know what they say about the gods, especially Lumid. He can hear everything,” Vainoff warned.

  “Not here. You know I keep this place hidden, particularly with her here.”

  Who here? Zelia wondered. The things Vainoff said never made much sense to her, but he was the most frequent visitor the Elves had. Before Vainoff and Eleanor became members of the Wizard Guild, he had run messages for Eleanor in exchange for magic lessons as he had already outgrown what he could learn on his own. Zelia was always curious about his travels and loved the stories he told of the day Eadon saved him from a group of Darkans at their borders.

  “I know you do. Just as you know, the elders have their reasons. It is best to leave them be. They still outnumber us if you recall.”

  Vainoff and Eleanor fell silent. The only sound came from leaves and limbs as they rustled in the main entrance to the high platform. Zelia took the chance to move closer. Her thoughts quieted, so Eleanor wouldn’t sense her nearing as she pushed her way through the leafy limbs.

  “An urgent letter from Koin.”

  Zelia recognized Eadon’s voice, but it seemed strained as if he dreaded the news they were about to receive. She climbed closer and parted the leaves to have a clear view. Blood spotted the tiny scroll Eleanor held, and her Elven glow dimmed as she skimmed the words.

  “What does it say?” Eadon asked.

  Eleanor did not move as Eadon took the open scroll from her and read it aloud, “We have won, but at a grave cost. Queen O’Fell asks for her gift to put the King and…” his voice trailed off, and the scroll slipped from his fingers.

  Eleanor’s lip quivered for a moment before she spoke. “Get Zelia and Alrindel. We leave at once.”

  Leaving? But I never get to go anywhere.

  Eleanor turned and stared straight at her.

  “Zelia, I hear your thoughts. Come here. We must leave, Koin needs us.”

  Zelia pushed through the leaves and stepped onto woven branches that formed a platform. Eadon was so distraught by what he had read that he did not even scold her for eavesdropping.

  “Eadon?” she asked.

  He knelt to her level as if about to give her some tragic news, but he found no words. She hugged him tightly, returning one of the many loving hugs he had given her over the years. She could feel him quiver as he exhaled, still unable to speak.

  “It will be okay,” she said, not understanding what was wrong.

  With a silent sigh, he leaned back from her hug and brushed the leaves from her curly hair. “Would you go find Alrindel and tell him to pack a light bag for me?”

  “Where are we going?”

  “To the Kingdom of The Mountains,” Vainoff replied. “Now go on, dear, and pack a bag of your own.”

  Zelia cocked her head. She didn’t fully understand, but the thought of going on a journey away from home excited her.

  >

  “Lighnif!” Zelia ran up to the older Elf child. She was a close friend of Alrindel’s, as were most young Elves. “Have you seen Alrindel?”

  “I just left him. He was on the other side of the pasture; I can get him for you if you like.”

  “No. Starjaina can take me.”

  Zelia hopped on the fence and let out a long and pretty whistle, something she was proud to have finally learned to do. A beautiful white horse galloped across the pasture and pranced as she slowed to a stop.

  “Zelia! Hello dear. Here for a ride again?” Starjaina neighed.

  “Eadon asked me to get Alrindel.”

  “Well, come on. I’ll take you to him.”

  Zelia climbed onto Starjaina’s back from the vine fence.

  “So, what did Alrindel do this time?” Starjaina asked as she cantered across the pasture, the other horses parting for her as she went.

  “Nothing, we’re going somewhere.”

  “I hope you are taking me with you.” She bobbed her head as she slowed her pace.

  Alrindel was running around a tree, chasing and being chased by playful foals.

  “I’m sure we are since I believe Eadon is going with us.”

  Alrindel stopped playing with the foals and stroked Starjaina’s forelock. “What are you two talking about this time? Not stirring up trouble now, are you?”

  “No. Eadon sent me to get you. We are to pack a bag.”

  “Pack a bag? There’s a war going on. Where are we going?”

  “The Kingdom of the Mountains. I think something has happened.” She scrunched her eyebrows together and lowered her gaze. “I’ve never seen Eadon so… broken.”

  “Well, come on then.” Alrindel swung himself onto Starjaina’s back and nudged her to start back across the pasture.

  >

  “Come Zelia, you will ride with me,” Eleanor said.

  “But I wanted to ride Starjaina.”

  Eadon picked her up, his long silky black hair tickling her cheek as he lifted her onto his horse.

  “Then you may ride with me until dark, but then you will have to ride with Eleanor.”

  He sprung on behind her, and they rode off. Eadon had called many of the healers he had taught over the years to ride with them. Some were from the trees right next to theirs, and others were from places sprinkled within the inner kingdom, but all were familiar faces, even if she did not recall their names.

  One by one, they passed under the waterfall and into the outer ranges of Elyluma. A single tree root bridge connected the river island to the outer reaches of their home.

  Alrindel carried his bow and rode on his own for the first time on such an occasion. The Elves were quiet as they rode, and the silence unsettled her. Even with the war going on, they were always cheerful, singing under the stars each night, but today there was no singing, and even the other Elves they had passed were silent.

  “Starjaina?�
�

  “Yes, dear?”

  “Have you heard any news about what has happened?” Zelia asked her in the language of the animals, knowing the time wasn’t right to ask Eadon or Eleanor.

  “The King O’Fell is dead, and many Elves, including…”

  “Leena?” she asked when Starjaina trailed off.

  There was a catch in Starjaina’s stride, and now Zelia realized the reason for Eadon’s reaction. Her aunt, his sister, had died in the battle. Zelia swung her leg over Starjaina’s neck and buried her face against Eadon’s chest.

  “Starjaina told you?”

  Zelia nodded.

  “Told her what?” Alrindel asked.

  Eadon wrapped his arms around Zelia, almost as much to comfort himself as to comfort her. “Le—” his voice caught, “Leena has fallen.”

  “She fell trying to save King Skalary O’Fell. We go to release the souls of all of those fallen to the stars,” Vainoff said.

  Zelia turned a bit to see that Vainoff’s gaze rested on her, and she wondered what her part in all this was to be.

  “What will happen to Auntie Leena’s soul?”

  “Leena is an Elf, so her soul will rest in the stars with our elders until she chooses to be reborn.”

  “When will that be?”

  She stared up at him and waited for his reply.

  “Our souls are bound to our lovers.”

  “So, she will wait for Koin?” she asked.

  Eadon nodded and kissed the top of her head. “You should get some rest now. We will not stop until we get there.”

  Soon, his humming and Starjaina’s step rocked her to sleep.

  >

  Koin met them at the edge of a row of newly constructed pyres. The others continued on as Eleanor, Eadon, and Alrindel’s horses slowed their pace.

  “I’ll go ahead with the others.” Vainoff nodded towards Koin and urged his horse on.

  Koin’s forlorn gaze struck Zelia’s heart. She had never seen him so solemn. He usually glowed brightest among the Elves, but now his glow was gone. Blood stained the tips of his long silver hair and parts of his clothes.

  Zelia didn’t even wait for Starjaina to stop, she slid from her back and ran to Koin. Koin knelt and caught her in his arms, holding her as if she could slip away and leave him in the dark at any moment.

  “Thank you for coming so quickly.” Koin’s voice was quiet next to her ear.

  “Koin, you are family. There is no need to thank us,” Eleanor replied. “I am so sorry.”

  Zelia opened her eyes, as Koin nodded, to see the young and fair Queen Orania O’Fell’s approach, her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, at her side. She had met them once before, but she remembered little of them.

  “As am I sorry for your losses. I hate to ask at such a time, but Eadon, we need your help.”

  Koin pulled away from Zelia’s hug, but he gave her one more squeeze before standing.

  “She is expecting,” Orania nodded to Elizabeth, “but she is losing him.”

  “How far along?” Eleanor asked.

  “Only a month or two, maybe less. He’s all I have left of...” Elizabeth glanced back at the long row of pyres.

  “May I?” Eadon asked, gesturing towards her abdomen.

  Princess Elizabeth cringed as Eadon’s hand pressed against her. She doubled over in pain but pushed away from him.

  “I... I need to get back to helping our people.”

  Elizabeth fled towards the gates, one hand holding her abdomen as she went.

  “Elizabeth!” Queen O’Fell called after her, but Elizabeth didn’t stop. “They found her on the battlefield covered in blood, cradling Skyral. She refuses to talk about it, and she won’t let anyone check her out. That’s the closest anyone has gotten to her.”

  “She was out there during the battle?” Eadon asked, shock and concern in his tone.

  “I saw her myself. When she refused to return to the women and children, I tried to get her to promise to stay close. She refused, saying she would fight alongside her husband and his father. We...” A tear ran down Koin’s cheek as he stared across the pyres to the ones that stood a little taller at the center.

  “Koin, you and Leena did all you could to save them. We all know you did.” Orania cupped his hands in hers. “And we will never forget the sacrifice you made.”

  “Eadon, would you go after Elizabeth? I’ll get Zelia ready, but Elizabeth needs you now,” Eleanor said.

  “Get me ready for what?” Zelia asked once Eadon had gone.

  “We would like you to do the honors of lighting the pyres, dear.”

  “Why me?”

  There was a glance exchanged between the adults, and Koin sighed.

  “Because Leena loved you as a daughter.”

  “And we thought there would be no one better to honor our fallen. Zelia, would you do us the honor of freeing our loved ones to take their places amongst the stars?” Queen Orania asked.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Good. Now if you will all excuse me, there are things I need to attend to before tonight.” Orania leaned in and whispered something to Eleanor before walking away.

  “Come, Zelia, let us see what we can help with and clean up for this evening.”

  Eleanor held out her hand for Zelia to take, but she couldn’t help but see the distant look in Koin’s eyes.

  Zelia glanced between Eleanor and Koin, then took his hand in hers. His hand was clammy to the touch, and he didn’t look down at her until she moved in front of him.

  “Koin, would you do me the honor of helping me tonight?”

  She stared up at him, waiting for his response. She wanted to help him, and this was the only thing she could think of.

  “I think Aunt Leena would want you to, Koin. Come on, let’s go get you cleaned up.” Alrindel grabbed Koin’s other hand, and together, they pulled him along.

  When they came to the third-highest pyre, Koin stopped following along. He stared at the thin cloth that covered a slender figure.

  “Alrindel, take Zelia and go inside. See if there is anyone the two of you can help. We will catch up with you there in a few,” Eleanor said.

  Alrindel nodded and took Zelia’s hand. She watched Koin over her shoulder until they passed the big stone gates, and she turned to look at her surroundings. Great stone buildings rose around her, their make of Dwarven quality. She ran her hand across a smooth wall as they walked. She could not feel a single seam in the stones. Alrindel stopped the first guard they saw.

  “Where are the wounded being treated?”

  “Why?”

  The guard stopped, but he favored his right leg.

  “Because we can help. We are children of Eadon,” Zelia replied.

  “Vainoff and our healers have gone ahead of us, and we are to assist them,” Alrindel added as he stepped in front of her.

  The man looked them over for a moment before pointing down the widest path.

  “Follow the path to the stairs. There will be another guard to direct you the rest of the way from there.”

  “Thank you.” Alrindel nodded, then pulled Zelia along.

  “You’re not an Elf, and people will recognize this. Not everyone will be our friend here.”

  “I know, but I’m going to light the pyres, so won’t everyone learn of me then?”

  “Maybe or maybe not. I’m not sure what Eleanor is planning to do. For now, let’s go see if we can put that first aid training to work.”

  He tapped her nose as they came to the bottom of a set of stairs. Two guards stared down at them, their hands on the hilts of their swords.

  “Halt! Who goes there?”

  “I am Alrindel. Queen Eleanor has sent us ahead of her to give aid to the wounded.”

  “And who is she?” The man nodded toward
s her, and she felt compelled to step closer to Alrindel.

  “She’s with me. Come on, you two, I could use a couple extra sets of hands.” Vainoff appeared at the top of the stairs and waved them to follow.

  The guard who had asked gave her a curious stare as they passed.

  “Where are Eleanor and Eadon?” Vainoff asked. “The two of you shouldn’t be on your own.”

  “Eleanor is with Koin, and Eadon is… busy. Eleanor told us to go help where we can and that she would catch up.”

  Vainoff nodded, his lips pursed for a moment. “Yes, Koin needs her. Well, come on, we’ll find you someone where the skills of a young bowman and a Zelia can help.”

  Vainoff winked at her and turned down a hallway lined with doors. Moans and cries came from behind most, and whimpers came from those who sat in the halls. Women and a handful of Elves moved from place to place, doing what they could. Vainoff stopped in front of a warrior who appeared to be about eighteen, still young to be in a battle. He held a cloth to his side where blood trailed down his front. His skin was ashen and sweat beaded his forehead. When he opened his eyes, his gaze first met Zelia’s.

  “Here, let me look.” She dropped Alrindel’s hand and pulled the top of the soaked bandage from his side. “It’s not deep, but it needs stitches.”

  She glanced back at Alrindel as he pulled off his pack. Vainoff stood behind him, a distant look in his eye as he watched.

  “Well, I shall leave you to it then.” Vainoff gave her a nod and walked off, swinging his staff with each of his long strides.

  “He’s acting weird today,” Zelia said as she wiped the blood from the boy’s side with a clean cloth.

  “Of course, he would, he was a friend of the King, and our Aunt,” Alrindel said. “Here, your stitching is better.” He handed her a threaded needle.

  Zelia took the needle and watched the boy’s expression for a moment.

  “This will hurt, but it will stop the bleeding. You’ll have to be careful not to tear the stitches out though.”

  “Who are you?”

  “Zelia. Now hold still.”

  She put her hand above the cut and pushed the needle through, being careful to do it as Eadon had taught her. Alrindel went on to the next person as she stitched the boy up and tied another clean cloth to his side.