The Fire King (Stormless Book 2), page 2
“What does it mean?” Castien asked, releasing his arm and rubbing his shoulder.
Ilyana raised an eyebrow. “The Crystals obviously mean that a Skin-Shaper must be in Arvendon—likely impersonating someone else—though trying to find out who would be a nightmare, so nothing has really been done about it.”
Nyghtmaere, Castien thought. His eyes closed, flickering back to the night before. A wall cracked in half. A Shadow-Swift crashing through the rubble, killing a dozen men in mere seconds. “What was the Shadow-Swift doing there last night?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” Ilyana said. “My contact told me that he had set up a distraction, though he didn’t say what it was. After the Shadow-Swift showed up, I figured that was what he meant.” Ilyana paused. “Though I did see something strange as we were descending. It almost looked like two Shadow-Swifts were fighting in the night.”
Two? Castien thought.
“Of course, given that there are said to be no more than three Shadow-Swifts on Auris currently, that doesn’t make any sense. Why would they be fighting each other?” Ilyana said.
The steady beat of the waves seemed to sync with Castien’s heart. The fog in his head lifted slightly, and he realized how foolish he was being. “How do I know you’re not lying to me about all of this?” Castien asked. “How am I honestly supposed to believe anything you say, given that you’ve been lying to me all this time?”
Ilyana looked toward the sea. “I understand your apprehension,” Ilyana said. “I wouldn’t trust me either right now.”
Castien followed her gaze, staring out at the Salarin Sea. The waves were shrouded in Wisps, whose white tails screeched and whistled through the waves with delight as the water rolled in. “Why did you save me last night?” Castien asked.
“I don’t know,” Ilyana said quietly.
“You could’ve left me behind,” Castien said. “It would’ve been easier to descend the ropes alone, and it would be easier to flee Arvendon’s lands without me.”
“I’m aware,” Ilyana said, still facing the sea.
“Yet you still saved me,” Castien said, watching the waves roll in. “Why—”
“Look, maybe I felt sorry for you, okay?” Ilyana interrupted. “I’m the reason you got into that mess… It didn’t feel right to not at least try to get you out of it.”
Castien looked at her, watching her glazed-over eyes.
“Listen, I don’t expect you to trust me, but I can get you to safety,” Ilyana said. “You can’t go back to Arvendon now—they’ll kill you on sight—but you can come with me to Celes.”
“Who’s to say that I couldn’t just turn you in to Arvendon and hope that I’m set free as a reward?” Castien asked.
Ilyana snorted. “Even if you could somehow incapacitate me and take me back to the city, are you really willing to bet your life on how the new King will react?” Ilyana asked. “Faelyn’s father is dead, and as far as he knows, you are partially responsible… I think that regardless of what kind of trade you try to make with him, you’re not going to leave that city alive.”
Castien looked down, feeling his breathing increase again. She was likely correct. He couldn’t return to Arvendon, even if he somehow managed to bring them Ilyana as a prisoner. “This is great,” Castien grumbled. “Just great.”
“I can guarantee that you’ll be safe in Celes,” Ilyana said. “As Princess, I can find you a place to stay for a little while.”
Castien didn’t respond.
“With that arm, you won’t be able to survive in the wilderness on your own,” Ilyana said. “I hate to put it this way: But you don’t exactly have a lot of options, Stormless.”
Castien winced at the name. It still stung, even after all that she had done to him. The worst part was that she was right. He doubted he could even shoot a bow because of his burn. Heading south would require circumventing Arvendon… And the only thing north of Etherus’s border was Celes and the rest of Elos.
“When do we leave?” Castien grunted.
“So you’re coming with me?” Ilyana asked, sounding surprised.
“I don’t have a choice,” Castien said. “If I stay here, I die. If I return to Arvendon, I die. If I go anywhere but north, I die.” Castien looked at his bandaged arm again, feeling a tingling sensation in his skin.
Ilyana fell silent for a moment. “When a monarch in Celes dies, the royal family votes on who should inherit the throne. It could even be me, though I doubt it. Either way, I’ll need to be there for at least a few weeks.” Ilyana paused.
Castien looked down, staring at his bandaged arm. “When do we leave?” he asked quietly.
“We should go under the cover of nightfall,” Ilyana said. “We’ll leave after dark tonight and travel as quickly as our feet will carry us. With any luck, we’ll be to the Elos-Etherus port of Fairfrost in a week. From there, we can steal a ship to Celes.”
“And then what?” Castien asked, rising to his feet. “You get to live happily ever after in your home, leaving me as a criminal who can’t even return to my city without losing my head?”
Ilyana paused. “We’ll figure something out. I can provide you a place to stay in Celes for as long as you need it… But you’re free to go wherever you please. I suggest you stay in Celes long enough for your arm to heal, but it’s your choice.” Ilyana turned away, seemingly ending the conversation as she gazed off into the sea. The two of them were well in the shadow of the cliffs, and spotting them from above would be impossible.
Castien glanced to the side, spotting the twin trails of footsteps leading down the beach that Ilyana had made. He shook his head. She was good at what she did, he had to admit. He had no choice but to follow her to Celes—it was the only place he would be safe.
But he would come up with a plan. He needed Ilyana’s help to get to Celes, but after that, he would be able to make it on his own. He could even sabotage Celes from within after the war broke out… Perhaps if he helped Arvendon enough he could find a way to be allowed back in the city.
It wasn’t much, but it was something. Ilyana had just turned his life upside down, and he had no choice but to try and turn it right side up once more.
CHAPTER TWO
FOUND
Night fell, and under the cover of darkness, Ilyana and Castien began their journey. Castien had to walk with his arm held awkwardly out to the side so that he didn’t accidentally bump it with his body. It was as sensitive as a baby blazecrest, and when he peeked beneath the bandage, the white-red skin almost looked wet.
It was strange—and painful. Ilyana had theorized that there would be a handprint where Faelyn had burned him once the injury healed. She had said that it would take several weeks—if not months—and that it would likely leave a permanent scar.
Castien grumbled as he walked along the soft sand, his shoes sinking with each step. His bow lay comfortably on his back, though he knew he wouldn’t be able to use it. He still carried his simple shortsword—he would at least be able to use that.
“We’re going to need to keep a lookout for search parties,” Ilyana said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Faelyn still has this place crawling with soldiers.”
“Great,” Castien muttered, walking on.
Ilyana glanced back at him, a strange look on her Elosian face. She said nothing and turned back to the beach on which they walked.
Lotius’s silver glow clashed strangely with Oria’s turquoise light, weaving an almost surreal tapestry of color across the open sea. Castien would’ve found it beautiful if he wasn’t walking with a traitor and a burned arm.
“My footprints led around to where the grass began, and I stopped there,” Ilyana said. “I would assume that they’ve figured out that we’re going to Elos, given my heritage. But I can’t imagine that they’ll go all the way to Celes to find us. Once they hit the border, they’ll probably be stopped by my people.”
“You killed the King, Ilyana,” Castien said. “Once they get confirmation that you were acting on behalf of Celes, I doubt the Arvendi will stop at anything to capture us.”
“We’ll be safe in Celes,” Ilyana said steadily. “My father may be dead, but I still have strong ties with my family, and I can’t imagine that they’ll be upset with me.” Ilyana continued walking in the moonlight.
Waves crashed quietly against the sand, washing away Castien’s steps as he walked. He looked to the side as they began to come out from the shadow of the cliffs. The land started to level out here, and once they were completely away from the rocks, they would be able to start up the incline—toward the open Wastes beyond the wards.
Another wave washed up on the shore, lapping at Castien’s boots. Castien looked down pitifully, cursing the waves back. He continued walking, his face locked in a frown. His King had been murdered, and he had helped the culprit. Why shouldn’t I be pissed off? Castien thought to himself. He had every reason to be upset. But what could he do? Shouting at Ilyana could make her reconsider her offer of safety in Celes, and then he would have nowhere to go.
As much as he hated to admit it, she was right about that much. He was trapped, and without any other options. He had to go to Celes with Ilyana to seek refuge, and maybe, if he was lucky, he could find some answers about the Starburner Crystal.
A corner lay up ahead where the cliffs dropped off, leaving a sharp turn toward the grass beyond. Castien stayed a few feet behind Ilyana, his mind flashing to the Shadow-Swift and the guards on the night of the Solstice. Zephyr’s Watch… Castien thought. That was only last night.
“We’re going to have to move quickly once we reach the end of the beach,” Ilyana said. “If we don’t want to get—”
“I shouldn’t be surprised,” a voice said.
Castien jumped back. His arm rubbed against the bandage, sending a bright flash of pain through his burned skin.
A figure stepped out from behind the corner, holding a crossbow in his hands. “I told you it was worth waiting.” The man stepped forward, his gray robes and gloved hands becoming visible in the twin moonlights. He pulled back his hood, revealing short hair and a familiar face—Arthion.
Another figure trailed him, this one wearing the long jacket of a Cloudwalker. “You were right, Arthion,” the Cloudwalker—Elric—said. “I thought you were wasting my time… But they were hiding down here all along.”
“Arthion? Elric?” Castien gasped. “What… How did you find us?”
“The guards reported that both of you had been seen breaking out of the Palace last night. They found your ropes in the morning and determined that you had already left the beach—according to the footprints at least,” Arthion said. “I knew better than that. I know the two of you well enough to surmise that you would’ve misled the guards somehow… And a false escape with the footprints in the sand seemed like the most likely answer,” Arthion said, keeping his voice even. The wooden crossbow seemed heavy in his untrained hands.
Castien eyed it carefully before shifting his gaze to Elric.
“Ilyana Xirel, Castien Varic, you are both under arrest,” Elric said. A gust of wind blew, and his blades rose out of their sheaths. Elric raised a hand, his two daggers levitating beside him. “You will answer to the new King for your crimes against Arvendon. I am giving you thirty seconds to surrender yourselves—if you do not, you will be taken by force.”
“You don’t understand what’s going on here—” Ilyana started.
“Don’t try to sway me with your words, traitor,” Elric growled.
“Elric, please.” Castien stepped forward.
Elric shifted his emerald eyes to Castien. “I’m disappointed in you, boy,” Elric said. “You had a bright future, and now you’ve thrown it all away.”
“You won’t take us,” Ilyana said firmly. “Your people have already killed my King. I won’t let you take my life as well.”
“Your King?” Elric growled. “You killed your own King! What in Niventia’s Light are you talking about?”
“I am loyal to the King of Celes,” Ilyana snapped. “And Avenos Titansworn had him killed but a few days ago!”
“By the Six,” Arthion cursed. He turned to Elric. “I told you she was lying to us from the start!”
“I—” Elric stuttered. He looked to Castien, then back to Ilyana. “I don’t know what your motives are, but Arvendon did not kill King Nightingale.”
“Then why did my informant say otherwise?” Ilyana challenged.
“Perhaps your informant lied,” Elric glowered. “But Arvendon has committed no crimes against Celes. The only criminals here are you two.”
Ilyana did not falter. “We know the truth! Why won’t you admit to Avenos ordering King Nightingale’s death?”
Arthion lowered the bow slightly. “The late King Titansworn did no such thing; we are speaking the truth.”
“I—” Ilyana started. Her face grew red. “The only reason I killed Avenos is because your people killed King Nightingale,” Ilyana said. “I wouldn’t have done it without good reason, you know I am not that foolish.”
“It seems that we don’t know you at all,” Elric growled. “Why are we even still discussing this? You killed King Titansworn unprovoked. What more is there to say?”
“Your assassins killed King Nightingale,” Ilyana seethed. “Your emissaries just haven’t made it back to Arvendon yet.” Ilyana paused, taking a breath. “Give up the ruse. We know that Avenos ordered King Nightingale’s death.”
Arthion raised the crossbow once again, giving her a warning look.
Castien remained silent, tense. He made note of the fact that Ilyana was yet to mention that Celes’s King was her father.
“Listen to me,” Arthion rumbled. “Our King sent no such order.” Arthion’s amber eyes sparkled in the moonlight. “I’m in the King’s inner circle—as is Elric—if anyone would know about this order, it would be us.”
“But…” Ilyana trailed off. “Why would… You’re lying.” Ilyana narrowed her eyes.
Arthion raised the crossbow to eye level and readjusted his grip. “Believe whatever you want, but if you don’t tell me why you really killed Avenos, then I’m just going to go ahead and pull this trigger.”
“She’s telling the truth,” Castien blurted. He blinked a few times, the shock wearing off. “I promise, she’s telling you the same thing she told me.”
“Then who’s to say that she isn’t lying to all of us?” Arthion challenged.
“I—” Castien looked to Ilyana, then back to Arthion and Elric. “I don’t know. But you know I can’t go back to Arvendon because of what she’s done. Just…” Castien took a deep, shaky breath. “Just please listen to me. I… I don’t want to die today.”
Arthion looked to Elric for a moment, then lowered his crossbow.
“How in Tarathiel’s Stones did you even get involved in all of this, boy?” Elric asked, his voice hard.
“Ilyana offered me a way to elevate my standing in Arvendon,” Castien said. “She claims that her plans then changed, and she was tasked with assassinating the King. She never told me who her target was… I thought I was helping Arvendon, I swear!” Castien said desperately. “By the time I knew the truth, it was too late.”
“So she betrayed you too! Why on Auris are you still defending her?” Arthion exclaimed.
Castien stepped forward, trembling. “If you take me back to Arvendon, the new King will have me killed,” Castien said quietly. “Ilyana is promising me safety in Celes, and right now, sticking with her is my only hope of living through the next few days.”
“How do you know she isn’t lying to you?” Elric asked. “How do you know she’ll truly protect you in Celes?”
Castien hesitated. “She could’ve left me to die in that Palace last night, but she didn’t,” Castien said. “So please, for my sake, give us a chance.” Castien felt a familiar warmth at the back of his eyes. His thoughts accelerated, skipping ahead to the death he might face in Arvendon. He would likely be burned by the new King himself, perhaps even tortured. And after what Castien had done last night… Who’s to say where he would even end up after his death? “Please,” Castien pleaded, a tear surfacing. “I don’t want to die today. If you take me back, he’ll kill me,” Castien’s voice broke. “And I’m so scared—” Castien stopped, choking back tears.
What could he do? They were going to kill him. Gods above, they were going to kill him. He was going to die.
Ilyana stepped forward. “I know you may not believe me, but I was told that Avenos killed King Nightingale. If what you say is true—if King Nightingale is still alive—then I was tricked… And right now the two of us are your best chance at finding out who’s really behind all this.”
Elric stared at them, eyes narrowed.
Arthion, however, seemed to consider her words. He watched Ilyana carefully, then shifted his eyes to Castien. “Elric,” Arthion said, turning slightly. “Perhaps there is something to discover here.” Arthion stepped back, motioning for Elric to do the same.
The two began quietly whispering, Elric keeping an eye on Ilyana and Castien while he spoke.
Castien’s lips quivered as another tear rolled down his face. He rubbed his eyes with his right hand, wincing as another shock of pain ran through his left arm. With a deep breath, he began syncing his respiration to his heartbeat.
Five beats in. Six beats out. Hold for three. Repeat.
Arthion and Elric continued talking, seemingly debating how to proceed. Arthion looked back to Castien, then turned to Elric.
Watching anxiously, Castien waited for the two to reach a decision. He figured he was lucky they were even considering letting him and Ilyana go.
Arthion was choosing to give them a chance, and for that Castien was grateful.
Elric stepped back, seemingly frustrated with Arthion. He looked back to Castien and Ilyana, arms folded. With a sigh, he said something back to Arthion, shaking his head.
After a few moments, Elric turned back and approached Castien and Ilyana. “You said you’re going to Celes?” Elric grunted, looking at Castien.
