Of Fire and Fury (Book 1: Light-Born Series)

Chapter 43 - Stone

Stone was lying in the back of a wagon, a thick black cloth covering his head. Through it, he could see dappled light moving around the shadows in front of him. His hands and feet were bound. A dull ache filled his head, as though it had been hit with the hilt of his dagger. He wiggled slightly, feeling the thick cords that dug into his wrists. Pain shot through his shoulders as he struggled against the rope. A boot kicked him in the stomach, causing him to gasp for air.

“None of that.” the slightly nasally voice of a man came from his right.

He winced and flexed his muscles, instinctively waiting for another strike. It didn’t come, and after several moments he relaxed. He breathed deeply, the dark cloth around his head got caught slightly in his nose and mouth and it was all he could smell: sweet and sickening. Instead of trying again to break free, he listened intently, hoping to hear some telling sound that would tell him where he was. While listening, he determined there were at least two men: one riding beside him in the creaking wagon, another directing it. Then, he heard footsteps alongside him: there were at least two more. Four men: he could take four men. He just needed to be able to see.

The cart creaked to a stop, and several hands pulled Stone by his ankles until he fell the short drop onto the earth. He wasn’t expecting it, and it knocked the wind out of him again. He coughed slightly, as he was pulled up to his feet. Hands latched on to either side of his shoulders. He wanted to struggle, to fight them, but he knew it was futile—not with his hands bound and his head covered.

Stone stumbled along, pulled by someone that smelled of wood smoke and stale ale. The forest floor quickly left them behind, and Stone could feel smooth and cool rock beneath his bare feet. He wondered briefly when he had lost his shoes. Spots of light filtered through the thick cotton covering his eyes, and he could make out blurry shapes around him. It was total darkness, then a doorway, a long walk, another door. He tried to imagine the layout of his path, but his mind was still fuzzy from whatever drug had caused him to fall asleep at his post. After various doorways and stairs, Stone was finally brought to his knees, a firm hand gripping his shoulder.

“You were supposed to bring the chief, you idiot.” A deep voice growled.

“No, brother, this is just as good. It’s his son!” Stone recognized the voice as the same nasally voice from the wagon. The man gripped Stone’s shoulder even tighter, excited. Suddenly, Stone’s hood was removed and he was blinded by the evening sun. He blinked several times before he could finally look around.

A man clad entirely in black stood before him. His entire body was covered except for a slit where his eyes showed, and his hands, that were stained blood red. Stone glanced around, a dozen or so men, all dressed the same, all with red stains marring the skin of their hands. They were standing against the wall on either side of him. The group stood under a low ceiling, the balcony stretching in a large semi-circle, large enough to house the thirty or so men. There was a low wall acting as protective railing, open above like a long window to the forest. Stone could see tree branches ahead of him, and guessed they must be several stories up in the air.

Stone turned his glare to the man above him, meeting his pale blue eyes through the slit in his mask. The green eyes that had been sizing him up finally glittered with approval as the man nodded.

“Well, you have surprised me.” He said coolly, motioning to the man who dropped Stone’s arm and backed away, a hand on his sword hilt. “Chief Blood Wolf’s son. The natuna’s husband, himself.”

Stone forced a laugh, causing the man’s eyes to flash.

“Something to share?” the man said. 

“The natuna? You believe a child’s story.” Stone said levelly, grinning with what he hoped was the most convincing grin of his life.

“My information is rarely wrong.” The man said, his voice was thick and smooth, as though he were lecturing to a disorderly child.

“Well, it must be one of those rare times.” Stone said, forcing his voice to be even and unconcerned. All the while, he silently cursed his foolishness at getting taken. His mind raced, trying every memory he had to figure out where he was.

“Don’t lie to me.” The man snapped, all coolness gone.

“The natuna is nothing but folklore.” Stone said, just as intensely.

“I am no fool, Stone.” He said his name, as if to prove his own expansive knowledge. “I have eyes everywhere. I have seen the healing power return to the Reanni. I know the powers have reawakened. And, I have been told that your wife is thought to have the blood of Khaya.”

“Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you.” Stone said. “She does not.”

“Really?” the eyes behind the mask widened, in mock sincerity. “Well, that is a disappointment. Just to be safe, though. Why don’t we ask her?”

His eyes flickered to a doorway behind Stone, and Stone followed his gaze. Rabid appeared from the shadows, held by a large man. She stood rigidly, her face set, her teeth clamping down on a piece of cloth. When their eyes met, her eyes widened and Stone’s stomach dropped. Stone shook his head slightly, hoping she understood his warning.

“She does not have the power.” Stone said, turning back to the man with the same feigned calm.

“No power? Why don’t we test that.” The man said, making a flicking motion with his wrist. The man behind Rabid sliced the ropes that bound her hands, and she quickly removed the cloth from her mouth. She squeezed her hands into fists, staring daggers at the man who stood before Stone.

“What do you want from us.” She said firmly.

“Now… what was your name?” the man tapped a knife against his cloth covered chin. “Ah! Yes. Rabid.”

Rabid glanced quickly to Stone, her eyes flicked over his body as if checking for injury, before looking back at the man before them.

“Now, Rabid. Tell me the truth.” The man chided. He pulled Stone toward him and turned him around, until his blade was pressed against Stone’s chest. Rabid’s eyes widened and she took a protective step forward, holding her hand toward them as if to tame the wild animal.

“Wait.” She pleaded, meeting the man’s eyes. Stone clenched his jaw and shook his head again, attempting to warn her. But it was too late, he could already see specks of red sparking in her brown eyes. The man in black saw it too.

“Well, well. What is that I see?” he said, his eyes glowing with victory. Rabid looked away, attempting to blink away the evidence of her power. But when she looked up, the flame-red of the Ravener inside her had blossomed, covering her irises. It flickered as the knife pressed deeper into Stone’s flesh and drew blood.

“It seems you do have the power.” The man said, coldly.

“Because I’m an Omari.” Rabid spat, her voice ringing on the rock walls around them. “I am a Ravener, nothing more. I am not the natuna!”

“You are light born.” the man said, nearly a whisper. Then a cold laugh echoed off the rock around them.

“No.” Rabid said firmly. “I am not.”

The man sighed heavily, looking down at Stone.

“Wait.” Rabid said again, still holding her hand out as though she could stop him. “I will be honest with you.”

“That’s all I want, Rabid.” the man said, lessening the pressure of his blade against Stone’s pounding chest.

“Rabid…” Stone warned.

“Shut up.” the man growled, piercing his flesh again. “It’s rude to interrupt when a woman is speaking.

“They thought I was descendant of Khaya, because of this.” she said quickly, motioning to her eyes as they flickered red. “But when I tried to reawaken the rest of the powers, I couldn’t. I’m just a Ravener, nothing else. I’m just an Omari. I’m not special.”

The man sighed heavily, tsking his tongue at her. 

“Stupid girl. Pretty, but stupid.” Then he looked down at Stone, meeting his eye with a narrow gaze. His green eyes seemed to burn in excitement.

“For your sake, I hope she’s lying.” He said, and shoved his knife through Stone’s flesh.

“NO!” Rabid screamed, the red flicker behind her eyes immediately extinguished.

The pain was excruciating, ripping through his skin and deep into his chest. Stone gasped as the cold metal was pulled from his body. He blinked several times, looking at Rabid’s blurring form as she shrieked, her hands were on him in a moment, trying to stop the bleeding. Stone couldn’t speak through the pain, instead he felt himself sliding more toward the floor. Don’t be stupid, he opened his mouth to say, but nothing came out.

He looked for a moment into her deep brown eyes, filled with tears, and felt only peace.

“Oh, dear, don’t be afraid.” The voice from above him was fading from his ears, challenging Rabid. “You have the power to heal him, don’t you?”