Born of Fire: The Dawn of Legend (88 page)

“Well, it’s a good thing, indeed, that I came after you two. Otherwise you would have had to walk all the way back to get these.” She pushed past the two of them and placed a small brown pouch on the counter in front of the keeper. “I think these should cover everything we need.”

Giving her a quizzical look, the keeper untied the pouch using the claw on his left middle finger and dumped out its contents on the counter, revealing seven fire stones. “Well, now,” he said with a look of surprise. “I don’t see too many of these in these parts. How did you come about them, if I might ask?”

“Our particular convoy does a lot of trading in the southeast, mostly in and around HafNar, where some of the larger fire stone mines are located.”

“I see,” he said, picking up one of the stones and admiring the dim glow from within. “Well, I must agree that this should indeed be enough for whatever it is you require from me, which if I’m not mistaken, your two friends were just in the process of telling me what that was.”

“Oh, it’s not much,” she said in a cheerful tone that was new to the boy’s ears. “I assure you.”

“Ask away.”

“Well, let’s see, we’ll need five loaves of stone bread, about a hundred kilos of dried fish, ten roasted tree-tusk lizards, sixteen clay roots, and five carrying pouches, please.”

Rex and EeNox were stunned at her unprecedented sunny and chipper demeanor. As far as they had seen, LyCora had always been moody, condescending, and overly pessimistic, tempering only slightly around her mother. Here she was the complete opposite, acting more like DiNiya than herself.

“Well, that’s not nearly as much as I expected, I must say,” the merchant said. “I thought you would have been acquiring five times that much for an entire convoy, even a small one.”

“Oh, it’s not for the whole convoy,” she replied. “Just for our wagon in particular.”

“Is that right?”

“You see, we have two pregnant SaVarians riding with us, and well, you know how much they can put away when they are far enough along,” she laughed.

“Indeed,” he replied, laughing along with her. “Well, then I’ll not keep you any further. I’ll just gather your items so you can get back to your people as soon as possible. Please, feel free to have a seat anywhere in the meantime.”

“Thank you very much,” she said graciously while bowing her head.

The merchant turned and began the task of gathering the items they requested, while LyCora led Rex and EeNox to the far right corner.

“Wow, were we happy to see you come when you did,” Rex exclaimed.

“I should think so,” she replied angrily. “What were you two thinking of coming in here with nothing to trade? Did you expect him to just give you what you wanted because of those horrid sneers you were trying to pass off as smiles?”

“Hey, that was his idea this time!” Rex said accusingly, motioning to EeNox with his head.

“Well, I didn’t hear you coming up with anything better,” EeNox defended. “In any case, where did you get those fire stones, LyCora?”

“I’ve had them on me ever since we left KaNar.”

“But everything we had on us burned up when we shifted the other day in the plains,” Rex said.

“Not everything,” she said, giving him a telling glance.

“Of course,” EeNox said as he suddenly realized. “Fire stones, being what they are, wouldn’t have burned up like our clothes.”

“But where were you keeping them this whole time?” asked Rex, eyeing her. “That pouch would have burned up with everything else.”

“Clutched in hand,” she replied simply. “The pouch I…well, let’s just say one of the traders outside unknowingly made a tiny contribution to our valiant cause.”

“You stole it?” EeNox said with a look of surprise.

“It was that or we walk out of here with nothing, or worse yet, arousing suspicion—something you both would have probably succeeded at doing had I not stepped in and saved us all.”

“Okay, okay,” EeNox, conceded. “You’re right. Thank you for saving us.”

“That’s more like it, and you’re welcome.”

“How are AnaSaya and ShinGaru?” Rex asked.

“Still waiting for us on the outskirts of town,” she replied, glancing back at the entrance. “I just hope no one sees them. I can’t imagine what people will say if they get a look at ShinGaru. Come to think of it, Rex, has anyone said anything about you?”

“Thankfully, no,” he said, taking a quick look at the counter where the merchant was now filling the traveling sacks with the various items. “But those two over there are making me more than a little uncomfortable.”

LyCora looked behind him to the far wall, where the VeVora and CeraVora were eyeing them warily while conversing between themselves.

“You think they suspect something?”

“Don’t know, but it’s like you said, how many DyVorians like me do you see walking around here, or anywhere for that matter?”

“I know,” she said uneasily, risking another look at the two. “Let’s just get what we came for and get out of here quickly. Even if their suspicions are roused, there won’t be much they can hopefully do if we move on before they can get any sort of word out.”

“I hope you’re right,” EeNox said. “Especially with word from KaNar that we’re on the run already having reached here.”

“What?” she asked in surprise, her feathers standing on end.

“Oh, we didn’t mention that?”

“You seem to have left out that crucial little piece of information! How long ago?”

“Two days,” Rex said.

“Was it by CyTorian?”

EeNox nodded. “One of ours, no doubt.”

“And they said they’re looking for SaVarians or DyVorians?”

“Both, from what he made it sound like.”

LyCora slumped her shoulders. “Well, this just got more complicated.” She stood in silence for a moment, working over everything she had learned in her mind. “Something’s not right.”

“What do you mean?” Rex asked.

“If CyTorians brought word that five teenage DyVorians were on the run, then why wouldn’t they have given them a detailed description?”

“Well, they would have, I’m assuming. What’s your point?”

“If that’s the case, don’t you find it odd that bells didn’t sound off in their heads when you two walked in? Especially you, Rex! There’s no mistaking you for anyone else, to be sure.” A sting of panic suddenly shot through them as they glanced back at the merchant behind the counter.

“You think he knows?” asked EeNox.

“Count on it,” Rex replied. “We’ve been tricked.”

“What do you mean?”

“He means word was probably sent out that we’ve been spotted the moment you stepped through that door, and that merchant has been stalling you all this time.”

“That explains those two over there,” Rex said, motioning to the two DyVorians still keeping a close eye on them from the opposite end of the room.

“We need to get out of here right away,” she professed.

“But what about the supplies?” EeNox protested.

“Forget them,” Rex said. “VayRonx and the others could be almost here! If we don’t get out of here now we may not get another chance!”

“But if we try to leave without taking what we’ve traded for, then they’ll know we’re on to them,” said EeNox.

Rex looked at the counter and saw that the merchant had everything pretty much together, then back at LyCora, who shook her head, as if she knew what he was thinking. Knowing her, Rex thought, she probably did. “Follow my lead,” he said and headed towards the counter.

“Damn it,” LyCora growled.

The three of them approached the merchant, who looked up as he saw them coming. Rex was not sure exactly how this was going to play out, but he did not relish losing the fire stones for nothing. Suddenly, he heard a voice he had not heard for some time in his head.

Rex
, said EliCia.
You must not chance this. Run now while you have the chance! Please, I implore you!

You sure picked a fine time to chime back in
, Rex replied back in his head.

I’m sorry if you felt as if I had abandoned you. I assure you that was never the case, but there were circumstances that prevented me from reaching you
.

Whatever. Now’s not the time to get into this, anyway
.

While commendable it may be, you trying to help your friends, you will only do them a great disservice if you are caught now!

Ignoring her, Rex stepped up to the counter and greeted the merchant. “Hello, again. How are things coming along here with the items we’ve asked for?”

“Just fine,” the merchant replied kindly. “However, there was the matter of me being out of stock of one of the items you requested, so I sent word to have it retrieved from my storehouse. It should not take much time; however, by the time it arrives and things get settled here, it will be rather late in the day, leaving you only a few hours of light for you and your convoy to travel. I would recommend you take lodging here for the night. I can send word to your convoy, which you can regroup with in the morning.

“That is very kind of you sir,” said LyCora. “But we really must be on our way. You see, there is much work to be done, and we would not want to push our duties on others. Still, we thank you for your gracious offer, just the same.”

“Yes, thank you,” echoed EeNox.

“Whatever item it is you are short on I’m sure we can do just fine without it,” said Rex.

“Nonsense,” said the merchant. “I would hate to send you on your way short of anything, especially after having been traded something as important as fire stones. Please, I really must insist.”

“As do I,” Rex said, placing a hand on one of the pouches filled with goods. It was at that moment that the mood in the air changed, for any illusion of propriety was quickly crumbling. Rex, EeNox, and LyCora knew they had to leave but did not know to what lengths their hosts would go to keep them there. Tensions were mounting, and Rex knew there was only one way to test the shopkeeper’s measure. “We’ll be going now,” he said, taking the pouch in his claws and stepping away with it. In the process, he caught a look of surprise or anger from the merchant. As if triggered by some silent signal, the other two DyVorians behind began walking towards them, but it was not the slow and cautious approach as before. No, this time they were clearing the space between them at a brisk pace, with all manner of intent. Following his lead, EeNox and LyCora grabbed the rest of the bags and turned from the counter just in time to come face to face with the VeVora and CeraVora.

“Excuse us,” LyCora said testily.

The CeraVora shook his head. “Afraid not, young one.”

“You would dare to imprison us?” she asked furiously. “Weary travelers who’ve made honest trade? Wait until the alpha of our tribe hears of this!”

“Well, that would be the idea, would it not, LyCora?” replied the VeVora.

“H…how do you know my name?”

“We know all your names. Mine is KyStov and this is ManaTy. We are here on behalf of Alpha TorMarr.”

“So, let me guess, you were sent here in case we showed up?” EeNox asked.

“Indeed,” replied KyStov. “But not just here. TorMarr has dispatched people all over the MoraDay tribal lands to seek you out.”

“Fantastic,” EeNox replied sarcastically.

“We had a hunch you would turn up here first, seeing as how it was the first real settlement directly west of KaNar,” explained ManaTy. “I am only relieved that we found you before something happened to you all. The wild lands are no place for five as young as yourselves to be running around alone. You should consider yourselves fortunate to have made it this far.”

“We can handle ourselves out there just fine,” EeNox said.

The two of them turned in his direction. “Based on the description given to us by the messenger from your tribe, we know you must be EeNox,” ManaTy said, glancing over at the boy. “And you,” he added, his gaze shifting over and stopping on the red-eyed youth who seemed to regard them both with an encroaching glare, “you must be Rex. My word. I had scarcely believed it when they described you: a silver plume DyVorian with red eyes. Very reminiscent of something else, but of course you could not be…could you?”

Rex was growing tired of this sort of attention. Was the only way for him to get everyone to stop gawking at him like some sort of freak to stitch his eyes shut and seal his flame away like DiNiya? he wondered. Leaning in close, ManaTy asked, “Show me your flame, Rex.”

Rex looked up and locked eyes with him. “Okay.” ManaTy’s eyes widened as it became clear to him that he’d asked for more than he wanted. “Rex, no!” EeNox and LyCora shouted, but just as they uttered the words, they were blown back across the room by a sudden and massive outburst of power.

Outside, AnaSaya and ShinGaru, along with the people in the streets, watched the large red fireball rise into the sky. “This can’t be good,” ShinGaru said. Then out of the smoke and dust, Rex, EeNox, and LyCora emerged, running with looks of panic.

“Something’s wrong,” AnaSaya finally said.

“Yes, I’m inclined to agree,” he replied, regarding the ominous remnant of red glow in the sky.

Rex had realized that he had probably not handled the situation in the best way by destroying the trading hut. Even now, guilt crept into his mind, but it did little to get in his way, for once someone managed to crawl beneath his skin, a peaceful resolution was almost never an option. Still, as he and the other two now darted through the streets, he feared that he might have inadvertently made things worse for all of them.

“We need to get back to the others,” EeNox shouted, “and get as far from here as quickly as we can!”

“Easier said than done,” LyCora fired back. “They’ll be hunting us now for sure!” She shot a flicker of flame at Rex, who snarled in return.

“What the hell was I supposed to do?” he countered. “They already knew who we were!”

Suddenly they heard the sound of pursuers, and they glanced back quickly to see ManaTy and KyStov charging after them.

“That didn’t take long,” LyCora said. “So much for that little stunt of yours earning us enough time to escape!”

“You got any better ideas, feel free to share!” Rex said, rounding a corner.