The Blaze Ignites (33 page)

I met her eyes and nodded. “I’m not sure if
you saw Cairikson with his new bow?”

“I did. That’s when I came looking for you
and Rabryn.”

I explained what I saw Rabryn do to get that
bow made. Azrel listened, her eyes widening in disbelief, her brows
dropping in confusion. “Yeah,” I said, nodding in response to her
facial expressions. “You should see him
do
it.”

She rested her head on my shoulder again. “I
didn’t know Salynns could do that.”

“I don’t think they usually can, just
Rabryn.”

“And he’s the only Salynn I’ve ever heard of
that can manipulate elements like turning stone into ice. Only
wizards can do that, and only after years and years of schooling
and practice.”

I shook my head. “I don’t know what’s going
on, but I think there’s something special about your brother.”

Azrel chuckled, “Well I’ve always known
that.” We both laughed gently.

I put her down at the stream. As she began to
undress, I turned my back. “I think these clothes are beyond
repair,” she said, and we both laughed. “They’ll make excellent
fire fuel tonight though.”

I shook my head and then heard her step into
the water. I gave it a few more moments so she could submerge
herself before I turned around. I sat myself on the bank and smiled
at her. “So you met the Gleo’gwyns, huh?”

She nodded. “They saved our butts.”

I grinned a little evilly. “What did you
think of Yarin?”

She paused in her movements and I distinctly
saw her face turn red as she looked at me, stunned. “Um…”

I started laughing. I knew very well the
spells the leader of the Gleo’gwyns looks cast on women. I’d spent
some time with them after they found me on the Ambuel River when
Azrel fell in. We came across many women, all of whom absolutely
tripped over themselves to get close to the man.

Azrel, realizing I was teasing her, splashed
some water at me and glared playfully. “You’re a jerk.”

“What?” I said still laughing, “I’m just
asking.”

Azrel shook her head then her brows dropped
curiously. “What is with him? How can anyone be so…” she got a
little squeamish trying to get the words out.

“Handsome?”

“Perfect?”

We both laughed and it was my turn to splash
her with water, which was pointless since she was already wet, but
it made me feel better. “And
I’m
a jerk?”

Azrel chuckled and waded closer to me. “Come
on. He may have a pretty face, but lots of people have pretty
faces. No one else has your pretty eyes though.”

I smiled and felt myself blush a little. “I
always thought they were freakish.”

Azrel laughed and rested her hand on my knee
and her chin on her hand. “No, they’re beautiful.” She sighed as
she looked into them. “I know you don’t like to talk about your
past but which one of your parents did you get those eyes
from?”

I shrugged. “Neither actually. My father
mostly contributed to them, though. He had
really
pretty
eyes that would put mine to shame.”

She smiled. “I doubt that.”

“His eyes were purple.”

Her eyes widened. “Are you serious?” I
nodded. “Wow, here we are having known each other for sixteen years
and I’m still learning new things about you.”

“Ah well, I never told you much about my past
anyway. You know everything about me from when I was ten years old
and up.”

“Except for the nine years we were
separated.”

“All I did was look for you.” I shrugged. “I
had a few encounters and small adventures here and there, but it
didn’t change who I am, which you know all about.”

She looked at me curiously. “You didn’t…you
weren’t
alone
for that entire nine years, were you?”

I looked at her a moment, studying her. I
could tell from her hesitation that it wasn’t the real question she
wanted to ask. “I wasn’t with any women.”

Her expression visibly relaxed, but she
shrugged like it was no big deal. “Even if you had been, I wouldn’t
have cared. Nine years is a long time to…”

“Azrel,” I interrupted gently and looked into
her eyes, “I wasn’t with any women. I never have been. My only
reason to keep on living was the hope that I would find you someday
and—”

“Here you go,” Rabryn said behind me as he
approached with Azrel’s bathing needs. I let the rest of my
sentence go in a soft sigh as Rabryn sat next to me. “Forfirith
came through, the horses are all back.”

Azrel forced a smile at him and took her
vials into the water. “Did you run the whole way here?” Azrel
asked, trying to be playful.

“Jogged,” Rabryn said, glowing. “But
apparently a Salynn’s jog is as fast as a run.” Azrel looked at him
with playful annoyance and Rabryn laughed. “Come on, Sis. I haven’t
seen you in a week! I missed you. That was the longest time we’ve
spent apart since the day we met.”

Azrel smiled, forgiving him for his
unintentional interruption. “I know. I missed you too.”

“Hurry up and get done. You’re looking worse
with every minute that passes. You need to eat and sleep.”

“Ah, sleep.” Azrel sighed as she continued
washing her hair.

Rabryn leaned into me. “I’m so sorry. Did I
interrupt something a moment ago?”

I smiled at him and shook my head.
“Nope.”

Azrel finished bathing and all of us headed
back towards the road where we’d left everyone. Azrel couldn’t even
walk straight. I had to keep my arm around her waist to steady her.
Her half-closed, red eyes stared at nothing as she stumbled
forward. Though at least she was cleaned up now and wearing a nice
clean tan tunic and grey pants that Rabryn had brought with him,
she still looked like a walking corpse.

“Almost there, Azrel. Then you can
sleep.”

“Sounds good to me.”

On our way back we saw a column of smoke rise
above the trees. I figured the bodies of the Welptacks were being
burned. We finally emerged onto the somber scene of everyone
packing up. I was about to voice a complaint because Azrel and
Reese desperately needed to sleep, but Acalith met my gaze.
“Addredoc wants to go.”

I closed my mouth, not sure what to say. I
could understand Addredoc wanting to leave so badly, but then I
looked at Reese and Azrel in their sad state. I sighed and looked
at Azrel. “You can ride with me. Maybe sleep against my back?”

Azrel swayed with exhaustion. “No, I’ll ride
my horse.” She looked at Reese. “You ride with me and sleep on my
back.” He nodded once and swayed on his feet so badly Lisswilla had
to steady him. He was clean and changed though.

“Azrel you…”

She weakly held up her hand to stop me. “I’ve
got an hour left in me. Addredoc needs to get out of here.”

I pressed my lips together and reluctantly
conceded. “Alright. Let’s go everyone.”

I started to guide Azrel to her horse, but
she paused and looked at Acalith. “I’m sorry that I don’t have the
strength right now to officially name you my Deralilya, but as soon
as…”

Acalith held up her hand. “It’s alright
Azrel, I understand. We’ll get to it when we get to it.”

Azrel nodded, “Thanks.”

I walked with Azrel over to her horse and
helped her mount him. Then I helped Reese mount behind her. I got
on my horse and pulled her up alongside Forfirith in case one or
both of them toppled over.

“I’m sorry if I’ve disappointed you, Azrel…if
I’m not meeting your expectations,” Reese said, his words slurred
together.

Azrel smiled and patted his hands, which were
wrapped around her stomach. “I’m not disappointed. You have far
exceeded
my expectations, Reese. Not many people could
–”

“He’s already asleep,” I said.

Azrel nodded. “Let’s get as far away as we
can while we can. I have to rest Forfirith too.”

I nodded and all of us started our horses
forward as we left Meddyn and Thrawyn in their final resting
place.

Azrel gazed in the direction of their graves
and said a long string of words in Ancient Salynnian. “Thank you
for your loyalty and believing in me. Thank you most of all for the
fine son you left behind to watch over me. Rest in peace, my dear
Salynns. I will miss you.”

Addredoc

“No.” My voice came out in a soft whimper. “I
can’t. I have to be able to protect Azrel.”

“Some son you are!” My mother sneered.
“You’re not even angry that we’re dead, are you?”

“Did you
want
us to die?” my father
asked.

“No,” I sobbed. “How can you say that?”

“Then why aren’t you vengeful for the wrong
done to us?”

“I can’t…I can’t have such hateful, evil
thoughts.” I brought my tear-filled gaze to them. “You know why.
You know better than anyone.”

“Oh save it!” my mother cried. “You’re
pathetic! You’re weak!”

“No I’m not,” I sobbed.

“Yes you are!”

“No…”

“You make me sick!”

“You’re a worthless son!
Worthless
,
Addredoc!”

“Please,” I moaned pathetically. “Please stop
saying such hateful things, Father.”

My name, spat hatefully by my father, echoed
in my ears over and over again as I lay on the floor in misery.
Eventually his voice faded into a louder, clearer voice calling my
name, and I felt myself being shaken.

Then I heard it clear as a bell. “Addredoc!”
But it wasn’t my father.

My eyes slowly opened. I felt numb and half
dead. As the dream faded into reality some feeling tingled back
into my body. I felt like a block of ice that was warming and
melting to the solid touch of the hand on my shoulder. I realized I
was sweating even though I was cold. Feeling a weakness I couldn’t
explain, I turned to see who was touching my shoulder.

The sight of her concerned bright blue eyes
chased away the rest of my nightmare. “Azrel,” I breathed. I saw
Reese kneeling behind her, looking at me with the same concern.
Everyone else lay around the camp, still asleep.

“Are you okay?” she asked her voice filled
with worry.

I rolled over onto my opposite side so I
could face her and nodded. “Just a dream.”

Her fingertips gently rested under my chin
and she tilted my face up to hers. “Addredoc,” she whispered with
her eyes glazing over. Her thumb tenderly brushed my cheek and I
realized it was wet.

I flinched and pulled away from her. I sat
up, frantically wiping my eyes and cheeks. I was crying! How
embarrassing. Shedding tears in front of the White Warrior.

“What was your dream about?” Azrel asked.

I finished drying my face but kept my gaze on
my feet. “I’m sorry I woke you,” I said, not wanting to talk about
it. My voice surprised me by coming out in a raspy whisper. I
attempted to clear my throat, but it was thick and dry.

“Here,” Reese said, handing me a cup of
water.

“Thank you,” I replied and drank the entire
thing. Azrel then gently took the cup from me. Both of them waited
in the darkness for me to explain. I really didn’t want to get into
it. “Did you both get enough rest? I know you were the most
exhausted of us all.”

“Yes,” Azrel replied. “We’d been awake,
actually, for about an hour before we heard you.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. I lay myself back down
on my opposite shoulder, putting my back to her.

Azrel gently rested her hand on my arm. “Tell
me what your dream was about.”

“Just a dream,” I said again, too ashamed to
look at her.

“Please talk to me,” she said softly. “You’ve
suffered a great loss. Both your parents at once.”

I squeezed my eyes shut. “Do you have to
remind me?”

“Do you really want to forget?”

Her words struck me so hard and fast that I
actually flinched. I wrapped my arms around myself to try to hold
myself together, but I started to cry full force. Azrel came around
in front of me, sat me up, and held me against her as my body
jerked in rocking sobs. I cried for my mother and my father and
everything they’d ever been through, only to meet such a messy,
sticky, pointless end. I cried for the peril that the world faced.
I cried for every extra foe we would have to deal with without my
father’s sword master skills and my mother’s magic. I cried for how
alone and abandoned I felt.

“I know it hurts. It’s going to be okay
though,” Azrel softly whispered as she held me close and stroked my
hair.

No, I wasn’t abandoned. I had Azrel and
Acalith, Rabryn and Ortheldo. I would be okay. I
had
to be
okay. My loss should only reinforce my determination to aid in this
mission. Hathum was the Lord of Evil, Evil had killed my parents,
and the White Warrior was going to kill Hathum.

“Addredoc,” Azrel whispered softly. She
placed both her hands on my cheeks and slightly pulled away so she
could look at my face. When I looked up at her, I couldn’t help the
shock that went through me; she was crying too. I watched,
mesmerized, as each white tear fell from her eyes and down her
cheeks. The White Warrior was shedding tears for
me?
Strength filled my heart as I watched those beautiful white tears
fall onto her lap. “Tell me what your dream was about.”

I swallowed. “It was my parents. They were
angry at me. They were”—I squeezed my eyes shut to try to block out
the memory of the dream—“saying hateful things, accusing me of
wanting them dead because I didn’t want to avenge them. I told them
hateful and vengeful thoughts were a gateway to the path of evil
and that I couldn’t start down a path like that. They
know
that!” I looked at Azrel pleadingly. “They know that better than
anyone! After all the evil done to them, it took all the strength
they had to not have vengeful thoughts against Godel and to start
down that dark path. They themselves taught me the importance of
not having such evil thoughts as revenge and hatred! Why were they
so angry at me? I don’t understand how—”