Fire Mage by John Forrester

and shuffled out of the chambers. Leave Naru tomorrow? Leave his home and family, perhaps never returning…tomorrow?

10. THE FIRE SWORD
     

    After Talis left the Elder’s chambers, he searched around the city for Mara but couldn’t find her anywhere. He finally gave up and returned home at twilight. His house was dark and warm, shadows dancing on the walls. Mother sat by the fire, knitting a wool scarf, and Father glanced at Talis and sighed, shifting uncomfortably in his chair.
    “Where have you been? Looking for that Lei girl?”
    “It was her prayer that summoned the champion. The Goddess Nestria heard her.”
    “Well her father has her locked up good now. You saw his face when you mentioned his daughter’s name. Vellar just about threw a fit.” Garen chuckled, as if amused at his own private joke. “Serves him right, I suppose. She’s a wild one, that girl. Lady Malvia faces an impossible task containing her.”
    “You used to be friends with Mara’s mother?” As soon as Talis said it, he knew it was the wrong thing to say. His father’s face darkened, brooding on some old wound.
    Father sniffed, lifting his head as if leaving everything unpleasant behind. “Tomorrow then, it’s all settled. Do you require help from the servants on packing for the voyage? I imagine traveling lightly is the way to go.”
    Talis noticed the color drain from his mother’s face as Father talked. Wrinkles formed hard crevices on her forehead, and her breath went shallow. She sighed, her body rigid, eyes glazed over as she stared at the flames.
    After a long silence, she whispered, “Where is he going?”
    Talis grimaced as his mother lowered her head in a gesture of defeat.  
    “Far away, dear…north across the desert, past the barren lands, to an island, I suppose. Not on any of our maps, but there nonetheless.”
    “But he’s so young.” Her hands shook, then she calmed herself and put down her knitting.  
    “He’ll be protected by our soldiers.” Garen narrowed his eyes at Talis, puffing on a carved, wooden pipe. “Now then, go on, rest awaits you. We’ll see to everything, just you see.”
    Talis turned and shuffled off, lost in thought. Would they really be protected by their soldiers, out there in the cold lands north of the Nalgoran Desert? And how could he leave Naru without Mara? There had to be a way to see her….

    Early the next morning, before any light touched the sky, Talis stared out his window. A hard lump clenched his stomach as he thought of leaving home for the first time. Would he make it back safe? Or even if he did make it back alive, would there even be a home to come back to? He held the map case, still sensing the warmth inside.
    Downstairs, he gazed at his mother’s face, memorizing every curve and line. He hoped she’d be alright. As if she knew exactly what he was feeling, she reached out and hugged him, and choked back the tears.  
    “Nothing will keep us apart for long…you’ll come back to us, I feel it in my bones.” The weight of her words made him even sadder to leave.  
    His father ambled down the hallway, carrying something wrapped in silk. “I’ve something for you. I’d hope to give this to you when you came of age. It will prove valuable for your journey….”  
    His father handed him a sheathed short sword.  
    Talis withdrew the sword, gaping at the red-tinged steel and ghost patterns and smoky lines running along the blade. A tremendous weight rushed up his arms from the sword, as if imbued with some terrific power. He tensed his arms and winced. Father was giving him this treasure? The sheath was made of blackened leather, and elaborate swirling patterns ran down the spine, with silver studs lining the edge. Talis gasped. It was immaculate. Why would Father give him such a priceless gift?  
    “This…this is for me?” He gazed at the ruby-studded hilt, a puma’s face with ruby eyes shaping the hilt’s edge.  
    “It’s the finest sword in Naru.”