The Portal

III 3.12 Ball of Flames

The fire was already burning high in the field overlooking the beach. Earlier that night, while the fire was still low, men had made a long line to jump the fire. Tradition said that the one with the flame of Vashï Ayman in his heart would achieve the feat. So Noa had watched, bored, as nobles willing to impress their loved ones took a chance on the jumps. Beside him, Christine had staked a dose of malt for every nobleman who, as she predicted, would burn the hem of their pants. Now the queue was ending. The more the fire rises, the shyer these lovers become, Noa thought.

- By my count, I owe you three shots - he said.

- Will we reach the four-shot mark? - Christine asked. - Here comes the last challenger.

Noa followed her gaze and watched as a tall, lanky young man took off his coat and deposited it in a girl's arms. As instructed the tradition of the Ball of Flames, all guests wore masks to honor Vashï Ayman's kind heart. After all, for the goddess, beauty didn't matter if there was fire in one's heart. However, despite the masks, it was not difficult to recognize Liam Roparzh's long hair and Bryanna Yahia's reddish strands. The friend's court to Miss Yahia hadn't gone unnoticed by Rariff, but so far he was determined to look the other way. Liam's flighty, inconsequential posture irritated him deeply.

Bryanna Yahia was the only heir to her clan, and one didn't have to know her deeply to see that she was innocent. The Ceremony advisers would never allow an heiress of her lineage to join a nobleman of few possessions and influence like Liam Ace Roparzh. His friendship with Rariff was the only characteristic that set him apart, his family was not prosperous. In the same way that his flirting with Sybilla Hyanchinthe had proved fruitless, so would happen with Miss Yahia. However, Noa feared that this time he would be forced to intervene.

Last year, it had been Sybilla who had realized the error of her involvement and walked away. Since Liam had not been long in finding a new distraction, she had been hurt, but her honor had not been compromised. Sybilla had attentive, caring family and friends, something Noa didn't see around Bryanna. All she had in Shailaja were two friends not much older than herself. One of them had the reputation of being crazy and the other was not at all concerned about her own reputation, let alone a friend's.

- I'll bet a shot against Roparzh - Noa announced.

Liam backed away to take off and, with a quick run on the sand, he jumped high, but the flame licked at his left ankle, singeing his pants. He fell on the other side of the fire, laughing alongside Baldric and Mateo, who helped him dramatically to put out the fire and get to his feet. Then he went to Miss Yahia and, with a bow, kissed her hand.

- Very well, My Kaal. Three against one - Christine held the skirt of her dress so it wouldn't rise in the sudden wind that swept across the field. Placing a hand on her back, Noa escorted her inside. He had seen enough.

A servant approached to pour the wine, but Noa asked him to bring his whiskey. In silence, he watched the dancing couples, the young women swirling in their silver dresses like the wings of Vashï Ayman. By this time of night, hands were freer and smiles easier. For many, masks provided a new kind of freedom. All the ladies wore similar dresses, as tradition dictated, and could go unnoticed if they decided to slip away to one of the inner gardens.

An atmosphere of daring and discovery filled the hall.

Noa toasted with Christine and drank his whiskey. He could have her accompany him to one of the gardens or even invite her to return to Mavi's earlier. But his return to the hall was noticed and he saw that some nobles were already approaching casually. The prospect of leaving Christine didn't appeal to him, but there was no unique opportunity there, for he knew she wasn't like those maidens who needed to hide behind a mask in order to indulge her desires.