The Atheil Chronicles: A Call to Fire

Chapter 10

Dozens of old wooden buildings lined the dirt streets, horse-like creatures with scales, and other strange beasts, tethered to posts in front of them. The scene reminded Ariana vaguely of one from an old western film, the buildings having the same sort of 'old timey' feel about them. The strangest thing about the town, though, was the lack of movement; not a soul was in sight.
"Ryonen." She whispered. "Where is everyone?"
He turned to her and put a finger to his lips. "They're probably all inside." He said softly. "It's almost nightfall; most people try not to go out after that."
About halfway across the small town, a door slammed and a large burly creature came lumbering out. From their spot in the trees, Ariana could just barely make out what it looked like. It had rough moss colored skin with bumps all over its body and thick limbs that reminded her of the trunks of trees. It wore a pair of roughly cut tan pants and a matching vest. As her eyes traveled to its face, she had to hold back a gasp when she saw that its head was about the size of a small boulder with bulbous bright orange eyes and a crooked mouth that hung open. Its hair was disheveled and looked like it was made of olive colored vines.
Waddling across the porch, the strange creature made its way to the railing where it blew into its hands and raised them into a nearby lantern that hung from the rafters. When it pulled its hands away, the lantern was glowing bright red. Simultaneously, all the lanterns in the town lit up red as well, casting a disturbing glow upon the surrounding area. The creature looked down the row of buildings and then let out a guttural scream that seemed to hang in the air long after it was done.
Very slowly, it disappeared inside and Ariana turned to Ryonen. "What was that thing?" She asked.
He put a hand to his head, not answering her. "Crap." He whispered into his hand, the words muffled and barely audible.
Ariana looked back to the building that the large man had come out of. "Ryonen, what was that?" She asked again, not sure why he wasn't answering her.
Ryonen finally pulled his hand away from his face and gave her a concerned look. "This is going to be a little bit of a problem." He turned away and surveyed the other buildings. "I didn't expect this. If I had, I wouldn't have brought you here."
Even though she had no idea what was going on, Ariana felt herself growing more and more panicked by Ryonen's reaction. If something worried him, it should definitely worry her, she thought. She glanced at his face again and could practically see the thoughts whirring through his head. Finally, he indicated that she should come closer to him and she obliged, crouching down beside him and holding her breath as she waited for him to speak.
Ryonen frowned and pursed his lips as he gazed toward the building. After a moment of additional thought, he reached up to touch her shoulder, pointing to the building closest to them on the edge of town. The hand painted sign outside of it read 'Clothing and Supplies'.
"See that building?" He asked. "That's where we're going, but I need you to be very quiet. Okay?"
"Ryonen, what-?" She tried again to ask, but he shook his head to quiet her.
Ariana shut her mouth and he nodded in approval before grabbing her hand. His lean body was tense as he crept forward to look both ways, finally stepping out into the open and breaking into a fast sprint toward the building while grasping Ariana's hand tightly in his own.
When they reached the front door of the shop, Ryonen rapped the wood three times and then stopped, waiting. The sign in the window said closed, but Ariana heard the echo of footsteps sounding from inside after some time. When they finally stopped, someone pushed aside the curtains of the window and, a few seconds later, the lock clicked and the door opened a crack.
"What do you want?" A male voice asked
"We need supplies. Please, let us in, I have money." Ryonen whispered, moving closer to the crack in the door.
"The sign says closed. Come back when it's light." The voice said briskly.
The door started to close and Ryonen reached forward to put his hand in front of it, blocking it. "Please." He said. "We don't have time for this. We need your help."
"If you don't move your fingers off my door, I'm going to shut it on them." The voice sounded angry now, and maybe a little scared.
Ryonen reluctantly removed his hand but leaned forward. "And if you don't let us in, we won't live to see the daylight."
Ariana's heart raced in her chest and she turned to look at Ryonen with a startled expression. Did he really mean that, she wondered. Apparently the man on the other side believed he did because, a moment later, he opened the door another few inches. She saw a man's face come into focus, and a pair of brown eyes surveyed them through the crack. They scanned over Ariana and then fell on Ryonen, the eyes widening. He let out a soft gasp.
"Oh my." The man said, his tone now one of surprise. "Come in, and hurry before anyone sees you."
He threw open the door and Ryonen rushed forward, yanking Ariana in behind him. As soon as they were in the door, the man shut it softly and bolted it shut. He turned to them and she noted that he was an Elf just like Ryonen. He was handsome, with golden brown eyes and shoulder length silver hair that was pulled back with a band, but he had a wary look about him. "What have you done?" He asked, his eyes once again falling on Ariana. "Why did you bring her here?"
She looked back at him, confused. Ryonen still hadn't let go of her hand yet, and he squeezed it before finally releasing it. "We needed supplies and this town was the closest to us." He said, ignoring the first part of the question.
The Elf turned his gaze to Ryonen, now. "It's forbidden for a human to be here."
Ryonen stepped in front of her protectively, his hand gripping hers from behind. "I know the laws." He said, and his tone held something Ariana couldn't quite comprehend. There was a sudden strength and authority to his voice as he spoke. "I also know that if I had left her behind then she would have been captured or, worse, killed."
The Elf only shook his head in response to this. "It isn't our responsibility. There are laws in place for a reason."
Ryonen was about to respond when Ariana pushed past him angrily. He tried to pull her back with the hand he had been holding, but she wrenched it out of his grip. "So just because I'm a human that means that I don't matter? Is life that unimportant to you that you just sit back and let innocent people get kidnapped or murdered?"
"Human affairs are of no matter to Elves. You can't expect us to save you from yourselves." He replied, unbothered.
Ryonen put a hand on Ariana's shoulder to calm her and turned to address the Elf. "It wasn't a human affair that I saved her from, it was Elves."
He raised his eyebrows, clearly taken aback at the news. "What are you talking about?"
Ryonen walked over to him and said something that Ariana couldn't hear. The Elf's face grew serious as he spoke and, after a minute or two, Ryonen stepped back and gave the Elf a meaningful look that she couldn't quite read.
"I apologize." The Elf said, his expression changing instantly as he turned to Ariana. "It seems that I was too quick to judge the situation. I'll help you." He bowed his head at them ever so slightly. "My name is Vultan."
Ryonen smiled encouragingly at her before turning to Vultan. "This is Ariana."
Vultan nodded at her. "Pleased to meet you." He said, and then returned his gaze to Ryonen. "Now, what exactly can I do for you?"
"I need clothes for her, preferably something that will make her fit in. Do you have anything?" Vultan motioned toward the back room. "This way." He said simply.
They followed him quietly to the back, and Ariana took the time to look around her. The walls were lined with beautiful dresses and tunics of all shades, with chests lining the floor everywhere she looked. Vultan walked over to a wall and, after thinking about it for a second, pulled out several long dresses. He handed them to Ariana and pointed to a door to the right of them.
She took the dresses clumsily and threw them over her arm, mumbling her thanks before heading in the direction he had indicated. Once inside, she shut the door firmly behind her and leaned against it, taking in a deep breath. There was a bed and a dresser on the wall directly opposite her and a full length mirror leaned up against the wall to the left of her. Throwing the dresses on the bed, she quickly undressed, her clothes falling in a heap on the ground. She gave them a forlorn look before picking up the first dress, a magenta colored floor length dress with ruffles at the bottom and gold trim at the sleeves. She made a face before immediately throwing it aside, wanting something a bit simpler.
The next dress she picked up was a gorgeous shade of azure blue. After staring at it for a few more seconds, she pulled the satin fabric over her head, feeling it fall gently into place on her body. After adjusting it at her collar, she stepped in front of the mirror and then gave a sharp intake of breath at her appearance. The dress was stunning; it had a neckline that just barely went past her collarbone and sleeves that came to her elbows. The fabric tightened at her waistline and then flared to fall in shining satin folds before stopping just above her ankles. The sleeves and the collar were lightly embroidered with silver threading and beading, a matching silver belt tied at her waist and then left to flow down the back. She had never worn anything like it in her whole life, and she felt both beautiful and maybe a little uncomfortable.
She eventually opened the door and stepped back out into the room. Ryonen was nowhere in sight but Vultan was waiting for her, leaning against the threshold and looking out toward the front of the shop. When he heard her come out, he turned around.
He gave her a once over before flashing a small smile. "It fits, I see."
"Yeah." She said tersely, still upset at how unwelcoming he had been before.
He studied her as she stood by the door, looking around for Ryonen. "You aren't fond of me." He observed. He didn't sound angry, just matter-of-fact.
Feeling a blush creeping into her cheeks, she reached up to push a stray strand of hair behind her shoulder. "It's not that I don't like you," She said slowly. "In fact, I don't even know you enough to really feel any sort of way about you."
"But..." He prompted, raising an eyebrow.
"But," she said, continuing, "you were going to leave us out there to possibly get killed, just because I'm a human." She narrowed her eyes at him, waiting for his response.
Vultan nodded as if he had expected her to say that. "You have to understand, these are dangerous times we're living in right now. Not just in Atheil itself, but this town specifically. I wasn't even going to answer the door when I first heard it..." He paused and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "But I did anyway."
Ariana crinkled her eyebrows. "Why?" She asked, then clarified. "I mean, if you weren't going to answer the door, what changed your mind?"
Vultan picked a loose thread off of his sleeve and they both watched as it fell slowly to the floor. Then he looked up. "I don't know." He admitted. "I shouldn't have; they've been watching us closely here, waiting for someone to slip up and pay the price for it..." He trailed off. "Like I said, I did it anyway."
She was quiet for a minute while she thought. While what Vultan was saying sounded reasonable on the surface, she knew that it didn't justify his blatant disregard for those around him. "I know that I'm not from here," she said slowly, "but I also know that it's during the bad times when people need your help most of all. If you can't stand up for another person, you'll never have anyone willing to stand up for you. I just-" she took a deep breath. "I just don't think that I could never forgive myself if I ignored someone in trouble. Complacency can be just as bad as actively participating."
Vultan simply looked at her, his face taken aback. He almost looked ashamed as he looked down at his hands. "It isn't not that easy." He said, but Ariana stopped him.
"Doing the right thing is hardly ever easy." She replied, and then swallowed. "Sometimes you have to put what's right before what's easy." Her heart wrenched with sadness as she could practically hear her mother echoing those very words in her mind. It was one of her favorite things to say to Ariana growing up. 
She couldn't continue arguing anymore, so she looked around the room again, noticing something she hadn't seen before. On the wall, half hidden behind a rack of dresses, was a painting. From the little that could be seen, it was a gorgeous woman with long brown hair and eyes that were the lightest shade of blue. She wasn't exactly smiling in the portrait, but you could see the happiness reflected in her eyes somehow.
She nodded toward the painting, unable to curb her curiosity. "Who is she?" She asked him.
Vultan followed her gaze and Ariana saw sadness spill into his features. "That's Niri, she was my wife."
Ariana instantly regretted opening her mouth. The pain that flickered across Vultan's face made her feel a pang of guilt. "What happened to her?" She asked quietly.
Vultan sat down on a chest nearby, his eyes fixed on the painting. "She was killed." He said. "It was a long time ago, almost 10 years now. She was a dancer, my wife. She used to travel to the small villages between the 4 kingdoms and give lessons for a few days before coming home. When Atheil fell, she limited her travel to the villages surrounding us, though I begged her not to go at all anymore. I thought things were growing too dangerous, but she was always strong willed, Niri. She saw the joy she brought the children when she came to their villages and she wasn't willing to stop until things got bad enough to where she was forced to stop. One night, she was on her way home from a village about 10 miles from here. She had been delayed leaving and ended up leaving close to nightfall." He gave Ariana a dejected look. "She had been to that village a million times; she thought it would be fine to walk the familiar path back home, even if it had become dark outside." Now he stopped, taking in a breath and closing his eyes at his own memories. "A group of goblins stopped her on her way home. She was armed but there were 5 or 6 of them. They had seen her dancing in the village for the children and told her to dance for them, but she was a proud woman and refused. When she wouldn't do what they wanted, they tortured her, ripping through her with their talons. When they had attacked her, she was only a few miles from here and several of the men here heard her screams. They were able to fight off the goblins and found her face down in the dirt on the side of the street before bringing her back here. I barely even recognized her because of all the blood."
"My god." Ariana said, horrified beyond words. She regretted even asking him.
He continued in the same faraway voice as if she hadn't spoken. "I picked her up and held her, watching as she died in my arms, choking on the blood that had filled her lungs." He turned to Ariana with haunted eyes. "This world is not a good place anymore, Ariana. There are those who would harm you without a moment's hesitation. Some would even do it just because they were bored and because they enjoy it. Ryonen told me about your mom," he added, and now he was looking at her with something like pity.  "I'm sorry. No one deserves to lose the one they love." He said.
Ariana felt her throat tighten at his words and nodded. "I'm sorry, too." She said, and she meant more than just her mom. She was sorry for him, for herself, and for everyone in this world who seemed to be suffering because of this Malor guy.
They both grew quiet and Ariana realized that, despite initial appearances, Vultan was a gentle soul like herself. She herself was only just learning that suffering and loss brought out different reactions in people and that, sometimes, those who appear callous and uncaring on the surface can be those with the biggest hearts. Suddenly, a door opened and Ryonen stepped out, his focus on a thin sword in his hand. He walked into the back room where Ariana and Vultan were talking, not noticing either of them as he studied the sword. Once he reached the middle of the room, he looked up and noticed Vultan standing there. Then he turned his eyes to Ariana. 
His eyes widened slightly and he took in a breath. "Ariana." He said, shaking his head and staring at her. "You look-well, I mean, it looks really nice."
Ariana's face burned even more as she took a few steps closer to the two of them. "Do I blend in?" She asked, giving a self-conscious glance down at herself.
He took her hand lightly and, without thinking, ran his free hand down her sleeve, his fingers lightly brushing the skin of her forearm as it trailed off before dropping to his side. "Definitely." He said. He sounded uncharacteristically breathless.
Vultan gave a small cough and they both looked at him, Ryonen dropping his hand from hers quickly. Without a word, Vultan went to open a large dark umber chest covered in metal figures that were welded onto the lid. After rummaging around for a bit, he finally pulled out two bundles of fabric. "You might also need these." He said, tossing them to Ryonen lightly.
Ryonen caught them, opening them up to reveal two velvet cloaks, one a deep forest green and one that was midnight blue. Ryonen handed Ariana the blue one and she quickly threw it around her shoulders, buttoning it at her throat.
Ryonen did the same with his and then turned to Vultan, digging in his satchel for some gold coins before reaching to place them in Vultan's hand. Vultan moved back, shaking his head. "I don't want it."
"Come on." Ryonen retorted. "Surely you must want some compensation for these?"
Vultan just smiled and gave Ariana a pointed look. "No. I think it's time that I start helping others again. I've spent too long in the shadows hiding myself away, I stopped caring about what happened to those around me."
Ariana felt her heart swell at his words. She stepped forward and held out her hand to Vultan, a peace offering for how she had talked to him. "Thank you so much for your help. Truly." He looked at her hand and ignored it, stepping forward to embrace her lightly.
Ariana was taken aback by this and stiffened in surprise before reaching up a hand to return the hug. "You were right. " He said, whispering the words into her ear so only she could hear it. "I had become complacent; Niri dying took the fight right out of me. But she would be so ashamed of me if she knew I stood aside while someone innocent was hurt and there was some way I could help."
She swallowed and felt tears rise to her eyes. "It's never too late to change." She said to him, both of them pulling away from each other.
Vultan kept her gaze as they took a few steps back, Ariana coming to stand beside Ryonen. Then his face became serious and he turned his attention to Ryonen. "You have to be careful out there, Ryonen. Word is out that any human seen in Atheil is to be turned in to Malor's officials. Everyone will be looking for you."
Ariana glanced at  Ryonen, horrified. "How did he get the word out so fast?! It hasn't even been a full day!"
Ryonen shook his head and spoke to Vultan. "Is Corda compromised?"
Vultan nodded immediately. "It is. Did you happen to see our newest resident?"
"Do you mean the giant troll you have living a few buildings down? Yes, I've seen him. What's he doing here?"
"He was sent here to be something of a sheriff. He's the one that announced that any human found must be turned in." Vultan leaned in closer. "I don't know what Malor wants with you, Ariana, but he certainly wants you bad. He hasn't even mentioned Ryonen in any of the announcements." He turned his gaze to Ryonen. "You must protect her at all costs."
Ryonen breathed in sharply at the news. "I will." He said, his voice strong with certainty. He held out a hand to Vultan. "How can I ever thank you enough?"
Vultan shook his hand and then led them to a door off to the side that exited near the forest. "Thank me by staying alive." He said simply.
They stepped outside and Ryonen flipped up his hood, looking back. "We will." He said, starting toward the dark woods.
Ariana pushed her hood up, too, and gave Vultan a look that she hoped conveyed how much gratitude she felt. "Goodbye Vultan." She said, quietly.
Vultan leaned against the door and smiled at her warmly. "Goodbye Ariana. I hope we meet again one day under better circumstances"
Ariana nodded and started following after Ryonen when Vultan spoke. "And Ariana?"
"Yes?" She answered.
"Be safe." He said softly.
Ariana once again nodded, smiling, before following Ryonen into the woods and leaving Corda behind them.