EVARIUM: The Blue Flame

Chapter 3

 We vanished into the crowd dodging through the legs of people jumping and rejoicing in the crowd, pretending we were in the middle of warfare surviving flame magica, flying  arrows and vicious sword swings. We stayed close together… always… like a pack of blood-borne wolves linked through kin. The closest to siblings I will ever have.

“This way!” yelled Serene.

  Both Frey and I follow her through an opening in the crowd leading to an alley just between the Ol’bakery in the cities center market and the bar brothel housed beside it. We scurry up some broken crates, climbed a half-twined rope hanging on the edge of the brothel and on to the roof. We could see the whole ceremony from up here. The crowd going wild, the chitter chatter of black dealings happening as the flame guard pass by, the plans of secret gatherings being formed for insider debauchery. The sun setting just in the distance over the horizon and the moon rising adjacent from it. This was our favorite spot to watch the city change from the well-ordered city of Evarium to the mischievous world of free thinkers and criminals.

“There at the top!” Frey pointed to the highest tip of the center keep.

The jagged edge housing the blue flames sigil slowly being illuminated by the beams of moonlight taking over the city. Glistening like a beacon from the twin gods Elvaric and Saphira themselves. As the moonlight slowly covers more and more of city hall and the main district for the rich and wealthy it turns into a show of shining silver and hints of gleaming aqua blue. Walls and pillars lined with diamonds and gemstones each competing for the world’s attention as they desperately cling to the moons light. The blue flame torches lining the front doors and streets of the main district. A sight you only see here. The other less wealthy districts were lit by regular fire created by burning the ends of sticks that were dipped into kadiva-oil. they burned just as bright but gave off an orangey-red color. The unofficial seal that showed the lack of wealth status in ones household.

“I never get tired of this sight” said Serene.

I glance over at her… her perfect golden hair resting just below her ears grazing her shoulders.

“Me either” I thought to myself. 

Frey sitting on the other side of serene. Says nothing. As silent as peace allows…. But just as mesmerized by the display of dancing jewels as we were.

Serene dismissed two of her three dragons previously following her every move. Absorbing the fractional flame power the other two dragons possessed. I notice the relief she felt having gained the power from the other two dragons back. Like a weight has been lifted off of her chest. Her permanent follower lands on her lap and curls up into a ball, looking around attentively. As if constantly seeking out any danger that may hurt her.

I want to talk to her. Create some reason to conversate. But the spontaneous part of my mind comes back empty handed. I feel nervous around her despite knowing her for a majority of my life. So i say the first thing that comes to mind. “I could never figure out which of your dragons is the real one.”

Serene looks over to me with a stern gaze. “They’re all real dummy. As real as the sun. But this one…. This one is me. She is an extension of my flame and who I am. If ever you wonder which one is the real one you need only call her and look into her eyes…”

Call her? I thought to myself. I don't seem to recall ever being told what her name was. “Well, what name did you give her?” I questioned.

“Haven’t you been listening? She is me….” Serene assured me.

Frey joins the conversation the minute he sensed my confusion… “Go on… call her. Look deep into her eyes.”

I near my face to the tiny projection of the fang-tailed dragon and whispered… “Serene.”