A Tale of Time: The Malice of Men

Chapter 28: Fire

Fire consumes. Fire cleanses. Fire blooms. Fire grows.

When there is grass the fire follows. Burning all that dare to stand.

And neither hut nor palace grand

Can save men from the burning brand.

Her heart still beat loudly. She saw enemies in every corner, daggers and cups of poison everywhere. What she was doing was beyond treason. This was bigger than the Greatsbanes. This was bigger than Ëra. But it was so dangerous, and she was so small. 'You can do this.' Part of her said. 'You must do this.' The other half pointed out.

It had been so many years since the day young Rayenna was escorted to the house of the Ironsmiths. They were a young and happy couple. The man was tall and dark with dark hair and a coarse, dark beard. He was handsome in a rough sort of way. The woman was also tall and graceful. Her tummy was swollen and Rayenna realized with great wonder that she was pregnant. She never bothered to ask why the Ironsmiths were chosen despite this. The family was completely ordinary except for this fact. They did not stand out in any way and that was exactly the sort of company Rayenna needed.

"Keep her safe." Her escort had said the day he left her at their doorstep. The would - be father was a little taken aback and initially refused, fearing for the safety of his wife, although he did not know what sort of trouble the little girl at his doorstep was in. But then, he showed him something, Rayenna didn't know what, but it made the father's face turn white and he accepted immediately. "Who is she?" The other had asked, regarding Rayenna. Her escort was already leaving. "A promise." He said, and that was the last time she saw him. Rayenna knew the truth. She always knew it. She was much more than a promise, but she was told to keep it a secret, so she hid it well.

To avoid any uncomfortable questions, the Ironsmiths moved to another village in some conspicuous haste. Luckily, nobody asked too many questions. For ten years, Rayenna called that place home, but home was somewhere else. The Ironsmiths had been kind to her, bearish and commanding though she was as a child. Part of that nature never left her. Rayenna couldn't help it. She had gifts that no one else in Ëra did.

"Fourteen bloodlines." She whispered to herself, staring at her tiny palms. "And I'm the last one." She hid the truth well, waiting for the sign until she thought it would never come, but it did: The man in black whom Robert had followed was Baldr, an emissary of the Giants. Everything was in order, the colors, the arms and the proof he had shown her: giant-crafted silver. The time had come, the giants were ready. Rayenna trembled, even though she knew she was on their side. Even to her, who was soon going to be in the thick of things, the giants remained a mystery. She knew no more about them than the people around her. The giants had helped her, but she never saw them. She heard of their activities from Baldr, but not much. He did not reveal more than he was permitted to. The initiator had been chosen: a rather powerful woman who lived in the Western Isles.

Then there was Robert. Robert was not just being bothersome. He was being very good at it. The Gods alone know how she managed to give him the slip every single time. The last time, she had only just managed to cover it all up. Baldr was quick to notice and played along well. Perhaps this was not the first time he had to pretend. Naturally, she was greatly surprised to learn that Robert was one of the chosen. He told her that once they had scared Robert into running out. He told her a lot more in the ancient lands of the giants that was now underground. They used to live there, until they came out in curiosity. When they saw men, they buried their ancient homes and made common dwelling with man, sharing their knowledge and strength, but what happened after that is a sad story.