Fire {Elements of Power 1}

Chapter Twenty Four: Jasmine

Jasmine:

I had only ever been sailing once or twice before, with Brae and his family. The experience had been rather different. Queen Grace would fill the sails with wind conjured from nowhere, to send us shooting in the direction she wanted. The experience had been effortless and exhilarating.

The Brizan merchant ship, on the other hand, relied on natural wind to send us across the water. When this was scarce, the sailors would have to move the boat manually with oars, which was a long and laborious process. However, the Brizans were so skilled at their jobs and so in tune with the constantly changing sea that this was hardly ever necessary. The Arcan Realm, with its tree lined shore and glittering rainbow, faded quickly into the distance.

There was nothing like being out at sea, feeling the boat rocking on the waves, watching the fish swim past and plunging down into the water whenever we stopped. But the best part by far was getting to watch the Brizans swim. They were even more graceful underwater than they were on land, if that was even possible. They cut through the sea with such speed and elegance that the first time I watched them I actually gasped - swallowing a bucket load of water in the process - and had to return to the surface gasping for air.

The sailors on the boat had taken to me easily enough. Although the colour of my eyes unnerved them at first, it was also what helped me to fit in, as they were more than happy to treat me like one of their own and I helped out on deck as much as possible. They were slightly more weary of Brody because of his dad, which was fine with him as he didn't like getting too close to the water anyway, preferring to stay in the cabin. The trip to the Helian Realm passed quickly and peacefully.

Except for the dreams, anyway. I had them every night, always the same as the first one, with Brae about to die. And the source of the honey-filled voice was much clearer now. She had strong red streaks running through her hair, almost as if it were on fire, and fierce brown eyes. Her skin was deeply tanned, her lips full and red. She was beautiful, but deadly. All of the figures were clothed in the same black coats, covered in glittering red swirls. Most of them had their hoods up. She was the only one whose features I could make out though and she was the one issuing the order to kill.

The Brizans seemed particularly tuned in to emotions, as I had discovered upon walking into the galley on my first morning, stressed out by my latest dream. All heads had turned towards me, with looks of concern and pity on their faces. I think they assumed I was feeling sea-sick though.

The boat travelled quickly and only three days had passed before the Helian Realm loomed in the distance. Their sun seemed much larger close up, even though it was only a fraction of the size of the Realms' sun. The land was covered in greenery and vegetation, which surprised me a little, although I remembered from my project that they had a tropical climate. It would be great to explore - to feel the warmth of the Helian sun on my skin and wonder at the striking landscape. But saving Brae and the others wasn't going to afford me much time to do that.

As we got closer to land, Brody became more anxious. "I'm not so sure about this."

"Well stay on the boat then!" I snapped, but regretted it immediately. It was perfectly rational for Brody to be afraid. I should have been more afraid myself; this was not going to be easy.

"I'm coming with you. I've come all this way..."

"They need us," I told him softly. He nodded in response.

We had begun to pull into port by this point and I looked over the side as we approached the city. Everything was glass, dazzling, shimmering glass, but dark, so that you couldn't see in. And it was warm - blissfully warm. For the first time in my life I wasn't huddled under layers of clothing and it felt glorious to feel the heat on my bare arms. The warmth seemed to make my skin tingle. Another sailor came around with a cardboard box, which the men were taking dark glasses out off and putting over their eyes. "What are these for?" I asked as he reached me.