Chased By Fire (Book 1) (6 page)

“It was a different time. There were more shapers then. Warriors too. Not like today.” She flipped open the book and looked at one of the pages.
 

When she didn’t say anything, Tan pressed her. “Why would shapers matter?”

She looked up. “Because some think a shaper killed her.” She shook her head. “The only sign of foul play was a dark burn across her chest, as if shaped, but her face was said to have been peaceful.” She opened her book and studied one of the pages. Tan wondered what she’d written there. “I don’t know what shaper could have done such a thing. Not Theondar, as the rumors of the time would have you believe.” She seemed offended by the suggestion. “But a priceless heirloom went missing, and who other than Theondar had access to her rooms?” She said the last mostly to herself.

When he was younger, Tan’s father had told stories of the warriors so the name Theondar meant something to Tan. To most people in the kingdoms, likely. A warrior who’d stopped the Stinnis surge single-handedly. Who’d pushed back the Roke when they threatened invasion. The exploits of Theondar were some of his favorites.
 

“Did you know him?” Somehow, the idea that she’d known Theondar impressed him more than her knowing the princess.
 

“No one really knew Theondar. He was…arrogant and stubborn, but talented unlike almost any other shaper save Lacertin. A sad thing we lost them both.”

His father never really spoke of what happened to the warriors after the war. And since they’d come to Nor, he probably didn’t know. “Were they lost in the Incendin war?”

She flipped a few pages, reading for a moment before blinking and shutting the book. “Had they been there, the war might have turned out different.”

“Wait…you mean Theondar didn’t even fight in the war?” That took something away from the stories his father had told.

“Who’s to know? After Ilianna died”—Tan noted she said “Ilianna” and not “Princess Ilianna”—“Theondar left Ethea. He’d always traveled, always using his shaping for the kingdoms, but he’d always returned to Ethea. After her death, he left Ethea for good.”

His mother took a seat and pulled the stack of papers over to her. She looked at the topmost page and let out a slight sigh. “Now, if there’s nothing else…”

Tan hated that she still had work to do. While everyone else in Nor was free to celebrate and trade with the Aeta, his mother had to stay walled off in her office and work the inventory for Lord Lind. Had his father still been alive, that wouldn’t have been necessary.
 

Tan turned and started for the door. He’d ask Cobin about the hounds rather than his mother. Besides, Cobin had agreed to help him track them. If they were as fearsome as Amia thought, Cobin would want to be a part of it.

At the door he hesitated. Something bothered him about what his mother had said. He turned back.
 

“Ask your question,” she said before he had the chance to speak. She didn’t look up as she did.

Once, he would have laughed at how she seemed to know what was on his mind, but ever since moving to the manor house, she’d changed so much she wasn’t the same person. “You said both of the warriors were lost.”

She scrawled a note across the page and nodded. “And your point?”

“What happened to Lacertin?” Tan didn’t know much about him other than his name, not like with Theondar.
 

Her pen paused on the page. “Lacertin was forced to leave the kingdoms.”

“Forced? Why would a warrior be forced away?”

She looked up and the debate about whether she should answer raged across her face. “Lacertin was found trying to enter King Ilton’s chambers after he died. No one knows his reasons, but it took three warriors and a half-dozen shapers to get him out. He fled Ethea, chased by the warriors and the furious new king.”

“Why would he enter the king’s mourning chamber?” Tan asked. Custom dictated that the deceased king be left alone, dressed in his robes and goblet, sitting atop his throne for seven days after his passing. According to custom, none should disturb him as the Great Mother prepared for his arrival.

She set both hands on the table and met his eyes. “You have a curious mind, Tan. You always have. With your ability…” She trailed off and shook her head. “I really wish you’d consider going to Ethea, if only to see what it has to offer you. I think you’d be surprised by what you’ll find. There are others like you—others with your talent—”

“I don’t have any special talent,” he snapped. Tan took a steadying breath, controlling his emotions before saying anything more that he might regret. “I’m just a senser. It’s a useful enough skill here in the mountains where I can track, but in the city?” He shook his head. That was one thing he’d never understood about his father—how he could have gone to Ethea to study, taking on the king’s fee for his studies. And dying for it.

His mother sighed and looked back down to her pages. She didn’t bother to hide the disappointment on her face. “Then get some rest tonight so you can get up and complete your responsibilities on time tomorrow.”

Tan left her room without another word, not wanting to disappoint her further.
 

The Aeta caravan left early the following morning.
 

Tan rose early, dressing quickly to finish his chores before Lins awoke for the day. If he managed to get everything done, he could be up in the mountains with Cobin tracking the creatures before Lins came looking. And he would come looking.
 

As he worked setting down hay in the stalls, the light tinkling of bells told him the caravan was moving. The mother promised their stay would be brief. He hadn’t expected it to be quite so abrupt.

Tan ran out of the stables and hurried to the wall to watch the Aeta depart. The caravan had already circled around the outer wall and slowly rambled south and east. Other than Velminth, there wasn’t anything in that direction for hurdreds of miles.
 

“They’re already leaving.”
 

Tan turned. Cobin leaned on the wall, scratching his dark beard as he stared after the wagons.

“They told my mother they couldn’t stay long. I figured another day at least.” He prayed for a glimpse of Amia, one last parting shot to remember her by. Only the wagon drivers sat out this early.

A slow smile spread across Cobin’s face. “That why you’re up so early?”

Heat rose in his cheeks. “Did you get to trade?” Tan asked, changing the subject. He hadn’t seen Cobin the night before, though after talking with Amia and running into Lins, he wasn’t sure he’d remember.

“Thought I had more time.” Cobin looked down the road where dust followed the wagons. “Anything interesting?”

“I don’t know. I ran into Lins.”

Cobin grunted and spat. “Best stay clear of him today.”

“That’s the reason I’m up already,” Tan admitted, laughing. He didn’t fear Lins—not really—but Amia had embarrassed him in front of Tan. Lins wouldn’t let that go.

“Want to head north?” Tan nodded. “Heller said he’d come.” Cobin paused and considered Tan for a long moment. “Probably ought to check with your ma first.”

“Like she’ll be happier knowing you’re with me?”

Cobin laughed. “I think me and Grethan got into too much trouble together for that. She already thinks I’m trying to corrupt you too.”

Tan forced himself to laugh. Cobin had the chance to know his father much longer than Tan ever had. And now never would. Summoned to serve the king, and for what? To keep the southern border of Galen free from immigrants from Incendin?
 

“I wasn’t the only one to see them,” he said. Cobin waited. “The Aeta did too. Some kind of hound out of Incendin.”
 

Cobin’s face changed, eyes narrowing and growing hard. “Called them Incendin hounds? You sure?”

Tan tried to remember what Amia said about the hounds before nodding. “Why?”

“Just…there are stories about Incendin hounds.” There was a different edge to his voice. “Not sure how they could slip past the barrier, but if these are Incendin hounds, I need a few other items before we track them again.” He turned and looked up into the mountains. “Actually surprised you managed to follow them.”
 

“What are they?” It wasn’t like Cobin to be nervous, but something in his tone told Tan he didn’t share everything he knew.

Cobin shook his head. “Talk about it later. I need to find Heller, talk to him again.” He turned back to Tan. “Maybe this is one you should sit out. If your ma finds out I let you track hounds…well, I’m sure I don’t want Ephra’s wrath.”

“I’m old enough to decide for myself.” Tan hated how pouty he sounded, but Cobin sometimes took his view of protecting him too far.

Cobin’s face softened. “I know you are. But after what happened with your father—”

“I know what happened with my father. And it had nothing to do with tracking hounds.”

Cobin sighed. “Tan, believe me when I tell you that if these are Incendin hounds, you are lucky to still be alive.”
 

Tan started away. Staying would only lead to an argument. After battling with his mother, he didn’t need to argue with Cobin, too. “I’ll find you later.”
 

“Not sure I’ll change my mind. This one might be more dangerous than I thought.”

“That’s why you need me.”

Cobin grunted. “I need you to stay alive. Promised your father that.” Cobin started off, leaving Tan staring after him.
 

Questions lingered. Had he more time with Amia, he might have asked other questions about the hounds. Why had it suddenly gotten so hot? Why had he struggled to see them clearly? What scared them off?

Thinking of her left him disappointed he would never see her again. Or could he?

It was early enough and he
had
already done the chores he’d neglected the day before. Why couldn’t he follow the Aeta wagons? Maybe he’d even catch another glimpse of Amia. The wagons didn’t move quickly. If he cut through the woods, he could intercept them before they went too far.
 

Before thinking about it too much, he set off at a slow jog. He kept the winding path of the road in mind as he climbed through the woods. His way took him up steep, rocky inclines and down hazardous ravines. It was nearly midday by the time he heard the distinct sound of their melodic bells.

Tan slowed as he neared the road, careful to remain hidden within the trees. He’d already followed the Aeta once. How offended would they be to see him after them again? The caravan moved slowly upon the road toward Velminth. The bright wagons moved past him, flashes of bright color against the greenery.
 

As he watched, he worried for a moment he might have missed his chance. And then…there she was, sitting near an open window of the rear wagon. She sat frowning, one hand twirling through her golden hair. Then, as if sensing his presence, she turned to look in his direction, a smile parting her lips.
 

Tan ducked. She shouldn’t be able to see him through the layers of leaves and branches yet she had looked right at him. And smiled. His heart fluttered and he dared to lean forward, risking exposure. The wagons disappeared, but he thought she waved.

He sighed, ignoring the pang he felt at her leaving. He barely knew her, yet something about her pulled at him, leaving him with a sense of longing.

A harsh
snap
broke the silence of the forest.
 

Tan turned, fear of hounds or wolves jumping to his mind. He hadn’t paid attention as he’d followed the Aeta. Could he have missed their tracks?

Quickly, and without thinking about it, he listened to the forest around him, sensing for anything off. It felt different than yesterday. Alive and as it should. Birds chirped in the trees overhead. Squirrels danced along branches. Wind whispered through the canopy.
 

That he’d forgotten to bring so much as a knife didn’t make him feel any better.
 

“Greetings.”
 

Tan stiffened. A figure emerged from the shadows of a nearby tree. How had he gotten so close without him knowing? Dressed in a heavy cloak covering his face, a sheathed sword hung at his side. One hand hovered over the hilt.
 

Tan eyed the man’s sword nervously, afraid to say anything. He considered where he could run if he needed. The road would be easiest, but it would be the same for the man. Better off through the woods. He knew these woods and had some advantage there.
 

The figure followed Tan’s gaze down to his sword and pulled the hand away. Raising palms forward, he lowered the hood of his cloak, revealing wavy silver hair and bright eyes. “Just wandering the woods?”

Tan nodded, realizing he still wore his dirty breaches and shirt from his work in the stables. Had Amia had seen him this way?
 

“What villages are near here?”

The question seemed odd. Most traveling through Galen knew it well enough. Near Nor was Velminth, a logging town. Beyond that lay the upper reaches, deep and twisty mountainous terrain few bothered to travel. The upper passes there would already be seeing the first snow. And beyond the mountains lay the edge of the kingdoms.
 

“Nor,” he answered. Tan positioned himself closer to the road. At least he could move quickly if needed.

The man frowned. “Nor? As in steel?”

He nodded. “Not many bother to work with steel anymore.” There’d been a time when the mines produced enough iron to practically supply the entirety of the kingdoms. That had been long before Tan was born. Now miners managed barely a trickle, though steel made in Nor still had value.

The man patted his sword quickly. “Still useful,” he said. He turned and looked around the woods. “Hunting?” He considered Tan for a moment before shaking off the question. “Not hunting. But not expecting me. Comfortable among the trees.” He spoke mostly to himself.

“The Aeta visited last night. I just watched them leave.”