Heir Of The Fallen Flame

Chapter 6: The Tempest

The gates closed behind them with a thud but Kael did not look back.

Cold metal pressed against his wrist, the flame-bound cuff glowing faintly as it tightened with every step he took.

The courtyard faded behind them and ahead stretched a long stone path that led down the mountain, winding between jagged cliffs and sparse trees bent by harsh winds.

The sky above had turned dull, heavy clouds hanging low.

The Council moved without speaking, their robes whispered against the ground, their presence suffocating.

Kael walked in the middle of them. Despite his calm face and his rather bold steps, he was a mess inside.

His heart slammed hard against his ribs, each beat loud in his ears. His fingers twitched, covered in sweat.

Zen had told him what they would do to him. He knew that and yet, he wanted Alia found. She was bisvfamily but risking his life for her like this…

Was that really all she was to him? A family member? Or a woman he couldn't afford to lose?

He glanced up from his feet as they continued to walk in silence, how could he trust those people to give him answers? And when they do bring Alia to him, how sure was he that she'd be safe when he dies?

He swallowed, this was a big mistake. He had walked out of Natalie's quarters so confident earlier and now he wished he had waited for Zen to handle it instead.

At least then, he'd be free and he would be able to make sure she was safe.

Kael shuts his eyes, dong let them see it. Don't show them you're scared or afraid. They would only use it to their advantage. The thought repeated in his head as his gaze remained forward.

A horse was brought forward, black-coated. One of the council mages grabbed Kael by the arm and pushed him toward it.

“Mount.”

Kael climbed onto the horse, the chain at his wrist pulling slightly as he did. Another mage mounted behind him and the others followed.

Pelson moved to the front and without a word, they rode in silence.

The journey was longer than Kael expected.

The academy soon disappeared behind them, swallowed by distance and mist. The path grew narrower, the cliffs steeper. The wind howled louder here, colder, cutting through his clothes.

Still, no one spoke.

Kael’s gaze moved, counting. There were too many of them. Even if he tried to run, he wouldn’t make it far. The cuff at his wrist pulsed faintly, as if reminding him of that fact.

His jaw tightened.

The horse shifted beneath him as the path turned.

“Enjoying the view?”

Kael stiffened but he didn’t turn immediately. He knew that voice.

Ronan.

Kael exhaled slowly, steadying himself before turning his head. Ronan rode beside him now, his dark eyes narrowed on him.

Kael met his gaze. “If this is your idea of humor,” he said quietly, “you’ve always been terrible at it.”

Ronan’s lips curved faintly. “Your tongue has loosened a whole lot now uh?” He said, “You think being cursed makes you so powerful?”

Kael glanced at the distance between them and then back at his eyes, "And yet, you're riding so close to me.” He said, "You must have no regard for your life.”

Ronan froze visibly and Kael looked away. Hell, what is he doing? He couldn't remember what had happened or what he had done to scare everyone so badly yet, here he was playing pretend.

“What is your relationship with Lyra?” Ronana asked suddenly.

“Where is Alia?” Kael asked in return.

Ronan chuckled, “You should be asking about yourself,” he said.

Kael didn’t blink. “I know exactly what’s going to happen to me,” he replied. “I don’t know what happened to her.”

Ronan's eyes narrowed on Kael. His non chance to his potential death infuriated him deeply.

“You’re going to die,” Ronan said flatly. “You understand that, don’t you?”

Kael didn’t look away. “What difference does it make? You already killed me before.”

Ronan’s jaw tightened, “Hold your tongue!”

“Ah.” Kael said, “They don't know that do they? That the son of a mage committed injustice?”

“I am warning you.” Ronan said.

“Or what?” Kael asked, his face calm but his heart racing wild.

His pulse spiked, his throat felt dry and he had to force himself to breathe slowly.

Ronan's jaw tightened, “Stay away from Lyra.”

Kael let out a quiet breath, almost a laugh. That came out of nowhere. “You’re worried about her?” he said.

“I’m warning you.”

Kael tilted his head slightly. “Then answer me,” he said. “Tell me where Alia is.”

Ronan’s eyes flashed. “No.”

Kael held his gaze for a moment longer and nodded once.

Ronan’s grip tightened on his reins.

“It doesn't matter,” he said. “You're going to die anyway.”

He turned his horse away, riding far ahead of him.

The silence returned. Kael stared ahead again until his ears picked whispers behind him.

“…we do not have time to ask him questions!” one of the council members said quietly. “We seal it the moment we arrive.”

Another voice followed. “And the boy?”

“He will not survive the process.”

Kael’s breath caught.

“…necessary,” the first voice continued. “The flame cannot remain unbound.”

“Pelson agrees?”

“Yes.”

“Good. We end it before it gets out of hand.”

Kael’s fingers curled tightly and the cuff pulsed. He knew they planned to kill him but hearing it first hand caught it off guard.

His chest tightened again, panic rising deep in his chest but he swallowed it down.

People like him have no use for the council. They'd get rid of him without a second thought like he was nothing. He might be magicless or flameless but he's been loyal to Astra and yet they treat his life like it's worth nothing?

A bitter taste filled his mouth as anger started to build in his chest like a warm flame.

Rona took Alia from him, killed him and now he gets to die just because someone said so?!

A voice echoed deep in his mind, a voice he knew wasn't his and he recognized almost immediately.

“You hear them.” the ancient voice said, his words served in Kael's head.

Kael’s entire body stiffened.

‘No. Not now.’ He thought.

“They will break you,” the voice continued, “They will take what is mine.”

Kael clenched his jaw. ‘Shut up.’

“Let me help you.”

His grip tightened on the reins.

‘No.’

“You felt it before,” the voice whispered. “The power. The freedom.”

Kael’s breathing quickened slightly.

‘Stop.’

“They cannot stop us. I will not let you die,” the voice murmured.

Kael’s eyes snapped open.

“I said no!” he snapped, calling the attention of everyone.