Fire Child
By LadyPrin
Disclaimer Applies.
I had written this up when I was just starting to seriously write this story, but it didn't seem to fit until now. I'm glad to finally use it. Enjoy!
Chapter Ten
A tall man stood on the edge of a floating mountain, staring out onto the land, the Kingdom of Cephiro.
His mountain was not so high up that he was above the dark clouds, so he could see with much clarity, though he dreaded what he found.
The visible darkness that emanated pure evil that Empress Debonair had sent out months ago was spreading and had almost reached the shore nearest the mountain.
The wind that blew was cold, and even though he wore heavy dark blue clothing, cape, gray armor with purple jewels, and a heavy headdress of armor the wind still chilled him to the core. He knew that this was the only warning the evil darkness would ever give to anyone of its silent approach.
He knew that his Princess had probably already battled with the darkness. She wouldn't have let it get this far before trying to do something about it. The sight of the darkness creeping slowly toward him, hinted of what he feared the most. That his beloved Princess Emeraude had failed, and possibly . . . died in the attempt to save her Kingdom.
He wanted so much to go to her, to see what had become of her, to be by her side through whatever she was going through, but he had a duty that was first above all else. Though he knew it was necessary, and that it was what Princess Emeraude would want him to do, his heart felt heavy with anger at having to stay here. That anger also raised guilt, for he knew he shouldn't be feeling that.
"Priest Zagato, may I join you here?" Came a quiet voice from behind him.
Zagato turned partway around, and through his long black hair that the wind was tossing about, he could see who was speaking to him.
"Of course. You're always welcome to join me." He replied to the large wolf of fire that stepped up beside him.
After a few moments of silent staring at the land below, the giant wolf spoke again.
"I know of the anger and frustration that burns bright within your heart." He began.
Zagato's cheeks turned slight red with shame and he couldn't look at the fire wolf.
"You wish to leave here, for whatever reasons of your own. I think you should go." The wolf continued.
Zagato turned sharply to look at the fire wolf.
"Why? It is my duty to wait here for the Fire Child. To keep her safe in the floating mountain for as long as I can while teaching her everything I know about magic, so that when the darkness starts to ascend to the castle, she'll be ready to fight. Why do you think I should forsake that duty when the Fire Child is already coming?" Zagato asked softly, but only curiously, not angrily.
"What the Fire Child needs to learn, you cannot teach her." The fire wolf responded thoughtfully. "She must learn for herself. If you can do any good for this Kingdom, it will not be done here on this mountain. Two of the Fire Child's protectors have been separated from her, and the last protector is useless to her now. The Fire Child is now on her own. She will not make it to the mountain, even if the Fire Beacon continues to call her. She will try, but she will fail if things do not change. I have this feeling that where you want and need to go is not to the Fire Child. Go where you will, I shall try to meet up with the Fire Child before the path she walks to me crumbles." The wolf answered.
After a moment of silence, Zagato spoke in a rueful tone.
"I guess I don't have to ask if you are sure about this. If you weren't sure, you wouldn't bother to speak it."
"You have learned." The wolf replied with a hint of admiration in his deep voice.
Zagato turned to face the wolf, and the wolf turned his head to look at him.
"Thank you for being my companion through the last few days." Zagato thanked him with a bow. "It has been a great honor."
"It was an honor to live with you as well, even though our time was short." The wolf replied. "Fare well, and I hope we meet again."
"As do I." Zagato agreed.
Then he turned on his heel and walked toward the door to the mountain's castle, but before he reached it he faded into nothing.
When he was gone the fire wolf looked to the land, his long golden horn on his forehead glinted strongly in the light of his fire fur.
"Good luck, Lord Zagato." He murmured to himself, before turning around and starting his climb up the mountain.
There was a Fire Beacon to put out and a journey to begin.