From Little Flame to Raging Fire

I don't own anything but my OC's.

Chapter 4

Marcus's eye lids still felt heavy, but he managed to lift them to open his eyes. He stared up at his new ceiling. Marcus barely remembered yesterday. He only remembered that a fire sorcerer- Montarg- had found him in his injured state and had helped him. Marcus would be dead had it not been for Montarg.

"Rise an' shine!"

Marcus almost jumped.

Richard stood over him, smiling down at him. "Mornin', sunshine."

Marcus groaned.

"C'mon, man. Get up. You're gonna miss breakfast."

"I'll eat something later…"

Richard clicked his tongue. "Nuh-uh. No can do. Montarg says we all have to have breakfast together."

Marcus groaned again.

"C'mon." Richard said, nudging Marcus with his foot.

"Watch it," Marcus said, sitting up. "It still hurts."

"Sorry." Richard apologized, walking over to the wall and grabbing Marcus's crutches. He walked back over to Marcus and helped him up, then handed him the wooden crutches.

"Thanks." Marcus muttered as he stabled himself. The cast on his leg wasn't even a proper cast. It was two pieces of wood, one on the front of his shin, the other on the back. It was held together with rope and string.

"Right. Now, get dressed." Richard said, hands on his hips.

Marcus looked down at himself. He was only dressed in his underwear. Marcus bit his lip and looked at Richard, who smiled. "Don't worry. I've seen it all before."

The water sorcerer looked down and saw, instead of his shirt and slacks, a bundle of orange and black. Marcus stooped down the best he could and picked up the orange piece of fabric. From what he could see, it was a shirt. He slipped it on, then picked up the black trousers. Richard held his arm as Marcus tugged them on, then helped the injured sorcerer put on one of the boots that had been put near his futon. Richard helped him put on his new, dark green coat. "Don't worry about the other one," Richard said, seeing Marcus look at his boot. "Montarg won't mind."

Marcus grinned sheepishly at him. Richard walked alongside him as they exited Marcus's room. Marcus looked at the ground from where he stood. It wasn't that far down but, considering he had a busted leg, it might as well have been a fifty foot drop. Marcus gulped.

"Want some help, gentlemen?"

Richard smiled. "Nah, Rodders, I got this one."

Rodney smiled back up at him, hands behind his back. "Alright," He responded. "Let me know if you need anything."

"Will do." Richard nodded.

Rodney turned and walked off and Richard chuckled. "Good ol' cousin Rodney…"

Marcus looked at him. "He's your cousin?"

"Oh, yeah." Richard's smile dropped. "My uncle's kid…" He muttered angrily. Marcus looked at him worriedly. Family fallout…He thought, almost awkwardly. Richard suddenly grabbed Marcus by the waist and jumped from the platform. Marcus yelled out in surprise as the wind coarsed through his hair. Suddenly, their fall lost speed and Marcus saw Richard holding out a hand. They landed calmly on the floor. "Calm down, man." Richard grinned.

"Calm down?" Marcus exclaimed. "I have a broken leg!"

Richard shrugged. "I'm a wind sorcerer. We don't care for injuries when falling."

Marcus blew out some air. "Could ya learn?"

Richard shrugged again. "Probably not."

Marcus groaned. They both looked over at the entrance as Montarg walked in, carrying a sack. "Hey, hey, Montarg!" Richard greeted. "What's in the bag?"

Rodney looked over at this, blinking curiously. Montarg reached inside and pulled out what looked like a rabbit. Rodney suddenly yelped and jumped away as Montarg held up the dead animal. "Montargo!" He exclaimed. "Don't bring that in here! Oh, God! Put it away!"

Marcus raised an eyebrow at Rodney's frightened face. The rock sorcerer had his eyes shut, his hands in front of his face. Suddenly, a sorcerer in a yellow coat and blue shirt snatched the rabbit from Montarg's hand and held it in front of Rodney's face. "Look, Rodney!" He waved the rabbit around. "Watch out, it might bite ya!"

Rodney whimpered loudly in fright. The sorcerer continued to tease him, waving the rabbit in his face when-

"Stop it!"

The cavern fell silent as Montarg looked furiously at them, his command echoing throughout the cavern. He stormed over to the sorcerer and shouted, "Cease the teasing at once!"

Marcus stared as Montarg took back his kill, putting it back in the bag. Montarg tied up the bag with string, then turned back to the sorcerer; who looked like he wanted to run away. "If he does not like seeing dead things, then do not tease him about it. Understand?"

The sorcerer gulped.

"I asked if you understood." Montarg snapped.

"Y-Yes, sir."

"Good. Now prepare the tables for breakfast." He held up the bag. "I'll dispose of this…"

Montarg walked toward a man-sized hole in the back and disappeared through it. "Don't go in there…" Richard muttered to Marcus.

"What's he gonna do to it?" Marcus asked.

"Gut it."

"Wait…We're gonna eat that?"

Richard rolled his eyes. "Duh. What else do you think he catches them for? We live off whatever we can find. Not many people like us shopping in their stores. Only a couple of shops allow sorcerers."

Marcus's brow furrowed. He looked back over at Rodney, who was staring off in the direction Montarg disappeared in.

"You alright, Rodders?" Richard called to his cousin.

Rodney's head snapped up, his eyes wide, and he looked over at him. "…Yes." He replied after a moment. "Yes, I'm fine."

"Ya see that?" Richard muttered to Marcus once Rodney walked back into the kitchen. "Montarg wouldn't do that for just anyone, ya know. He acts weird around Rodney."

Marcus looked at him. "What? Are they best friends or something?"

"Dunno. All I know is that Montarg just seems more…friendly and protective with Rodney."

Marcus gulped, remembering Rodney's sexuality, and asked, "Are they, uh, t-together?"

Richard laughed. "No one knows. The lads and I are betting on it. Some of us say they're best friends, some of us say they're in a relationship. You want in?"

Marcus laughed. "Sure."

Richard laughed and led him toward a small group of sorcerers.

…

Amanda set the tray into the oven, smiling and taking off her oven gloves. She felt proud of herself. Not because of the cakes, but because of what she was going to do with them.

Montarg had intrigued her. Arachnid had told her that Montarg and his sorcerers live on the outskirts of Halloween Town in a cavern. He told her that they live things that they catch and find, since not many people liked the sorcerers. Amanda didn't see anything wrong with them. Granted, she had only met Montarg, but he seemed alright. A bit antisocial, perhaps, but alright.

There was a small ding! after a few moments, coming from the little timer Amanda had set up. Amanda smiled and put her oven gloves on, opening up the oven and taking out the tray. She breathed in the scent of the cakes and sighed happily.

"What're you doing?"

Amanda yelped in surprise at the voice and jumped. She turned and saw Xavier crouched on her windowsill, staring at her with bored eyes. "Xavier!" Amanda exclaimed. "What're you doing here?"

"Wondering what you're doing." Xavier replied. "What're you doing here?"

"I live here." Amanda said like it was obvious.

Xavier grunted. "Not if I had my way…" He crawled into her house and brushed off his suit as he walked over to her. "What're they?"

"Cakes. For the sorcerers."

Xavier looked at her. "Oh, you are kidding…"

"Nope. I just want to help Montarg."

Xavier huffed. "You can't 'help Montarg'! He'll hate you."

Amanda began packing the cakes in to a basket. "Well, maybe I can change his views on women."

"Oh, good luck. Montarg is sexist! You can't change that!"

Amanda rolled her eyes, "I can at least try."

Xavier growled. "Don't be so stupid and naïve! Montarg hates girls, that's it. If you annoy him, he'll kill you. Simple as."

Amanda sucked in some air. "I'm going to go and see Montarg and that's final." She swiped the basket from the counter and hung it on her arm as she stormed over to the kitchen door. "Oh, and by the way," Amanda snapped, turning to him. "I am not stupid, nor naïve!" She turned again and stormed out.

…

"…And that's why Montarg doesn't allow girls in here." Richard concluded.

Marcus stared at him. "So, what, he doesn't like girls? At all?"

"Nope."

"So…what if one of us gets a girlfriend? Are we allowed to bring 'er back 'ere?"

"Probably not."

"Then…why's there a girl over there?"

Richard's head snapped up.

Over by the entrance to cavern was a young woman with brown hair and brown eyes. She was holding a basket on her arm. Richard and Marcus stared at her. Soon, every sorcerer had noticed her and were nudging each other, whispering and muttering and pointing at her. Rodney poked his head out of the kitchen. "Why has it gone so quiet in here?" He wondered aloud. He looked over at the woman and his eyes widened. Sucking in some air, he walked over to the man-sized hole Montarg had disappeared through. "Uh…Montargo!" He called. "We, uh, have a situation…!"

Montarg stepped out, wiping his hands on a cloth. "What? I'm gutting a rabbit!"

Rodney bit his lip and pointed. Montarg looked over and paused. "…Rodney," He said after a moment.

"Yes, Montargo?"

"Why is there a woman standing over there?"

"I'm not sure, Montargo."

Montarg stared at her for a few more seconds before muttering, "Oh, for God's sake…" He began to walk over to her, Rodney trailing behind him.

"Do you know her, Montargo?" Rodney asked.

"I knew it!" One of the sorcerers called out. "Montarg does have a secret girlfriend!"

"Be silent!" Montarg shouted out. "I am not in a relationship!"

Several sorcerers groaned and handed other sorcerers some money.

Montarg looked back at Amanda, who smiled upon seeing him. "Montarg! There you are!"

"What're you doing here, woman?" Montarg snapped.

"Amanda." Amanda corrected.

"I know…"

Amanda hesitated. "Well, anyway…I made these for you." She held out the basket.

Montarg leaned forward to take a peek. "…What are they?"

"Cakes." Amanda replied.

Montarg reached into the basket, picking up one of the cakes and sniffed at it. Rodney, who had been standing behind Montarg, put both hands on his leader's left shoulder and peeked over; blinking curiously at the cake in Montarg's hand. Montarg frowned at the cake and thrust it toward Amanda. "Take a bite."

"Um…What?"

"Take a bite."

Amanda slowly took the cake back and stared at Montarg, who just stared intently at her. Amanda took a small bite out of the cake, chewed, and then swallowed the little bit she had in her mouth. "See?" She said afterwards. "Scrumptious."

Montarg took the cake back, still staring at her. The poison must not work on non-sorcerers…Montarg thought then, without looking, held the cake out to Marcus, who had come to stand next to him. "Take a bite out of it, Marcus."

"Wait, what?" Marcus asked, surprised.

"Take a bite out of it." Montarg repeated his order.

Marcus gulped nervously, obviously having the same thoughts as Montarg, and hesitantly took the cake from him. He stared at it for a moment then, with a shaking hand, lifted it to his mouth. He bit into it, chewed, then swallowed; his eyes shut the entire time, praying in his head that there was not poison in the cake. Everyone was frozen, watching Marcus as he slowly opened his eyes and stared at the cake. "This is good!" He exclaimed. He looked at Amanda. "Mind if I finish this?"

"Of course. They're for you!" Amanda giggled at him.

Marcus began stuffing the rest of the cake into his mouth. Soon, some of the other sorcerers wandered over, taking cakes for themselves. Montarg was the only one who did not. When Amanda noticed this, she held out one of the cakes, saying that he hadn't taken one yet, but he had only grunted and turned away. Rodney had assured her that he would get Montarg to eat one.

"So," Amanda said, walking over to Montarg. "This is where you live, hm?"

"It is not much, but it is home," Montarg said as Amanda looked around the cavern. "And you're a woman, so what're you doing here? Get out."

Amanda's smile dropped. "W…What?"

"I don't like women around here. I don't like them living here, I don't like them visiting here." Montarg explained spitefully and turned to walk away.

"Xavier was right about you."

Montarg stopped and looked over his shoulder at her. "Hm?"

"He was right. You are just sexist." Amanda replied sharply.

Montarg didn't turn his head, but looked away. "So glad you've noticed."

"I can't change you, can I?"

"No, and I'd rather you didn't."

Amanda scowled at him. Rodney looked worriedly at the both of them. There was silence before Montarg looked at her again. "Are you going to leave now?"

Amanda breathed slowly to try and calm herself, then turned and walked toward the entrance of the cavern. She stopped and turned back, "And, Montarg, for goodness sake. Either shave off that stubble or grow a goatee." Amanda stormed out, leaving a confused Montarg staring at the direction she left in.

…

In all the excitement of the human woman visiting them, everyone had forgotten about setting up the tables and breakfast altogether, really. Marcus looked at everyone. There was something different about them. He had noticed it earlier, soon after he had gotten up. Everyone had a hat…except for him. Why didn't he have a hat? Where was it? Did they not have a spare? "Uh, Richard,"

"Hm?"

"Why…Why don't I have a hat?"

Richard's head snapped up, seemingly only just noticing Marcus's lack of pirate-styled headgear, and looked toward Montarg. "God, you're right…Hey, Montarg!"

Their leader looked at him, a pure look of 'did you just talk to me?' etched on his face (of course, he gave that face to everyone). "What?"

"Marcus, he, uh, he hasn't got a hat."

Montarg looked at Marcus. "So he hasn't." Montarg turned to Rodney. "Rodney, get him a hat."

"Yes, Montargo!" Rodney chirped, then disappeared into one of the many rooms of the cavern.

Marcus looked at Richard for guidance, but the wind sorcerer didn't give any. The sorcerers all gathered around, forming a circle around Montarg and Marcus. Marcus stared at Montarg and Montarg stared at Marcus. Rodney reappeared, blowing dust off of the hat he held in both hands. He came and stood beside Montarg, still holding the hat. Montarg pointed to the ground. "On your knees."

"Montarg, he's got a broken leg." Richard pointed out.

"Then help him." Montarg ordered.

Richard stepped forward and helped Marcus kneel, wincing when Marcus yelped in pain. "Sorry, man. You gotta kneel."

When Richard backed away, Marcus stared up at Montarg, petrified. He wasn't sure what Montarg was going to do to him and he was scared to find out.

"Repeat after me," Montarg said. "'I shall stay loyal to Montarg',"

Marcus gulped. "I shall stay loyal to Montarg."

"'I shall not call Montarg by his real name'."

"I shall not call Montarg by his real name."

"'Montarg is my leader'."

"Montarg is my leader."

"'I am one of Montarg's sorcerers',"

"I am one of Montarg's sorcerers,"

"'And I shall stay with him',"

"And I shall stay with him,"

"'Forevermore'."

"Forevermore."

There was silence before Montarg nodded slowly. "Good." He held out a hand to Rodney, who gave him the hat. Montarg placed it roughly on Marcus's head. "Congratulations, Marcus. You are one of my sorcerers now."

Marcus looked up at him nervously. Montarg turned away. "Richard, help the man stand up. Men, go back to your jobs. Now!"

The group broke apart and Richard helped Marcus to stand. "W…What did I just say?"

"It's an oath we all have to take." Richard explained. "The hat is a sign that you've taken the oath and you're now one of Montarg's sorcerers."

Rodney smiled at him. "Congratulations, Marcus, darling!" He exclaimed. "You're one of us now!"

…

Later that day, Rodney was stirring soup in a pot, smelling the aroma every so often. He heard footsteps behind him and, judging with the awkwardness of the walk, it was their newest 'recruit'. "Hello, Marcus," Rodney said. "What can I do for you?"

"Well…" Marcus hesitated. "I was kinda wondering, Rodney…What's your story?"

Rodney stopped and turned to him. "Pardon?"

"About how you got here. What's your story?"

Rodney waved a hand and smiled. "Oh, mine's quite similar to yours, Marcus. I was in trouble- a near death experience, I suppose- and Montargo saved me. I was being attacked by people who didn't quite accept that I'm attracted to other men, when suddenly this…" He paused and stared at the ceiling dreamily. "This handsome man threw them off of me and helped me up. There he was, Montargo in all his glory. We were only teenagers when we first met. He said he was going to this place called 'Halloween Town' and asked if I would like to join him. Oh, Marcus, how could I say no? Montargo was the first man to ever accept me."

"Not your cousin?"

"Oh, even he was a bit uncomfortable with the fact that I like men. He's gotten over it, obviously. I seemingly remember him saying that it was 'wrong'. That's why my parents kicked me out. Because I'm gay."

Marcus paused and stared, horrified. He knew things like that happened but…he never expected someone like Rodney to get kicked out of his home. Rodney was probably the nicest man he'd ever come across!

"But then Montargo came along. He and I…" Rodney sighed happily. "We used to travel together, just us two. Montargo and Rodney. He would collect firewood, I would collect berries and whatever I could find. Then…Then we found this place. The cavern…"

…

Rodney smiled happily and threw his arms up in the air. "Oh, Montargo!" He exclaimed. "Isn't this perfect? We could live here, couldn't we?"

Montargo absentmindedly stroked a wall. "…Yes." He said after a moment. "Yes, this is perfect. We could build here, Rodney."

"Build…?"

"Yes. A clan. A group. For sorcerers." Montargo suddenly smiled, proudly and triumphantly and patted the wall. "Yes. This will be it. We'll show them. We'll show them how strong sorcerers can be. This will a home for a clan. Montargo's clan. And you and I, Rodney," He looked at Rodney, still smiling. "We are the first members."

Rodney smiled back. "Yes, Montargo…"

…

"But…why do you call him 'Montargo'?" Marcus asked after a second.

"Because that's what he originally called himself."

"Called…himself…?"

Rodney rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on, now. You don't really think 'Montargo' - or, well, 'Montarg' - is his real name, do you? You heard the oath. You said the oath. His real name is Edwin, but he doesn't like to be called that. Montargo has quite the temper when being referred to by his real name."

"So…why does everyone call him Montarg…?"

"When Arachnid first introduced Montargo to Halloween Town, he accidentally called him Montarg. Montargo didn't bother to correct him, so everyone thought his name was Montarg. Montargo just…grew fond of that version of his name and kept it. But he'll always be Montargo to me."

Marcus smiled. He was right. Montarg and Rodney were obviously very good friends. Marcus's smile dropped. "Uh, Rodney, one more question…"

"Hm?"

"Have you ever…killed anyone?"

Rodney paused and was silent for a few moments before uttering, "Yes."

Marcus's eyes widened. "You have?"

"It's not something I like remembering, but…Oh, God, he was going to hurt Montargo…"

…

"Can't do anything now, can you, sorcerer?" The man sneered as Montargo wriggled on the ground, hands tied behind his back with thick, magic-resistant rope. As the man advanced, knife at the ready, Montargo rolled onto his back and kicked at him; crawling away the best he could.

…

"I couldn't…couldn't let that happen…Not to Montargo…"

…

The man with the bald head and black moustache laughed as he waved the knife about, cutting Montargo's legs when Montargo lashed out at him. Montargo clenched his teeth, not allowing himself to show pain.

Suddenly, a rock hit the back of the man's head and he turned.

Rodney scowled at him.

…

"I couldn't let that happen…to the only man who's ever accepted me…"

…

Rodney ducked under the man's knife as he swung it at him. Montargo watched from the ground, wriggling his wrists to try and free them. Rodney spun away from the man. "Stop moving!" The man shouted, but Rodney flipped away as he swung his knife again.

Rodney did a cartwheel and landed, hunched over, on his feet. He slammed an open hand to the ground and watched as a spike of rock emerged from the ground and punctured to man; impaling him. The man's eyes bulged and tiny, frightened gasps escaped him. Rodney's eyes widened as he realized what he had done and hit the ground again. The spike fell back to the floor.

…

"I had created my own little oath back then, Marcus. To keep Montargo safe."

…

Rodney looked down at his hands, trembling and gasping; staring at the blood coating his fingers. He had just tried to get the man's heart going again, but had failed. Montargo grunted as his hands came free, his wrists burning from where the rope had held tightly to him. He looked over at his friend, worried.

…

"So I will do it. I will use my magic to protect Montargo. I don't care where it leads me or what it does to me. I need - want- to protect Montargo, because…"

…

Rodney screamed and wailed into Montargo's chest as the fire sorcerer held him. Both teenagers were knelt on the ground, Rodney's face buried in his friend's chest and his left hand clutching at Montargo's shirt. He cried and sobbed and wailed as Montargo held him. Montargo didn't need to say anything. No words were needed.

…

"They don't make them like Montargo anymore…"

…

Author's note:

Me: Long chapter is long. An average chapter of a story is three to four pages long. This is nine pages. This chapter was to showcase Montarg's feelings toward Rodney, Amanda and Marcus as well as show you how awkward Marcus felt when he first joined Montarg's clan. Now, as I promised you, the reason why Rodney is feminine: Montarg was raised by a strict man who made him believe that men were masculine and tough. So how do you think he feels about a feminine man? My guess, pretty…how shall we say it? Out of his comfort zone. Of course, as you've read here, Montarg does accept Rodney and his protectiveness is one of the main elements of Rontargo (yeah, that's right. I named the pairing.). I, for one, am loving Montarg's reactions toward Rodney. That's why Rodney's feminine. Cause I thought it'd be interesting to see Montarg interact with someone like Rodney. So, Amantarg vs. Rontargo. Whose side are you on?

Mav: Man…my dad was kinda…mean, wasn't he?

Me: Eh. He'll get better, trust me. So, we now know why Rodney's so fond of Montarg!

Mav: Marcus has officially joined the sorcerers!

Me: And Amanda finds that she's been rejected by Montarg! What'll happen to Rodney and Montarg now?

Mav: Is Mum ok?

Me: And what other things must Marcus learn to be one of 'Montarg's sorcerers'?

Me + Mav: Find out next time!

Mav: Well, reveur-amira, it's great to know you're ok with Rodney! Sorry ya had to date a bloke like that, sounds like 'e was a real jerk! An' MissBliss8527, it says on 'er profile. Yes, she has read Skulduggery Pleasant. *Thumbs up* Remember to Story Alert so that you can keep up with the story, guys!