The last time we saw Ryker he watched Haymitch conjure lighting from the sky. He also learned there was something special about him, something hidden that no one knew about. Now we discover what it is.
I do not own the Hunger Games
The Future
The next morning at first light Ryker stood by his father as he addressed the gathered crowd. They were on a dais that was in front of the gate that separated the village from the castle. The trading village was on the northern side of the castle.
"I realize last night was a surprise to all of us," King Daniel spoke calmly.
Last night was a revelation for Ryker. He had seen Haymtich send Fletcha to the past and he saw the man conjure lightning bolts, and that was a marvel in itself. It was Haymitch's story of the past that intrigued him.
Merlin was a student of Geoffrey. When the Roman Empire fell, the world entered into a period of decline. The knowledge of the ancients was lost, and a great wizard named Geoffrey traveled the world to find those who had a gift of magic. In the end, he only found three. Morgana, Merlin, and Archimedes.
All who held a trace of magic descended from them. Haymitch was a descendant of Archimedes, Paylor from Merlin, and Crane from Morgana. Ryker soaked up the information, as it was fantastical to think that Merlin was real, and so was Morgana. However, none of that information affected him deeply.
It was learning of the secret of the Mellark family that had him questioning his entire life. Ryker couldn't sleep and neither did his father. King Daniel decided to address the people, and it was a prudent decision as there were people gathered by the gate as the sun rose. His father had the rapt attention of the crowd. Ryker stood straighter and gripped his hands in front of him, it was necessary to stay present.
"What will we do?" A terrified voice asked from the crowd.
The Castle and the occupants that lived in the trading village were affected by the presence of King Snow and his army on the southern side of the castle. Although the small trading post was protected by a wall, they were by no means a barrier deterrent to an army like Snow's.
The people were frightened.
Ryker watched his father try to ease the minds of the small trading community that lived within the walls. The ships that were present at the dock were preparing to set sail not wanting to be caught by the attack that was coming.
"We will organize and fight for our very lives. Those of you who are not comfortable may leave but must do so at your own peril, by the midday hour. Then our gates will close."
Ryker saw the murmur as the people talked amongst themselves.
"For those of you who are scared, and defenseless I would recommend leaving," Haymitch's voice boomed as he walked up to the dais next to King Daniel. "As we speak the child of Everdeen is with us."
From his position, he could hear the villagers' voices, as they spoke.
"Could it be…"
"The Child of Everdeen…"
"All is not lost…"
"Where is he, where is the child of Everdeen?" A woman cried and others joined in.
"Bring us this warrior, we want to see him…"
Haymitch did not react. Ryker watched the old wizard wait until the crowd murmur was at a dull roar. Haymitch then whistled. A winged horse flew from above and landed gracefully on the dais. It nuzzled the old wizard's hand.
The crowd gasped at the sight.
Ryker took a step back. He had never seen the creature in its true form. There were aging tapestries that hung on the walls of the castle that depicted magical creatures. He always thought they were artistic interpretations, as a child Ryker had imagined riding one, but he never thought they were real. When Ryker was younger his mother told him stories, stories that were told across the land to children at night, of a time when magical creatures cohabitated the land with humans. She told him that King Snow and the King's wizard Crane had destroyed them all alongside those that possessed any magical signature.
Ryker knew it was speculated that once the child of Everdeen took their position as ruler, the land would be restored and the magical creatures who had once graced the land, would come out of hiding, and roam the land once more.
An old man in the crowd stepped forward and in awe and wonder said, "I haven't seen a Pegasus since I was yeah high." He pointed to his knees.
Haymitch addressed the crowd. "The time has come for us to break the hold that King Snow has over the land. He rules with an iron first using despair and fear as a weapon against our hope."
The winged horse took off, people watched it getting smaller as it flew into the air.
"What of the Wizard Crane," someone shouted from the crowd.
Ryker stepped forward. "Those of you present, I understand many of you have children or loved ones that are in no condition to fight. It is why we suggest sending those who cannot fight or do not wish to endanger themselves to leave via the ships before they depart from the port. But for those who want to fight, I implore you to stay and train with us. We can defeat Snow and his army. He has destroyed so many lives, my family is a living example of what Snow stole from us. I am willing to lay my life down to stop such a tyrant. Are you willing to join me?"
His speech was what changed the minds of those gathered.
Ryker turned to Haymitch and his father. "Father, we need to speak in private."
His father gave him a harsh look before walking away.
Ryker turned to Haymitch before following his father. Haymitch followed them both. When they arrived inside the castle King Daniel headed for the King's antechamber. He heavily sat down and rubbed his face.
"Father, how come I never learned of our legacy?"
His father turned to Haymitch. "What fancies have you been filling his head with wizard!"
"Father," Ryker said. "You have left us in this state. We do not have an army. We have a laughable amount of weapons. The very fortress we preside in is in no condition to take on a siege, we are at the mercy of that tyrant out there. We could die in less than two days. At this point, anything can help us."
"Son…"
"I need the truth," Ryker pressed.
"We are or rather come from a line of swordsmiths…" King Daniel began.
"A swordsmith? That's what you're going with?" Ryker waited for his father to continue.
"We are the last descendants of Merlin's teacher Geoffrey. The Mellarks carry the gift of being able to forge magic into weapons. They called us Herrero's, our family fabricated Excalibur. Merlin himself asked our descendant to forge the blade for the day that King Author wielded."
"Father, could we have been making weapons to help us this entire time?"
"I can't do it…I was not born with this magic…in my life, I have only met one person who could but he has long left this earth."
"Which one of my uncles?"
"Twas my brother Peeta, his hands created this." King Daniel removed an amulet hidden in the fabric of his cloak and handed it to Ryker.
Ryker can feel the pulse of magic in the pin, he gasps as he can see the position of Snow's army. "What is this?"
"It allows the wearer to see his enemies."
"You knew Snow was on his way and did nothing?"
"Last night I sought out the amulet, it was too late…but I know that we will know when they make a move on us with this," King Daniel said.
"Is there anything else I should know?"
"Herreros can control fire," Haymitch said, finally speaking up. "And Peeta isn't the only one who can do it, so can Ryker, but he must be trained to control this power."
"Do what you must, just protect my son," King Daniel said.
"I shall," Haymitch swore.
His father left and Haymitch turned to him, "Now you know the truth and it's time for you to learn how to subdue fire and perhaps make a weapon for yourself."
"What do I do?" Ryker was eager and excited. He was a crown Prince but he'd never been tested and now he had the opportunity to do something.
"Come," Haymitch called to him. "Stand before the fireplace…"
Ryker stood by Haymitch.
"I want you to extend your hands toward the fire…"
Ryker hesitantly did so.
"What do you feel?"
"Its warmth," Ryker said.
"In your mind start to think of it as cold."
"Cold?"
"Yes, imagine you are touching snow or ice."
Ryker closed his eyes and began to think about the snow, and how it fell to the earth. How his breath came out in puffs when he stood outside. The crunch of ice under his feat. The icy cool feel of a ball of snow in his hands. The way it stung his fingertips when his hand became numb.
"Now picture that snow becoming a blue flame," Haymitch instructed.
Ryker began to see a small plume of smoke as it rose from the ball of snow. He was fascinated by the way the snow crystals melted and converted into a small blue flame giving off blue and red sparks. He wiggled his fingers and watched the flame dance between his fingers.
"Can you see the blue flame?" Haymitch's gruff voice interrupted Ryker's fun.
"Yes."
"Good. Without opening your eyes, pass the flame from one hand to the other."
Ryker did as Haymitch instructed. He frowned, it stung a little just like the ice, as he passed the blue flame from one palm to the other. However, as soon as his other became acclimated to the feel of the flame he did not feel anything.
"Now make it grow?"
Puzzled, Ryker questioned, "How?"
"Picture it getting bigger then use your hand to draw it out.
Ryker frowned and concentrated on making the blue flame grow until it filled his palm.
"Open your eyes," Haymitch instructed.
Ryker opened his eyes and when he looked down he saw that the blue flame was a reality and its flame danced in his palm. "By Jove!"
"You drew the flame from the deepest and hottest part of the fire."
"This is why our family can craft swords and other weapons, we can control the flames?"
"Yes, and in the process, the magic is transferred into the metal."
"What else can I practice?"
"Now that you've learned how to harness the flame, you can learn how to launch it."
Ryker smiled, he was going to have fun.
Okay, so what do you think of Ryker and his power and the fact that Peeta is no mere mortal? Do you think this will help Katniss out in the past?
Also special thanks to everyone for reading and liking the story, it's a surprise and I hope that everyone reading will enjoy the next couple of chapters as we race to the end. Special thanks to my beta Jrosely for her excellent skills and enthusiasm.
This is dedicated to my bestie Norbertsmom who I hope this chapter brings a smile to her face!