Gems of Fire: A Young Adult Fantasy Read online

  The black fog followed the bird, swallowing the air right behind it. But it went around Anna and Farley like it had hit a giant glass bowl. Anna looked behind her, and anyone and anything that had been standing in the bird’s path was now stunned or dead. Men and horses lay sprawled on the ground, silent and unmoving. In confusion, she glanced up at the bird which had flown straight up in the air. Now it circled and came in for another pass. It dove on the far side of the troops, knocking down a strip of men flat, suffocated in black mist.

  “Spread out!” came Stefan’s voice. “The bird is evil, find cover! Find cover!”

  The panicked men rushed for the castle. Farley reared in the confusion. Anna grabbed the reins. Now the bird was aiming straight for the drawbridge, where most of the men were retreating. Prince Lewis’s men were jumping off their horses and running for the castle as well.

  Anna looped Farley’s reins around her shoulder and drew an arrow.

  Please don’t kill me, Farley.

  She breathed a prayer to the Most High and fired. She fired another before she was sure the first had struck and saw a red flare in the air. The bird spiraled down. But no sooner had it fallen than two more shot up from behind Anwar’s line. They too streaked across the sky, and Anna shot down another one. She was now down to one arrow. The second bird shrieked to her left, and Anna dropped it as well. Regretfully, she dropped the bow, grabbed Farley again and swung up into the saddle. I have to stop whatever evil thing is sending these birds! She knotted her reins in front so they wouldn’t slip and sent Farley forward, holding the reins in her shield hand and drawing her sword. She’d never used it before, but it felt like an old friend.

  “Go, Farley, go!” Her legs and voice sent the crazed horse toward the enemy. In a flash, he was at the outer wall, leaping over broken stone and rock. It would be a miracle if he didn’t break a leg. The sword glowed bluish-white through the black mist as Anna thrust it out over Farley’s neck.

  A shrieking black bird swung right at them, but Anna’s shield deflected it. Farley swerved, nearly unseating Anna as they crashed forward into the black fog. Arrows bounced off the shield’s invisible bubble of protection which was now projected in front of them.

  Farley pinned his ears against his head. He leaned hard against the bit as he surged through the line of troops. They tried to strike them, but both the force of the horse and the strength of the shield were too strong. A few more strides and Anna saw a perfect circle of stones with Anwar chanting loudly in the middle. Men with arms dripping blood circled Anwar. She turned Farley straight for him.

  Anwar was in a trance, surrounded by statues with gems for eyes, glowing blue, red and green. Black smoke came out of the statues’ mouths as Anwar wailed on and on. Both his palms were cut, and blood poured from his wounds. Common ravens and crows were coming in droves from the trees, entering the smoke and shooting out as large winged devils, with red eyes shrieking and spewing a foul stench as they flew toward Stefan and King Vilipp’s men. And her home.

  Farley flew right into the circle, and Anna raised her sword. Before she could even jump off, fire spewed out of her sword, slicing the statues in half and setting them ablaze. Farley reared in terror, and Anna nearly set his neck on fire as it bumped the sword.

  Anna jumped off, and Farley bolted to the side. Anwar jerked out of his trance, facing her with cruel, black eyes.

  “You! I’ve seen you in my mind’s eye! Kill her! Kill her!” he screamed.

  But it was too late.

  As Anwar’s men rushed forward to attack, Anna swung her sword in an arc and blue-white fire flew out of the tip, carving a semi-circle of safety around her.

  “Kill her!” Anwar’s scream grew desperate. He had no weapon and had lost connection with the statues. He darted to the closest one and snatched the gems. He frantically mumbled some words, and before Anna took a step, his eyes turned blood red, even while his skin paled. His mouth opened and a black fog erupted with his words.

  “I will not be denied my rightful power!” His breath came at her in a rush of dizzying stench. She pulled her shield up just in time to deflect it.

  Anna tightened her grip on her sword. Her mouth was too dry to swallow.

  “You will not destroy my home,” she said through clenched teeth. “Go back to the desert and take your evil brood with you!”

  Anwar’s lips stretched into an unnatural grin.

  “The gems will be mine, and the world will bow before me, starting with you—” He lifted the gems above him.

  At once, Anna’s knees buckled. She had an overwhelming desire to give up and bow before Anwar. She swayed, and the sword felt heavy in her hands. She glanced at the shield as it fell to the ground. What did she need that for again?

  She heard voices laughing, mocking, taunting. Anwar’s red eyes penetrated her mind, her body, her soul.

  So glad you came.

  Can’t wait to maim.

  Her blood’s so sweet.

  What a treat!

  Black spots pierced her vision, and her heart thrashed in her ears. Anwar approached with a smile straight from the abyss. He drew a long dagger. Anna froze.

  Please, she prayed. Help me, Most High.

  Farley screamed behind her. The sound jolted her awake. She leapt up and raised the sword with both hands straight at Anwar.

  “I will not bow before evil! This is Sunderland, you devil, ruled by King Vilipp by the will of the Most High. He will defend his own.”

  As she said the final words a shot of power surged through her arms. A blaze of fire billowed out of the sword, burning a hole through Anwar’s torso. His face contorted into a murderous glare. He screamed in fury. A dense black cloud charged into her and then disappeared. A look of utter confusion crossed Anwar’s face as he fell. His eyes closed as he hit the ground.

  Anna’s head swam.

  Anna thrust her sword at the men watching. They slowly backed away. Then one yelled, “Grab the jewels!”

  Anna backed toward the jewels and Anwar’s body and again swirled the sword around her, forming a ring of protective fire. She scooped the shield up from the ground. It kept the flames at bay from her and stopped the fighters from striking her down. Anna was terrified as she saw the numbers surrounding her. I might not make it out of this, sword or no. Three men charged through the flames at her. She pointed the sword at them. As they crossed the circle, they were consumed by flames erupting from the sword’s tip. The other men backed off as the three shrieked to their fiery deaths. The putrid smell of burning flesh choked her. Her stomach heaved.

  At once, Anna heard a hiss and raised her shield just in time to block an arrow. Soon arrows were raining on her.

  How long could she last?

  Then she heard a great cry from her own men. The black mist had lifted and men were waking up. They were coming.

  The arrows stopped as her enemies scrambled. Anna hid behind her shield as men fought around the fire. Within minutes, the enemies fled. Those on horseback pursued them, while the soldiers on foot routed any remaining enemies.

  Stefan himself rode up on his battle charger. The ring of fire had burned low, and Anna jumped over it. He held her bow in his hand.

  “By all that is holy, Anna! What do you have there?” Stefan asked, swinging down out of the saddle. Others were drawing close, curious. “I saw fire come out of it!” Anna looked down at her hand, black from heat and soot. It was still holding the sword. She looked over her shoulder at the dead men.

  “It consumed them with fire.” She loosened her fingers a bit and felt the tension leave her forearm. She glanced to the charred body of Anwar.

  “It’s just a sword, Stefan.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “A sword with gems of power. It was a gift, along with the bow.” His eyes were wide. “Father knows and let me keep it, for just this sort of thing.”

  Stefan stared. “You are still full of surprises, little sister.”

  Anna wiped the sword on the grass and slid it in
to its sheath. Stefan handed her the bow.

  “This is yours, too, then.”

  “It all happened so fast,” she said, swooning, overcome by exhaustion, heat and stress. Stefan held her up. “Don’t let anyone take these from me. It’s important the right person owns them, or they can be used for evil.”

  She stumbled to where Anwar lay and scooped up the other gems.

  “Anwar used these for evil. They should be destroyed.” She swayed again as she stood, her body drained of energy.

  “I don’t understand them, nor do I want them,” said Stefan as he picked her up. “Still light as a feather, even with this armor.”

  “Where’s Farley?”

  “We’ll find him.”

  He helped her on his horse and swung up behind her. They were met with cheers as they approached the castle.

  “Is Father all right? And Jack?” she asked.

  “Yes, and yes,” he said. “I can’t believe it, but you saved us all.”

  “I can’t believe it either.”

  Chapter 21

  Anna treated herself to a quick bath to rid herself of the smell of fire and death. She couldn’t get the image of burning men out of her mind, and she didn’t want the smell of it to be a constant reminder.

  She crashed on clean sheets for a few hours and then rose to help tend the wounded along with those who were skilled in medicine. Many other women and servants were busy cleaning and wrapping wounds, preparing food and making beds for soldiers. Anna worked feverishly trying to save some and make others more comfortable. Many, she knew, would die.

  Hours went by and the cries of the wounded mingled with the cries of the women as they found their loved ones wounded or worse. Anna went from room to room, bringing water, wound dressings and kind words. The parlor, library and great hall were filled with men–some lying on nothing more than a blanket on the floor. One man was sitting up as a maid wrapped his trunk with a bandage. He glanced up as she approached.

  “Your Highness.” His voice was quiet. He reached for her.

  “Bart!” Anna gasped and kneeled next to him. “How bad is it?” The maid revealed a deep wound to his abdomen. Anna’s heart stopped for a moment as she realized Bart might not live. He looked so pale as he lay back down. Anna gave him her hand.

  “You are going to be fine,” Anna told him, trying to sound sure of herself as tears threatened to overflow. “You are going to get through this and serve my father for many years as a royal knight.”

  His mouth raised into a smile as he closed his eyes.

  At once Anna remembered the healing herbs the woodsman had given them for Star. Didn’t they have some left over? She let Bart rest and instructed the maid to give him extra care. She left the room and searched for Jack in a panic. He would know where the herbs were. She headed for the throne room, where someone might have remembered seeing him. On the way, some men carried a wounded man across her path. She stopped to offer assistance when someone came through the door.

  Jack! She raced to him and threw her arms around his neck.

  “Are you all right?”

  A corner of his mouth came up. “I’m fine, fine,” Jack whispered into her hair.

  “Thank goodness.” A wave of exhaustion swept over Anna. She didn’t want to do anything but lean into his chest. “There are so many wounded. So many are still dying. I can’t stand it.”

  “Those men did not die in vain,” he said. “They gave their lives to protect their people. With honor.”

  Anna saw blood smeared down Jack’s neck onto his shoulder. “You’re wounded!”

  “It’s not bad.” He grimaced as he moved.

  “I hope I didn’t hurt you,” Anna said.

  “It was worth it.” He smirked.

  He took off his shirt and let Anna dress his wound. Although not overly large, his chest was solid muscle and covered with scattered scars. He was right, the wound wasn’t bad, but just a few inches more toward his neck and it could have been fatal.

  Anna shook the thought from her mind.

  “Are you all right?” Jack asked as he gingerly put his shirt back on.

  “Just a little tired.”

  Jack put his arm around her. “I would think so. When I saw you ride out on Farley, I thought I’d never see you alive again.” He shook his head. “You will be the death of me. You know that?”

  “It wasn’t me. It was like the sword did it through me,” she said, a little embarrassed. “But Bart, your squire, is terribly wounded!”

  Jack’s face dropped. “No! Where is he? I lost track of him out there.”

  “I’ll show you, but first, did you bring any of those healing herbs from the Black Woods?” she asked.

  Jack’s face lit up. “Yes!” he said. “I’ll go find them and show the medical workers how to use them.”

  Anna followed Jack to his room where he had packed away several pounds of the plants. Anna took the plants and boiled them into a special broth, as Jack instructed. She notified the nurses and maids and showed them how to apply the broth. For the next several hours, Anna administered the healing broth to the wounded, starting with Bart. She could only hope it would save some of the injured, especially Bart.

  Later, when she raised her tired eyes to glance out the window, Anna couldn’t believe the sun was beginning its descent over the castle. Her stomach growled. She had not eaten at all that day. She finally threw herself down on a sofa in a spare room, not sure she could climb the stairs to her room. Her arms, neck, back and legs all screamed for a break. She rested her head back and knew she could be asleep in minutes.

  Jack followed her in, easing down next to her.

  “By the way,” he said quietly. “I’m proud of you.”

  Anna shrugged. “It wasn’t me. The bow and arrows don’t miss, and the sword, well, the sword had a mind of its own. I didn’t strike a single man. As it turns out, I didn’t need all that practice after all.”

  “I’m glad. I never wanted you to fight. How did you know to ride for Anwar?”

  “I just knew I had to stop those birds.”

  “You were—no are amazing.”

  “Stop it. Anyone would have done the same in my place. You more than anyone know the real me. You had to put up with me all the way home.”

  “Pure torture, that was.”

  She punched him, and he doubled over in mock pain.

  “Oh—I’m so sorry—” she began and rubbed his arm where she’d punched. He sat up and swiveled his back to her.

  “Ouch—oh, now to the side—no, higher a bit.”

  Anna shoved him lightly. “What is wrong with you?”

  He chuckled. “I thought I’d let you see the real me,” he said. “Bad behavior and all. You need to know what you are in for.”

  “I can handle it.”

  “I hope so.” He sat still for a moment and reached for her hand. “Because I’m not planning on letting you go, if you’ll have me.”

  “Of course I’ll have you.” She squeezed his hand. She never wanted to let it go.

  They talked quietly for some minutes while they shared a small meal. Anna sensed her body slowly relaxing. She felt so natural, so comfortable just sitting with Jack. His presence alone was reassurance that everything would be all right. Fatigue soon overwhelmed them both and Anna dozed against his good shoulder.

  Dawn broke gray a few hours later. Anna woke up with a start, not quite remembering where she was. Jack was gone. She quickly washed and went downstairs. All seemed quiet. Many servants who had worked all night caring for wounded soldiers were sleeping. Anna checked on a few patients and found some with dire needs. Others, however, were up and walking, or limping around.

  “Did you get some rest?” said a voice behind her.

  “Father!”

  “I hate to admit this, but thank goodness the priest gave you those weapons.” He placed his hand on her shoulder. “I panicked when I saw you ride for Anwar. I thought I’d lose you all over again, but you di
d well, Anna.”

  “It was my place to do it. Nicholas said those weapons were meant for me. I was scared, but for the first time, I feel like my life makes sense. If I’d never been lost, or chased by wolves, or captured by the people in Nicholas’s forest, or given the weapons in time, we’d all be dead, and Anwar would be ruling our people.”

  “I am so proud of you.” He pulled her into an embrace.

  Anna glanced up at her father, beaming down at her.

  “Thanks,” she said, smiling. “And I’m sorry I haven’t been the perfect daughter.”

  “All is forgiven and forgotten. But do you know what the best part of all this has been?”

  “What, Father?”

  “Simply having you back.”

  He hugged her.

  “I’m so glad to be back.”

  “Great thanks, of course goes to Lewis,” said her father. “I don’t know what would have happened if he hadn’t shown up when he did.”

  Chapter 22

  Great relief filled Anna’s heart in the next days. At last her family and people were safe. At the same time, her heart tore in two at the wails of the widows as they discovered their husbands were among the lost. Worse were the mothers.

  Caring for the wounded kept her spirits up as the herbs healed many. She just wished they had more. Bart was making slow improvement, and Anna hoped against hope he would survive.