Born of Fire: The Dawn of Legend (23 page)

“Are you serious?”

“Of course; that girl reeked of it. You’re not the only one who lost their nerve when whatever happened between the both of you went down. Trust me.”

DiNiya felt dumbfounded. “LyCora is afraid of me…no,” she said, shaking her head. “I don’t believe it, and even if I did, it doesn’t change anything! She’s cruel, mean-spirited, ill-tempered, and without remorse!”

“Sounds like someone else I know,” Rex replied thoughtfully while smiling to himself.

“You know what I mean, and besides, I don’t want anyone being afraid of me.”

“Why not?” he asked, standing at attention and cocking his head curiously as if having just heard something conceptually alien to him.

“What do you mean, ‘why not’? Why would anyone want others to fear them?”

“To keep your enemies from getting too close.”

“Enemies? Who exactly do you think is after me, Rex? Or you for that matter?” she said, giving him a sardonic look.

“Potentially everyone, maybe no one. The point is you never know, so it’s best to play it smart and use what you’ve got to your advantage.”

“And what exactly do I have?” she asked, putting her hands on her hips.

“Your flame. That girl’s heart nearly leaped out of her chest the instant I ignited mine. You people claim that this world is accepting of everyone, but I’ve seen the way people look at me because my flame is red. It’s very different from the way they look at you, and I suspect it’s because you can’t ignite yours. It’s out of sight, out of mind.” DiNiya looked away, feeling the weight of his words and the truth they held. “LyCora has seen it though, hasn’t she?” he asked, stepping closer. “So the real question is not why she hates you, but why she’s terrified of you.”

“Rex…it’s complicated.”

“Oh, I doubt that. Most things are simpler than people allow themselves to believe.”

“Is it not the same for you, having lost some of your memories?”

“How do you figure?” he asked, fixing her with a challenging gaze.

“Perhaps the reason why you can’t remember certain things is because those memories are ones you want to forget.”

“Why would I want to forget?”

“I don’t know,” she said in earnest. “But sometimes things happen that we cannot undo, that we can’t take back, and it leaves a scar. For you it was the loss of your memories.”

“And for you the loss of your flame.”

“My flame isn’t lost,” she said softly. “I have always known where it is. I just can’t…reach it anymore.”

“Why doesn’t it ignite?” Rex asked bluntly, no longer in the mood to dance around the issue. “To be honest, I thought it was some sort of disability, but LyCora said you could use your flame like everyone else up until only a few years ago. So what happened?”

For a moment it appeared DiNiya was going to answer the question, but then just as quickly decided not to. She could feel the same heavy weight on her heart every time someone asked her that question, every time she thought back to that day. Most of the time she could bury it far down and forget about it, but it was at times like this that it stabbed at her conscience like a knife.

“I’m sorry,” said Rex, reconciling that he may have pushed too hard. “I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s not your fault,” she said. “It’s mine, really. Rex…I know we have only known each other for a short while, but…I feel like I can be open with you. So much so that it scares me…but comforts me at the same time.” Rex recoiled back slightly, unsure how he felt about such a declaration. “But this is one thing I am still not ready to tell you,” she continued, clenching her fists. “I’m not ready to have you stop seeing me the way you do, and start looking at me the way they do.”

“I don’t care how ‘they’ look at you. All I know is who you’ve shown yourself to be. That girl talked big back there, but talk does not count for much. Actions speak louder than words. Know what I mean?”

“I do,” she said, nodding. “But it’s my actions I’m afraid of you learning about.”

Rex found himself standing there with no idea what else to say. He wished he could be one of those people who always had something smart and profound to contribute at a time like this. How did he even find himself in this situation? Why had he been so anxious to chase after her in the pouring rain? LyCora was right: how much did he really know about DiNiya? The smart thing to do would be what he had always done: stay off to the side and watch events play out in front of him to other people while he observed from safety…but here he was. Right in the middle of it all, staring into a pair of eyes that so were so much like his, but so different at the same time.

The rain finally stopped, and the clouds parted to let the dying light of the sun shine through. The light touched them and seemed to somewhat dissolve the somber mood, while all around them, the mountain glistened.

“We should probably get back,” Rex said.

DiNiya just shook her head. “I want to stay right here.”

“Well, then I’m staying too.”

DiNiya smiled. She was happy to at long last have a friend she could be at ease with. She only hoped he would not see that which she so desperately tried to keep hidden from the world, a secret that had already robbed her of any chance at a normal life. Then again, Rex hardly came across as one devoid of a dark side, so she wondered if he really would be as put off as she feared. He was incredibly difficult to pin down in terms of mood and temperament. At times he could make her laugh like no one else, but then just as quickly reveal a cold and almost sinisterly detached sense of distrust in others.
Now is not the time to think of such things
, she told herself. What mattered most was that despite any and all apprehensions she had about his personal character, he was in the one place that no one else in the world was: at her side. She had no idea what the future held for her and her new friend, but for now, in this moment in time, things seemed just right.

They sat down at their usual spot and looked up to the clearing sky where CyTorians circled high above.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

“Don’t mention it,” he replied

Gently, she leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

The next morning, the two of them walked to the shop with BaRone, who seemed to be his normal jovial self—something that came as a surprise to Rex, considering the scene at the tavern the day before. Then again, moving on and not dwelling on it was probably the best course of action in terms of easing tensions between him and DiNiya. As for her, she seemed a little tired this morning but otherwise back to her normal self. Rex found himself marveling at how quickly she was able to bounce back, a testament to her own strength of will.

Upon reaching the shop, BaRone immediately went downstairs, leaving Rex and DiNiya alone for the first time since the day before.

“Hey,” called Rex to her quietly. “Are you all right?”

She smiled and nodded. “Yes, I’m fine. You know this new kind streak is going to ruin that dark and sinister persona of yours.”

“What?” Rex asked, confused, as he cocked his head to the side.

“Never mind,” she laughed, smoothing out a loose fiber on his shirt. “Come on, let’s get ready to open.”

They spent the next half hour dusting off statues, reorganizing books on shelves, and double-checking orders. Rex, not really knowing much of anything regarding working in the shop, basically just did what he was told. Hold this, put that over there, hand me that. They were kind enough to keep it simple while he learned. They finished with everything just as a familiar face walked into the shop.

“Good morning, TarFor,” DiNiya said cheerfully.

“Good morning to you, DiNiya,” the big man said as he walked up to the counter and gave her a hug.

Rex was still impressed by how large and powerful TarFor looked, with a barreled chest and arms like tree trunks. His thick mane of fur, which was normally tied back, hung free today, elegantly draped over his shoulders.

“Morning, TarFor,” BaRone said as he emerged from the back and put a statue he had just finished polishing back on the shelf. “I thought you would be down at the docks, what with your son pulling into the harbor today.”

“Well, that was the plan, but he sent word that he had to head south instead,” TarFor replied. “Something about a major score he couldn’t pass up. I would, however, like to make a trade.”

“Oh?” BaRone replied curiously. “And what might that be?”

“A little help checking on the state of the SoNarvora who moved into the outer forest not too long ago in exchange for a smile on DiNiya’s face.” He reached down to the leather pouch that hung from his hip and pulled out a beautiful crimson flower that looked like an elaborate crown for a tiny king, with six long pointy petals that angled straight up. Inside was a swirling pool of light, which emitted an intoxicating smell that filled the room.

“Wow, a fire rose!” DiNiya said in awe as she gently took it into her hands and breathed in the sweet aroma. “It’s beautiful. Thank you, TarFor!”

“A beautiful rose for a beautiful young woman,” he said with a bow. DiNiya smiled broadly as she turned away, blushing. “Ah hah,” TarFor suddenly exclaimed with a big grin. “There’s the smile! So, old friend, do we have a trade?”

“Indeed we do,” BaRone replied, leaning against the bookshelf. “But why exactly do you need her help, or anyone’s for that matter?”

TarFor suddenly looked uneasy. He began to fidget with one of his long locks of wavy fur as he seemed to search for the right words. “Well, you see, I, uhh…well, what happened was…”

“Yes?” BaRone said instantly.

“Well,” the big man continued to stammer. “I accidentally destroyed their settlement two days ago!”

“Come again?”

“TarFor! You didn’t!” DiNiya said somberly.

“It was an accident,” TarFor barked. “I accidentally led a herd of BroTons through the section of forest they had settled in.”

“What exactly possessed you to do that?” BaRone asked, crossing his arms.

“Their young were being picked off by the threes and fours every day on the edge of the forest by the western plains. They had sent word to VayRonx asking for safe passage through the KaNar’s territory so they could relocate north, and he asked me to see that they made it through without issue.”

“So what happened then?” DiNiya asked.

“What are BroTons?” Rex asked

“DyVorians like the ones with the long necks you see her in KaNar,” DiNiya explained. “But smaller and with necks held horizontally instead of vertically like the BorMax.”

“And the other ones?”

“The SoNarvora. Two-legged runners with long, skinny necks.”

“Ahh,” he replied, nodding understandingly

“So why do you need her?” BaRone asked, looking over at his daughter.

“She has always had a talent for diplomacy, so I thought—”

“That she could clean up your mess?”

“Do you have a better idea? Besides, I figured Rex could come along. It will be a good way for him to meet his other neighbors in the region. Broaden his horizon a bit.”

“Fine,” BaRone sighed, rubbing his forehead. “They can go with you. DiNiya, you don’t mind, right?”

“It’s fine,” she said with a chuckle as she jumped down from the counter. “Rex, you’re okay with this, right? I mean, I know you don’t like the forest, so if you would rather stay here—”

“It’s fine,” Rex said. “Lead the way.” He did his best to sound brave but his insides were bound in knots. His last outing in the forest was rather harmless, but then again, he was riding on the head of a ten-tone carnivore, something he had already witnessed was enough to deter any OroGon out looking for a meal. TarFor was big to be sure, but he was no VayRonx.

They walked to the door, which DiNiya opened immediately, and they found themselves facing LyCora; DiNiya’s and Lycora’s eyes met instantly.

“You,” DiNiya said in a tone that made the others immediately fear a repeat of the day before.

“Good morning, DiNiya,” LyCora said in her usual cool demeanor.

“What are you doing here?” DiNiya asked, not moving from the doorway.

“Have you forgotten? We’re here to help your father with that scroll.”

In the heat of everything that transpired the day before, she had completely forgotten that it was in fact her father who had called LyCora and VoRenna to KaNar. She suddenly felt a surge of resentment towards him that surprised her. How could he do this to her? He knew what having LyCora around reminded her of…as if she could forget it anyway, but having her here staring at her, judging her…how was she supposed to just pretend it did not bother her?

VoRenna lowered her head into view and tried to defuse the situation before it started. “DiNiya, good morning. I promised your father I would assist him, but please know that we have no intention of causing a repeat of last night. Isn’t that right, LyCora?” she added, angling her head down at the other girl.

“Of course,” LyCora said in a tone that betrayed any true sense of sincerity, while never taking her eyes off DiNiya.

“Hey, I have an idea,” said BaRone with a sudden look of delight. “Why don’t you take LyCora along with you, TarFor?” Everyone’s head whipped around to face him, and BaRone did his best to hold on to his courage. “I only really need VoRenna to help with the translation, and how often does LyCora get to come and visit KaNar anymore?”

“BaRone, are you sure—”

“You bastard, don’t do this to me,” the big man interrupted, rushing up to BaRone with a look of panic in his eyes as he grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt and lifted him up to his eye level.

“What’s wrong, old friend?” BaRone said with a mischievous grin. “Scared of a couple of little girls, are you?”

“BaRone, please! Don’t throw me in the middle of that feud. Even I don’t think I could come out of it unscathed.”

“Relax. You’ll have Rex there with you.”

TarFor glanced over and saw LyCora eyeing Rex uncertainly with DiNiya looking like she was about to explode.

“That’s what worries me,” he replied somberly as he lowered BaRone back down.

“VoRenna, you’re all right with this, right?” BaRone asked.

VoRenna, who was still standing outside because she was too large to fit inside the front entrance of the shop, let out a deep sigh and said, “Very well.” She looked over at LyCora, who was already at odds with DiNiya, having apparently looked at Rex the wrong way. “LyCora!” she roared. The two girls jumped and instantly spun around to face her, much to Rex’s relief. “LyCora, I want you to behave yourself when you are out there, is that understood?”