CHAPTER 8
A brEATH TO THE FLAME
I swear to do no harm. To raise no blade. To honour life. To heal what is broken. From this day, until my last day.
– The Healer’s oath of House Hale.
As soon as the trial ended, Cass was lifted down from the shield. An Arcalon healer came to meet her on the arena floor, but she waved off magical healing, her arm being wrapped in a rough sling instead.
Once Sebastian had gotten Sienna safely down from their team’s pillar, he went straight to Cass.
“You alright?” he asked, crouching beside her, checking her arm himself.
“I’m fine,” Cass said, her eyes lingering on him.
Kara looked away, shoving down the uncomfortable twist in her chest. Sebastian returned to stand with them in front of the Council’s box as the scores were read out.
Kara’s team got their lowest score of the competition so far – a two.
It could have been worse. Henry’s team got no points at all. The competition had split wide open.
The Fire Trial would be the decider.
“The Fire Trial will be held at the fourth bell,” the judge said.
“All teams will report to the delegates’ tent by the east gate until you are called.
” She surveyed the teams with a knowing look.
“You will not see the other teams complete the trial. You will not speak of it until all teams have completed.”
Low murmurs rippled through the crowd, but the moment the judge raised her hand, silence fell.
“In this trial, you may use magic,” she finished.
There was a collective sigh of relief amongst the teams. Morra’s hands glowed yellow and she sent out ribbons of light that danced around her.
She wasn’t the only one. Kara dropped down beside Sienna’s ankle and threaded warm emerald through it until the swelling faded away.
Sienna took a few tentative steps, testing the weight on it.
“It doesn’t hurt at all now, Kara, thanks,” she said gratefully.
“No problem,” Kara replied.
“Well, now we just have to get roasted alive for points. Can’t wait,” Jax interjected, voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Better than falling to our deaths,” Morra said.
“Debatable,” Sienna said darkly.
“Oh, you wouldn’t have died, Sienna,” said Oryen reasonably. “The shield prevented it with Cass – just serious injury.”
Sienna laughed humourlessly, “Well, that’s better then.”
Kara looked to Sebastian. He was fire-born – his magic came from the Arcanth Fire Shard.
He’d likely do well in whatever the next trial was.
She wanted to thank him for helping with Sienna, for coming back when no one else had.
She opened her mouth, but the words wouldn’t come.
Instead, all she managed was: “What do you think the Fire Trial will be?”
Oh, well done.
“Something dramatic, no doubt,” Sebastian said, crossing his arms. “They’ll want a spectacle for the final trial. Fire draws the biggest crowd.”
She nodded as if that was exactly what she’d intended to say all along, but her cheeks had started to burn. She fell in step beside Sienna and Morra before he could see. Sebastian frowned, but then turned his attention to Jax as they climbed the hill away from the arena.
The afternoon passed quickly, with food and quiet conversation.
Kara hadn’t managed to eat anything though.
She’d tried to tell Alys that the disqualification wasn’t her fault – but Alys had brushed her off.
Henry had disappeared into his chambers.
No doubt reading up on past Fire Trials – hoping for an edge.
None of their team were speaking to Corrin.
He’d gone for a walk alone, as soon as they’d returned from the Air Trial.
Sebastian had watched him go, but said nothing.
Kara couldn’t stop thinking about how many times she’d used her magic this Arcalon. Last year she had used it once. Once. This year, she hadn’t gone a trial without it. That alone said enough about how dangerous they’d made it. And fire was arguably the most dangerous of all.
Before they knew it, they were back at the arena. All the teams’ delegates were ushered into the green canvas tent that had been erected in the grounds outside. Team One was called first.
“Good luck,” she said to Thomel as he walked by, offering a small smile. He nodded at her, his lips pressed together, anxiety radiating off him.
Kara hadn’t spoken to him since the casting, but she’d heard his team talking before what had happened to Rosalie.
They hadn’t been happy with his performance in the Earth Trial.
This Arcalon would do more than damage his reputation.
Thomel had been hoping for one of the medic posts on the Navyrian merchant fleet. That was unlikely now.
It didn’t take long before heat began to pulse from the arena, thick and heavy. It made the air inside the tent stifling. Kara stood abruptly, intending to stretch her legs, but the moment she got to her feet, her vision swam. She swayed–
A hand caught hers. Sebastian, steadying her. “You alright?”
“I’m fine, just stood up too fast.”
“You look pale,” Henry said from across the tent, concern evident. He’d been watching.
Sebastian didn’t say anything else, but his grip on her hand remained firm.
His palm was rough, calloused from years of wielding a blade.
Kara shook her head, brushing the dizziness away and raised her free hand, sending a shimmering emerald light around her.
A mix of heat, lack of sleep and no food. Nothing serious.
“Honestly, I’m fine. Thanks. Both of you.”
Sebastian’s fingers tightened slightly around hers. His crimson reached for her emerald – a hint of the strength she’d felt on the river flowed through her. She looked up at him.
Not now.
Kara blinked and the crimson was gone. Henry cast a pointed look at their joined hands. The tension clearly hadn’t gone unnoticed. Sienna was watching with a knowing expression. Jax looked like he was holding back a comment. Kara flashed him a warning look.
She pulled away from Sebastian and stepped backwards.
“Drink some water,” he ordered her, pointing to their canteens.
“Yes, mother,” Kara replied, too quickly.
He smiled slightly, then dropped his gaze, his jaw tightening. Tension emanated from him like heat. Anger? Restraint? She wasn’t sure. She crossed her arms and forced herself to focus – the trial would begin soon.
Henry’s team were summoned minutes later.
They departed through the tent flap without a word.
Team Three followed not long after. None of them returned.
Jax paced. Sienna hummed tunelessly. Gregor and Morra fidgeted.
Oryen recited a prayer under his breath.
Sebastian stood still as stone, staring at the tent flap.
The tension broke at last when the Arcalon assistant appeared, calling abruptly, “Team Four.”
Kara stretched out her hands and felt the reassuring hum of her magic underneath, waiting for her command.
They were led in silence to the arena’s edge, where black plumes had begun to billow over the walls, the thunder of the crowd dominating the space.
The air was thick with heat, the scent of burning wood unmistakable.
What in the name of the Four is this?
The assistant stopped abruptly and turned to face them.
“You have fifteen minutes. Save as many as you can.”
“Excuse me?” Kara asked, horrified. “Save who?”
But the assistant didn’t respond. “May the Four bear witness. Your time starts now. You may go.”
They looked at each other for only a second – then ran.
In front of them, the entire arena floor had been converted into a replica of a Vallennan village – narrow streets, thatched roofs – but all of it was burning, flames licking up the walls. The heat already unbearable.
Through the haze and chaos, Kara glimpsed flashes of ruby – Fatàn shield bubbles shimmering – holding firm within the blaze.
And inside them were... people. Villagers huddled together.
Real volunteers, shielded for now from the fire that ravaged their surroundings, waiting to be pulled from the flames.
Waiting for them.
Fifteen minutes.
“Cover your mouths,” Kara said as she pulled bandages from her satchel and tossed them out. They wet them quickly with water from their canteens and tied them around their mouths and noses.
“Stay low – the air will be clearer,” Sebastian ordered.
Once they were all wearing their makeshift masks, Oryen yelled, “Let’s split up!”
They surged forwards. The crowd cheered, screaming their names.
Morra slammed her hands to the ground. The soil flew upwards in writhing tentacles, the ground rippling beneath her palms. The tentacles latched together to form thick walls of earth which towered over them.
With a strike of her arm, Morra sent the earth collapsing over the flames of the nearest house, smothering the fire, a cloud of steam and ash billowing in response.
The ruby shields stood untouched. Morra smiled in triumph – then her face fell.
The flames recovered quickly – already licking their way back up the chimney.
“Jax!” Morra shouted.
“I’ve got it!” he yelled as his hands glowed a brilliant blue.
With a sharp pulse of his magic he drew water from the river beyond the arena walls.
A wave rushed in, pouring through the east gate, dousing a path ahead.
Jax raised his hands again, the sapphire light crackling between his fingertips.
The torrent soared up and crashed over the nearest building with an angry hiss of steam.
The blaze faltered – but didn’t die. It rose – fiercer and more ferocious than before.
“That should’ve worked!” Jax shouted.
Kara squinted through the smoke. In the same breath she saw it. A shimmer clinging to the edges of the flames. “Wait,” she shouted through the chaos. “It’s enchanted. There’s magic woven around the fire itself!”
Sebastian cursed, crimson magic sparking at his hands.