The Frozen Flames: Book 2 - Embers

Chapter One - Morning

Winter 1104 SR*

(Saints Reckoning)

Athgar opened his eyes to see the sleeping form of Natalia beside him, her bare leg laying across him, poking out from beneath the blanket. In the cold morning air, his breath frosted, and he looked over at the fireplace to see nothing but embers, their expected glow all but extinguished.

Calling on his inner spark, he pointed, and moments later, a small fire burst to life, its flames desperately trying to ignite the burned remains. It wouldn’t last long, he knew, probably only long enough for him to rise from his bed and place more logs to fuel it, but to do that, he must first extricate himself from Natalia’s limbs. He gently lifted her leg, deftly rolling out from beneath her and paused, making sure he hadn’t disturbed her slumber.

Athgar stood, pulling a cloak from the back of a nearby chair and wrapped it around his shoulders. The chill was starting to wane, the magical flames driving it from the room, but he knew it wouldn’t last. He moved to the fireplace, placing more logs, and waited, entranced by the fire as it slowly danced its way across the wood. The heat warmed him as he crouched, deep in thought. As a wielder of fire, he had learned to control this destructive force of nature, and yet the Orcs had taught him the importance of respecting it. As the flames grew, his mind wandered to more recent events.

After their encounter with the Fire Mage in the great port of Corassus, they knew they couldn’t remain there. Thanks to Brother Cyric, they had been given horses, but their lack of riding skills and the cold weather had worn them both out. They had left the city with no clear destination but had finally found refuge here, in Ostermund, a little village in the foothills of the Grey Spires Mountains. It was far removed from the great cities of the Petty Kingdoms, and, he hoped, beyond the reach of Natalia’s family.

“Athgar,” Natalia called out, “what are you doing?”

He turned his attention back to her. “I’m just warming the place up,” he explained. “The fire had burned down, and it was getting chilly.”

“Come back to bed,” she urged, “and I’ll keep you warm.”

He smiled as he moved towards the bed where she had rolled onto her back, her dark hair framing her pale face as she looked up at him.

“Well,” she said, “what are you waiting for?”

“Can’t a fellow admire his mate?” he asked, his face breaking into a grin.

“Is that what I am?” she said in mock seriousness. “Athgar’s mate?”

“Oh, you’re much more than that,” he explained.