Chapter 2 -The Navy Hood

Meet 'The Navy Hood'! (As Edana called him) And wonder why Edana's Magic wasn't working when battling this particular stranger.

I ran from the clearing, hurdling over fallen trees, rocks, and low underbrush. Things I couldn’t jump over, I wove around �" upright trees for example, it would’ve been impressive if I could clear those. I didn’t follow a path. I didn’t keep track of where I was going. I need to get away. Far away. What was I thinking? Why was I stupid enough to think I could really control it? Mother TOLD me! She said it would destroy me, destroy others if I lost control … ‘The fire is dangerous. Mother said that time and time again.’ Yes. I know what Mother said. She never let me forget it. ‘Then run. Make it seem as if it never happened �" there really isn’t any evidence anyway.’ I shook my head. I couldn’t be neat a pile of ashes and a dead body. I needed to put as much distance between me and my failure as possible.

My pack thumped a forlorn beat against my lower back as my relentless pace ate up the miles of foliage in my path. As I reached the fifth mile, my screaming lungs drowned out any other thoughts that I could have had, and I unconsciously slowed to a trot. I should have stopped. I should have checked my surroundings, and head in the right direction. I’m probably heading in exactly the opposite direction of where I want to be going. No. this doesn’t look familiar. I would know if I had been here before. I slowed even more to a brisk walk. My breath came in short gasps, and I rubbed at my stomach. My heart still beat at my previous pace, and there was a slight pinching in my gut. My ears twitched, and I cautiously returned to a jog. There it is again. I couldn’t describe exactly what it was as I pushed body into a full out sprint. Only when I heard the sound a third time did I realize what it was: footsteps. I was being followed. I struggled to contain a snort. They are a fool if they think they can ambush me!

I kept sprinting for another 200 yards, then suddenly �" and on purpose �" I jerked to the right. Whipping around a tree, I crouched and faced the way I had come. Preparing to spring, I tensed my muscles, like a spring ready to pop.

In almost slow motion, my ears sharpened. I heard the leaves scrape against one another, and a mouse in the underbrush five feet away. My eyes focused. Crystal sunlight penetrated the thick blanket of shadows; a scarlet beetle scuttled into its hole in the bark of a tree to my right. My nose also heightened. I heard the sound of boots whispering through the thick foliage. Human. The stench of sweat and dried blood. Fighter. My hands turned to coals, and my breath quickened with anticipation. The corner of a navy cloak whipped around the corner of my hiding spot, and I watched my pursuer barrel head on, not bothering to look down. He jolted past me with speed to rival my own, and I leapt out behind him.

For it was a he. I feigned a swing at his left ear, causing the navy hood to slip. It revealed a youth �" my age or a year older �" with bronze hair and golden skin. In a vain attempt, I curled my glowing hand into a fist and launched my entire body at the golden neck. I connect with a windpipe, and I heard the unmistakable whoosh escape his lips. I thought for sure I missed that. In a daze, I grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back. I locked my other arm under his chin, my mouth inches from his ear. My eyes began to burn, and I saw out of their watery corners that my hands had begun to smoke. What’s going on? That’s never happened before … The urge to burn the would-be-attacker to cinders was almost overwhelming. Not again. Don’t lose control. I only want information �" and an explanation. Twice in one day would be humiliating. ‘Just kill him. He means nothing. He is no one. A faceless being. Burn him!’

“NO! I forced out against the fire that began to smolder at the corners of my mind. I need to be in control. I need to be in control!

“No, what?” Came a voice from under the mass of bronze hair. “You really need to be more specific. You could’ve meant ‘No, don’t move!’ I could’ve taken it as ‘No, don’t kiss me.’”

“WHAT? Are you an idiot?! Why would you think I’d say that?”

“Are you saying you’ve never had anything of the sort said to you? Surprising, I always thought holding someone in a choke hold was the ultimate flirting technique.”

“Flirting?” I spluttered, momentarily taken aback by the stupidity that was oozing from my captives pores. Who in Alahra’s name does he think he is? “I don’t flirt!! I don’t have time for such nonsense!”

“”That’s not true!” I heard a touch of laughter in his voice, and my grip tightened around his neck.

“You don’t know me.” I growled in his ear. Why do I have to have an annoying stalker? I don’t have time for this.

“Alright, fine.” He conceded. “I don’t know you, but I know enough.”

“If you don’t stop with your worthless chatter and start answering my questions, I’ll kill you. I know how. I’ve done it before. And then where would you be?” I tried for a deadly smooth threat, but my voice came out more like a frightened child’s.

“Well, I’d be dying slowly in your arms, and you’d be left to watch the life drain from my eyes and wish that you could take it all back.”

“Are you done?” I snapped. That time, I could hear my voice cut like a blade �" as easily able to kill as the one hidden in my boot.

“Fine,” he sighed, “carry on.”

“First order of business,” I pushed on hastily, determined not to let him interrupt me again, “why are you following me? I’ve not seen you before in my life, and haven’t done anything worth being pursued after.” Mentally, I bit my tongue. ‘Stop talking. Let him dig the hole deeper for himself �" far enough down that would be no possible way to climb out.’

“I’m not following you.”

“Then why did it seem like you were?” I accused, my voice jumping an octave.

“Because I was.”

“What?”

“You asked me why I am following you, and I’m telling you, I’m not. I am, at this particular moment, being slowly choked to death by a female soldier with the temper to match a Dragon’s. Who exactly do you work for anyway? The King? The Scarlet? Are you one of those scouts that hunt fresh blood for the prison camp nearby?” He was rambling to get out of the situation, I knew that, but when he uttered ‘prison camp’ every hair along my body stood on end.

“What prison camp? What do the guards look like!?” I demanded harshly, giving his neck a quick jerk �" though it didn’t faze him.

“Wait. What?” His voice rose in sincere confusion. “Why would you need to know what the guards look like? You are a Rebel aren’t you?”

“It’s none of your business why I need to know. You promised to answer all of my questions, and this is one of them.”

“I don’t know what each and every guard looks like specifically.” He sighed. “But I can tell you that they all have this mark on their arm, and ….”

He had continued on about what they wore and the weapons they carried, but and soon as I heard ‘mark’ my mind shot back to the last time I had ever seen my beloved sister alive. They took her to the prison camp. Oh what horrors she might have endured!!! I moaned at the thought. ‘Mother was right. You were careless. Think of the state Titania could be in now because you were too weak to take care of her.’

“Are you okay?” The drastic change of the tone in the golden head’s voice �" from annoyingly cheerful to truly concerned �" abruptly brought me back to the darkening forest and the position I was in �" one of control; one that could not be compromised.

“I’m fine.” I answered gruffly, tightening my grip around the neck that was causing me no small amount of problems. Calm yourself, Edana. I warned myself sternly, there’s no need to get angry, he’s just concerned. ‘Why not, how has he truly been helpful? He’s only given you partial answers and half-baked truths.’ That is still no reason to burn him. ‘Sure it is. He’s wasting dearly needed time. Titania could be dying right now! Do you remember what those petty merchants from the other week said?’

 “SHUT UP!”

“I didn’t say anything.” Confusion laced his words.

“I wasn’t talking to you!” I yelled in his ear, and I caught a flicker of a wince.

I shut my eyes tightly and began to take slow, even breaths, trying to calm the fire I could feel pulsing in my blood and racing in my ears. Smoke wafted up into my nostrils and into my eyes, making me blink rapidly. Now’s not the time. Concentrate. A hum reverberated around my skull until it felt like a swarm of bees had made their hive on the inside of my head. My eyelids fluttered, and my nostrils flared. I opened my eyes fully, and the colors of the forest warped and twisted before me �" each leaf a tiny dancer, each tree a wave of movement. The effect was disorienting, and it left me gasping and my head reeling. My muscles tensed reflexively, and my lips curled back from my teeth in an inaudible snarl.

“OW! What are you doing?” The navy hood barked. “Watch it!” But it was as if I was hearing a whisper from the other end of a long tunnel �" muted and unclear.

“Stop! What in Alahra’s name are you up to? Cut it out!” He howled and started to wrench against my hold �" a stallion straining against his bridle. But my grip was like iron, making his attempts seem feeble and childish. My hands began to glow red �" the fire hasn’t shown itself yet, but it’s only a matter of time.

“What are you?” In one final push, he broke free of my grasp �" with so much force, I wondered distantly if he was really trying earlier. ‘If he’s that strong, he could be a danger. Kill him.’ Why? Can’t I just knock him out? ‘He’ll follow again.’ I groaned. I couldn’t kill him. Another death would make me a murderer of seven �" and that was only in a single day.

A sudden absence of air in my lungs ripped me from my silent argument. I hit the trunk of a tree with such force white spots began to dance across my red vision. I landed with a thud, the forest swimming before me. I focused on the navy hood, which I realized had been pulled up, the only unwavering object in the mass of blurry movement. I felt my eyes faze in and out, trying to focus on the figure that loomed before me, but they only seemed to concentrate on the hood that towered above my head. I’ll show you scary … A snarl launched itself from my throat, and I rose to a crouch. I glared warningly at the foggy hood for a split second before I catapulted myself directly at his abdomen.

His fist sank into my stomach, and I flew off towards my right, crashing into the underbrush and landing hard on my arm. But just as quickly, I was up again and rolling to my feet. Flames danced across my knuckles, up the back of my hands, and kept going until they reached my elbows. The heat licked my face as it tried to run all the way up to my shoulders. Be patient. You’ll get your chance, just give me a moment.

We circled each other like predators, the hooded man and I �" my arms blazing, and his guarded pose, shifting from foot to foot like a boxer. I silently wished that I could check my hood, to make sure that it covered my face as completely as his cowl hid his, but if I did, I would send the entire thing up in flames in an instant �" and then where would I be?

I didn’t know how long we continued our carful, circling dance, but it was long enough that the sun had sunk low enough in the sky that my flames were beginning to make it hard to see. A violet hue had begun to creep into the sky. Complete darkness would soon follow, and them it would’ve been near impossible to land a blow upon one dressed so obviously for nighttime escapades while I was lit up like a warning beacon. The idiot. He’s trying to wait me out. Well, well. Let’s see him try, shall we?

I snarled again, that time letting it grow to a full roar. As soon as the cry escaped my lips, I was on him �" punching with my flaming fists at anything that lay within my reach. I heard grunts, but didn’t let up. I need to win. This is for Titania. I jumped away from him, finally, breathing hard, and we started circling again. If I am to get to her as soon as I possibly can, I need to beat this imbecile to a pulp and get out of here.

Almost as if they had heard me, my flames roared up my back until it must’ve looked like I had fiery wings. Maybe this’ll give him something to think about before he goes and thinks he can beat me next time.

I let out a long breath and closed my eyes, letting my senses sharpen like they did when I first met the hooded figure. I heard his cautious breathing and smelled the sweat that oozed from his pores. I didn’t bother opening my eyes as my flames brightened into my own miniature sun �" I didn’t need to see. With a surge of adrenaline, I let out a sharp breath and finally let my flames free. The heat brushed my skin in an almost melancholy farewell before rushing at the man in front of me. Even with my eyes still closed, I could see the scarlet light burning through my eyelids.

But then, all of a sudden, the beautiful red light of my fire is gone �" replaced by a sudden blackness that made my skin tingle and my breath hiccup in my chest. My eyes fluttered at the sudden drop in temperature, and I let them open, straining against the fading light. The hooded man stood across from me, his hands clasped in front of him in an annoyingly patient stance that made me want to hurl. How is he not dead?

“Are you done yet?” He asked cheekily, a smile twitching at the corner of his mouth �" I noticed because it was the only part of him I could actually see. I crossed my arms and scowled back, refusing to answer.

“Fine,” he shrugged, “be that way.” I waited for him to turn away and leave me alone, but instead he stood there in the growing darkness with his infuriating half-smile that had begun to set my teeth on edge. ‘Just leave. He’s wasting time. He knows what you’re doing, and he’s trying to keep you from it.’ My frown deepened, and I widened my stance, waiting for him to charge at me.

“Aw. Don’t be that way.” He said lightly, spreading his hands. “I’m here to help you.”

“The Dragons you are!” I spat at him. Without thinking, I stalked up to him until our noses almost touched. “If you really were trying to help,” I hissed quietly, “then you would tell me everything you knew about this prison camp, and then get out of my sight as quick as your little golden feet could carry you.”

“Little golden feet?!” he snorted, and I blinked, leaning away from him as he clutched at his stomach, laughing. I don’t have time for this.

“Are … you … serious?!” He asked through heavy laughter that left him breathless. ‘You could kill him now. Get him while he’s vulnerable.’ I silently agree, but … maybe he’s really here to help. I shook my head at the renegade thought. He’s lying. He just doesn’t want me to kill him.

Laughter still gushed from the hooded man’s mouth, and I clamped my hand against it in frustration. I glowered up into the shadows of the cowl, hoping I had made eye contact as I said, with as much venom as I could muster: “Xelior take you if you don’t stop your childish chortling this second.”

His face sobered instantly, and he resumed his stance from before. I noted a slight tension had crept its way into his hands, and it took all of my willpower not to smirk at his uneasiness. My jaw clenched as I glared at him, and my fists found their way to my hips. Isn’t he going to say anything? Apologize for wasting my time? My fingers itched to wrap themselves around the immature creature’s throat, and as the two of us stared each other down, I began to wonder what was stopping them?

Another long pause ensued. I watched as the sun finally set on the horizon, and the blue shadows of night spread across the sky. I’m wasting too much time. I need to get out of here. Giving the navy hood one last glare, I turned and stalked off toward the underbrush, not caring if he followed.

“That’s not the right way.” I heard from behind me, but I didn’t slow down. Stupid! How could I let myself waste so much time? I have to make up the time now. ‘Can’t stop for the night.’ That’s probably for the best. I admitted silently, recalling the dream from last night. They’ve been getting worse.

“Hey!” I heard again. “HEY!!” With a sigh of frustration, I whipped around to face the navy hood.

“WHAT?!” I growled, irritated to say the least.

“You’re going the wrong way.” He said again, striding towards me.

“And how would you know?” I sneered as he stopped a few feet away from me.

“I just do.” He answered, shrugging. “Trust me.”

“I’d rather rot in Goyan.” I spat, continuing on into the shadowy undergrowth.

“I know what you’re looking for,” he murmured softly enough that even my fine-tuned hearing had a hard time picking it up. “I’m truly here to help.”

“The Dragons you are!” I shouted for the second time, turning on him and storming over until our noses are again almost touching. A dull roar began to hum in my ears, and red tinged the very edges of my vision. My hand curled into glowing fists, and a snarl danced on my lips.

Not even trying to restrain the raging infernos that leapt to life of their own accord, I let my fire race up my arms and across my shoulder blades. I raised my hands �" intending to burn the annoying stalker-captive to ash. Maybe this time I’ll be able to keep them going long enough to actually DO something. ‘Concentrate on this anger. Use it to fuel your fire.’ I took a deep breath, and focused on his face. My flames center at my hands growing stronger, and stronger …

Suddenly, his hands clamped down over mine, and the fire went out again. I struggled to pull my hands away, just as I struggled to hold to hold onto my anger at this stranger.

“Your magic is strong.” He admitted, still holding my hands tightly. “Who did you study under?” I continued to struggle instead of answering. I flexed my fingers, trying to curl them back into fists. My palms began to hum, and my eyes flicked up to his face �" trying to gauge if he noticed. His mouth was set in a hard line, his jaw clenched. I saw his eyes were half shut in a look of intense concentration.

The man in the navy hood began to murmur in a haunting language that echoed in my ears and made me feel raw and exposed. It was as if I was being held in the spray of a roaring waterfall, quickly scoured of grime until I was stripped bare and hung out to dry in front of the eyes of the navy hood.

The words switched pitch, and I fought harder to get free. Memories surfaced in my mind, ones that I had pushed down deep into the dark recesses of my subconscious. So deep in fact, that even my nightmares couldn’t find them. Not until now.

“No!” I shouted out against the threatening pool of memories. “NO! This is not happening!” In a surge of rage, fire erupted over my entire body and an animalistic sound I had never known I could make wrenched itself from my throat.

But as the rage began to consume my mind, the haunting words danced back into my hearing. They rang out �" sharp and brilliant �" bringing clarity to even the deepest crevices. Through fuzzy vision, I saw pain laced into the features of the man in front of me. Something inside my mind snapped with a resounding twang. What have I done? ‘Breathe. Even breaths.’ But that only seemed to make it worse.

“Let go! Let go of my hands!” I shouted helplessly, but he couldn’t hear me over the screaming inferno that rapped us in a sweltering cocoon. The words no longer echoed through my head, and red began to flash behind my eyes �" not content to stay on the edges any longer. A smile began to flicker at my lips. ‘This is what you want. This is so much easier than talking.’ I agreed instantly, because it WAS easier. I didn’t have to try. I didn’t have to think. I could just stand there in the midst of my fire and watch it destroy someone else. So much simpler than conversation.

“Stop struggling,” I breathed, “you’re only making it worse for yourself.”

“Edana, PLEASE!” How does he know my name? I began to feel a slight hum in the back of my skull at the thought, and I shook my head as if to rid it of cobwebs. Increasing to the point that my teeth were beginning to rattle, I realized it was those words again �" the ones that man in the navy hood had chanted. That time though, they seemed angry.

And then, all of a sudden, it was gone. The fire, the words, everything. Before I even know what I was doing, I was crouched on the ground with my hands tucked under my arms, whimpering.

***

I didn’t know how long I stayed like that, but when I finally raised my head, the moon was at her zenith in the sky and was beginning her slow decent down the other side. I slowly looked at the navy hood �" which was now thrown back, and I saw bronze hair that glinted in the moonlight. He was huddled on the ground similar to me, with his hands clutched to his chest.

His hands! Great Valynyr above, help him! Oh I am such a fool! Shriveled and black, his hands were maybe half the sides they had been before.

“I did this. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. So sorry!” a sob caught in my throat as hot tears gushed from my eyes. “I didn’t mean for you to get hurt. I told you to let go. I t-told you …!”

And then I was crying. Tears ran down my cheeks, cooling my fire-kissed skin. Even when the tears were gone, I still sobbed �" dry hacking sobs that would scare any creature in a 12 yard radius.

“I’m sorry. Let me fix this, please …”

I stayed like that long after the moon retired and the sun started his walk through the clear sky. Soon, I was huddled on the ground in a fetal position, asleep. Dreams haunted my inner conscious �" ones brought on by those lilting words �" making my sleep a restless one. 

Author's Note

I have been told that Edana's personality does a 180 at the end of this chapter, what are your thoughts?