Fire Within: Book Two of Fire and Stone (Stories of Fire and Stone 2) (18 page)

“About,” Esset replied dryly. In a roundabout way, it was even true. Keeping him busy fighting the Reshkin hadn’t dulled his curiosity about the Nadra, but it had certainly curbed his ability to pursue information about them. It was a good thing Tseka had set her sights on the capable
Mr.
Esset, and not the Mrs. He made a mental note to never leave Tseka alone with his mother. Mrs. Esset was formidable in her own right, but she was already off-kilter enough in this environment. Then again, Tseka might have known that and been avoiding her intentionally. It was rare for anyone to give Tseka any credit for compassion, but she did have a good heart…when her desire for mischief didn’t get in the way.

“Yes, he learned his lesson about asking prying, rude questions,” Tseka added.

“Well, I’m sure you have academic minds among you who would welcome a frank exchange of information,” Mr. Esset replied confidently, leaving Tseka looking dissatisfied.

“Speaking of academia, Jonathan said you have a library here?” Mr. Esset asked Nassata. Tseka looked surprised that she was suddenly being ignored, but for a moment a look of appreciation crossed her face—Mr. Esset would be a welcome challenge.

“Yes, we do,” Nassata confirmed.

“I haven’t even had a chance to see it yet,” Esset pouted. And given his current “inflammatory” state, he didn’t want to risk being around books. He doubted any book other than his summoner’s tome was so fire-resistant.

“I’m sure we can work something out,” Mr. Esset, knowing where his son’s head was at. Esset wasn’t so sure, but he wasn’t going to contradict his father right then.

“So I understand that you’re a summoner as well?” Nassata asked Mr. Esset, changing the subject.

“Not much of one, I’m afraid,” Mr. Esset replied. “Unlike my son, I was never the adventuring type, so I’ve never really practiced the craft. As such, my abilities are very limited. In theory, we are the same, but in practice, our abilities are very different.”

“So the ability is hereditary then?” Nassata asked.

“Ah…after a fashion,” Mr. Esset replied. “There’s more to it than that, as it is not an inborn ability, but it’s true that only members of our bloodline can summon as we do.”

“Fascinating. Our Shapers are born as such, but the ability does not run in families. It seems to be random among our race,” Nassata remarked.

“Really? Curious. From what I know of inborn magics in general, that is somewhat rare. Then again, I really only have knowledge of human magics. So tell me…” Mr. Esset and Nassata’s conversation progressed a while longer until they emerged into the main cavern of Salithsa.

Esset waited and appreciated watching his parents’ faces as they took in the spectacular view. He could tell his father was brimming with questions about the construction of the place, but he also knew they were all eager to see Toman. If Mr. Esset got started asking questions, they’d be there for hours.

“Toman’s room is this way,” Esset said softly; that was all it took to tear his parents away from the view.

The Shapers dispersed, but Nassata and Tseka came with them to Toman’s room. The two Nadra waited outside the door while the family entered. The light was on, but Toman was asleep on the bed. Kessa looked up from where she was touching up the paint on her scales.

“Hello,” she greeted them warmly, flipping her coils over and coming towards them. She was careful not to let the newly-painted part touch anything.

“I’m Kessa,” she introduced herself.

“I’m Edric Esset. This is my wife, Anita Esset,” Mr. Esset introduced them.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Kessa replied, extending her hand. Automatically he held out his own, and she clasped it in both of her own for a moment before doing the same with Mrs. Esset.

“He said to wake him when you arrived,” Kessa explained a moment later.

“He’s awake,” Toman said groggily from the bed as he sat up.

“Toman!” Mrs. Esset shuffled forward to wrap her other son in a hug before he was even fully upright. She’d been trying to peer at him before, but he’d just been a lump under blankets.

“Mom, it’s good to see you,” Toman murmured as they hugged. His eyes watered, and she left a wet spot on his shoulder. Fortunately, Mrs. Esset managed to pull herself together a moment later. She pushed him back and wiped the tears out of her eyes with the back of one hand.

“Don’t ever scare me like that again!” she said, delivering the same protest to him that she’d given to Esset upon seeing him again. Then she wrapped him in a second hug and murmured to him. “I didn’t know what to do when I got the news that you and Jonathan were— were dead. But now you’re both safe, and I’m so happy.” A handful of tears were squeezing out of the corners of her eyes again.

“I know, I’m sorry,” Toman murmured back. Finally Mrs. Esset pushed him back again but kept her hands on his shoulders to study him.

“Bright Hyrishal, you’re rail thin. I’ll have to get some proper food in you,” she said. Then her eyes locked on the scar at his throat, and she looked like she was about to cry all over again.

“You look underweight, Mom,” Toman replied, pretending he didn’t notice her reaction and trying to distract her. “Make sure you’re eating too.” Esset smirked, although she
had
put a bit of her normal weight back on since he’d made the same comment.

“You worry about you,” Mrs. Esset said sternly. “Now, these look like Jonathan’s clothes. I brought some of yours.”

“Oh good. Esset’s smell funny.”

“Hey!” Esset objected.

“It’s true,” Toman retorted, and unfortunately, he was right; those new smoky summons tended to leave their smell on everything. All Esset could do was scowl at his brother; he hadn’t had a chance to wash that shirt yet.

“Base ingratitude,” Esset muttered. Meanwhile, Toman was warding away Mrs. Esset, trying to keep her from stripping him on the spot to wash the clothes and get him in new ones immediately. He managed to get to his feet and greet Mr. Esset. That reunion was somewhat less emotional, but no less heartfelt. It was around that time that Esset realized that Kessa had left the room at some earlier point to give them some privacy.

“Mom, how about you keep the stuff packed for the moment while we figure out which rooms we’re all in,” Esset said, keeping their mother from spreading everything out just yet. “Then you can do all the cleaning and feeding you’d like. I’m sure someone can introduce you to the Nadran cooks.”

Mrs. Esset glanced around uncertainly, then nodded.

“Good,” Esset said, smiling. “I’ll go talk to the Nadra and get it sorted out right now.” He slipped out the door and found Nassata and Tseka in mid-argument.

“He’s a squishy human, but he’ll be—ah, there you are, Esset,” Tseka said. Esset’s wry expression was met with a broad smile.

“What’s the matter?” Esset asked, pointedly directing the question at Nassata.

“We, ah… We’re running low on accommodations for humans. You had mentioned wanting a room separate from your brother so you didn’t wake him during the night, but we only have the three rooms and Gretchen already has one. I was suggesting we purchase a bed from the town nearby so we have enough—”

Esset shook his head. “There’s no need.”

“You see?” Tseka butted in. “A Nadran bed will do just fine for him. They are soft and comfortable, and on the ground, not on silly stilts. Why humans like to sleep on those wobbly things is beyond me.” Esset knew she thought Nadran beds—mounds of blankets and pillows in shallow depressions in the ground—were much more comfortable.

Esset smiled but didn’t comment as Tseka continued. “Kessa can stay with Toman to keep him company and assist him when he needs it, and you and I will do fire-watch with this one so he doesn’t set the bedding on fire.” She jerked a scarlet thumb at Esset.

Esset felt a little awkward, and it must have showed.

Tseka leaned in and peered at him. “I thought you were over your silly human thing about sharing a bed with other people.”

“Ah, that’s not it,” Esset replied. “I just… Well, I feel bad that it’s necessary. To keep me from setting things on fire.”

“He’s come so far,” Tseka said in a weepy voice. Then, quick as lightning, she grabbed him and smooshed him up against her chest.

“Tseka!” Esset’s muffled objection was barely audible, and his flailing, ineffective.

Just then, Mrs. Esset stepped out of the room. She made a startled little noise, and her hands flew to her mouth. Still grinning mischievously, Tseka released Esset, and he staggered back. He saw his mother and his face bloomed as red as Tseka’s scales.

“Now that’s an interesting shade,” Tseka said before Esset could explain, and she leaned in for a closer look. Thankfully, Nassata shoved Tseka aside and beckoned to Mrs. Esset.

“Come, I will show you the room Toman will be moving to,” the teal Nadra said. She neatly steered Mrs. Esset down the hall, leaving Esset and Tseka behind.

“You and Mr. Esset can stay in Toman’s room, and Toman and Esset will be moving just down here…” Nassata’s voice trailed down the hall. Esset shot Tseka a glare, but she only grinned back.

“Oh, come on. Did you really expect any different?” the scarlet Nadra asked.

Esset deflated. “No. Can’t say as I did.”

Time found Toman holding his animating gloves in his hands, unsure of how he felt about them. There were so many memories, so many things Moloch had forced him to do with them, memories he wanted nothing to do with. Toman squeezed his eyes shut and tried to block those memories out, but he could still feel the familiar material in his hands. Those memories warred with the feelings of helplessness that were magnified when he wasn’t able to use the animating magic that was so much a part of him. He was so sick of feeling helpless.

You’re helpless anyways. Any sense of power is an illusion,
that dark part of his mind reminded him, but Toman was ready to snatch at what little he could get to subdue the helplessness. There was only one thing that stood between him and putting the gloves on.

Toman went looking for Nassata and found her in an armory, cleaning weapons.

“Toman!” She greeted him with a warm hug. “What can I do for you?”

Toman held his gloves up for a moment. “I, uh, was thinking of putting these back on, but I wanted to make sure it was safe, first.”

Nassata nodded. “There’s no reason why it shouldn’t be.”

“Except Moloch can track individual kinds of magic. It’s complicated and resource-consuming, but I can’t imagine he hasn’t been doing it since I escaped.” Toman wouldn’t risk the Nadra.

“Esset already voiced the same concerns,” Nassata replied. “And I looked into it for him. I spoke with the Shapers and the elders, and they are quite confident that Salithsa’s magics, when the city is sealed, are enough to insulate the city against that kind of thing. As long as you are within the sealed borders of our city, it will be safe for you to use your magic.”

“Ah. That is…very good.” Toman looked at the floor. It was up to him, then, whether he wanted to put the gloves on or not. He tucked them into his belt for the time being, then stood awkwardly for a moment. Nassata waited patiently.

“I want to train with you,” Toman finally said. Nassata’s surprise was plain to see.

“That’s… Well, not a bad idea,” Nassata replied, overcoming her initial surprise.

“I’m sick of being helpless,” Toman said. “I’m still weak now, but if I spar with you and the warriors, I should be able to regain my strength quickly. Plus it will keep my mind off…things. It’ll keep me busy.”

Nassata nodded. “This shouldn’t be a problem at all. I will arrange for you to join the warriors tonight.” Suddenly she smiled with a hint of almost Tseka-like mischief. “But if you’re looking for something to do now, why not help me with these weapons? There are a great many for one person to clean, but not so many for two…”

Toman nodded readily enough. Busywork was a good idea.

Toman had been helping Nassata for about an hour when Esset found them. The summoner stuck his head into the armory with a cheerful greeting. Even after a week, Toman still felt that weird surge in his gut upon seeing his brother—there was still that part of him that wanted to lash out at someone for tricking him into thinking Esset was alive again. But he smothered the reaction so that no one could see it. Toman missed most of the beginning of Esset talking, but he caught the gist of the conclusion.