Page 11 of A City of Flames

A sting prickles my eyelids when they wave at me. Before I know it, the view of them gets farther and farther away as I leave the place I grew up in, and my family, behind.

We ride for hours in silence, passing forests, other towns, and villages where many clap and hold their gratitude for everything venators do. Soon the sun burns bright and hunger coils in my gut, so Lorcan and I stop at an Inn on the outskirts.

I rest my forearms against the polished oak table, waiting for the lady who served us to come by with food. I don’t say a word as Lorcan scans my face and the single glove I have on.

He wants to ask questions, but before he can open his mouth, the barmaid comes by and places two pies in front of us.

My mouth waters, marveling in the slice I chose with a layer of glazed strawberries on top. Not being able to contain my excitement, I grab the cutlery and dig into it, savoring the sweet fruit mixed with the buttery pastry that melts against my tongue. Hunching over, I devour everything, even the last crumb, until I realize Lorcan is awfully still. I sneak a glance at him and see he’s staring at me, blankly with one arm resting against the side of the table and not bothering to hide his pinned gaze.

I glare at him, mouth full as I ask, “What?”

His brows go up, but I can tell he’s holding back a smile. “Nothing, you just eat like you’ve been starved for days.”

Oh... that.

“I grew up with three older brothers.” I wipe my lips with the back of my hand. “Every meal was a battle to get what you wanted.” That and my adoration for food even when we barely had enough for us all to eat during the first few years of becoming orphans.

“What are their names?”

“The oldest is Idris, then Illias, and lastly Iker.” My gaze shifts downwards. I smile and wonder whether Illias is painting right now or if Idris is reading his favorite book while complaining at Iker’s consistent questions over nothing in particular.

“You really care for them.” He doesn’t pose it as a question, more of an acknowledgment.

“Well, they are my family. It’d be strange not to—are you going to eat that?” I eye his untouched slice of pie.

A light chuckle comes from him, he shakes his head as he slides it over to me.

“What about you?” I ask, taking a whole mouthful. “Any siblings or—” Mid-chew, I stop there and then as his expression changes... distant, no smile and something I can’t pinpoint prowls his eyes.

“No, I uh—” He clears his throat. “I grew up with just my father until he passed and I came to the city.”

He looks off to the side, and I can tell that this is not the time or place for me to pry further, especially when I hardly know him, so instead, I ask, “Are you one of the leaders?”

He turns to me again, this time inquisitively. “Second in command.”

The side of my lip curls. So was my father. “You must be good at your job.”

“Training since the age of fourteen helped.”

I almost choke. “Fourteen? I thought—”

“The general saw me fit to join earlier. It’s no different than how I saw potential in you yesterday.” He rises, dismissing the conversation as if it’s nothing. He looks at the vast number of people dining before inhaling and saying, “Let’s go. I’d like to get to the city before nightfall rather than have to stay somewhere overnight.”

I nod, sealing my mouth shut as I stand and follow him out of the inn into the peaceful warmth of spring. I am so far away from my brothers already; I don’t know what to think of it but as we continue on our way, I think of them only. The wind ruffles my hair. And as more hours go by with other venators possibly having arrived, we finally pass a stone bridge where the air thickens with heat like midday summer. I’d heard the city was hotter in climate but experiencing it for the first time, it’s more intense than I’d imagined.

“Welcome to the City of Flames,” Lorcan throws over his shoulder. A hidden smile adorns his lips before I gaze around in wonder. The sunset casts its orange shadows across streets full of young people as well as elders chatting and laughing. Almost all women are wearing bright-colored dresses. Even from afar, you can tell the flamboyance of red and yellow layers of tulle are of superior quality while the men’s tunics glimmer from their fine thread.

Everything...looks so lively. For the first time, I’m entirely inferior compared to what I’m used to in the village. More streets lead to different sections of markets in every corner I gaze at, and narrower roads of mahogany chalk townhouses mount along steep hills like rivers flowing downward. Pillars hold up other painted bridges above us and as we pass, couples idly stroll by with the faint melodious plucks of violins playing from the western side.

When I focus ahead of me, my eyes widen as the dark cobbled street leads to a large oak tree, ripe and full of marigold leaves in the center of everyone. I’d carve it as soon as I find material to do so, but the idea quickly leaves my mind once I see in the distance, tall marble gates. Beyond that is where I assume the castle and venator quarters are... my new home.

* * *

Lorcan leads me through the barracks, waltzing past each floor level and crimson hallways lit up with candle wall sconces. Faint noises issue from different rooms, and I can’t help but glance around helplessly—much how I’d done when the gates opened to Aurum castle and bright orange flags welcomed me. Venators patrolled the white flagstone pathway while the same gold flecked trees I’d seen in the main part of the city bordered us.

Lorcan tells me of the four gardens, training grounds, and over five hundred rooms that house servants and venators. I’d have paid more attention if not for the sights of the tan castle, mosaic towers that reach the sky, and the bronze castle gate embellished with the same crest of fire wrapping around a dragon. I almost fall backward with how far I arch my neck to see it as we disappear into the other side of the castle grounds.

“Here is where you’ll be staying.” Lorcan halts outside a rough-hewn door. “Training armor will be provided to you by servants, and if there is an issue... you come to me.”

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