Legacy of Fire (The Blaze Trilogy - Book #1)

Chapter 11

I stare, open-mouthed, at the arrow suspended in the sky. It’s not moving. For the third time in four days, I should be dead, but yet again, some miracle saves my life. 

This time, it appears as though the sky has frozen.

I glance at Zander, who’s eyes are also as wide as saucers, but instead of shock, a faint smile plays on his lips. He looks as though he’s about to laugh. I shift my eyes to Noah, and am just as surprised to see his eyes narrowed in fierce concentration. 

I glance back at the offending arrow, looking closer. And then I see it. A faint rippling along the sides and tip of the arrow, as though it’s broken the surface of a pool of water. The end of the arrow quivers slightly, like it’s fighting against some invisible force. Then suddenly it drops straight to the ground with a dull clunk, and from the corner of my eye I see Noah relax.

Zander lets out a whoop of approval and claps Noah on the back. “That was incredible!” He’s grinning from ear to ear, but then glances over to me. “You’re okay right?” he asks. 

“I’m fine,” I say, but my hands are shaking. I’ve just been saved from yet another near death experience - what just happened?

I approach Noah. “Did you do that?” I ask, and Noah nods, smiling shyly. “Wha- but how? Is the arrow like, remote controlled or something?” 

Noah looks like he’s about to laugh. “Well, actually-“

Slam. Next thing I know I’m flat on the ground, rough hands grab on to Zander and I and binding our hands behind our backs. I thrash wildly, swinging my body round, but it’s no use - there’s too many of them. Still, I can hear the grunts and thuds next to me as Zander kicks out and head-butts the men around, so I keep fighting.

“Stop!” Noah shouts at the top of his voice. A sudden gust of wind surges through, like a punch to the gut, and in an instant I’m knocked back on the ground, sprawled flat along the grass along with my attackers. 

The men slowly rise from where they were thrown on the floor. They’re all wearing the same thing; well cut black outfits with a golden arrow badge stitched to arm, their dark black Northern hair all uniform - and I realise that they’re soldiers. The ones that likely shot the arrow at me. I glance down and notice the gun holsters in their belts, each equipped with an advanced model pistol. Despite the arrows and location, this camp certainly has technology. 

I search each of their eyes, wondering if any of them have the same pale silver colouring that Noah’s do. But normal, plain brown irises gaze out from the guards’ faces and I feel a tiny wash of disappointment.  

The guards all turn, looking towards Noah. “These travellers are here with me,” he tells them firmly, but I can see the nervousness in his eyes. “Announce to Greyson that we have visitors.” 

One of the younger guards whispers something to the man next to him. Noah snaps his head over to them, staring him down. “Do you have something you need to say, soldier?” 

The soldier straightens instantly. “No, Commander Howel, sir,” he responds mechanically. But something nasty lingers in his expression - disrespect? 

Then there’s a shuffling within the squad of guards as a woman pushes through them. Her hair cropped short like the men, and she forcefully pulls the young soldier behind her. I see more adornment on this woman’s uniform than anyone else’s, and a small bud of excitement forms inside of me. Her badges indicate she is of higher rank; she’s a woman leading a company of men. 

That would never be allowed in Aeon.

“I apologise for the misunderstanding, Commander Howel,” she says, nodding to him. “My men seem to have misread the situation. It will not happen again. Please, do not allow us to further interrupt your business.” The woman touches her earpiece, a murmurs a command under her breath. Slowly, the giant doors of the black steel gate begin to open in front of us.