Page 38 of The Eye of the Fifth
‘My lord?’ Sunsi pressed Gedeon, ignoring him.
It was his word against Sekun’s. His brother was crown prince and heir to the throne… but Gedeon held the power. Literally and figuratively.
‘Let the man speak,’ he said shortly.
Sekun stared straight ahead, his jaw visibly tightening.
‘Stay with the captain,’ Gedeon quietly ordered Amala, then stepped forward a couple of paces, making himself known to the disturbed citizen. ‘I will hear what you have to say.’
The man bowed his head. The flames were now just inches away from his flesh, eating away at the wood in his hands. His eyes met Gedeon’s, wide and filled with urgency. ‘I have seen what will be, my lord, and it cannot be unseen! A clear future that Eraura has entrusted me to share with you.’
Sekun spat on the floor behind him at the mention of the Fire Goddess.
Gedeon said, ‘Speak your message, then, and quickly. My brother swiftly tires of your voice.’
‘Not a message, my lord, but a warning!’ the man said somewhat hysterically. ‘You do not hear the Mother’s voice as you should, and so she showsmethis future, this happening of darkness that cannot be evaded.Youwill bring about the end of times, Gedeon Dewmaul, Prince of Fire. You, who have been reared on lies and deception.Youwill destroy what is known, to bring about what once was! Hear me, my lord, hear my words and fear them!You will be Droria’s doom!’
He lifted his face to the sky as the fire snaked down his wrists, the shining fluid on his body catching alight. ‘TAKE ME BEFORE THEEYES OF THOSE WHO NEGLECT YOU, OH MIGHTY MOTHER! LET ME BURN FOR YOU, LET ME DIE IN THE HEAT OF YOUR WRATH!’
The flames spread down his body as fast as scurrying ants until he was completely submerged in orange death. Gedeon could have stopped it with a snap of his fingers, but he was glued to the spot, watching, just watching as the man fell to the ground, screeching and writhing as the blaze ate away at his flesh and bones.
A dagger flew through the air and embedded itself deep into the man’s skull. His body crumpled, still aflame, a mockery of his intended martyrdom.
‘Let it be known that Eraura’s flames did not claim him. I did,’ Sekun said coldly. As he turned to leave, his eyes fixed on Amala. Whether that glare filled her with fear or not, she held it, unblinking.
The dark sneer of malevolence that grew on Sekun’s face sent a wave of dread through Gedeon.
He’d been foolish to allow her to come. He may as well have put a target on her back for Sekun to aim at.
The dead man lay still burning, the pungent stench of searing flesh filling the ashy air as the citizens of Dracyg watched Sunsi’s men attempt to douse the flames, stunned into a horrified silence.
But it wasn’t the smell nor the sight of the dead man that had set Gedeon’s heart beating at an irregular rhythm.
You will be Droria’s doom.
The man had to have been an augur, surely, to have been shown a vision of the future? That is, if the words spoken had been true, and not delivered through certain madness.
‘Sunsi,’ he murmured. ‘Would you do something for me?’ The use of her given name in such a public setting had surprise flashing in her hazel eyes, but she nodded all the same, awaiting his order. ‘Take the girl back to the fledgling quarters in the east wing, and station a couple of your sentries at the entrance. Ensure entry to no one but myself.’
Sunsi lifted an eyebrow. ‘Is she dangerous?’
‘She has a habit of wandering,’ replied Gedeon, preferring not to reveal the real reason for his caution.
‘It will be done,’ Sunsi said at once, then turned on her heel to usher Amala back inside.
‘Master Gedeon!’
By the Four, the girl had less sense than a lava nymph.
‘Where are you going?’ Amala demanded.
Gedeon glanced at Sunsi, whose mouth twitched with amusement. ‘There is someone I must speak with,’ he said. ‘Go with the captain, Amala. I will see you at our next lesson.’
She made no move to go. ‘I do not think you will be Droria’s doom, Master Gedeon. I think you will save it.’
It was said so simply. So innocently.
Sunsi went very still behind her.
