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Chapter 20: All Fired Up

“She what?”

Bharath nodded his head gravely, with a hint of disbelief shimmering in his eyes as well. “Yes, it seems that Lady Flamenca is trying to control what the people of this island give in offerings to the Fire God.”

Keahi bit his lips together and drew in a deep breath through his nose. Of all the things his cousin could have chosen to do to the people of Fire Island, she wanted to control what they gave in offerings to their Fire God? She was the Fire Princess, not a follower of the temple, to which was closest to the realm of their Fire God. She had no right whatsoever to even attempt something so…controlling!

“That would explain why she was on Fire Temple grounds. I knew she was up to something,” Keahi murmured as he did his best to push back the unsettling feeling of anger appearing in the pit of his stomach. He then shook his head as if to clear it. “But why would she do something like this?”

“It seems that she believes it’s in their best interests as she knows what offerings would appease our God,” Bharath explained as he gave a slight wave of his hand to indicate that they were her actual words.

“Her best interests more like it as I’m sure she’d loved to get her hands on their belongings for the heck of it,” Keahi muttered tersely, his displeasure toward his cousin only growing with the conversation. “Honestly, she is trying to anger the Fire God?”

Bharath gave a light, one-shoulder shrug before he folded his hands in front of himself. “What will you do?”

Keahi was silent as he started to pace his room, running a hand through his hair in a sign of frustration. He had to do something, he couldn’t let the Princess get away with trying to be even more controlling. If she would do something like this, what else was she capable of?

Oh, Keahi knew that she wouldn’t stop there. She had more and more ways to gain even more power over their people.

It…couldn’t continue. She had to learn that she wasn’t the only one that had some sort of rank on this island.

“I’m going to have to have a talk with her,” Keahi finally said.

But Bharath made a sound of concern. “I’m not sure if that is wise, Master,” he said with an obvious frown on his lips. “She has been challenging anyone who defies her to a Fire Battle all morning.”

And she was likely to be in a worse mood after that incident with Masou. Still…

“...That’s fine,” Keahi said. “If that’s the only way to help the people of this island, then so be it.”

“M-master Keahi?” Bharath was clearly taken aback by his newfound assertiveness. And Keahi must admit, he was kinda surprised himself.

“Could you arrange a possible meeting for me?” Keahi asked as he turned to face his childhood friend. “I’m sorry for such short notice.”

“Of course,” Bharath said as he composed himself, bowing his head a little in a show of professionalism. “Would you like for me to do arrange it now?”

“Please,” Keahi said as he gave him a small smile of gratitude. “Thank you, Bharath.”

Bharath bowed again before he turned and left the room, shutting the door silently behind him as he did so. Keahi was left alone in his room and he immediately marched over to his balcony and slammed his fist onto the sandstone railing, tightening his jaw in annoyance. He really didn’t like to throw accusations around, especially something so drastic, but with Flamenca’s latest stunt, it was like she was trying to anger Obsidian in order to get rid of him.

But what was worse was the fact that he wouldn’t put it past her to try it.

Dying to save his people was…fine, but dying for her was not. He would never sacrifice himself for her ambitions. Never.

“Argh, this just burns me up,” he muttered under his breath, squeezing his eyes shut in frustration.

“Hey, that’s the spirit.”

Keahi snapped open his eyes and suddenly found himself face to face with a mop of unruly blue hair and a pair of playful blue eyes. He blinked once and then twice, realising quickly that Masou had, once again, climbed onto his balcony from the outside. “Masou?” he murmured before he suddenly grabbed Masou by the collar of his clothes and pulled him onto the balcony with him, looking around in case of any guards had seen him.

“Were you listening in?” Keahi asked in a rather accusing tone.

“Yep!” Masou replied without a care. “I just happened to be passing up, ya know, in the neighbourhood-”

“You were in the neighbourhood because Brendis was helping you to escape,” Keahi interrupted, giving Masou a pointed look.

But Masou carried on heedlessly. “And thought I’d drop by when I heard you talking.”

“Speaking of trying of escape,” Keahi muttered, continuing his own conversation that Masou seemed to be ignoring. “Did you just sneak back in to see me?” He smiled nonetheless.

“So, anyway,” Masou said as he flapped his hand carelessly before placing both hands on his hips, looking somewhat serious. Well, as serious as a man with a carefree attitude could. “The princess is causing trouble again?”

Keahi sighed and ran a hand through his spiky black hair. “You already know the answer to that.”

Masou was uncharacteristically silent for a moment before he smiled brightly once again and slapped Keahi playfully, yet encouragingly on the back. “Go kick her ass.”

Keahi blushed a deep crimson. “M-Masou!” Sure, he had advanced quite a bit in his fire abilities, but he wasn’t ready for a one-on-one battle with his cousin…was he?

“What? You’re sure to win!” Masou interjected before Keahi’s thoughts could fall into their usual pattern of self-doubt, taking him by the shoulders to look directly into his eyes. “I know you will. You care too much for the People around you not to win. Besides, who is she to say what the Fire God wants or doesn’t want? Maybe he’d be happy to receive a small gift instead of something grand like gold and treasure.”

“You think so?” Keahi asked as he peered up at Masou through his bangs of his hair.

“Yeah, of course!” Masou grinned widely. “I mean, what the hell is the Fire God going to do with a golden statue of a pig? Stick it on the mantel piece above the fire place?”

Keahi had to laugh at that thought. It actually made a bit of sense. Surely, their Fire God would prefer something perishable like food or something crafted by hand. He knew he would. But then, he was a Fire Priest, brought up to desire little of material things. But those teachings may just reflect what the Fire God believed as well.

…Ok. If Flamenca wished to battle, then so be it. He would give it his best shot. For the sake of his people.

“I’ll do my best,” Keahi promised to Masou, who was still holding him by the shoulders.

Masou nodded, clearly pleased by what he had said. “And I’ll be cheering you on.”

That pleased Keahi more than words could possibly describe and made him even more willing, and ready, to face Flamenca in battle.

They stared at each other for a long, silent moment, neither of them saying or attempting to say anything. Keahi found himself drawn deeply into Masou’s eyes; they were so blue. He had never seen such a clear blue before. And Masou was looking at him not with pity, trepidation or even scorn, but with something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. But…it was similar to the way Bharath and Brendis would look at each other.

Did that mean…?

Slowly, Keahi found his eyes falling shut and felt the distinct feeling of moving forward. It felt surreal, like it wasn’t real but a dream. But he shivered lightly when he felt a warm breath dance across his lips, and…

A loud knock on the bedroom door jarred Keahi back to reality and he found himself jumping back in surprise. He spun around to face the door, feeling dizzy and somewhat in a daze, his heart thundering wildly in his chest.

“Ah, yes?”

“It’s me, Master Keahi.” That was Bharath’s voice. “I have arranged a meeting for you.”

“Coming!” Keahi called in reply. He then turned back to Masou, a sense of nervousness suddenly settling over him. What had just happened? What would have happened if Bharath didn’t knock on the door?

…What did he think he was doing? He was the Peace-Keeper, he couldn’t-!

But Masou merely winked at him. “Good luck, I’ll catch ya after the battle.” He then grabbed onto the stone balcony and vaulted himself over the side, landing effortlessly on the ground before jogging off.

Keahi watched him as he left, his heart still fluttering in his chest. He then drew in a sharp breath through his nose and turned away from the balcony. It was time for him to act as the Fire Priest and Peace-Keeper he had been training as his whole life to be.

“Thank you so much for arranging this for me, Bharath,” Keahi said as he stepped out of his room, walking quickly in order to get to the council room before Flamenca decided on her own that the meeting was pointless and dismissed it without him being there.

Bharath followed him a half a step behind him. “Master, are you sure-?”

“This cannot continue, Bharath,” Keahi said, unintentionally cutting him off. “She’s done enough.”

The rest of the journey to the Fire Palace was in silence, Keahi thinking of what he should said exactly while Bharath silently fretted about his safety. Keahi must admit he was a little scared as well, but no, it had to be done. Flamenca may be the Fire Princess, but he was the Peace-Keeper. It was his duty to ensure that the Fire God remained peaceful and content. And that was what he was going to do!

Keahi and Bharath were the last two to arrive in the Council Chamber, the Fire Elders having already taken their seats and were murmuring amongst themselves. But all murmuring had ceased the moment Keahi stepped into the room, Bharath taking his place just off to the side of him, a few steps behind. It was actually quite daunting to be the centre of attention and he tried his best to ignore the uncertainty.

Sitting bored upon her thrown was Flamenca, looking displeased and annoyed. No doubt she was still stinging after her confrontation with Masou. “Let’s get this over with, cousin,” she practically snarled at him. “I have much better things to do with my time.”

Keahi lifted his chin up a little in a sign of defiance. “As do I.”

Flamenca narrowed her eyes dangerously. She was very clearly angry. There was no turning back now, even if he wanted to.

“Now, say what you have to say, I’ll ignore you and we can carry on,” she hissed, clearly impatient. “Well? Hurry up!

Straightening his shoulders, Keahi stepped into the middle of the room and stated in a clear and steady voice the matter of this impromptu meeting. “I request that you reconsider your latest proposal, Princess. You cannot have any control over what the people of this island give in offerings to our Fire God. And I think we should discuss this now.”

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