Temple of Fyre (Island of Fyre) by Janet Lane-Walters Page A

you’re right.”
    “Is there some way we can help them?”
    He shook his head. “How can we stand against guards and priestesses with fyrestones?”
    “If you would give me the scarlet, I could.”
    “You know I can’t do that. For you to use the stone against Malera’s people would let her know where we are.”
    She nodded. “I wish you weren’t right.”
    As the sun slid toward the horizon, they reached a clearing near a meandering stream. Ari halted. “We’ll camp here. In the morning, we’ll leave Ber and Bera staked. Then we’ll spy on the other group.”
    Ria helped unload the burros. She gathered rocks to make a fire circle. As Ari started the wood burning, he watched her. A sullen look appeared on her face. What was she planning?
    She met his gaze. “There’s no reason for us to sneak around. I could learn where the priestesses are and what they plan to do. All you need to do is let me use the crystal.”
    He shook his head. “We can’t chance being discovered. If you can see them through the stone, they can see us. Do you want Malera to learn where we are?”
    “I can read them in secret. With a fyrestone, I could even spy on Malera.”
    The glitter of avarice he saw in her eyes shocked him. He pressed his hand over the stone. “The scarlet is mine. I’ve worn it most of my life. I won’t give it to you.” He strode to the brook to fill the water flasks.
    When he returned, Ria was gone. Had she entered the woods to glean, or was she sulking? When he’d refused her request, as well as greed, he’d seen anger and hurt in her eyes. Would she betray their presence to the priestesses? He couldn’t be sure of anything Ria might do, but he knew she feared a return to the temple. Still, she couldn’t have what was his. He filled a pan with water and added dried meat and vegetables. When she was hungry, she would return.
     
     
    * * *
     
     
    As soon as Ari walked to the brook, Ria slipped into the woods. Why did he deny her the use of a fyrestone he couldn’t use for other than minor things? Didn’t he realize the importance of knowing what the enemy planned? She wanted to show him what a crystal, especially a scarlet could do. Only the fabled blue was more powerful. If such a stone existed 'twas more than a scribe’s dream.
    Her gait became a lope and she ran until a stitch stabbed her side and she gasped for breath. She slumped against a tree. How could she convince him to give her the fyrestone? Every day, her desire for one strengthened.
    Her hands shook with the need to cradle a crystal. Her anger toward Ari grew. For a short time after they’d coupled on Solstice Day, she had felt complete. But a union of the flesh held no compensation for the lack of a stone.
    She grabbed leaves and shredded them. Ari had saved her from Malera, from death, from becoming a sacrifice at the solstice celebration in the market square. Though she’d saved his life when Malera had sent fire against him, had the debt been satisfied?
    He’d promised her as many stones as she could want. Then, instead of heading into the hills to search for fyrestones, he’d chosen his own desires. He wanted to speak to the people of Gydon. Didn’t he realize this trip was futile? They could never reach the hamlet before the priestesses. What if she and Ari were discovered? Only a fyrestone could protect them, and he had no idea of how to use his crystal.
    With a sigh, she rose and continued her flight away from the camp and away from Ari. A short time later, she sensed stones. Her interest peaked. Could she take one from a priestess? Even a white would help fill her inner void.
    The snorts and neighs of coursers halted her. She dropped to her knees and crawled to a tangle of jagger bushes. She studied the camp. Six guards lounged around a fire circle. Two priestesses sat outside a tent. The murmur of their voices and an occasional word reached her.
    The fyrestones called. She gripped one of the bushes and held back a cry