Chapter 26: Fire In Paradise
Two whole days have passed since that terrible day at the seaside village. Rebuilding has begun, both of the structures and the rebuilding of lives. It would take them some time to return to normal, everyday living, but they were trying. The mourning process was also very difficult.
Surprisingly, though, the Fire Council hadn’t pursued the matter. No meetings to discuss the matter further had been arranged, no attempt to find the cause of such a horrific event. The villagers had been left alone, to cope and mourn in peace.
It was all very suspicious.
And yet, it was probably for the best. Without an official inquiry, it meant that Bharath could do the research himself. And yet, it also meant they had to be super careful. The Fire Council seemed to be hiding something and if they stuck their noses in where they didn’t belong, it could cause trouble.
Everyone was on tenterhooks as it was.
Sitting in a private room at the temple, Keahi asked Bharath and Brendis about how the investigation was going. But the news wasn’t all that good.
“I’m afraid there isn’t much we can do without arousing the suspicions of the Fire Council,” Bharath said as he knelt upon a large cushion on the floor, his hands folded elegantly on his lap. “Asking too many questions may lead to trouble. I can do research within the library, but that’s about it.”
“I’ve searched around the island, asking villagers if they’ve seen any suspicious activity, but no one has seen anything,” Brendis added, sitting cross-legged next to Bharath, his arms folded tightly over his chest. “Or are unwilling to say anything.”
Sitting in front of his two friends, Keahi felt shoulder’s drooped a little in disappointment. “So we have no clue?”
Bharath was equally disappointed as well as holding some guilt at not being able to find some meaning to a meaningless loss. “I’m afraid so.”
Keahi sighed. “I had really hoped that we could find whoever was responsible for the attack on the village before anyone else gets hurt.”
“So do we, Master Keahi.”
“I don’t want Bharath to have to perform another Cleansing Ritual,” Brendis said rather abruptly, his gaze that was filled with subtle concern turning to Bharath. “Especially with Dark Fire Magic involved.”
“Yes,” Keahi nodded readily, he too turning his attention directly at his friend. “How are you feeling, Bharath?”
Bharath had slept for the entire day after the Cleansing Ritual, ridding himself of the painful remnants of the Dark Fire Magic he had to dispel from both the village and the ashes that had remained. He still looked a little pale, but he appeared much better than directly after the ritual. He had greatly worried Keahi, seeing Bharath pale, shivering and his brow furrow in discomfort as he slept.
“Oh, I’m alright,” Bharath immediately reassured. “Performing the ritual had taken a bit out of me, but I’m ok now. Really.”
Brendis continued to look pointedly at him before he sighed, looking both wary and weary. “I guess I should go on patrol again,” he commented.
For someone like Brendis, it must be incredibly frustration to do all this work and yet see nothing for it.
“Thank you for all your hard work, Brendis,” Keahi told the Fire Guard sincerely. “We really appreciate it.”
“It’s nothing,” Brendis quickly dismissed as he moved to stand up. “I just really want to find this bastard.”
Keahi could understand that completely. “Yeah.”
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Guardian of Fire Island (boyxboy)
Fantasy{Yaoi/Slash/BoyxBoy/MxM/LGBT} Keahi is known as the Peace Keeper on an Island known as Fire Island. It is his duty to quell the Volcano’s fury should it erupt...by giving up his life. He is resigned to his fate - until he meets an unusual man called...
