“Absolutely,” Fire said.
The bee stung the man, who whelped and tossed the mug into the air. Ale spilled down his face, wetting his beard and tunic before the mug shattered on his shoulder. He ignored it as he furiously rubbed his posterior. The other soldiers laughed themselves to choking, while Fire dismissed the bee.
Lira hid a smile, while Water glared at his brother. Fire made no effort to hide his laughter as the man stumbled about, still rubbing the bee sting. It would probably leave a welt, and if he were a rider, would hurt for the entire march the following day. But Water could not deny the amusement, and a glance at Lira struggling to contain her laughter cracked his irritation. Fire noticed his expression and stabbed a finger at his smile.
“Ha!”
“What?” Water asked, clenching his lips to erase the smile.
“Too late,” Fire said.
Water spared the man a glance and found him attempting to show his companions the bee sting. Laughter bubbled out of him at the sight of a grown man attempting to display his injury to a group of soldiers, all of whom protested loudly.
“See?” Fire said. “There’s nothing to worry about.”
The barmaid threaded by, dropping three bowls of stew on the table and was gone before they’d stopped rocking. Fire picked up his bowl of stew and frowned at the chill. He held it in his palm. Heat glowed on his flesh and the stew began to bubble. Lira slid her bowl to him and he did the same to her meal.
Water watched the exchange, and noted Fire’s attitude. He was much like the soldiers in the room, without fear or care of the war with Draeken. The momentary levity faded and Water realized his brother did not share his concern for the battle. He smiled and laughed, his expression the same as it had been shortly before he’d died on the Stormdial.
Water shuddered and looked away, abruptly cold. Fire had been fortunate before, but Mind would not be able to bring him back a second time. If he died in the conflict with Draeken, he would not return.
“There’s something we need to do,” Water said suddenly.
“Now?” Fire eyed the server, trying to get the girl’s attention, but she was busy talking to a knot of soldiers. “I haven’t even gotten my bread.”
“There’s something we need to do,” Water insisted.
He rose to his feet and Fire raised an eyebrow. “What’s going on?”
“Trust me,” Water said. “Please.”
Fire held his gaze and then reluctantly nodded. Fire stood, and Water turned to Lira. “I’ll need your help.”
“But our food,” Fire protested.
“We can get more,” Water said.
Lira glanced between them and stood. Other soldiers were quick to claim their table as Water vacated the tavern and passed into the night. Fire asked Water what he intended but he didn’t speak, the battlefield he’d imagined too fresh in his thoughts. There was one other thing he’d imagined, his brother among the dead.
Water guided them into the trees, threading his way out of the war camps and into the forest. The sounds of raucous taverns and soldiers grew dim, replaced by the faint whistle of the wind. They came to a clearing flanked by two towering oak trees, where Water turned and gathered magic into his hands.
“Lira,” he said, “at my side.”
“Water?” Fire drawled, his eyes on the staffblade forming in Water’s palm. “What are you doing?”
Lira, her expression uncertain, joined Water, and he pointed to Fire. “You still talk like you have the power you once had, and I’m not losing my brother again. If we’re going into battle, you need to know your new limits.”
“I’m still the fragment of fire,” Fire said, irritation on his features. “I’ve always been stronger than you.”
“Prove it.” Water raised his weapon.
Fire scowled. “Are you doubting my power? Or have you grown arrogant in yours?”
“Water is right,” Lira said. “You’re weaker than you were. You need to know—”
“Of course you’d side with him,” Fire snapped. “We all know you love my brother. That doesn’t mean you can talk to me like that.”
Water took a step forward. “Hit me,” he said. “Please.”
“I’m not doing this,” Fire growled. “I have nothing to prove, and you’re just afraid.”
“Of course I am,” Water yelled. “I lost you before, and I’m not losing you again.”
“I’m not playing your game,” Fire said.
Water raised his staffblade and hurled it at Fire, who ducked, the weapon striking the tree behind him. As Fire rounded on him, Water cast another staffblade, the weapon bright in the moonlight.
Flames blossomed on Fire’s fist as he glared, and Water braced himself for the fight. Fire would be angry and would try to punish Water for his impudence. It wouldn’t be sparring. It would be a fight. Fire clenched his fist and the flames extinguished. As smoke curled up his arm, Fire growled his anger.
“I thought of anyone, my brother would trust me.”
Fire spun and stomped away, leaving Water and Lira in the clearing. Water took a step to follow but Lira caught his arm, holding him in check. Water grimaced as the darkness swallowed his brother.
“Fire!” he called.
There was no response, and Water turned on Lira. “Why did you stop me?”
“He’s afraid,” Lira said.
