Firebrand by R.M. Prioleau Read Free Book Online Page B

my hand because it’s so beautiful.”
    Jarial lifted a brow.
    “Mama and Papa didn’t like it when I played with fire, so they took all the candles from my room.” Kaijin bit his bottom lip. “The blue fire is ... is so pretty, Master...” Reminiscing on the burning pot in the study raised goose bumps all over his body, and he shivered. The sensation he felt was stronger than ever. He squirmed in his chair and gazed up at Jarial pleadingly. “Master, I–I feel—”
     
    *  *  *
     
    Jarial observed Kaijin. He knew that look in the boy’s eyes all too well. That desire—that passion—that incitement. Gods, he’s too young to be dealing with this, isn’t he? Jarial rubbed his temples, trying to decide the best course of action.
    “M–Master?”
    “See here, boy.” Jarial hardened his gaze. “I believe your parents neglected to ... educate you about a few things. I really don’t feel like talking to you about certain details right now; perhaps later tonight—or tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow sounds good.”
    Kaijin tilted his head.
    Jarial cleared his throat. “I can certainly see that you are, without a doubt, obsessed with this.”
     “I’m ... strange , aren’t I, Master?” Kaijin’s excitement was quickly replaced with frustration—grief. “Papa says I’m strange because I play with fire.”
    Jarial sighed. “To be perfectly honest, Kaijin, no, you’re not strange. Especially not one like yourself who has an affinity for the arcane arts. Most arcanists have some sort of unique desire that brings them happiness. Yours just happens to be fire.”
    Kaijin pondered a moment. “What makes you happy, Master?”
    Jarial regarded the boy curiously. Though he hadn’t expected that question, he managed to give it a prompt reply. “I like colorful things.”
    “Colorful? Like a rainbow?”
    “Not quite that broad, lad.” Jarial chuckled.
    “Why do you like colorful things?”
    “Colors are infinite and have a powerful influence on the mind.”
    Kaijin opened his mouth to reply, but simply nodded, instead. Confusion spread all over his face.
    “If you don’t like colorful things, then you will not understand.”
    “But I do like them, Master.”
    “Not as much as you like fire.”
    Kaijin’s expression fell. “Are you going to stop me from playing with fire, too?”
    “That all depends. I could, perhaps, teach you how to apply this ‘passion’ of yours to your advanced studies, but that will come in time.” Jarial propped his elbows on the table, rested his chin on his folded hands, and studied the boy carefully. “Tell me what else you find so intriguing about fire.”
    Kaijin fidgeted with his injured hand again, a hint of excitement returning to the boy’s eyes. “Well, sometimes when I look at fire, I try to find the god who lives inside of it. He’s made of fire, too, you know.”
    “God?” Jarial arched an eyebrow.
    “Yes, I read about a god made of fire from the book you gave me a long time ago. I really want to see Him, so sometimes I look at fire really hard.”
    Jarial recalled their encounter in the marketplace and nodded. “Ah, you speak of Ignis, the Firelord, yes?”
    “Yes! That’s Him. Do you know about the Firelord, Master? Have you ever seen Him?” Kaijin’s face brightened with anticipation.
    “No, I’ve never seen Him, aside from various depictions in books. I’ve only general knowledge about Ignis for the purposes of my own studies. If the subject interests you that much, you will need to find that information on your own. After all, Ignis is not the only god of this world.”
    “Do you know about the other gods as well, Master?”
    “I know as much as my studies require. It would benefit you to familiarize yourself with all of the other gods. Though, I’ve a little more knowledge of Celestra, to whom I offer my first prayers.”
    “Celestra? I know Her. She made the world.”
    “Indeed, She did.” Jarial slid his chin off his folded hands to hide