Chapter 08

Agnir had a joyful tone. She seemed probably around my age, but she was bubbly and exciting. "Yes, I am agnir. Why? Do you know about me?" She seemed surprised.

"well, not really. I heard that agnir was the name of the kings great sword." I laid there in the darkness trying to process what exactly was happening right now.

"ohhh? Really?? What do people say??? Do they like me?" She seemed to revel in the attention. Just knowing that someone was talking about her seemed to get her excited.

"uh, I don't know much. But then are you really the sword of the king? How is that possible?" I tried to stay as quiet as possible.

Even though I could only hear agnir, I envisioned her smirking with a proud look on her face, "because I am the mighty Kings flame! Mwahahaha tremble before me mortal!" She suddenly got very animated and theatrical she even started making sound effects with her voice, "ahhh, oh no don't burn us alive agnir! We love you! Oh my gosh it's the great kings flame! Ahhh and then fire comes out and stuff."

I stifled a laugh. "Oh my bad, oh mighty one!" I had to keep it together so I didn't make too much noise otherwise I'd wake the others. But I finally caught up with what she just revealed. "The King's Flame?" I was especially quiet for those words. "How?"

Agnir chuckled a seemingly sinister laugh but because of her voice it felt more like a 10 year old playing the evil villain. "I do as I please mortal!" Her personality seems to have slightly shifted from the caring and desperate girl who called out to me before. It seemed like she was getting more comfortable with me. "When my former servant was frozen I left him in search of a new host hehehehe behold my might!" She was awfully proud of herself.

I continued to question her, "have you done this before? Also I thought you were a sword! Stop skirting around the important stuff!" I tried to bring her back to the main topic of our conversation.

"ok fine, yes, the sword that Tristan used was my physical manifestation that he gave to me. I was a powerful sword that was immune to all other magics, I consumed Tristan's flame and made it my own! As for how we found each other, I'll have to tell you another time, it's more exciting that way! Now go back to bed! It's late!" She yelled at me like it was my fault I was still awake.

I realized though that my were finally starting to feel droopy, "alright I guess... See ya tomorrow"

************

The next morning we were woken up by Thena, "get dressed. I've been assigned to brief you on today's mission."

Today's mission? Suddenly my palms felt sweaty. "We aren't even healed all the way!" I complained.

Thena scowled at me, "you have to work for food and board. Plus you still owe us a debt. We need your magics to help another kid. Be quick!" She threw us all clothes, some leather straps for carrying weapons or other items then left.

"wow! A mission already? I wonder what the new kids power is!" Claire removed her gown without a care in the world for Byron or me. We both immediately looked away. My cheeks were warm from embarrassment.

Byron shouted, "can't you at least give us a warning!" He slapped his hand on his face. Claire just giggled as she dressed.

"is this your first missions too?" It seemed strange that they would have me working even though Byron and Claire got more time to rest.

"yeah, sorry man" Byron looked a little guilty. He has been recovering the longest out of all of us. His fingers were no longer frost bitten. He clenched and stretched his fingers like it was a new arm, small bolts of electricity bounced between his fingers, then he got up and left without another word.

"h-hey wait up!" I shouted to him, Claire left too, "bye!" She winked and gave a peace sign as she disappeared. I struggled with the straps and started chasing after them.

The bright blue sky blinded me shortly as I emerged from the ship's quarters. Men and woman were manning the many different parts of the boat, in the center of the ship was a small group of people, Thena was standing facing them and she was talking, "...we must avoid detection at all costs. In order to do that we will have to use the new flame kid." She pointed towards me and she revealed the plan.

Oh man, I wish I was here to hear the rest of the plan. Thena suddenly stopped talking like she was done with her presentation. The other members of the dawn brigade looked at me with pity, one of them even put their hand on my shoulder, "sorry kid" what have I gotten myself into?

I walked up to the group, "sorry I'm late... What am I supposed to do?" I scratched some of my burns that were still itchy.

Thena said a single word that sent shivers down my spine. One word that would make any man beg for forgiveness. A word that could make you soil your pants

"Bait"

No.... Not again