{"id":173,"date":"2022-01-12T16:28:15","date_gmt":"2022-01-12T16:28:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/amobst.com\/?page_id=173"},"modified":"2025-02-25T12:39:44","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T12:39:44","slug":"the-hungry-fire-chapter-1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/amobst.com\/index.php\/the-hungry-fire-chapter-1\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hungry Fire – Chapter 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Hungry Fire – <\/strong>Serpentstone Book 1<\/em><\/h1>\n

by A.M. Obst<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Chapter 1 – Betharad<\/strong><\/p>\n

They were whispering again. Heads close together, the occasional glance in her direction.<\/p>\n

Stop it,<\/em> Betharad told herself. Not everything is about you.<\/em><\/p>\n

On the left was Councillor Ferran, the town\u2019s gossip-in-chief. He was always speaking in mock-hushed tones about some scandal he considered juicy. But the other party was Councillor Haveld, so perhaps they were discussing important matters after all.<\/p>\n

Betharad sighed. She had aspired to put such useless emotions behind her. On the threshold of her greatest success, perhaps she should forgive herself a little paranoia.<\/p>\n

Marshal Kavilas approached, his stride purposeful. Responsible for the town\u2019s security, he was everywhere today, checking and re-checking the details. His air of understated competence usually created a pool of calm.<\/p>\n

But now his brows were drawn together and his jaw set firm. What could be amiss?<\/p>\n

She turned back to the plaza. Nothing looked out of order, although everything was different.<\/p>\n

The central plaza was the beating heart of Naerun. All day it buzzed and burbled with a hubbub that was both soothing and invigorating; people talking while they ate and drank at tables spilling from the inns, children darting around playing games or delivering messages. They had to make way for the occasional delivery wagon as it clanked its way through, though the new road meant most bypassed the plaza if they were headed to the docks down on the river bank.<\/p>\n

The busy market pushed all that to the edges three mornings a week. Betharad found shopping somewhat tedious, but the market still occupied a special place in her mind, a vibrant symbol of Naerun\u2019s prosperity as a key borderlands trading post. Remarkable, given the town had almost been destroyed twenty-three years ago.<\/p>\n

But today, the tables had given way to rows of chairs, order where chaos belonged. The scrape of wood on paving stones echoed off the building facades as the people lucky enough to have seats tried to make themselves comfortable.<\/p>\n

A temporary wooden platform crouched at one end of the space, as if a gigantic bird had chosen to nest there. Betharad would soon be climbing to the top of it, where all eyes would be focussed.<\/p>\n

Breathe. You can do it.<\/em><\/p>\n

Even the docks were closed, silence in place of the punctuating rhythms of loading and unloading that provided the usual background music to daily life. The merchants grumbled about loss of revenue, but she\u2019d worked for one of them and knew this single day made little difference to their profits.<\/p>\n

Today was a significant event for the town and for herself, with the Deliverance Ceremony and her investiture as steward, but she would be content when the town returned to normal.<\/p>\n

Whatever it was that worried the marshal, Betharad could leave it in his capable hands.<\/p>\n

The sky had forgotten clouds existed. The relentless sun slid higher in the blue dome, spilling more rays over rooftops and down east-facing streets to burn away the dregs of the shade.<\/p>\n

Now and then, a light breeze teased the waiting crowd, coaxing banners to flap and flash their hidden colours, before fading away. Heavy, still air reigned once more. The ceremonial robe was voluminous, its many folds threatening to drown Betharad. Not only that, someone had had the bright idea to weave it of thick black wool. The slightest air movement was better than a much longed-for gift.<\/p>\n

Her wait was almost over. Another step forwards, on the way to proving she was worthy to be her parents\u2019 daughter.<\/p>\n

Another small stir of air carried the scent of roasting meats from the large food tent. Betharad\u2019s nose caught a hint of warm spices, and she regretted skipping breakfast.<\/p>\n

Her appetite deserted her as quickly as it came. Kavilas and the two Councillors came over to her, all wearing sober expressions. Had they discovered some irregularity with the election, mere minutes before she was sworn in as Naerun\u2019s steward?<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were debating whether to worry you,\u201d said Kavilas, \u201cbut I\u2019ve been informed that a group of strangers was seen acting suspiciously in the plaza early this morning. When they were challenged, they fled without identifying themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was odd, but not as much as the marshal\u2019s countenance suggested. \u201cHow do you know they were strangers? Did you get a description of them?\u201d<\/p>\n

The marshal shook his head. \u201cThey were wearing long cloaks, with hoods drawn up to cover their faces\u2014that made them stand out, in this hot weather.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were seen standing under the platform,\u201d added Ferran.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnder<\/em> the platform?\u201d That was definitely suspicious. Betharad\u2019s trickle of unease intensified.<\/p>\n

Kavilas nodded. \u201cI\u2019ve checked and there appears to be no trace of interference with it. The chief carpenter assures me there is no damage to the structure. All the same, we should be cautious. I\u2019ve assigned a pair of Town Protectors to look around for anything out of the ordinary. Discreetly, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe think they were seen on the eastern road a few hours later, heading out of town,\u201d said Haveld.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnless they came back when nobody was looking,\u201d added Ferran, his face lit up with glee. He was in his element. \u201cShould we cancel the ceremony? If there\u2019s some danger to us…\u201d<\/p>\n

Betharad tried to not hold her breath, to stay calm.<\/p>\n

Haveld\u2019s look at his fellow Councillor was mild, but his voice was firm as he said, \u201cIt\u2019s too late to do that, and as the marshal has informed us, the platform is safe and sound. We have no evidence there\u2019s any danger.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kavilas said, \u201cAgreed. I can post more protectors around the plaza to keep an eye out for any further problems. If that\u2019s acceptable to you, Steward?\u201d<\/p>\n

Betharad appreciated his use of the title, even though it wasn\u2019t strictly accurate yet. While the ultimate decision was his to make, she was pleased he sought her opinion.<\/p>\n

For a moment, she was tempted to agree with Ferran. The idea someone might have attempted to sabotage the platform made her insides churn. What if something terrible happened today? She was nowhere near as brave as her parents, but she could take steps to minimise the chances of harm occurring.<\/p>\n

The strangers were probably new refugees, confused about what was going on, and Kavilas\u2019s protectors were well-trained and capable. Besides, it was hard to contemplate delaying the moment when she would be sworn in, now it was so close.<\/p>\n

She was determined to be a leader who showed courage, and made balanced decisions based on facts and evidence rather than emotions.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d she said. \u201cWe should go ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kavilas nodded and went about his business. It was no surprise when Ferran lost interest and moved to join the other councillors.<\/p>\n

Haveld beamed at her. \u201cI don\u2019t think we should concern ourselves with it. We need to make sure we’re ready for this important occasion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll be perfect. I\u2019m glad you were chosen to lead the ceremony this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you\u2014it\u2019s a great privilege, and you can be assured I\u2019ll do my best to honour your parents in the way they deserve. If it wasn\u2019t for their selfless acts all those years ago, none of this\u201d \u2014he waved his hand to indicate the plaza, if not the whole town\u2014 \u201cwould be here. They would have been very proud of you. Our youngest steward ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Betharad smiled back. It helped to hear that. \u201cThank you. I hope they would have been. But I haven\u2019t done much yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not true. You convinced the Council to support the improvements to our water and sewage system. No mean feat, given how resistant some of us are to change. And spending money. Though I confess, I\u2019m glad we\u2019re spared the smell for one day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was only a Councillor then,\u201d she replied, then realised what she\u2019d just said. \u201cSorry, I had no intention of suggesting Councillors aren\u2019t important. But when I\u2019m sworn in as steward, I can do so much more. Five years seems much too short, for all the things I want to achieve.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s one of the reasons people voted for you. But please be careful not to demand too much of yourself; you could put yourself under an unrealistic amount of pressure trying to live up to what your parents did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m proud to be their daughter.\u201d It was almost an automatic response, though true.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Haveld replied. \u201cBut\u2014forgive me for putting this so bluntly\u2014you don\u2019t have to kill yourself doing it. I\u2019m sure they didn’t set out with the intention of sacrificing themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled to show she didn\u2019t mind his choice of words. What he said was logical, an echo of her own thoughts.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, you\u2019ll have my full support,\u201d Haveld went on, dropping his voice so only she could hear. \u201cBut the same cannot be said for all the Council members. We\u2019ve got some work cut out for ourselves, convincing them you\u2019re more than a figurehead who will let them do what they want.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do my best,\u201d she said, careful to direct her gaze anywhere but at the others, who waited nearby. \u201cThough it\u2019s hard to know where to start. Most of our services are at or beyond their limits already, and our population keeps growing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are in some ways suffering from our own successes. But I think we\u2019ll soon have a steward who can lead us through those growing pains.\u201d He winked at her.<\/p>\n

The dilemma was that if some of Betharad\u2019s plans came to fruition, even more people would be attracted to Naerun. As steward, she would have the power to sign off on trading deals that could double demand for naerhos oil and fruit; as hardy as the people, the scrubby trees thrived in the poor desert soils, and had given the town its name as well as a major export industry. But there would need to be many changes before the town was ready to face such a future.<\/p>\n

The visiting dignitaries were seated now. The town was graced with no less than seven, including one from the capital. It seemed strange the central government would be interested in what happened out here.<\/p>\n

The size of the plaza and the limitations of the human voice meant less than a fifth of the town\u2019s population could be here to witness the ceremony. Given the actions of their parents, Betharad\u2019s small family were allocated seats every year, a privilege that made Betharad uncomfortable since her election as a councillor three years ago. Still, she was glad they could be there this year.<\/p>\n

The twins sat on either side of their grandmother about halfway back, the sun catching fiery glints in their dark, curly hair. From this distance, it was difficult to tell if they were watching her, so she nodded, just in case.<\/p>\n

For a second, she fell back on old habits, musing on how it might feel to have her parents there. But they\u2019d died when she was four.<\/p>\n

She closed her eyes, focussing her mind on the meagre store of memories she refused to surrender to the passage of time. The scent of her mother Maenna\u2019s favourite hair wash, a strong herbal tang Betharad thought she would recognise if she smelled it again. The curve of Veric\u2019s smile and the echo of his laugh as her father threw her into the air and caught her again. The feel of being held close in a protective embrace.<\/p>\n

The habit of reviewing these fragments helped calm her.<\/p>\n

Kavilas\u2019s light touch on her arm brought her back to the present. \u201cAlmost time,\u201d he said, with his serious smile. \u201cThe other Council members are making their way up, so you and Haveld are next. Are you ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d She had been ready for hours.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you would be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then it was Betharad\u2019s turn to ascend the steps. They were steep, and had no side rail. She had expected her leg to cause problems, but with the aid of her walking stick she reached the top easily.<\/p>\n

Constructed by the best carpenters each year for the ceremony, the platform was higher than it looked from the ground. She\u2019d stood up here as councillor for the last three ceremonies, and seeing the familiar buildings and streets from this unusual angle made her feel as if she had been plucked out of her ordinary life and deposited in a world that was almost the same, but fundamentally different.<\/p>\n

She took a deep breath to slow her heartbeat. First, Haveld would read the traditional speech that reminded them all how the violent Enjeb had besieged the town twenty-three years ago, and how her parents had given their lives to defeat them. The story never failed to send a surge of pride through Betharad\u2014although this year, she was most looking forward to the next part of the Ceremony. That was when she would be sworn in as steward, her answer to them all for doubting the quiet, aloof orphan child with the funny leg.<\/p>\n

Unlike her parents, Betharad had no natural affinity with the Lifespring, no ability to take hold of the fundamental energy which flowed through the world in invisible currents. But she liked to believe she possessed other powers.<\/p>\n

The sun was shining into her eyes now, and she refused to squint.<\/p>\n

Councillor Haveld stepped forward and raised his arms to signal the Deliverance Ceremony was about to begin. The silence that followed had an expectant weight of its own, and she straightened her back.<\/p>\n

That was when the whole platform burst apart in front of her. The world was lost in fire, and smoke, and a terrible roar. Blinded and deafened, Betharad fell backwards while something hard dug into her arm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Want to read on? Click here<\/a> to find out where to get The Hungry Fire.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Do you want to know what’s happened to Betharad? Or how her sister Jessa and brother Sarnd react? Find out how this incident is just the first step in the unravelling of the siblings’ lives, as the dangers around Naerun escalate and shocking secrets about the past – and the present – are revealed. Click here to get The Hungry Fire from your favourite online retail bookstore.<\/a> Available as ebook and paperback.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

You can also join my Readers Club and get the free ebook of Burning Temptation<\/strong>, the prequel to The Hungry Fire – click here<\/a> to get your free ebook. (Warning: Contains Spoilers!)<\/p>\n

(c) A.M. Obst. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Hungry Fire – Serpentstone Book 1 by A.M. Obst Chapter 1 – Betharad They were whispering again. Heads close together, the occasional glance in her direction. Stop it, Betharad told herself. Not everything is about you. On the left was Councillor Ferran, the town\u2019s gossip-in-chief. He was always speaking in mock-hushed tones about some …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-173","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/amobst.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/173","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/amobst.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/amobst.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amobst.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amobst.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=173"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/amobst.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/173\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":314,"href":"https:\/\/amobst.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/173\/revisions\/314"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/amobst.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=173"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}