CHAPTER 2: Burning Flames

Colter

Kingdom of Howard, Unknown

Colter always has a habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Fire!”

He also never meant to set the forest on fire.

“Someone help!”

“Quick, call the Neró-Ecanus!”

Five men were frantically trying to suppress the fire that innocently started out as a flame. Colter slowly backed away and tried melting into the shadows as more men came to help suppress the blaze that rapidly spread like the inferno.

He knew right then and there that he was in trouble. Colter thought to himself, when was he not in trouble, anyway?

Colter safely kept his distance from the wildfire that had almost reach the woodland edge. He wanted to bolt before anyone could figure out that it was him that caused the fire. But he had to ensure that the fire would be safely put out and that no one was harmed.

Another group of men, the Neró-Ecanus, arrived and immediately started putting out the fire with their Hydropathic talent, Torrential Outpour. When the fire finally subsided, Colter breathed a sigh of relief. He kept in mind that the next time he decides to stretch his arms for a practice of his talent, he should not be doing it around highly flammable materials.

The Ecanus’ voices drifted around the now-still forest. Colter can hear them talking amongst themselves.

“What happened here?”

“We were cleaning up as we were done with today’s wood work then suddenly a flash of light that came from somewhere over there was all we saw. It was blinding and the next thing we know, a small fire started.”

“Was anyone hurt?”

“Thankfully, no one. But some of today’s crops were perished.”

Colter started to walk back, trying not to make any noise of sorts, to leave the area as soon as possible. It was indeed fortunate that no one was harmed by his stunt. However, a chilling voice made him stop his rather ungraceful exit.

“Well, well. If it isn’t the deadweight of the Howards.”

Colter let out a breath that he did not even know he was holding and unhurriedly turned around to face his worst enemy.

Gian Howard, Colter’s elder brother, but most importantly his mortal enemy.

“Hello, brother.” Colter said warily.

“You just can’t stay away from trouble, can you?” Gian’s silver eyes flashed maliciously. “Or rather, trouble seems to follow you anywhere you go.”

Colter felt a small tingle at the tip of his fingers. He clenched his fists to stop them from setting ablaze. It was becoming a tradition to feel this sensation whenever his pompous brother opens his mouth. Scratch that, whenever his brother was around. “Let me guess, your woodland friends are doing their duty all too well to spy on me.”

Gian leaned on a nearby tree and crossed his arms. “Colter, haven’t you learned by now that I always have eyes and ears on everything? The moment you stepped out of the palace doors, I already knew where you’re going. I also knew what racket you did in here today.”

Colter tried hard not to roll his eyes. Of course, his brother would always gloat about his Ecanus ability, power over the forest. But for Colter, his brother’s true ability was to be as obnoxious as possible.

The Ecanus, the citizens of Howard, are one of the most exceptional beings in this realm. They were all given the ability of flight and is given special talents once they are born in this world. You are a true Ecanus once you have the Mark, a special symbol burned to one’s chest on their first birthday. The thought of burning a mark on a baby seems hardcore but it is one of the unique customs at Howard. 

With great gifts comes with high stakes. Rules are imposed in order to keep the people in line. The highest sentence that the King can give is banishment from the kingdom and it is worse than death.

Unfortunately for Colter, his father was the King.

Colter’s blood ran cold when he heard the one other voice that he wishes to not hear today.

“Colter.”

Gian straightened from his lax posture when he heard the King approaching. He made a deep, gracious bow and it took every will of control for Colter not to slice off his head. “Your Highness.”

Colter gave a curt bow and stood straight. It was always a sign of respect to keep your shoulders in check and your chin high when the King was present.

“What have you done this time?” the King asked.

Gian was too excited for Colter’s liking as he immediately quipped, “I told you, Your Highness, Colter planned to wreak havoc on our poor, hard-working Ecanus’ again.”

Trust Gian to be the biggest stool pigeon.

“Silence.” King Malik turned to Gian. "You should learn how to hold your tongue when not spoken to, boy."

Gian bowed his head in apology. Colter tried not to let out even the tiniest of smirks. It would certainly not help his case right now.

“What have you done this time?” King Malik repeated.

Colter forcefully met the King’s eyes and replied. “I am deeply sorry. It was not my intention to start a fire nor was it my intention to get someone hurt.” It was one of the things he learned from his father: that in order to earn someone’s respect and be heard, you must be accountable for all your actions, whether it be good or bad. Most especially, when it is bad. “I just wanted to exercise the power that you, Your Highness, has graciously bestowed me. Do believe me when I say that it was all an accident.”

And it was true. Colter meant every word. He was still in the process of learning what he could do and testing his limits. But being a Pyropath is both a blessing and a curse.

King Malik scoffed. “If you wanted to ‘exercise your power,’ as you say, you wouldn’t endanger the lives of the Ecanus. If you are truly to be crowned as an heir, you would not even dare and foolishly prance around with your little fireballs.”

He did not notice that his father’s tirade has drawn the attention of the few Ecanus in the vicinity. Great, Colter thought. What an amazing way of letting everyone know that it was the heir-apparent that nearly set the nearby village on fire. Gian on the other hand, was hiding his glee with a straight face. A poor one at that, since his eyes were dancing with joy.

“Do not make me regret giving you that talent, Colter.” King Malik said. “How hard could it possibly be to keep your head down and obey the rules?”

Colter knew that if it were not for the little audience, the King could have outright said that why can’t Colter be more like his brother.

It was a little too much for Colter as he can feel the tingling in his hands start to spread through his palms. He tightened his grip even more and focused on breathing. It was one of the curses this ability gives: a short temper.

“I do apologize, Your Highness. It would not happen again.” Colter then toward the Ecanus watching. “I greatly appreciate your help this afternoon. The entire people of Ecanus are indebted to the valor you have showed in keeping the village safe. Please do know that I am deeply sorry for what happened and that it was not my attention to cause panic nor harm.”

Colter made sure to meet every single eye and he was relieved to see that they believed him. There was also something there that made Colter felt uneasy: pity.

He quickly gave a bow toward the people of Howard and gave another bow to the King. He did not dare meet his brother’s eyes or he would lose his cool and cause another scene. “Please excuse me.”

With that, he left the forest with the weight of everyone’s stares.

As he was walking back towards the palace, he could not resist not throwing off a little steam. And that meant literally. He let the reigns on his control loosen a bit and felt the tingling sensation on his hand slowly dissipate but still linger. In return, he felt his wisps of white smoke rise off from his clothes.

It wasn’t enough. He had to release it at some point or else it would be bad for either him or the people around him.

He quickly pivoted and instead of walking towards the palace doors, he went to the archway that led to the path towards the gardens. There was a pond there where he could let off steam and could not harm anybody or anything.

When he reached the pond, he checked if there was anyone around him and when he was sure that the coast was clear, he snapped his fingers and a ball of flame appeared in hands.

“Colter?”

He quickly absorbed the fireball by closing his fists around it and turned around to find his mother, Queen Regina, casually holding a watering can. Colter looked over her shoulders and saw two ladies-in-waiting at a respectable distance from them. “Hello, mother.”

Queen Regina Howard, the gentlest person Colter has ever known. She was the only person that Colter trusted around the Palace or this realm for that matter.

“What is the matter, my boy?” Queen Regina carefully placed the watering can at her feet and held Colter’s hand. He didn’t know if it was mother’s instincts that made her ask that question or it was still evident on his face the anger and shame he felt in the woods.

Colter shook his head and said, “Nothing’s wrong, mother.” Unlike the King, Queen Regina allows her sons to call her ‘mother’ even in private and personal engagements such as these.

Queen Regina cradled her youngest son’s face and met his eyes that are identical to hers. She knew what was bothering Colter but had to ask in order for him to open up to her just like old times. King Malik might be too hard on their sons sometimes and she could not bear to see her youngest child, suffering from Malik’s discipline. She is a firm believer that Malik was just doing his job in preparing them to become heir-apparent for the future of Howard. “Whatever happened, I know he did not mean them. Your father might just be worried about you.”

Colter knew that his mother was doing her best to comfort him but it breaks his heart that he can no longer believe what she says about his father. Although he appreciates the words of encouragement from the Queen. 

It was a little too late for that.

He gave her a rueful smile and enveloped her in an embrace. “I hope, His Highness can also see me the way you do.”