Spirit and Fire: Cymraeg Tales, #1

By TC Marti

A troubled outcast on the run from her home nation's wrath…

 

…An estranged prince escaping a dreary home life in a distant land

 

Mali LaSalle always wanted to exert revenge on a Monarchy that rendered her family outcasts centuries ago. But she never dreamed she would cross paths and befriend a crown prince from an allied nation dissatisfied with a prearranged betrothal.

 

When Prince Caer Cymraeg offers to help Mali escape her dreary life, they discover that someone has been tasked to apprehend her. Forced to go on the run, Caer and Mali learn that someone more sinister than they ever imagined is chasing them. And it's an entity that will use any means necessary to destroy Caer and trade Mali into the Monarchy for a ransom. 

 

Spirit and Fire is rich in sword and sorcery, and elemental magic. If you like stories about forbidden love, chosen ones, ultra-complex plots, and thrilling fight scenes, this epic young adult fantasy is for you. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: TC Marti
• Release date: Sep 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223610076

TC Marti

TC Marti is an author, book reviewer, and freelance writer. When he's not writing, you can often find him in a gym lifting weights, or running miles on a trail.  He's also a huge fan of Arizona sports teams, an unapologetic Blink, and like most authors, an avid reader. 

Book preview

1

With smokey, purple energy bursting under her weathered boots as she drifted at least fifty feet into the air, Mali LaSalle pried open the glass window and landed inside, feet making no noise as they touched the oak floor. She closed the window and tiptoed toward the bookcase, closing her eyes and selecting a random title.

She sat at the lone table in the room and flung open the book when the door creaked open. Mali suppressed a gasp and swept under the table, leaving the book behind as a boy dressed in a regal dinner cloak swept toward the bed. He threw his sword onto the four-poster and sat, head in his hands.

Beads of sweat trickled down Mali’s face. What felt like an eternity passed before the boy slapped his hands to his knees and to her horror, strode to the wooden table.

The boy planted himself into the chair and extended his legs before she could slide out of the way, and his knee whacked her forehead. Mali squealed in pain before she could stop herself, prompting the boy to stumble back to his four-poster, pick up his bronze-hilted relic that she recognized as a Sword of Fire, and he raised it in front of him.

Great, she could do nothing but stare back, petrified that this freaking boy, Monarch by the looks of him, could incinerate her in two seconds if he wanted. Key word: could. Because Mali’s mastery over the spirit element should save her from such a fate. But it would also alert other Elemental Masters in this palace, and she’d have one heck of a time escaping.

Yet the boy stood there and cracked a goofy smile when he locked eyes with her.

A-are you Kia’s lady-in-waiting? he said. Because if you are, I can’t blame you for hiding from her.

"Do I look like a lady-in-waiting? Or was that your idea of a conversation starter?"

So who are you?

"Someone I’m sure you’d have killed if you knew my status. That’s how all you Monarchs act. We’re pawns on your chessboard. And if we act outta line, you off us."

The boy looked at his sword, which he still pointed at her chest. He threw it back onto the bed and again faced her. There, I’m unarmed. We’re even.

Seizing her opportunity, Mali closed her eyes and manifested a pearl-hilted Sword of Spirit, which hovered in front of her. Come take it from me, Monarch, and see if I don’t clean the floor with your blood. And just so you control freaks know, you can’t disarm all of us.

What makes you think I’m going to try and disarm you?

Mali scoffed. Tamurian law, isn’t it? Elemental Masters seen carrying a sword that aren’t part of Tamuria’s little government, they’re practically put to death.

Yeah, but I’m not a Tamurian.

"You’re an ally. Don’t try to fool me."

He held out a hand. I’m Caer Cymraeg.

"You’re trying to get me killed, aren’t you? She held up her fists and flashed the back of her hands, both of which contained scarred X’s, which Tamurian soldiers branded onto her when she was five. That’s my blood status. Untouchable. Family’s been in the Untouchable class since Morgana I invaded."

"You’re an Untouchable and you got an Elemental Sword?" Caer raised his eyebrows. Th-that’s impressive. But you’re a Spirit Master. Can’t you people feel vibes?

Her hardened gaze softened and she mentally cursed herself for showing such weakness. Even more so because the boy’s aether wasn’t the least bit heavy, but airy, bubbly even. Or it would be if his thoughts, or vibes, didn’t keep screaming, ‘Kia, Kia, Kia.’ And it’s true you’ve never given me a reason to distrust you. It’s just, she sighed, "you can’t never be too trusting of the vibes you feel no matter your level of Mastery. Especially with Monarchs."

Caer twisted his lips. "We’re not as bad as Tamuria. Yet, anyway."

Mali snatched her sword out of the air and placed it inside a piece of rope wrapped around her waist. You’re gonna be. That’s what this entire betrothal thing to Kia is, right? To unite Cymraeg and Tamuria as one regional superpower?

"So you believed those thoughts running through my head?"

Right now, I have no good reason to distrust you. But I still don’t freaking like you.

Because I was born into a situation I never wanted?

She burst into a high-pitched, echoing laugh.

What’s funny?

"You’re a liar, Caer. A situation you never wanted? Who wouldn’t want to be a Monarch?"

Is that what my vibes are telling you?

She locked her narrowed eyes into his. "You know non-spirit elementals can still, to an extent, develop a rudimentary talent for the spirit element. It’s allotted in everyone. Even non-elementals. So how do I know you’re not giving me false vibes?"

I know you’re more well-versed than anyone I’ve ever met without, and don’t get offended please, formal education. He threw her an apologetic look. I don’t mean to judge.

"Everybody judges. And us Untouchables are judged the most."

Are you ever going to tell me your name?

Malikki. Malikki LaSalle. It was the assigned surname for my family centuries ago following Morgana’s invasion. She shrugged. ‘Least that’s what Dad said when he was still well. Now he’s so sick he can’t even talk.

I’m sorry.

"Show it, don’t say it."

Well, if there’s something I can do for him, I will, Malikki, honestly. I like your name, by the way.

Mali fought to stop herself from smiling at that one. You can call me Mali, she said, trying to sound snappish. Everyone in Jungleland does.

Jungleland?

It’s what we call our Untouchable sector.

Caer walked to the window and waved her over.

She took two steps toward him before stopping, still searching for a reason to see through him despite every vibe telling her otherwise.

You can trust me. Really. Listen, I haven’t been a Fire Master long. There’s no way I’ve honed any given spirit ability on top of that.

"Don’t you Monarchs spend time meditating and connecting with Her? That’s honing potential spirit ability." Her, the Goddess Trinity, appointed Caer, his family, and Tamuria’s House of Magnu as leaders, so why wouldn’t they connect?

Her? he said, raising an eyebrow. "I’ve been forbidden to. We have always connected with Him. The Son."

Mali narrowed her eyes. That’s not what the holymen tell us. Those assigned to Jungleland.

"I know that much."

"What God are you serving?"

Caer twisted his lips. What are your vibes telling you?

"Nothing good. She has two Sons. Which one are you serving?"

Langennut, he whispered. Again, what are your vibes telling you?

That your lot is in league with Him. So what’s going on? She nodded to the sword in her sheath. And if I were you, I’d answer the question truthfully.

Just like Magnu does in Tamuria. Dad has his holymen propagate to the masses that only we and those qualified to do so may connect and speak with Her.

But you’re speaking with Him without the masses’ knowledge. She thumbed her sword hilt. "Again, tell the truth."

It’s true. You know what things were like here before Magnu’s ancestor Morgana’s reign, right?

People had their own individual experiences with Her. Contrary to what they taught me in my schooling.

"I’m sure they taught you what Magnu wanted them to teach you. And you amazingly unschooled yourself."

I like that answer. Mali strode up to and alongside Caer before staring out the window. Going to be a foggy night. Always a blessing. It gives me more cover as I escape back to Jungleland.

You don’t just, uh...

Teleport? All the way back home? Too dangerous. Even more dangerous than facing Magnu’s guards.

How’d you get in here, anyway?

"Through the window. I unwarded it a couple years back."

"Is it okay if I ask you why you broke into King Rus’—Mangu’s—palace of all places?"

"King Rus? So Magnu never was his real name."

They all go by King Magnu to keep their identities hidden.

"So I’ve learned."

The daughter is Princess Kia, and she has an older brother who will take the Magnu moniker. Arv is his real name.

Mali’s eyes widened.

Trust me now?

Don’t get your hopes up, she said, glowering, or at least that was her intent. What?

You’re holding back a smile.

She bit the inside of her cheek and clenched her jaw. "Anyway, I take it that Kia’s identity will be made public since she’s not the heiress."

"When she marries me. I know it’s complicated to understand."

The House of Magnu makes zero sense.

Caer cracked a smile and threw her a glance.

"Don’t look at me like that."

Sorry, I’m just impressed with your Spirit Mastery and knowledge. How did you get so well-versed?

Mali pointed to the bookshelf on the other side of the room. I’ve been sneaking in here and nicking books ever since I learned teleportation.

"Into a warded room?"

"Caer, I unwarded that window when I was thirteen. It’s been two years and it’s never been warded again since. I check every time before I sneak in."

His face fell. "You were able to unward structures Elemental Masters in the Tamurian military drew at thirteen?"

And I read every book on that shelf. Neither guards, nobles, nor soldiers discovered me.

We’re rescuing Dad.

She arched an eyebrow. "Dad?"

"Your dad. We’re rescuing and taking him to Cymraeg. He held out his hand. Take me to your home and I’ll be able to smuggle him out of Tamuria."

Mali drew a breath and again locked her eyes into his, unable to process what possessed this freaking Monarch to want to help her. Why’re you doing this?

Because I have six months of freedom before I marry Kia and bring her to Cymraeg’s Palace at Radyr. I’d like to have some fun and liberate a few people while I can.

Before you become a corrupt king someday, live to an old age, and wind up forgetting all about me because I’ll be dead before I turn thirty-five.

Why?

Caer, all Untouchables die between twenty-five and thirty-five. We work. We breed. We pay taxes. We die. And the cycle continues. I know how it ends for me. She ran a hand up her sword hilt. But at least I made the most of my time.

"What part of liberate did you not understand?"

"Yeah, how will that go with your mom and dad?"

Don’t worry about it.

I have zero faith in this.

"Well, I don’t know if you consider me one, Mali, but I consider you a friend. And my friends aren’t dying so young."

"You know, the second my hand touches yours, you just broke Tamurian law. It’s a prison sentence at best to even walk in an Untouchable’s shadow and a death sentence for me."

Caer grabbed her hand and locked his fingers through hers, causing blood to rush to her face.

You’re a friend, he said.

Alright, you’ve made your point, she replied, averting her eyes. Now what?

Caer eased his hand from hers and strode to a wardrobe on the other side of the bed. He pulled out a silk pair of pants, a shirt, a cloak, plus a pair of shiny boots, all navy blue and red. Well, except the boots...

There, he said. Put those on, and we’ll blend right in with the guardsmen if any of them see us. At least that will be the case early.

She shook her head and threw him a reproachful look. At least this time she had a reason to be suspicious. How they’d sneak past so many guards without getting caught was a mystery to her.

"Trust me, okay?"

She snatched the clothes from Caer’s hand and strode to the far end of the room. Turn around and don’t look.

Once Caer obliged, Mali kicked off her boots and disintegrated her sword with a wave of her hand before tearing off the rope binding her overlarge pants. Once she changed, Mali manifested her sword before sticking it into the leather sheath that came with the pants belt.

Alright, she said, striding toward him.

Feel like royalty yet?

Don’t say that.

She grabbed his hand, closed her eyes, and let that purple, smokey energy encompass them. Their bodies faded into nothing before her new boots landed outside a cave on a hill overlooking rolling fields, where shacks spread out every few hundred yards. In the distance the shacks sat closer to one another, before becoming so congested they stood a few feet apart. Thankfully, she neither spotted nor felt the life forces of any patrolling guards or soldiers.

"So that’s what teleportation feels like?"

Mali rolled her eyes. "I can’t believe I decided to go through with this."

You must have more faith in me than you’d care to admit.

Whatever.

2

Is there a reason you didn’t land at your house?

"Your lot calls it a shack, she said. Can’t say I haven’t picked up on the term, myself."

"It’s your home. Or, it was your home. Because you’re coming with me. Now can you answer my question?"

What question?

"I asked why you didn’t land us at your house."

"I told you back at the palace, it’s too dangerous."

"Dangerous how?"

"Because for one, if they see a foreign Monarch, you and I are both dead. I’m not the only one who hates the House of Magnu and their allies. Many of us wanted revenge for nearly three-hundred-and-fifty years. Well now, we can get that revenge."

How?

"You unveiled Magnu’s identity, that’s how. King Rus. Well, that just threw a little dagger into things, didn’t it?"

"You think you can get revenge because you know his real name?"

It’s a starting point.

"Starting point how?"

It proves the entire family are a bunch of corrupt liars. Hard to put your faith into a bunch of lying leaders who tax you without your consent. Not a bad way to start a little rebellion.

Mali, he has an entire army. And no offense, but other than you and probably a few more Elemental Masters down here informally practicing your ability in secret, you don’t stand a chance against them. These people have trained for years.

She bit her lower lip, knowing what she was about to spew could be a lie. "Listen, Caer, no one’s become a Spirit, or even an Elemental Master faster than me. I’m not saying that to be arrogant. It’s the truth."

Even I’ll admit that attaining teleportation and being able to unward runes at age thirteen is impressive. I mean, that’s more than just Spirit Mastery, you know?

I know what I’m capable of.

I’ve never heard of anyone that accomplished it. And I’m not trying to be arrogant either, but a guy of my status has seen some pretty powerful Elemental Masters.

Well, there’s a first time for everything, isn’t there? So let me tell you something, Caer, she added, as another lie invaded her mind. "I’ll off every last one of them if I have to. And I’m not afraid to do it."

"Now that’s crazy talk, Mali. Seriously, let’s get your dad and get out of here without shedding blood. I can erupt us to the harbor, sneak you onto a Cymraeg tradeship, and order the crew to get us all back there in one piece. So why don’t you teleport us inside your home and be done with it?"

"Because I warded the door shut in case anyone tried to raid it and I can’t teleport through my own wards. You know Elemental Masters can’t do that."

"Wait, back up a second. What are raids?"

We fight amongst ourselves. Just as Rus wants it.

That doesn’t tell me what a raid is.

The second reason why just teleporting home is so dangerous. People gather in small gangs around here, break into homes, and they take food and other goods.

You said Untouchables hated Rus. Doesn’t that make him a common enemy?

Don’t all marginalized people hate authorities yet fight amongst themselves?

So you have a common enemy and yet you still can’t put your differences aside to fight against him?

"Not until we spread word to the townspeople that the man’s a liar posing as King Magnu."

How would an Untouchable spread word?

She scrunched her face and shook her head. I’ll figure it out. So anyway, the only way to get to Dad’s is to stay in my tracks. We can’t teleport in front of the place, either, in case they’re raiding nearby. And if we run into a raid, it’s going to make our jobs much tougher.

Coming from the girl who says she’ll off Rus’ guardsmen?

"They’re much easier to off when you see them coming. Quite a difference when you’re invading their territory."

Alright, Caer said, an aura of disbelief in his voice. But none of this makes sense.

It wouldn’t. Mali led him from the cave and down the steep hill, keeping her sixth sense heightened for any approaching guards. "You’re a Monarch. What makes sense to me would never make sense to you. All you need to know is, we fight against one another and our numbers continue to weaken."

They walked in silence for the next half-hour. Mali crouched and led Caer through tall weeds that quieted their footsteps and kept them concealed. After another ten minutes, she gasped as the surrounding air grew heavy, forcing her to pull Caer into a kneeling position.

"Look. This is what I mean."

A horde of tall figures strode by, carrying what looked like the body of a young boy.

What happened? he whispered.

Compensation. If a family can’t give the raiders what they want, such as food, then they take something else.

So they kill?

"That boy’s fine. He’s just knocked out."

What are they doing with him?

There are over a dozen Untouchable societies surrounding Lontoo. My guess is they’re taking him to one of them.

So they’ll bring him up as one of their own? The raiders?

She nodded and waved him ahead once the raiders disappeared into the night.

As they drew nearer the first shacks sprinkled about the area, Mali grasped the back of Caer’s regal cloak five more times as raiders emerged. Some ventured so close, she overheard their grumbling debates of where to raid next: Jungleland’s sparsely-populated outskirts, or the dense streets.

There, Mali said, pointing toward a shack that just appeared in her line of sight. But it was still so dark out that only its shadowy outline emerged.

Before she took a step toward the place, a war cry pierced the foggy night.

"Get down," she hissed, this time seizing the front of Caer’s cloak and sending him face-planting into the weeds.

Two groups of raiders charged one another, yelling obscenities and death threats. A pair of screams echoed from the surrounding fields as another set of cries emerged to their right.

Oh, goodness, this is going to be a bloodbath, Mali said, running a hand down her forehead and visualizing a white light surrounding her as heavy concentrations of negative aether felt like they pressed onto her shoulders.

She retrieved her Sword of Spirit and Caer copied her with his Sword of Fire.

"Don’t do anything unless they come right at us. If my spirit energy or your fire maneuvers catch anyone’s attention, things won’t end well for either one of us. Especially me."

"So you can’t just kill a bunch of guardsmen or soldiers single handedly then? Or raiders, for that matter?"

Mali tightened her lips before she spoke, biting back her own choice of swear words to throw at Caer because he caught her in a lie. "Alright, fine. I got overconfident when I said that. Let’s just not draw their attention. I don’t feel