CHAPTER 38: CHAINS OF FIRE

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Her eyes narrowed. "You can’t go alone."

He blinked. "It’s a guild banquet, Fenna. Not a duel. I’m not going to fight, just hear their offer."

"All the more reason I’m not letting you go alone," she snapped, planting her hands on her hips. "I don’t trust that woman. She talks like a politician and walks like she owns every man in the room."

Zephyr raised an eyebrow. "You’re exaggerating."

Fenna leaned in, voice dropping to a dramatic whisper. "She wears those tight leggings, Zeph. The expensive ones with flame stitched lace along the seams. That type of woman doesn’t just want to hand you a contract, she wants to wrap you in it and tie a bow on top."

He laughed. "That’s a bit extreme."

"No! It’s not!" Fenna’s expression turned sharp with indignation. "You don’t see it, but women like her... they seduce young tamers. Play the long game. One minute you’re sipping wine, and the next, you’re being pampered in some velvet bed, wearing nothing but shame and your underwear!"

Zephyr coughed on his own breath. "That’s... specific. Do you always think about this weird stuff?"

"I’m serious!" Fenna’s cheeks flared with color as her thoughts spiraled. "What if she slips something in your drink? What if you wake up tied to a bedpost in a private Phoenix manor chamber, and she’s looming over you in some ridiculous low cut phoenix dress with a whip and a contract?"

She paused, eyes wide at her own imagination.

"Okay. No. Noooo. Absolutely not!" she said, voice rising in panic. "You can’t go alone. I’m going with you, and that’s final. Otherwise, forget about going at all!"

Zephyr stared at her for a long moment, half amused, half concerned. "So you’re worried I’ll get kidnapped, seduced, and forced to breed mythical beasts in my underpants?"

Fenna jabbed a finger at his chest. "Exactly."

Star let out a curious chirp from the windowsill, tilting his head as if intrigued by the idea. He was specifically interested in mythical beasts. It would be nice if he got a playmate.

Zephyr exhaled slowly. "Alright, alright. You win. Come with me. But please don’t start a fight unless someone actually tries to drug me." He laughed.

Fenna grunted, crossing her arms again in anger. She turned away, already muttering something about packing a knife in each boot "just in case."

Zephyr watched her go, a small, helpless smile forming at the edge of his lips. He had fought beasts, faced humiliation, and risked his life in burning arenas but there was no force more terrifying or loyal than Fenna when she thought someone might steal him.

Star chuffed, then hissed toward the Zephyr with rare agreement. He also meant no mythic beasts?

So now here they were, standing at the mouth of power, bathed in ruby light, waiting for permission to step inside.

A steward in red and silver robes bowed low. "Master Zephyr. Miss Fenna. The Lady will see you now."

Zephyr stepped forward, boots echoing on obsidian tile. Fenna walked beside him, fingers subtly grazing the hilt of the curved dagger at her hip. She had dressed sharply in traveler’s formalwear, clean tunic, brass threaded scarf but her eyes stayed hard. Ready.

The banquet hall was vast and vaulted, with magma veins pulsing faintly beneath translucent stone flooring. Dozens of local wealthy men, guild officers, beast trainers, and patrons filled the space. Some drinking, others whispering. Roasted boar and ember fruit wine filled the air. Star’s nose twitched with quiet longing.

But all of it fell away the moment she entered.

The Phoenix emissary from earlier stood on a raised platform, now dressed in deep garnet robes with phoenix feathers stitched along the sleeves. The cloak from before was gone, but the flame patterned embroidery still marked her as a Guild Flamekeeper, one of the Phoenix Ring’s top contract brokers. She smiled without warmth as they approached.

"Zephyr," she said smoothly. "And the little girl Fenna. I’m glad you accepted my invitation. Many would kill for a place at this table."

Zephyr offered a shallow bow. "It would have been rude to ignore your token. Besides, I’m curious."

"I expected no less." She gestured to a polished table of black glass. Scrolls were arranged in neat rows, wax seals glowing faintly. A small brass quill floated in the air above a rune etched inkwell. The smell of formal contracts and dry firestone lingered like incense.

"We can dispense with small talk," she said, eyes locking with his. "You want to grow. The Phoenix Ring can give you every resource you’ll need."

She unrolled the top scroll with a flick of her fingers. "This is a binding agreement. One that reflects your potential."

Zephyr leaned forward, scanning quickly. Then again, this time slower. Then he blinked.

Fenna stiffened beside him. "This... is a joke, right?"

The woman’s smile didn’t change.

Zephyr exhaled, reading the highlighted terms aloud.

"Fifty years of service to the Phoenix Ring... full disclosure of all loots, beasts raised, and techniques acquired by me. I will grow 100 tons of beast feed for the phoenix ring every month. Exclusive breeding rights: for any A-grade beast I raise under guild patronage will be offered to guild. Any resources given to me must be repaid with interest in skill, product, or participation in guild campaigns. I cannot disobey any standing order... or leave the guild for five decades?"

He looked up. "You call this opportunity?"

"I call it investment," she said evenly. "You’re young, not graduated from any beast academy, and already making noise. We protect our investments. And we make them powerful. Beast tamers like you rise or burn in Emberfall, Zephyr. We offer you the former."

Fenna leaned in, voice cold. "You want to own him."

"No, We want to cultivate him."

Zephyr’s jaw tightened. "And if I refuse?"

"Then we step back and let the city do what it does," she said softly. "Others will approach you. Some less kind. Some are more dangerous. It’s a free city, we can’t force anyone. You’ll need resources eventually. Someone needs to fund you until you become stronger. Might as well be us."