Page 46 of Keeper of the Flame: Orrick

Corbett’s eyes narrowed as he surveyed Orrick’s hurt hand. “I know that. So why aren’t you healing?”

“That’s exactly what I’d like to know. I entered the room to find the wand I gave Noah on the bed and the door was open.”

“Not again. I’m sorry, Orrick. I can’t seem to control the boy. I’ll have to punish him I guess.”

“That’s not the part I’m worried about.”

“Nay?” Corbett pulled out a stool and sat down while Orrick paced.

“I am the Keeper of the Flame.”

“I know that part.”

“My wounds heal instantly.”

“Usually, that is so.”

“I brought the Eternal Flame here from the cave since Hope saw it and I couldn’t leave it unprotected.”

“Hope was at the cave? With you?” Corbett’s hands gripped the table.

“Aye. I didn’t tell you that part,” said Orrick, holding his wounded hand and pacing over to the fire and back.

“God’s eyes, Orrick, did something happen between you two?”

“I have to admit it did. We made love.”

“Nay! Please tell me that isn’t so.” Corbett covered his face with his hands.

“I’m afraid it’s true,” Orrick told him.

“What the hell were you thinking, old man?” Corbett’s palms hit the table. “I am her guardian and in case you’ve forgotten, she is betrothed to a man who is right here at Blake Castle. He, as well as her father, are going to kill me.”

“Take it easy,” said Orrick. “And in case you haven’t noticed, I haven’t been an old man a lot lately. In my young body, I had needs. Not to mention, it was the power of the Eternal Flame that made us do it.”

“That doesn’t make it any better. What are you going to do about it?”

“Right now, that is the least of my worries. We have bigger things to concern ourselves with.”

“What are you talking about?” asked Corbett.

“Someone has stolen the Eternal Flame.”

“What? Nay, you must be wrong. Didn’t you say you put it in the hearth?” Corbett turned to look at the hearth. “It’s still there and it’s still burning.”

“Nay, it’s not the Eternal Flame I tell you. It’s gone!”

“You’re just not thinking straight.” Corbett pushed up to a standing position. “Get cleaned up and join me for an ale. I’m parched.”

“It’s not the Eternal Flame, I tell you. I’ll prove it to you.” Orrick picked up the basin of bloody water and threw it at the flames on the hearth. Between that and the burst of wind from the storm coming in through the window, the flame went out. “Did you see that?”

“So?” asked Corbett. “You dosed the flame with water. What did you expect?”

“My point exactly. The Eternal Flame cannot be extinguished, so that proves that the fire on the hearth was not it.”

“I don’t understand,” said Corbett as they now talked in the dark. “What happened to it? How could someone take it?”

With a wave of Orrick’s hand the fire on the hearth relit itself, as well as a torch on the wall. Then he spied something he hadn’t noticed before. Hurrying over to the trunk near the hearth, he reached down and felt the hardened wax atop it. He broke off a piece and brought it to his nose. “It’s scented beeswax. Sandalwood if I’m not mistaken. This is from my tabletop candle.”