~2~

Panic rose in my chest. I ran as fast as I could down the path. When I reached my cabin, it was beyond hope. It was completely engulfed in greedy flames. I moaned hopelessly.

An odd desire suddenly flowed through me. I wanted to go into the house, despite the flames. Lost to this strange need, I walked slowly towards the house. I placed my hand on the doorknob, prepared for pain, but it didn’t come. Encouraged by this, I thrust the door open and walked inside. It was a blazing inferno, but all I felt was cozy warmth. There wasn’t an object in the house that wasn’t on fire. The flames licked eagerly at my robes, reducing them to ash. I walked through the cabin, enjoying the warmth of the flames on my bare flesh.

Curious, I grabbed at some flames. When I opened my fist, the flame was sitting on it. A thought struck me. I closed my eyes, and willed with all my might, that the flame to go out. Beads of sweat appeared on my forehead, but I continued. Finally, I felt the warmth leave my hand. I opened my eyes, and there was a thin line of smoke coming from where the flame was. Breathing hard, I closed my eyes again. If I could put out a small flame, I might be able to put out the entire fire.

 I willed the fire around me to go out, but it was much more difficult than the little one had been. My legs starting wobbling under the effort, and I could feel myself slipping away. I concentrated harder, and tried harder. I was a warrior! Warriors do not give up!

 Power flowed through me once more, and with a blast of smoke, I felt cool air rush past my exposed skin. I opened my eyes slowly. The flames were gone. Nothing was burned. It was all as I had left it. I walked, dazed, upstairs and pulled on some more robes. I looked out the window towards the village.

My eyes widened at when I saw that mountains of smoke were billowing from the village! Flames were mounting on the wood and thatch houses. But that wasn’t all. Men in red armor were pouring into the village. I could only imagine what was happening. I dashed out of my room and grabbed my sword as I shot out the door.

I was utterly exhausted, but I knew I needed to be at the village. In the distance I could see that the flames had grown larger, consuming the entire residential area. I added more speed to my sprint, and in five minutes I was at the front wall of the village. I stared grimly at the wall. It had been blasted in areas, leaving smoldering pieces of rubble. I climbed though one of the holes, and heard screams and shouts coming from farther in. I unsheathed my sword and dashed farther in.

I saw men in red armor with the insignia of Jyrainia, a jackal, on it. They were running around, setting homes on fire, slaughtering men, raping women and pillaging the humble homes. Anger pulsed though me even harder than before. With a warriors cry I rushed into the bloody battle, taking them by surprise. My deep red hair whipped in the wind as I slashed and sliced around me. Blocking their hits, I countered with vengeance.

With even more fury I fought, moving through the village, leaving a trail of dead men behind me. I heard a savage yell to my right and turned to see Adrian fighting of 3 men on his own. I rushed to assist, and soon, all three were dead. Both of us breathing hard, we looked at each other with a silent understanding, and left in different directions.

Soon, those that weren’t dead had run away, leaving their wounded to die. Panting, I sat down on a bench, and looked at the bloody destruction all around me. I felt no guilt at killing so many. It was kill, or be killed. My limbs were sore from the over exertion of energy, but I still got up and started assisting the struggling villagers. I helped put out fires, amazing them with my newly discovered ability to will the fire out, although each time I did, it left me weak and drained. but I continued on.

Finally, when all the fires where put out, I walked around wearily, searching for Adrian. I was sure that he would be helping the people fix things or dragging away the dead to be burned or buried. But after looking for nearly an hour, I was worried. I could not find him. I ended up by the Temple. Adrian would definitely be there, I thought. I walked up the cold stone steps and pushed open the large oak door.

When I entered all the men that were rushing around in a panic froze and stared at me. I gave each of them a glare, and they want back to their work, much quieter. The reason there were no women in this building was because of Adrian’s father, the High Priest. He didn’t believe women should have a say in anything to do with the temple. I walked down the old fading wooden walls towards the committee room. The temple worked as both temple, and a town hall. . I knew the Council and the High Priest would be arguing about what to do in response to this attack.

When I entered, they all looked at me with surprise and shock. The High Priest was standing at the front of the group of people, pretending that I wasn’t there. I walked through them, my head held high, my spine stiff as a board. I walked straight up the High Priest, and looking him straight in the eye, and asked,

“Where is your son, Adrian?” He finally looked at me, a look of disdain in his eyes.

“He is in the healers hut.” He said coldly, looking down at me. I knew too well what he meant. “Now leave, wench. You know as well as I women are not allowed here. I have important issues to discuss.” My spine became even straighter at these hateful words. I gave him a stony glare.

“There is nothing here that is not suitable for my ears. They are the same as yours, if not more shapely.” I said with a small smile. His face boiled red. Men behind me started murmuring, a few chuckling. After steaming for a few seconds, his face softened into a fake smile that looked painful on his tight face. I continued on.

“I know what you’re talking about. I bet I can tell you more than any of them can.” I said coyly. The murmuring took an angry tone. The High Priest looked at me with an angry expression, but nevertheless, a curious one.

“Oh you do, do you? Well then, I wish to hear it.” he said in an obviously fake tone. I walked slowly towards the able in the middle of all the men. It had a large map of the area. There were a few instruments on it. I picked one up and fingered it thoughtfully. I knew he was boiling over with impatience.

“Well,” I began slowly. “From simple observations, I could see their armor was red, with the insignia of Jyrain on it. You know what that means don’t you?” I told him softly, pricking my finger on the pointy edge of the instrument. I could almost feel the heat of his impatience on my back. I continued on.

“Well, I know what it means. It means,” I whipped around to face him. “This was an attack from King Jyran The XII of Jyrainia. Why would a powerful king like that attack a small village like this one, I wonder.” His face had a shocked look on it. Oh god, he is an even bigger simpleton than I thought.

“Yes, it means that they found out that you agreed with king Gaurdia XV to let his soldiers plunder us of our precious resources.” His expression turned to one of rage and confusion, but I kept going on, interrupting him.

“Oh no, he didn’t say that in so many words of course, but that is what you agreed to. They wanted to make sure that he didn’t get those resources.” I told him, my voice filling with bitterness and dislike. The committee broke out in an uproar. I smiled like a Cheshire cat. I had done what I had hoped to do.

“Quiet! QUIET!!” The High Priest shouted over the din. He slammed a large book beside him shut, emphasizing what he was saying. The room fell silent. He panted, gazing around at the room with wild eyes. He took a deep breath and straightened his cap.

“Now, what you are saying may or might not be true, but I will take it into consideration. Now leave please. You were never supposed to be here in the first place.” He said calmly, but I could sense his irritation. I smiled. I knew I had won.

“Of course, your Holiness.” I said sarcastically, giving him a large sweeping bow. My robes fluttered as I made the large arm movements. I turned swiftly and walked out of there, with my head held high, just as it was when I had entered.