“Do not play with flames, for they will always be more mischievous than you.” - Excerpts from an Ember Mage

Siwan felt her body being pulled by her hair over the forest floor. She tried to grab at it and free herself but was shaken off by one of the hooded men. She fell back to the ground as they continued dragging her. The branches cut into her cheeks and tore at her skin. Her whole body screamed in pain and her leg felt aflame. She let out a whimper and closed her eyes, continuing to let the hooded men drag her body.

‘I don’t wanna die.’ She thought to herself, over and over again. Alone in the forest, with nobody to know what truly happened to her, this was not the way she had envisioned her death. She had always expected it would be on a nice comfy bed surrounded by her family. She would of course tell them she loved them, and then she would close her eyes, and drift off into the afterlife.

“Bed.” She muttered, the image of being in her own bed was so prevalent in her mind she couldn’t help but say it. The hooded men didn’t say a word, they just let her drop to the floor. She couldn’t see what they were doing but she heard clicking noises coming from them. Then there was the sound of rustling leaves, followed by more footsteps approaching.

“There she is.” She heard a familiar voice call out, opening her eyes she saw the man from earlier approaching her. “Well well well, if it isn’t my favorite little merchant.” He dropped down to be closer to her, elbows resting on his knees. “I don’t think I introduced myself before,” He grabbed her hair and pulled her head up to his face. Siwan let out a yelp and closed her eyes as tears began streaming from them.

“Oh don’t cry.” He said with a hush. “Don’t worry I’m not scary, look my name is Botchin, I told you my name so you can’t be scared of me now.”

Tears continued to drop down from her face. His gloved hand washed over her skin, brushing the tears off of her cheek. She felt the hairs on her body stand up on end. His gloved hand also get wet, she opened up her eyes and looked down, the glove had been soaked in blood. His fingers jabbed into her cheeks.

“I told you not to cry.” He hissed. He tilted her head to one side and then to the other, as if inspecting herc before throwing her back to the ground. “Now, tell me your name.” He said, clasping his hands together. He looked up at the sky as he waited for her to answer.

“S-Siwan.” She gasped out, she pushed her head closer to the ground, hoping it would swallow her whole.

“Siwan… Siwan what?” He asked. “I know your people have a deep fondness for titles, other names, and all those gaudy things.” He sounded disgusted at the thought of it.

“Siwan Fellbest.” She said.

“Siwan Fellbest.” He repeated, nodding his head up and down. “Good.” He clicked his tongue and the two hooded men lifted her back up again. Dirt clung to her face. She wished they could just leave her, or that she could close her eyes and wake up back in her bed. No matter how hard she tried though, every time she opened them back up Botchin was staring at her. He didn’t smile. His gloves were still bloodied and dripping, she could see the spot where the dragon had bit into them. The crowd of his men were gone, it was only the two hooded men and him.

“Siwan Fellbest.” He repeated again, motioning for the hooded men to carry her. He began to walk through the woods as she was captively being carried after him. “You really ruined my day.” He waved his hand and the group stopped. “I had a deal set up with a merchant in your village today, you know, I assume.”

Siwan nodded her head without thinking, Botchin smiled as he looked back.

“Good, you know, you should of course because it was a deal that you single-handedly ruined.”

Siwan’s nose turned as a foul smell hit the air. It was smoke and fire.

“You see, I’m not a scary guy, but I am fair.” He walked closer to her. Leaning towards her ear he whispered. “But since you ruined my day, I think it’s only fair I do the same to you.”

Siwan hung her head, she knew it had been coming to this, that this was where she was being led to. She could feel the end of her life approaching as her heart beat faster and faster. Then nothing happened, except Botchin continued to talk. And then they continued to walk, the hooded men jostling her to keep her from closing her eyes. “Don’t worry, I won’t kill you, you didn’t kill me and fair is fair.” He tapped a single finger to the sky, as if remembering something that he clearly didn’t forget. “You did force me to kill something of great value to me though.” He clicked his tongue and reached for his belt, there hung a sheet of dragon scales, dark as the night sky. He ran his hand across them, catching the light of the fading sun and reflecting it in a multitude of colors. Siwan gagged, she could feel bile rising in her throat. Botchin gave a somber nod and let go. Siwan noticed that there was still blood dripping from the sheet of scales.

“Since there was really no replacement or any way you could repay me, of course I had to take it from your village.” He shrugged as if it made the most logical sense. “Since your village probably doesn’t have the money to pay for your mistake, I’ll just have to take your village.” They reached the end of the forest and Siwan recounted the smell of flame and smoke in the air.

There her village stood, people screaming as they were chased down in the streets. Wild men ran from building to building, setting the place ablaze with torches.

Her home stood untouched by the blazes, like a lone tree standing above the rest of the burning forest. She struggled in her captor's grip, trying to break free and run to help her village. She had to help her maids, her father, everyone in her home. The gloved hands of the men simply tightened and refused to budge.

“Please.” She whimpered. “Please don’t hurt them.”

Botchin shook his head. “This is simply fair.” He clicked his tongue and the hooded man on her right muttered something unintelligible. Her eyes began to droop and grow heavy. The last thing she saw before darkness overtook her vision was Botchin smiling. The flames crackled and mixed with the screams of villagers and all of it melded into the darkness of her unconsciousness.

——————————

Earlier…

Hawar looked at Nerri, then back toward the town square. He coughed and held up his hand. “Right, my Teacher is probably looking for me. Would you be able to escort me back?” She smiled and pushed herself to her feet.

“If you’re trying to get away from me then yes, I can bring you there.”

“That’s not what I said.” Hawar stammered out. Nerri laughed and rolled her eyes. “Whatever you say, pretty boy.” She began walking back into the square and Hawar was quick to follow after her. The sun was beginning to go down now and the square began getting more crowded as people made their way to the woodpile. “Sure you don’t wanna stick around for the big event?” She pointed to the hooded figures that were gathering near a very large torch.

Truthfully, Hawar wanted to wait and see what would happen, to observe the way people here celebrated. Deep down though, he felt that he should be getting back to his teacher.

“Maybe another time.” He replied, she turned around and smiled at him.

“Sure, you can come back next rotation.” With a shrug she pressed on, people moved aside to let her pass. “Or earlier if you want, we have plenty more to see here.”

Hawar’s heart thumped at the idea of coming back before the year ended and spending more time here. ‘More time with her.’ The thought popped in his mind. His cheeks turned red and he shook his head to clear the thought. He coughed to clear his throat. “Plenty more? What other things do you do around here?”

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Nerri scoffed in an offended tone. “We host festivals, in fact we are quite renowned for them.”

Hawar nodded, he’d certainly be able to come visit for festivals after all that was the entire reason he was here now!

“Alright, you’re not always feasting though so what else do you do?” He asked. Anything would do for an excuse to come down, he just needed something to persuade his teacher with. Nerri went silent at the question and continued to walk on towards the manor. Hawar raised an eyebrow at her response, or lack thereof. He wanted to push and ask again but decided against it. An old saying of his mothers came back to him at that moment. He could see her gentle face clearly in his mind, as if it were coming through the clouds.

“Hawar,” she said. “Don’t push a woman for answers if she’s being silent.” Of course, he knew that his mother was referring to his pestering for dessert, but it still stood to reason it would apply here. So he wisely kept his mouth shut.

“What about you?” Nerri asked, flipping the question to him. “What do you do when you’re not hanging around the Magic Man?”

Hawar pondered for a moment, drumming his fingers successively against his leg. His daily routine for Mokk had simply involved doing chores and the occasional sneaking around to read his tomes. The tower itself was also rather secluded from the rest of society, which had been the main appeal for him and why he traveled all the way there.

“Not much else to do there, besides clean for your so-called Magic Man.” He said with a laugh.

“Well hopefully he’ll start by teaching you cleaning magic then, make your life a little easier.” She laughed in return. She tapped a finger to her lips as she thought of a question to ask him. They cleared the crowd and were approaching the large manor as she stopped. “Aha! Alright, what is it about your teacher that makes you follow him?” She asked, a very smug grin was plastered all over her face. As if the question she asked was one she uncovered from a lost library of secret questions.

Hawar smiled, truthfully, he didn’t know Mokk that well. The most interaction he had had with him was from the walk into town. He had read about him back in his library at home, of course he wasn’t known as Mokk in those books but as the Mage of Charmloss Pass. He had read all about his discoveries in light magic, however what stood out most was his isolated lifestyle. Mages weren’t the types to live big groups, but often they would stick with other mages, usually in pairs or small groups. Mokk lived completely alone though and far enough away from villages he wouldn’t be bothered.

“He seemed lonely.” Hawar said with a shrug. “I guess that was familiar to me.”

Nerri smiled and the two of them started walking again in silence. The silence felt comfortable to Hawar so he didn’t mind that much. The sun was going down now and the last of its golden rays disappeared behind the buildings. Hawar stopped and closed his eyes, everything was so peaceful in this moment. He wished for a second that he could bottle it up and carry it with him everywhere.

Then came the screams, cutting through the peace and tranquility.

Nerri whirled around, taking a step forward to stand in front of Hawar as she scanned the horizon. “There.” Her voice was calm and steady as she pointed to a building on the opposite side of town.

“What’s happening?” He asked, looking up at the building she pointed to. Smoke was rising well into the sky from the building as little flames danced at its feet. Below he could see armed men with torches raised high in the air. The people in the town square were being chased down as they scattered in all directions.

“Get to your teacher.” Nerri commanded him. It was as if another person had taken over her body as she stood in a combat ready stance. Hawar felt compelled to move, his feet wanted to run away as fast as they could to a place that he could hide and wait. He closed his eyes and could see how it would all play out. The village burnt to a crisp as bodies lay in the streets. He would still be alive, hidden away, but he would survive. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes. The feeling washed off him like a bucket of cold water.

He would stay.

He would fight if need be.

He stepped forward so he was standing alongside Nerri. She turned towards him and flashed a very brief smile. They nodded to each other before setting off in the direction of the burning building.

——————————

They dashed through the crowds and skidded to a halt right in front of the burning building. Villagers ran past them as they approached, bumping into Hawar as they ran. One of them, an elderly man, tripped and fell right at Hawar’s feet. He quickly bent down to help them back up to their feet as Nerri jumped in front of the two.

Several of the armed men walked towards her, weapons drawn and torches raised. Hawar noticed she was unarmed and scanned the area, frantically trying to find any weapon to throw to her.

“Wait!” He called out, hopeful she would back off. Then he watched her unbutton the left sleeve off her dress and throw it to the ground. Her left arm was revealed to be full of markings that stretched from her elbow up to her shoulder in. They were markings Hawar had seen before in books and recognized as spirit weapons.

The armed men noticing the markings yelled out battle cries and rushed her. The first to approach was wielding an old lumber axe in his left hand. With a yell he swung at her hips. Nerri dropped to the ground, right leg outstretched as she pivoted around to sweep the man off of his legs. As he fell to the ground his companion, who was wielding a spear, put his whole body behind a lunging thrust. Hawar gasped but Nerri grabbed the first man’s axe and used it to deflect the weapon into the ground. As the spear came down at her side the man stood outstretched and exposed. Nerri sent her knee crashing into his face and he crumpled to the ground.

The third man stood back, wielding a greatsword and stanced so that it pointed at her. The axe man let out a groan and took a swing at Nerri with his fist, she dodged back and landed next to Hawar.

“Woah.” He said, she looked at him and the corner of her lip tilted up. Standing up, she rolled her shoulder and began pulling at one of the spirit weapons. Magical energy twisted in ribbons as it poured out from the markings and a spear materialized in her hands. Spirit weapons, as Hawar knew, were weapons bonded to a warrior, usually done with markings so they’re easy to call upon and store. She twirled it around her arm so that it rested in the crook of her arm.

The axe man grabbed his axe off the ground and stood up next to his companion with the greatsword. Hawar could hear Nerri take a deep breath as she prepared to fight them both. They let out a yell and began to rush them. However, before they could attack her a brilliant light showed at their feet. Two ribbons of light arced from across the town square and hit the men squarely in their chests, sending them crashing backwards. Hawar whirled around to see his teacher approaching them from the town square.

“Teacher!” He called out, rushing up to him. Alongside him walked Solle, a massive sword was hoisted on his shoulder, it looked as though it was carved out of the side of a mountain.

“You safe?” Mokk asked, scanning the area. Hawar nodded.

“There are more of them up ahead though.” Nerri stated as she approached. Solle looked at her with a frown.

“Any idea on who it is?” He asked, setting his weapon down into the ground. Hawar was close enough that he could feel the stone pavement shake a little.

“Likely the Dructini we ran into earlier.” Mokk said, patting Hawar on the shoulder. Solle stretched his arm against his body.

“The ones that Thorn invited then.” He spat.

“Where are the merchants now?” Nerri asked and Solle shook his head.

“Scattered, likely ran off. Mince pursued my daughter into the woods earlier but we haven’t seen either of them since.” He gripped the handle of his sword, his knuckles whitened. “I’ll be giving Thorn a piece of my mind after all is done here.”

“Well, let’s find whoever’s responsible for this and deal with them first.” Mokk stated, he produced his spellbook from the folds of his robe and began to flip through it.

“Any idea who that is?” Solle asked. Hawar’s eyes brightened and he chimed in.

“The leader of the Dructini, he wields a Miunli sword.”

“Aye, best to be careful with him, not sure if he obtained it legitimately or not.” Mokk added as he continued to flip through the pages of his spellbook.

Solle’s eyes darkened and he picked up his sword again.

“If it’s a battle he wants, he’ll get it.” Solle stated, beginning to march towards the streets of the village further out where the fires still burned. Nerri swung her spear up onto her shoulder and quickly followed behind.

“You up for this?” Mokk looked up from his book and eyed Hawar. Hawar swallowed and looked around for any sort of weapon he could use in a fight. There were the weapons of the armed men on the street and he had some knowledge of how to swing a sword from when he was younger.

“I mean, I think… yes.” He looked up at Mokk, who was returning his gaze. His teacher shrugged and closed his spellbook, returning it to the folds of his robe.

“Being nervous is good, it’ll make you more aware of the world around you.” He pointed at Hawar’s head. “When you can be scared and still do what’s right, that’s when you’re strong.” Mokk said with a smile. He rolled up his sleeves and looked Hawar in the eye. “Don’t worry about this fight though, stay far behind me and watch. I’ll show you what a mage can do.”

Hawar hesitated, the look on his face showed to Mokk that he wanted to help more than just watch. Mokk stepped forward and put a hand on his shoulder. “Perhaps I should’ve taught you more to prepare for this, I’m sorry but I cannot change that now. Stay safe today, your time will come.” With that he began moving forward, his pace quickened as he raced to catch up with Solle and Nerri.

Hawar looked down at his hands then back. ‘One day, I’ll be the one giving that speech.’ He thought to himself, the vision of wearing a grand robe with an even grander hat popped into his mind. He quickly dispelled the thought.

Now was not the time to be thinking of what he’d wear in the future.

First he had to make it there.