Pyra ran as fast as she could. Clutching her coin purse as tightly as she possibly could. Her breathing ragged as her chest felt like it was on fire. Why did she decide to come out here? She could have waited, she could have brought some actual travel supplies and just camped out in the tree line while she waited for dawn. Pyra couldn’t stop running, the sound of the fight never leaving her. Were they following her? Her prayer wasn’t so much a mutter as it was jumbled and broken, the words tumbling out of her with the same stability as a spooked horse. She chanced a look over her shoulder, nothing, only the dour lamplight that cast shadows all throughout town. She turned hard and hid herself in the doorway of a shop that had long since closed for the night. Desperately trying to catch her breath and silence it. She could hear her heart pounding against her ears.

Please, she thought, please lose interest. I won’t be here long.

The night stretched on, indifferent to her pleading and prayer. The millions of gazes that fell unto her as the heavens theater was revealed all likely tittering in polite amusement with her predicament. Such was the way of things, wasn’t it? All the power to weave all that is, but none of the interest in keeping up with it. Eventually she chanced a glance outside of her hiding place, nothing. No one was on the street and no one had appeared to follow her. She breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Smoothing out her skirt she stepped back out onto the street and paused.

Was it is even worth trying to get to where she was going? They’d expect her to return to the inn, the fact that she lived several miles away wasn’t exactly unknown but it wasn’t likewise common knowledge. Pyra took a long deep breath, shaking and shuttering like a sapling in a windstorm. She couldn’t just leave, not until morning at the very least. She didn’t want to make two trips here when she could have at least gotten the ordeal over with in one. Steeling herself, she began her walk again pulling the hood of her cloak up. The night is long, but when she gets to safety it will at least be a sleep until dawn.

The streets wound and twisted, long shadows cast by the townhouses and clouds, even taking the long route to the inn there simply wasn’t a good way back and certainly not the way she had just came, there was simply no way to avoid it. Just one step at a time Pyra, and the terror of the evening would only be a memory. One foot in front of another and soon enough she’ll be able to sneak back to her home in the mountain at dawn. As she walked she worried at the necklace she wore. A simple wooden pendant, polished smooth with her constant motions. It’s details worn down, smooth and shiny, but very clearly the symbol of the guardian of the hearth.

The flickering flames from the lamps were holding true, as long as she stayed on the path then she… well she wasn’t safe but she could at least see the danger coming to her. On nights like this the thought of investing in a charm that would give her some manner of dark vision, even if only temporarily, would be worth the hassle and expense. During the day the answer was always a flat no. Far too situational and too expensive for an item that wouldn’t just have its magic fade. During the night however? She longed to have it. Clutching the pendant tightly, praying that it would bring her back to that place of warmth and safety unharmed. Pyra couldn’t imagine a night without such a charm that would give her such a defined edge, but it was too late to ask anyone for it, she had to make due without.

Just like I have every other night, she thought to herself. And every night since.

Had she been home, the night would be comforting, a blanket of stars wrapping the night in heavy darkness, the shadows long and dark. Exposing the brilliant dance of the fireflies returning from their winter slumber. Twinkling constellations that both told the history of the world and were to guide her home when her time in this godforsaken town was finally done.

One more day, that’s all that’s left. One more day.

A skittering noise sounded from the end of an alleyway, Pyra clapped her hands over her mouth to stifle a scream, letting go of the pendant for a moment as she froze, her blood running cold. A clicking sound carried down the darkened path, growing closer, closer, ever closer. All to feel silly when a dog padded down towards her, looking at Pyra with tail wagging and a hopeful look on its face. She let out a deep sigh. Just a dog, poor thing looked so thin but there was nothing she could do but keep on. The inn wasn’t that far away, once she was inside she could consider this part of the nightmare over. Her woven shoes making little noise while she walked, a blessing all things considered. Sure the strays could all easily see and hear her this late, but that didn’t mean that she wanted anything else to catch the attention of her pursuers.

As the inn drew closer she felt her chest tighten, it was almost over but that also meant that there was so much opportunity for everything to finally come crashing down. But she steeled herself. It wasn’t like she had anywhere else to go, and she couldn’t just go home, not yet. Stepping to the door she listened intently, the sounds of patrons carousing and general rowdiness audible even here, didn’t seem like anyone would notice her going in. Perfect. Just slip up the stairs to her room and then the nightmare was over.

“And that’s just the thing,” A woman’s voice carried over the din. “She was just gone when I turned ‘round.”

“Didn’t do anything weird did you?” A gravelly voiced man asked, somehow not disappointed that he even needed to ask.

“No! By the divines I didn’t do nothin’!”

She moved quickly, skipping the common room all together to head up the stairs towards the rooms. Almost there. Almost there. She glanced over her shoulder again and again as she walked. The second floor was far calmer. The ruckus from the common room still audible but it wasn’t as overwhelming as when she was at the foot of the stairs. Breathing a sigh of relief Pyra felt for her room key, blessedly right where she left it, and made her way towards her room. The heavy click of the deadbolt sliding out of place was quickly followed by the heavy click of it sliding back into place after she had rushed inside and shut the door as quickly as she could without making any noise.

Sliding down against it Pyra let out a deep shuttering breath. Safe, she was safe. Pyra wrapped her arms around herself, leaning against the door as she closed her eyes. The tension of the whole incident leaving her suddenly and in its place all that remained was exhaustion. Her body weighed her down, rooting her to the floor. She could sleep here, she almost wanted to. As tempting as the idea was she couldn’t bring herself to sleep anywhere while she was still in all her clothes. Carefully she pulled off the woven shoes and set them aside. Heaving a sigh she pulled herself up to a standing position to start disrobing. Each article of clothing was carefully folded and set aside on the desk the inn provided, her shoes collected and set just under it.

Just one more day, one more day and then I can go home.

Pulling back the sheets she made to lay down, resting comfortably in the bed. Dawn was still so far off, but blissful sleep would bring her all the closer to escaping whatever it is the council had in store for her. And it found her, sleep found her like an old friend. Joining hands with hers and bringing her into its embrace, promising this time that really it will never let go.

All for it to be chased away, dawn falling through the window slats and onto her face. Creaking her eyes open Pyra scowled at the dawn and rolled over onto her side. Long silver hair flowing like errant moonlight against the golden dawn. As she sat up she ran her fingers through her hair, feeling the tangles that she knew she’d spend a little while working out. With a groan Pyra drug herself from her bed, half-heartedly made it back up.

It was a new day is Aeson. Which means her last one here, at least if she had anything to say about it. As she brushed her teeth she stared into the mirror. Looking at the faint red scales that were once again trying to peak out from under her eyes and along her cheek bones. She was going to have to spend a good while prying them off of her, their insistence on regrowing defied all logic. She felt along them, was it worth it to try to figure out if there was worth to it to do it right now.

Stolen novel; please report.

Pyra got dressed and pulled her cloak up over her head once more. Hiding her unnatural locks and hopefully keeping enough of the scales just out of sight long enough to let her be left alone. It was a vain hope, but doing something would at least give her the image of a traveler, come in from a long journey, instead of the local freak. Fixing her cloak with a broach so that it stayed put Pyra left, locking up the door once again.

Today is the day, She started down the hall. I’ll go home, I’ll go home victorious. They can leave, but I’m staying put. And he won’t get a dime out of me.

Promises promises. But they were promises that she was going to make to herself every step of the way. Promises that kept her sane through the day. She yearned for the safety of her home, for the isolation. Where the only visitors were the wildlife or the postal service, and even they rarely made stops at her home. Rarely did anyone have anything to say to her. Good, it should stay that way.

She slipped out the front of the inn as fast as she could, all her things were already paid for so no reason for her to draw any attention to herself in the common room. Once on the street Pyra walked briskly towards the town hall, the sooner she got this appointment over with the better. She longed for home, for the hyacinth lemonade and dandelion cakes. For her chickens and her warm bed. So wrapped up in her reverie she was she didn’t notice the looks from a few of the young men hanging around, apprentices who had nothing better to do now that all the work in town had been ordered to a halt. Young men who had bodies full of pent up frustration, nothing but time, and a perfectly good target to practice on.

The rock collided with her head, the hood offering next to no protection from the stone. She stumbled forward letting out a cry of pain, bringing her hands up to try to catch herself before she fell completely to the ground. The landing was hard, rattling her bones when she hit the stone walkway. Taking a shaking breath she looked up and around, trying to see who did it and if she was still in danger. All she saw was three pairs of legs.

“Dunno why we put up with the whore o’ demons.” He sounded like he was barely growing into his voice, the weaseling remnants of adolescence holding strong. “This wouldn’t happen if we just-“ He kicked her in the side, sending her back down to the ground. “Dealt with her.”

The trio snickered as Pyra tried to catch her breath, holding onto her side. She needed to fight back, she should fight back, but the risk far outweighs the reward. Their charred and scorched bodies a stark reminder of what happens when you play with powers beyond your ken. As she pushed herself back up, watching them for the next attempt, she could see that not a soul was coming to her rescue. Those that were watching didn’t have even the slightest concern on their faces. It was more akin to annoyance at having their peace disturbed by unruly children.

“Please,” Pyra begged. “Just let me be, I’ll leave” Her voice cracked as she pleaded with them.

“Ye ain’t leavin’,” He said with a snarl, winding up for another kick, “Gonna make sure that ye can’t go’n tattle to the demon horde ever again.”

“Alright boys you had your fun.” A hand landed on the shoulder of the apprentice. “Any more and I’m gonna have to take you off, and the last thing any of your masters want to hear is their help off in the clink.”

With the three men distracted by the new voice, Pyra hurriedly got up to her feet. Glancing at the ground to see if she’d dropped anything, blessedly it looked like she had everything this time. Just as she stood one of them turned to look back at her.

“Hey! Don’t you be going anywhere!” He shouted, pointing at her as he lunged at her. Stopping short at the guard held the back of his shirt.

“Oi. I said cut it out.” He looked at Pyra, “Clear out, these three won’t bother you again.” He looked threateningly at the apprentice he had by the shirt. “Right?”

To a chorus of “Yes sir”’s Pyra quickly scampered off. Not quite running, that would only draw more attention, but her shoes scuffed the stone pathway as she rushed towards the town hall. She heard the young men’s voices as she escaped. She couldn’t stay here.

Their voices faded as she closed the door to the town hall behind her. Taking a deep breath trying to steady her nerves. They couldn’t come in here, not here. Even if the guard would allow what they wanted to do the council wouldn’t abide by the noise. That danger had passed, if only for the moment. Pyra pushed herself off the door and started towards the grand meeting room. Allegedly they were taking cases like hers there to speed up the process, but some part of her doubted this was the case. The sound of voices grew as she approached.

“In the case of the farmland, Mr Delaney, in the event that anything manages to survive the wildfires your property will remain in your name.” A voice echoed throughout the chamber, droning and tired. “That however is the question. Will anything survive the fire?”

“It has before, and it will again.” Another older voice, a man’s of course, just as tired but barely holding back agitation from leaking into his voice. “I don’ see why now all of a sudden any o’ us need to be signing over anything ‘just in case’.”

Pyra took a seat along side men and women in the very same situation. The council expected them to report everything that was going to be lost to the wildfires. The town was lucky enough that it was far from any of the demon army’s interest. Their blaze of glory would go right by them unnoticed, or would if it wasn’t for the devastation in their wake that spread throughout the land. It was a double edged sword, invest in what it took to ensure that your township would get through unscathed and then the demon’s path would change putting them in the crosshairs. No one liked it, but no one could fight it. The best that could be done is let it burn and rebuild once again. Reset everyone’s status back to pure equals.

“That isn’t what this means and you know it Mr Delaney.” Even if she wasn’t looking directly at him, Pyra would have been able to hear him pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. “What we are doing is-“

“Stealing from us, councilman.” Delaney interrupted firmly. “You’re stealing from us. That land has been in my family for generations and you think you can just snatch it out from under us because of those deviled bastards decided to start soundin’ the horn.”

His voice echoed as he grew steadily louder, not quite yelling yet but likewise no long as civil as he’d been when Pyra had come in. She winced at the sound, turning her head to look at the floor and begin counting the tiles that made up the mosaic in the hall. Flinching once more when Delaney slammed his fist on the table.

“We can rebuild. We’ve done it once we’ve done it a thousand times.” He barked, equally agitated townsmen surrounding Pyra at all sides rumbling in agreement. “But y’all can’t even answer a straight question about why the plan has changed! Accountin’ for food, supplies, materials yes this all works this all makes sense. But ain’t none of that, none of that, what you’ve been telling us for the past few days.”

The assembled citizens grew restless once again. Pyra likely one of the few who had remained silent. She just wanted to go home. Back to her cottage, back to her chickens. She could even see what there was to forage on the way back. With great hesitation she drew her gaze up to the raised dais, focusing on the man who had been dealing with Delaney this whole time.

“Times change. We must change with it.” Councilman Ezekiel spoke calmly, almost dismissively. “It is no longer sufficient to simply pile supplies all into one basket. We should not, will not, plan to fail. If you cannot ensure that your family’s land will not succumb to the blaze then you have nothing to worry about.”

“Listen here you miserable son of a bitch!”

Delaney launched himself over the table and rushed towards the dais, he didn’t make it far before being tackled by one of the guards, he trashed and swore loudly. The guard himself not bothering to bite his tongue. Pyra covered her ears, trying to make herself small while the meeting room erupted into chaos. She could hear the voices of men trying to make themselves heard, trying to claim the authority of the room, but she couldn’t tell who was who and what side they were on.

Her breath started to catch in her throat and heart beat like a drum, her chest tightening as she struggled to breath. She tried to count the embroidery stitching in her gown, following the green thread trying to find some semblance of calm. She felt a hand on her back, stiffening as she looked sharply up at whoever was touching her. It was a man, a dwarf even. Even as the chaos kept her from thinking straight

“I think that ye should wait outside darlin’.” She didn’t recognize the voice. But it was firm and brooked no argument. She nodded softly. “Thank ye darlin, we’ll come get you when we’ve gotten everything sorted.”

Pyra didn’t need to be told twice. She got up and skittered away, the mouse had been released by the cat and as she looked over her shoulder she saw an elf and the drunk from the night prior.