I startled awake in a cold sweat, my hand outstretched towards the brick oven in front of me. The blanket that was wrapped around me slumped onto the floor. I’m alive. Then was that just a dream? I must have fallen asleep while watching the fire inside the oven. All that was left now were embers. 

I had dreamt that I had seen something in the fire. Without thinking about it I had reached into the flames to grab what I saw, but all that was left in my hand was a sourceless flame. Patting the fire out only made it spread. Eventually I was completely engulfed in flames. The panic must have woken me up. 

I picked up the blanket from the floor. My mother must have placed it over me after I fell asleep. I stood up and took a look around. Gentle moonlight illuminated the room, sparkling off of the particles in the air. The familiar space of my parents' bakery was quiet. They must be asleep already. I yawned. Sleeping on the floor wasn’t very comfortable… 

I went to my room and crawled into my own bed. Sleep took me quickly. Another dream found me that night. 

I stood in a field of flames, but instead of panicking I stayed calm this time. Whenever I moved my body the flames around me followed suit and soon enough I was dancing with the fire as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Tina! Breakfast is ready.” 

My mother’s voice pulled me from the land of dreams. The fiery landscape around me was replaced by my room in a blink. I lazily rolled myself out of my bed and sat beside the bed frame before answering. 

“I’m coming mom!” 

I didn’t bother changing out of my pajamas but I quickly brushed my long purple hair into place before heading downstairs. The first floor of our house was occupied by a bakery while the second floor served as our living space. With a room for me, my parents and my brother as well as a bath. We also had an attic but it was used as long term storage so we rarely went up there. It made for a good place to hide whenever I got into trouble though. 

The smell of freshly baked bread and pastries reached my nose as I made my way downstairs. My parents always got up before dawn to start baking the day’s goods. We always had breakfast when the first batch was done. 

I got to the bottom of the stairs and made my way into our dining area. The space was used by customers that wanted to eat fresh and hot, but we also used it to eat our meals. There wouldn’t be any customers this early so I didn’t mind being here in just pajamas. 

I joined my parents at the table. My mother’s long hair resembled my own only that hers was brown. She had a gentle smile on her face as she watched me sit down. My dad had short, black hair and he was wearing an apron covered in flour.

“““Good Morning.””” 

The three of us spoke almost in unison. 

“I see you found your way into bed after all.” 

I ignored the mocking tone in my mother's statement.

"Well apparently I dream a lot better in my bed than on the floor." 

"Anything good?" My dad asked. 

"Just a lot of fire." 

I didn't feel like describing either dream, so I gave a rather dismissive response that I hoped wouldn’t prompt more questions. Apparently it worked. 

The three of us talked about other various events in town while finishing breakfast. None of them were of particular interest to me, so as soon as I finished eating I excused myself and went back upstairs to get properly dressed and ready for the day. 

My family currently consisted only of me and my parents, not long ago my older brother turned eighteen and decided to leave the village and go traveling. My mother kept his room clean and ready for him, even though he wouldn’t be allowed to come back home. Our village wasn’t just a normal village. We were a self sustaining community hidden away in the mountains. I only learned that there were more villages a couple of years ago in school. 

The reason we were so secluded was something that I was well aware of. Every now and then children in this village were born with purple hair. This in itself probably wouldn’t be that exciting, but apparently every single one of the children would be able to use a certain type of magic. Apparently this special magic was unique to our village and therefore our ancestors made a bunch of rules to protect the village. 

I never cared enough to remember the details, much to the dismay of my instructors. Ever since I can remember, most of my days were spent at school, though calling it school was generous. There were only a handful of students and I was the only one who was born with the magic powers. The next oldest magician was already thirty by the time I was born. My special status meant I had to take a bunch of extra classes explaining my powers as well as practical magic training. The theoretical classes were boring quickly, while the practical classes were exciting for a while, but I quickly picked up everything the instructors would teach me. When that happened the practical lessons turned into nothing but practice drills and I got bored of them as well.

When I finished getting ready and dressed I could already hear people downstairs that were probably coming to pick up their breakfast as well. I took a quick peek to see mom and dad busy handing bread to the people that had formed a small line. I recognized the smith and the miller at a glance. “I’m off.” I spoke into the room at normal speaking volume without expecting to be heard over the conversations in the room. But my mother must have heard me regardless because she looked my way and gave me a quick wave before continuing her work. I turned and left through the back entrance on my way to school.

School had become a lot less intrusive with time but they still forced me to attend regular classes. I’d skip them occasionally, but if I was missing too many they got really angry which reflected negatively on the other students. When I found out I resolved myself to attend most classes, though occasionally I would still skip some. I never properly befriended the other village children my age. They seemed weary of me. Perhaps because I was so different. I didn’t care too much as I had my brother to play with when I was little.

The soft grass tickled me as I lay beneath a tree on the edge of town. I came here a lot to relax after school, as I did today. I thought back to the dreams I had that night. I could still remember a bunch of details from them. That wasn’t normally how dreams worked. Usually I’d forget most of what I dreamed about before I even got out of bed. There was an odd feeling I remembered from the second dream, when I moved the fire around. It was surprisingly similar to the way I felt when casting my magic. 

I decided to humor an idea that popped into my head. 

I stood where I had fallen asleep yesterday, in front of the oven. My parents were done baking for the day. Mom was tending the counter while dad went out to make some deliveries and pick up ingredients. So it was just me in the back. 

I crouched down in front of the oven. 

The fire was still burning. 

I reached my hand towards the flames and focused on the feeling I had felt in my dream. 

I gulped in anticipation, as I moved my hand. 

To my surprise the flame followed the motion of my hand.

***

I had mastered my inherent magic at a pretty young age. Well I say mastered, but I’m sure there was more to learn. It’s just that my instructors refused to teach me more things at some point, insisting I instead practice what I had learned. I tried experimenting on my own, but I couldn’t come up with good ideas. My studies covered that there were different types of magic, but when I asked about the other types I was told that I couldn’t learn those. I don’t remember them giving me a proper reason, they just kept insisting that I couldn’t learn any. 

Apparently they didn’t mean that I was unable to learn other types of magic, instead that seemed to be one of the rules made by our ancestors. They were concerned about the purity of the magic or something like that. Of course I didn’t know any of this before someone saw me create a flame in my hand beneath the tree and I got scolded by my Instructor after word got around. Yet for all their insisting that I should not mess with things that I don’t understand they were never able to provide a convincing reason for me to stop. 

“Tina Toast! You can not keep doing this!” My instructor was shouting at me again. 

“Every other day someone tells me that they saw you playing with fire.” 

They should just mind their own business. 

"How many times do I have to keep repeating myself?!” 

I’d prefer you just stop. 

“Your magic is a sacred treasure, given to you by the soul of the village. Its purity is valuable.” 

To you maybe. 

I stared at my instructor, expressionlessly listening to his lecture. These scoldings had long become routine to me. Everyday when I went out to practice magic someone would always show up from somewhere. At some point I just accepted that they were likely sent to keep an eye on me and pretty much stopped caring. Today’s lecture was certainly nothing out of the ordinary. At least it was until: 

“... and therefore I am taking this issue to the elders. So come with me young lady!”

Huh?

Huuh?

He’s taking me to see the elders?

They don’t do anything unless it’s of importance to the whole village.

Do they actually care that I practiced some fire magic?

While my mind was filled with worry my instructor had grabbed my hand and dragged me in front of the senate building. My mother once told me that I was here once when I was young. To be officially introduced to the elders because of my magic, but I was so young I don’t remember what it was like. 

He let go of my hand. I briefly thought about just running away, but his glare made me feel like I wouldn’t survive that. Though I doubt he would have actually killed me. I hoped. 

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

He ushered me into the dimly lit building. 

"I hope you can actually show some respect for once in your life." 

I only nodded meekly. For all the attitude I gave my instructor, I knew that talking back to the elders could have serious consequences. 

The two of us entered a chamber with two pillows in the center and five areas sectioned off by curtains. My instructor knelt down on one of the pillows and I did the same.

"Present the reason for your visit." A voice came from behind the curtain the moment I knelt on the pillow. 

"This young lady who has received the ancient blessing of magic has continuously tainted its purity through the use of different magic. Despite many attempts to stop that behavior on my part she has continued…” 

“Tina.” His explanation was interrupted by a gruff voice from the rightmost curtain. 

I wasn’t expecting the elders to call my name like that and froze. 

“How did you learn of this different magic?”

“I.. I…” I stumbled over my words at the sudden question.

“Take your time and relax, dear.” The kind voice of an old lady came from the center left curtain. 

I took a deep breath. The overwhelming pressure and anxiety left my body as I exhaled so I tried again. 

“I dreamt about it.” 

Silence followed my statement. I answered the question, right? Did they want something else? A bead of sweat rolled down my temple as I worried. 

“Very well.” The voice behind the center curtain broke the silence. 

“Tina. Child of the Toast family. Your actions taint the purity of our magic and as such we can not allow you to continue practicing this foreign magic.” 

“But..” 

I quickly placed my hands over my mouth, realizing that I had spoken out of line. To my surprise the elder continued like nothing happened. 

“You are hereby forbidden from practicing the foreign magic and come your eighteenth birthday you are exiled from the village.” 

My eyes went wide with confusion. Exile? Was what I did really that bad? As if reading my thoughts the voice behind the left curtain explained. 

“The usage of foreign magic taints the magic in the body and a tainted body taints the village. If you were to stay in the village you would continue to taint the magic, even if you stopped using magic altogether.” 

I didn’t realize that it was this big of a deal. I wondered why my instructor had never mentioned that this was a possibility, but glancing at him he had a similarly shocked expression on his face. It seems he didn’t know the full story either. 

The voice behind the center right curtain spoke up. 

“The true workings of our village's magic are a highly guarded secret. You are not to tell anyone outside of this room anything about it. Else face the dire consequences. Understood?” 

“Yes.” 

I replied a little dejected while my instructor was stiff as a board.

“Yes, sir!” 

“Very well then, you’re dismissed. Tina you are to come see us again on your eighteenth birthday.” 

The man behind the center curtain dismissed us. I nodded in response to his invitation. My instructor had already stood up and was moving towards the exit. I got up myself and followed him out of the building. As I left the audience chamber I thought I heard someone whisper. 

“Good Luck.” 

As I exited the senate building behind my instructor, my parents came running over. They must have been waiting for me. 

“Tina! Are you alright? What happened?” 

My mother seemed to have heard that I was brought to the senate and worried about me. I smiled and nodded, as my instructor spoke while walking past us. 

“That’s what she gets for her lax upbringing.” 

My father looked like he was about to punch him, but I grabbed his hand to stop him. He was clearly distraught about me having been exiled. 

“Let’s go home and talk there.” 

I spoke quietly, which seemed to make them worry more. We went home and to my room where I finally realized how tense I had been the entire time. I nearly passed out as I sprawled out on my bed and my mother who sat down next to me gently patted my head. My dad stood in the door as I explained what happened. 

My parents were silent as I explained. After I finished my mother was the first to say something. 

“I never thought they’d exile you over something so simple.” 

Well I thought so too but apparently the reason is a lot less simple. 

“Should I try talking them out of it?” 

My dad's question was directed at my mother, but I spoke while she seemed to contemplate the possibility. 

“No dad, it’s alright.” 

My mother looked at me in slight surprise. I’m sorry mom but I can’t tell you why there’s nothing we can do. 

“Very well, if you say to leave it then we will.” 

She stroked my hair as she spoke. I snuggled up to my mother and the next thing I knew I had fallen asleep. 

***

I blew out the eighteen candles on the cake my mother had baked. Around me people cheered. 

“Happy Birthday Tina!” 

The news of my exile had become somewhat common knowledge throughout the village. My instructor had canceled my classes and I didn’t dare practice any magic on my own right now. So I had been helping out at the bakery a lot more since then. Of course those who came often wondered why and there wasn’t much point in trying to keep it secret. As such my birthday party had become more of a goodbye party. 

The applause faded and my mother held out a hand towards me. 

“Come, your father and I worked with everyone in the village to get you the best presents.” 

I took her hand and followed her to the other side of the room where a pile of presents was prepared. I didn’t know what to say when I saw the pile of presents. It seemed like everyone put aside the years of pranks that I had pulled on each of them. My feelings were mixed, because tomorrow I would not be able to see any of these kind people ever again. With tears in my eyes I began unwrapping presents. 

The first present I opened was from our clothier in collaboration with the cobbler, it had a set of travel clothes and shoes fit to my size. They matched my hair in color with streaks of green as well as some flame colored highlights. The next present came from the tanner and contained a black leather backpack that fit comfortably on my back and could carry lots of stuff. The smith’s present consisted of two beautiful daggers. The bookbinder presented me with a personalized journal and quill. There were various presents including one from my parents that when combined added up to cooking and baking equipment made compact for travelling. There were a couple of other presents as well and in the end I had everything I could possibly need to sustain myself out on my own. 

I was fully crying after opening all of the presents. I just kept thanking everyone while crying until I calmed down. Once I had finally calmed down I had an idea, I took everything into another room promising that I’d be right back. My idea was fairly simple. I went to my room and took off my old clothes. Instead I wore the new set of clothes, together with the daggers that fit neatly onto the belt that was part of my new clothes, as well as the backpack already packed with some of the things I planned on taking with me. I had to pack a bit more carefully later. I looked at myself in the mirror and liking what I saw I went back downstairs, only to be showered by compliments from everyone. It honestly made me a bit embarrassed. After an initial fashion show I put down the backpack for the rest of the party. 

Eventually noon came and with it my visit to the elders. I waved to the people that were still there and left for the senate building. Anxiety crept over me like a shadow. I wasn’t entirely sure why they wanted to see me again today. I somewhat hesitantly entered the senate building's audience chamber. A single pillow lay in the center of the room. The five curtains were the same as last time. As soon as I knelt down on the pillow the center elder spoke. 

“Tina. Child of the Toast family. You are here today because you have made an irreversible mistake that could irreversibly damage our village. The chosen solution is exile. To keep the village and its secrets safe we will be placing a seal on you that will stop you from talking about them to outsiders. The seal will also serve as a symbol of your exile.” 

“Are you in agreement with these terms?” The center right elder asked. 

I tried to think about it for a moment but I couldn’t come up with anything better. “Yes.” I said. 

All five voices answered in sync. 

“Then by our authority as the senate we hereby declare Tina Toast to be exiled from this village.” 

Only the center right elder continued. 

“Should you still be within this village by noon tomorrow you will face severe punishment.” 

I only nodded. The elder behind the center left curtain spoke up next with her gentle voice. 

“Now then Tina, before we place the seal on you we still have somewhat of a birthday present for you.” 

Before I fully processed what she had said, the center left and the very right curtain had been pushed aside and in front of me stood an old woman who reminded me a lot of my mother as well as an old man who looked like my father. 

“Do keep this a secret from your parents, but we wanted to hug our granddaughter one last time.” 

The two walked over to me and hugged me. 

Their granddaughter? 

Me? 

Then these two are my grandparents? 

I hugged them back, tears welling up in my eyes again. I didn’t know that two of the five elders were my grandparents. My parents never really talked about them. After a moment the two let go of me and while smiling got back behind their respective curtains. 

“Now then.” 

The leftmost elder spoke up this time. 

“Please remove your clothes and lay face down on the pillow.” 

I had to do a double take to make sure I had heard him right. Apparently he realized that I was confused by his request because he clarified. 

“My apologies. I need access to your back to perform the sealing magic. You may keep the rest of your clothes on.” 

Ah so that’s what he meant. 

I carefully removed some of my clothes to expose my back and laid face down on the pillow. I heard the curtain to my left open followed by footsteps. I kept still although I was somewhat scared because I didn’t know what was about to happen. He knelt down beside me and placed his hands on my back. I twitched slightly at the unfamiliar sensation. 

“Please do your best to hold still, this may tickle and sting a bit.” 

“Mhkay.” I mumbled into the pillow at his comment. 

He placed his left hand on my neck and traced up my spine with his right. I clenched my teeth as a piercing pain flared up in the area of my neck where his left hand was and with every centimeter that his right hand traced up my spine a tingling sensation spread across my back. I managed to keep mostly still, only twitching slightly when his right hand passed my shoulderplates. And just when it almost got too much for me he removed his hands from my back. 

“The seal has been placed. You will now be unable to talk about the secrets of our village to any outsider.” 

I took a moment to collect myself while listening to his footsteps moving back behind the curtain. As he closed the curtain the elder behind the center curtain spoke up again. 

“Feel free to put your clothes on again. With this you are officially an outcast to our village. The only condition on which you shall ever set foot in this village again is in case of dire emergency.” 

I put my clothes back into place and knelt back down on the pillow as he spoke. 

“Is that understood?” The center right elder added. 

I won’t ever be able to come back into the town where I spent the first eighteen years of my life. I know that and I’ve accepted that fact, yet I can’t help but feel sad. I took a deep breath to be able to speak with a calm voice. 

“Yes.”

***

The next morning I gathered the things that I had prepared and filled my new backpack. My parents prepared some rations that I also added. With a heavy heart I said goodbye to my room and on my way downstairs, as I passed my brother's room the thought crossed my mind that my room would likely end up the same as his. Though he left of his own volition, so I doubt he's actually banned from the village. He might still have a similar seal to mine to keep the village a secret. 

As those thoughts filled my mind I reached the bottom of the stairs where my parents were waiting for me. I hugged both of them as I tried to hold in my tears. I was sure they must have been doing the same. 

“Goodbye Dear.” 

“Goodbye Mom.” 

“Goodbye Tina.” 

“Goodbye Dad.” 

“I’ll write down all my adventures, so someday let’s read them together.” 

Apparently that broke my mothers composure as I could see the tears forming in her eyes. She simply nodded. 

Our embrace lasted for what felt like an hour, eventually they let me go. I turned around in the doorframe, and as I had many times when leaving the house, though this time with tears in my eyes, I gave my parents a big smile. 

“Well then, I’m off!”

The bakery was closed for the day, but the rest of the town had to work like normal. As I passed through the town on my way out, I came across a few of the other villagers who also waved me goodbye. Since the village didn’t have a proper border or anything I was far from any buildings before I even knew it. 

Behind me the past and ahead of me the future. 

People and places that I had never seen before. 

My heavy heart slowly lightened as my excitement for the future grew.