Dear diary, today I learned magic.
I wake up to the baying of hounds in the distance. Wait, hounds, that is not great. I quickly stand up and walk to Annabelle to shake her awake.
“What are you doing?” she asks when she wakes up.
“Do you hear that in the distance?” I ask a bit impatiently.
“Yeah, so what? They are hunting hounds. Someone is probably hunting.” She says, annoyed.
I give her a look. “And what are they most likely to hunt?”
“Well, not pheasants, not at this time of year, so maybe rabbets or foxes.”
“That is it can’t think of anyone else that might be getting hunted in this forest?” I ask, getting exhausted.
“Well, they might be hunting criminals, but I did not hear about any criminals escaping.”
“I can think of two,” I say absentmindedly.
Her eyes go wide “Right us, they are hunting.”
“Corrected, so get up. We have to go faster and create more distance between us.”
“You think we can outrun them?”
“Not really. I just hope we can buy enough time for someone to show up to help us.”
“Will that work?”
“Probably not, but here is hoping,” I say as I get ready to leave.
“Wait, I have a better idea, but you have to promise me you keep it a secret.”
I turned to her. “Please tell me you were not sitting on some kind of super weapon and decided not to tell me.”
Annabelle at least has the decency to look ashamed. “Well, it is a family secret. Turn around and take off your shirt.”
I feel like I should argue more or something, but I am way too tired to think straight, and we do not have much time to waste. I take off my shirt and put my back towards her. Sunday, I feel her cold hand on my back, and I shiver.
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“Okay, close your eyes and focus on the feeling around my hand.”
I just nod and close my eyes; her hands are very cold until they aren't. They kind of feel red hot. I try to stay still as the burning sensation goes from her hands into my back and, from there, spreads throughout my entire body. The pain is unbearable, and I am pretty sure I scream as it feels like my body is set on fire.
“ANNA IT HURTS. WHY DOES IT FEEL LIKE I AM ON FIRE?” I scream out in pain.
“Because you are on fire.” I hear Annabelle say.
“What?!?”
I open my eyes, and she is correct; I am on fire. I jump away and start rolling on the ground, trying my best to put out the fire. Once the flames go out, I slowly stand up and glare at the women.
“What is your damage? You can’t set people on fire like that.”
“I am sorry. I did not expect you to be so compatible.”
“Compatible? What do you mean Compatible.”
“You are really compatible with fire magic.”
“Fire magic, what do you mean?”
“I am an arcane host. I have the ability to grant people fire magic.”
“Wait, fire magic?”
“Yes, try to copy the feeling you had before it, but this time in your hand.”
I quirk my eyebrow but do as she says. I focus hard, trying to emulate the feeling I had before, but this time, I focus it on my hands; suddenly, a bright orange flame comes into existence, burning brightly in the palm of my hand.
“This is amazing,” I say, looking at the flame in amazement, “But why did it hurt so much?”
“That was because the mana veins were burnt into your body.”
“Mana veins?” I ask confused
“It’s what allows you to cast magic.”
I smile. “Wow, this is great, thank you” Then I remembered something the other traveller had said. “Hey, Annabelle, can I ask you a weird and out-of-nowhere question?”
Annabelle just looks confused. “Sure, I guess what is it?”
“Would you marry me?” I ask with the straightest face I can, musters.
“How did you come to that conclusion?” Annabelle asks while moving away from me.
“Because a time traveller told me that in the future, I regret not marrying the person who teaches me how to control fire,” I say with a shrug.
“And you believe that nonsense.”
“I have no reason not to believe it, so I guess it was worth a try,” I say, feeling my face grow red as I scratch myself behind the neck.
Suddenly, Annabelle calls out loudly, “Okay, I accept.”
I trip and fall on my face. “Wait, what?” I ask unintelligent
“Honestly, from all my prospects, you are at least the same age as me. I just have to teach you how to dress properly,” She says in a sure tone.
I nod. “That is kind of sad, but okay then, we are engaged now. Does that mean I can call you Anna?”
She smiles. “Only if I can call you Tav.”
I look at her in surprise, and then I remember my name and smile. “Sure. Are you ready to go?”
“Wait you are not going to fight?”
“Not here. If I am going to fight, I want to hold the advantages. Something that could funnel them together would be great. In the meantime, I thought we keep moving while I burn down the forest behind us, making it rather difficult to follow us.”
“That could work. I do have one request.”
“Yes?”
“Can you create a flame that I can use to warm myself while we walk? I am really cold.”
I smile, then put my shirt back on and strap my sword to my back. Then I create some fire torrent in my hands and start burning down the forest behind us. Luckily for me, the forest is wet enough or blowing in the proper direction. But the fire does not catch up with us as we walk further into the forest.
That night, we got to the foot of a hill and holed up in some kind of cave, huddling together with my flames.