A Savior of Flames

Chapter 1

Okay, maybe torching the last viable source of food in a kingdom was a bad idea. I looked at the torch gripped in my hand, and let out a shaky breath before dropping it into the pile of grain at my feet. I step back as the grain begins to ignite, and the flames start to dance before my eyes. The faint sounds of yelling travels down the hall behind me and I turn my head. There's a faint light from torches traveling closer, and I know that it's now or never if I want to leave. Even though the tunnel is supposed to be the only entrance and exit, I smile knowing that I can escape without anyone ever knowing I was here. I grip the now faintly glowing crystal around my neck and feel my body turning to particles. Not even a second later, I'm standing outside the castle, watching the smoke billow out through the high windows on the tower. I pull my scarf up to cover my face as I turn to run away from the castle. The pitch black night around me covers my escape, and I feel like I'm in the clear. The only light illuminating the landscape around me is the dim moonlight. As I run, I grab my crystal necklace and tuck it into my shirt, hiding it from view.

If anyone was to know that I possessed the ability to harness magic, I would be killed on the spot. Endless years of dark sorcery and pain caused the world to turn it's back on all magic, even the magic that can help people. I start to feel my lungs spasm, telling me that I need to slow down, but I'm not off the castle grounds yet. If I stopped, I would risk being caught. So even though my body is beginning to protest against me, I keep pushing until I almost run into the wall that circles the perimeter of the castle grounds. The wall is about ten feet tall, just about twice my height. I don't want to use too much magic while I'm still this close to the castle. Thankfully, the wall is made from large stones, and it's easy for me to find gaps to wedge my hands and feet into. It takes me a few minutes to get to the top of the wall, and I sit on the narrow ledge precariously, looking around to make sure I'm alone. I swing both of my legs over, and I reach out for a branch in front of me. It will be easier to climb down a tree than the stones. Once I'm securely in the tree, I squint my eyes against the dark, trying to find a foothold. My entire body tenses as I hear the sounds of metal armor. I bring my entire body into a crouch, making myself as small as I can. I wrap my arms around the thick trunk of the tree, and still myself. I see the light from torches below me. I hold my breath. A branch across from me creaks and I tilt my head around the trunk, and find another set of eyes looking right into mine. Our eyes widen together, and I bring a finger up to my face, telling them to keep quiet. They nod their head, obviously not wanting to be found by the guards either.

"I don't understand Captain, the footsteps on the other side of the wall lead right to this spot. There's no sign of anyone on this side of the wall." Both of us in the tree look down, and see a group of at least twenty guards not even ten feet below us. If one of them looks up, they would find us for sure.

"They couldn't have gone very far. Keep looking." I hear the jingling from the chainmail and armor as the group below our feet begins to split off in groups and search for me. I keep my breath held until I can no longer hear any sounds coming from the ground. I bring my eyes back up from the ground, and stare into the obscured face on the other side of the trunk. They drag their eyes up to meet mine. I reach up to uncover my face, and the other person slips back their hood to reveal their face.

"Why are they looking for you?" They speak in a low whisper. I find it hard to answer as I look deeply into the glowing eyes across from me. The harsh cheekbones on their face lead me to believe that they haven't been eating a lot. "Did you hear me?" I mentally shake myself, and swallow shakily.

"I burned the grain stores, and destroyed all of the food in the castle. Are they looking for you?" They bring their hood back up to cover their head.

"I thought you would have figured it out by the eyes." I laugh darkly as I bring my scarf back up to cover my face. I hook it behind my ear to make sure it will stay.