Part 5: Spark's of Flame

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Life was like being dropped from a hundred feetthen asked to run on broken legs

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Life was like being dropped from a hundred feet
then asked to run on broken legs

was like being told to drink acid,
then asked to speak without a tongue

Life was
like being set on fire,
then asked why

you're burning

~🕯~

Before her mind could be drawn to her worries, there was a knock at the door. She didn't move, or say anything, she just waited for Verna to enter.

kiara has more important concerns than talking to Verna,
But at the end of the day she's till her boss.

"Something wrong my dear?" Verna said, almost convincing Kiara she was genuinely concerned. Almost.

"No." Kiara shut her eyes, staying rooted to her chair. She didn't give Verva so much as a glance.

"What can do for you?" I asked firmly

"Some of the patrons, they were... worried about you. Said you seemed distracted." Verna stated

"Sorry Verva, I was just feeling a bit tired this afternoon. The heat. I'll be back on form tomorrow, I promise" not really

"Okay dear". Her voice was warm, but there was an undercurrent to Verva's words that Kiara knew all too well. She didn't run the most successful brothel in Coldmore by letting her girls lose their edge. "Anyway, you have a guest".

"Someone handsome in fact" she said

This got Kiara's attention. She looked at Verva, dismayed. "But I filled my quota".
Her voice sounded desperate. Kiara said

Verna noticed the change of tone. "I know, now compose yourself-

"He's not a patron". Verva backed away from the door as the city guard entered. He didn't wear his illustrious armour anymore, but was instead in plain clothing, with sandals laced above the shin and leather bands around his wrist.

He looks so handsome,

Kiara sat up straight in her chair, watching him curiously as he shut the door behind him.

"Didn't take you long"

"I just wanted to talk." the guard said softly, his voice calming. Slowly, he approached Kiara, perching on the window ledge through which the sunlight poured, blocking it from view. She scowled at him through narrow eyes, but said nothing.

"About things" he added

The guard looked at her with an affectionate smile, Kiara knew why.

"Preach, then". She barked begrudgingly, settling back in her chair.

The guard wasted no time.

"The flame is a gift from God, urrr..."
He struggle to find words as he does not know her name

"Kiara"

"Kiara. Each and every one of us is in servitude to it, we owe what we have to the flame. It is the greatest honour to serve the flame." said the guard

"I've lived here many years," Kiara said, rolling her hand in a gesture to the guard. She didn't know his name either.

"Kor."

"Kor Heyfield"

What a unique name

"Kor. I know about the servitude, I know about the sacred vows and promises you members of the palace guard make, but I... I don't want to be forever in servitude. What you people do... it makes me feel ill."

Kor looked at Kiara earnestly, brushing off her comments without a second thought. She got the feeling not a single word out of her mouth would upset him. His starry eyes said it all; devotion. She was no longer a person to him. She was as close to a deity as he could get.

"Do you know what we of the flame believe?"

She took a second to answer

"Yes," Kiara replied, dully, blinking back at him.

"Her power passes through you, Kiara. You, like those at the parade today, are conduits of her fire. Her gifts to the world." He said seriously

Kiara sat, pretending to contemplate his words. In reality, she was bored. She, like everyone else, had listened to crackpots preach about the flame for as long as she can remember. She never felt she was channelling God, never heard whispers or had thoughts of divine providence. She could just start a fire without flint and tinder.

But then, she realised, this man didn't believe that. But he did believe in his own ridiculous rhetoric.

An idea sparked in her mind.

An idea sparked in her mind

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——————

Hiii! Guys how are you liking this story so far?

Hope it's okay, English is not really my first language so, you can comment is you see a mistake on grammar and spelling. I'll be happy to fix that!

Lots of Love, Ella ❤️‍🔥

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