In the Valley of a Thousand Footprints

[iv] A Baptism of Fire

She turned around, her heels skidding on the paved cobble road as she faced the disjointed voice. He was thin and lanky, his chocolate colored hair was crudely cut and uneven, thin scars that were thrown into focus by the roaring fire littered his face and hands. His night black cloak clung loosely to his frame, rings adorned his fingers. Arms spread wide, as if waiting for a hug, marveling at the carnage around them. 

Efa was still reeling, but a voice of reason could now be heard in her mind; calm yourself, people are dying, you're next if you don't pucker up, get into a fighting stance, remember some spells, do something! 

She stepped backwards, almost tripping over her own feet. Her head flicked left and right, trying desperately to find something that could help her. Nothing. Fire raged all around her. Most of the people trying to put it out had moved on a little ways off. Her options for escape were slim. Her list of spells were small, nothing could help her against the man in front of her. Then she remembered the fire ball Osian had cast when they had been trying to explore the house. The incantations didn't come to her. llosli. . . or wait was is llosgi. . .she wasn't sure but she'd use that spell if the situation turned dire. Then another thing came to mind, she had cast Cadw'n ddiogel without an incantation. She was sure of it. She wondered if she could do the same for llosgi. She'd question the logistics later but for now she had a hunch, if it turned out to be wrong she'd most certainly die here and now. She decided on a plan. 

"Stand back," she yelled, raising her right arm parallel to the ground and made as if to fire off a spell. She hoped that her confident attitude had masked the indescribable level of fear she was feeling. What she was going to do was probably not going to work. "Don't take a step forward, it'll be dire for you if you do." By now she had ascertained that he wasn't working alone, there had been an ambush on the city and a break in at Pagnodd's house, the events were surely related. . .did that mean that Pagnodd had also been—no, Efa refused to think like that, hope in times of hopelessness makes the heart grow stronger and the head grow wiser. She assumed a fighting stance and slowly began lowering her arm.

"Careful little raven, you're in no position to bargain." He strode forward confidently. Going deliberately against her amateur threat. His boots clicked on the cobble of the street. 

Efa took a step back. She flexed her fingers. "By the devil, why are you doing this?"

"What? the city burning?" he said, laughing again, "It's a secret." He took another step forward.

Efa retreated an inch. Her face winced in pain as she grabbed her shaking wrist with her free hand. "Bu-but—but but wh-why—"

"None of that shit little raven," he sneered, "don't think you can stall for time. Our intention wasn't to kill or capture civilians but I think we can make an exception." He eyed Efa with longing eyes, "I'm sure the rest of them will agree." He took a few steps forward.

Efa stayed in place, her left hand still clutching her wrist, her jaw clenched and her face determined. "Then who are you?!" 

"We are who we are, you and all of your kind can bid us die but we won't," he said, getting worked up. He walked forward a little more. "We are the shadows that thrive under your beds! we are the devils who are to bring peace to our society!" He was right in front of Efa, spittle flying into her face. "We pledge our loyalty to the Gwaedu duw! what he says is true. That is who we are little raven. . . and it'll do you good to remember it." 

She raised her right hand, the one being held at the wrist by the other hand, and pointed it upwards, towards the mans face. She tightened the grip on her wrist tenfold.

The last thing the man saw was the girl's eyes flash purple and her palm in front of his face as an absolutely massive ball of furious flame erupted from the girl's hand in the span of a second.