From the Ashes

Chapter 1 ~ Risky Endeavors

A chilled wind nipped at the pointed tips of Morana's ears, sending a shiver down her spine. She tugged the fraying ends of her shawl tighter around her shoulders and quickened her pace. "It's not that cold," snickered the female beside her.

Morana shot Neeri a sideways glance and rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry, not everyone is as hardy as you."

"Well, maybe if you'd spend more time eating and less time practicing for your uncle..." Neeri jabbed an elbow into her side with a grin, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Uncle Koen would never let me get away with that," Morana replied. "And Aunt Vesna will have our skins if she finds out what we're doing. Hurry." She ushered Neeri forward and her friend led the way down a narrow alley.

Morana cast her gaze about. There was no sign of anyone watching them. That was good. Everyone in the village knew her aunt, and everyone knew what lay in the direction they were headed. If they were spotted, it wouldn't be long before word reached her aunt and when Vesna Nellthore was disobeyed, there was always hell to pay.

Not that her aunt wasn't a caring person, as Morana often reminded herself. She was simply hardened by the unfairness of life. They all were. That unfairness was the reason Morana was here in the first place. All her life, she'd been passed from place to place, from family to family, never knowing why or what she'd done to be sent away.

Koen and Vesna had kept her the longest out of anyone she'd stayed with. She'd been living with them for the past ten years, passing herself off as their niece like she'd been instructed to. But lately, villagers were beginning to wonder why their grown niece was staying with them when times were so hard.

Most of them seemed to think Morana should be fending for herself, not relying on her aging relatives to support her. And she agreed. In fact, she'd spoken to Koen and Vesna about the possibility of her leaving by herself five years ago on her one-hundred and twentieth birthday.

But her aunt had forbidden it. It was too dangerous, she said. They needed to stay together. To keep one another safe. And Morana hadn't pressed the matter since, not wishing to upset her aunt further. Maybe now is the time to bring it up again, Morana thought as they came in sight of their destination.

The wooden hut was gray and weather-worn; its thatched roof patchy from being beaten upon by heavy rain a few nights ago. There was a pale light shining through dingy windows, but other than that, the hut was lifeless. Morana gave a small sigh and Neeri echoed it.

"Come on. Let's do what we can." Neeri slipped her brown hand into Morana's pale one and together they approached the door.

The inside of the hut was just as forlorn as the outside. Everywhere she looked, there was dust, grime, and cobwebs. But her gaze didn't linger on that for long. It was the five Fae sleeping on hay-filled cots strewn across the floor that held her attention. Three were children and two were adults, the children's parents. Morana and Neeri exchanged worried looks and hurried over to them.

Morana knelt beside Leandra and touched her shoulder softly. The female's eyes opened, unfocused and glazed with a fever. "It's us," Morana whispered. "Neeri Falkor and Morana Nellthore. We've brought you all some food."

Leandra blinked and appeared slightly more alert. She propped herself up on an elbow, dirty blonde hair catching around her shoulders. "Feed the children first," she rasped. "Then Mav. I'll take whatever is left."

"There's plenty for all of you," Neeri said firmly, setting her basket down. She opened it and produced five small leather canteens. She uncorked one and the scent of warm broth filled the air. A weary smile crossed Leandra's lips and she sat up fully.