Born of Flames

Chapter 3 ~ On the Isle

Neeri closed her eyes and drew a deep breath, relishing the fresh scent of rain and damp soil. It had been drizzling all morning but the clouds were breaking apart now, allowing a few warm rays of sunlight to pass through.

A few days of this was exactly what the Isle of Lorn needed. Grass and greenery were finally beginning to grow after being neglected and left to waste for so many years. The Isle looked alive again instead of the bleak wasteland they'd first discovered upon arriving here.

Neeri blinked her eyes open and gazed across the settlement before her. It was just one of many where the Cahirim lived and trained. The Isle was relatively small, but there were still several settlements scattered across it. Previously, they had been inhabited according to ranks within the Cahirim, but now, they were home to all sorts of members.

It was important to erase the lines of separation that had been drawn throughout the Cahirim, starting with the lines of hierarchy. All warriors were equal and to be treated with respect, regardless if they were higher or lower ranking warriors.

There wasn't to be any separation regarding species either, but that change was still happening slowly. The Fae and Shifter Fae hadn't been eager to welcome the Ash Fae into their ranks, or the Humans when the decision was made to allow Humans to enlist too.

But the Cahirim was meant to protect all of Asterria, so why shouldn't all of Asterria's citizens have a chance to serve if they wished? It was taking a lot of hard work and effort, but it was paying off and Neeri was glad of it.

She'd had her doubts about how well she and Arlon would do, but she'd managed to surprise herself more than once, and hoped to continue that way. Neeri perked up as wet grass whispered beneath approaching footsteps. She turned and smiled, spying one of her newest friends accompanied by her young daughter.

Astrelle returned her smile and a soft breeze blew a few loose strands of silver across her midnight cheek. The young female at her side was a mirrored image of her mother's proud yet delicate features, although she favored her father's golden skin and brown hair.

She shared her mother's dark eyes, but her canines held a distinct point, just like Neeri's own, another trait she'd inherited from her Ash Fae father. Laria was one of the first naturally born Ash Fae children.

Her father, Vardan, had been Corrupted during Astaroth's reign, but Astrelle had remained by his side through it all and stood by her daughter's too. Neeri was glad Astrelle had become one of her supporters as well. When she and Gaelen first fled Astaroth and found sanctuary in Rehema's village, Neeri had found companionship in their group of refugees.

She had bonded closely with Astrelle and her friend Neoma, and Vardan too when he'd been found after the war. The three of them had become like siblings to her, not replacing the ones she'd lost at Rhidian's hand, but helping to fill the hole their loss had left.

She grinned as Laria pried her hand from her mother's and skipped over to her. The girl slipped her dark hand into Neeri's softer brown one and flashed a beaming smile. "Aunt Neeri, guess what Daddy told me! I'm going to start magic lessons this week!"

"Really? What prompted this?" Neeri glanced at Astrelle.

"Another magical outburst during a dream last night," the female answered. "She might've blown up the house again if we hadn't shielded her room."

Laria grinned sheepishly. "Sorry."

"It's all right, you couldn't help it," Astrelle replied. "But I expect you to pay very close attention in your lessons."

"Yes, Mother."

"I'm sure you'll do well," Neeri said with a smile, then faced Astrelle again. "Did you need something?"