From The Ashes

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Dara stood watching all the  Trainees. Some clearly had skill, whilst others fumbled often. The ones with skill would most likely have a place in the Elite, while the other will probably be stuck as maids, or the lowest Soldiers. A little girl caught her attention right away. She was crying and the Instructors couldn't stop her, or even move her for that matter. The girl had partially transformed into a tree. Her waist down a trunk with roots anchored firmly in the ground. Usually Dara wouldn't bother concerning herself with the Littluns,, they weren't her problem. She was here to decide where the older kids who had been here for over five years would be placed. What types of services they could offer Amadel. But when she looked at this girl, this puny weak little girl, she felt the oddest sensation. It was as if she knew the girl, but that was impossible. Dara mentally shook herself. She was being foolish, but the feeling to go talk to the girl, see her, persisted. She sighed, upset at this feeling, but gave into it it and began walking towards the girl. As she neared one of the Instructors, a young, pretty woman, ran to her.

“Dont bother with her Primus. She will be taken care of shortly! You need not concern yourself.” She said pleadingly.

Dara stopped, surprised at the woman’s aura. The woman was afraid of Dara hurting the girl. Dara’s eyes widened at the discovery. Sure she was a bit nasty to some. Sure she was terrifying to look at, but that didn't make her a monster! It made her angry. Everyone always thought they understood her, but they didn't. In fact they were probably only jealous of her achieving such an honored position so young. That thought made sense. This woman was just jealous, and didn't understand her. She was undermining Dara’s position by blocking her path. This thought in her mind, she straightened, then lifted her eyes to the women's, giving the Instructor a clear view of her face. In a calm, strong voice that denied the word ‘no’ she said simply,

“I am the Primus. Are you telling me i cannot see the child?” Dara’s eyes pierced the woman, daring her to argue. The woman shrank away.

“Of course not ma’am. I am terribly sorry. I dont know what i was thinking.” She kept her eyes trained on the ground, acknowledging Dara as her better. Dara nodded in approval. Then kept walking towards the child.

It was a young girl, maybe only six. Beautiful black curls and, to Dara’s astonishment, bright lilac colored eyes. Those the girl turned up to Dara’s discolored ones, and held them. She didn't flinch at Dara’s scars, she just looked at her. As Dara looked into the girls eyes, she the oddest sensation that she was in a maze. Winding and twisting. Losing herself, yet also, inexplicably, finding herself at the same time. Though she held her gaze,the little girl never stopped crying. Dara disliked crying, it made her uncomfortable.

“Stop crying” Dara commanded. Hoping the child would. No luck. “Just stop, okay?” No change. Everyone was watching her, judging her. Dara stood there awkwardly for a few more seconds. Then knelt in front of the girl.

“I know youre scared, this is all new. You miss your ma, and your pa. And everyone back home. But you can't sit here crying all day. Its selfish and a pain for everyone. So i need you to suck it up and do as youre told. Okay?” Dara looked at the girl. Waiting for her answer. The little girl held her gaze, then nodded. And became a child once more, no longer part tree.

“I like you. My names Theigh.” She pronounced her name Thee-Uh. And she had a slight accent, emphasized by her high pitched, happy sounding voice. She didn't sound like she had just been bawling. In fact she didn't look like it either. “Whats your name?”  Theigh asked. Dara didn't respond right away. She was, well… speechless. This girl had just completely accepted her.

I am Primus Adaraenna Lyzabell Freund.” Dara stated. Theigh wrinkled her nose.

“That sounds like an old, ugly lady’s name. Youre pretty, so i gonna call you Enna. Thats a better name.” Dara started, as did those who heard. Theigh had just called her pretty. Pretty. Dara thought. What an odd child. But odd as Theigh was, Dara felt a little of the wall around her heart crumbling. Dara smiled at the little girl.

“Thank you.’ She whispered.

“You welcome. I am hungry. Can we go eat?” Theigh looked around. The Instructor who had feared letting Dara talk to the girl seemed to remember her charge.

“Of course come this way Thee- thee.” The Instructor held out her hand to Theigh. Theigh frowned.

“Dont call me that. You dont say it right. Only Enna can, she will say it right, won't you Enna?” It took Dara a moment to realize that Theigh was talking to her.

“Of course.” Dara said automatically.

“Good, Let’s go get food now.” She slipped her hand in Dara’s and looked expectantly at the Instructor. Who , to say the least, looked very put off. Then nodded and walked towards the Cafeteria. Not waiting to see if  Dara or Theigh was following her. Theigh smiled at her, showing off her dimples then pulled Dara in the same direction. Dara couldn't help but wonder, as she was lead by Theigh, what she had gotten herself into.

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