The Wishing Flame

Prologue

"In this world, every single being is born with magic; often passed down through generations. The best example of this is the royal family of Dregio. The many kings and queens have all had the same power for as long as any book, tapestry or painting depicts. Their power, is to turn any living being into ash. With that ash they can infuse the crystals found from the large mines and quarries and enhance any natural element thinkable. Many years before any of you were alive, the family in Dregio would bring water to our lands during the dry seasons and help our plants stay brilliant and bold. They would bring fire to the southern villages and kingdom whenever a particularly horrid blizzard struck.

"However, their reputation began to twist when king Faust Ashflower came into power. He saw the easy ways to exploit his people – his powers. He began the chain of dictatorships we are so familiar with today. No matter how many outposts and kingdoms band together, it doesn't prevent us groom being choked by the ash created by their king. It doesn't stop us being turned into that very ash ourselves – us outlanders have lost enough great warriors as it is.

"Whilst we do keep a good reputation with the other two kingdoms, we are the weak links. We don't use our magic. We do not want to be corrupt like so many great powers have. We will not fall to the hands of darkness!" A young man stands before a crowd of children; his chestnut hair billows in the passing wind. His smile is bright and wide, his gestures are wild to keep the children interested. His eyes are brilliant fires, full of passion, but a deep rage. He chuckles and leans his back against the large trunk in the middle of the room, crossing his arms over his chest. "And that, kids, is the somewhat basic history of the Great War we are in." A young girl in the crowd raises her hand and the man nods, signalling for her to speak.

"Is that all true, uncle Talon?" She asks.

"Well, first of all, while in class you call me Mr. Holybane. And secondly, that is all true, Ali." Talon's smile fades as he straightens his back. Even though he is only twenty-seven he has seen the horrors of the war first hand. If being able to turn anything or anyone to ash wasn't enough, they employed the help of many manticore tribes. One manticore, Malitiae nests near the outlanders and Talon has fought him; it did not go in his favour. That day he obtained a large scar of the left side of his face; the scar stretches up from his jaw to his eyebrow.

Talon takes a deep breath to calm himself before looking at the children with a playful smile. "Now, you should all get going to your next class. You don't want old man Ingrid catching you, do you?" He asks, his brow furrowed. The children giggle and begin grabbing their school supplies and climbing down out of the classroom. Once they were all out safely the young man sighed and slumped down against the tree. "Let's hope the war is over before they have to see what myself and many other have..." a remorseful smile comes across his face and he pushes himself up with his calloused hands. Across the room from him is a small birch wood desk with a woven chair. He walks over and sits on the chair. On the desk there are a number or framed pictures, all hand painted. His hand shakes as he reaches out for one right in the middle of the desk. He slowly picks it up and looks at it.

The paint was starting to turn muted and dull, but the picture is still clear. It was a painting of Talon, his father, chieftain Ingrid, his older sister, Talia, and his mother, Ophelia. Ophelia had been a fierce warrior, she was never scared of any fights and had quite the reputation amongst many guilds. After the fight with Malitiae his mother trained harder and harder, but always made time for her family.

I weary smile crosses Talon's face as his eyes water. "I hope she's proud of me, up there." He murmurs before placing the painting back in its place and wiping his eyes. He walks towards the exit of the classroom when he hears the ladder creaking. He waits for the person to arrive and when they do he smiles. A girl with the same shade of chestnut hair, however her eyes are blue as blue as the great sea.

"Hey there little brother." The girl smiles fondly. "Thought you might want to help cook mother's honeyberry sauce?" She asks.