Like fire we burn

Chapter one

There were few things Shadow hated more than the obnoxiously loud bells that chimed through the capital city of Aste'ra at night fall. For others, they meant the closing of another day, another opportunity that had been missed or taken. For her, it meant waking up and facing the consequences of the mess she'd made. Again.

Groaning, she rolled into a sitting position, trying to muster the energy to get dressed. Darkness was in the process of swallowing the sky whole outside her small window. Stars began to appear the longer she watched. She was prolonging the inevitable, but a few minutes of peace felt worth it.

The tangled strands of hair danced from her face on a sigh as she dutifully donned her usual training gear. Tight flexible pants ideal for sneaking around without a sound pressed against the bandages around her lower back and hips. The loose shirt was more comfortable, holes in the back accommodating the wings peaking above her head. Various buckles and sheaths held polished but worn blades against her thighs and hips.

It was time. She took a deep breath, held it for a few seconds. Tonight, she'd leave this cursed manor behind.

A tentative knock sounded at her bedroom door and shattered the moment of silence.

"Took your sweet time," she muttered with a roll off her eyes. She swung open the door, expression melting into a frown.

"Evening, Shadow," The female greeted with a grin.
Adela's blonde locks were intricately braided down her back, drawing attention to the ebony horns that spiralled from her brow. She'd polished and draped them with thin silver chain and jewels. Fighting gear clung to her skin instead of the loose smocks and aprons the kitchen staff usually wore. Adela had boots on — and she never wore boots unless she was working.
"Why are you still here?" Shadow stepped aside to let her friend in, but she declined with a wave of the hand. This was a quick visit then.

"I came to say thank you – " She reached into her pocket and pulled out a ring of dark metal – "for everything you've done for us." Slowly, so Shadow had time to pull away if she chose, Adela opened her arms. Shadow winced at the fire burning across her back, but accepted nevertheless. If all went well, they weren't going to be seeing each other for a long time.
Adela drew back after a second and offered Shadow the ring. "It's not much," She admitted as she slipped it onto her thumb, "but if you brush the engravings on it, it should protect you for a short time against most magic."

That gave her pause. Objects spelled to resist power were expensive and rare — even in Aste'ra, where anyone could get anything. Their use was heavily regulated, especially by the human rulers.

"I can't take this," she said carefully, trying to tug the ring back off. It didn't budge. "It's the one bit of protection you have against people like me."

People with magic. Powerful people – often without good intentions.

Adela shook her head, blonde locks falling between her spiralling horns. "Keep the ring, it'll show my men how to recognize you at the very least. That old witch could easily have lied about it," she mused. Shadow's eyes narrowed. You couldn't get a piece of work like this from a simple witch vendor off the streets. But Adela embraced her again and she shook off the suspicion. It was just a gift, nothing more. "Swift winds."

"And clear skies," Shadow finished, even though Adela's back was missing a set of feathered wings. They nodded to each other like two business partners. Like two people who weren't planning to bring a Realm to its knees.