The Girl Who Walked Through Fire

by Dana Gricken

  The Girl Who Walked Through Fire

  The Dragonwitch Chronicles, Volume 1

  Dana Gricken

  Published by Dana Gricken, 2018.

  This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

  THE GIRL WHO WALKED THROUGH FIRE

  First edition. March 1, 2018.

  Copyright © 2018 Dana Gricken.

  ISBN: 978-1386100331

  Written by Dana Gricken.

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  Lord of The Fallen

  Hero of the Blaze

  The Girl with the Violet Eyes

  The Trial

  With a Little Help from My Friends

  Rescue Mission

  Bria

  The Emperor

  Little Dragon Girl

  Deva Kanar

  Trouble and Triumph

  The Mystic Veil

  Stone of Magic

  Revelations

  The Red City Intruders

  The Beyondlands

  Act of War

  Rite of Passage

  The Dragonsong

  Sword of a Thousand Flames

  The Darkwoods

  The Source’s Message

  No Safe Haven

  Project Black Skull

  The Old Temple

  Calianna’s Locket

  Love and War

  Begin Again

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  About the Author

  For Buddy, the perfect friend

  Lord of The Fallen

  Serenity was a desolate little city, filled with poverty and suffering. Through the stench of garbage and sweltering heat of the summer, you’d find a semblance of life - people just trying to get by on what little they had. Nobody chooses to live here. It’s a city of regret and limitations.

  These were the Wards – made-up by a cluster of two towns, Serenity and Haven - ignored by the wealthy and prestigious. It was quiet, unknown and small, with few townspeople and even fewer visitors. The people here would be helpless – the perfect targets for The Fallen Ones.

  The dying light of dusk turned into a crimson-colored red as the sky became darker and the air grew colder. The innocent people looked up, wide-eyed at the events unfolding in the sky. They saw hundreds of dragons and witches riding together, ready to unleash battle upon the town below them.

  A young girl by the age of twelve, dressed in poor rags that were nearly falling off of her, tugged on the hemline of her mother’s skirt. Her mother was irritated and preoccupied, tending to the decaying crops in their garden.

  “Penelope, I’m busy. Go play in the backyard or something.”

  “But Mom, there’s something you should see,” She encouraged her, trying to persuade her to look towards the dark clouds. “The sky’s burning.”

  The mother turned around with the intention of yelling at the young girl until she saw what her daughter was so fixated on. Her eyes glossed over in fear as she grabbed the young girl by the shoulders, gripping her so tightly that it left a red mark behind.

  “I need you to get somewhere far from here. The forest is your best chance.”

  “But the only forest here is the Beyondlands. Remember what you said about it? It’s too dangerous. You made me promise never to go in there.”

  “I know what I told you, Penelope! You have to trust me. Remember that I’ll always love you, and your Dad – bless his heart - will be watching over you from above. Be careful and watch yourself,” She instructed her, giving her one last hug. “Now go! Run as fast as you can and never look back!”

  The young girl did as she was asked and ran as quickly as she could. She was small enough that they wouldn’t be able to see her. She made it safely into the lush green of the surrounding forest before The Fallen reached the town, and she stopped for a moment to catch her breath.

  It seemed like such a blur. With the release of fireballs and magic spells, the town was destroyed in less than a few minutes. The screams, cries and pleads were hushed by the burning fire and powerful winds. No one remained standing after they were finished.

  Hidden behind the shrubs and tall trees, Penelope’s eyes welled with tears at the sight of her hometown’s death. She could see her mother’s body on the ground, lifeless and torn apart. She took off deep into the forest, not daring to look back.

  The Lord of The Fallen searched through the rubble to make sure no one was alive. After his inspection was complete and he was satisfied, he rallied his followers in front of him.

  “We made a great stride today, Fallen Ones,” He told them, as the ash and dust burnt around him. “This brings us one step closer to the death of humanity. Soon, the Grey Order will be dealt with and defeated. We can’t stop now – not when we’re so close.”

  “What will you ask us to do next?” A follower questioned him.

  He thought for a moment, distracted by the nearby burning embers. “There’s much work to be done and such little time. Rest assured, this is only the beginning – everything will fall into place. More human cities will die and the dragons and witches will rise.”

  He looked up at the sky and feared he’d been gone too long. “Go. Return to our tower before the Grey Knights hear of our accomplishment today. I need to return to my people before my clan suspects me.”

  “What if the others don’t support us? What if your clan turns against you?” Another follower asked.

  “Trust me - we’ll make the other dragons and witches see the truth. We won’t give them a choice.”

  The Fallen Ones did as they were asked, returning to their private, secluded hideaway. The sky changed its color back to its normal shade of blue, freeing itself from the taint of evil.

  The Lord of The Fallen took one last look around at the town - which had become a scorched wasteland - and smiled to himself. He took off far into the sky, without a shred of remorse for the lives he’d taken. This wasn’t over.

  MASTER KNIGHT DAVID Caballero burst into King Angus Blackmore’s office, interrupting his busy schedule. The King needed to know about the attack, even if he were just as helpless as the others to retaliate.

  “My Lord,” David began, and the King stood up to hear his petition, “We’ve just gotten intel from our sources that a small city was destroyed by The Fallen. It was Serenity.”

  The King shook his head. “Serenity? I’m not surprised they’d begin in the Wards. Helpless, they are. Are you entirely certain it was The Fallen?”

  “Yes, your Majesty. I’ve phoned their mayor but no one’s returned my calls. I’ve heard the town was completely destroyed. The pictures we were sent were...disturbing. I’m afraid nothing remains.”

  The King balled his fists and scrunched his face in anger. “Inform the other Knights immediately that we’re going to Serenity. I want to see the massacre for myself.”

  “Are you sure that’s a smart idea? What if they come back, or-”

  “Just do as I asked, David. I don’t fear The Fallen.”

  David moved quickly, nearly running out of King Angus’ office to gather the other Knights. He assembled several vehicles ready to escort the King and his Order to the city that remained no longer.

  It had only taken an hour to reach Serenity. Both the King and the Knights prepared themselves for what they would see once they reached the dead city. No pictures compared to what it really looked like.

  The King smoothed his cape as he stepped out of the tinted car, taking a long look at his surroundings. Through the thick rain and lingering fog, the destruction could still be seen. The city was a barren field, with charred homes and dead bodies. A fire lit up
in the King’s eyes - one of both anger and sadness.

  A nearby Knight looked around for any survivors. “I’m sorry, your Majesty. Everyone’s dead.”

  The King was silent for a moment. Then, he quickly released his sword from its holster and angrily bashed it on the nearby ruins. The Knights stood back, allowing the King to release his frustration.

  Once he was finished, he panted and huffed before putting his sword away. David approached carefully, not wanting to anger the King any further.

  “Are you all right, my Lord?” David asked, and the King looked at him for a moment.

  “Am I all right?” The King asked, repeating his question in a scornful tone. “No, I’m not, David. The Fallen continue to attack and kill my kingdom. Innocents are suffering. They’re making a mockery out of us! Inform the other kingdoms about this attack. I want everyone to know.”

  “Of course, my Lord,” David replied, before pausing to think about the situation. “What else are we supposed to do? How can we stop all of this?”

  “It’s time to initiate Project Black Skull.”

  “What are you talking about, my Lord?”

  “I’ve thought about this for a while, and Project Black Skull is what I’m calling it. Just outside of Orana, there’s an old, abandoned temple. The Knights will use this temple as a jail cell, bringing dragons and witches from all over the country to be kept under surveillance. They can’t hurt us any longer that way.”

  David shook his head. “You want us to capture all of the dragons and witches? Even the children? It doesn’t seem fair. They can’t all be evil, can they?”

  The King scoffed. “How can we tell, Sir David? We have no way of knowing who’s a Fallen One. Besides, dragons and witches are unpredictable. They could unleash a war against us at any time, and we’d be helpless – just like Serenity was today. It’ll be safer for everyone if they’re kept locked away.”

  “Are you sure this will work?”

  The King walked back over to his car, lifting his cape as he sat down. “Don’t question me, Sir David. I’m only trying to look out for humanity. No one else is stepping up to make these decisions. I believe no matter what we choose, our people will die. But if humanity goes down in flames, I intend on bringing the dragons and witches with us.”

  Hero of the Blaze

  It was early in the morning when the blaze started. It began as just a quick glimmer of sparks before it erupted completely in flames. Elara wouldn’t have known until the petrified scream startled her awake. Her father, Merek, remained still in his bed, snoring soundly as if nothing was wrong. She wasn’t surprised – he could sleep through an earthquake. She flung the covers off of her bed and flicked the light on.

  Peering out her window, she could see the black fog billowing in the distance. It permeated above a small townhome across the darkened street, where a cluster of people had gathered. She was half-asleep, terrified, and yet her legs were pulling her forward somehow. She waded through the dirt and mud towards the commotion of people, and that’s when she saw it.

  The fire spread and flickered around the small house, nearly engulfing it entirely. Its flames boarded the windows, and the front door was too singed to escape. The people huddled near it, stricken by fear and panic. The crackle of flames quieted for a moment, and she could hear the cry of a young child from within the blaze.

  “My son! Curtis is still in the home!” A nearby woman cried out, as her body heaved from how strongly she was sobbing. Elara recognized the woman as Susanne Thomas, a middle-aged mother who had been her neighbor since she was a little girl. “Please! Someone help!”

  No one made an effort to move. What could they do? The fog was too thick and the flames were too hot. It was dangerous. The child was trapped, and he would die within a few minutes if nothing changed. It usually rained in Haven, but where was it when you needed it?

  Elara muttered an excuse me as she pushed through the people, taking a deep breath. This was it. She couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. She said a silent prayer, hoping she would get to see her Dad again.

  She rammed the door with all of her might, and it went colliding forward. The smoke was thick and it burned her lungs, but still, she pushed through the home in search of the young boy.

  “Hello?” She called out, shielding her face within her sleeve. “Is anyone in here?”

  After a few seconds of searching, she finally found the boy – who couldn’t have been older than four years of age – huddled underneath the dining room table, shaking in fear. The boy was crying and screaming for his mother. The flames were creeping closer to him, like snakes nipping at his ankles.

  She walked over to him, extending her hand for him to take. He shied away from her, curling himself into a ball.

  “It’s all right,” She said, gently. “I’ll keep you safe.”

  She scooped the boy up into her arms and swaddled him closely into her chest, hoping he wouldn’t breathe in any more of the smoke. He held on for dear life as she stepped over the burning wood and fallen debris, inching closer to the open archway.

  Before she could escape, a large piece of wood fell from the ceiling and blocked their only exit. The boy cried loudly again, and Elara froze in fear. The only other way out was the window – and it was enveloped in the inferno. She sighed. There was no other choice.

  She took a few steps backward before she sprinted towards the opening, diving through the flames. Just as they reached the safety of the ground, the house collapsed behind them in fiery pieces. She let the boy go and he ran to his mother, who embraced him tightly. Miraculously, he was unscathed.

  “Thank you! Thank you!” Susanne repeated as she fell to Elara’s feet in gratitude.

  “I’m just glad I could help,” Elara replied, modestly.

  “Look at that!” Someone in the crowd cried, and everyone swarmed around Elara in astonishment.

  It took her a few seconds to realize that she was still burning – her red hair matching the flames radiating off of her skin. She hadn’t even felt it. She lifted her hand in amazement, watching as the fire twisted and contorted with the simple movement of her fingers. They were perfectly in sync as if the fire was made just for her.

  The crowd began to clap and cheer, shouting that she was a hero. She was still frozen in shock, mesmerized by the fire. She could hear their whispers and murmurs, questioning who she was and more importantly, what she could do.

  “Who is that?” Someone asked, quietly.

  “I think that’s Elara Everly, the farmer’s daughter...” Another responded.

  “Can you believe that? Immune to fire! Wasn’t there a rumor long ago...”

  “Shh! You’ll frighten the children!”

  Her father pushed through the crowd – he had finally awoken – just as Elara patted the fire away, with charred clothes but not a single scrape or burn mark. His eyes widened in disbelief before they grew angry and fearful. He helped her to her feet, before standing in front of her to shield her from the prying eyes of the people.

  “Hooray to the girl who walked through fire!” The crowd cheered, and Elara smiled at the nickname. It felt right, she realized.

  “All right, the show’s over,” Merek interjected, coldly. “I want everyone to listen closely – no one will breathe a word of this to anyone outside the city. Understood? The King can’t know.”

  The energy of the crowd died down and they nodded, before quickly disbanding. Susanne and her son, Curtis, left with a few gracious townspeople, who were kind enough to offer their homes in the meantime.

  “What was that for?” Elara asked, angrily. “You didn’t have to be so mean to them.”

  He ignored her question. “What were you thinking? Running into a burning home?”

  “I’m sorry, Dad, but-”

  “No buts – you could’ve been killed!”

  “I saved someone’s life, in case you hadn’t noticed! That’s always worth the risk!”

  He gently reached for her ar
m, unraveling her sleeve. It revealed the birthmark on her left bicep, which resembled a small, intertwined dragon and pentacle mark. She shook her head. It always came back to a lecture on the strange symbol.

  “Nothing is worth the risk of someone realizing what you have! If the King found out-”

  She pulled her arm away harshly, covering the mark. “Dad, everything worked out! No one knows about the stupid mark. Guess what? You can’t protect me from it forever!”

  He was quiet for a moment as if reflecting on something. “You’re right. You’re eighteen now, Elara. I can’t stop you from living your life. But if you remember anything, remember this – I lost your mother. I’m not going to lose you too.”

  She sighed. “You’re not going to lose me, Dad...but I’d like to know what it means. You know, don’t you?”

  He opened his mouth to speak, before closing it again. “I can’t. It’s too dangerous. You’re better off not knowing.”

  Before she could protest any further, the blare of sirens filled the air. As the car roared closer, they realized it was an official vehicle of the Grey Order. They both shuddered in fear.

  “What now?” Merek asked, under his breath.

  “Should I run inside?” Elara asked, quietly. “They might not see me.”

  “And if they do? No. It’ll only look suspicious. Stay quiet. I’ll handle this.”

  Three armored men exited the car, taking a long look around at the poor city. Two of them shook their heads in disgust, while the third Knight seemed to have pity for what he saw. He remained silent while the others complained and groaned.

  “I hate the Wards,” One Knight commented, scoffing. “It always smells. Why can’t we just let The Fallen burn it down?”

  “Do you think I like being here? Just shut up already,” The other Knight replied. “Remember what we’re here for.”

  They noticed Elara and Merek almost immediately, as they were the only citizens out at such an early hour. With nowhere to hide, they were forced to confront the Knights.