Fire's Song

by J E Mueller

  Celia changed gears. “What happened after? When you left the Order? I’m almost certain you didn’t come straight here.”

  “A lot has happened.” I cupped my head in my hands, thinking. Her guess was correct. The words slowly worked their way out as the memories came back to my mind. I pushed back at them, but after so little sleep and so much that had happened, they won out. At the surface the pictures danced before my eyes.

  My heart cried no, but I had already started talking. If they wanted to know, then they would know. I hoped the answer hurt them to hear half as much as it hurt me to say. A bitter thing to think, but the pain was still too deep and fresh in my mind for me to care. I started at the beginning and tried to shut out the pain as it grew. The words flowed on their own; let the consequences of this tale fall as they may.

  Chapter 10

  Not a lot had changed since I left the Order for the first time. I found a wonderful place to stay with a family I felt truly understood me. But I dared not stay once little Lilly, the family’s first born, started walking. I didn’t think I could work with toddlers and I was glad I had made that call. Better safe than risking having another face added to my nightmares.

  I didn’t wander too long before returning to the Order to try and learn more, but quickly grew frustrated once more with the continued lack of progress and went right back into the wild until the frost made camping miserable. After working at an inn for the cold season I decided to try the Order once more. When I left, I came away with a friend. I showed her how to hunt and fish. Building a fire wasn’t a problem for Mara, and we became fast friends. We agreed to part ways until spring, and by the time we saw one another again, she was no longer cursed.

  I wish I could have been happy for her, but I wasn’t. In a way, I felt betrayed. We had seemed on such even footing but she had solved her own problem, and I was left alone with mine.

  At this point I paused in my tale. The background information was just a small build up for my listeners. I had spent a total of two years on and off at the Order. The hardest part of my tale was so recent, all of the little details were still fresh and cutting in my memory. All of the recent pain had happened in a short time span.

  The catalyst of all the recent chaos was an annoying child. It was just mere weeks after I had parted ways with Mara my journey took an interesting turn.

  It was early one morning that I realized I was being followed. Whomever it was was decently quiet, but not so good that I didn’t notice them. They were likely also scaring off any nearby game and they weren’t doing me any favors by staying in the shadows. I couldn’t let them stay hidden all day if I wanted any peace of mind. I doubted that they would kill me, but in the same breath, I didn't want to be what killed them. So, I set a trap using myself as bait by pretending to take a nice afternoon nap.

  I had only been pretending to nap briefly when my stalker emerged from the woods around me. I’m not sure who really falls asleep in five minutes, but he seemed convinced. It felt like he hadn’t bothered to think this through at all. Not only had I removed my sword from my pack and placed it next to me before laying down, but my hand was on the hilt. He didn’t try to creep up to me, or use any form of sneaking that would normally come to mind.

  When he was close enough, I sprang up and pointed my sword at him.

  “Why are you following me?” I demanded. My voice was low, but the rage was clear.

  The surprise in his dark eyes didn't last long. “You’re a demon,” he spat.

  That wasn’t the answer I was expecting but I replied to it anyway. “No. Clearly not. Very much on the human side,” I replied. “People don’t follow demons. Why are you following me?” I straightened my posture, waiting for a better reply.

  “You! Are! A! Demon!” he shouted every word, dark eyes almost bulging from their sockets.

  I just blinked at him. “No. Why in the world would you even think that? I’m not flying, or breathing fire. There's no smoke coming from my hair, and I haven’t disappeared and reappeared in the blink of an eye. Demons don’t even look human.” This guy needed to check his sources.

  “I’m a demon hunter. I know my targets,” he replied with a smug grin as he pushed back his greasy hair out of his eyes.

  The kid looked only about fourteen. Maybe fifteen at most. “You’ve been following me for hours. I’ve known the entire time. You couldn’ even sneak up on me. There’s zero chance you’re hunting demons.”

  “Dad taught me a week ago. Only a demon would hear me. Obviously you are one.”

  The circles this conversation was going in were giving me a headache.

  “I am not. What would make me a demon?” I was more curious than mad at him for accusing me of being from the plains of hell. I wanted to know how he had come to this bizarre conclusion.

  “I saw you leaving that school for demon spawn. Anyone coming from there is a demon. They only take in demon kids.”

  “No… they take in kids and adults with odd gifts or curses. I could be a healer for all you know. Are you that stupid?” I grabbed my bag and started walking away.

  He took a step towards me and I pointed my sword at him again.

  “You’ve followed me all day. You don’t know where you are. Try and find home and forget about harassing innocent people.” I’d had enough. After this annoying conversation I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks. I didn’t want my curse to flair out or accidently harm him, but I had a feeling he wouldn’t simply back off.

  His eyes looked as if they would bulge out from his skull as he screamed, “I’m not lost, demon!” With surprising quickness he pulled out a dagger.

  I raised an eyebrow. “A dagger is useless against a sword unless you can get inside the person’s defenses. It’s the worst tool to rely on. A real hunter should use a combination of things and have a dagger as a backup.” I hoped my words would reach him and he’d back down. No part of me wanted to fight.

  He lunged at me. I dogged and knocked the back of his head with the butt of my sword, knocking him out.

  I was relieved it had ended that quickly.

  “And I’m not very skilled with this, so you must truly be awful.” I muttered. Sighing, I looked at his body sprawled out on the ground, “I really don't want you dead, even though you probably will cause more trouble. Hopefully you learn instead. Can’t have you following me so…” I grabbed some rope from my pack and tied him to the nearest tree.

  I left the dagger within reach. He’d be able to get out, but he’d be stalled. It would force him to back off and go home. I was confident I could lose him. Happy with the arrangements I continued on my way.

  After two days of not being followed, I felt a tingle telling me that someone was there. It happened late in the afternoon as I sat carving a piece of wood. It was a fun way to help pass the time while I decided where I wanted to go.

  I glanced around but saw nothing strange. The forest sounded normal. If I was being followed, it was by someone who had skill. That made the situation more interesting. If they were good, they’d know I knew they were there. Or maybe they’d think I heard a sound. Was I being paranoid? Yes.

  Still unsure how to handle this, I decided the worst I could do was ignore it. So instead I faced it.

  “I know you’re still there,” I called out.

  No response.

  “So, we’ll just wait it out all night and see who falls asleep first then, eh?” I called out after a few moments. My heart was pounding as silence was the only response.

  A few minutes passed by and I was starting to think I really was just paranoid when someone stepped into the other side of the clearing.

  “Well then,” I said, standing up and dropping the block I was whittling. “What brings you here today?” I hoped I sounded casual and that they couldn’t hear my heart pounding across the clearing.

  From my spot, I could hardly see the guy in the distance. We might have been the same age. His hair was dark. He had a practice sword which made
me believe he was actually from the area.

  “The other day I found a stupid kid tied to a tree,” he called out. “I’m looking for the person who beat him up. Said he was robbed and almost killed. We don’t tolerate that around here.”

  I couldn’t help it, I just started laughing. The tension left my body and I doubled over from how hard I was laughing. That idiot kid.

  The guy came a bit closer. “Why is that so funny?”

  “That brat followed me for hours! Called me a demon, and then tried to kill me with a dagger. I just knocked him out and tied him up so he’d leave me alone. Oh my goodness, that's too funny! I even left him with his dagger in reach so he’d be out in a few hours.” My explanation sounded weak at best, but it was the truth so I didn’t alter it.

  “I have no reason to believe you.”

  “Do you believe him?” I asked curiously. Humor left me and I fixed my posture. This could go badly, but if he had any sort of conversation with the kid it was likely he’d believe my side of the story.

  He thought for a moment. The silence seemed to linger before he finally did respond. “I’d never seen the kid before that moment. Either story could be true at this point.”

  The kid wasn’t local. Interesting. “Then we’re at a stalemate.” I thought for a moment. “What did he say I stole? I can prove that easily.”

  “A sword,” He replied, eyeing the sword I had close by.

  I glanced at my sword and nodded, “Well if my story is true he’s an idiot and a liar. If his story is true this would be his sword. But it's not.” I picked it up and held it tightly. “There’s a symbol on it. If that kid is still anywhere around all he’d have to do is describe the symbol to make me a liar. If not, it’s mine and I demand justice. He can’t be going around calling people demons and monsters. Attacking strangers without cause is even worse.” The kid needed to be grounded at the least, but maybe a few nights in jail would be enough of a kick in the right direction. I could hope.

  “He’s back at the village. If you’re willing to come with me you’ll see the justice you’re looking for.” He nodded in the direction from which he had come.

  “Sounds like you believe me already,” I said, grabbing my pack. The situation made me feel uneasy, but I wanted to make sure that kid wouldn’t cause any more trouble.

  “You have more evidence on your side and your story isn’t full of ‘yeah, that’s it, that’s what happened,’” he replied, mimicking the kid’s tone.

  Sounded like the kid was milking this story for all it was worth. While lying was part of my life currently, I really did despise it. I did all I could to make sure any lie I told was only to keep people at a safe distance and away from my cursed flesh.

  “Well then, lead on,” I said, coming to meet him, sword still in hand.

  “Name’s Lee,” he said, offering his hand.

  Hesitating for a moment, I made sure that my gloves were still on tight before I shook it. “Key.”

  “Short for something?” he asked, genuinely interested.

  “Family name. Everyone calls me Key.” Usually people assumed I was just named after the object, not that it could be short for something else. It surprised me.

  He nodded slowly. “Long story, I get it. Let’s be off then. It’s about an hour walk from here.”

  As Lee led the way I had to smile that he had actually picked up on that clue and didn’t press.

  Chapter 11

  Lee walked at a strong pace. It suited my goals of wanting this minor problem solved, and then I could be easily on my way again. Our meeting was a good memory, and I didn’t mind telling the twins about this segment. Part of me had hardly registered the twins were still there. The tale was currently going smoothly enough, but it wouldn’t be much of a story if everything went happily ever after. It certainly wouldn’t be my current narrative.

  This problem with the boy who cried demon needed to end quickly so that I could get back on with… whatever I decided to do. I really didn’t have any current plans.

  “What’s your village like?” I asked curiously as we traveled.

  Lee hadn’t bothered to say much, which was normally fine by me. But I was curious about this righteous do-gooder and where he came from. Naturally, I knew that meant I’d need to leave much sooner rather than later. It was extra motivation to get this problem solved quickly.

  Lee glanced my way. “Small, mostly farming, but there was a fairly large population of mages,” Lee replied without skipping a beat. “Actually, that’ll help put this to rest quickly. Lanna can read when people are telling the truth or not. Should have just gone to her first. I’m sorry to have put you through this,” he apologized sincerely.

  “It’s not your fault the kid’s a lying jerk,” I responded, shrugging it off. “Village filled with mostly mages? That kid must hate it. He called me a demon because he said he saw me leaving the Order.” After I said that I realized I may have out given more information than I had intended.

  “If he figures it out, then yes, he’ll be livid.” Lee shrugged, not really caring. “But there’s nothing wrong with a mage community, and to accuse any of being a demon is not going to get him very far in this world.” He picked up his pace again.

  “My worry is more that he’ll hurt others because of his bias. The world supplies plenty of it on it’s own.” I continued to follow him, “I take it you or some of your family has magic?”

  “Pretty much,” he replied not even glancing back.

  There was a silence before I asked, “Which is it, then?”

  “Both. Sorry. Was thinking about what the kid’s reaction would be if he found out that just about everyone had some form of magic. Mostly small, like being able to see the truth. Like Lanna. I’m good with the elements, but nothing earth shattering.”

  I nodded at the thought, “Sounds interesting. What can you do?”

  Lee slowed his pace down again so he could give a full answer. “I can make the wind less fierce. But it’s small scale. Not like I can stop a tornado. But I can make it a little windier for flying kites and stuff. I can make water pure, in small amounts. Dry out wood almost instantly for camp fires. Fairly boring stuff, but still useful.” Lee shrugged and finally glanced back at me, “It’s pretty obvious if you’re leaving the Order that probably puts you into the mage category too. What’s yours?”

  “Uh…” I hesitated, not really knowing what to say. After a moment of consideration I decided if he was really from a magic town I’d stick with as much truth as possible. “I’m in the other category that the Order deals with,” I supplied quietly.

  I saw him nod and we didn’t say anything for a few minutes.

  “Something to do with the gloves then?” he asked. “Much too nice out for that. If you don’t want to get into details that’s fine. Just remember where we’re heading. It’s part of our town’s history to live with all of magic's ups and downs. They’ll eventually catch on.”

  “As long as they don't pry and press I’m not concerned that they know I have magic,” I replied honestly. Not everyone needed a back story.

  The rest of the trip went by quick and silent. When we started passing fields and the town came within sight a loud scream came from behind us.

  “Lee!”

  We turned to see a young girl running up to us as fast as she could, which was far faster than normal. “It’s Marc…” she panted. “Come quick!” Her long brown hair was tied back into a knot and her dark eyes were red from crying.

  Lee was about to argue but thought twice about it. “Okay. One moment.” He looked over at me. “Just keep heading to the village. Once you get in there find someone to point you to Lanna and explain to her what’s going on. I’ll be back shortly.”

  The girl tugged at him. “Lee, we’ve got to hurry.” She took off running into the nearby woods.

  Lee nodded at me, then turned and followed her, struggling to catch up.

  I watched them vanish into the bushes and trees before c
ontinuing on. It felt very odd walking alone now. Not that I’d never entered a town myself before, just never with a purpose like this.

  Finding Lanna was as easy as he made it sound. The first person I approached pointed me in her general direction. The second person I saw knew exactly where she was. They showed me to a large building that I guessed was their town hall. There was a small stage and many rows of seats surrounding it. Lanna was the only other person there, and she was sitting on the end of the stage jotting something down. My guide called to her and left.

  With her attention now solely on me, I felt uncomfortable under her rather annoyed gaze.

  “Umm…” I hesitated. “Lee sent me.”

  She motioned for me to come closer, “All right, why?” Lanna moved down and leaned against the stage, arms folded.

  I stopped at a chair just before her and rested my arms on its back. “Lee thought you could help resolve a matter of lies. He helped a kid he found in the forest the other day…” With a sigh I dove into my own version of the tale and explained Lee’s version.

  It felt awkward relating the exchange, but I made sure to explain that he had run off with someone to help a person named Marc. She listened to every detail I gave of the story and quickly deemed it true.

  “Just like that you believe it?” I asked, surprised.

  Lanna pulled herself up to sit on the stage. “It’s my magic. Goodie me, I can tell what’s true.” She gave a wink. “It does come in handy in these moments, though.”

  “I don’t know if it’ll work so well if you simply inform him that I’m telling the truth,” I admitted to her. At this point I was sitting in a chair across from her.