It was quiet like it always was. The children would play outside happily without the threat of being made fun of, Amber could do the chores and help a few of them out for therapy sessions, and she could do this without worry. Not many people came to the back of the hills; they bordered the towering mountains behind that were said to be cursed. Amber could do nothing but laugh about it. She got food for the safe house in them every day and they were the most well fed people of the town. Of course, that made them frowned upon even more.
Most of the children in the safe house, including her, had a magic impairment. Some had too much magic to control, others not enough to be healthy in society's standards. Amber fell somewhere in the middle. Magic flowed to and from her without her trying to do anything; it's what kept the kids here safe. No matter how much she saw that as a curse, the children didn't; they applauded her for it.
"Amber, Amber, come play," little Marco called. The little batch of freckles was running around with Tyler and Anya chasing after him. He had a stick in his hand and a cocoon was hanging at the end of it.
"Marco, put that down," Amber called. She got up from patching up the blanket she was working on for the last week and raced after him. When she caught up he threw it to Tyler who, being large for his age, held it over small Amber's head.
"It must be quite depressing to be so small for a maiden of your age," Anya teased. Her little, perfectly white teeth shone as she giggled.
"I may be small, but I have more control over the situation," Amber gushed. She was small, something she couldn't deny, and she always got picked on for it way back when, before the safe house. "Now listen here before I get really mad, put the butterfly cocoon back before you're all in heaps of trouble with Mrs. Billing when she comes back."
"You wouldn't," Marco cried, his brown eyes growing big and gullible.
"Oh, I would," Amber said, "And there's nothing worse than Mrs. Billing finding out that you toyed with nature." Tyler handed it to her with a defeated expression. "Now go inside and clean up."
"Ahem," someone coughed behind Amber, making her jump in surprise and her magic to slightly burn her palms.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she turned around, bowing instinctively.
"You don't have to apologize, this was a surprise visit after all," as Amber looked up a young soldier stood in front of her. He was wearing the standard warriors mask and was heavy set in black dusted armor. "I am here to see the care taker."
"She went out into town earlier," Amber said. He stared at her and then Tyler before addressing him as an adult.
"Then I shall speak to you about these matters," he stated.
"I'm sorry," Amber cut in, slightly peeved, "He is a child of the safe house, not an employee, a provider, or any sort of role player."
"Well forgive me short stuff, but I need someone close to adult at least," the soldier remarked. Anya started laughing loudly as Marco and Tyler pointed at Amber.
"She is," Marco snickered.
"All three of you go fetch the others immediately," Amber sang, attempting to hide her annoyance. The soldier seemed dumbstruck as she shook her head.
"I'm confused," he said after a while.
"I am 16," Amber sighed, "By this midwinter I shall be a full grown woman."
"Ah, you must be one with magic deficiency," he nodded. Amber was further angered by this.
"Wrong, I have too much and I take too much in," she snapped. She breathed in, a steady ache coming to her palms. She turned to head to the cabin, "Come inside, I'll get you some tea and you can talk there."
"I would prefer it outside," he stuttered. Amber turned to him in confusion. "My peers would laugh and make jokes if I went in with you," he pointed behind him to a wagon filled with other soldiers.
"Then what do you want to talk about," Amber asked, "Your ill prepared for talking to someone below Mrs. Billing obviously and your attitude has made me want to burn you flesh to your armor." Amber covered her mouth. Curse her truth telling, a side effect of being raised by that proud woman Mrs. Billing.
"Well then, I should probably get a more experienced speaker then shouldn't I," he asked haughtily.
"Oh no," Amber sang, "You're going to practice, right here and right now, with me as your audience."
"Fine then," he snipped and leaned forward, "The kingdom needs soldiers." This deserved a slap that didn't end up being a slap but a full on face full of fist. Amber shook her hand witch was now conveniently broken and mending itself. "You little wench," the soldier cried. Amber squealed and raced up the hill to the cabin.