Chapter 7

Once Ginka finished her tale, there was total silence for a moment. Firestorm was digesting what he had heard. Nico, who had been at the foot of the tree, was just thinking. Ginka was so nervous with anticipation of how the men would react that the silence screamed at her. Firestorm was the first to break the stillness.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner, Ginka? Were you afraid that I might do the same to you?"

"I guess I just wanted to live a normal life and be normal. I guess I was afraid that you might force me to go back. Do you know what the penalty for runaway slaves is down there? A full year of torture by your masters and then another year by the state. Then, if you are still alive, you are collared and shackled and submerged in a 25 foot deep pool filled with acid that melts you within five minutes but makes each second a living hell and seem like an eternity to die. If anyone is caught trying to save you, they get the same punishment, only the pool they are tossed into is not filled with acid, it's filled with water. That punishment isn't as painful. So yes I was scared but not of you." Ginka said all this with a straight face, though her eyes were ancient and seemed to stare into space. She had also said this in a monotone as though she wasn't really thinking about what she was saying.

"I thought several times about just turning myself in, I was so weary from all my masters' beatings and tortures, that I was physically sick, and thought that dying in a vat full of acid might be a noble death. I also thought that people might be inspired to revolt and escape because an eight year old and a girl on top of that, had escaped from her master, and almost gotten away before being recaptured. But then I hit myself mentally and said, 'you're so close to freedom. What the heck are you going to go back for? You won't be put right away in the vat; it's two full years of torture before they melt you down. Keep going and make yourself a better and safer life.' So I listened to my inner voice, and kept going and met you Firestorm." When she had finished her discourse, Ginka burst into tears.

"The whole time I lived here with you, I was terrified that you would find out and turn me in, or that someone would find me and bring me back to die. I don't want to die. I had nightmares almost every single night for 6 years. I tried my best to be good and learn as quickly as possible so that if you did find out, you wouldn't want to bring me back. When you made me your daughter, I was so happy. I started to hope that if you found out, I could stay here."

Ginka was crying so hard that she could hardly speak properly. Firestorm pulled her onto his lap and hugged her hard. She buried her face in his shoulder and sobbed her fear and worry out. Firestorm and Nico shared a glance of mutual pity and remorse for the girl.

"Ginka, if Firestorm had found out, I don't think it would have made any difference whether or not you were his daughter. I have known him since I was born, and I know he would never turn an ex-slave over to the authorities. He would feel horrible about it. Besides that, I can tell he loves you." Nico said sympathetically. He knew what it was like to live in constant fear of someone or something.

"When I was about your age, my friends and I were out in the forest. Not the one that you were in earlier, but one on the other side of the village. This village used to be surrounded by forest. Anyway, my friends were joking that Fire Magic was just a toy for Emperors and Kings and that it had no real useful purpose. Well, to make a long story short, I got very mad and torched a tree with my magic. The blaze escalated until the whole forest on that side of the village was aflame. My friends and I sprinted out of that forest so fast, it was like the place was… well it was on fire. The fire got so out of control that our Water Mage could not extinguish it and she ended up dying. The cottages in the village caught fire and many people either died from intensive burns from the fire or smoke inhalation. My friends and I vowed not to tell anyone, but I was still perpetually terrified that someone would find out and I would be punished. Finally I couldn't bear the worry and fear, and went to go tell the Earth Mage that I had started the terrible fire that had destroyed so many lives. He just looked at me and said, 'I have known that fact for a very long time. I was merely waiting for you to come forward and tell me yourself." I felt like such an idiot. However, after a long talk with him, I realized that my fears were irrational and foolish. I walked out of that session feeling very relived and happy, even though I was punished and was not allowed to use my magic without a certified adult until that adult felt that I had learned enough self-control. That is why I went to Magic U., to learn self-control. I have not only gained self-control, but my power has grown such that I am now one of the strongest Fire Mages in the world. I believe the only one who is stronger than I is King Hojou."

Ginka had listened to his tale enraptured. When he was finished, she dried her eyes and said to Firestorm and Nico, "Thank you for understanding. Nico, you're right, I do feel a lot better now. Thank you."

"Ginka would you like some hot chocolate?" Firestorm asked.

Ginka merely nodded.

"Okay, Nico would you go draw water from the well out back please?"

"I most certainly will."