Disclaimer: All characters and locations owned by Tamora Pierce. Plot-line and actual written words are owned by myself.

Fire and Steam

Water that had been cold a moment ago sizzled and boiled around the red-hot iron, blowing up clouds of damp steam. Between the steam and the burning forge fire, the smithy was swelteringly hot. Just standing in the doorway, she could feel the heat pressing on her face and body, as tangible and solid as wood or stone. The smith stood up and turned away from his work to look at her. Their eyes met. He crossed the short but tension-filled distance between them, and soon the heat was rising even more. Tiny water cyclones started forming in the condensing mist around them, spinning all through the workshop.

"Do you need something, Tris? I should really get back to work. These horseshoes are pretty urgently needed."

"Daja isn't here?" asked Tris.

Kirel shook his head.

"Lark sent me to call her for lunch," she added, rather pointlessly, to cover up her embarrasement.

"I think she left already," said Kirel.

"Oh," Tris said. "I should probably get back, then."

"Tris, is everything alright?" Kirel asked, frowning.

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?!" cried Tris furiously, pulling on her curls, and stomped out of the overheated smithy. No, everything was not alright. Not when she was losing control like this. Losing control over her magic was one thing, Niko had taken troubles to teach her how to deal with situations like that. No one ever said anything about how to regain control of her imagination… Flushed, Tris stopped at a well along the way and splashed some cold water from the bucket on her face.

Coppercurls, are you coming? Daja's already here. The feeling of Briar's voice inside her mind almost made Tris jump. Yes, I'm on my way, she replied tartly. More flushed than ever, she washed her face and neck again and started back to Discipline. A sudden realization made her stop just in front of the gate and stand stock still, horrified. Oh, Shurri Firesword, I hope whatever this is passes before Niko comes back to Winding Circle! she thought.