The memoirs of

Daughter of the darkflame ash

It doesn't seem so long ago that I arrived in my new home. A hundred years is nothing to our kind, a blink of the eye or a flicker of the flame, as my people would say. My people, hmm, I sometimes wonder if that is even true. Might as well be, by human standards I most certainly have been with them long enough. But I can't help but wonder who I was before Shadow of the Whispering Flame found me. He tells me that I woke momentarily and made some incomprehensible noise when he found me. It sounded like words but not any that he could place. But I digress from my story. I had been roughly 100 years old when he found me. They took me in, gave me a new name, and taught me our ways.

As daughter of the deep-flame ash, I am often ridiculed and looked upon as an abomination, a throw back, or at least just plain different. It took me time to learn what most in our society were used to touching from birth. I am required to wear a ring in order to protect me from the extremes of the inner tunnels. But the most telltale thing that sets me apart from my people is my coloration.

They are the darkest of the dark; in fact Shadow is of such a depth of darkness that, even with my dark-vision, it is hard to tell him from the walls in the mid-tunnels. Me, I am paler then the fabled snow as it was put once. My skin is just this side of translucent. Makes it easy for those who might try to assassinate me to locate a vital place to target. As for my hair, they say that there is rarely a child born whose hair is like that of the white-hot flames. So it is with mine, though it doesn't stick out in spiky disarray like that of my orange and red haired brethren.

Yet again I digress, and offer some apology, but I have started late in chronicling my activities. So, as it goes, those first hundred years with my family was spent re-learning that which we believe my amnesia had caused me to forget. (Though mine is the first recorded instance of such in our history.) As I approached its end the itch began and, after I had chosen my profession, it grew until I could stand it no longer. Those few short days ago are flash burned into my mind. I was about to formally request permission of my parents and teacher when Heart of blue-flame came to me. He caught me just after the class had finished lessons for the day.

Dark-flame, the firesinger started, you have been acting strangely of late.

How so, torch passer? I inquired of him respectfully, as I pulled out a chair for him to sit on.

He eased down into the padded seat and I took mine once more as he started. Hmm. This confirms it. You don't even realize that you are casting surreptitious glances over your shoulder, almost as if you are expecting someone or something to be there. From time to time you mumble almost imperceptibly during class, I even had your parents tell me that they've heard you cry out once or twice in your sleep. He paused to clear his throat. You must understand that they have a serious concern. For your first words were a sort of plea to Shadow of the Whispering flame to stand down and then you started babbling in some incomprehensible language...

As he continued on, that strange tingle started in my mind. I turned my head without intending to. Someone should have been there, but they weren't. I had glanced so quickly that he hadn't noticed; by the Ashlings I was wrong.

See you did it again. I've seen these things happen in a handful of others. They have yet to return from their journeys. It seems you too must leave to answer the greater elements call. He smiled sadly. I have already discussed it with your parents. You are to be sent to the cold lands. Mayhap you will find what you're looking for…or it may find you.

No disrespect, but I do not feel ready; you have so much more to teach me. And though I admit that I was going to ask to leave anyway, I thought you should know that whatever it is that is trying to find me, for that is what I believe is going on, is not necessarily friendly. I paused for a moment. I fear for the community's safety if whatever or whoever should come to find me and I am not to be found…

While the community understands your concern, we can take care of that which may come our way. He patted my knee and stood. You need to pack; you leave after dinner.

I hurried home. I was both excited and wary. Leaving was something that did not come easy here. There were many that I wished to say goodbye to. They would just have to understand. This day would have come anyway. That is the lot of a loresinger, they learn their craft, they seek out new knowledge, share their collected knowledge; eventually they come back, but usually after becoming an elder. So once I left, I knew that it would be many years before I could return.

Even with this in mind, I decided that minimum would be best, so I failed to pack the writing implements of my childhood. I did, however, make sure to bring a change of cloths and a bit of food. There were a few other things but the two main ones were received as our dinner ended.

It was typical for the youngest adult in the household to do the necessary cleaning, while we do revere certain classes this tradition is maintain to drive home the importance that no matter your standing in society, one is not exempt from daily chores, so when I prepared to stand to remove the dishes it surprised me when papa placed his hand upon my arm to stay me.

He nodded to brother. Let him take care of it. There are things that we must take care of before you leave. He waited for Shadow to leave with the dishes before he spoke again. We thought you should have this before you left.

He pulled a small box from beneath the table. I recognized it as one that mama never opened. It looked much like the one that had held my Tolerance ring.

He must have seen the questioning look on my face because he continued. You had this on when shadow found you. For days the healers attempted to figure out why you would not wake. You were clear internally and they could find no traces of any adverse magic in you. That was when they had decided to remove the only thing that they hadn't yet. After they removed the ring, you regained consciousness in mere hours.

Once he finished telling me this I opened the box. The ring itself was of platinum. It was cast as a dragon with some scales overlaid in mother of pearl. On one of its folded wings, there was a violet and onyx coat of arms with the depiction of a lone mountain with a spider on it. The only item that I recognized deeply was on its opposite wing, Thanks to my weapons training, the two crossed scimitars that represented the most highly trained of soldiers in the army. Though whose I could not recall.

As I attempted to force my mind to focus on that detail, Heart walked in with another gift shattering the Smokey image. Papa smiled when he saw my shock. A blade worthy of one who persevered against all odds. A blade worthy of a Bearer of the Torch. He fixed me with a hard look. But most of all… a...

...Daughter who is worthy of her master's blade. Finished my teacher.

I had no words to express myself. I had only dreamed about this since I had chosen to learn from him. The blade had never left his side since I had first laid eyes on him. My hands came up unbidden to grasp the sheathed blade. That is when grandpapa began his story.

This blade was made by me, enchanted by me for myself and as a legacy to my best student. I despaired that I would never find one worthy of it. You however, have proven to me by your determination, fortitude, and often just plain stubbornness that you are truly worthy of her. Take care of her, as I have and flickering edge will take care of you, now go!

My mind was in chaos. I was so astonished that he saw me as his equal that I did not feel mama slip the now forgotten ring onto my center digit the hand opposite my tolerance. Nor did I realize it when the pack was slipped onto my back and I was ushered out the door. The last thing I could remember were my tears as my family waved goodbye.

I had snapped out of my astonishment when, to my dismay, the tingling sensation returned that night while I was taking my turn on watch. Only this time it was infinitely stronger and my old/new ring tightened on my finger minutely. Almost as if giving me a hug. Then it just as suddenly stopped. That had me even more worried and kept me awake well into the next shift.

Our travel was mostly uneventful. My companions and I stuck to the dark paths as much as we could. They were envoys to the other Pure ones. We were not much inclined to talk to one another, or at least they were not to me. That changed as we were about a day away from my final destination though.

I had drawn third watch, and as such took my rest immediately. A smoke vision invaded my dreams, granting me no true rest that night. Its vividness surpassed that of even a flame scrying...

There was a blood-tinged haze in the room. The thing that reared its head through the portal was not the elf I had been dealing with. It, in fact, looked more like a kin to a hydra or some other multi-headed creature save that it was made entirely of flame. I was glad that I had sent the child away, as the beast struck at me with deadly accuracy. During this I noted that the portal through which it came was still open and the one I had been warned of stood on it's other side. When I caught another movement out of the corner of my eye, the world seemed to turn itself on end. I caught a brief glimpse of a shirtless man in (cargo) pants. Then I was falling through an endless tunnel. It shifted from light to dark so fast that it made me physically ill. Then all was blissfully black...

I awoke in a cold sweat. The sour metallic taste of bile warning me to find the edge of the camp. Once finished heaving, I noticed that my traveling companions were both staring at me. I wiped my mouth and spit once. What? I prompted them.

FlameWind was the first to speak. You were screaming incoherently. I am pretty sure that they heard you all the way to the city.

We would have waked you but you were thrashing as well. Liquidflame added.

They kept up that annoying bit for a few minutes as they told me of my unconscious actions. Apparently I had stood at some point and held a one sided conversation. Then dropped bonelessly to the ground, flailed about, and went deadly still. Then I woke up. But mostly I gathered that they were completely terrified of me. The superstitions of the old ones were so varied that they had a tendency to frighten people more than they let anyone let on. Well I had enough of that nonsense and erupted at them. I am so heat sick and exhausted of everyone's superstitious smoke screen. Ash born or not my touch has yet to bring any misfortune or plague upon our people. So, by that which is consumes, feel free to talk to me or wake me from one of those twice damned ashlights.

You admit that these are true flickers? Liquidflame inquired.

I can assume no other. Not when the images show themselves so clearly to me and that I have so much trouble recalling them later. I shook my head and waved off anything that may have been said next. I have been rude in keeping you two from your rest already honored ones. Please allow me to perform a soothing whisper for you to aid in your relaxation. If you wish to continue to inquire about me in the morning, do so then.

They both nodded respectfully at me and thankfully said no more to me as they got settled in. The trip had been long enough and they had apparently took that time to take a good measure of me as I babbled on about varying things I'd learned from grandpapa. They had figure that it wasn't worth trying to argue further. Once they were suitable comfortable, I began.

Double-checking the area to be certain that I would not start a raging wildfire, I placed my darklenses over my eyes and closed them. I sensed that it did not take long for my fluid movements and the gentle song I coaxed from the flames to ease my companions' frayed nerves. They were asleep in moments. I continued on with the performance, well more of a practice really, and mulled over my dream.

I knew that it was more than that; it was too vivid to be otherwise. The heat I had felt, the stink of burning air. It really isn't an unpleasant smell, but there it had positively reeked. Also, the more I though about it, I had glimpsed myself briefly before I had seen the man in the cargo pants.

He had been around my height, as it is now, but had darker skin and hair...oh wait that describes almost anybody other than myself. He also looked determined and maybe even a little shocked before I fell through that sickening tunnel.

That tickle started again. The more I concentrated on the dream the worse it got. It got so bad that I halted in mid-dance. I new that man. I was as sure of that as I was of my skill in my profession. But my as yet unhealed mind stubbornly refused to give up the information I sought. So I took some cleansing breaths and let the details slide back behind that near impenetrable wall that kept them hidden. The buzz retreated back to a tickle and then disappeared all together. So I finished my watch in quiet and blissful ignorance of my past.

We reached the city gates at flame-sphere on the horizon the next day. It was the first that I had seen a human city and even from the outside I recognized the wrongness of it. It sat like a blemish on the surface of the earth. Its right angles a depressing contrast to the gentle curves of the land upon which it sat. My companions saw my dislike and attempted to comfort me.

Worry not daughter, you will get used to it. Flamewind half smiled. Letting me know that he only half believed what he said.

But I just want to...

State your name and business in nuelm. The guard interrupted. Rude but timely. I probably would have been jailed instantly if I'd had the chance to finish that thought.

I heard liquidflame answer him. I am Liquidflame my traveling companions are flamewind and daughter of the dark-flame ash. The former and I are envoys to the others of the elements. The latter is one of our most esteemed Bards, he kind of choked on the human word, she is here to further her knowledge and share some of that which she knows.

The guard nodded gruffly and checked to be sure that the scribe had gotten it all down. Well gentlemen, I believe you know where the embassy is, he awaited a nod, very well. Milady, you will have to go to the college arcana and register.

My eyes grew wide. How dare he assume to tell me that I needed to put my name on a list! I took a breath to give him a piece of my mind. Then I felt a restraining hand on my shoulder. "You insult us young human. She is of the noblest blood of our race."

"Beggin' your pardon, milord's and m' lady, but she is staying longer than a night. Due to her profession, we just want to make sure that she knows that this is more for her safety that we do this. While not strictly enforced, the law limits the types of magery allowed in the city."

"So if she is to survive she is to sign in or stay outside the city gates." Liquidflame put in.

The guard bowed his head. She could go in but she wouldn't be allowed to use any of her magery in the telling of her stories.

I took a couple of deep breaths. To not make the fire sing. Not touching that which was a part of my honor in our society. Forget it... but then to have to sign in, like some delinquent? Not even if the Great Flame were to be snuffed out would I allow them to treat me as lesser. Lesser than a human. Never. They were less than the half bloods. And that is about as low as you can get in the... I closed my eyes and tried to figure out why may arm was hurting so badly. Oh yeah, flamewind had a death grip on it. It was bleeding now. He'd also come to stand between the guard and I, to block the human's view of my face.

Next I heard liquidflame say. "We understand. There is no insult intended here. Just quality concern for the visitors to your fine city. He again near-choked on the word fine. Not that you could hear it in his voice, but it was noticeable in his posture and the temperature of his tone. We know where the college. We shall escort her there, after we secure our lodging. Will that suffice?"

The guard waved us on and signaled the next traveler up. I looked down at my arm. There were nail scores though the sleeve of by black silk shirt. I was puzzled. Why did you do this Flamewind?

"Daughter, you were mumbling in that language again. You sounded outraged. You looked like you were getting ready to split him from navel to nose for no good reason. I had to intercede.

The blood trickling down my arm told me just how much he had to exert himself to do so. Now that I had paid them mind, the score marks began to sting. I sassed through my teeth. "At least next time do not draw blood."

He smiled wanly. "Sorry about that, but I have dealt with a few strange happenings in my time." We had reached the embassy as he finished apologizing.

I guess the humans find excesses like this pleasing to the eye. The place was a gaudy mess. Highly polished metals lined the walls; some as sconces, some as miniature statues, and still more as picture frames. The marble floor had attained a mirror like sheen. The furniture was made of some rather expensive looking wood and carved in a multitude of over large legs, arms, and backrests. The rug in the waiting portion of the lobby looked like one of those hand knotted types that were made of the finest of silken threads. This is where I waited while they took forever in procuring their room keys.

At least those thousands of greetings and formalities gave me time to tend to my wounds. Boy, it was irritating, the males, yes males, were being treated like kingsThey had proven nothing, earned not mother's respect. Very few had, even less would. And one of them had the nerve to touch me. I dressed the marks. The nerve to injure me. That had earned him a little grudging respect. None eve dared to not even...

The next I remembered I was waking up. There seemed to be a ton of weight on me, mostly blankets. The couch on which I rested was pushed as close to the raging fire as the others had dared to push it. I still felt cold, my teeth chattering. My throat was parched. "D...drinkkk." I croaked.

They brought me some of the magma rivulet that they had brought with them. Must have considered my condition dire indeed if they were breaking into the gifts that were intended for the heads of the respective corners they were to visit. This is where I thanked the great flame for our superstitions. Touching an Ashling was supposed to bring a curse, but letting one die...let's just say that not a Pyre-parli in history has ever willing wanted to call woe down upon the entirety of the race.

I gulped gratefully, coughing as it seemingly melted the ice from its path. Then, stretching comfortably as the false warmth the alcohol created started its slow burn through my system, I began to drift off.

I was just this side of completely asleep when Liquidflame spoke to me. "You had us terribly worried Ash." That told me how true it was for we never shorten a name by its ending unless there is some exceeding concern for the person in question. "What happened?"

"m'kay." I replied thickly. "I was just exhausted, hadn't been sleeping most of the trip. Flickers...I trailed off and fell into a deep, dreamless slumber (in part to the thermal vapors of the wine). I thanked the great flame for that. The smoke visions I'd been having on the trails here stole my slumber and that last flicker still bothered me somewhat; though it had mostly cooled from my thoughts.

When next I woke, it was much cooler in the room. The fire had been banked and several of the blankets had been removed. A small table at my head contained a small bowl of fruit, some bread, a pitcher of liquid with a glass and my ring. The amazingly small, expertly designed band glinted frigidly in the barely flickering flames.

I didn't feel brave enough to touch it at that point. There was something telling me that the little dragon had been the cause of my troubles in the first place. I was ravenous though and snatched up some bread and grapes and tore into them with gleeful abandon as I walked about the room. I started as a maid entered the room. "it's nice to see you up and about milady." She curtsied.

"do you know how long I slept?'

"no milady" she moved about, cleaning various things and making the bed. "would you care for me to send for your companions?"

I swallowed the grape I'd been chewing. "yes, please do."

She curtsied again and left with the dirty linen. That left me to finish up the food that had been set for me. I contemplated things while I stared at the ring. All I could ask myself was, what had happened. I remembered coming to the gate, and then to the embassy with the others. After that a cloud of soot obscured the flickers that were connected. The dragon seemed to wink at me from its position on the table as the door opened and startled me.

I looked towards the door. Relief was written across their features, but there was an underlying tension to them too. We took care of getting you signed in. There was some difficulty until we explained that you had taken ill and we could not move you. The head mage was more than agreeable to let us take care of it. Liquid flame began as he made his way to a chair on my right.

Flamewind was more hesitant to come near. He did so slowly, almost as if waiting for me to jump him. He did, however, request that you do show yourself in person before leaving the city. Just to put a face with the name. He finished as he stood behind the chair that flamewind had sat in. It seems as though he were attempting to keep at least distance between us, if not an object or two.

I looked at the two of them; the pain and confusion evident on my features. I do not know what happened, the last I remember I was tending to my wounds. Then I woke up and I thank you for breaking into those gifts. I owe you.

Well, counting the morning you passed out, you were asleep for two days. Liquidflame told me. We stayed here to be sure you were well.

You should have kept on. I am not worth straining relations among our peoples.

That is where you are wrong. Anyone of the Ash is worth more than a temporary slowing of the flow, besides we dispatched messages explaining our delay. I'm sure they'll understand.

I gave him a half-hearted smile. If you insist, but it doesn't sit well with me. What happened to me? I had to know.

You were tending to the score wounds on your arm. Once they were completely wrapped, you rose and crossed to where we were at the reception counter. Liquidflame paused and let Flamewind pick up the narration.

I felt you tap me on the shoulder. When I turned I noted that your eyes appeared to be burning behind the lenses. Then you grabbed my arm. He shuddered as he remembered this. You do have a rather bone crunching grip Torch Bearer, but it was the sheer frigidness in it that seared me. The heat seemed to shatter a bit of the ice that had formed in you and you passed out.

I mulled this all over. I had to have gone into haze madness sometime during the treatment of my wounds. I just couldn't remember what I had been contemplating while I was tending to myself. I touched the bandage. My anger was boiling to the surface at the oft time smoke hazed thoughts I was having, as well as the twice damned flickers that ran and hid behind diamond hard obsidian walls in my mind. I closed my eyes in an attempt to calm myself.

That is when I noticed it. That damnable warning tickle was back. But there was no discomfort with it this time when I focused on it. As I did, I noted that there was some severe anger and frustration at the other end. It whipped at me like skyfire. That is when something behind that smokey blockage seemed to shout. This is bad, very bad. When I reopened my eyes they actually held the calm assurance of a merrily crackling hearth fire. You two must be on your way. I have held you long enough.

But we must...

I swear to you by the Great Flame that I am well enough to take care of myself. You to have your duty to fulfill. I will not be held responsible for your deaths should you choose to stay until the skyfire strikes.

What? They chimed together.

I stood, hands on hips, thoroughly irritated with them. The hearth crackled and hissed with me as I spoke. I feel something coming. It creeps ever nearer. It carries with it an anger that simmers near the surface much like a floe. The simplest slip might set it off. As it is looking for me, I could be held responsible for the break down of relations, not to mention your deaths. I will not have that happen, so you two will leave here at first light. The last was issued as if it were a royal command. I would take no further smoke blowing from either of them. Make your preparations. I am going to find a place to stay.

With that I left them to take care of their necessary business. I went to procure a room in a less obvious place. I sure wasn't going to stand in front of the fire saying here I am to whatever was looking for me. I visited several taverns and found only three that I could safely choose from. The others were small and dry, not a good place for my type of performance. Off the three I deemed suitable, one was situated between the embassy and the mage's college. That was too obvious and too close to those who wanted to keep track of me. The second was clear across town. Way too far away for me to make sure the emissaries left town in the morning. The third, tough a little dingy, was situated relatively close to the city gate, yet far enough away to be considered not terribly noteworthy. That was what I needed though, easy getaway in case the fires became too hot.

I entered and sought out the proprietor. There was much flicker and flash but we agreed on room and board. He also insisted on a small portion of my tips after he saw my demonstration. I denied him and pointed out that with the business he would likely receive, he would not need any of what I might procure. He relented and we swore to the agreement, with several witnesses at hand.

The next morning I saw Liquidflame and Flame wind off. I thanked them both one more time for their caring concern and assured them that I'd be fine. One of them handed me my ring. It was wrapped in several layers of lava silk and yet I could still fell the cold that radiated through it.

Though we believe it poisonous to you, it is yours. Liquidflame said before he turned to leave. Flamewind simply smiled brightly and waved. Nothing ever kept him down long.

I stayed there until I lost sight of each one, for their trails had split, then returned inside the angular abomination that I was to temporarily call home.

I spent a better part of the late morning getting to know the streets and shops. Every now and then I would stop and get directions back to the Mangy cur. This was mainly a precaution so that I could grab my valuables and run if need be. About mid- morning I returned to eat, rest and prepare for my performance. My room was spare; A bedside table with an oil lamp and a chamber pot, the beadboard with a feather tick, and a brazier for heat. That didn't bother me in the least. The floor and walls were stone. The crossbeams were wood but well cared for so I didn't have to worry when I warmed up later.

I lit the lamp as I entered and pulled the silk containing my ring from my belt. Without touching the weighted portion, I dropped it next to the lamp and flopped on my bed.

It felt like I kept on falling. Once the sensation ceased, I found myself in the clearing that I had left a full two days earlier. There were two others with me. They were both dressed in green-brown patterned breeches and a solid green-brown shirt. One carried an array of daggers, the other had no visible weapons, and I myself had a hand on the hilt of a katana.

They're late. Daggers said.

That's typical. Came the other's reply, I remained silent.

You would think that because she is so attuned to time that they could actually make it somewhere promptly.

A cold voice answered. Be that as it may, Edge, I also understand that things happen as they do for a reason.

I turned and looked at her. She and her companion were as dark as many I had left behind. But they must have been of the ash as well for their hair was as pale as the night sun and their eyes much like mine. It excited me and terrified me at the same time. She was stately. Several small braids were dangling from her ponytail. Her scimitars hung snugly at her sides.

The man was shorter than her. His hair held back by a colored band around the forehead. He had a varying number of chains coiled around him. The both of them were dressed as the others save that they were all in black. Besides, he put in; we weren't needed for Synth to discern what he needed to.

The unarmed man spoke. She has been here. He got a far off look in his eye. And is here now, or at least part of her.

I felt my lip curl up in a familiar snarl. I don't think so. Came the gruff voice, not my own but most definitely familiar.

You've stated yourself that you have felt her presence before. And we all know that she exhibited the same toward you, boss.

Not happening. It just hasn't been terribly active since she went missing. The only times I've pursued it I was shut out by a wall of flame.

Surprisingly enough it took me this long to comprehend that I was not in my own body. Really thought I was just having another flicker. I hastily looked for the path back.

Damn it, I heard the one called Synth say, Boss you had better give it another shot, before she can shut you out again.

The next thing I knew I was being chased down a long tunnel. I had a head start and reached the other end well ahead of my pursuer. I shot upright in bed feeling the sound of thunder rolling toward me in my head. I closed my eyes and groped for flickering edge. I unsheathed the blade and kissed it before I stood and called it to life.

I concentrated hard on what I was doing. Trying to drive the intruder away. The song I called forth from the flames was a crashing and crackling chorus. I became as the flame itself, twisting, flickering and weaving. The invader drew back as I became one with the movements of the sword and flame. The wall came back, hard and immovable. The vibrations against it grew less and less, until the buzz became a tickle and the tickle died like an ember on the wind.

He'd figured out where I was, I felt that in my bones. Just hadn't pin pointed me yet. This city was big enough; I should have plenty of time to do my show. Besides they most likely wouldn't search for me at night. That would give me enough time to get some good tips and then flash out of town. I spent the next couple of hours preparing for my show.

As I had predicted to the owner, it was packed. The promise of an exotic show had the locals swarming to the place. I had started off with a slow, sad tale, not that anyone here could understand the words. Then as the night wore on, then numbers were more light and lively, as the patrons grew more vapored.

Some notable persons entered the bar as I finished up with the show. One sat with the proprietor, another alighted at the bar and there were two others who got a table near the door.

I bowed with a flourish as I sheathed flickering edge.

The only table with an open seat was the one that the first notable arrival had sat at. He offered me a seat and we held a brief conversation.

Where did you learn your skills? He asked in halting Nuelm

From whence I came. I answered him vaguely. I new no translation for it in the human tongue and figured that he wouldn't understand my language if it could walk up to him and explain itself in full detail. I removed my darklenses and rubbed the bridge of my nose. If he was afraid or revolted he did not show it.

His brows drew down. Might I see your blade?

I shrugged my shoulders. Not that he'd find anything to identify her. Grandpapa had no reason to mark her. She was one-of-a-kind in our region. Though, as his student, I practiced with a weighted training blade much like it.

He slid it home. Where did you get a blade such as this? He asked.

Again I answered. From whence I came.

This time it did not satisfy him. Where is that?

Couldn't avoid it then. I looked him strait in the eye and let him know. He looked as me with confusion as I popped and crackled at him. Once I finished I said, the mountains to the south.

I ordered wine and we continued with some small talk for a lengthening of the flame. We had a meal during that time as well, afterward I excused myself. Pardon, I am exhausted.

Once back in my room, sleep eluded me. No matter how I turned I could not get comfortable. The tickle was back. There was also another insistent voice burning in me.

These people are beneath you. They should be bowing to you, princess. This place they live in is an abomination. It should burn. It and the whole town needed to turn to ash in a glorious symphony of the flame. Down to every last man, woman and child. They are insolent worms.

I attempted to ignore it. But it wouldn't stop. What it said was true. This town was an abomination. The people here were less than hospitable to me. I should be treated like royalty. This spare room was for someone that was common street trash. Not an honored Flamebearer, and most definitely not for a princess of my blood. They should die. They would die I finally decided. I gathered my belongings and stole from my room.

I ran into only one fool of a patron. The kindling idiot should not have been in my path, so I split him from navel to nose. He attempted to scream, but my stroke was quick and sure, not even a gurgle escaped. I left the body there and continued on my way downstairs.

I know not where I got the chain. It seems to have appeared in my hand out of the smoke. All I know is that I had it in my hand when I came to my senses in front of the tavern. I turned in time to see Fujiwara going around the corner.

I followed him and we both ended up running into some northerner. We all did not want to be anywhere near that place and promptly tried to make it to the gate. Unfortunately we ran into the guards.

Where are you going? One asked gruffly.

We seek new shelter. Fuji said in his broken dialect.

Follow us then, there is something about that has killed two blood elves without being seen.

That made us quicken our pace behind them. Another guard came rushing up as the skyfire began and it was quite a show. The entire Alley arcana blew up in an electrical flash. I smiled, looks like I won't need to check out before I leave town. At this point the guards instructed us to head for shelter. Just after they left us, the rest of the city started exploding. The amazing thing about that was it was all synchronous.

The quick look that we all gave one another said enough, we sure as the coldest plane of hell were not going to be sticking around nuelm any longer.

Unfortunately our fun for cold-sun-up was not through. We traveled a fair distance down the road and set up a camp well off its surface. Just in case we were followed. One happened by us leaving a message for Fuji to take home. His business associates were going to be delayed. Nothing big right? Well he wasn't the only one to find us. There was a whisper, alighted upon a light breeze that itself came from nowhere. We are coming, prepare. Was the basic gist of what it said. Different dialect of the people. Unfortunately the message was not enough in advance, I still reacted as a person on edge would. Hand automatically going to hilt and partially drawing my blade when they appeared.

Really they appeared from the breeze, almost as if they were smoke or mist being pushed by it. The kind that sneaks upon you from nowhere. They were not and then they were there. Just like that. One acknowledged me with a nod of his head. This relaxed me a bit, enough that I actually put the blade full down in her sheath. I did leave my hand on her hilt though.

We have a message for you to deliver to the Iron Citadel. Was all that was said. Humans were generally crazy, but when a pure elf asks for something to be done, they do not hesitate to comply with the request. And again the wind whispered. The message was beyond my simple translating abilities. I could possibly give them the gist but most of the deeper nuances would have been lost. No one else thought to ask for a translation either, and being that they left with that same breeze, we weren't likely to receive one.

Oh well. I finished out the night watching the roads. We set out just before blaze rise. My ultra-sensitive eyes were good for at least that on the surface. The three-month trip to the Enlightened States was uneventful.

That was outwardly to the others. Fuji spent his time teaching the half-blood wilder to speak his language. He tried to do the same to me, but my mind was locked on other things.

Those smoke hazes, flickers, whatever they were; I'd still have them every now and then. They just weren't as intense as when I was wearing the dragon ring. Nor were they as vibrant as the afternoon before the skyfire struck nuelm. But it was tempting to repeat one of the conditions that had caused them. Exhaustion or the ring. Just to see if I could catch a glimpse of the boss again.

The tickle would come and go. It would sometimes flare to the point of pain-sickness and then it would bank down to comfortable tickling warmth. So would the flickers heat and cool. The night after a particularly intense day would yield an all to easy to remember dream. The dreams that dimmed and blew away with the smoke before I woke were the ones that haunted me. Those are the ones that had me waking with a terrible sense of loss. And it was because of all of this that I could not pay enough attention to grasp Fuji's language.

I was very thankful when we reached Fujiwara's hometown. We rested the night, after a delicious meal. It amazed me how they treated their guests. Not so much in how, but more in the fact that was much the same way at home. Ahh to be basking in the heat of the hearth-fires of home, I had thought. It was that thought that lead me to my morning practice in the yard.

Fuji's grandfather was sitting on the porch meditating as I began. Heat is one of the first songs we learn. The mastery of it is a necessity. A common beginning or end to many torch-songs, to throw an errant current while playing it had been know to get torchbearers banished or even given to the flames for judgment. It is said that the great flame itself gave this verse to us.

So it is that I scribe this now, before I lose the heart to do so. Mind that I ask to do penance, so I relate in good faith, my great mistake.

I started the dance itself well. But I had barely made it into the first line of the verse before disaster struck. The heat of the...that was when I stopped feeling my arms. I could see them, but the bodily sense of them was gone. My grip unintentionally faltered. This was not the first time I had felt this sensation, but it had never happened to be before while still aware of my own flesh. It so distracted me that I stumbled on a rock.

Flickering edge went flying into the door. It was destroyed. I picked myself up and began to apologize. The family was apologizing to me. Apparently they believed it was their fault for nor being sure the training area was clear of such debris. If the offense were not so terrible, the whole thing would have been hilarious. I can smile at it when I can forget exactly what may happen to me later for it.

And so this brings me to where I am now. We prepare to leave to deliver our message. Our hosts were more than helpful getting me parchment and quill and ink to write with. I'll have to get more before we leave though. It wouldn't do for me to run out on the way through another adventure.

I would like to start out his section by saying. I didn't realize that my being with these people would end up getting us to this point so quickly. For now I sit here, in the Temple of howling winds no less, writing these words. I know not what this challenge will hold for me, but it will be tough. I have been debating again my ring. I believe I will wear it. Because even though it causes much chaos with in me, I do find a bit of comfort from it. I do not know but maybe it is because it is of my past that it does this. I have found myself twisting it in my nervousness more than once. Hopefully it will cause me no grief.

But I guess I shall tell you briefly on how we came to be here. The trip itself from Fuji's to the Iron elves was rather short and pleasant. We ran into a couple of half-breeds on the way there. Apparently the surface teems with them. That is almost as bad as putting up with aunt Kayla. But anyway, we were all a bit wary of them. Who wouldn't be being on the border with the imperium and all. One we could tell was from there. The other was apparently as far from her home as it was possible to be. She had put up a hammock between two bushes. Not the brightest bulb in the box, but apparently had no idea that it was safe enough to bed down on the ground. We had a tough time getting her to come, but she eventually relented and did so. Pretty much had to tell her that we would escort her back after we delivered the message.

There was about another weeks worth of travel after that. We knew when we were close though. The blinding light gave that one away. I had to put a cloth behind my lenses so that I could at least see without developing a headache.

We got there and were ushered to see someone in charge. We were then told to rest for the night because we would be accompanying them on the journey here. We all had a good time discovering things about the culture. Suffice it to say that they had never heard of a solo performance before and so I entertained them a bit.

The mode of transportation was strange, but like the rushing of super heated metal. I think I am still feeling the windburn I developed. The others probably do not realize that they have one.

The council meeting was interesting to say the least. I got to do some translating for the group. I didn't exactly tell them word for word what was said but they did get to know that we were chosen for the Trial of the Elements. There is one thing that I did not translate for them though. It chilled me when I heard it. It also made me wary because I knew I was being searched for. It went something like this: there is someone searching for something. It acts as though it were a mother bobcat looking for a lost cub.That would accurately describe the feelings I would sometimes detect from that other. I fear for all while I am gone. I fear even more that I may not make it back to face this person. If I should die on this, he will not be pleased. But I had to prepare for it nonetheless. I asked Fuji, even wrote a letter for it, to return the sword to Heart of Blue flamefor me if I should not return. The letter states my regrets to grandpapa for not being able to bring honor to his blade. Now it is time to sing...

The heat of the hearth-fires sustains me,

As I travel these lonely wastes,

They burn fierce in the night,

To ward away the frozen death,

That for all does wait.

The heat of the hearth-fires fills me,

Though mine is a pale reflection,

With a radiance that doth keep out,

The silent and frosty feather-light kiss

The heat of the hearth-fires renews me,

As I return from afar,

Welcomes me with song and dance,

And warms me with love.

Probably shouldn't have written that down. Kind of loses much in the translation. But that is basically that which I screwed up days ago. This time I just played it on the torches. No dance necessary. Now it grows late and I am exhausted again. I will write more when I return. If I do. I do not want to risk ruining my implements by chance, so they will be stored here for the time being. Great Flame willing I will see this place again.

- 18 -