A Conflagration of Ice, The Story of Crysari

[Sunset Fallow]

Staying Warm

Floating crystals of frozen water that tasted of pine and smoke and then nothing at all. I ran through the lightly falling snow reveling in their icy perfection. Although I’d seen snow before with the coming of each winter, it was still a wondrous treat to play in the first snowfall, the ground so freshly clean and perfectly white. For now, it was lovely…enchanting, but soon, of course, it would turn to a sea of frozen mud and dirt brown tracks.

And then there was the other problem. I slumped against a nearby building and sighed, slowly sliding to the ground. The fall was gradually giving way to winter and with it came the cold. I didn’t mind so much that I was hungry most of the time, I could steal food here and there, but now that it was colder at night, I found the few clothes I had weren’t enough. I got so cold…it hurt sometimes when I tried to get warm. My hands and feet would become numb like blocks of ice. I’d walk all night just to stay warm, then sleep during the day.

But now…I shivered near uncontrollably against the shed, and the night was yet to come. The wind drove into me like tiny knives cutting through my clothes, stealing away my warmth. If only I could get warm…even for a moment. I’d do almost anything for a fire. I rubbed my hands together and closed my eyes, imagining the heat that would penetrate through my clothes; steam rising in wispy tendrils as my clothes and hair dried. I could almost feel it…my hands so warm, the heat penetrating and soothing. My clothes wet from the melting snow…my what?

My eyes flew open. My hands were on fire….my hands! I jumped up and ran, then stopped, staring at my hands. The fire was gone almost instantly. A dream, I imagined it. It was the cold and I dreamed. It had to be. Yet as I felt the back of my pants they were wet, soaked through and the spot where I sat, the snow was melted for a foot around where I leaned against the shed. Even the shed gave off an odor as if it had become too hot and smelled as wood will smell before it chars and then burns.

Yet I was unharmed; my clothes warm, but not hot. And my hands, I marveled at my hands. They were pink and warm and almost glowed from the rush of blood, tingling as if my mother held them and tickled…I took a gasping breath. I missed my mother. Even as a big girl now…eleven years old just last week. All I wanted was to be warm, lying beside my mother. I was so lonely.

[Sunset Fallow]

Caught
Part One

Dirt matted my hair and streaked my face as if I were a warrior camouflaged for the hunt. It was too cold to bath anywhere outside. I crouched shivering, bundled in a variety of mismatched clothing behind a low berm watching a lone farmhouse in the distance. They’d surly have one of those underground cellars where they stored their food. I couldn’t quite tell from this far, but I was sure they had a dog. I hated dogs; too much noise and they seemed to see and hear everything. I’d have to be very quiet and quick.

It was a long wait until evening and I’d moved some distance away from the house to use my fire. Looking back, I could barely see the lights of the house through the trees. It was time. I dug into the makeshift pack I carried and pulled out a canvas sack, laying the pack against a tree.

I moved back up to the berm and watched for the dog. The lights were going out in the house. Maybe they took the dog into the house; it was nowhere to be seen. That bothered me, but I couldn’t wait. I crept up to the house and saw the door to the root cellar placed just along one side of the house, probably going under the house. The hardest part was opening the door…they usually made a lot of noise.

I got the door open just a fraction and slipped inside…no dog. I cheered silently. It was really dark in these cellars, but then my hands made a great torch. The amount of food was amazing. Fruit from the last harvest, vegetables, cured meat; it was so much, my mouth water just thinking of the amount of food. I began putting what I wanted into the canvas sack. I was just about finished when I heard a noise from the door above.

“We know you’re in there.” There was a pause. “We’ve locked the door and are getting some of the men-folk from the neighbors…we’re tired of you stealin’ our food. Won’t happen no more.” It was a woman’s voice.

Should I talk? Seemed it wouldn’t make a difference at this point. “I ain’t been stealin’ your food…and I’m hungry.” Well, that was dumb. Of course I was stealing their food, and I was hungry. My shoulders slumped. “Can’t you just let me go?” I waited…nothing.

Several hours passed before I again heard a noise from above. I’d eaten about as much as I could and thought that at least I’d have a good meal before…whatever. The door opened and bright light steamed into the cellar. I wouldn’t move, they’d have to come down here to get me.

“Can you see ‘em?” It was a man’s voice.

“Nah…too dark.” Another man.

“You should go down, Hank.”

“Whyn’t you go down? It’s your cellar.” Hank replied. I saw a pitchfork waved in my direction.

“Yeah, well…just fine. I thought you was gonna help me, seen’ as how they been stealin’ food from both of us.” Isiah, the first man who spoke, peered into the cellar. “You comin’ up or do we have to come get ya?”

“I heard ‘em talk, Isiah. It sounded like a young girl.” The woman who spoke to me initially was talking to Isiah.

“Ain’t no young girl a wanderin’ about in these woods, Leona…now just shush a minute while I think.” Isiah took a step further into the cellar cautiously, waving the pitchfork slowly from side to side.

“We got the dogs tied up. Don’ wanna use ‘em unless you make us…” Isiah took another step. Without warning, the wooden log that was the step rolled from beneath his foot. The pitchfork flew through the air and impaled a beam missing my head by inches.

I crouched suddenly, my eyes wide and unblinking. Isiah fell, rolled down several steps and landed on his stomach. I could hear the man groan as he tried to move. Isiah slowly pushed himself from the cellar floor. “Gawd damn that hurts.” The man, Isiah, looked around then saw me crouched a few feet away. He waited, blinking quickly, his eyes adjusting to the gloom of the cellar.

“Well, I’ll be a dang burn idjit…it is a girl.”

[Sunset Fallow]

Caught
Part Two

We stared at each other for what seemed a very long time. Isiah slowly rose to stand, but bent so he could look at me on a level near my own. “Now, don’ you run…” He reached slowly toward me.

I backed away, and then crouched. Could I make it? Well, maybe. And I intended to try. I judged the distance between him and the stuff piled on either side and chose. I darted one way, then quickly jumped the other and ran past. I made it…up the stairs and…right into the arms of the other man.

“Gotcha” Hank held me tightly.

“Don’t hurt her, Hank. She’s just a young ‘un.” Leona was wringing her hands as I struggled in Hank’s grasp.

“Lemme go…I ain’t been stealin’ your ole food!” I stomped on hank’s foot and nearly broke free.

“Owwww…you little hooligan! Hold still.” Hank clasped his arms around my waist and lifted me from the ground. “Now, then…”

“Ya got her, Hank?” It was Isiah, finally making his way out of the cellar.

“Yeah. She’s a mean little thing, though. What ya think we should do with her?” Hank was holding me tightly, my struggling now confined to pushing on Hank’s arms and hands.

“Well, ya know we gotta turn her in. Can’t just set her free. Probably die out here in the cold…and even if she don’, she would just go back ta stealin’. Can’t have that.” Isiah was rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

“What? Turn me in? To who…? “I began struggling to get free again. I thumped the back of me head against Hank’s nose and heard a satisfying crunch.

Hank dropped me and grabbed at his nose as blood ran down his face and dripped onto the front of his shirt. “Gods damn you, girl….I aughta whoop you!” Hank said, although it came out more like he was talking through his nose as he held his hands to his face.

“Now…don’ you be foolish, girl. We just wanna help you.” Isiah was talking as Hank and Leona moved into a circle to catch me if I ran.

“You ain’t gonna turn me in to nobody.” I turned slowly one way then another, gauging my chances of darting between two of the three. I felt the heat in my hands warming, the hot flush of my face, feeling the desire as I imagined the fire creeping along my fingertips…burning, lustful. I wanted the fire. It rose in my mind before I saw it burst from my hands in lurid flames, dripping onto the ground, scorching all that it touched.

The flames erupted from my hands in bluish, yellow gouts that hissed and smoldered. Steam rose from quickly melting snow. The three that had surrounded me now fell back cowering. “She’s a god damn, demon!” Hank yelled as he picked up his pitchfork.

“NO, HANK…don’t…DON’T…!!” Isiah yelled. But hank drew back to throw….just before the fire lanced from my hands. It engulfed his body in yellow and blue flames, lapping hungrily at flesh and cloth. He screamed in agony as the flames burned through his clothing and ate away at his skin, exposing muscles and sinew that contracted violently from the furnace-like heat. Bones snapped as he lay convulsing grotesquely on the ground. His eyes and organs burst as skin and muscle parted, leaving his body horribly mutilated and twisted into an unrecognizable, writhing mass.

I stood watching in horror as the spectacle played out in grotesque detail. I didn’t understand…how was it that I…? I couldn’t look away from the man as he died horrifically before me. Finally, I saw Isiah and Leona slowly back away from me as I looked up at them.

“Please…take the food. Just…don’ hurt us.” Isiah raised one hand as he held Leona close.

“I’m sorry…he…I mean…I didn’t…” I looked back at the smoldering corpse that had once been a man.

“Oh God…” I turned and ran. Tears streaked my face. Eventually I stopped and vomited, panting, spittle dripping from my mouth. I took the snow from a place undisturbed on the ground and rubbed my face and hands until they were numb, then knelt, staring at the ground.

“Gods, Gods…please, don’t let me be a demon.”

[Sunset Fallow]

The Way North
Part One

The village of my birth, my mother’s village, now just a place I was leaving lay nestled in a small draw with a single road like a brown line drawn though fields of white. It had been my home for eleven years. But I couldn’t stay; not now. They were already looking for me. If I stayed, they’d catch me and then…well, even kids could be hanged, or for me…well, I didn’t know. Nothing pleasant I imagined.

I’d gathered as much food as I could in the few days since…then. My pack was full and I even had some warmer clothes that almost matched. And I had gloves and a hat. Nice hat…I smiled. I shouldered my pack and set off north. I remembered being told that the rest of this continent lay mostly north, so that was where I was headed. Slowly, anyway. I didn’t want to get into an area that was even colder than around here. Besides, I doubted I could go very fast and still avoid most people and villages.

I was getting fairly competent at surviving on my own, even as a child and a girl I did well. I had an advantage, of course. The fire was there for me…sometimes. It was still hard to control and was mostly confined to dancing around my hands. I hesitated to use it for several days except when I needed it desperately to stay warm. And I couldn’t make it do what I did…then. I still had to steal for my food, but I did what I had to do. I just had to make sure I wasn’t caught. Easier said than done.

I didn’t know what I was and had never heard of anybody who could do what I did, except in those few stories I had read about witches and devils and the like. Just stories, or so I hoped. Now I wondered. I didn’t feel like a demon or devil. And I didn’t have a tail or horns or none of that stuff…and I checked every so often just to make sure.

Still, I missed being with other kids and playing like I used to play. Carefree days and nights warm in my bed. And a mother who cooked and told me stories. I knew my mother had been having problems with the landlord. The landlord was…well, odd. He looked at my mom like he was looking at a Holiday feast. Just sick in the head, I thought. I worried sometimes when my mom didn’t come home till it was late. Then I started noticing the bruises and other marks. I was scared to ask, hoping it would all go away. But it didn’t, of course.

Then there came a day when my mom didn’t come home. I was scared. It took all the courage I had to go to the landlord’s big house on that hill and though those iron gates and up to the door. I asked and was summarily escorted off his property and told not to return. When they found her body a few days later, it only took the landlord a day to have me removed from the house. I knew what had happened, or at least what I thought had happened.

I watched as they buried my mom. There was no one except me and the gravediggers. After she was in the ground, I knelt on the grave and finally fell asleep there, lying atop that place where my only friend in the world lay beneath the cold ground.

“One day, mom…I promise.” I had whispered as I lay atop my mother’s grave.

[Sunset Fallow]

The Way North
Part Two

The winter months were not forgiving. I lost weight and barely survived that brutal time. I had no idea how to hunt and subsisted on what I could steal or forage, and there wasn’t much to forage in the winter. But I was determined not to beg for food or coin. I hated the towns and villages I came across, viewing everyone there as having no other thought than to imprison me for what I was…a demon. I avoided people except for the farms I came across, and that didn’t really count since I never talked to anyone.

It was better this way. I tried not to think about what I did, and how I did it. It still bothered me sometimes, more so when I would experiment with the fire. But if I never talked to anyone, never came close to another person, it couldn’t happen again. But I knew that eventually I’d have to talk to people. I couldn’t stay this way forever. Just like the seasons, things change.

And it was getting warmer. The nights were shorter and the days getting slightly longer. It wasn’t quite so cold at night and I found some days almost warm by comparison. I was also growing and found the clothes I had were becoming smaller…well, that’s how I thought of it. I looked at the pants and short heavy top and wondered just how it was that my arms and legs stuck out quite so far in such a short time. It’d only been about nine months since I began my walk north. Well, maybe I could go into a town. Just to get something proper, I thought. There was that one problem. I didn’t have any money…not even a copper piece. But summer wouldn’t last forever and I’d need better clothes for the next winter. I'd just have to get new clothes the same way I got food. I shrugged.

The town I came across was small, larger than the one where I had lived, but still small. I could see from on end to the other from the hill where I stood. I sat on that hill for nearly half the day just looking at the town. Well, I thought, either I go down there or spend another night up here just being stupid.

“Hello.”

I turned quickly to the voice. It was a young man, probably in his mid teens. He held a long staff and was dressed in some type of clothes that was draped over his shoulders and chest with a hole for his head and cinched with a rope at the waist. I stood and eyed him warily, ready to run.

“I’ve watched you look at that town now for nearly an hour.” He didn’t advance, but merely stood with that staff planted firmly next to him.

“So…I don’t like towns. So what?” I stood. I was tall for my age, especially now that I’d grown so quickly over the winter and spring months. The boy was of average height and build, and I was within a few inches of him. I was quite surprised. He looked at me appraisingly as I stood.

“Nothing…just wondered.” He smiled. “You’re younger than I thought, but tall, for a girl.”

“Oh…well.” I shrugged, not sure what to say. I decided to try a smile and found he responded quickly with another question.

“You from around here?” He took a step closer and stopped.

I doubted I could outrun him, but watched him closely. “No, south…long ways.”

“Ummm hummm…really long or short long?” He smiled again, perhaps teasing me.

“What’s that mean…short long? It was long, like days-walking-long.” I pursed my lips and smirked.

“Ummm hummm...” He laughed. “Look, I know most of the towns around here...so south huh?”

I nodded.

Well, there’s Two Forks and Southhill…let’s see, seven days walk is Browning, then Jarlen Flats. That’s a really small town.” He paused to look at me hoping for some recognition. “How long you been walking?”

“Nine months.” I never thought to lie. It wasn’t bragging or something I thought I should hide.

“Nine…months?” He leaned forward a little, then laughed. “Oh that’s good...really, nine months? That’s a good one.”

My eyes narrowed disliking being made fun of. “Yeah….nine months. And you can go away any time.” I turned to pick up my pack.

“Whoa…wait. I’m sorry. We don’t’ get many girls walking alone though here….specially…ummm” He hesitated sensing I might still leave.

“What…?” I shouldered my pack.

“Look, I was curious is all. I’m sorry. If you want, we have room at our table for another, and a place to sleep later. Ma and pa would be upset if I didn’t offer hospitality to you. So…” He held out a hand upturned. “Please.”

It was a hard decision, but I knew all along who would win the battle between my brain and my stomach. “Yeah, okay…one night. And I sleep outside…alone.”

“One night…and is a barn okay?” His smile was nice.

“Alone.” I reiterated.

“Alone, promise.” He motioned me to follow.

[Sunset Fallow]

The Way North
Part Three

They were talking about me, which was fairly obvious from the way both kept looking at me. I stood some distance away as the boy talked to his father, or who I thought was his father. The boy’s name was Alex…short for Alexander and he was fifteen years old. He had two brothers and a sister, all younger than him. He seemed very nice, and polite. I’d never been around anyone so polite. It was a little strange. The boy suddenly waved to me, motioning me closer.

“Sorry to keep you waiting…Crysari. Did I get it right?” The man, Alex’s father, smiled widely. “It’s not that we don’t want you at our table, Crysari, but we have to be careful about who we ask to join us. Our God favors the generous, but also advises care in our daily lives. I’m Thomas…Alex’s father.” He extended his hand toward me.

I jumped. “What?” I stared at his hand and then between the two of them as they both laughed.

“It’s a greeting. It means we’re friends, Crysari.” Alex smiled. “Just grasp his hand like this…” Alex took his father’s hand and gave it a firm shake. “And it should be sorta firm…well, anyway, if you can.” Alex held his hand out to me. “Like this…just grasp my hand like I did, you’ll see.”

I took his hand and squeezed and then felt him give it a little shake, just a slight up and down movement. Then he let go…quick and easy.

“So now we’re friends?” I looked between them.

“Well, beginning friends. Takes a while, but come on. I guess dinner’s waitin’ for us. You don’t want to be late or my brothers will eat everything.” Alex began to walk quickly towards their house.

“Slowly, Alex…she’s probably a little hesitant right now.” Thomas walked a few feet from my side, and slightly ahead of me.

“Oh, yeah…course.” Alex slowed and turned, walking backward talking the entire time. “She’s been walking for nine months, pa. Nine months…can you believe it? I bet she’s seen every town from here to the southern sea. I’d like to do that one day…see everything like that. A traveler…free as the wind. And she’s been alone the whole time, just living off the land…” He did talk a lot. More than anyone I’d ever known. It was nice, in an odd way.

“Now Alex…let her tell a thing or two. It’s her tale.” Thomas seemed a very patient man.

“I will, pa. There’s so much…Is eva feeling better?” Alex looked at me as he continued to walk. “Eva’s my sister. She’s the youngest. She’s been sick…throwin’ up all over and stuff. Been a couple days, now. You don’t know how to heal people, do you? People learn those kinda things when they live out in the woods. I read that somewhere. I read a lot. Not many books around so I have to get them anyplace I can.”

I began to smile. It’d been a long time since I smiled. I almost laughed, then I heard Thomas.

“Alex….slowly. Remember to let other people talk. Remember, you only learn when you listen.” I liked Thomas. And Alex. I could see that Thomas saw himself in Alex when he was younger. All the enthusiasm and energy.

Alex looked at his father slightly admonished. “Yes, father.” He was silent for a few moments after that.

We came to the door to their house and stopped. Thomas turned to me. “Welcome to our home, Crysari.”

I didn’t know quite what to say. Thank you seemed so little, but it was all I had. “Thank you.” I hoped I wasn’t making a mistake accepting their offer. I smiled a bit stoically and nodded. It’d been a long time since I was in a house. I felt embarrassed that I was so dirty and probably smelled. I sighed and went inside.

“Maaaaaa….company!” Alex yelled from the doorway. Thomas smiled.

“Come on in, Crysari…meet the rest and sit. Dinner’s waitin’.” Thomas walked in and held the door.

I peeked around the door and then walked into the main room of the house. It was big…really big. And there were a whole bunch of people just staring at me. I wanted to run.

[Sunset Fallow]

The Way North
Part Four

I pushed my plate forward a few inches, leaning back in the chair. “You’re a wonderful cook, Janna.” Janna was Thomas’s wife. “…a really nice meal. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Just simple fare.” Janna reached across the edge of the table to hold Thomas’s hand. “…and a family effort.” She smiled at Thomas.

I was the last to finish eating and saw that everyone waited on me. Most of the earlier conversation had centered on me and my travels. I didn’t mind explaining why I left, or what I had done to survive. I tried to avoid talking about how I stole the food I needed, and completely left out referring to the man I killed. I’d never forget it, but it probably wouldn’t have made a good impression on my hosts.

But something seemed odd about the family. They were polite to the point of being rigid and shallow. The children, Alex’s two brothers and his sister, Eva, sat quietly through the entire meal, talking very little and never once asked a question of me. Alex seemed as animated as ever, asking questions and talking almost incessantly.

I was about to thank them for the meal as a preamble to finding a place to sleep when Alex suddenly asked if he could walk me out to their barn. Neither Thomas nor Janna said anything as I looked around the table. I tried to be polite, stating I’d be fine on my own.

“Really, Alex…I’ll be okay.” I was a little disconcerted. The kids didn’t react at all, just staring straight ahead the entire time. Thomas and Janna just sat watching with a weirdly complacent smile.

“I’ll just show you to the barn and then leave. Like we promised.” Alex remarked quickly, rising from his chair.

I thanked Thomas and Janna for the meal and left, Alex close by my side. I thought Alex's parents might say something, but they just continued to watch silently as we left. We walked out to the barn with Alex talking the entire time. I almost fell, stumbling on a rock, but Alex caught me quickly. I could barely see, but he seemed to have no problems.

"Wow, ummm...thanks. That was close." He held my arm for a moment, but then let go as I continued on towards the barn.

“Sure. Hey, and thanks for eating with us.” Alex slowed even more, finally stopping as we neared the barn door.

“Your moms a good cook. Best meal in months.” I laughed at my own joke, though Alex only smiled.

“It’s been nice having you around…I was sorta hoping you might stay a couple of days.” Alex took a step closer, nearly pinning me against the side of the barn.

“I’ve only been here a few hours, Alex. Maybe we can talk tomorrow?” I tried moving sideways. He didn’t stop me so I took another step and opened the barn door. It was then I felt the oddest desire to turn back, to be with him. It passed quickly, and I could see that Alex watched me.

“Tomorrow…okay.” He watched me for a moment then simply turned. “Hope you sleep well.” Then he walked off. It was the oddest thing. The whole family was strange. I pulled the door shut and went into the barn. It was really dark. I caused a small flame to appear at the fingertips of my left hand. The barn was as I expected. There was a loft covering about a third of the space above and another opening from that second floor.

I had no intention of staying in that barn. If there really was something off about that family, they’d be watching the front of the barn. So, if I did leave it wasn’t going to be out the front. I climbed a ladder up to the loft. The window was easy enough to open, but it was a long way to the ground. I hung from the edge and dropped the remaining few feet, landing heavily with a muffled thump.

I moved off into the surrounding woods far enough that I could still see the barn but wouldn’t be easily found. I tried to sleep, but kept thinking of that family and Alex. Maybe I wasn’t accustomed to being around people and let my imagination get the better of me. No…they were weird. I bundled up in an old blanket and waited.

[Sunset Fallow]

The Way North
Part Five

I must have fallen to sleep when I heard the voice. It startled me at first because it seemed so close, but it came from near the barn. I could see a torch and someone holding it. The voice was Alex. I moved a little closer to watch.

Alex was standing near the front of the barn, but was facing toward the woods. The barn door was open. He knew I was gone.

“Crysari…we just want to talk.” Ha, I thought, ‘famous last words’ as my mom would say when she heard stuff like that. His family was standing behind him in a tight group unmoving. He called again.

“Crysari, come on out. I know you’re close…”

It was the oddest thing. The family never moved, never looked around. Alex took a step closer to the tree line holding the torch close to his face. I wondered at first, then I remembered. The reflection from my eyes…he’d see them if he looked right at me. I closed my eyes and ducked. Did he see me? I turned away and moved further into the woods. Alex was following. As he neared the tree line, I heard someone yell. I turned to look and saw two people fighting. It almost looked like Alex was fighting his father, Thomas. But, then something happened to Alex. It wasn’t Alex anymore.

I could hardly believe what I saw. Instead of Alex, in his place was a slightly larger person…or creature. This thing looked somewhat like Alex, but had large bat-like wings and a tail. It was mesmerizing watching them fight and I moved closer to see. Thomas’ wife and the three children seemed to be confused and began backing away.

Thomas had a blade somewhat longer than a dagger but short for a sword, and he was very good. I was quite surprised by just how good he was. The creature seemed to be losing and was bleeding from several cuts.

“You’ll die for what you did to her.” Thomas spun and kicked, landing a blow that dazed the creature for just a moment. Thomas lunged and swept his weapon quickly across the creature’s chest, cutting it deeply. The creature rose into the air on those large wings. It hovered, just out of reach…and laughed.

“I enjoyed your wife…she was really good. Too bad you’re so old, she could really use a young lover like me…oh wait. She did have me…more than once, I might add.” The thing laughed as it began to rise into the air. “We’ll meet again…one day; you, your wife and cute little daughter.”

I couldn’t stand how arrogant and egotistical the thing was. It seemed that all the fleeting desire that I once had was now turned to anger…and that anger turned to fire. It lit my hands instantly…then lanced out to strike the creature as it rose. Its wings lit like dry kindling, burning to ash in and instant. The creature fell, striking the ground hard. The fire had done more than burn its wings, though not as much as before, nor as much as the fall, apparently. But still the creature lived. Blood trickled from its mouth as it lay…laughing.

“Pitiful…a warlock.” It laughed again. Thomas moved up beside me. He grabbed the creature and pulled it to sitting with its head forced back, then drove that long knife from below its jaw into its mouth and through the top of its head.

With the death of the creature, the rest of Thomas’ family seemed to waken. Janna ran to Thomas, crying, falling into his arms. She was sobbing hysterically, but also managing to say over and over that she was sorry. I didn’t understand what happened. Eventually Thomas asked that I stay for the day as the sun was just beginning to rise. He said he could explain…things seemed better, now…and worse, in a sad way.

They had a spare room, he said, and it was mine till I decided to leave. We’d talk in the morning after a few hours’ sleep, if I could sleep, which I doubted. He said he had something for me; a gift for my help. I was pleased that having the fire wasn’t making him fear me, but I was also curious about what the creature had said of me…a warlock. What was that?

[Sunset Fallow]

An Alternative Route
Part One

Their family was much different than what I first knew. Janna was quiet and loving. She came to me after a time and thanked me for coming to their home. The children had little memory of the events and seemed none the worse for their experience. Thomas…well, Thomas was a leader, a forceful person and quite outspoken. He was upset that he had let this happen. But didn’t let what that thing tried to do to his family change what he felt for his wife. I was very impressed, and surprised…he was a good man.

Thomas explained that the creature was an incubus, a demon. I’d never heard of such a thing and listened patiently as he told of how it had first come to their family while he was away for a few days. It was a thing of lust and a desire to manipulate its prey, gradually draining them of their life. When he returned home, he found his wife and their children had fallen under its influence, a magical ability Thomas explained that made his wife think of Alex as their long lost first born son. Their children were simply subjugated to his will and became listless slaves.

The creature also cast spells on him…Thomas. Though the spells weren’t able to control him to the same extent, the influence the creature had over his wife and children made Thomas able to be manipulated. He explained that he was afraid for his wife and children; the creature could do anything, even walk them off a cliff, if he so desired. It made him obedient. I understood, and felt sorry for what he went through. I also knew that he was trying to justify letting this happen, that he felt guilty. It must have been a hard thing to watch as this ‘thing’ abused his family for days.

In the end, he explained, it was the creature’s ego that was its undoing. To hold so many under its will was a great burden, and when the creature began to turn its will toward me, it loosened its control of the others. Thomas said that the spells used to control him were never that powerful, but that the absolute power he had over his wife and children made him hesitate and strengthened the creatures hold over him. It took everything he had to finally attack the thing, and was only possible because of me.

Through all of Thomas’ explanation, I kept wondering about what the creature had said of me; ‘a warlock’. I finally asked Thomas about it. “The creature said something about me before it died…that I was a warlock.”

“Ahh, yes…quite the surprise.” Thomas rubbed his chin. “I know something of warlocks, not much. I used to travel with some people…a wanderer I guess you’d say.” He smiled then, looking at me with a slight nod. “A bit like you, older though.”

“Are they demons? Warlocks…are they?” I stared wide-eyed and anxious.

“Demons…no. They have powers but they’re not demons. What I know of them is just from what I’ve heard. I do know they can become quite powerful. Never wanted to meet one…well, I guess I can scratch that.” Thomas laughed and leaned back in his chair.

He continued after a pause. “So you don’t know?”

I shook my head. “I know I have fire, and sometimes it’ll jump out from me like last night.”

“Well, then. I might be able to help you. Not me, you understand, but I have someone from my wandering days who might. We’ll see.” Thomas patted his wife’s leg.

Janna glanced at her husband. “I need to be up and about. Would you like some breakfast, Crysari?”

“Ummm…yeah, please. If it’s not too much trouble.” I watched her get up from the chair. She wasn’t going to get over this easily. No one could. Just the thought of what happened to her…if it had happened to me, I don’t know. It’d be very hard.

We talked for a while longer, he and his wife sitting together as we ate. The children ran through the house like wild things and were finally told to go outside, for which they seemed more than grateful. Thomas and Janna remembered some of our conversation from the evening before, how I was homeless, orphaned and traveling on my own. Janna nudged her husband and he nodded finally as she gazed into his eyes.

“Stay for a while, Crysari. You can leave when you’d like…but we owe you and would like the chance to repay our debt.” Janna looked at me fondly.

It’d be good for them…something to focus on besides all the torment they’d endured. And it made me feel…well, no one had ever asked that I stay with them. Not that I’d given anyone that chance.

[Sunset Fallow]

An Alternate Route
Part Two

It was almost a month later that Thomas asked how I was doing. I was about to reply that I knew I’d overstayed my welcome and I’d be moving on when he said something that surprised me.

“Janna and I have been talking, Cici…” He'd begun using that name shortly after I arrived.

This must be really bad…or hard. I didn’t know which or what to expect. “Yeah….?”

It was very different than I what I imagined it would be like living with them. I was a twelve year old girl and I was treated like an adult, mostly. Or how I assumed an adult was treated. Maybe it was just different than when I was with my mother. That’s the only comparison I had and a lot had changed in the last year. Maybe it wasn’t so much how I was treated, but how I acted, and looked, of course.

“Well…it’s been good having you around. The help around the farm, Janna loves you…and I…” He stumbled over these last words.

“Is this about me being here?” I smiled and tried to make things less awkward.

“Ahhh, yeah…well, that’s the thing.” So this was the hard part. I didn’t expect it to be like this. I expected it to be all warm and fuzzy and I’d cry and he’d be all flustered. But nope; instead I get the ‘sorry…it’s not that we don’t love you, but….’ I stared at him and waited.

“Cici…” He was stymied. Maybe there was more or less…Gods. Just spit it out. Tell me to leave…whatever. This was killing me.

He continued. “The gift I promised, I want you to stay and so does Janna, but if I do this for you…it means you’ll leave.”

He looked at me like this was now my decision. Then it hit me…it was my decision. He wanted me to stay, Janna wanted me to stay, but he couldn’t lie or keep something from me that was important.

“So, you’re going to tell me?” I knew the answer.

“Yeah.” He said, finally.

I watched him for a moment, then moved closer and hugged him.

He sighed then held me at arm’s length. “I want you to meet a guy.”

“A guy? I’m not interested in guys…” My eyes flew wide. “NO!...I mean…I’m not interested in meeting your…well, damn!” Boy, did that come out wrong.

Thomas just laughed, thankfully. “Yeah…well this guy knows a woman. And this woman is a warlock…a very powerful warlock.” He held my gaze for a moment as if I should know what this all meant.

“Yeah, and…?” I had an idea of what he was saying, but the idea that I might be able to talk to someone, another warlock, it was too good to imagine.

“And, she might be able to teach you a lot about who you are and how to use those abilities of yours…you know, so you don’t get yourself all dead in the process.” He smiled at me comically.

Teach me…not just talk but actually take me in. “Really, Tom? She’d do that?”

Thomas nodded. “Yeah…I believe she might.”

“When...how? Do I ask her…where’s she live? Is it far? Gods…Summer’s almost gone.” I was really excited.

“Whoa…whoa. I said might. And yeah, summer’s almost gone.” He sat, motioning me to sit as well.

I tried to concentrate, but the thought of being able to find out what I was and have someone who would teach me….wow! I was excited, very excited.

“Now look…I have to talk to this guy before you talk to him. So, I’ll do that first. But, Crysari….it’s not a done deal.”

This was the warning part. I nodded in understanding. “Okay, I get it.”

“Good. I’ll talk to him in a few days. Then, if he agrees, he’ll talk to someone who can speak with this woman. I think she’s quite far away. But be patient. This kind of stuff takes time.” He was leaning forward in the chair and staring at me intently.

“Alright…and thanks.” I smiled at Tom knowing this wasn’t going to be as easy as he said. Nope. Even a twelve year old girl knew that.

[Sunset Fallow]

An Alternate Route
Part Three

Summer passed and leaves scattered the ground and filled the air in a myriad of swirling colors. Tom and I made our journey north a scant few days before the bitter onset of winter. Our meeting was brief with this man who possessed a rare and peculiar gift of talking over vast distances. All was arranged and our message sent to this warlock who I was hoping would teach me to control my fire. I was determined that I should be accepted by this mysterious woman who neither Tom nor the man to whom we spoke would name, only referring to her as ‘Mephit’.

It wasn’t long after we returned to our home that the day of my thirteenth birthday arrived and with it snow and freezing winds that howled about the house as if searching to gain entrance to our warm haven. I wandered into the greatroom that served as kitchen, dining and sitting area as all turned to me watching. The sleep clothes I wore were admittedly too small and the tiny shorts and a scanty top did little to hide my developing figure and slender form. I could see Tom lean toward his wife whose eyes never left mine, then watched as she smiled faintly and beckoned me closer.

“Come sit, Cici.” While Tom was discrete and steadfastly averted his gaze, the two boys looked at me unabashedly…I was perplexed.

“First…Happy Birthday, Sweetie.” Janna hugged me closely.

I returned her embrace as I wondered how she knew, then realized it was Tom to whom I had mentioned my upcoming Year Day.

“We have something for you…but first.” Janna rose, taking my hand. “Come with me.”

I rose and followed, looking back at the others. “But, ummm…breakfast…?”

“In a minute, Cici…” She turned to look at me, still walking towards their bedroom. “And I doubt anyone could eat with you sitting there.”

“Huh…” I followed, confused.

She led me into their room where she stood looking at me as if some specimen newly caught and pinned to wax. “I’ve seen the changes for weeks, months…and the boys have begun to notice as well. Though I know they’re young, men will be men.” She stepped forward and placed her hands on my hips. “Narrow.” Her hands rose to my chest and my eyes widened. “Deep breath…” I complied and took a deep breath.

“I’ll have something for you in a few days. For now…I have some old things that’ll do.” Janna pulled me to their bed. “Now sit, it’s time we had a girl talk.”

Janna told me things I was scared to mention and feared speaking about to anyone. Our talk brought us closer as she sat and hugged me and held my hand gradually ushering me into the realities of womanhood. She opened the gates and my questions gushed through in a flood. And she answered each one calmly; none too intimate and all explained without reference to magic or obscure reference to goblins or witches or myths to scare and intimidate.

I dressed in a pair of trousers and light buckskin shirt I thought too fine for everyday wear. My feet weren’t too big and fit in her old boots easily, nor too snug. We went back into the room where breakfast was waiting and everyone stood around the table. A small scroll sat at my usual place, neatly rolled and tied with a pink ribbon. I couldn’t help but look at it and then to those gathered around waiting anxiously.

“Happy Birthday, Cici” They all chimed together.

“Go on…open it.” It was Tom, giving a slight nod of his head towards the scroll and me.

Sliding the ribbon off, I unrolled the parchment. It read:

‘Accepted. Mephit will meet the girl at the place as we discussed.’

I could hardly breathe as I read the note over and over…finally smiling widely.

[Sunset Fallow]

Leaving
Part One

Winter was agonizing. I was bored. Where before there was the constant effort to survive, now I was left with sitting listlessly in front of a fire. One would think I would take the time to enjoy such comforts. But I couldn’t. The thought of waiting until the spring to travel north again to meet my supposed benefactor, my mentor, was driving me mad.

“When can I go?” I asked Tom again as we sat after the evening meal.

Tom looked at me, his gaze shifting from the fire blazing in the large open fireplace. “Again, Cici?” He took a breath and continued. “Spring…once the weather turns and the snows begin to clear from the lower elevations. We discussed this.”

Janna was busily darning some clothes in need of repair, but heard what was said. I could see the tiny smile.

“And when’s that gonna be…and why. I’ve walked through snow before.” A loud pop threw bright embers onto the hearth. There was a pause as Tom considered his answer. I knew…or thought I did. His concern for my safety was evident. He had assumed that role I always thought I had missed, but now found stifling.

He looked at me as if the questioned was asked and answered. "The day will come..no sooner, no later."

Tom had the location of this warlock. He wouldn’t tell me knowing I’d simply leave. It was frustrating. I’d tried every few days to find a way to get that information. I’d even threatened to go back to that man and ask myself, hoping that would finally convince him to tell me. Nothing. He even said I was welcome to try, but advised against it. The fellow lived in that remote area for a reason. Frustrating.

So, I waited. I still asked, occasionally. The answer was almost always the same. I say almost because that day did finally arrive. The suddenness of the spring thaw brought with it bright blue skies and swollen streams. Tom was sitting at the table with Janna and had a large pack on the floor at his side.

“It’s nice out.” I tried to start off with a different tact.

“That it is.” Tom looked across at Janna, slowly tapping the table absently.

I was about to continue when Janna started to cry. I didn’t know what to do. I stood there and couldn’t move. It was the most distressing thing I’d ever seen since my mom had died. Tom moved to her side and put an arm around her. He looked at me and I could see the pain. What had I done? I felt horrible.

He motioned with a nod to the pack. “That’s for you.”

“Me…is it…is it time?” I couldn’t believe it. I just stared at the pack as if it was something mystical. Then I understood. I was so dense.

Janna suddenly stood and rushed to me, wrapping her arms about me and crying silently. Tom only watched, finally taking a shaking breath. Janna wiped her eyes and held me at arm’s length. “Only a year and I feel I’m losing a child.” She smiled at me and I knew what I should say, what I wanted to say.

“I love you…both.” I could feel tears begin to gather.

I left the next day. It would take three to four months to reach the place on the map I now carried. I was excited, and very, very sad. I turned to look at my home from the top a hill, seeing two tiny dots standing next to a house…a place I would always remember; people who I would love forever.

[Sunset Fallow]

Leaving
Part Two

I couldn’t sleep. I had to move, to walk. I walked through the day, and then the night…one foot in front of the other, hardly seeing the ground, only the horizon, willing it closer. It was the next morning that my steps faltered, my eyes closing. There was a spot on the side of a hill facing into the morning sun. It was so warm. I’d only rest a moment…the sun easing the cold, soothing aching muscles.

I dropped my pack and sank to the ground. It was then I saw her standing silhouetted against the morning sun; her gown of some diaphanous material that shimmered as each fleeting gust of wind fought to wrap unseen arms about her body as if a series of ephemeral lovers.

She walked toward me; a sinuous saunter that made my heart pound. I could hear the soft crunch of the snow with each step, and see the gentle sway of hips atop long graceful legs.

“Don’t you recognize me?” Her voice, soft and melodious…pulling, pulling, like strings on my heart. I knew her voice. The woman stopped.

“Mom…?” But it couldn’t be. This woman couldn’t be my mother. The woman’s tail whipped around her leg, slithering seductively upward under her gown.

“I’ve come for you, Cici…” The woman held out her hand. “You know me…trust me, don’t you?”

“No…you’re lying. You’re not my mother…you’re one of those things.” I tried to back away, but found I couldn’t move.

It changed then, gigantic wings forming at its back and horns sprouting from it head, its face starkly beautiful and terrifying.

“Ahhh, but I know your father, Cici…he would help you. Help you with your fire. It was his gift to you.” She took a step closer.

She was so beautiful. I couldn’t look away. “My father’s gone…he left us.”

“Did he? Or was it that your mother sent him away. Didn’t she tell you? He pleaded to stay. He loved you more than anything.” The woman smiled. I felt my will slowly eroding, ebbing closer to failure.

“My father?” Why would my mother send him away? I stared at her blankly.

“Yes. He waits for you. You have only to touch my hand…he’s waiting.” She held out her hand. “He loves you so much…and misses his daughter.”

I tried to think, but everything seemed so confusing. Who was my father…who? Did my mother send him away? I didn’t remember. Did she say she sent him away? I looked up at the woman. “Who’s my father?”

The woman stood with her hand extended. I saw my hand reach for hers, watching as if it were a thing detached and moving of its own accord.

“NO!” I jerked my hand back. I saw her standing before me, still beautiful beyond anything or anyone I’d ever seen. But her vision no longer enthralled me…I knew her and her kind. The woman’s eyes narrowed as her hand dropped to her side.

“We have time, my sweet.” I felt the brief touch of her will again, then it faded as did she.

I opened my eyes to shadows. The sun sat at the horizon and cast the slowly darkening sky into a brief blazing orange.

What was she; a thing like the incubus? I could only guess. And was it true about my father? It couldn’t be…my father left. I remember now. My mother told me. But…it seemed so real. Why would she have sent my father away…and who was this who claimed to be my father? Who could have so much power to send another creature like that…for me?

[Sunset Fallow]

That Which Lives in a Dream

“They came for her…did you see?” She watched the other patiently. It was her place only to ask. They had been together more than either could remember.

The other didn’t turn, but stood, quietly in thought. “Yes, I saw.”

“What would you do?” She asked.

The other turned then, and walked slowly past, her gown of the finest material shimmered a silvery hue, nearly translucent. A trace of the lightest blue flashed in the fading light. “Nothing. It’s not my place.”

“Yet, I can see your concern…that she believes that thing...” She took a step forward, but hesitated.

“She’s strong…more than you know.” She took a step closer, placing a hand on her forearm.

“You’re so sure? Would you risk so much…?” She placed a hand over that of the other.

“I have faith in her.” She dropped her hand to her side.

“And he who carries your mantle to their world…” She stepped in closer, their bodies nearly touching.

“He must not interfere. The choice must be hers…or it is worthless.” She looked into her friend’s eyes.

“Will you punish him for all eternity for his mistake? His heart breaks.” She returned the other’s gaze.

“As does mine.” She whispered.”….as does mine.” She held her gaze steady, but there was a pain in her eyes that only her closest friend could see.

[Sunset Fallow]

Betwixt and Between
Part One

The vision of the woman still plagued me. Perhaps it was the guilt I felt…and it’s not what you think. No, far from that. I thought of this woman, her long legs and near perfect body and I knew I should hate her…but I didn’t. My mind said to run, but I didn’t want to run. I wanted to touch her. I reasoned it was the spell she cast. I was the victim, and she was the powerful seductress sent to tempt me. I knew the truth. I wanted her.

I awoke from that reverie on the edge of a town. I had slept the day in that dream of her as she talked of my father, and now had walked long into the night. The town was typical of those in this borderland. Fortified, but not so much to keep out a determined attack, but enough to keep out the wild animals and the occasional wandering idiot…like me. The gates on this side were closed and I expected if there was another, which I doubted, it would also be closed. I had no desire to argue away what was left of the night with a drunken guard, so I left that place to find my bed.

A small copse of trees provided some shelter from the wind and blowing snow. I built a hasty layer of boughs and wrapped my blankets around me. I sat for a while, eating a cold meal and thought of nothing. Nothing…I shivered and slowly felt sleep overtake me.

A fitful rest led to an early morning. I felt little need for human companionship so found a quick path around the town. It was a small place, no bigger than the tiny hamlet of my birth. I was walking parallel to the road, but avoided that worn path of mud filled ruts and half frozen muck when I heard the distant clatter of a wagon. Despite the horrid condition of the road, the single horse managed to outpace me along the road and I soon found it slowing to walk beside me.

The rider, bundled from head to toe, pulled down a scarf and called to me. “You out for a morning stroll…or could you use a ride?”

I stopped, and then the rider pulled up on the reins coming to a stop. I stood and watched a moment. It was a woman on the wagon, middle aged or near, as far as I could tell. She waited for my reply and when I didn’t say anything, she continued.

“It’d just be a short distance. I got some business in the next couple of towns; stay the night and then back tomorrow. Be nice to have another body to talk…’sides the horse.” She smiled then. I knew it’d accept.

“Yeah…” I nodded and ran over to the wagon, jumping over the mud to catch the side step. “In front…or the back?” I stopped, looking at her.

“In front…in front. Can’t very well talk to ya with ya all the way back there.” She stuck out her hand. Another one with that quaint greeting. I knew what to do this time. I grasped her hand and shook it with a strong grip.

“My…quite the hand ya got, there, girl. Names Lem. Clementine…but never liked that. So Lem’s just fine.” She smiled at me then. I liked her. “What should I be calling you?”

I smiled back. “Cici…and that’s short too.” I grinned wider and Lem shook the reins, chuckling. We reached the next town in a couple of hours and then the place where she was to stay the night just before sunset. She offered to let me stay in the wagon, which is where she would sleep after having the horse stabled.

I accepted and she rolled out a straw mattress. We stared up at the stars and talked a bit longer. I figured she must live alone, but probably not by choice. And I was right. She had a family some time ago. A husband and a daughter. I learned that both were gone now. Husband left…daughter taken by sickness. She was too old, she said, to try again.

I was going to tell her of my mother…and that my father had left too, but then she seemed very sad. I didn’t feel right bringing more sadness into her life. I probably shouldn’t have, but I held her hand till I fell asleep.