Born of fire

Prologue

They had all gathered around the massive wooden table on which played the small and touching flames of the candles. They seemed to dance sarcastically in the middle of the tension in the family, complementing the gloomy and aggressive atmosphere. Even Lazo, who had never come to these meetings, who had been anointed with disregard and seldom associated with anyone, was now willing to sit among the others. This, on the one hand, showed the seriousness of the situation, and on the other, irritated Christina more than anything, even more than her father's sharp and mentally limited behaviour. When Cole finally brought the large-scale maps of the area, he spread them out in the middle of the table, pinching the edges with some of the candlesticks. During this time, their grandfather, as always, took out his notebook ready to write down the whole story of the next meeting. Sometimes, though not too often, Christina even felt sorry for him. The man who had once been an important and capable ruler like his son was now a neglected secretary of his own cruel creation, and although his history was preserved, he was seen as an obsolete object. From the clan's point of view, the withered old men, despite their success, did not differ much from the old battered swords that were turned into kitchen knives and other household utensils. This was probably one of the reasons why the clan insisted so much on discipline, respect and strict upbringing. With the same thought, Christina explained to herself the fact that in the past there was a period in the middle of which many members of the clan preferred not to have children at all. Because of these people, a law was even created requiring everyone to have at least two children so that the number of those donated by the fire never decreased. However, before Christina once again doubted her father's claim that he was not one of the tricksters who deliberately had children in his later years and simply could not for a long time, she heard the loud voice of Cole who proudly announced the official beginning of the meeting gaining attention, short-lived silence, as well as some other mockery for his enthusiasm on side of their cousin Anna. Both Christina and Anna, and probably Lazo, could clearly see the motives behind their father's actions, but each was silent. Thus began the meeting. Christina was called to stand right next to her father's chair while Cole, who had already finished his work, sat down. As always, Christina just stands there like a statue, silent and often meeting the eyes of others. She did not tolerate this feeling, no matter how often it was suggested to her that it was right, and even a great honour. Personally, she could not see what an honour it was to be accepted and raised as, as Lazo once said, a trained and rewarding, spoiled wolf with an owner instead of a parent. However, Christina somehow managed to endure not only these meetings but in general all the time she was not alone because there was rarely anyone who did not look at her as the future weapon of the clan of the "legacy of the phoenix". Not for the first time, however, maybe because of most of the tension that had accumulated or maybe because of something else, she could not contain herself. When they got to the point where they were discussing in detail exactly how to kill as many of the rebels as possible, and because there were dubious times and a few civilians to fear and respect, Lazo called calmly, saying it was a little too much. All the attention and many evil glances fell on him, and he deftly managed to shift them with just one sentence -

"Before you scream at me and hit me - he turned to his father - why don't you ask Christina what she thinks about it. Maybe she could offer something better. Still, at least she's reasonable. "

Christina wasn't used to shifting the blame, but she felt Lazo's words as a compliment and an opportunity to finally speak out, defend her position, and express her opinion that these plans were a little bit too cruel. She failed to swallow her ego and thus set in motion not a dispute or discussion, but a fierce scandal.

"Shut up, Christina! This is none of your business!" - her father tried to stop her and she was actually ready to do it if her uncle Daniel had not protected her

"She has the right to speak, brother ... And I say that even though I don't think she's big enough to take responsibility for her words and actions ... Let her express her opinion and see that it doesn't really matter, after that I let you blame on me her next humiliating eruption."

And although she was briefly given the opportunity to continue for a short time, she found herself at a dead-end and soon asked and was gladly released to leave the room. Christina was in a very emotional state and frightened to know that nothing good would happen after the meeting was over, she locked herself in her room. Soon beyond the door, she heard her brother's voice.

"It's not over," Lazo began. "I'm just here to ask you how much longer you're going to wait before you actually run away. I mean, I know you, you're my little sister. I'm sure you often think about it, and who wouldn't. Everyone would like to run away from people like them and no one will judge you for that."

"Even if I want I can't..." 

"And why not? When else will you have such an opportunity?" - Lazo asked in his usual soft and calm voice and since he did not receive an answer he continued - "At the moment everyone is at the meeting, and because of such a responsible task about the rebels they are busy and quite distracted. Think about it. It will be harder for them to play on two fronts. And you know very well that otherwise, nothing will change..."

These words not only gave Christina hope but also gave her courage and determination. She left her room and, accompanied by Lazo, managed to get out without anyone knowing.

"Thank you," Christina said confusedly, standing in front of the last door she had to go through and staring frightenedly, but also dreamily, at the green and dark horizon.

"I hope the rebels take them down as they separate to look for you," Lazo said scornfully. "And don't forget that I'm going to suffer for this a lot."

These were the last words Christina heard as a family member. All the hatred she had felt over time now gave her the will to finally cross the line and give herself a meaning different from that of an object. She was ready to dive herself into the darkness of the freedom.