Fighting with Fire

The Beginning

Authors Note: Hey guys! Thanks for choosing to read my book Fighting With Fire. Keep in mind this is just a work in progress and if you see any grammatical errors please let me know.  Some sentences might not make sense to you, but I am open to suggestions for changes (in fact I encourage it!), if you want me to further clarify something that you don't quite understand just let me know and I will try my best to make that happen. One more thing, this is a complete work of fiction that I created, so any similarities to other works that you might find are not intentional and I apologize. So, without further ado, I hope you enjoy!

Dear Alessandra Abernathy of Perceaux,

I beg your pardon for contacting you on such short notice, but I was only recently made aware of your certain ability. I hate to surprise you like this, but your services are required in Blancathey. The Nexi have come by knowledge of yourself and specialty through a source that wishes not to be named. Furthermore, as a result of these times of war the Nexi are under extreme stress and could use your employment. Naturally, you and your residence will be paid handsomely, however, you would be living at the Nexi's estate until your services are deemed unnecessary. After analyzing your file on your living situation I would advise you to consider our generous offer and place it in your best interest to accept, but I'm sure you understand what would happen if you didn't.

I await your response,

Advisor to Nexus Perceaux, Euless Stratfeild III

Alessandra read and re-read the worn piece of parchment like she had been doing for the past few nights just before she went to sleep. She felt insulted. Alessandra was normally the type that wouldn't let words get under her skin, but this was too far even for her. Just because of that she had been putting off the day she had to respond for as long as possible. It was her fear that finally motivated her to pick up her pen. The Nexi... disliked when people kept them waiting. They seemed to always resort to violence when solving their issues. No wonder we are at war. It took approximately twenty seconds for her to draft her response.

Dear Advisor Euless Stratfeild III,

I have carefully read your letter and come to the conclusion that, as you said, it is in my best interest to accept your gracious offer. I am most pleased to be working with you.

cordially,

Alessandra Abernathy

She didn't mean for it to sound sarcastic, but who was she kidding anyways. Yes she did. It took two anxiety filled days for the Advisor to finally respond.

Dear Alessandra,

My dear girl, I am so very pleased to hear that you will be working with us. I have thus included a list of instructions on dates and times your pick-up and arrival will be scheduled for. There is also a list of items you are prohibited to bring along with you and an itinerary for your first few weeks at the estate. Pack lightly, everything you need will be provided for you.

I hope for your safe and swift arrival,

Euless Stratfeild III

After reading the letter, she pulled the other documents that were stuffed into the envelope out. A waft of ink and perfume flooded her nose. Alessandra suppressed a sneeze as to avoid waking up the others. She read the strange items that she was not allowed to bring with her to the estate— like plastic wrap or foil, and horses that are over eighteen hands tall like she had a horse in the first place— and did a once over of her itinerary, then carefully placed the papers on the bedside table. The light from the candle cast an eerie shadow on the wall. A shiver ran down her spine as a breeze blew through the open window.