From Embers

6 - Adding Fuel To Fire

The sound of metal soles clanging against the stone floor bounced off the walls. A heavy door was shoved open, slamming behind Rhistel as she started to pace around her room; hands shaking slightly causing ash from her cigarette to fall onto her shoe. Taking several long drags she inhaled the well-needed nicotine and let it out through her nose. Her pointed features contorted from the rage bubbling inside her.

"Ye cannae throw a fit like tha' because the meetin' didn't go your way, Rhistel," a soft voice came from the door.

Taking another long drag, the elf flicked the smoking butt out the window. "Those daft high mages would rather have the world destroyed than adopt any new way of thinkin'." She stared at the small flame dancing at the end of her finger while she lit another cigarette. The Scottish twang in her accent and chronic smoking habit made her voice raspy. "Frustratin' bampots."

Her twin raised her hand, and a hissing sound came from the cigarette as water doused it. "Those will kill ye."

"Good. A'd rather pass on in peace then see the wreck of a world we'll be stuck in soon." Rhistel reached for another, but her sister grabbed the box out of her hand. "Alanis, hand those back. No donnae ye dare-"

The box was handed back before she could finish her sentence. Rhistel sadly looked down as she pulled out a soaking wet smoke. "Ye suck. That was my last pack."

Alanis pulled the pins out of her hair, shaking her head as her light blue hair untwisted from its tight bun. Unclasping her bodice the mage-in-training walked around the once beautiful velvet couch her twin had burned many times over the last week in fits of anger. Rhistel grumbled under her breath as she too changed out of her formal clothes.

"Ye must attend dinner today, Daeron is no' pleased that ye haven't tried mingling with the officials. A'll called for the meetin' must be in attendance when Sir Madin arrives at Tanvell."

"Daeron can take that dinner invitation and shove it up his ancient flabby -"

Alanis cut her off, "Dinner starts at sundown."

Rhistel sighed while reaching for her cigarette box, her gut heating up looking at her destroyed smokes. Flames started to spark in her hands. "Am going to train. Don't expect me for dinner."

"Okay, but that's exactly what Daeron is expecting you tae do," said Alanis, not hiding the smug expression on her face.

Taking deep breaths in, Rhistel gripped her skull; the pale blue stubble growing over her baldhead itching her hands. Looking over at her identical twin she wished, not for the first time, that Alanis didn't know how to manipulate her so well. "A refuse tae dress up." Rhistel slammed the door behind her.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

The arrow hit bulls-eye almost every time. Training had always helped Rhistel collect her thoughts, even as a child. She'd had less control over her firepower back then and often set furniture alight when a fit of anger took over her. But today, it wasn't helping. The nicotine made her heart pound and head spin. Holding her breath Rhistel narrowed her eyes, muscles tightening as she pulled back on the tense string. Breathing out, she loosed the arrow towards the small red circle. It missed.

A loud twang echoed in the courtyard, and wisps of smoke caught her gaze. The wooden bow was glowing with embers; its string snapped from the heat. She threw the weapon to the ground, its fiery glow extinguishing as it slipped from her fingers. Wet drops slipped down her cheeks. Confused, she wiped them away. Knowing she wasn't crying, Rhistel held out a hand as several more drops fell. The sky opened up and let out the pent-up tears it had been collecting. It poured, soaking everything – except the elf. Small puffs of steam floated from her body as the falling water tried to touch her; evaporating every time it came close.

The stone gargoyle statues sat upon the castle ledges turned a dark grey as water ran down them. Perched high above, their unmoving eyes watched the elf make little effort to escape the rain.

Walking slowly, Rhistel observed the rain drip down leaves and soak into the dirt. She did not focus on where her feet were taking her. Having spent half her life in Tanvell castle training for the elven royal guard, Rhistel could track any suspect through its streets - blindfolded.

It had been raining too when her acceptance letter for the Royal Guard Academy arrived. Her mother's hands had been shaking as she handed the document to her twins. The pride in her father's eyes was almost more satisfying than the letter itself to Rhistel. She read it's curling letters a hundred times before it truly sunk in. The paper still hung in the living room of her parent's house; scorched fingerprints marring its edges. Her sister's hung beside it; its ink smeared from water damage.

Exiting the training grounds Rhistel passed the front gates. Her eyes followed the familiar Celtic ruins etched into its natural grooves. Although the rain did not touch her, the wind still made her bones ache with cold, forcing her to wrap her arms tight for warmth. She'd only just turned the corner when her ears twitched. She could hear the sounds of horses nearby, and the dull mumble of talking. Curious, Rhistel turned back. The door handle felt colder against her skin due to her increased body temperature. The hissing sound of water evaporating against her was getting louder as it rained harder.

An odd group stood before her. Vampires traveling with what seemed like a human were trying to gain entrance. The eldest vampire took a step towards the flickering flame next to the guard. Although she'd only met him as a child, Rhistel knew who'd arrived.

"Stand down, ye ninny. Ye're abou' tae raise a weapon tae Sir Madin, the last knight of the Old and creator of the New." Rhistel made her presence known.

No one listened to the guard's anxiety-riddled apology as the elf led the soaking group inside. Like clockwork, helper elves appeared out of what seemed like nowhere. Covering the travelers with umbrellas and handing them towels, the elves guided them inside. All fawned over the Madins, except Rhistel. Sensing her sister approaching, Rhistel turned to see Alanis' eyes wide.

"Is tha' what a think it is?" Alanis whispered.

The two stared at Jai-Jai. Neither twin had ever met a full-blooded human before and found her behavior interesting. In school, all magical beings were taught the history of when humans dominated overall. How they'd polluted the earth, strangling it slowly with toxins. A cursed world of science, her teacher had nicknamed it.

It had always perplexed the twins how the humans had rejected the idea of magic. It pulsed through the core of everything - the DNA of the world. When the Old World crumbled the non-magical fools did not want to share the same air with any magic wielder. Rejecting what they feared most, humans tunneled underground.

The twins watched the human try to make herself blend into the background, avoiding speaking to any who did approach her. Her movements were near robotic; never making eye contact with anyone that she didn't have to.

"A heard humans were full of emotions," Alanis said aloud to no one in particular, "why donnae she have any?"

Rolling her eyes Rhistel looked at her sister. "What did ye expect? She'd be beaming smiles or just pourin' her eyes out at everythin'?"

"Maybe."

"Ye're a wee idiot."

Alanis retorted, "Am taller."

"By nae a centimeter," Rhistel emphasized her point by pinching her fingers really close together.

"Still counts."

"Shut up."

The two continued to bicker as they walked away. Although the aura of the two was peaceful, the dark business of the morrow lingered in the back of their minds.