Page 27 of The Anointed's Paladin

“So, it is dangerous? Even for you?”

I scratched the back of my neck. “Fire is always dangerous. You can’t get complacent. You have to be responsible to make sure it doesn’t get out of control.”

“It’s so pretty.” She sighed, staring into the flames.

I decided it would be best for everyone if I went over fire safety with her. “…and when you’re done, always pour water on it, or cover it with sand or dirt. Otherwise, it might stay burning and re-ignite.”

She nodded, staring at the flames. I wasn’t one-hundred-percent sure she’d listened.

I put down my heavy pack and rolled my shoulders, trying to loosen the ache that had settled into my bones. Taking off my gauntlets and chest plate, I attached them to my pack, in case we needed to make a quick getaway. I scrubbed the dust and specks of mud from my armour, polishing it so it shone again. Then I pulled the scrub brush from my pack and brushed off my boots. Next, it was my cloak’s turn.

Kaine watched lazily from the corner. “You missed a spot.”

I held the cloak up to the light, trying to see. I thought I’d actually got all the mud off. He chuckled and I blushed.

“Nothing wrong with wanting things clean,” I said.

He shrugged. “It’s a waste of time, mate. It’s just going to get dirty again tomorrow.”

“Sure, but at least it’s nicenow.”How did I explain the satisfaction of having everything clean, neatly laid out, ready for the next day?

I stood, stretching, and started towards the perimeter.

“What are you doing?” asked Nidori, sitting forward and tilting her head.

“Just going to do a loop of the camp. Helps to know the area, in case we have to make a quick exit.”

“Ah,” she said, beaming. “Very diligent of you.”

We settled in, pulling out some food and having some dinner. Nidori had grown some nuts. I was enjoying cracking the shells open one by one. I hadn’t camped with people in a long time. At least Nidori was delightful. Kaine was unsettling. He had vanished again. Perhaps one of these times, he wouldn’t come back. Or maybe he was here, invisible, just watching me.

“Can you tell us a story, Talon?” asked Nidori, coming over. She stuck her tongue out and grabbed my pants, vaulting herself up to sit on my lap.

I tensed, unsure of how to react. It was so rare that people touched me—not an accidental brush or shove, but justtouchedme because they wanted to. She had changed into an outfit made from twisting vines and moss. It clung to her generous curves, accenting her miniature figure. With her this close, I could get a really good look at her. She was beautiful, really, with creamy skin and forest green eyes. Her hair, in varying shades of brown, was made of wild curls and decorated with beads and flowers. The most non-human thing about her—besides her size and wings—was her long, goat-like ears. They looked soft and delicate, sticking out adorably from under her thick hair.

She settled down, getting comfortable and looking up at me, her green eyes glowing. I felt a swelling in my chest. She looked perfectly at ease, looking up at me as she rested against my torso.

“What kind of story?” I asked.

She crossed her arms. “I don’t know. I’m so curious about… everything. Life, proper life out here. Like, what kind of stories did you get told growing up?”

I scratched my chin. “My mother would start the old stories the same way.” I switched into my native language. “Listen, listen, listen, you children of sows. I will not repeat my words, so listen, lest you want to become the rabbit in the snare.” I chucked. “It roughly translates to, listen, listen, listen, you rascals, I’m only going to say this once, so pay attention. This may be the one thing that saves your ass in the future.”

Nidori nodded, face serious.

“Classic.” A bored voice came from above us. It seemed Kaine was listening from somewhere up in the trees. “Been a while since I heard that,” he said in enfernal but with an accent I’d never heard before.

I ignored him—he hadn’t really asked a question, and I was talking to Nidori.

“So,listen, listen, listen…”I began, just as my mother had.

“There was once a daughter of Mirilith who was called Thina. As with all Mirilith’s children, she was not quite mortal. But she fell in love with a mortal and begged her mother to change her lifespan to match her partner’s. Reluctantly, Mirilith agreed. She granted Thina her wish of true mortality. Thina was overjoyed, but her mother gave her one gift before she left. It was a crimson flame, encased in a simple glass orb.

‘This is my protection for you,’ said Mirilith. ‘But I hope you never have to use it. Stay safe, treasure of my heart.’

So, Thina went to live among mortals. Mirilith watched her daughter become vulnerable to time, disease, and death.

Though Thina was happy with her partner, the other mortals viewed her with suspicion. They called her a devil, a witch, and shunned her.

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