Page 28 of A City of Flames

“And how do I change that?”

“You challenge it back,” I say. “You do something.”

At that, Link smiles, as do I, but his is one I’ve seen before where it shows deep in his eyes. He turns front on with it still lingering on his lips as my eyes scan the city and the uphill streets leading into districts. Then there’s movement—sharp and of reds and yellows up ahead of the Chrysos district.

“Did you see that?” I tap Link’s arm, squinting my eyes for anything strange to appear again.

“See what?” Link whispers in alarm, his body locking into place.

I focus through the darkness, any sound, anything to catch my eye, but... “Nothing.” My brows draw together as I step forward, tilting my body to the side. “I’m just going to check it out. Do you want to come?”

“Um—I—” He shakes his head, downcast, and I nod in silence, understanding him.

Leaving Link behind, I take off past the central and other trainees patrolling. I think of Freya for a moment as I enter the narrow paths of Chrysos. How even though I’d insisted once we’d left the barracks that I switch with her, she still declined. She’s strong. I know from the way she trains she can withstand anything.

My footsteps echo the empty paths. Wooden panels cover the windows of the townhouses and stores Freya had said contained all the highly tailored clothes and jewels.

I slow down when I see no sign of anything and look to my left at the tawny-colored walls decorated in swirls of paintings—most of the sun and moon in different versions, representing Solaris and Crello.

We don’t have much of this back at the village. It is all breathtaking artwork. Illias would adore it. Once I see my brothers, I’ll tell them of this, of the beauty that is the city.

Craning my neck, I gaze at each piece, then one of gold paint, sparkling like gemstones flowing down from a pair of hands onto the continent of Zerathion. Two other hands, holding Solaris’s arms, emit silver spirals of power.

My hand reaches out to it before a quick shuffle from the corner of my eye makes me jerk to attention.

I touch the blades across my thigh and stay alert, staring into nothingness.

But another patter of feet behind me causes me to whip around with squinched eyes when I don’t see anything.

What the—

Patter, patter, patter.

I turn again. This time my gaze falls to the ground as a creature no less than two feet tall rocks on its tiny round trotters. I can’t see any legs as a coating of thick orange fur lines its plump body, darkening into redder tones at the neck—if it even has one—and rounded large ears.

“Hello, Miss!” His wide, glossy black eyes blink twice, practically taking up half his face.

I frown, not knowing what to make of this. “You talk?” I had not seen a creature of his kind before, though pixies, goblins, and all sorts speak, this one is new to me.

“My friend taught me!” He grins, revealing small fangs, but it falters in a fit of nerves as he notices all my blades sheathed at my thigh and the venator symbol on the attire. “He also told me not to talk to ven—venny—veh—” He stumbles backward, panic struck and unable to pronounce the name. I advance intending to catch it. My mind is fiercely intrigued by a creature I’ve never seen before, but as I near him, he dashes in a waddle-like run.

For the love of Solaris and Crello.

I yell after the creature, racing down the street as it makes a right turn towards more Jeweler stores. He’s fast on his feet. I’ll give him that.

Reaching that bend, I watch the creature make a dip into another road where it’s a dead-end. I grin as I follow and corner him.

He whimpers, staring at the four walls. As he faces me, he tucks himself in, forming a ball where I can only see bright orange fur. I pause, narrowing my eyes, unsure of whether I should react or not as the creature starts rolling around.

“You are murderers, murderers, murderers!” He growls, but it sounds like baby’s gurgle as he goes in-between my boots. “My friend won’t like you wanting to murder me!”

Alright, that’s enough. My eyes follow the creature whirling in circular motions before I slam my hand down as it tries to scurry away. I grasp onto his back, and unlike most animals, his hair is soft and plush, comforting like a blanket.

Unfolding from his cocoon, I bring him eye-level as he swats his arms and paws around, like he wants to hit me. My face twists, glancing at the top part of his head where leaf-like flames appear out of nowhere, fluttering upwards. “What... are you?” I ask, but he doesn’t answer. He blinks those round black eyes and, with such speed, escapes my grip, scattering up my arm. He tugs at my braid, jerking me back as he slides down from it and rushes past me.

Scowling, I jog out of the dead end, but the creature’s long gone. I groan at his escape. I needn’t have bothered in the first place, but the thrill of trapping still looks to entice me.

I shake my head. I know I wanted to go with Lorcan and the others into the forests just outside the city to help trap or kill whatever dragon lurked. This creature is the closest to an adventure I could have gotten so far—

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