"Fire Moon" by Angela Perry

Kiara awoke in her chamber to the feel of a heavy, velveted paw on her chest. Instantly awake, she met the golden eyes of her mistress, Rorra, with some trepidation. Rorra said nothing. Removing her paw, the Usamah swept around and stalked through the doorway, tail swishing in agitation. Though hampered by the shackles on her ankles, Kiara wasted no time following her mistress into the vaulted hallway.

Already ahead of them, Jakobin shuffled along next his mistress, Marro. Marro paused as Kiara and Rorra entered the hallway.

:What do you think this portends, Rorra,: Marro growled, her white head turning to watch the approach of the other. :The elementals have never before dared come this close to our pridelands.:

:They grow bold,: agreed Rorra as she drew even with Marro. :But they know not that we have captured another Flamekeeper.:

Marro shook her whiskers. :Even so, the Rajah’s anger intensifies…:

The two lionesses, as Kiara still could not help thinking of them, bent their heads together and muttered in tones too soft for her to hear. It seemed an unnecessary precaution; Kiara still had difficulty understanding the snarling language of the Usamah. Jakobin, who had been taken prisoner some months before she had, comprehended the language well, but even if he managed to hear their secrets, he could share them with no one but Kiara.

Pale light sifted through the fissures that served as windows in the great stone fortress, caressing Jakobin as he slumped near his mistress. Kiara winced to see newly blistered burns on skin not protected by his draping red robes. His bald pate, singed free of his red hair months ago, held more luster than his once-green eyes.

“Jak,” Kiara whispered, though it was foolish to believe the Usamah would not hear. Just as the humans had been forced to learn the Usamah’s language, so had the great felines lowered themselves to learn the human language, once they realized human tongues could not manage the subtle growls of their own. But the Usamah were more tolerant of whispers than the normal “barking” of the humans, so Kiara kept her voice low.

“Jak,” she repeated, touching his arm. “Look, I think I can see our asteroid. There, by that bluish patch on Bellerophon.”

Warmed by its own internal fires, the moon the Usamah called home—named Hephaestus by the humans—orbited the great gas giant Bellerophon. Far from the system’s star, no sunlight reflected off the atmosphere to obscure Hephaestus’s skies. Instead, Bellerophon filled half the sky, its tortured storms twisting into browns and reds that imbued Hephaestus with reflected light. Tiny sparks of asteroids floated between the moon and the gas giant’s surface, visible to Kiara partly through longing rather than actual sight.

“It’s not our asteroid,” Jakobin muttered without even looking “We’ll never be able to go back.”

“Don’t give up hope,” Kiara pleaded, “I know they’ll find us. We’re family.”

Jakobin snorted. “Sure, the other miners will want to search for us. But do you think the corporate lackeys will allow that? They’re the reason we’re here in the first place. They’re heroes because they pushed beyond the limits of explored space. Imagine the bad PR when they release news that miners are disappearing.

“Besides,” Jakobin continued bitterly, “A survey of the nearby planets and moons for life-forms was ‘prohibitively expensive.’” His mocking tone echoed the manager’s words, from when he had briefed the miners on the new asteroid. “How much more expensive would it be to launch a search for us? You know it will never happen.”

Tearing her eyes away from the glabrous, grey husk of a man that had once been her friend, Kiara gave up trying to offer him comfort. Instead, she glanced through the fissure to the heavens again, blinking her eyes free of moisture. Hephaestus stretched away before her, sparse grass and twisted trees broken by black rock and fissures lit crimson from deep within. An ebony infinity liberally sprinkled with stars intercalated the area around the giant planet in the sky, obscured by low clouds near the horizon. A barren volcanic wasteland, it mirrored Kiara’s despair. The freedom of the asteroids had never seemed more distant.

:We dare not tarry.: At Rorra’s raised voice, Kiara wrenched her gaze from the forbidding landscape and the heavens above it. :Though the new Firekeeper is untested, we must answer the Rajah’s summons.:

:As you say, sister,: Marro growled reluctantly, :Though I still feel we are unready.:

:I sense great potential in this one,: Rorra reassured the other Usamah, curling around Kiara. :She has responded well to the training. Perhaps she will learn to embrace the Fire as the other has not.:

Marro glanced at Jakobin, who did not move or look up even when he became the subject of discussion. The Usamah sniffed.

:Perhaps.:

~*~

A fierce wind howled through jutting rock formations and whipped Kiara’s brown hair around her face as they raced toward the Prideseat, where the Rajah resided. Unwilling to hold their pace to a “crawl,” the Usamah had released their humans’ shackles and allowed them to ride on their backs.

Before permitting Kiara to mount, however, Rorra had made herself quite clear that unless she wanted a mouthful of black soil, Kiara had better not tug or grab her fur during the journey. She was expected to sit upright, arms at her side, using her legs to cling to her mistress’s back.

The Usamah cascaded toward their destination, their silent paws skimming over the ground. They had been traveling for hours, and Kiara’s tense limbs were beginning to cramp. She risked an envious glance at the pair loping beside them. Jakobin balanced with the same vacant disinterest that he showed everything of late; but then, he had traveled on Marro before to battle elementals. This was the first time Rorra had allowed Kiara outside the outpost fortress since her capture.

The semblance of freedom was intoxicating. Kiara inhaled the cool air tinged with the smell of wet ash. The scents gusted toward her from a rainstorm that swept toward them across the barren plains, the clouds reaching down to stroke the wounded earth. Rain was common on Hephaestus; the heat from the moon’s visceral inferno caused water to evaporate rapidly, forming heavy clouds that drenched the landscape in an eternal cycle.

Away from the boundaries of the war zone, the constant rain coaxed lush vegetation from the rich soil. By the time the Prideseat towers emerged on the horizon, thick yellow prairie grass rose to the Usamah’s shoulders, tickling Kiara’s legs beneath her robe. Herds of ruminants, reminiscent of ibexes, scattered at their approach, their curling horns bobbing above the fields as they bounded away. Kiara felt a tug on her soul watching the animals disappear into the grassy expanse, their flight unrestrained.

Before her longing could consume her, though, the prairies ended at the edge of a sharp ravine. The Usamah padded to a halt, and Kiara caught her breath as she gazed at the vista below. Dozens of feline figures, tiny from the distance, strolled among scattered lava domes of varying size. A swift river, architect of the ravine, tumbled along one side of the settlement, tossing spray to float as mist near its banks. A waterfall roared at the mouth of the ravine, framing iridescent obsidian spires.

:The Rajah’s palace,: Rorra murmured, her ears stiff with pride. :It took many turns for the stone-shapers to sing the mirror-rock into those forms. It is the only palace of its like among all the Prides.:

Marro seemed less absorbed by the sight.

:Off my back, slow one,: she commanded, rolling her shoulders irritably at Jakobin, :For all that you are small, your weight over great distances wears at my patience.:

Obligingly Jakobin slid off his mistress, who turned and began smoothing her fur with her black tongue. Kiara followed suit, though Rorra seemed not to notice. Her gold eyes never strayed from the shining pinnacles.

So quietly that Kiara almost did not hear her, Rorra sighed, :It is good to be reminded of why we endure the blasted lands, why we forever battle the flaming ones.:

Marro’s keen ears had no difficulty picking up Rorra’s comment.

:Though I wonder if we shall ever prevail,: she replied between tongue strokes. :The battle has lasted more generations than I can count.:

:But now we have the Firekeepers, Marro. The Starpriestess foresaw their role against the elementals.:

:And look how useful they have been so far. Two dead within minutes of their first battles. This male I have, nearly burned to a cinder each time he focuses the Flame. If not for the robes the Starprietsess conjured, these weak creatures would be ash before they even reached the battlefield.:

:I believe in the Starpriestess’s vision. She knew where to find them in the skies, did she not? Her words directed the shamans’ transport spell truly.:

Marro rolled her shoulders, settling the last of her fur into place.

:We shall see, Rorra. Right now, I wish to complete our journey. The Rajah should not be kept waiting.:

Rorra sniffed but did not argue further. Gesturing to the humans to follow, the Usamah began picking their way down the ravine wall, jumping between outcroppings and ledges. Kiara felt her hands begin to sweat. She glanced at Jakobin, who looked as nervous as she felt.

“How are we supposed to follow them,” Kiara whispered.

Jakobin shrugged wordlessly. Unable to even attempt the first leap, the two wavered on the edge of the ravine, their eyes on their mistresses.

Finally, Kiara called out, “Rorra, we cannot follow.”

Both Usamah glanced back, and Marro’s roar of irritation made Jakobin wince. The cats wasted no time in leaping back to the top of the ravine, their ruffs bristling.

:We cannot carry them on our backs,: Rorra growled, :With their pitiful balance, they would fall to their deaths.:

:Then we shall carry them like cubs by their robes,: Marro declared, her teeth bared. She grasped Jakobin roughly by the back of his robe and swung him over the lip of the ravine, ignoring his terrified shriek. Her voice sounded rather muffled as she asked, :You sincerely do not see the foolishness in using these creatures to win the war, sister?:

Her mouth full of Kiara’s robe, Rorra declined comment.

~*~

It was in this awkward position, hanging from the jaws of her mistress, that Kiara entered the Prideseat. Usamah clustered around the small procession, observing wide-eyed the creatures hanging from the warriors’ mouths. Kiara found herself staring back in amazement.

Until now, she had never seen a Usamah besides Rorra and Marro, with their white fur and golden eyes. The cats that crowded around her, their nostrils flared in curiosity, were far from the homogenous white beasts she had pictured. Black, white, and every shade of grey marked the Usamah, in patterns of stripes, spots, or whorls as well as solid colors. Their jewel-like eyes ranged through the spectrum, their unifying feature the brightness of the colors.

Cubs gamboled at the feet of the adults, peering out cautiously or bouncing toward the group, only to be yanked back by the tails and subjected to a warning growl. Glowing eyes peered from the shelter of deep cavities within the lava mounds. In many places, the purring songs of fire magic drifted from the openings, along with flickers of light as the inhabitants worked the Flame.

A bright glimmer caught Kiara’s attention, and she turned her head to catch her first glimpse of a male Usamah. He loomed above the surrounding females and cubs, keeping his distance from the newcomers, though his eyes followed their progress. His mane, which had drawn Kiara’s gaze, was composed of actual flames that blazed red-orange around his face. Kiara spotted only three more males in the crowd before they reached the palace, compared to the dozens of females that thronged the city.

On close inspection, the palace was a dome like those making up the city. Unlike the plain basalt or andesite of the other buildings, however, shining obsidian flowed from the ground to form the perfectly smooth palace dome, decorated with the spires Kiara had seen earlier. The doorway to the palace gaped enormously, three times as tall as Kiara and twice again as wide.

A contingent of female Usamah lying across the palace entrance surged to their feet as the group approached.

:Who approaches?: one of the guards demanded.

Rorra and Marro spit out their charges, who tumbled to the ground with grunts.

:We were…: Marro began, then coughed and licked lips dry from mouthing the robes. :We were summoned here by the Rajah from the western outpost. We are Marro and Rorra, warriors of the front lines.:

Marro’s tone made it clear that she considered her position far superior to palace guard. The guard did not fail to notice her insinuation, and she bared her teeth slightly.

:And these small red creatures? They are your pets, perhaps, to keep you entertained so far from civilization?:

:They are the business of your betters,: Marro glared, head high. :All you need know, kitten, is that they are of interest to the Rajah.:

Rorra moved up to stand beside Marro, joining her glare with her companion’s. The guard hesitated only a moment longer before moving aside and rolling on her back in submission. Rorra and Marro stalked past, tails lashing, leaving the humans to stumble after them under the baleful stares of the guards.

Kiara had thought herself adjusted to the dim light of Hephaestus and the even dimmer light preferred by the Usamah indoors. She realized her mistake as a turn in the corridor cut off all light from outside and plunged them into impenetrable darkness. Ahead, Kiara heard a muffled thump and a grunt from Jakobin as he walked into something. Stumbling to a halt, she steadied herself on the wall before reluctantly calling out.

“Rorra, I can’t see.”

Much to her surprise, Kiara was not subjected to another barrage of derision from Marro or growls of annoyance from Rorra.

:It is a safety of the palace,: Rorra’s voice echoed back through the darkness. :Magic in this hallway smothers all light but the Rajah’s mane. The elementals with their life fires cannot penetrate. Walk forward, Firekeeper, touching the wall. You will be safe, and soon we will have light again.:

Kiara did as Rorra bid, trailing her hand along the slippery rock. Her touch guided her around a second curve, and she could see again. Blue flame flickered near the rounded ceiling, catching rivers of sparks in the obsidian. Rorra and Marro were waiting in the corridor, ghostlike with the blue light playing over their fur. Moments later, Jakobin stumbled into the light to join them, his face pinched in fear.

:We go now to offer our report to the Rajah,: Rorra cautioned. :Do as we do, and do not meet his eyes. Do not approach unless he asks.:

:He may kill you in any event,: Marro added, :If he does not sanction our progress. But try not to offer yourselves up through stupidity.:

With their warnings hanging in the air, the Usamah preceded the humans down the corridor and into a seeming maze of inky mirrors. Kiara found her eyes drawn to her reflection. She looked bizarre in the blue-lit obsidian, her pallid face seeming to float disembodied above the robes. The blue light made the red robes appear black, which faded into the stone’s reflection. Her hair had grown since her capture, brushing her shoulders. Not that it mattered; it would all be burnt off soon enough.

At that thought, she glanced at Jakobin stumbling beside her. He had withdrawn into his robe until only the top of his head was discernible. He seemed intent on making himself invisible. Reaching out, Kiara laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. Jakobin met Kiara’s eyes, and the steely resolve in his face surprised her. She looked a question at him, but he shook his head and returned his gaze to his feet.

Another curve in the passage revealed a set of female Usamah crouched at attention in front of an archway. Like the guards in front of the palace, they leapt to meet the visitors. Unlike the previous meeting, however, Marro groveled, almost fawning, as she addressed the sentinels.

:We beg audience with his radiance, the Rajah,: she purred, bellying down to the floor.

Rorra imitated her, lashing the humans with her tail when they did not bow down quickly enough.

:You are expected.: The rich vibration of the sentinels’ voices sounded in unison. :Proceed into his light, grateful for the lives he has granted you.:

Without rising, Marro crept through the doorway, followed by Rorra. Kiara kept her head down, hands trembling as she crawled behind Rorra. The robe was awkward to negotiate on her knees, and her concentration was so focused on maneuvering without slipping that she nearly knelt on Rorra’s tail.

The Usamah had stopped and rolled onto their backs, exposing their bellies and necks to the towering figure in front of them. Hoping it was not too late, Kiara quickly rolled onto her back and closed her eyes. Strong breath tickled her cheek, then withdrew. When nothing else happened for several counts, Kiara dared to peek from beneath her lashes. Her breath stopped in her chest.

A massive, powerful Usamah that made Rorra and Marro seem small in comparison loomed above her. His mane crackled and leapt around his head, bathing Kiara in intense orange light. His eyes were brilliant orange as well, Kiara noticed, before she clenched her eyes, Rorra’s warning about not meeting his gaze echoing in her mind.

:Arise, daughters, and be welcome.: Kiara felt the Rajah’s voice rumble deep inside her.

The voice issued from someplace other than right above her head, so Kiara dared open her eyes again. Around the edges of the royal chamber, stone hollows filled with blue fire provided a flickering counterpoint to the red glow of the Rajah’s mane. The effect was overwhelming. Kiara she found herself cowering in Rorra’s shadow to avoid further scrutiny.

Marro and Rorra rolled onto their stomachs again but rose no further. Resonant purrs issued from their throats.

:Hail, Ruwar Majeru, Rajah and keeper of the Pride,: they intoned, though not quite in unison like the guards.

The Rajah bowed his stately head. Then, with the formalities complete, the Usamah seemed to relax. The Rajah stretched out on the floor between two flaming hollows and yawned widely. Marro and Rorra adjusted as well, shifting from their bellies to their sides.

:The shamans sent word that they had transported four Firekeepers from the stars,: the Rajah commented, eyes narrow. :Why are only two brought before me.:

:Our humblest apologies, your radiance,: Rorra murmured. :The other two are dead. Initially we did not realize that their hides could not resist fire. The touch of an elemental incinerated the first one.:

:We contacted the Starpriestess immediately,: Marro hurried to add. :She used her vision to learn how to conjure protective coverings for the Firekeepers, these robes you see here.:

The Rajah nodded. :And the second?:

:We did not imagine they would be so foolish as to run,:  Marro muttered. :The second tried to escape during a battle. The elemental we were battling commanded a firescreamer. When he abandoned the protection of Rorra’s and my fire shield, the robes alone could not save him from harm. He was destroyed.:

:But the two remaining,: Rorra broke in, :Are able to absorb and channel the Fire, even as the Starpriestess predicted. The male has proven his abilities in small skirmishes near our outpost. We have not yet tested the female in battle, but we have trained her and allowed her to practice on small fires. I believe she may even be able to embrace the Fire, which the male has been unable to do. And of course, both understand our language passably.:

:I am pleased.: The Rajah stood and padded over to Kiara again. She focused on the floor, trying to breathe calmly. :This male looks much stronger to me than that cringing female, though. What makes you judge the female more able?:

:With all respect, your radiance, that is the female,: Rorra corrected.

The Rajah rumbled deep in his throat. :The females have manes?:

:They both had manes when they were captured,: Marro explained, :But the male’s burnt away during the battles.:

The Rajah remained silent for several moments, examining Kiara. :Their manes are quite different from ours; captivating, I would say. When you take her into battle, it is my wish that you protect her mane, if possible. It enhances her appearance, which is otherwise repulsive.: Then he padded back to his place between the blue fires and settled onto his haunches.

:As I am certain you know,: the Rajah said solemnly, :The elementals have crossed the borders to the south. They devour fields and towns, bringing with them firescreamers and salamanders to lay waste to our Pridelands. I have never seen them so numerous. The shamans are unable to stop them, and now so many have perished that our ranks would be unable to stop them even if they had enough power.

:I agreed to the Starpriestess’s suggestion to capture these Firekeepers because her sight is full of truth. However, I did not intend for you to be our last line of defense. Sadly, you are. The battle is won in the elementals eyes; even now they forge their way north to the prideseat. They travel slowly, taking time to gorge themselves on the fat of the land, but they are inexorable unless you can stop them.:

Silence descended throughout the chamber, broken only by the occasional crackle of flame. Kiara felt numb. How were she and Jakobin supposed to stop an army, one that all the Usamah’s efforts, with all their magic brought to bear, had failed to defeat? They would die, needlessly and inevitably.

:Very well,: Rorra said, her voice grave. :We pledged to sacrifice all for the Pridelands. We leave at dawn.:

:Our hopes go with you,:  the Rajah sighed. His mane dimmed slightly as he closed his eyes.

~*~

At the Rajah’s behest, the four companions spent the night inside the palace. Dawn arrived too quickly, marked by the rise of Bellerophon over the horizon. The scent of smoke and ash wafted from the south, causing Rorra to wrinkle her nose as she inhaled the frigid morning air from the shadow of the obsidian spires.

:Mount up, Firekeepers,: Rorra commanded, her eyes focused on the southern ridge of the ravine. :I fear we have not far to go this morning. And cover your head, female; you heard the Rajah’s command.:

Kiara and Jakobin rode on the Usamah’s backs until they reached ravine wall, then submitted to being carried by mouth up the sharp incline. Huddled together on the high plains, the slaves and their mistresses stared toward the battlefront. A raging firestorm assaulted the distant prairies, the howling of the conflagration audible. Smoke billowed upward in columns, and bits of ash filtered over them, smudging red robes and white fur with dirty grey specks.

A single village stood between them and the advancing holocaust. The army appeared to be some distance from the dome houses, but the speed at which the flames rushed toward them was terrifying. At the sight, Rorra lifted her head and roared wordlessly to the skies.

:Come, sister,: Marro murmured, :Let us test these Firekeepers.:

~*~

The Usamah and humans reached the village at the same time as the fire elementals’ army. The inhabitants of the village, lulled by the slow progress of the army toward them until now, had delayed leaving their homes for the relative safety of the Prideseat. Taken unaware by the sudden rush of the elementals, Usamah dashed to and fro between the lava domes, crying for loved ones, seeking egress between the encircling flames.

A fire elemental, the first Kiara had seen, reared over the houses, turning one of the domes to glowing slag with a touch. Kiara focused with difficulty on its shifting shape: one moment a tree dripping flames towered over the village, the next a luminous bird swooped to consume a hapless Usamah. As she watched, the elemental shifted into an immense caricature of a human female. The creature had seen her.

:I can distinguish only one elemental among the flames,: Marro choked, her growl thick with smoke.

:This must be an advance raiding party,: Rorra replied, dropping low to avoid a gout of flame. :Two salamanders disappeared between those domes, and I believe the elemental is concealing a firescreamer behind it.:

:Quickly, join with me, sister,: Marro said, :We must raise our shields.:

Musical purring filled the air as the Usamah invoked the fire magic. A semi-transparent orange dome rose around them. The two humans crouched beneath the orange glow, pressed between the Usamah as they struggled to extend the shield over them all. Kiara clutched at Jakobin, her breathing shallow.

“Jak, what do we do,” she gasped, “I can’t remember. I…I can’t think in crowded places…”

Jakobin was breathing rapidly too, his eyes darting outside the shield. He seemed less nervous than excited, but at Kiara frantic grasp, he spoke softly to her.

“Take a breath Kiara. Good. And another. Stretch into Rorra’s mind like she showed you. Grasp the magic. Here, I’ll guide you. Feel the warm glow? There, let it into your mind. Okay. Good.”

Kiara felt calm returning as the fire energy flowed into her. The shield contracted slightly, but Rorra squeezed her eyes shut and it stabilized again.

“The Usamah can’t spare the energy or concentration to attack through the shield, Kiara. That is why they need you. Just remember your training and you’ll survive,” Jakobin reassured Kiara, his hand on her shoulder. “If that is what you choose.” His voice faltered and he turned away. “I’m sorry Kiara. I cannot wait for the impossible. I will be free, one way or another.”

His hand lingered a moment longer on her shoulder, then slipped to his side. Without another word, he dashed from the protection of the field and disappeared behind an intact lava dome. Kiara cried out, but he ignored her, peering around the dome’s edge to watch for pursuit.

The elemental had not overlooked the sudden movement. A roar sounded from behind the living column of flame, and the firescreamer appeared. It was small, about Kiara’s height, she noted vaguely. Except for the size, it resembled her idea of a dragon, with night-dark scales lit internally by a red glow. She had only an instant to observe it, though, because in one bound it trapped Jakobin against the dome. The creature opened its mouth and screamed. When the flames dissipated, the dome was a molten puddle, and Jakobin was gone.

Through the anguish in her mind, Kiara heard Marro roar, :Foolish creatures! Where do they think they can run?:

Pain lanced through Kiara’s leg, clearing her mind of grief. Rorra had sunk in her claws.

:I will not let you escape, my Firekeeper,: she warned, :It will only bring death to us all. We will battle with honor, as the Rajah commanded. Our people are at stake.:

            Anger crashed into Kiara, drowning the sorrow. “Our people? You killed three of my friends. You took me captive and fed me raw meat in a dark hole. You forced Jakobin into fire until his hair seared off and his flesh blistered. I hope you wither and die, every living creature on this vile moon!”

:I chose to save my people,: Rorra answered calmly. :This new generation of elementals chose to forsake the lands of their heritage, to consume ours. You heard the Rajah; you are our last choice.:

:Do not try to reason with this creature,: Marro snarled, :We do not have time. The Prideseat must be protected.: She sank her teeth into Kiara’s shoulder and shook her, ignoring her scream. :Now, channel the power as you were taught. Destroy the elemental and its beasts.:

Blindly, Kiara pulled the power from Rorra’s mind and forced it toward the elemental. Unfocused and lacking purpose, the power rebounded. Most of the energy dispersed on the shield, but the fire that remained inside the shield from Kiara’s cast scattered over them. The Usamah snarled as the flames licked at their sensitive muzzles.

:Cast with direction,: Rorra ordered, :Remember, you must surround them with your fire to cut off their air and smother them. Or try to absorb their energy to weaken them. Just throwing fire at them will have no effect.:

Her mind whirling, Kiara struggled to fight past the pain and terror. A small cry cut through the confusion and drew her blurred gaze. A tiny Usamah, with grey tufted ears and emerald eyes, darted into view. The two salamanders, enormous lizards with flames burning down the center of their back, pursued the little one, their red tongues flickering. The Usamah cried again and a distant roar answered, but it was far too late. The salamanders leapt upon the cub, tearing it to bits. Marro released Kiara’s shoulder to howl in sorrow, echoed by Rorra.

To her surprise, Kiara felt a lump form in her throat. Thoughts she did not want forced their way into her head. They are not free either. They are trapped by their enemies. Even as a slave, Jakobin had a choice. He chose his death, rather than wait for rescue. It was only a child. A baby. It wouldn’t have chosen death.

Kiara rose to her feet, unheeding as she exposed her upper body above the shield, her robes falling from her head to rest on her shoulders. She threw open her mind and embraced the violent energy that coursed around her. Wrenching power from wherever she touched it, unmindful of the source, Kiara enveloped the entire village in flame. Oxygen vanished, devoured by the voracious flames. The odor of sulfur and ash coaxed tears from her burning eyes. She felt her hair evaporate, the air sear her lungs, but she clenched her eyes and did not waver. A corner of her mind noticed the shield fall, the Usamah collapse as she drained their energy, but Kiara did not stop until she could feel no more power to absorb.

The whirling inferno around her abated, revealing the smoldering ruins of the village. Red-streaked lava and coal beds glimmered in the smoky darkness. Nothing moved. The elemental and its minions had vanished as if they had never been.

Cries of wounded Usamah as their companions dragged them to safety drifted across the plains to tickle Kiara’s ears, mingling with the sharp cracks and pops of overheated rock. Shallow breathing drew Kiara’s eyes to the Usamah who lay at her feet. Their asbestos-like fur had protected them from all but a few serious burns, though one of Rorra’s golden eyes would never again look upon the obsidian spires of the Prideseat.

Emotions battled within Kiara: relief, sorrow, joy, exhaustion. She allowed the last remnants of the fire energy to trickle from her, only to find that a glow had kindled within her own breast. Though she would have sworn her hair had burnt away, she sensed it tickle shoulders free of burns. She had embraced the Fire as Rorra hoped she would. Or the Fire had embraced her.

A rumble above signaled the breaking of a storm. As rain pattered down, producing wraiths of vapor, Kiara took several steps toward the south, into the heart of the extinct town. Other fires glowed in the distance, unquenched by the rain. Other battles to be fought.

Kiara stood tall, breathing in the cleansing scent of the rain as she watched the firelight dancing over the clouds. If only Jakobin had realized—there were all kinds of freedom.