The Fire Within

She sat in silence, though the room was far from quiet. The tavern had been filling up steadily for the last hour as men ended their day looking for a strong drink and entertainment. She couldn’t see anyone, but she could hear them, shuffling around the room. She knew soon they would find their way to her. The thought made her hug herself tighter, they always found her. She had become content with her darkness preferring it to the their light. The footfalls grew closer, Then a loud sound of laughter as something caught the man’s eye and he wandered away, laughing. He would be back. She recognized his voice, Sergeant Jamison, he regularly frequented the tavern and always found his way to her. He was a balding drunk from the city guard. Long scraggly beard, hung over his steel chest plate. The tavern was a long way from the city barracks, in a somewhat questionable area of town, but he always made sure to have at least two of his men with him.

Her musing was brought to a sudden stop as a single footfall caught her ear, someone had stepped up to her table and seated themselves. A flash of light filled her cage like room on the table. She could see him staring at a solitary candle placed squarely in the center of the table. She was there too, but he could not see her. He tapped on the holder and looked around the candle. He was clearly new, young and lean with broad shoulders, early twenties, his short brown hair loose over his head, calloused hands.

‘A farmer?’ She thought. ‘How did he get here’

He picked up the candle and looked around it. A force pulled the candle back to the table, and he looked around the room confused, but could find no one to ask. The laughter of Jamison drowned out the room as he approached the kid, shadowed by two taller guards.

“If you don’t know how to use it boy, get away from it.” Jamison scowled from the front of the table, his laughter faded and was replaced but a grimace. The farmer fumbled to remove himself from the table. One of the guards behind Jamison moved to the bench and pulled the farmer from the table and tossed him to the ground. The room erupted into laughter as Jamison rolled his eyes and moved to seat himself.

“It’s just a candle, Sergeant?” The other guard said seating himself across from Jamison.

“Don’t make a fool of yourself too, Hopkins.” The other guard said returning from the door he had just thrown the farmer through. “Or I’ll have to remove you as well.”

“Calm yourself Jonesy. He’s never seen anything like this before. Pay attention kid.” Jamison said as the man named Jonesy sat beside Hopkins on the wooden bench. Jamison reached over and pulled a match from a small box.

She braced herself as he struck the match and moved it closer. The instant the flame met the wick, the area surrounding the candle was engulfed with flames, swirling and shifting in colors from bright reds and oranges to blues and whites. Her eyes opened inside the flames, bright and brilliant blue as her face pressed against an invisible barrier staring directly at Jamison. A shimmer of light passed in front of her eyes, a reminder that the barrier that kept her inside held another day.

‘Maybe tomorrow.’ She thought, like she did everyday. She pulled the fire in closer to her taking shape and pulling herself back to the candle. The wick lit, and she stood. Waiting.

“Wow. That’s amazing.” Hopkins said low under his breath, leaning in closer.

“That’s close enough boy.” Jonesy said, pulling Hopkins back.

She ignored them both, her eyes transfixed on Jamison. He was in charge, and the one most likely to be the one to hurt her. She waited for his command as he drank a long pull from his goblet.

“Dance!” He shouted slamming his goblet on the table, leaving spittles of ale trailing on his mouth. The table shook at the force of the goblet and she struggled to maintain her balance on the head of the wick. When she regained her footing she moved slowly to the music, she loved to dance, she was after all pure fire, dancing on the wind is what she did. She lifted her arms and shut them out as she danced around the head of the wick. She stopped suddenly as spittle of ale pierced her body and sizzled away. The shock of the cold liquid slicing through her, caught her off guard, it hurt, but it wouldn’t kill her. Slowly the fire melded together and she shifted back to the beat of the music, in front of her Jamison laughed as if the sight of her pain gave him pleasure. She spent the rest of the evening dodging liquids and being blown around by Jonesy as he found it amusing to antagonize her. When they finally left, an hour after the tavern closed up. She sat curled up in a ball on top of the wick, waiting, if she could cry, she was sure she could flood the tavern. As the tavern keepers wife walked around, she watched as each candle was extinguished one by one. When she finally reached her table, she threw her hands up in protest. But the woman never stopped, she lowered the hood over the candle. The little flame inside, struggled to breathe, fighting against the metal above her and the smoke below her. Eventually the light faded altogether and she tumbled from the wick, landing on the metal plate that the candle stood on. She gasped for air until she was alone again. Her head in her hands, her body shook as she tried the impossible, but tears never came.

Adrian Hamilton sat on the opposite side of the room, He had been at this tavern for a week now. His prey always frequented this type of establishment, dark, secluded, shady. This particular endeavor his prey was a murderer and thief by the name of Theodore Crawford, he was last seen fleeing in this direction after robbing an escorted payroll. Adrian had been in the area already turning in a previous bounty and was able to reach town first. This was the most likely spot for him to rest in his escape south. Adrian looked around the empty room, he should have arrived yesterday, if he rode straight through. One of the tavern girls, short, blonde with too much makeup, strutted over towards him. She put a hand on her hip as she moved between the tables He held up a hand and she stopped, a hurt expression crossed her face and she moved away. He took note of the first three men that staggered through the door. Regulars. They took up the same seats they did every day, and watched thirstily as the bartender filled goblets in front of them. Another entered stopping in the doorway and looking around, Tall, dark hair, deer skinned cloak, skinning knife at his waist and a bow over his shoulder. A trapper, they took note of each other, though the man at the door moved off towards the bar at the far end of the room, he never acknowledging Adrian. The next to enter followed the same process, Short, stocky dwarf, long red beard and elaborate ax in his hand. Adrian couldn’t quite place the occupation, adventurer probably, but again they took note of each other and the man moved away to the other end of the room. Adrian looked around his table, then held up a hand and motioned to the tavern girls. The shorter stocky wench that had approached earlier smiled and stood up. Adrian quickly shook his hand disapprovingly and pointed down the line to a taller dark haired wench who sat quietly alone at the end of the bench. The other girls looked at her as she too looked confused, but she stood anyways and carefully glided her way around the tables. She was younger than the rest, still to much makeup, but he needed someone.

“Do. Do you wanna have a good time, soldier?” She stumbled through.

Adrian place two pieces of silver on the table. “Bring us two ales.”

She stood there for a second, confused, but eventually reached down and took the silver. She walked away and she watched after her as she went. The doors opened again and three more men filed in. They took a table and immediately the tavern wenches swarmed them. His wench returned and placed the ales in front of him. He indicated the seat across from him and she sat down. As she did, he slid one of the ales towards her. She put her hand on it, sliding it closer, but didn’t take a drink.

“Are we going upstairs after the drink?” She asked confused.

He shook his head.

“Well if you aren’t trying to bed me, why am I here?”

Adrian placed a shiny gold coin on the table. “I am looking for a man.”

“We don’t have any of those kinds here, mister.”

A small smile betrayed his stoic expression. “I am looking for a man, he should be frequenting this tavern today. I stand out too much alone. One gold coin now, one more at the end of the night to make me less conspicuous.”

“Are you serious?” She said looking sceptical.

“Very.”

“Two gold.” She said slyly

“Are you serious?”

“Very, if you want my help for the night, I have to show that I worked tonight or I have to sleep outside tonight.” She said looking down into the goblet a sad expression on her face. It was something she remembered having to do to often.

“Two gold is more than any woman here will make in a night. It’s a good deal.” Adrian pressed, he wasn’t sure why he was negotiating, but something about her presence felt right.

“Says you.” She scowled and began to rise.

He sighed. “One now, two when it’s done.”

“Deal.” She said as she sat back down and raised her goblet. “Here’s to chance encounters and shrewd negotiating.”

He smiled and lifted his goblet, shaking his head slightly. They sat in silence for a few minutes before she spoke again.

“What’s your name?” She asked off hand.

“Adrian.” He was still watching the door, turned sideways in the bench.

“Well, Adrian, why are you here?”

“I am looking for someone. You don’t have to talk.” He said looking over at her for a second before turning back to the door.

“No I don’t have to but, if you wish to remain anonymous you are going to have to quit staring at that door. I can see the door just fine from here. Tell me who you are looking for.” She said pointedly. He was taken aback by her abruptness, so much so that he turned around in the booth and faced her. He wasn’t sure why but felt she might be right.

“All right then. He’s about your height, light, almost blonde hair. He’s been out of the run for the last week, so he’s probably covered in dust and weary. He should have three men with him.” He relayed to her looking squarely at her. Her face drained of color and she got quiet.

“The Crawford Bunch!” She said in a low shout. You are going after Ted Crawford, and you think they are stopping here?

“Keep your voice down. If we play this right, won’t be any scuffle any I will just disappear into the night.”

“You got that right, those boys are gonna kill you.” She rose to walk away. And he held out a hand across the table.

“If you are leaving, give me back the gold.” He said looking straight at her. His eyes were cold and uncaring. She opened her mouth to say something, then looked down at the clenched fist that housed the single gold coin. She needed the money bad, but she didn’t want to risk being killed. This seemed like such an easy night, she scolded herself for not knowing better. She sat back down on the bench and looked back at him.

“Fine, but you let me out of here before you go on and get yourself killed.” She said anger replacing her fear.

“Deal.”

“Good now tell me about yourself.” She said casually, a mischievous smile crossing her face.

“Why?” Adrian shot back, a confused expression lined his lips.

“So I know what to have the undertaker put on your grave stone.” She shot back instantly. He smiled in spite of himself, she had already buried him, but he was smart and had survived worse. They chatted for hours and he found himself paying less and less attention to the door. It wasn’t until she stuttered her words and looked at him that he realize they had entered the building.

“He’s here.” She said quietly, “But I only see three of them. No. Wait, he’s here too.” She said as the fourth member of the party entered the door behind Ted. Once they were together again they moved across the floor to one of the corner booths on the opposite side of the room. Immediately the tavern girls swarmed them, bringing skins of ale and wines.

“Good.” Adrian said leaning back against the wall.

“Good? How is this good. There is four of them. Now what?” She asked a little excitably.

“Now we wait. Let them get comfortable and relax a little.” A loud cackle from the other side of the room turned his attention back to the main floor as three town guards stood around a table watching men play cards. Adrian brought his eyes back to the table stopping momentarily at the Crawford’s table on the way. He was not the only one who had noticed the guards. Adrian pulled out a few pieces of silver and offered them over to her.

“Get us a few more drinks, wench we may be here a bit.”

“Caitlin.” She said a bit hurt as she stood.

“What’s that?” Adrian said looking back from the guards who had caught his attention again.

“My name is Caitlin. It’s not much, but it sounds better than wench.” She said moving off towards the bar. He had to admit it did. A loud cackle brought him back as the guards moved over to a booth and forced the occupants out.

‘These three are going to be a problem.’ Adrian thought to himself as he turned back to his empty goblet. He raised it to his lips looking for the last drop, but was disappointed as it was completely barren. She returned as he was setting the goblet down.

“The one on the end beside Ted is Samuel. Sam is Ted’s older brother, he likes the ladies and will most likely be the first to separate himself.”

Adrian nodded, impressed that she had uncovered this information in the time it took her to get drinks. “What about these three on the other side of the room?”

Caitlin followed his nodded and looked at the town guards. Her expression dropped. “Oh. They are regulars here, or at least the bald one is and his friend across from him. The other is new. Never seen him before, but they are as corrupt as the night is long. Don’t expect help from them, they won’t move from the pixie anyways.”

“Hm. That’s about what I thought. Wait. What pixie?” Adrian said confused.

“Henry, the tavern owner bought it off some wizard a few years back, he displays it on the table over there. Those guards come in every night and occupy the table. If it wasn’t for them being guards he would have had them removed. He charges extra to sit there with the pixie.” She said lifting her goblet.

“Interesting.”

“No. No, it’s not. Leave the pixie alone. I don’t mind it here and would rather not be forced out because you messed with the pixie.” She scolded him.

“Hm? Oh. I wasn’t. I was just thinking I’ve never seen a pixie before. There goes Sam.” He changed the subject back to his mission as watched a short energetic brunette leading the much taller, light haired, leather plated criminal towards the stairs.

“So what’s the plan?” She asked looking back to him anxiously.

“There isn’t one. I am going to wait about ten minutes, then I am going to walk over there and kill those two and take Ted out of here by force.” He said laying three gold coins on the table. “Thank you. As promised.”

She picked up the gold and rose from the table. He had overpaid, but she didn’t care. She had fulfilled her purpose. She walked back to the seat she had been in before stood looking at it for a second. She didn’t want to go back onto the floor, but she knew she was going to have to.

“I need a minute Martha.” Caitlin said to the tavern keepers wife and walked back into the kitchen. Martha nodded as she went past. Inside the doorway, she leaned against the wall and put her hands on her knees and inhaled deeply. ‘Am I really considering this?’

From out in the main room she heard a woman’s shriek, then very clearly Adrian’s voice. “Ted Crawford, you have a bounty on your head and I aim to collect.” Caitlin burst back through the door. The room had gone quiet, all eyes were fixed on Adrian, standing in front of the Crawford table. At his feet lay a spent bolt thrower, in his hand he held a second thrower fixed on the remaining man at the table. Directly in front of him was Sandra trying to remove herself from the now dead man at the center of the table. His head tipped backwards with a bolt protruding from his forehead.

“Do you have an idea.” Ted started, but Adrian interrupted.

“I don’t care, get up. Bounty doesn’t say you have to be alive, so I wouldn’t try anything fancy.”Adrian said, pulling his short sword from his sheath.

“You’re gonna die for that.” The other man said sliding off the bench slowly.

“Shut it Jim.” Ted called across the table to his friend.

“Yeah shut up Jim. You aren’t worth enough to take in.” Adrian said with a grin.

“There seems to be an issue here.” Adrian heard from behind him, more a statement than a matter of fact. Adrian turned his head slightly and caught sight of Sergeant Jameson, his two guards behind him with their swords drawn.

“Not at all Sergeant. I have everything under control. You can go back to your ales.” Adrian said calmly, This is what he was afraid of, local guards always liked to nose around in business that they couldn’t figure out was right under their noses.

Jameson’s face curled into a scowl. “Now I’m making it an issue. You just killed a man in the city limits. Criminal or not, We are going to have to take you to prison.”

It was a lie, and Adrian had been doing this for long enough to know that these men were after his bounty and if he went into the prison he would never be seen again. Adrian watched as the two guards moved in, pinching Adrian between the criminals and the guards. He heard the stomping before he saw the bow, Adrian knew Sam was rushing down the steps, he appeared around the corner and immediately launched an arrow.

Adrian knew it was coming and jumped quickly away from the guards, the arrow finding its victim landing squarely in the chest of the young guard. Adrian, turned and fired wildly from the floor, missing Sam completely, but slowing his descent down the stairs. Instantly the room erupted into chaos. Scores of people rushed from the building as swords flew to hands quickly. Sam paused on the step and pulled an arrow as Jim attacked Adrian. Ted turned to Jonesy who was moving towards the stairs and Sam. Jim was still drunk and weaving quite a bit as he lunged at Adrian, he side stepped and quickly stabbed him in the stomach, his light leather was good for riding, but not much against a sharp shortsword and his training. He used Jim’s body as a shield anticipating the next arrow. After it found its mark in Jim’s back, he watched as Jim melted to the ground, then moved towards Ted, but before he could reach him Jameson grabbed his arm and spun him back onto the main floor, he tripped and slided into several tables. Adrian knocked over the chairs and tossed one at his opponent before engaging him. Even drunk, Adrian had to admit this guard was much better than Jim. They clashed blades again and again, sliding and parrying around the floor. Adrian could see Sam on the stairs with an arrow notched waiting for a shot at Jonesy. He stood patiently waiting his chance. The brief glance away cost Adrian greatly as Jameson took the opportunity to land a punch to his jaw. He barely recovered in time to catch the incoming blade. Jameson pushed him until Adrian was bending over the table. He was losing and he wasn’t sure he could hold the blades for long, as he could see Jameson’s crazy eyes leaning down over top of him.

Release me

Adrian heard the words, but couldn’t place them as he focused on the sword growing dangerously close to his neck. He turned his head and found he was staring into deep blue eyes surrounded by fire.

Release me! He heard again, this time much more insistent. He released the sword with his free hand and grabbed at the candle. On the second try he picked it up by the waxy stem and tossed it at Jameson. The candle hit him square in the face causing him to stagger, a brief shimmer fading off the candle. Adrian used the opportunity to push him away. As he tumbled back his beard caught fire and he struggled to pat it out.

On the other side of the room, Ted managed to turn Jonesy towards Sam and he let the arrow fly. It struck Jonesy in the back, but instead of slowing him down, he became enraged and picked up Ted and tossed him as if he weighed nothing. Sam flew down the stairs, but didn’t see Caitlin kick a bench into his path. Sam hit the bench at full speed and toppled over it in a heap. Jonesy moved over to him and held his sword high preparing to drop it into the now unconscious Sam. Ted stood and weaved, his sword overly heavy in his hand. “Over here you big oaf.”

Jonesy turned towards him and smiled. He turned back and raised the sword high again, but when he brought it down it was in a slow confused motion. Standing beside him was Caitlin, pushing a dagger deep into his ribs. He stepped back and stumbled into the now open area that had once housed tables. He saw as the candle hit Jameson in the face and exploded. Instantly Jameson was engulfed in flames, her blue eyes inches from his face. The room was brighter than ever before and he screamed in agony, clawing at his face and body as she burned him. She stopped looking at him when he stopped screaming and caught sight of Jonesy. He collapsed to his knees and waited as she leaped from chair to table setting each a blaze as she went until she reached him. He never screamed as she tore at his clothes and skin.

Adrian was up and stumbling away from the fire as he tried to regain his footing. He coughed in spite of himself, and made his way across the room. He found Caitlin pulling at a now unconscious Ted. He grabbed Ted and tossed him over on his stomach. Lashed his hands together as the flames tore across the room. Adrian sheathed his sword and hoisted Ted over his shoulder. The Tavern was beginning to catch fire at an alarming rate and he knew they had to get out quickly. He looked once at the unconscious Sam and moved for the door. Caitlin followed behind him.

He moved around the flames, one step at a time. He kept an eye on the ground trying picking his steps. He stopped and looked over to the ball of flame consuming the body of the guard, then back to the candle laying on the ground.

“Pick that up!” He called to Caitlin indicating the candle.

“Why?”

“Just do it!” He yelled over the roar of the fire. She reached down and picked up the candle, she held it towards him and he reaches out. He looks at it once then holds it out towards the flames. “Hey!”

The flame stopped and shifts, she rolls off the man to stand on the wooden floor. She cocked her head to the side regarding him curiously.

“Do you want to get out of here? Or wait for them to put your flame out again?” Adrian shouted. She steps towards them cautiously.

Free me. Echos in the crackling flames.

“Let’s go!” He said shaking the candle at her. She bounced across the floor and furniture until she reached the candle, then in a flash disappeared into the wick and reemerged as a single low flame. Adrian handed the candle to Caitlin. “Here, take her, don’t let the flame die.”

The fire lessened in intensity with the elemental gone and they found it easier to reach the door. Outside the crowd was across the street watching, down the street he could hear the guards coming. Discreetly they slipped off to one side and found their way to the stables and his horse’s stall. Caitlin saddled Ted’s as well and what he could only determined was one of the now dead gang members. With Ted flopped over his horse like a sack of potatoes, Caitlin mounted the other horse, trying hard to keep her dress in place. Adrian handed her the candle and took the reins of Ted’s horse. The slipped into the night, working their way down unpopulated streets until they passed the night guards on watch. They were responsible for checking the riders arriving, not departing and didn’t pay them more than a second glance as they rode out into the darkness.