(!) Destiny (!)

[micaylah]

Kia stopped in the clearing deep within the lush forest. She smiled as Kyra ran close to her stopping to chase her tail merrily. Kia laughed softly as she pulled the forest green hood of the traveling cloak from her head giving her hair a light fluff with her fingers as she began to set up camp for the night. Their journey had been long and Kia felt the weariness setting in on her as she gathered the rocks to make the ringlet to contain the fire. She placed the wood in formation and with flint in hand proceeded to light the fire. She rummaged through her pack and pulled out the cloth with the dried meat inside. Unfurling the bedroll, she sat atop it as she bit absently at the piece of dried meat within her hand. She thought on her journey but it was hard to plan anything out. Her way was marked more by feeling than a plan.

Kyra laid down next to Kia, rolling to her back as she playfully nudged at Kia’s hand. “I know girl. Here you go.” She handed the wolf a piece of the meat knowing full well the wolf would be out hunting her meal shortly. She merely favored the morsels given by Kia and the time she spent with her. Kia smiled, her hand reaching out to stroke the soft reddish brown fur of Kyra’s head. Without a thought, Kyra bounded off into the falling darkness. Kia settled down on her bedroll. The behavior was not strange for the wolf and she knew she would be close by. She pulled the staff closer to her as she pulled a blanket up over her shoulders. Her mind drifted to the sounds and feel of the forest around her as she entered into a light, almost meditative sleep.

[sheroknight]

The village and their vile whips were gone. What was left of the town was most likely nothing more than embers cooling at this point. Shero had regretted sending Flamie off on patrol now. The young girl was asleep, he was glad for that. The poor girl was by herself now. Shero had to find someone to take care of the little girl. He probably needed to find someone to take care of his wounds as well, but they didn't matter. He needed to find her some help and a home. He may have saved her, but not before she was hurt badly by those horrid slavers. "What's that..." Shero whispered to himself. There was a fire up ahead he could feel it.

Shero stumbled into the clearing coming upon a growling wolf and a sleeping girl around a fire. He must have been a pittiful site. His performers outfit tatterd and burnt, revealing his leather armor underneath, a large cut on his right arm, and a poor beaten and bloody little girl cradeled in his left arm. The poor girl, her red hair did little to hide the wounds she had recieved. "Help her..." Shero whispered before he fell to his knees holding the young girl carefully.

[micaylah]

Kia reached out, her eyes still closed, to still Kyra who had appeared as if from no where as the man approached and fell to his knees. She had to steel herself against the anguish of the girl and the pain of the man before she could act. She brought up the barriers that would allow her to function though she could still feel the muted agony of both.

Kia opened her eyes and rose slowly. She reached Kyra, letting her calm envelop her companion. The wolf backed off to lay by the fire. Her eyes holding firm on the man as he knelt holding the small girl.

Kia went forward and reached out her arms to the man as her voice spoke softly. “Let me see her.” She took the girl and laid her gently on the bedroll and gathered her pack. She appeared to be talking to the wolf beside her, handing her a small pail. Kyra took the pail and returned quickly with water from the nearby stream. Kia frowned as she looked at the girl then to the man. “What has happened to cause these wounds and your own?” she asked as she began to tear the hem on her long skirt making strips to clean the girls wounds. She placed a hand on the child’s forehead and whispered softly. “Sleep.” The girl retreated into the solace of slumber. Her breath becoming even and slow. Kia wet the cloth and cleaned the girls wounds then reached into a small pouch. She placed the salve upon all her wounds then laid hands on her. She closed her eyes, her hands warming as the soft golden glow began to erupt from her touch. Slowly, the wounds now cleaned and treated for infection, began to close and heal.

Kia turned her attention to the man. Her eyes taking in his wounds as she felt his concern for the child. “You’re hurt.” She said softly, her kind eyes taking in the large cut on his right arm. She was also quick to notice his performers garb and the leather armor underneath. Kia could feel that he was a dangerous man but she also felt no ill will toward her at the moment. She motioned to his arm. “The girl will sleep for the night. She will be fine now.” Her voice wavered slightly. Healing the girl;s extensive injuries had taken her weary body further into weariness but she would be fine.

[sheroknight]

"Just you worry about the girl, I've had worse injuries." Shero sat there and watched the young girl a while longer till he was satisfied she would be ok. "I can care for myself. The girl though... she will need a home... she will need someone to care for her..." Just looking at the girl brought back his memories of the past, memories of being forced into fires, beaten, whipped, forced to work until he could no longer stay awake to perfect his control of the flames, to perfect his immunity to the heat. "Just.... the girl..." It was the last he could manage before the world begin to slip away and he fell on his right side. Flamie..... where are you?

Flamie could feel something was wrong with Shero. The bond he had with him was strong. He had probably saved Shero all those years ago, and now something had happened to him. "Foolish idiot! What did he do this time!" Flamie rushed towards where he felt Shero's was. "He better not die this time!"

[micaylah]

Kia clutched at her chest as she felt the sudden influx of emotion, long buried within the man. She cried out as she watched the man fall into darkness. Her heart felt as if it were breaking and she could feel the protective spirit of a dragon rushing to him. Kia gathered her strength and moved to kneel beside the man. She turned him over softly, leaning down to listen and feel for his breath upon her cheek. Her long hair draped over him softly as a smile came to her face. He was breathing but she could feel the depth of his pain and hurt. Kia cleaned the cut on his arm then turned her attention to his burned and dirty clothing.

She apologized softly to the man, knowing he probably wouldn’t hear her and began to remove the tattered clothing from him. She noted several deep cuts as she took care not to cause him pain while she prepared the wounds and cleaned them. She closed her eyes as she slowly began to undo the leather armor protecting his chest. Slowly, she peeled it from him and went to her pack. She pulled out a clean blanket and laid it down next to the fire. She placed her hands, one on his arm, the other near his heart and closed her eyes. Kia felt the warmth flow from her as the golden glow again emitted from her entire body. His injuries were more extensive than she had thought. Kia took a deep breath as she felt his battered body slowly answering to her will. She fell to the ground beside him, breathing heavy as she willed her body back into action.

Kia rose and moved the man onto the clean blanket. She took a cup from her pack and dipped it into the pail. Taking a much needed drink before throwing the water out and refilling the cup, she turned her attention back to the man. She brushed the hair back from his face as she pulled the blanket around him to keep the night chill from him. Kia sat near his head, leaning against a rock as she felt the weariness and drain of her powers take hold of her. She would remain alert to guard her new wards against what ever evil had crossed their path. Kia pulled the wooden staff close as she looked out over the darkness. Kyra would alert her to any who tried to sneak up on them. “Rest easy friend.” She whispered soothingly to him.

[sheroknight]

It was the dream again. The memory of her just wouldn't leave him. Her dark curls and smiling face... He was only 16 then. The little girl... she couldn't have been older than 10 at the time but she was a saint to him. She loved the performance Shero and Flamie had put on and had snook in to the tent to tell them as much. That poor girl... he could clearly remember her face when she saw Himself and Flamie beaten and injured in their tent. She was so kind then, and did her best to treat their injuries with her small shaky hands... It was Raspiel! It was all his fault! How could he have hit that poor girl! How could he hurt Kira! That whip, that cursed whip!

"KIRA!" Shouted Shero, as the flames of the nearby fire erupted in a geyser of flames and sparks and slowly died down. Shero quickly looked about. She was safe the little girl was ok. Shero noticed he was partially undressed and his wounds treated. "I said to leave me be." Shero muttered.

[micaylah]

Kia jumped as the rising flames startled her. She rose to her feet, staff in hand, eyes darting around until she heard the man stirring and talking. She turned to face him, her eyes holding his with a wild ferocity at having been startled in such a way. Her chest heaved as she worked to regain her breath. “You said to tend the girl and I did. Once you passed out your obstinate lack of concern for yourself went out with you.” She sat back down, handing him the cup of water. “You’re welcome.” She told him softly as she held back the feelings that she felt pulsing around him with great force. She grimaced a little as she rubbed her temples softly.

[sheroknight]

Shero didn't notice it earlier... maybe it was the severe blood loss, but this girl looked so much like Kira would. "Perhaps... I should appologize." She couldn't possibly be Kira though. "I suppose I was a bit rude what is your name?" It just couldn't possibly be here, Kira... couldn't possibly have survived that day.... no one could have besides himself and Flamie.

[micaylah]

Kia softened her gaze on the man. “It’s alright.” She told him. “I know you were concerned for the child. My name is Kia, Kia Killae.” She looked back toward the child. “Who might you be and would this be your daughter?” she asked. She had to lay back against the rock as she felt her body beginning to waver.

[sheroknight]

"No... I don't know the young girl. She was a youn girl being sold into slavery. Me... I'm just a performer." Shero grinned at that. Just a performer, its been such a long while since he was just a performer. "Kia... Kira... no, its just a coincadince." Shero laid back down and sighed. "A very angry dragon may show up soon, a harmless one, but quite upset." Said Shero with a chuckle. It was then that he noticed she was paler than before. "More importantly are you ok?"

[micaylah]

Kia smiled weakly as she felt her body succumbing to the extensive use of power. "Fine," she told him as she looked toward the skies. "I have to prepare for your dragon. The strength of his feelings could..." she stopped and tried to rise to her feet. She wanted water, needed water. Her gait wavered as she told the man. "The least you can do is tell me your name." Her mind began to wander, not making sense of her surroundings. Unwilling to control the movements of her body any longer. "I used too much energy to heal..." she fell to the ground in a heap as her body finally gave out.

[sheroknight]

"By the first elemental!" Shero swore. He didn't know anything about healing and now the healer needed healing. Shero gingerly pulled himself up off the ground. "Shards! Flamie where are you when I need you." Shero mumbled. This just wasn't his day. He placed his hand against her head. She didn't have a fever, and she was still breathing. That had to at least be a good sign. He glanced over at the wolf, it was eyeing her fairly closely. "Hey fido, you got any water left in that bucket for your owner?" He grabbed a strip of cloth ripped from his old outfit, and poure some water on it and placed the damp cloth on her head. "Well that's the best I can do for you... Kira... no not Kira, Kia! Get it together."
The wolf started growl angrily.
"Oh what now he sho..." Shero stopped in mid sentance. It wasn't his friend Flamie aproaching that made the wolf growl, it was one of the slavers from the village. There he stood, holding a whip and a crossbow. How DARE he survive! The fire wreathed as Shero stared down the slaver. "You demon! I'll make you pay for what you did to us! I'll make you PAY!" With that the bolt was loosed. A moment before the bolt found its target it met a wall of solid flame. It was something that had never happend... the flame had become a solid, tangible thing. It was a curiosity, but not something that Shero puzzled over long. "WHAT ARE YOU! YOU DEMON!!!" Shouted the slaver as he backed up against the nearby tree in fear. Shero grinned, he would enjoy this, the slaver would be punished for what he had done. "I, heh. I am your punishment. I am WRATH!" with that shout the solid fire shattered with the shards flying into the slaver. He was pinned by shards of solid flame. The heat from the fires still burned him as they held him fast to the tree. "OH ELEMENTS NO! PLEASE NO!! SOMEONE SAVE ME PLEASE!!!!" cried the slaver as Shero began to slowly walk towards him.

[micaylah]

Kia felt the apprehension and ferocious protective spirit of Kyra pull her back into the present. She looked around, shielding her eyes from the flames that appeared all around her. She saw the man walking slowly toward another, pinned to a tree and seemingly by solid fire. She felt his fear but more than that, she felt what the man was, the atrocities that he had committed still held pleasure within his mind. Kia also felt the man that she had helped. She felt his rage but more. She felt justice within him. She drew on that rage, that feel of right exuding from him as strongly as the flames burning within the fire. She rose to her feet, steeling herself from some of the emotion and moved to overtake the man. She placed a hand on his shoulder as she brushed his mind gently. “Wait.” She bade him as she moved to the slaver pinned on the tree. “I have a gift for you to take as you journey to the next world.” She raised her hand to his head and placed one over his heart. The shards burned her but she held steady and firm. She released all of the feelings of torment, anguish, fear, despair. Every feeling he had caused in others, she let flood back into him through her. She released him as she began to falter again and moved back to sit next to the fire. “Finish what you started.” She said softly as she passed her ward.

[sheroknight]

Her words caught him off gaurd. This strange girl, she had a power about her that was subtle yet powerful. No matter whatever she had wished to do to the slaver had been done, she had loosed the leash from his neck, it was time to finish what he had started. This new ablity to create solid matter from flame afforded Shero... options...

Later that night there was little to speak of. The tree would most likely not recover, but the ash that remained would at least aid the growth of the forest. Shero sat down calmly, "Can you care for the young one? She needs a place of peace. I shall be leaving as soon as my dragon arives. There shall not be another of the scum to aproach you after this night."

[micaylah]

Kia rested quietly but raised her eyes to look at the man as he asked her if she could care for the child. Her strength now returned, she drew up and moved to her pack. She picked it up and threw it at his feet. “I live from that bag.” She waved her hand above her head. “The sky is my roof. The ground is my bed. I have no home, nor any place that I call home. I will not take your responsibility from you but I will help you to find her a loving home. When you saved her life you took responsibility for that life as surely as if you planted the seed from which she was born.” Kia moved to sit across from him, her eyes caught briefly in the mesmerizing dance of the flames upon the wood. “There is nothing as beautiful on this earth as the flames of a fire. Bringer of death. Giver of life.” She looked back at the man. “You still have not given me your name. Would you rather I name you?”

[sheroknight]

Shero grunted and grinned. This girl is just as bad as she was in living conditions. "Then we both are at an impasse. I am a heartless killer working to make war across the lands, you are a vagrant healer. Neither of us can care for a child, and it seems neither of us wishes to taker her to find a family ourselves. Perhaps I should just end both of your lives." Kyra's growl made Shero rethink his statement. "Sorry, the three of you." Shero looked up at the woman across from him. "If you must call me a name of your choosing than do so, but I shall at least grant you my first name. I am Shero. You shouldn't socialize with murderers you know." Shero grinned. "Though it would give a vagrant healer more work."

[micaylah]

Kia looked at him indignantly as he spoke of killing them. “I am no vagrant, nor an easy person to kill.” She looked taken back as he grinned at her. Kyra took a deep breath. “I will help you find the girl a home. I cannot care for her myself because I have a mission to fulfill.” She relaxed her posture as she moved closer to him so as not to wake the child. “You are not a heartless killer Shero. A heartless killer would have left the girl to the mercy of the slavers. I do not fear you. I have seen into your heart and your soul when I laid hands upon you. You are a killer, that I grant you, but you are not heartless.”

[sheroknight]

A mission? What could someone like her be doing out here? "I killed the slavers for my own reasons, they disgust me and my past. I did no such favors to the child, I did not spare her, she's doomed to war, a war that I will bring. I am nothing more than bringer of the flames of war. The war will spread and engulf this land and bring with it misery. Seem though that you are crazed and have some fascination with fire. Weren't you taught to be careful with fire?" The woman was at the very least intreging. What game does she play at?

[micaylah]

Kia shook her head as Shero appeared to rant and rave at times. She looked him in the eye as she spoke. “There will always be one war or another. One tyrant falls, another stands in the wings to take his place.” She knew she didn’t make sense at the moment but the feelings she felt within Shero was leaving her mind in a jumble. Finally he said the one thing that always helped her to control the feelings and emotions. Fire. She turned her eyes to his as a smile turned up the corners of her mouth slightly. Her eyes sparkled as she stared into the flames. “I love fire.” She said softly. “Such power and beauty. Life and death. It was while looking into the flames that I learned how to control my empathic ability. It was also through fire that I learned how to hone my healing ability. I have a mission.” Kia’s eyes continued to stare into the flames. “Not a mission so much as something pulling me forward. I have a purpose though I don’t know what it is. I only know that I must keep going until I find it.” She shook her head and returned her eyes to Shero. “Fire is both power and weakness. It can bring life as easily as it brings death. It is amazing and alive.” She took a breath. “Forgive me. I ramble. I must still be tired.”

[sheroknight]

She really is an interesting woman. He couldn't help but be drawn to her. Was it something to do with her close resemblance to Kira? "You are a witch you know that? You make one wonder if the flame draws the moth to it, or is the flame drawn to the moth?" Shero reached out and grabbed the bucket filled with what little water was left and splashed it into his face. "You make a man need to clear his mind." Shero said as he grinned.