Soul Fire

By Penelope Alice

In this village, breaking the laws brings swift death in the wake of night. The community lives in careful balance, each person has their place, and every rule is obeyed. Except for Luna, an outcast girl who does not behave as she should. They call her ‘freak’ because she does not keep to her place. She is different: an outlier.

When monsters emerge, filling the nights with horror and shadows, terror spirals through the village. But Luna sees a chance amidst the chaos to carve out a new place for herself. A chance to finally demonstrate her combat abilities, much to the Leader’s dismay. Luna wants to fight, and she will train, work, and beg as hard as it takes to earn that place.

She is a warrior, and the monsters are coming. All must fight.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: May 24, 2024
• ISBN: 9781398468757

Penelope Alice

Penelope Alice is a software engineer. Raised in Buckinghamshire, she spends many happy hours walking in the countryside and visiting the local attractions. From a young age, Penelope has wanted to be a writer. She usually feels most relaxed making up stories and new worlds. Penelope’s passions include playing cello in her local orchestra, watching anime and drinking far too much tea.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Cave

Firelight and darkness. Waging endless war, each trying to quash the other.

The firelight came from a bonfire in the centre of a layered circle of people, gently flickering across their faces. Some of the faces were tortured and hollow, the rest were just tired. All were hungry. At the head, with none sat behind them, were three people.

A leader, a prisoner and a traitor. Titles that had not all been earned, but still, important. These people needed to educate their audience, open their eyes to the world that was hidden from them. Convincing them was going to be painful, it was going to take time they did not have.

One of the three stood, her hair was unevenly cut and hung limply around her shoulders. She wore a hooded cloak to cover herself but even in the shadows she couldn’t hide the sadness reflecting off her face. She did not want to do this. She did not want to relive what she’d lost.

With a deep breath and flicking her eyes upwards for a moment, she faced her audience. Unsure whether the people would believe her. Unsure whether they would try to attack her too. Hello. Her voice came out quiet and broken. She cleared her throat. She needed to be confident if she was to keep their attention. Hello. She breathed in deeply once more, that had sounded better. My name is Luna and I am going to tell you, well, show you my story. She laughed lightly, humourlessly. Her eyes grazing over and considering the other gaunt faces around the circle. Though I’m sure it is not dissimilar to many of yours.

She took a deep breath and stepped more into the light lifting her hood off her head. The first thing I should tell you, is that I am a Sprite. This elicited gasps from around the circle. The reason you cannot tell is…well, you’ll find out.

She walked right up to the fire and raised her hands. In one hand, she held a knife which she put to the palm of the other. She winced a little as the blade cut into her skin but once the blood started to flow, she squeezed it into the fire. This form of storytelling was illegal in my village, until recently, but it’s effective. She lowered her hands, slipping the knife into a hidden pocket, then bandaged the cut. She pulled her arms back into the cloak, hiding the starved sticks that they had become.

She gulped. Mentally preparing herself for how much of her memories, her soul, she was about to share. For me, the story really began at my sixteenth annum Word ceremony. She moved back to her seat, thankful to not have to support herself on two feet anymore and focussed on the fire.

The audience waited in confusion. Silence stretching until a child gasped. There’s a picture in the fire.

The picture steadily grew to show an icy, barren landscape. It focused on an open-air theatre that seemed to be cut into the ground in a large D shaped pit. Each row slightly shorter than the next, leading down to a flat surface. Decorated with two pillars placed against the flat wall behind it and a slight pedestal risen above the surface of the base of the pit. Filling every row were Sprites, distinguished by the famed Sprite ears which stuck up from the sides of their heads like cones at least the size of their hands. Every Sprite was staring at the base of the theatre in silence, their ears straining to listen to the noises around them.

The image focussed on a girl with small, pointed features and straight, blood-red hair that fell to her waist. Beside her was her family; her mother on one side and her brother and father on the other.

As the image defined itself enough to see their eyelashes, the audience began to hear the wind, it was screaming a word.

Balneus.

Balneus.

Balneus.

Balneus.

Balneus.

Then came a feeling of cold boredom. As this feeling cemented itself in the audience’s mind, they felt as though they were sucked into the image to hear and see everything around the girl and know what she was feeling or thinking.

Fire

She wanted it to be over. The Word ceremony could last two long hours, ages of silence before she could get home. Get home and get out of the insufferable dress society forced her to wear, she scowled pulled at her sleeves.

Stop fidgeting, Luna, her mother said quietly.

Luna slumped. This happened every year, the Gods would select a new Word then, within three weeks, a beautiful item would be produced that matched the Word. The item would then be ceremoniously melted or burned depending on the material. The most annoying thing about it all, was that they didn’t always know what the Word meant. The previous year they’d sculpted and woven a massive bowl because they had no idea what the meaning of Balneus was. The Council had simply decided ‘bowl’ sounded close enough. She sighed and rolled her eyes. These ceremonies were a complete waste of time.

The Wind fell silent and Luna smiled, glad this was to be a short year. The new Word would be called within the next five minutes. A man stood and took his place in the centre of the stage. He had curly orange hair with white streaks and his face was narrow with sharp features. He wore a new skin jacket, and woven trousers. Luna thought the Leader was insufferable, she felt sure he was keeping the best of what the Hunters brought back to the village. Though her father regularly told her otherwise.

The new Word is coming, he said raising his arms in triumph. This year has been good. The Gods liked our Balneus. Let next year be as good. The people in the audience gave a short cheer then silence fell as they waited for the new Word.

When it came, a woman started screaming and murmurs ran through the people.

Solis.

Solis.

Solis.

Solis.

Solis.

The Wind was saying the name of a woman in the village.

It had never been a name before.

Chapter 2

What does it mean? a man yelled, holding on to Solis, the woman who’d screamed. The Leader was murmuring with other people who also wore new clothes. All of them appeared startled and unsure.

The Leader nodded, ending the hurried conversations and returned to the centre of the stage. Silence, he called but yells and cries were still rippling through the crowds. I said silence! he bellowed. Glaring around at the crowds as all talking ceased instantly.

Satisfied that none would speak over him, the Leader continued, The Council believes it to be a request by the Gods for a sculpture of Solis. Congratulations Solis, you have been good this year and the Gods are rewarding you. Solis smiled weakly, seemingly placated by the Leader’s words.

The Leader stepped aside to allow another younger man to talk to the people. To build the statue we will need Sculptors. You have two days to submit your work to be reviewed so we can select who will be involved in creating the sculpture of Solis. Some Sprites around the audience nodded while most began to prepare to go home, loud chatter running through the crowds. Luna listened to snippets of the conversations around her. It seemed not everyone was placated. They did not understand how the Council knew that the Gods wanted a sculpture, no one had been named before. This was new territory for everyone.

Luna huffed, bored of listening to these speculative conversations and hopped to her feet. What would be, would be.

She began to hurry her family, eager to get home and be able to go out for a run. Come now, Luna, it is most unladylike to rush. Luna froze then hung her head and mutely fell into step beside her family, seething inside at the appearances that she had to keep up.

Together, the small family walked through the village. The majority of the homes were huts. Built from wood, and the skins of the Beasts that had been hunted. The huts were evenly spaced and spanned out in circles from a large cube shaped building. It was cut from ice and only had windows on the top floor. This building was the Hub, and it was the central place for almost all activities within the village. The homes in the smallest circle were also cut from ice but less grand. They belonged to the families of Council members, the grandest belonging to the Leaders family. The path that Luna’s family walked down was the main arterial route which led straight from the Hub to the theatre, and the wider iced landscape.

The crowds around the small family thinned as Sprites peeled off, heading towards their various homes. Luna’s father was one of the most successful Hunters and had been rewarded as such, their home was a hut the next row back from the iced homes, with a conical top and slightly larger than the huts further out.

Once inside, there were two beds along the side of the room and storage shelves with baskets in them lining most of the rest of the hut. There were also a few rickety stools and a small table. The centre of the room was dominated by a large fire pit with a cauldron hanging over it.

Luna immediately snuck over to the bed she shared with her brother and slipped into the trousers, long-necked top and jacket she preferred to wear. Then she put the dress and cloak back on, to avoid the disgusted and reproachful looks she’d get if she were in her trousers, before heading for the door.

I’m going for a run, she said, though she knew her parents had already guessed. She always went after an insufferable day in the insufferable dress.

Dinner will be ready in an hour. Be back and ready to eat by then, her mother told her as she slipped out the hut’s flap.

Once back outside, she took a breath of the frigid air. Excited to be heading out of the confining village. Beside her, she heard some girls giggling. Glancing in the direction of the sound, she sighed. Her neighbour Caelus was flexing for a few of the girls who were in their annum gap at schooling.

Caelus was blond-haired, square-jawed and strongly built. Luna thought he was a pig—attractive, but a pig. He was self-centred, thought himself the best at everything and was a very firm believer in the Leader’s approximation for girls; good for keeping house, having children and sewing.

Luna felt sorry for the girls surrounding Caelus, all of them would have a Union within the next two years and at least one child in the next four. She was glad her parents were more forward thinking. They’d never force her into a Union, they’d even let her do the course on Sculpting in schooling. Most parents, outside of Sculpting families, didn’t allow their daughters to do so. Sculpting was too close to Hunting and Hunting was unsuitable for a girl, a girl is too weak. Luna scoffed and started walking, pulling her mind away from the giggling and that train of thought. If she didn’t, she would become too angry to run well.

The thought of running propelled her onwards, she walked back down the main arterial route towards edge of the village. As she reached the theatre, she moved to skirt around it on the left. Towards the open plains of ice.

About ten minutes’ walk from the village, she reached a cliff face. Luna followed this to the right until she reached the end, where a glacier met the plain her people lived on. It was at this point she removed her dress and bundled it into her cloak. Stashing it in a small hole in the cliff face, she began to jog.

She liked to run across to the other side of the glacier and back at least once a day. It provided a release for the energy she’d built up sat in schooling learning the numbers of ways to cook food, put fabrics together and mind children. Then learning how to apply the stitching to injuries or what medicinal plants were required to treat what when home with her mother. Luna’s favourite thing about her mother’s lessons were that her brother had to do them too, although, annoyingly, he seemed to have a natural gift and enjoyed it.

She breathed in and felt the burn in her muscles as she moved. It felt good. She was also pleased that she no longer felt the need to constantly stop and catch her breath. She focused on her strides and allowed the world to slip away as she put one foot in front of the other. These runs always helped her clear her mind, and she found it helpful to work through problems that were troubling her in this level-headed state.

When she returned to her clothes, she prepared for one more lap when someone stopped her in her tracks. He was tall and wiry, with bright orange curly hair. He was the spitting image of the Leader, but his face had yet to develop the cruel look and his hair was still bright. What do you want, Aster? Luna gritted out.

He looked as though he had been about to raise his hand in greeting but dropped it. Just wondered where you snuck off to every day.

She turned on him furious. You been watching me? Creep. Well, now you know. Go home and tell Daddy then. One of the girls in his village dares to wear trousers and go running where no one can see her. Go on. Luna made a shooing motion and went back to running. She felt a small rush of guilt at that treatment of him. Her mother had raised her better, but she didn’t know much about Aster. Unlike Caelus and the other boys her age, he’d avoided any of the gatherings of their annum gap and he wasn’t a presence she noticed at the village meetings either. He was an enigma and that made her uncomfortable, so she wanted to avoid him.

When she returned to her dress, he’d gone. For some reason, it didn’t make her happy. Shrugging off the feeling, she pulled the dress and cloak back on then walked home.

She shucked the extra clothing again when she was safely in the hut, cleaned her hands and face then started helping her mother finish off the dinner. Absentmindedly answering questions about different herbal remedies.

***

The next day when she returned to her running spot, someone else was there. She was disturbed and angry. By the time they completed their lap back to her starting point, she was ready to go. She set off, hoping they wouldn’t join her.

They did, of course. I didn’t tell my father, he said, keeping pace. She didn’t respond, unable to come up with anything that wasn’t sarcastic. He carried on beside her for a while before he spoke again. Why don’t you like me? She just widened her eyes in exasperation and carried on running. Look I know I’m the Leader’s kid, but no one seems to like me.

Perhaps if you didn’t worry so much about what others thought you might have friends.

He laughed harshly. Father would never let me exist without consideration of what others thought.

She sighed. Then carry on with this whole ‘why does no one like me’ thing. I really don’t care.

You come out here to be you, don’t you? The pair reached the other side of the glacier and she stopped.

No, I come out here to run and expend energy after a day sat around learning to be the perfect wife. I’m me all the time, and I couldn’t care less that everyone thinks I’m odd. I’m happy.

You don’t sound happy.

Well, at the moment, I’m irritated. There’s this guy who keeps disturbing my run. Aster’s face suddenly looked wounded and she felt a similar stab of guilt to yesterday. Look, I like being here because I can pretend for a while. Pretend I’m not tied to the behaviour the village expects from me. You can join, but please don’t ask me stupid questions like why no one likes you. I am not the best council for that. She started running again, immediately regretting telling him he could join her. Her runs were her time for peace and quiet without the inane gossip of the other girls and his conversation seemed much the same.

Behind her, she heard him mutter, Sorry. Then he caught up.

They ran the rest of the way in silence, she was glad that it wasn’t uncomfortable. She begrudgingly realised it was actually relatively pleasant to have someone with her.

See you tomorrow. He waved as he left her to put the dress back on. She decided he must be pretty desperate for friendship if he was going to put up with her running.

Cave

The image in the fire faded away and the viewers dragged their minds and eyes up to look at her. The runs with Aster continued like that for the three weeks leading up to the Burning ceremony. We didn’t really talk again other than to say hello or goodbye. She smiled in a pained sort of way and laughed under her breath. But somehow, he became my first real friend in that village. She fell silent and paused, allowing her audience to try and pair the girl they saw before them and the girl they’d been watching. A girl who was only a little over three years younger. When she felt the stares lower in intensity, she focused on the fire. This time, the audience awaited for the reappearance of the image in the fire with bated breath.

Fire

The village was raucously loud. It was the day of the Burning ceremony. Sprites were linking arms and singing songs. The undercurrent of fear at the sculpture possibly not being what the Gods wanted was being smothered by the merriment. Luna grinned as she watched the village around her. United couples were showing signs of affection in public and even the female Sprite children were being allowed to run wild. Luna loved it.

This was the one day a year where everyone was relaxed and couldn’t care less about the usual decorum. Instead, it was bright and happy chaos.

The Burning was the one day a year she was able to wear her favourite jacket and trouser combination without judgement. The one day a year that girls let themselves be her friend and boys didn’t act like she was a freak.

Though this year she couldn’t be bothered with them. Not now that she had a friend in Aster, odd though the friendship may be. She was curious about what the Burning ceremony would be like if she spent it with someone who wanted to see her on days other than this one. When the first girl came to find her and be friends for the day, Luna was abrupt. Why do you feel comfortable talking to me today, but not yesterday or tomorrow?

The girl giggled. Well, you’re rebellious. Fun to hang around with, but today is the only day I won’t get ostracised if I’m friends with you.

Luna snorted. I suppose when Beast’s fly, I’ll let you be friends with me. Let’s not pretend today. She looked the girl up and down. You wanna be rebellious? Loosen your scarf and the ties at the top of your dress. You’ll be amazed how much easier it is to breathe. The girl looked shocked, but Luna didn’t care. She took a bottle of fiery spirit from a table outside a nearby hut and took a swig.

Enjoying the warmth as it flowed down her throat, she wandered the village aimlessly for about an hour happily nursing the bottle of spirit and feeling jollier with every glug. It was on her second trip around that she spotted Aster, but only because she was looking for him. He was in the shadows by the sides of the crowds; everyone was giving him a wide berth.

With liquid courage, she walked straight up to him and linked her arm with his. Come on, friend. You are missing the party. He looked startled and she laughed as she gulped down more of the drink. Surprised I called you friend? Well, you are. You actually spend time with me by choice and not ’cause it’ll make you look edgy and cool. She added arm movements to the last three words in an attempt to look like what she’d said. Spilling the drink over herself in the process.

He barked a laugh and took her bottle from her, causing her to pout. I guess you are edgy and cool to everyone else, but I’ve run with you and heard the mutterings under your breath. You, little Luna, are a weirdo.

She gasped angrily, feeling a burst of sobriety. Don’t you dare call me little. She was so tired of being called little. Or small. Or runt. Or childlike. Even though she was the shortest person her age and was unlikely to get taller. At least she chose to be different from everyone else, though she didn’t see why that was weird.

Aster blushed and gulped. I’m sorry, I… I…

Luna rolled her eyes. I don’t care that we are in the village so you have to act more as your gender is decided to be, but that doesn’t mean you can patronise me.

Aster smiled tightly. I know, I, ummm, Father said… He groaned and shook his head. Never mind, I will endeavour not to patronise you again.

Luna smiled, pleased with her mature and sober responses, and Aster’s apology, but she could feel the alcoholic buzz blanketing her again. She tried to nod regally. See that you don’t. Then she reached for her bottle of spirit. Aster grinned and a cheeky light lit his eyes. He held it above her head and took a drink for himself.

Luna gaped at him then laughed. Perhaps we aren’t friends if you call me a weirdo and are mean to me like this. She started to walk away, and he panicked. He too had never really had a friend.

Wait, I’m sorry. I’m sorry. He handed back her bottle and walked beside her.

So, why have you decided you can talk to me now? he asked, reaching out and linking his arm with hers. More to steer her in a straight line than anything else. I thought you enjoyed the silence.

She hiccupped. This was the one day a year she was allowed to drink, and it appeared the concoction in the bottle was a strong variety. She held the bottle up as though to say it was the reason, then downed it. Promising herself she’d have no more, at least not until the world stopped spinning. She allowed Aster to drag her to the quieter side of the village, the furthest point from the theatre. He sat her down on the snow and joined her so he could stop her if she wobbled any more. You cannot hold your liquor, can you?

She laughed loudly. Nope. She turned to look at him and squinted. But it feels good.

He shook his head. Stay here.

She laughed again and lay backwards. Staring at the sky she sighed, the sunset was so pretty.

When Aster returned with a bit of food and a waterskin, she had no idea how much time had passed. Luna, you’re soaking. Sit up, come on.

She rolled her eyes, already feeling less pickled. Aster, it’s fine. She closed her eyes and focussed, drawing her Soul Fire to cover her skin and hair with a little warmth. She felt the water steam off her and she was dry. Aster looked surprised as he handed her the sobering food and drink.

I didn’t know girls could do that.

Luna took a bite of the soft food and shrugged. We can all do the same things with our Soul Fires; your father just thinks it more important for a girl to know how to maintain the fire in her home for cooking. Oh, and I guess to make Soul lights too. My mother thinks everyone ought to know basic survival things such as how to dry yourself.

Aster nodded. It makes sense. Now finish your food and water so we can go back to the theatre. They must be prepping to melt the sculpture. Have you seen it yet?

Luna shook her head. I bet it’ll be lovely. The sculptures always are. Solis could look like tusked water Beast, and they’d still make her sculpture look like she’s the most attractive girl in the village.

Aster coughed a laugh. Well, they’ve really outdone themselves this year.

I would expect nothing less.

As the pair returned to the crowds, Luna could feel more eyes on them. Clearly it hadn’t gone unnoticed that the Leader’s son had vanished off with her, the rebellious girl.

Luna still didn’t know why they thought of her like that. She didn’t see why it was an issue to voice her own opinion when she had one or why it was an issue for her not to like dresses. A dress was only an item of clothing after all… She guessed the whole rebellious girl thing also came from the fact that in the Sculptor lessons at schooling she’d made weapons and other helpful items like the boys instead of the silly ornaments the few other girls did. Luna shrugged the thought off and tried to ignore the staring.

Do you know what you will be selecting tomorrow? Luna asked, balancing herself by gripping Aster’s arm. The next day, they would be selecting the education for whichever job they’d be doing. The education would take place over two years but if a young Sprite failed the tests at the end of the first year, they would be removed from that course and the Council would assign them a job better suited.

My father wants me to do the Hunter course, but I’ve been terrible at it all through schooling. I’d rather do one of the ones that help teach sums or do resource management.

So why don’t you do one of those?

Father will exile me.

Luna laughed and then looked at Aster and saw his face. You can’t be serious? He can’t exile you for picking a different subject to what he wants.

Aster scowled. Perks of being Leader. There is a reason my sister is not a Sculptor.

Your sister wanted to be a Sculptor?

Aster smiled proudly. Yep, she was the best in her lesson group. His face fell. At the end of the first year, Father strong armed the Educator into failing her. By the end of the next year, Father had crushed all her dreams of Sculpting and anything else he deemed improper for a young lady, made her have a Union with the Sculptor Council member, Orion, and complete her education in Weaving.

Surely Orion lets her sculpt still? Your father must have felt slightly bad if he let her marry him.

Aster laughed. No and no. I think Father made the Union to punish her for doing something he doesn’t like. Let her be close to the thing she loves, but unable to do it. You see Orion and Cassiopeia had been admiring each other for years. Father had never approved of the match but then he realised that he could use it to his advantage. Orion could have the Union with his darling Cassiopeia but only if he never let her sculpt again. Instead, she’s been busy with children. Aster laughed. But wait till you see the Solis sculpture, it’s almost entirely Cassiopeia’s work. Of course, it’ll be listed as one of the men that did it. But I know my sister’s handiwork when I see it. Aster smiled and fell silent. Luna thought of Cassiopeia and how she was another girl to be crushed by the Leaders backwards view of how girls should behave. Do you know what you are picking tomorrow?

Luna smiled slyly up at Aster. Probably something rebellious.

Okay, guess that means it’s something I don’t want to know.

Yeah, it’s a surprise. In her mind, Luna added that she was also still trying to find the courage to actually do something so utterly against what the Leader would find acceptable. She just hoped that as she wasn’t his child, he would be slightly less strict about her conformance to his world view.

As the pair neared the point where the sculpture was visible, the noise of the crowd faded into an awed silence. When they reached the top of the stair, Luna gasped in amazement and, like all the other Sprites, had to stop to stare.

Chapter 3

The ice sculpture was intricate, with swirling patterns the whole way through and across it. While the sculpture was definitely Solis, it was a beautified, flawless version of her. Her eyes were slightly larger, eyelashes longer, face more rounded, nose smaller, lips slightly fuller and her hair looked richer and thicker. Luna was almost jealous, Solis—this graceful, perfect statue; something she could never aspire to. It’s stunning. She murmured. Aster gave her a sideways glance and she shuddered, remembering herself.

Bit creepy, isn’t it? She smiled sweetly up at him, shrugging off whatever stupor had come over her.

Aster laughed. Yeah, it is a lovely piece of art. Luna sighed and rolled her eyes. The two of them walked down the rows of Sprites until they reached the one with her family.

She sidled down then hugged her parents. Where is Astraeus? She looked up and down the rows, then spotted her younger brother with a group of lads his own age.

Your brother actually has friends to spend today with. Luna’s father laughed.

Her mother touched his arm. Luna has a friend, Nox. She smiled at Aster. How are you, dear?

He smiled awkwardly. I’m well, thank you Mrs Nox. Are you?

She laughed lightly. Aurora is fine. I am well, thank you. How do you know Luna? She looked like she wanted to say more but Luna groaned. Okay, okay, I’ll leave you alone. The ceremony is due to start anyway. And don’t groan, it isn’t ladylike. Aurora turned to Nox who was staring at Aster as though he had two heads.

Aster blushed and Luna glared and Nox rapidly turned to face his wife. You really don’t have friends, do you? Aster murmured as Luna dragged him into a seated position.

No, I don’t like people. As a rule, they confuse me, so I avoid them. I never know what to say anyway. Luna shrugged.

You know what to say to me. Aster gave a small smile.

Luna grimaced. I don’t know. I didn’t. I’ve had spirit though, so I suppose I’m comfortable enough with you now.

Aster chuckled and settled himself more comfortably. So, what else can you do? Luna looked at him quizzically. You know, with your Soul Fire.

Luna hushed him and glared. Nothing more than a good young lady should.

Aster frowned. But…

No, I simply help Mum with the fire and lights. Why would I know how to do anything else? Luna elbowed him and looked around trying to ascertain if anyone was listening, hoping it’d click in Aster’s head. Soul Fire use was one of the most highly regulated things in the village. To use it in a way outside of the rules was to risk exile. She was stupid to have allowed him to see her do anything more than her gender should. Aster seemed to be slow on the uptake, but his face finally lit for a second in acknowledgement.

Before he could apologise or think of anything else to say, a figure appeared at the end of the row. Aster? Aster gulped and stood up. He nodded to Luna and her parents, then, head bowed, followed his father to sit at the front.

At the arrival of the Leader and Council, the theatre fell silent, except for a few hiccups. The Leader stood with his hands raised. Solis, your sculpture is amazing. You should be proud of your beauty. He took a moment to allow the crowd to gaze at the sculpture. He then walked and clasped hands with the young Council member from the Word ceremony, Orion. This time, Luna noticed the orange haired woman next to him and a small gaggle of children. Orion stood up next to the Leader and he smiled politely at the crowd. The Leader continued to speak. Our Sculptors have done a fantastic job of this Solis. We are proud. The Sculptors will have extra rations for this coming month. The families of the Sculptors cheered. The Leader whispered in Orion’s ear and Orion’s smile faltered just slightly.

Then, with a wide grin, the Leader turned slowly from the crowd to face the sculpture. He raised a hand and, with little effort, a ripple of heat passed from his hand to the sculpture where it touched a small column of steam rose. This was joined by more as each Council member rose and directed heat from their own Soul Fires at the sculpture. After the Leader and Council found their seats, every one of the common male Sprites raised a hand to the air, the sky began shimmering as arcs of heat rippled down on the Solis sculpture. A large plume of steam rose into the air as the last remnants of the artwork was melted away. For a collective breath, there was silence and then a raucous cheer rose. Loud enough that they could hear it echo off the far away cliffs.

Luna smiled. While the Word ceremony was boring, the Burning was far more fun. She would have loved to have directed her own Soul Fire at the sculpture, but that would be far too active an action for a girl to take. At least she could watch and feel the warmth though.

She looked for Aster so she could spend the rest of the evening with her friend. Something she’d never done before. When she spotted him, his father had an arm around his shoulders, and they were talking to other Council members. Nox touched her shoulder. Come now, Luna, that boy is to be Leader someday. It is important he talks to the Council. Luna frowned and nodded, Aster would come and find her when he was done.

***

It was early, the dawn slowly creeping past the cliffs. Luna was running, watching her breath puff in front of her. She’d eaten and gone to sleep after the Burning, feeling too exhausted to wait up for Aster. Though she felt she still needed to clear her head, she was making a very big decision later that day.

A lone figure slowly trudged towards her with slumped shoulders. She smiled when she saw him. Did your conversations go well last night? You never came to find me afterwards. Her voice trailed off. Not wanting to let him see her disappointment, she smiled.

I suppose I did go to sleep pretty early. Aster just shook his head at her. She noticed the look on his face and her smile dropped a little. She tried to ignore the growing knot in her stomach and beamed again.

I’ve already done two laps, but I can do a few more with you.

Aster sighed. No, Luna, we can’t.

You hung over from last night? Grasping for an excuse for his behaviour, Luna chuckled.

No. He gulped a little. We can’t do this anymore. He gestured between them. We can’t be friends.

The knot tightened again, and she couldn’t ignore it anymore. Luna frowned. What?

You don’t behave like a proper young lady. You aren’t suited to be my friend. He turned and started to walk away.

Panicking, Luna grabbed his arm. He flinched but turned to face her. That sounded more like your father’s reasoning than your own. Why can’t you be my friend? Aster delicately removed his arm from her grip and cradled it slightly. She noticed the look of pain and rolled her eyes. Oh, don’t be a baby, I hardly touched you. Luna’s words were slowly becoming more detached as her anger rose. Better to be angry than hurt.

Guess I am feeling a little tender after yesterday. He shrugged and wandered back to the village. Luna watched, finally allowing a play of anger, sadness, hurt and confusion dance across her face.

As Aster disappeared into a small dot in the distance, Luna came to a resolution. The Leader could go eat raw water Beast. There was no way she wasn’t going to pick her education now. Smiling triumphantly and mildly manically, she ran a last lap of the glacier, feeling like she was gliding due to the weight she felt lifted by her decision.

When she returned to the village, most Sprites were only just rising, so she passed few on her way back to her home. As she pushed past the flaps into the little hut, her family were gathered around the fire and her mother was serving food.

I am going to be a Hunter, Luna announced. Aurora nearly dropped the pan and the males both had mouths hanging open.

You’re going to be what?

Luna smiled openly at her father. I am going to be a Hunter.

But you can’t. Aurora shakily placed the pan down.

Actually, I can, there are no rules to say a girl can’t sign up to be a Hunter this year.

"That’s because no one thinks a girl would be that ridiculous. The boys