‘So what kind of core did you get for yourself?’ Nina asked Ash

  ‘It’s a bit embarrassing but I went for a flame core, I see how you wield it and in all honesty it seemed to resonate with me’

  ‘Theres nothing to be embarrassed about, your compatibility with a core is paramount, then you need to consider the synchronisation of your powers as a whole’ she said

  ‘Does that mean I should have left it up to you to pick a core?’

  ‘Normally yes however in this case I feel a strong affinity with the air core, this could be due to if being a nature core and me being an elf, or that it pairs well with my flame core’ she said.

  ‘Do you mind if we stop off at the ritual area and I can absorb the core?’

  ‘No not at all’ said Ash’ it’s a shame you cant just absorb it like me’

  He held out the core red and flickering with light, at once the shell cracked and the flame leaked down his arm like napalm and the flames weakened like there was a lack of oxygen and died.

  You have absorbed Fire Core

  You have gained the ability Fire touch - Engulf whatever you are touching in flames.

  And the Utility Skill - Heat resistance - Reduces effect heat has on your body, resistance increases with level.

  ‘Wow I got Flaming Touch and heat resistance’ said Ash

  ‘I got heat resistance, its really helpful when traversing desert or tropical climates but for the power, I can breath fire.’ Said Nina

  ‘That’s amazing, why haven’t you used it yet?’ asked Ash

  ‘I used to use it a lot but then jokes and comparisons to dragons where thrown at me so I tend to save it now’ she looked down

  ‘Are you kidding, id be using it all the time regardless, need a light milady whoosh, need to start a camp fire whoosh’ he smiled

  ‘I guess’

  ‘Just imagine you are eating something really spicy and’ he waved his hand in front of his open mouth ‘whoosh’

  Nina snorted a laugh.

  ‘Wow I don’t think I’ve heard you laugh before’ he smiled

  ‘I don’t think you’ve said anything funny before’ she chided jokingly

  ‘Ouch, I’m plenty funny, I’m very often described as the funny one’ he mocked hurt

  ‘I don’t think you are taking that in the manner it was intended’ she smiled again

  ‘Hey’ laughed Ash ‘come on lets shove a core in you’

  They turned a corner and made their way into a building reserved for power training and rituals. Such a space was common in small to medium towns as a safe area was needed in case a particularly powerful ability was unlocked and had the potential to cause damage or harm.

  The room was in fact a courtyard lined with sand and lined with pillars, everything was pristine white exept the pillars which seemed to contain runic markings, Ash put his hand against them.

  ‘They keep up a barrier during a ritual, it means the person can be observed while keeping the observers safe’ Said Nina

  As he shifted his gaze he could see a thin sheet like material between the pillars like looking through the air just above a heat source the vision was distorted ever so slightly. He again passed his hand through the veil without even a sensation.

  ‘You know if your first instinct with anything magic is to prod it you will eventually loose that hand’ laughed Nina

  ‘That’s fine, I’ve got a spare’ he waved his other hand.

  Nina shook her head and made her way into centre of the courtyard walking along the sand that matched the whiteness of the surrounding pillars. She knelt down and with her finger began to draw a double lined circle with runic markings between in the sand, a few lines running through the circle and she placed her core at the centre. Ashes gained ritualistic knowledge let his know that the lines were marks for the runes and the order was very specific for the outcome. Nina had linked runes for Air, fire, nature and absorption, tearing through the knowledge he found that any experimentation with the outcomes was prohibited and as far as this world was considered they knew all they needed to know, he made a mental note to discuss this with her later.

  Once the diagram was complete Nina lay cross legged and out stretched a hand to the orb, the sigil glowed and the sand itself was lifted up to bring the orb level with her outstretched palm. A powerful gust began to emanate from the orb and swept around them creating a contained sand storm, her hand still outstretched the sand storm began to wind around her wrist. She fought to keep her eyes open as the mighty gale condensed down to a small ball of wind swirling just in front of her outstretched hand when suddenly it passed over her.

  Nina calmly got to her feet and with her arm brushed the sand o that it lay flat as before no drawing to be made out.

  ‘That was amazing’ Shouted Ash from behind the barrier.

  Nina Laughed ‘It doesn’t dampen sound, you can just talk normally’

  ‘Oh’ said Ash’ Well it was still amazing’

  ‘Thank you, although if you don’t mind I need to go somewhere to wash off as I have sand everywhere’ Nina said

  ‘Too bad we don’t have a shower Core’ laughed Ash

  ‘What’s a shower?’ asked Nina

  At the sandy which, the sisters Elodie and Rose where still clearing down from the dinner time rush, plates were being loaded onto trays and carried out back for cleaning, there were the usual few drinkers that lines the circumference of the pub that let out a grumble about how the place used to be a nice quiet place you could get a quiet drink.

  ‘Well its here of the Split fiddle and you know they put the dregs of your drinks back in the barrels at the end of the night’ Elodie said ‘Your probably still drinking the first ale you were served there’

  A murmur of annoyance yet acceptance was the response.

  ‘Another pint then Fred?’ she said

  ‘Aye’ Fred responded and lay his coins out on her tray.

  Elodie made her way back to the bar and was soon joined by her sister Rose.

  ‘Whens father going to be back?, the guard said Lord Renwick just wanted a word with him and that was this morning’ said Rose

  ‘Don’t fret Rosey, I’m sure he’ll be back soon enough, he’s probably stopped off at the market to get more fillings for the Sand Witches’

  ‘Why are they called that again?’ she asked

  ‘I still don’t know, it was that strange fellas idea but they’ve caught on like its witchcraft so I’m not complaining’ Said Elodie ‘Besides were earning enough now that Dad says we’ll be out of here soon’

  ‘I don’t want to leave, I’ve only ever lived here, all my friends are here' whined Rose

  ‘Believe me when you are older you’ll understand why its better we leave, Dad even says that we wont have to work as much at the new place, I’m going to see if I can apprentice as a seamstress and make the most beautiful dresses’

  ‘And I’ll get to try them all on’ Said Rose

  ‘Haha of course Rosey, just remember all those dresses’

  ‘Fine, but at the new place im not doing all the washing, it makes my fingers go all wrinkled like an old hag’

  Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

  ‘Well im afraid you and your crone hands will have to suffer a little longer while I cover the bar, see if chef will give you a hand’

  The younger sister hoisted the stack of plates and made her way out the back, Elodie heaved a sigh’ Where are you father?’ she asked no one in particular.

  Taking the round of drinks over to the malingerers, the door swung open almost taking it off the hinges and 4 guardsmen walked in.

  ‘Sorry sirs, you’ve just missed the afternoon rush but if you’d like a drink please take a seat and ill be over’

  The men looked her up and down in a way that made her stomach turn in her belly. The men walked over to the table with the usual suspects in attendance.

  ‘The night is getting late gents, and it appears you have finished your business here’ A guard said his only discernible feature a scar that ran down across his lip.

  ‘I’ve only just served the gentlemen, but if you’d like to take a seat I can be over to serve you in just a moment’ Said Elodie

  ‘Oh she’s offering to serve us lads, how could we be so rude as to say no, but first I believe these fine fellows had finished their drinks and are on their way’ the guard said

  The seats were quickly vacated apart from Fred who sat gritting his teeth.

  ‘Please sirs im sure Fred will be on his way once he has finished his drink’

  The guard lifted the cup and looking down at Fred emptied it over Freds boots.’ It would seem he has finished and should be on his way’

  Fred stood quickly so that the guards flinched, hands going to the pommels of their swords ready to draw. In a flash Elodie was by Freds side ‘Oh dear Fred, you seem to have spilled your drink, maybe its time you were getting back home, Fred looked at Elodie and she shook her head, took him by the arm and lead him away, ‘Oh don’t forget to say by to Rosey’ she said leading him to the kitchen

  When she was sure she was out of ear shot she whispered to Fred.

  ‘Make sure Rosey gets out and go and find Dad’

  Fred nodded and made his way out the back.

  ‘Now gentlemen what can I do for you?’

  Fred made his way out the back and saw Rose standing at a sink filled with crockery scrubbing away.

  ‘Rose, the guardsmen are her and your Dads still not back, we have to away’ Fred whispered in a frantic way.

  ‘But what about Elodie?’ she said as Fred was taking her by the arm.

  ‘She knows what she’s doing we need to get your father’

  as they made their way out the back and round a corner they saw Burt Shackled and being led to a set of stocks placed facing the pub, he struggled as his head and arms were thrown into the wooden device and the hinge creaked as the slat was brought down pinning him in place.

  Before he could stop her Rose has broken his grasp and ran out to her father.

  ‘Dad’ she wailed

  Burt looked up in horror as he saw his youngest running up to him.

  ‘No Rosey, you cant, just get away’

  She tried to lift the heavy piece of wood but to no avail and settled for banging her hands against the solid oak fixture.

  Barriston him self pulled the girl away from her father,

  ‘I think we’ll set an example for the people in this town to know their place’ he said throwing Rose to the floor ‘You shouldn’t toy with ideas above your station’

  ‘No, Rosey’ shouted Burt as he struggled against his restraints.

  ‘I think we need to make an example of these miserable wretches’ He sneered ‘Its about time whether Lord Renwick ordered it or not’

  ‘Bring the girl inside, and we’ll find out just how hospitable they can be’

  Two guards swooped down and seizing an arm each brought Rose to her feet’

  ‘No’ Shouted Burt

  Fred acted before he could think and ran into one of the guards shoulder barging him to the floor and pulling Rose away.

  ‘Run Rose’ he said commanding and yet giving a sympathetic smile

  ‘Run as fast and as long as you can’

  ‘But Dad’ she cried

  ‘Do as he says, run!’ Burt screamed

  Freds smile continued as he watched her sprinting away towards the open gates of the town, even as the sword pierced his chest bringing him to his knees, he choked as blood was brought into his lungs and as he gasped for air the crimson liquid spilled from his gasping mouth. His eyes never left the fleeing girl even as he slumped to the floor, he felt the first few kicks to his ribs, felt the bones crack and give way but then nothing more, his eyes lay open motionless watching the girl make her escape down the street’

  ‘You bastards’ Burt cried out.

  ‘Fetch the girl’ said Barriston ‘It would be a shame for one sister to bear the brunt of her fathers sins’ he looked down and spat upon the prone corpse of Fred ‘ Besides Lip in there prefers the younger ones or so im told’ he laughed

  ‘No’ Screamed Burt ‘ To the Hells with you all you evil bastards’

  One of the men jumped atop a horse and galloped after rose at full pelt.

  ‘Run Rosey run’ shouted her father tears bluring his vision as the horse made its way down the street, passers by either dodging or being knocked to one side.

  Rose was already running out of breath, as she ran along the street, people staring at the commotion as the horse drew down on her. She could hear the shoed hooves of the animal beating down on the cobbles at full gallop.

  She turned her head to gauge how far away the guard was when her foot hit a misplaced cobble, she tumbled to the floor hitting her head and dazed she sat in the road vision askew and a throbbing pain emanating from her right temple, she held a hand to it and felt the warm sticky liquid that wat now coursing and matted in her straw coloured hair.

  The pounding of hooves was ever closer and accompanied by a shout of ‘Whoa’ but to late, just as her vision was clearing the great shadow of the horse came down upon her frail body, the metallic shoes coming into contact with her skull and in a panic, the horse reared up and brought its hooves down again.

  Burt watched in absolute horror as the limp body of his daughter was simply tossed over the back of the horse by the guard and brought back to the assembly.

  Barriston made his way to the back of the approaching horse and in full view of Burt unceremoniously grasped the girls hair in a clenched fist and raised her head in a jerking motion.

  ‘No’ Burt screamed ‘Rosey No’

  His head slumped and tears dripped down his his nose onto the cobles below.

  ‘Shame’ Said Barriston ‘I always rather liked this one’ dropping her head to land against the horses hide with a wet smack.

  ‘Well I’ve certainly lost my appetite, I shall report back to Lord Renwick that the message has been sent clearly’. A guard brought about his mount and Barriston mounted the steed with ease.

  ‘You can release him once you have had fun with the sister’ he laughed and urged his charge on back the way they came.