Flameless

Flames II: Ashes to Duty

I looked out the window, the screams had faded, the chaos had finally died down. The dragons had left. I rested my back against the cold bricks and slid down the wall until I was sitting on the mat. Curling myself up, I finally breathed a sigh of relief. That was when I realized how scared I actually was.

I always told myself I didn’t mind dying, because it couldn’t be worse than living such a life. But here I was — stealing so I wouldn’t die of starvation, running so I wouldn’t perish in the dragons’ fire. I closed my eyes, reminiscing. I felt so pathetic. I hated feeling this way, but with the kind of life I had, it was hard not to feel like this at least a hundred times a day.

After calming down, I decided to close up and go to sleep. I needed the strength to relive this nightmare once again. I stood up and reached for a huge stone near the entrance, then placed it on top of the worn-out fabric — the only thing separating me from the outside world — to pin it down. It didn’t really make much difference, but it was better than leaving it that way.

I went to the windows and started covering them with any piece of clothing I could find. I was at the last window when a sudden gust of wind burst through, flinging a stray paper into the room.The paper fluttered, landing softly against the dirt floor.

After a struggle, I managed to pull the cloth back over the window. Then I laid on my mat, ready to drift off to sleep. I was about to close my eyes when something at a distance caught my attention — the paper that had flown in earlier.

I stood up and went towards it. Bending down, I picked it up, and my eyes widened as I read the content. My breath hitched. Nothing good ever came from the palace — not for people like me. But this time was different.

Apparently, they wanted the flameless to come and work as maids for them. I was happy — very happy. Yes, I hated the people with power; all they did was treat us like less humans. But this… this was amazing news. I wouldn’t have to steal anymore. I could actually work and have something to eat. My face lit up with excitement. I had almost forgotten what smiling — what hope — felt like.

I sat back down on my mat and continued reading. According to what was written, they needed a total of ten more servants. The age range was twenty to thirty for females, and twenty-five to thirty-five for males. The people in question had to be physically strong and free of any illnesses.Those interested were to come to the palace for testing and a check-up to see if they were fit for the post.

I sighed and lifted my head, smiling as tears rolled down my cheeks. A faint wave of hope stirred inside me — one I hadn’t felt in a long time. For a brief moment, the world didn’t seem so cruel. But even through that warmth, something felt off.

The higher-ups were never this kind. They didn't ask, they took. They wouldn’t go through the trouble of making fliers and sending it. Normally, they just sent the dragons to pick whoever they thought was fit. So why now? Maybe that was why the dragons had come in today — to drop these fliers. The thought made my stomach twist. If this was mercy, it was the strangest kind I had ever seen.

It was strange that they actually gave us a choice. There wasn’t even any mention of payment in the flier, so I didn’t know if we’d be paid or not. But that was the least of my worries. As long as I had food to eat and somewhere to sleep, I was good.

I folded the flier neatly and tucked it under the piece of clothing I normally used as a pillow. Then I curled up on my mat again, trying to get comfortable. Tomorrow was going to be one hell of a day.Sleep didn’t come easily, but eventually exhaustion dragged me under.

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I’d seen the palace from afar before, but standing in front of it was something else entirely. It wasn’t just big — it was alive. The walls glowed faintly, like fire was trapped inside the stone, waiting to break free. Every brick seemed infused with power, humming beneath my skin. The gates towered above me, tall enough to swallow me whole, and the air around them was warm, humming like it carried secrets.

Guards stood so still they almost didn’t look real. I could tell they were Crimson Flames — the dragons. There was an aura about them: fierce, muscular, intimidating. Their armor caught the light and burned with it. Everything here looked perfect — the floors, the arches, even the air felt richer somehow. I didn’t know whether to stare or look away.I had never felt smaller in my life.

Each step closer made my heart pound harder. The palace loomed like it could crush me with a glance. Maybe this was a trap. Maybe it was salvation. I couldn’t tell the difference anymore.

For a moment, I forgot to breathe. This was where the Silver Flames ruled — and I was about to walk right into their world.

I was beyond nervous. I took a deep, long breath, gathered every ounce of courage I had, and moved toward the gates.