Revenge of the Raven

Chapter 6 - The Fire

We appeared in the middle of the ceremonial clearing and I looked around in surprise.

“Where’s Imani and Barth?”

Aspen shrugged and wrapped her arm around Eshe’s shoulders protectively. Eshe glared at her out of the corner of her eye but I couldn’t help noticing that she didn’t move away. I turned and looked back at our home in the distance. The flames were burning brightly, dancing in the moonlight as they greedily ate the wooden building.

The sight was both beautiful and horrible at the same time. The way the flames licked up the sides of the building and sent small embers soaring into the dark sky was amazing in a way. But it would be much easier to appreciate if it wasn’t burning down my home and everything I’d spent years upon years building.

Six. There were only six of us left. And that was only if Barth and Imani made it out. I couldn’t understand why they weren’t here yet. I thought I’d be the last one out. I'd taken longer than I thought they would. I was about to teleport back in when Barth appeared next to us.

He was completely covered in ash except for his head where the bubble would’ve covered. He turned and beamed at me. His teeth shining in the moonlight.

“Hey Zea, did I keep you guys waiting?”

I c****d an eyebrow and pursed my lips at his cavalier attitude.

“Barth. What took you so long? Where’s Imani?”

His smile dropped and he looked around quickly.

“She’s not here? I thought I’d be the last one back.”

I rolled my eyes, I should’ve figured he’d try and stay to the last second. That explained his entrance. But Imani wouldn’t do something like that. I frowned and looked back at the building, closing my eyes for a brief moment. I could still sense Imani, but she wasn’t responding. A loud crash echoed through the night as one of the walls collapsed and I cursed loudly.

“Stay here, I'm going in for her.”

“Zea, no!’

I heard Asher shout just as I vanished. I quickly cast the oxygen spell around my head but still got a full breath of ashy smoke that sent me into a coughing fit. When I caught my breath, I looked quickly around the storeroom. I was surprised to see almost every single shelf bare.

We kept massive amounts of potions and alchemy ingredients on hand at all times. Imani must’ve used magic to pack it all so quickly. I knew she was skilled but as far as I was aware her training wasn’t far enough along to be able to transport so many items all at once.

I would have to figure out how far along she was when this was all over. She was certainly showing great promise. I just had to find her first. The room was mostly rectangular in shape with shelves lining the walls on all sides. In the center of the room were large bookcases arranged to make aisles.

I hurried around the room quickly looking down one asile after another but Imani was nowhere to be found. I teleported to her room next and sighed when I realized she wasn’t there either. I opened her wardrobe and frowned. She hadn’t grabbed any of her clothes.

Grabbing a bag from the corner of her room, I cast the same spell on it as before and waved my hand, summoning all of Imani’s clothes and things around the room into a large whirlwind. I directed it into the bag and within seconds all of the items were in the bag.

Looking quickly around the room I opened the few drawers and the chest at the foot of the bed, dumping those into the bag as well. I clutched it in my hand and teleported to the alchemy labs instead of the storeroom.

I sighed in relief as I saw Imani in the center of the room quickly summoning one group of equipment after another, clearly trying to get all of it. Every inch of her body was covered with ash. It was like she’d taken a bath in soot. But she didn’t seem to even notice. I ran over and shook her arm gently causing her to jump in shock.

“Imani! We need to get out of here! Now!”

I yelled loudly, trying to be heard over the sounds of the fire breaking glass and causing the wooden beams to creak and groan in protest.

“Zea, I can’t. I’ve almost got it all. I can do it.”

“Imani, look at me. It’s not worth it. We can get new equipment. You’ve already gathered more than I ever expected you to. We’ve lost enough today. I'm not losing you too. Now go!”

Imani finally nodded and grabbed the bag before vanishing from the room. I sighed in relief and grabbed the second bag before following her. When I appeared back in the clearing I looked around quickly and released a breath when I confirmed everyone was present.

I dropped the bag of Imani’s clothes and turned back towards our former home. I could hear the others greeting Imani but tuned them out as I watched the building and our family burn. A large crash silenced them as a portion of the roof collapsed down into the top floor.

I heard all of them approach slowly until they were standing next to me as we all watched it burn. The fire was getting larger by the second. The flames were consuming everything in their path and no matter how horrible the sight of my life burning was, I couldn’t seem to turn away.

“Zea… are you ok?”

Aspen’s voice was hesitant and quiet. I nodded slowly but didn’t turn away from the fire. Well, I couldn't turn away. As time passed they all got tired at one point or another and went to sit on the stone benches surrounding the center of the clearing.

I could hear them whisper amongst themselves but couldn’t hear what they were saying. I knew we had to leave but I couldn’t tear myself away as I finally tried to process the enormous loss we had all suffered today.

The sky began to lighten and I finally turned away from the fire to look at the sun just starting to show over the mountains in the distance. I watched the sun rise for a moment before swallowing and turning back to face the remnants of my family.

My steps were slow and measured as I walked towards them. As I approached, I saw each of them stand up as soon as they noticed I’d finally moved. I could see the pain and sadness carved into each of their faces, no matter how much they tried to hide it I could still see it.

I reached the center of the clearing, and took the same spot I stood during all of our ceremonies. This clearing was one of the most important parts of our coven. When new members joined our coven they were inducted here.

The coven members would sit on the many stone benches that encircled the middle of the clearing while myself and the new member would stand at the center. The ceremony is what allowed me to sense my members and speak to them.

Asher’s voice pulled me from my thoughts and I turned back to face the remnants of my coven.

“What?”

“Um, I asked what we were going to do now?”

I nodded and glanced back at the building still burning in the distance.

“Now? Now we find a new home and rebuild. Then we get revenge.”