Chapter 4
943 Words
But my feet felt as though they were glued to the ground when I arrived and saw our modest home engulfed in flames. All I could see was fire. The sound of wood crackling and turning to ash filled the air. Small explosions erupted, likely from burning poisons and herbs. I could scarcely recognize the house we had once called home. There were no familiar shapes, only the fluid movements of flames illuminating the darkness.
Rage surged through me as I considered who might be responsible for this. It was bold of me to assume they would simply let me go. I must have offended them, or they are simply malevolent without cause.
"Katniss!" My eyes widened as I saw a small figure running towards me from the rear of the burning house.
"Luke!" I knelt to his height. We embraced for a moment. My eyes grew moist upon feeling his cold skin despite the fire before us.
"They burned it down," he said.
"Who? Tell me."
"The people... of Valor. Many of them." Perhaps my earlier assumptions about the culprits were incorrect, but it did little to ease my distress. Our home was situated in a secluded village within the Kingdom of Astra. We had chosen this location to be closer to Luke while he studied. Now Luke was in peril, as the rules seemed to have shifted.
I bit my lip until it tasted of iron; I could not afford to lose him, especially to someone with sinister plans for him.
I released the embrace and cupped his face, meeting his eyes with seriousness. "Have you seen your older brother? Has he come here?"
A look of confusion crossed his face. "What?"
"Kalid." Realization dawned on him, and he shook his head. "Oh... no, no. We have not yet met since I returned from school." My brow furrowed momentarily but was soon replaced by a hopeful nod.
I rose and took his hands. "It is growing dark. We must find shelter before some malevolent spirit or creature is drawn to the fire." We began to move away from our beloved home, but my gaze caught three figures observing us from deeper in the woods. Despite the shadows, I could see them clearly. At the center stood a teenage girl, flanked by two tall men who appeared to be in their mid-forties. They all wore cloaks like mine, but their faces were visible. Their eyes were vacant, fixed on us without a hint of movement.
I blinked, and they vanished.
We sought refuge with one of Kalid's acquaintances, Jorge. He admitted us, though I could sense his disdain. His curious and somewhat disgusted gaze lingered on me as he served us burnt bread and poorly brewed coffee that tasted like watered milk. Nonetheless, I said nothing about it. He might be Kalid's friend, but he was certainly not mine. Perhaps he owed Kalid a great debt to allow us into his home despite my reputation. I should be grateful he helped us rather than brandishing a blade.
Before us was a dining table crafted from dark oak, its legs resembling small tree trunks, adorned with delicate branches extending upwards. At its center was a glass vase with withered roses. Luke busied himself with his coffee, casting glances around the house. I cleared my throat as Jorge sat down before us, showing no attempt to conceal his curiosity.
"You don't look much like a witch," he finally remarked. Jorge seemed to be of a similar age to me and lived alone in the house.
"She doesn't. Katniss is beautiful. If it weren't for her reputation, she would have many suitors," Luke added.
I ignored Luke's remark and smiled at Jorge. "I suppose that is a compliment. Thank you for hosting us."
"Of course. Your brother is my friend," Jorge replied. "So, what is your plan?"
"I still had to await Kalid's arrival. This morning, I had left a note in our backyard with a riddle only he would understand. It was merely a matter of time before he discovered it and arrived." Truthfully, I had many plans, especially after being abducted by a descendant of Valor, but I would offer no further satisfaction by divulging more.
"That is good. I hope he is well. It would be a shame if I could not tell him that I have reconsidered his offer to join his force for a mission," Jorge's words shocked me momentarily. He was referring to the mission my brother was currently involved in, the one concerning the relic. Before I could respond, he added, "So, how is the bread? I think I may have burned it a bit."
I glanced down at the almost black bread in my hand. It tastes like a burned house, "It is surprisingly good." He seemed pleased with himself and began eating as well.
I adjusted the arrows on my back, the bow resting on my lap. I glanced at Luke, who was now eating bread spread with butter, and then back to Jorge. "You know, I'm grateful you have butter here. Luke really prefers his bread with butter."
Jorge raised an eyebrow. "His favorite?"
"Yes! It tastes good," Luke agreed.
Nodding, I wiped the side of my lips with a cloth. "His favorite."
It was only then that Luke froze, a realization dawning upon him.
I smiled as his gaze was suddenly met by the tip of my smoking and enchanted arrow. I pulled back the drawstring further.
His eyes widened.
"Now we are done playing pretend. I wonder how you could be so unprepared to forget that my little brother is allergic to butter."
- Writer
