The Legend of Fireheart

SCARLETT’S HEAD WAS WARM, and it wasn’t due to the fire roaring in the middle of the plaza. After drinking so many rounds of ale and drinks she didn’t know the name of, her arms and legs were tingling. Her vision was slightly blurry, and for the first time in the day, she was able to relax. The world around her seemed to be moving in slow motion, even with so many people dancing and celebrating around her. It wasn’t the first time she drank so much, but after such a long day, the alcohol’s effect seemed to have multiplied. She was too tired to dance, so she sat on a large leather chair near the fire, and watched. This was the only night of the year when men were allowed into the village, and the other women were obviously enjoying the company of the few male specimens that had been invited. Some were relatives, brothers, or friends. But most of them were probably strangers who were there just for the fun. It was no coincidence that so many babies were born ex

NO ONE REMEMBERED WHEN OR HOW the Karainas came to breed rheas, or why the birds only answered to them. Outsmarting and outrunning horses, the plumed beasts were elevated to almost legendary status among humans.They were also the making or breaking of a Karaina.It wasn’t common for the rheas to reject a potential Karaina, but it had happened before. And Scarlett was the first person to attempt this without having any fire magic.What if the birds saw through her, and none of them wanted her as their rider?Lost in thought, Scarlett didn’t realize that the ceremony had begun until a thundering roar filled the air. Green, blue and red smoke billowed out of the pylon, and spirit beasts of all shapes and sizes appeared on the arena. They moved slowly towards the trainees, leaving no footprints on the sand.Analyzing the situation, she hoped the spirit beast she’d have to fight would be the boar. Her shield would protect her from its

THIS TIME THE VISION FELT DIFFERENT as if she were no longer part of a dream. Her surroundings were blurry, and she couldn't make out exactly where she was. All he could see was yellow, orange, and red as if she were in the middle of the sun itself."Who are you, and why do you come here?" said a grave, raspy voice. It came from nowhere and everywhere at the same time.Somehow, she knew the voice was speaking to her."I am Scarlett of the Karai," she replied. Her voice came out stronger than she thought it would."No, you are not," said the voice."Why do you come here?"I wish to be a Karaina," replied Scarlett, unsure of what she was supposed to answer."No, you do not.""Yes I do," said Scarlett, without thinking.Who was this voice who told her everything she was saying was a lie?"The path you seek is not the one you must tread. But for now, you must pave your own way. We will meet again," said the voice.

Dawn was not far away by the time Scarlett and Mimbi were done. A dull headache was settling into Scarlett’s head, but the room around her kept spinning. Mimbi, on the other hand, was fast asleep beside her. How had they ended up like this? After the last trial, the rheas were all taken to be fitted for mounts. Scarlett hadn’t wanted to say goodbye to Sunu so soon after she had picker her, but everyone was anxious to get the celebrations started, even the rhea breeders. She had no words to describe the gratitude she felt towards the bird. Sunu had picker her, and not the other way around. After saying goodbye to Sunu, Scarlett had quickly taken a bath in the pools and then went to join the fun. Then she vaguely remembered talking to Pakuri after drinking too much ale, Mimbi showing up and interrupting them, and then… Somehow it started with a kiss, which later led them to run to the barracks and lock the door behind them. None of them

By the time Scarlett made her way out of the village and across the stream, Pakuri and Voty had rescued over forty girls and one boy who had been visiting his mother. She had searched for other kids as she rode through the village, but it seemed that most of them had run away with their mothers or sisters.Voty was desperately trying to calm the infants, who were terrified, sleepy, and hungry. Pakuri looked like she wanted to murder them all."Do you know where we're regrouping?" Voty said, holding a fat blonde baby in her arms. She kept thrashing and hitting her. "We have to go find help. I don't think we can resist the Hova for much longer. There… were a lot of casualties in the meadow near the arena," Scarlett said, trying to hold it together. She feared that if she started crying, the scared-looking kids would all start wailing. Luckily, a few of them seemed to have no idea what was going on, and they were just excited to be taking a trip to the