Chapter 1 - Pyrokinesis: The ability to manipulate fire

Janes’ POV

The black stone in the walls mimicked the dark earth everything was built on, we are very practical people, where most would have placed birch wood to brighten the room, we didn’t add unnecessary brightness or color. The rooms always smelled of smoke from the worn fireplaces crammed into every corner.

I sat on my bed spinning a small knife, my finger laced around the jagged edge and twisted it before it could cut me, I exhaled at the far end of the castle far away from everyone I could let out my very real steam, I whipped the knife at the door frame, as the door opened. “Father!” I yelled as I stood up. He took the knife out of the door.

“I see you're having fun.” He flipped it and threw it at my bedpost, I could feel myself flinch slightly. “I need to talk to you.” I followed him down to his office, I saw my mother already there. I knew I would not enjoy many of the conversation paths this would take.

“Jane, we wanted to talk about Ironside-”

“I’d rather not,” I said, my father grabbed my arm.

“You need to meet them someday.” My father said I shook my head.

“You know how uncomfortable sailing makes me, I don’t need to meet them, I’ve made it this far without them.” My mother sighed.

“But we haven’t, they’re our family, your family.” I huffed.

“Your father despised you, you always told me the stories of how he treated you, just because you were your mother's bastard.” My father frowned. “I want nothing to do with that family.” I turned to leave.

“I’m afraid you don’t have a choice.” My father said, I froze. “We have invited my brother and sister here, while you go to Ironside, your eighteen Jane, your time to rule is coming, you're going to need them.” I shook my head.

“I’m incapable of needing anyone.” I walked back to my room and shut the door, my hands burned, and with them, my sleeves fell to ashes, I calmed my fire down to a simmer. I packed my bag and headed to the ship I knew they would have prepared. Three days on a ship could very well kill me.

“Only for a few weeks, then you can never leave Dark Well again.” My mother said, “Keep your fire under control if anyone found out-”

“Mother, you worry too much.” My father handed me my sword, I unscrewed the handle and oil leaked out, Meritum mors est, was written on the blade, Death too must be earned.

“Try to keep the killing to a minimum.” My father said, patting my shoulder.

“Unlike you.” I laughed, he sighed. I walked onto the ship.

“We’re ready, your Grace!” The crew yelled, my mother pulled back her arrow and it cut through the ship's ropes setting us to sea. The world of South Haven was not a small place, Dark Well sat in the heart of it all with Doveshire to the west and Starkport to the east, and the reclusive Vale to the south across the sea. Dark Well will always be my home, ruled by my mother and father Zelda and Jon Stevens, King and Queen with me as the next ruler, I was primed to rule, thinking about it just makes me shrug slightly.

While that could be enough to drag a normal human down, I was no normal human, my hands always seemed too hot, yet I never sweat. The wind in the air always seemed to wrap around me without lifting my hair from my shoulders. I held my hands out smoke rose from them before I shoved them back into my pockets, Fire and Wind were always held right at my fingertips it made my life hell, it can be lonely being more powerful than anyone you know, with them came a whole slew of side-effects, I have limited emotional control, and have to abstain from physical contact and of course liquid water, I looked at the sea and it looked back at me.

I thought of the names I’d been given in legends, Pure and Lure worshippers prefer the name demon and would be required to execute me on sight, I prefer Elemental, the lost religion: Night Shadows praised Elementals saying they were Crepuscular’s creations, I laughed at it all.

Pure and Lure is still the most popular religion, so I remain hidden, Night Shadows were all murder hundreds of years ago by Vale’s massive Chiffon following. Any mention of The Goddess of Light; Chiffon, always made my skin tickle, while The God of Darkness; Crepuscular, only could be described by the disapproving looks on the people around me whenever his name was said.

No religion ever interested me, even with this unexplained power, I’d been cursed with, I refused to believe the lies, the provinces contain the much more interesting business. Where I’m going Ironside is part of Dove Shire ruled by my father’s sister Nora and husband Diomedes Vasuman. East Watch is ruled by my father’s brother Robert and wife Juliet Stevens, and of course, The Vale is ruled by a reclusive Queen and Prince.

The next few days were hell on earth, I stayed far away from the edge and watched the wind in the sails instead of the waves in the water.

“Your Highness.” I turned. “Someone is going to have to row you to shore, the water is too shallow for us to go any further.” I cringed, I looked into the water.

“I can row myself to shore, I don’t want anyone to have to go to shore with me only to come back.”

“Your Highness it’s not a problem-” I raised my hand.

“I insist, I’ve done it many times before.” Not wanting to argue he shrugged. As they lowered the boat into the water, I would love to not have to row myself to shore but if the water touches me and it will, I can’t risk anyone seeing me flinch when only touched by the simple water. I started down the ladder and into the boat, which was beginning to feel more and more like a coffin. I waved to the crew and began rowing, a fog had settled over the water, in a few minutes I could no longer see the ship. The waves continued to reach for me, several big waves came, and before long the deafening sound of silence hit my ears, I paddled frantically, I could sense in the air, a huge wave coming, it would overturn me and throw me in the water to die, I was becoming uneven when another small ship came into view.

“Need a hand?” I saw a young man.

“Is it even worth saying no?” He reached for my hand, but I slipped and I could feel myself being pulled to the water.

“I’ve got you!” My senses gave out, and darkness grabbed hold. “Are you okay?” I clenched my eyes shut as my head throbbed.

“I’m fine,” I said, trying to sit up.

“Easy, you may have hit your head on the boat.” I felt the need to roll my eyes. “Can you remember your name?” He laughed, I frowned.

“Jane.”

“Can I assume you're going to Ironside, Jane?” He was very close to me, I could feel his heat when I finally opened my eyes. His eyes were the first thing I saw, they were orange and seemed to pierce through me.

“Yes, and thanks for the-”

“Rescue?” I nodded, He held the side of my head, I hit his hand away. “Just trying to see if you're bleeding.”

“I said I’m fine.” He frowned.

“How am I supposed to tell when your hair is the color of blood?” I laughed, yes the dark red hair always threw people.

“What about you and your light blonde hair, I feel blinded.” He laughed.

“I’m taking you back to shore, can you sit up?” He grabbed my shoulder and pulled me up.

“Woah.” I fell forward into him.

“Easy.” His voice was relaxing compared to my normal life, he moved behind me, as the waves pushed us to shore.

“Are you going to tell me your name?” He sighed, as his head hovered over my shoulder.

“Con.”

Cons’ POV

“Just Con?” She asked, I sat her back down, she seemed very unique, her red and black hair smelled of smoke, I could feel my cheeks flare along with my curiosity.

“Well, my full name is Conrad.”

“Avoiding your full name, are you?” I rolled my eyes.

“Just not a fan.” She laughed. “Where are you coming from Jane?”

“Dark Well, you from Ironside?”

“Yes, the most uninteresting place in South Haven, why are you going there?”

“I’m just visiting.” I raised an eyebrow, her green eyes had more darkness in them than any brown eyes I had ever seen, I noticed a scar near her left eye, and the sword at her hip, it looked screwed into the holder.

“What’s with the sword?” She quickly turned away.

“Never seen a woman with a sword?” She asked, I felt a tinge of venom in her words.

“No, I meant-”

“I know what you meant.” I became aggravated, if she wanted to act that way I didn’t care, the boat hit the shore, and she jumped off.

“Thank you, Conrad.” I jumped to shore after her, she bowed slightly before disappearing into the fog.

“Bit of a temper on that one.” I pushed my boat back into the sea, the waves burned my arms, I climbed in quickly, I had to say goodbye to my mother before she left, I lit my hand on fire and burned the water from my arms, living on an island and yet I still wasn’t used to the pain the water causes me. I looked down at my hands, I always felt they could only bring destruction, I’ve spent my entire life trying to control the heat inside, I’ve tried reading about where it may have come from but all the books on Elementals were burned long ago, people probably think they’re gone for good, but then there's me, just a bastard who has been given uncontrollable and unimaginable power, for no reason at all. I’ve always lived in fear, someone would find me out and throw me into the ocean to die a slow and very painful death. I’m 18 years old and I feel as if no one knows I exist at all. My father hates me, because I’m not his child, even though I was born before he and my mother were set to be married. This is the first time I’ll be alone with my father, I’m nervous, to say the least, at least I have my younger brother Tristan, My father; Diomedes, true son, Tristan and I enjoy reading together a lot and while he’s never been a physical fighter I’ve tried building up my skills to prove to my father I’m not useless.

Janes’ POV

That Con started to become condescending, rude to assume a girl can’t fight, when I reached the city I was escorted by the guards to three people and a crowd. “Her Royal Highness Princess of Dark Well, her Grace the Duchess of Blacklock, Jane of house Stevens. I introduce you to The Majesties Diomedes and Nora Vasuman of Dove Shire, Graces of Ironside, along with His Royal Highness the Prince of Dove Shire Tristan Vasuman.” I bowed largely to the three, silently hating how long and awkward introductions were.

“Jane, you're just as your father described,” Nora said she was normal looking and her hair was a nice brown-tinted red.

“The all-powerful Lady Jane, I’m ecstatic to finally meet you,” Diomedes said, he, on the other hand, was quite tall and burly. “I've thought of nothing but your combat skills since you agreed to come, would you mind a demonstration?” I smiled, combat was very much my specialty.

“I would love nothing more.” I stood straight and unscrewed my blade. The fresh smell of oil filled the air, I swung it, getting rid of the droplets, I touched the blade and it caught fire.

“So it’s true, I had to see it with my own eyes, it’s better than I imagined,” Diomedes said.

“Hopefully my skills can also prove to be worthy of your imagination,” I smirked. “Pick any one you want, I must warn you they will die.” Diomedes smiled.

“I can tell I will be taking a liking to you.” I shrugged, Diomedes turned to the soldier next to him, “Sir Rick, would you want to take a stab at my niece?”

“Your Majesty?”

“Please do me the honor, and kill her where she stands.” He appeared shocked, then nodded.

“Are you going to fight with no armor?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, and I implore you to begin lest I kill you slower.” Diomedes laughed, but the knight’s eyes flared.

“I’m not impressed with your magic trick, girl.” I shrugged.

“Too bad.” I slid behind him and kicked him in the rear prompting him to fall. “Because you’re going to need all the help you can get from magic.”

“It’s all about strength.” He quickly gets up and lunges at me, I hold my ground and catch his blade in mine, I bring the fire close to his face and he seems to flinch away.

“Strength gets you nowhere if you have irrational fears.” I threw his blade to the side and held my lit one to his face. “Could you get on your knees, makes the next part easier.” He scoffed.

“Fire and fancy footwork is nothing.” I backed away and he grabbed his sword, the crowd really wanted to see me die.

“What are you waiting for, kill her?!” A woman yelled, We locked blades again and I burned his hand on my blade.

“Enough with the fire!” He yelled and I laughed.

“Fine, I’ll make it easy for you.” I put my blade out in the dirt, then slid to the side and cut up his arm.

“I can see the darkness in you, you don’t stand for the light do you?” I made a sad face.

“Winning doesn’t have a shade, I fear, however losing always comes with a shade of red.” I pointed to his arm, and he came for my head. I was now becoming bored with his talking, I scraped my blade along the side of his helmet, before jumping onto his shoulders.

“What in the name of Crepuscular are you doing?!” I grabbed the front of his helmet and stabbed him in the eye, blood poured out of his mouth, he coughed and blood splattered on my face as he choked to death.

“Live up to your expectations?” The crowd was silent waiting for Diomedes’ response.

“That,” he began, “was astonishing!” The crowd cheered.

“Very impressive Jane,” Nora said, holding the head of Rick.

“I wish I could fight like that.” I turned to see Tristan standing there, I knew he was younger than me, but he was still quite skinny.

“Thanks only took me my entire life to practice.” I smiled at him, and he smiled back.

“I’ll be taking my leave,” Nora said. I almost forgot she was going to Blacklock to meet with my father. I wanted to beg her to take me too, till I remembered I’m never getting in a boat again.

“Goodbye, Tristan.” Nora and Tristan hugged before she moved to Diomedes and kissed him.

“See you soon my Queen,” Diomedes said, Nora turned to the crowd.

“May Chiffon bring pureness to you all.” She bowed as the crowd cheered and waved, patting my shoulder before walking to the docks.

“Well Jane, Tristan, are you hungry?” Diomedes said, holding us together.

“Always,” Tristan said, I looked up at the sky and realized the evening was already setting in.

“Actually I’m pretty tired,” I said, Diomedes nodded.

“Dinner, in the great hall!” Diomedes yelled, and the townspeople started heading towards the center building.

“Jane, before you go I want you to meet Valery Vow.” Tristan was joined by a yellow blonde girl.

“Vow, the long line of Ironside warriors,” I observed, she nodded.

“You do your research.” She said, “Sorry I missed your fight, I look forward to our battle, however.” She smirked.

“I am as well.” I said, “I’m guessing I’ll be seeing both of you tomorrow?”

“Of course,” Tristan said, as he and Valery left for the hall, Valery had her arm wrapped around his shoulders. I raised an eyebrow, they were together.

“Sure you don’t want anything?” Diomedes asked, “I heard you rowed to shore yourself.”

“I’m positive, and I was given a lift by a young man halfway to shore actually.” He frowned.

“Who?”

“His name was Con, Conrad.” His eyes squinted slightly before he smiled.

“Good to know, well enjoy your evening, they’ll take you to your hut.” He walked off, and a few guards took me into town and down an open road to a hut, I went inside and lit the fire, before undressing and burning the blood from my body, and tossing aside my travel clothes, I changed into my normal battle-ready outfit, before sitting in front of the fire and sharpening my sword.

Cons’ POV

“Mother!” I yelled as I saw her turn onto the docks.

“Con, I’m glad I get to see you before I leave.” She stood by my boat.

“I can row you to the ship if you want-”

“Your Majesty, the ship is ready-”

“It’s okay, my son is going to row me there.” She smiled and climbed in, as the guards frowned, clearly they didn’t trust me to do this simple job for Nora. “I feel like I haven’t seen you a lot these days.” I shrugged as I started rowing.

“Been avoiding the setup for your family.” She frowned, then sighed.

“They’re your family too Con, I hope you will reconsider meeting them.”

“Don’t you all come from great houses, I’d be a joke to them-”

“Oh stop it, I’ve told you about my brother, he rules Dark Well now.”

“I know but they’re not your brother-”

“Yes, they’re better, their his daughter and niece, I think you’ll find them interesting.” She paused and smiled. “Just promise me you’ll think about it and keep an eye on Tristan.” I laughed.

“Fine, I promise.” The tide had come in quite a bit so the ride was much shorter, she leaned down and kissed my cheek, sending pain shooting up and down my arm.

“I love you, and I’ll see you when I get back.” I have always wanted to tell my mother about my fire, but she could never understand, no one could. I helped her onto the latter, then started to row back to shore for the night.