Crimsons sat around a large table. Those from the six provinces and nearby outposts wore formal attire like everyone else. Mila seated Arin next to him at the front of the table. Across from her was Coyasko, too busy conversing to notice her. She remained tense. What if a Crimson attacked her?

Just enjoy yourself. No one here seems that hostile! Arin watched everyone unable to hide her unease.

“You seem anxious,” Mila commented not even batting an eye at her. “I wish you would relax. Is something bothering you?”

She shied away from the question. Kilin threw himself into the chair next to her, blowing a strand of crimson red hair out of his face. Arin smiled, her mentor joining the meeting provided the security she desired.

“I hate dressing up like this,” he grumbled, playfully elbowing her. “I wish we could just be casual. But no, Mila makes us look fancy.”

“Kilin, we can’t attend these meetings dressed in rags. Am I the only mature one?”

Mila’s general nodded affirmatively, “yes, yes you are.”

The king rolled his eyes before smiling, “let’s get this meeting started.”

Mila stood, holding his hands up for silence. The crowd hushed turning to their king. “Before we start I would like to apologize for the complete change of plans at the last minute. We did have an opportune time to attack the Others but something happened. A few Rank Ones snuck out with to attack when they weren’t chosen to—”

Concerned murmurs broke out before Mila could even finish. A few focused on her, their elation now replaced with somber frowns. Others did not hide their disappointment.

“A few snuck out, and one of them merged with their apparent partner. It turns out that the one who did is the Fire of Truth.” Complete silence. She glanced at Mila as he sat down. “I truly wanted to attack, but getting one of the first Children of Destiny situated and safe was my priority.”

“Is the Fire of Truth the child next to you?” one asked jumping to his feet, pointing at Arin. She turned her gaze away, slightly embarrassed and ashamed.

“She is. This is Arin, a child from the Reality Dimension, and the Plaque-Reader.” At this the room went wild with panicked shouts, most were mentioning apocalypses, end of the world, and other nonsense. “Everyone calm down!”

“She is going to get us all killed! Humans only bring destruction!”

“That is an erroneous statement! She has defended the Crimsons several times. She may have snuck out but if it wasn’t for her none of those Crimsons would have survived. When Others attacked the Rank One and Two students she saved them nearly costing her own life. She has even courageously fought Croun in hand-to-hand combat to protect her friends.”

“Why do you of all people speak good things about this—this human mutt?”

“We are all humans. Do not label a child of our ancestors as a freak. Believe me I was beyond disrespectful to her but it was too late by the time I had changed. Arin has every right to be called a Crimson, she inherits the traits our founders had. Mirin would expect more from us!”

“Mirin is dead. He has been for six hundred years so his beliefs are outdated!” another sneered. “I refuse to accept this whelp as our savior!”

Mila stood again shouting at all of the Crimsons. Kilin placed a hand on her shoulder, amber eyes clouded with worry. Everyone raised their voices to be heard until it was full chaos.

“We should go, it isn’t safe for you to be here,” Kilin offered her a hand up but she ignored it.

“But—but I can’t leave with everyone here hating me!”

“How can you convince them? They hate you because you’re human, how can you change that?”

“I have to prove that I’m Crimson, but—”

“A live demonstration,” Mila was sitting down again ignoring everyone yelling at him. “Why not show off your fire?” Everyone drew silent as she climbed onto the table, her knees knocked against each other. Arin fiddled with the dress’s lining as she waited for instructions. “Would any of you care to spar against this ‘filth’?”

The first Crimson to jeer at her eagerly hopped onto the table. Arin turned to Mila uneasily. She was in a dress, the skirt would get her way, she would slip in the shoes.

“Go on. He’ll bite but he won’t kill.”

This is stupid. Fire swirled around his wrists at her command. Arin was careful not to catch her skirt on fire. This is very stupid.

He released a small inferno, she allowed the small flame to scorch her. It was soft against her skin, it was weak against her dress. He wasn’t even trying.

She threw both of her fists forward, a combustion roaring from each fist. A few applauded her technique. She did a quick bow, shaking wildly.

The Crimson released another flame from his palm, much more powerful this time. She countered, her fire equal to the Crimson’s blast. He stopped abruptly, side stepping away from her retaliation.

Her anger fueled her flame. Again and again, Arin thrust fists of fire forward.

Still think I’m a pushover? Still think I’m weak? She stopped her attacks, fists smoking. Embers fluttered onto the table. The Crimson held his hands in front of his face petrified.

“Still doubt her?”

“Well—erm—”

“Arin, tell them how you unlocked your fire.”

“You see, sirs and ma’ams,” a few straightened, awaiting to judge her story, “I was hiding with the other students when Kin, an Other general, attacked me. The night before I foresaw him and Croun and Scolo talking about me. Anyways after he burned me I got up and then fire came from my hands.”

“So . . . let’s say you really are a ‘Child of Destiny,’ does this make you our ally or our foe?”

The Crimsons who knew what Mila had done to her were on the edge of their seats. Did Mila know she would be put on the spot like this? Was his plan to force her alliance with the Crimsons?

“I have suffered a lot because of you guys . . .” Mila lowered his head guilty, “but . . . I can forgive. I can’t trust you, I won’t ever forget this, but I can forgive. So, for now I’m on your side and I’ll help you all.” She forced herself to smile. He knew this would happen. Did he actually trick me?

“May the spirits bless you for that great choice.”

“Can someone please clarify why humans are evil? It really upsets me that I’m bullied for reasons I don’t know.” As Arin sat down again Mila sighed.

“It really isn’t anything personal, you see you humans have tortured us greatly. In the Reality Dimension we were hunted for being witches and wizards. Our powers were punishable by death. We wanted freedom and thankfully we discovered a portal. We migrated here to this land which we named Fynne. To us,” Mila smiled closing his eyes. He was enjoying memories, “this was peace. Our time for prosperity was now. We never had any intent on having revenge, we just isolated ourselves. A few times humans came by and we allowed them to join us. But what really caused our animosity was—” He suddenly turned away from her, rubbing his arm.

“Let’s focus on our new battle strategy now. Don’t think about the past, Mila,” Coyasko glanced at Arin. “You’re dismissed, Arin. Your new dorm will be ready shortly. While you are our trump card you are not ready to be revealed in battle.”

Arin stood, all eyes focused on her. She did a quick bow before hurrying out of the meeting room. Her shoes clicked against the stone as she fled the Crimsons.

Once she left and turned the corner, Arin released a stressed sigh. Her shaking stopped. She leisured through the wide hallway, gazing upon the portraits of every Crimson leader. Mila and Gage were sitting next to one another smiling. All of the other leaders had no partners. She mused on the idea of herself being queen one day, Scor sitting next to her.

She followed the long hallway of rulers, most of them were younger men and women. A few seemed a little older. Arin finally reached the first one, a golden plate under his portrait.

Mirin.

A breeze floated through the open hallways. She shivered. Unlike all of the other floors this one had no walls, the balcony hung over the middle courtyard. Onyx railings prevented any klutz from falling to their deaths.

Arin took one last glance at the broad, tall man before ambling to the long balcony. The brisk afternoon breeze cooled her anger. She rested her elbows on the smooth railing, watching small clouds roll over the sky.

Another breeze weaved through her hair, the flower swayed. She reached to fix it but it flew out of her braid. Arin gasped whirling around to grab it.

Before she could pick it up someone else had.

Oshwa bowed as he handed her the flower. She accepted it from his talons, twirling the stem in between her fingers. “May I join you?”

“Yeah, but don’t you have to help the others foresee the future?”

“Eh. We aren’t planning on attacking anyways, they just want strategies and talking about how many should be posted here and there. So I thought that checking on you was more important. Are you alright? You seem pretty shaken.”

She shrugged watching Crimsons train below her, “I mean becoming the chosen one and being forced to help those who hurt you is hard. So much has happened these past days and I really miss my home.”

“Would you like to go for a walk? We can just roam around the castle aimlessly and talk and talk and talk! Surely that will help you.”

“Okay, it should keep my mind off of everything—”

He spread his chocolate wings chuckling. He unclipped his green cloak and neatly draped it over his feathered arm. His baggy clothing was definitely not Mila’s idea of “formality” for this type of meeting.

He wrapped his arm around her as they walked, talons clutching her bare shoulder. “Have I ever told you about that time I almost convinced Mila to join my cult when we were kids?”

***

It was late by the time Oshwa stopped by her new dorm. The two hugged before parting ways for the night.

“Same time tomorrow, all right?”

“Yeah! Where should we meet?”

“Second courtyard at a picnic table. I want to watch you train a little.”

Arin smiled as she closed the door. The rest of her roommates were busy quizzing each other about basic combat scenarios. They all greeted Arin as she sat down on her bed. Silently, she watched them test each other.

The two moons rose quickly. The five said their good nights before climbing into bed. Lucky for Arin she was close to a window. Once everyone was asleep she sat up gazing at the night sky, fascinated by the beautiful night. Never before had she seen so many stars. Why wasn’t the Reality Dimension as beautiful? Arin sighed resting her head on her knees as she continued to watch the night pass.