The genius begins to show

24th January, 1770.....

Aria was already five years old. She had manifested the power to bend fire before she had turned five. It was discovered when one day, as she was sitting and reading by the fire, a maid came to tend to the fire, to add more logs. The maid did not notice that her apron had caught fire. She only noticed when the fire had almost reached her skin. The maid let out a shriek and Aria, without knowing what she was doing, bended the fire out of the maid's clothes. Even she was a little shocked and happy as she began to play with it.

Aria was doing exactly this when her father arrived hearing the scream. He saw Aria bending the fire according to her will so easily that even he was a little surprised.

He quickly asked his wife to give the maid some clothes and not to disturb Aris as he went to fetch his father.

But by the time they came, Aria had returned the fire back into the fireplace. Her grandfather asked her to repeat it but Joseph was doubtful. It was probably the need of the hour and Aria could not do it again. Or so he thought. But he was very pleasantly surprised whe. Aria lifted her little finger and the fire moved as though dancing on her fingertips.

How proud they had all been that day. Though she was only five years old, Aria could bend fire better than either Beth or Julia, who were older than her. It was probably because Aria loved fire and spent most of her time training, though it was only playing for her.

On the cold morning of 24 January, Aria was sitting in her room, She sat on the floor as she read a book with one hand and made all the fire of the fireplace dance around her with the other.

Just then Beth entered her room. She said, "Aria, why are you sitting on the floor? It's so dirty and you have a really nice bed. Sit on that."

Aria looked up from her book, "It's because the bedsheets may catch the fire."

Beth: "Then don't play with fire. Just wear another cardigan or so. You are just wearing one dress, of course you will feel cold."

Aria: "But I like it with fire."

Beth: "You are unbelievable. Anyway, get up. Father is looking for you."

Aria gave her a puzzled look to which Beth responded, "Don't look at me like that. Even I don't know why he wants you."

Aria nodded and put the fire back. Then she put down her book and followed Beth.

Beth took her to the living room where their father was sitting. He beckoned them and said, "Beth, go to your mother. She wants to teach you to knit. Aria come with me."

The girlsnodded and went their respective ways. Aria followed her father in a direction she had not been for many months. She asked, "Dad, why are we going to grandfather's study?"

Joseph: "He wants to talk to you about something."

Aria nodded and wondered what was so important. The only times grandfather asked someone into his study was when they were in serious trouble or there was something really important to talk about.