Fire

It'd been a long time since Marcus dreamt. Usually when he did he saw different scenes of a forest, or monsters running about. This time was different though, he was dreaming of Clair. Although he didn't know it was a dream, it was still pleasant. They were in her store, just talking and playing cards. Then they were drinking, then making love. A whole day played out in his dream.

The next day, Clair had left to go to the forest to pick herbs. She forgot something though, so she had to come back and get it. In his dream Marcus was just watching, like a fly on the wall. Clair stopped in the doorway of her bedroom and looked Marcus in the eyes. She gave him a soft smile, the smile going all the way to her eyes. She reached her hand out to him, he tried to reach out as well, but before he could, her red hair turned to flames.

The smile never left her face as all her hair turned into bright red flames. The dress she was wearing then burst into flames as well. Soon the whole room was burning, the glass vials on the walls burst from the heat. Marcus watched as Clair was consumed by flames, her skin bubbling, then turning black. She still had her hand held out, he could see her eyes, they were still looking at him. He tried to take her in his arms, but he was just a specter, watching events unfold.

Suddenly the flames stopped, as if someone had hit pause on a video, everything was frozen in time. Marcus held his breath in the dream, not knowing what would come next. Then he heard a voice, it was Clair's and she was screaming. He couldn't understand what she was trying to say, he listened closely, her voice repeated several times. Then suddenly he heard it as clear as if she was standing right next to him. She was screaming 'Help Me'.

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Marcus shot upright out of his bed roll. They were still on the road, it had only been two weeks since they left. He was drenched in sweat and it felt like there was a rock in his stomach. He could still hear Clair's screaming in his head, it was ringing in his ears, driving him mad. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He looked over to see Sif sleeping next to him. He shook her awake, he had to tell her to do something for him.

Sif opened her sleepy eyes, then looked over at Marcus. She cocked her head, Marcus had never woken her up in the middle of the night before, and he had an anxious look on his face.

"I need you to go back to Jakarta for me. You need to check on Clair, ok? I just have a bad feeling, can you do that for me?" Marcus asked, desperation clear in his voice.

He just had to check on Clair, he couldn't do it, he was too far away. Sif on the other hand could be back in Jakarta in a day if she hurried. Marcus trusted her to help Clair if she needed it, so Sif was his only choice.

Sif nodded her head, then started to stretch out her wings. She could tell how agitated Marcus was, so she wouldn't waste any time, she'd leave right away.

"Even if she's alright, can you stay by her side until I get back. Just make sure she's safe, ok?" Marcus asked with a shaky voice.

Sif gave another nod, then she beat her wings and disappeared into the night. Marcus sat there for a couple minutes, trying to calm himself down. He knew he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep so he decided to get up and move around a little. He tried to tell himself it was only a dream and that he didn't need to worry, but he knew better. Ever since he came to this world he felt that his dreams were more than just that. He just hoped that Sif would make it in time.

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It was a bright and sunny day in Jakarta. It was late summer, the nights were getting colder and the days weren't as hot, but it was still beautiful outside. Clair had scheduled a mission to go out and get some herbs. Since Marcus wasn't around, she had to post it at the Mercenaries Association. She was supposed to meet up with them at noon at the western gate, but she was running late. She was running back to her shop because she'd forgotten her gloves on the kitchen table. She could go without them, but her hands would probably be blistered by the time she was done.

She unlocked the door and ran up the stairs, there, on the kitchen table were her gloves. She took a moment to catch her breath, she was already sweating before she had done any work. She could tell that she'd sleep well tonight. She drank a cup of water then grabbed her gloves off the table. She was almost out of the kitchen when she heard glass shattering.

She wondered what the noise could be, maybe it was some punk kid throwing rocks. She started to go down the stairs, expecting to see a rock on her floor. She was halfway down the stairs before she smelled the smoke. She hurried her steps only to be stopped by the heat. Flames had already taken over most of the shop's first floor. Clair panicked and ran back upstairs.

She shut the door behind her, hoping that they would block the fire from getting to her. She went to the only window that was upstairs, it was a small window, but maybe she could fit through it. She opened it up, but only managed to get her head out. Her shoulders were just a little too wide to fit. She started to yell out to the passersby, she got their attention, but they were unable to help her. The flames had already grown so large that no one could stand to get too close.

She started to sweat even more, she could feel the scorching heat. The whole room was like a sauna and smoke was starting to come through the cracks of the door. She looked around, but didn't see anything that could help her. She cast some water magic, soaking the door, hoping to keep it from burning through. She could only keep that up for a few minutes, she was already fatigued and it was only getting worse. She could only hope that the city brigade would extinguish the fire soon.

She was starting to inhale the smoke, making her cough and wheeze. She wet a rag and wrapped it around her face, it helped clean the air as she took rapid breaths. The temperature continued to rise, every time she cast water magic on the door the water would sizzle and steam before it would reach the wood. The doorknob was beginning to glow red, and she heard the stairs collapse from behind the door.

She started to despair, she couldn't stand to be next to the door any longer, it was just too hot. She cast another water spell on her this time, trying to cool herself off. She was getting dizzy and lightheaded, it was hard for her to stand. She retreated back to the window, sticking her head out and breathing in fresh air. There was a crowd gathered around her apothecary, some citizens were desperately trying to cast water magic on the flames, but they were too weak to make a difference. She felt the floor underneath her shift, the support beams were being burned through, she knew they wouldn't last long.

Clair was losing hope, even if the city brigade showed up now they wouldn't be able to get to her in time. Although she was about to die, she was relatively calm. She's had a good life, most of it she was happy. She thought back to when she met her husband. He was a merchant's son, just starting out, following his father's footsteps. She was an apothecary's apprentice, learning from her mother. They met when they literally bumped into each other at the Merchant's Association.

They started seeing each other soon after that, and in just two years they were married. He used his own money to start the Healing Root, and the connections he had to grow it into one of the best apothecaries in the city. After several years together they had sizable savings and dreams of expanding the business. Then, after refusing several offers to buy the business, her husband had died.

She was lost without him, the business suffered greatly. Only after two years did she stabilize and start to grow it again, little by little. When she met Marcus, she was very thankful for him. He seemed to fill a gap that was in her heart. She would never stop loving her late husband, but that didn't mean she couldn't love another. She was glad that she had the chance to be with him.

Clair fell to her knees, smoke was thick in the room. Tears were making lines on her soot covered face as they streamed down. She might not get to see Marcus again, but maybe her husband would be on the other side, she thought as her consciousness was fading in and out. She laid her head down on the hot floor, almost hot enough to burn skin, and closed her eyes.

................

Sif was flying high in the sky, she just flew over Jakarta's massive walls. She was scanning the streets below, looking at the people walking by. She looked further into the city and noticed black smoke rising into the air. She propelled herself faster, arriving in just a few moments.

Once she reached the burning building, she didn't hesitate to dive right in. She had been to Clair's store many times, so there was no question if she had the right place. She burst through the ceiling, sending chunks of wood flying in every direction. The sight of her plunging into the building was disguised by the smoke.

She looked around Clair's upstairs apartment, the smoke made it hard for her to even see. She quickly made her way to the door, she could tell how hot it was on the other side. Turning around, she made her way further in, there, by the window, she saw Clair's body lying on the floor. She didn't know if she was too late. She quickly wrapped her up with her tail and took off through the hole that she made in the ceiling.

Sif had never carried a person while flying before, but she managed to stay in the air. It took all her strength to clear the building and land softly on the road nearby. The spectators made space for her as she landed, not coming any closer to her. They stared at her, not knowing what the creature was. Sif paid them no attention, she looked closely at Clair, hoping to see some signs of life.

Not seeing anything, Sif started to panic, she didn't know what to do. She looked around at the people that were gathered around them, none of them were stepping forward to help. She turned back to Clair, her still body covered in soot and small burns. She spread her wings out in frustration, the crowd took several steps back. Little blue arcs of electricity were jumping from scale to scale on her body.

She knew better than to let out her anger in the city, she reeled herself back in and placed her head on Clair's chest. When she made contact with her body, Clair jerked. Suddenly, she gasped, sucking in as much air as she could. Then started to cough, black phlem mixed with blood spattering Sif's face. She was still unconscious, but she was breathing.

"Out of the way! Make room!" A loud commanding voice came over the crow.

Soon a space opened up, allowing guards to make their way to where Clair and Sif were. They stopped and looked at Sif, taking a moment to recognize her. They had seen her with Clair before, so they weren't too wary. One guard bent over and took a good look at Clair.

"We need to get her to a healer, fast."

..................…

"You idiot!" Sir Allister was furious.

"I wanted you to burn her store down, not kill her!" He screamed, spittle flying out of his mouth.

"Look, you just paid me to set the place on fire at the designated time. You said the place was supposed to be empty, how was I supposed to know it wasn't." A small man defended himself, shrugging his shoulders.

Sir Allister let out a snort, there was nothing he could do about it now. The plan was to burn Clair's store to the ground. She would have no choice but to rely on him for funds to build another one. It might not have been the best plan, but he was running out of options. Now, instead of having her rely on him, Clair was at death's door. All he wanted was a piece of the profits, now the whole thing was ruined.

"Look, I did what you wanted me to, so just pay up and I'll be on my way."

"Fine, here." Sir Allister reluctantly handed over a small pouch of gold coins.

The small man smiled, took the pouch and opened it up. He fingered around, counting the coins. Sir Allister rolled his eyes, he wanted the man gone. After a moment, the man finished counting and left the room. Sir Allister let out a sigh, everything went to shit. He poured himself a glass of whiskey, taking a sip, he thought of a way to salvage the situation.