Two | Wind and fire

The wind from the West blew stronger with every beat. Wrapped in a thick, white garment made of a wolf's fur, Lala tightened her grasp on her brother's coat as they watched men and women danced around the bonfire, their bodies following the rhythm of the drums.

"I wanta be a dan-se too when I gow up." She said, her eyes fixed on a girl whose hair were as dark as hers.

"You tell mamma," was her brother's only reply. They watched silently under the moonless sky as people cheered around them.

"Aw you gonta be like pappa when you gow up, Tig?" Lala asked her brother when the music receded into a slower rhythm.

"No." Tigreal answered without hesitating.

"Why not?" Her sister's gaze turned to him, puzzled.

"I don't want to be a masterhealer. I want to be a knight." He told her with pride in his 12-year old voice.

"A knight? Like Leo of the Highpeak!" Lala's voice squeaked at the end. Her mamma had read her many stories and the tale of Leo had fascinated her the most. He was the legendary knight believed to be the strongest in the entire realm. Watching her brother's serious expression, she felt his ambition like it was the main purpose of his existence.

"Yes, Lala. Like Leo of the Highpeak. I want to protect our people. Protect mamma, pappa, and you." He turned to Lala and ruffled her hair.

"Potect us fom wolves?"

"Yes."

"And bels?"

"Yes, bears and raccoons, and bunnies."

The fire crackled and grew brighter against the wind as dancers made their final bow. Tigreal took Lala's hand.

"Bunnies don't bite." Lala said as her brother led them out of the crowd.

"Some do. The cursed ones with huge, sharp teeth." They finally made it at the back where a path lined with old trees would lead them back home. "They lure kids who love dancing and then..."

Tigreal roared, flashing his white teeth on Lala's face. Started, she hit him with a strong but harmless smack on the arm.

"You scaying me!!" She exclaimed.

Tigreal bursted into laughter. Lala tugged her hand off from his brother and they started racing down the slightly steep trail.

Lala ran down, down, as fast as she could, her brother trailing behind. She knew she was no match to Tigreal but he would always let her win.

Halfway down the path, Tigreal thought he heard someone scream. He stopped and turned his head back to the bonfire jam-packed with adults singing and dancing. The celebration continued, barrels of alcohol were stacked on the far right side.

How he wished they could linger a bit longer but he promised pappa they would go home after the show. "It's only for adults, kids are not allowed to stay up late." His father reminded him.

"Tiggy! Tiggy!" Lala yelled. She already reached the porch of their wooden house.

"Coming!" Tigreal yelled back before turning his head back to the path.

The crowd went wild above.

How I wish I could join in! Tigreal thought, envious of their laughs. He fought the urge to look back and continued down the trail, the wind blowing his shoulder-length hair.

Another scream. This time it sounded clearer.

Tigreal ignored it. The storytelling must be starting now, he thought. Oh, how he wished he could listen to the tales of the masterteller, stories of knights and magicians.

He waved to Lala when he was only a stone's throw away from their home.

Another scream. And then another. The crowd roared so loud the ground shook a little.

"Tiggy look!" Lala shouted, her face looked like she had seen a ghost. She covered her open mouth with her hands, shocked.

Tigreal's head snapped back up the hill. The entire hilltop was burning! And it was raining fire!

Tigreal gasped for air, jolted awake by a nightmare. It wasn't the first time. Huge beads of sweat trickled down his forehead, his heart pumping so loud like the drums beating that unfortunate night.

He closed his eyes tightly for a second to ease the headache already forming. The sun was already high, its light peeking below the small window of his room.

It had been 12 years but the nightmare still felt like it was yesterday.

"Lala," he murmured. Before he could stop it, a tear rolled down his face.