BENEATH THE ASHES

sa'

the scent of old books, dried herbs, and a hint of smoke from the candles she loved to burn. Every inch of w

. Baskets overflowed with feathers, bones, and other mysterious trinkets, while tiny, exquisite mechanisms whirred and ticked on the windowsil

. Yet, even here, a sprinkling of peculiar objects had claimed the pillows and coverlet: a crys

ht, and her sharp blue eyes sparkled with mischief. She stretched, her petite frame u

ng system consisted of a large, communal tub filled with hot water, which was then ladled into individual b

the day. She flung open her wardrobe, revealing a riotous explosion of color. Dres

as a long, flowing gown made of silk, with intricate embroidery depicting flowers and vines.

lk glide smoothly over her skin. But, in a move that betrayed her mischiev

kirts getting in the way. What? It was a practical choice, she

golden locks. She picked up a comb and began to tease out the knot

defy gravity. But as she worked, she couldn't help but feel like it was too fussy, too pe

e. But as she turned to admire her handiwork, she caught a glimpse of herself and burst out laughing. The

back with a leather thong, then braided the end and secured it with a small pin. It was a pra

he slung her sachet bag over her shoulder, filling it with her bow and arrows, embroidery ho

ked out of her room, leaving behi

lfway point, she stopped, smirked, and turned around. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she s

nce. Her father's face lit up with a warm smile as he caught sight of he

ther from behind. Her mother, maintained a stern expression, and merely to

licked back in perfect order. Nessa couldn't resist the urge to rumple his hair, scattering his carefully a

edly about their plans for the day. Her mother and brother were

r chair, eager to escape. "I have some errands

d. "What errands?" she as

just something silly I'm doing with Mal," s

o her deception. "I just need to get some supplies for

With a mischievous grin, Nessa bid her family farewel

dress fluttered behind her, the colorful fabric catching the eye of passersby. As she walked, she

w, her fingers brushing against

through the din of the market. "Now, now, little s

zed the speaker. "Mal, what are you doing her

ook plastered on his face. "We're

ion deepened.

der. "For the apot

narrowed as M

"So, where are you really going?"

to see Betty. She's really sick." She says the first t

ce. Nessa knew she had him there – Mal had a long-standing crush

"Why couldn't you just tell Mother and Father

t in her eye. "Just didn't feel like it'

knowing look. They both understood that

"So, have you heard about the recruitment of

xpression leukwarm.

"It's kind of exciting, don't you t

but she quickly masked it with a

ing. "You're not even a little curi

id Arch forget to tell her so huge as being recruited? Forget that, he'd

farewell, heading off in the opposite direction. Ness

nds, Archie and Betty. As she approached, she could hear their laughter and cha

ord, she reached over her shoulder and drew out her bow and arrow. Archie's eyes

. "Nessa, what are you doing?" sh

g past Archie's ear with a mere inch to spare. Archie's eyes went wide with shock as he s

ssa, what's wrong with you?" she dema

ith a fierce intensity. "Just a little target pr

s he told Nessa, "You sh

ange, but her voice was icy.

clueless. "What's going on?" she asked, her brow furrowed with c

, Arch?" she demanded. "All this time, I thought you'd given up on your dreams.

oked away, but not before Nessa sa

e stopped, her eyes darting to Archie before returning to Nessa. "The

as she realized that both Archi

s face. "Don't drag Betty into this, Nessa. I told

anning to tell me, huh?" she spat. "When you

"I thought we were friends." She shook her hea

alked away, leaving Archie

ard, but Betty caught h

ie said, his voic

d. "No, I'll talk to he

long strides eating up t

y called out, her v

limb up, pulling her dress up to reveal the pants underneath. Bett

own," Betty said, her

there, her back against the trunk of th

no response from Nessa, "Fine! You want to stay on t

d up and began to climb the tree, but her dress got caught o

ty said, looking up at Nessa with a

ther blankly for a moment, and t

hand. "That's why everyone should wear pants," Nessa said with a grin.

elf up, brushing off her dress. "I'll k

d, "What's wrong, Nessa? You two are always f

uth in Betty's words. "I know, I know. A

voice. "I have to admit, almost chopping his ear off

y, her eyes clouding over. Betty's express

s dreamed of it, protecting my people, fighting for us, for Pyrovia,but...this is probably my last ch

just about right," she said dryly. "You've always been crazy, Nessa. Women

mirk, and she raised an eyebrow at