Flamia!

Paige

I woke up, the birds chirped, my fire was out, and the sun was out. It looked like it just rose, but it didn’t stop me from wanting to go back to bed. Then it dawned on me that I was on the run from a King in his own Kingdom, wearing clothes from one of his dead enemies. I stretched, rubbing my eyes with a yawn for good measure. It felt really calming, and I almost went back to bed.

“Good morning” said a male voice.

“Ah! FLAMIA!” I squealed, shooting a very oval shaped fireball at a random direction in the air. The voice laughed.

“You know,” He said scholarly, “I heard the King went into a rage over a female, you wouldn’t be that female, would you mage?” and out slithered a man that was half snake.

I was in shock. He stood there talking to me like this was Normal.

“Oh, don’t worry, I’m not really a snake demon, this was a failed experiment, it’ll ware off in a few more hours, I’m professor Cambridge, of North Winds Academy of Transformation.” Said the middle-aged bald man adjusting his glasses.

“I’m Paige.” I said sheepishly.

“What academy do you hail from, having such powers so young? Or are you really 250 and disguising yourself.” He peered down at me. He was at least 8 feet tall, and looked very curiously at my face.

“Westbrook University.” I say shyly.

“Oh, I’ve never heard of that one, it must be new. Come with me to town. You can stay at the inn and rent a horse to get home. He won’t stop until you’re out his territory with that dragon scale staff you stole.” He said amused. “How did you even get it?”

“I found it.” I said flatly.

“Lucky tart, they choose their masters, so good luck with that.” he scoffed jealously. “When I came across it, it burned me pretty good.” He grumbled. “But daylight’s burning, and I don’t want to be caught out here with a wanted woman.” He said with a smile.

“I don’t see a problem with that… I need a bath.” I admitted.

We made our way down a dirt path, facing east, and eventually made it to a stone path, and the smell of bread and livestock filled my nose. It was a small medieval village, with a small inn, shops, and houses. People were busy with their lives, until they saw a mage and an 8 foot snake man.

They screamed and ran into their homes, and I looked at him angrily. “The antidote is in my room at the tavern.” Cambridge said, rubbing the back of his neck. He slithered into the inn before I did. I could hear the screams, there was a flash of blue light and more screams.

I went inside to see a naked man being beat with a broom by a burly old woman, and I sighed, shaking my head. “One room please” I asked politely at the desk, and she stopped pelting him and ran to the reception area with a smile.

“Not too often we get mages ‘round here. It’ll be 10 silver please.”

I rummaged around in the backpack, to see that there was at least 100 gold in there. I played as calmly as possible and handed her 1 gold and got back the change. I was led upstairs, and saw there was a tub filled with hot water. I locked the door and soaked until the water was lukewarm. Cambridge apparently got kicked out of town, so much for good company.

I washed my clothes and went to sleep, I would be leaving in the morning.