Sargassa

THE FIRE ADVISOR

I knew her before, you know. Everyn. Our stories intermingle, twist together, like the coils of a Spiral in flight. Her forgiveness was not something I deserved. However, she did not deserve mine, either. So, I suppose, we are even.

I ran with her mother's pack many moons ago. I watched packmates left to die in the Plaguelands, to freeze in the Southern Icefield. They left no room for the weak, showed no mercy to those who were anything less than her mother's idea of perfection. I am fortunate that Everyn is not like her. Not anymore, anyways.

I was the spark. A little Mirror of the fire flight, bringing flint to steel, igniting a revolution. I did not lead, but I whispered plots into the ears of the ones who did. I do not regret it. I am not ashamed. I do, however, recognize the chaos that it caused. I recognize that I brought about my own downfall.

The new leader, while exhibiting somewhat more compassion than his predecessor, was a coward. I had set a rebellion in motion once, what was stopping me from doing it again? I wouldn't have, you know. Not unless it was necessary. Nevertheless, he cast me out. I ran alone for a long time. She found me starving and wounded, and took me in. It sickened me. I was in her debt. I would be expected to run with her. I could not bring myself to follow another tyrant.

She proved me wrong when she took in the Skydancer. A rabid fool, that one. A monster. With the additional ward to care for, I knew that she'd be distracted. I knew I could escape. But I am a curious beast, I will admit, and so when during my escape I overheard her actually conversing with the beast I stopped to listen. She offered him shelter, as she had me.

She offered him peace.

I had run with her and her mother for a long time. I knew she was no fool, but this challenged my opinion. No one could hope to tame something so savage and deranged. And yet here she held out a paw, and he pressed his against hers, and something in him changed. He had been shown an option that he had not known existed before. Then I knew. We could be strong. We could know safety, security, and overall kindness. Kindness was such a rarity in this place. It could not be wasted.

So here I am. Perhaps I am the fool. But that is a risk I am willing to take.