In the beginning, only the elements existed. Mountains and seas of flint and lava, infinite oceans, high lands, barren rocks, and the wild wind. They melted and broke together, and life began when calm finally came across.
"Erin, you said you were going to the cold season festivities…" Rubí suddenly complained, appearing out of nowhere. However, Erin chose to ignore her sister, and instead, she forced herself to concentrate on reading the old book:
From fire emerged dragons: fierce, colossal creatures that dominated the mountains and skies until they became naturally extinct. Centuries later, the oldest and richest land conceived the sorceresses who hid in the densest and most impenetrable forests. Along with the forests, timid elves, malicious goblins, and all kinds of inferior and irrational creatures were also born. From the wind came the genies, the fairies, and the sylphs; so did the wise unicorns and the powerful and cruel griffins.
From the water were born strong mermen, fierce mermaids, and charming undines.
Then, after countless seasons, the man emerged. Who, at first, was a clumsy being who lacked intelligence and sensitivity.
"Come on Erin… mother said I could go if you come with me…" Rubí whimpered.
Although Erin didn't look away from the book even once, she knew that her sister was making the greatest pout in the history of humanity. However, the last thing she wanted right now was to go to the festivities. No, she hadn't missed anything there, so she just let out a slight snort and turned around in the bunk so that her back was facing her sister. She was not going to discuss the matter with Rubí again. They weren't going, period.
But Rubí did not give up and, of course, did what she did best: throw a tantrum. "Damn it!" She exploded. "It's like the fifth time you've reread the damn book, Erin."
Gods, give me patience... Erin prayed inwardly when she lost her reading thread because of her older sister.
"Please, little sister." Rubí tried once again for good measure, and the truth was that she was pretty close to moving Erin. At least until she added: "It's my last chance to see Ahian and the rest. Tomorrow, the adventurers will be gone. Everyone in the village will be talking about them. I..…"
In an instant, Erin hardened and didn't listen much more because those were precisely the least appropriate words Rubí could say. To be more exact, it was the wrong name: Ahian.
Erin had disliked him the moment she saw him. That air of superiority of him. His eyes, more than perspicacious, were calculating. Those elegant and superb manners combined with an innate charm and strength. No, to be more accurate: her feelings were closer to fear. Erin just hadn't understood this herself. For the moment, the foreigner seemed unbearable and untrustworthy. Thinking about that, with anger, she resumed reading. It took her half a second to find the clause where she had left off since she had read the tome about seven times.
"I'm not going to change my mind, Rub." She spoke for the first time before resuming the reading, which continued like this:
Man lived in caves, afraid of every living creature around him. When every being in the primal world was strong in some way, man was utterly helpless. Not fast and agile like the elves. He lacked the wisdom of the children of the wind. Either magic as the sorceresses. He didn't have the claws and the overwhelming strength of beasts. So the man always crept stealthily, with fear and caution, even when he had to feed or drink from the springs. He was even terrified of the nights, the moon, the sun, and the stars. Then, one day, the man discovered the phoenix. And he experienced a new feeling: ambition. The man longed for its flames because they would make him powerful and take him out of his misery.
"Sometimes I hate you!" Rubí blurted out before walking away crying. Then, she took special care to cause a loud slam on the door when leaving the bedroom. Those last words made Erin drop the book on the mattress and turn around to look at the place where her older sister had emerged.
"Damn!" Erin finally whispered under her breath, blaming the detested foreigner. After straightening up, she jumped out of the bunk to put on a shawl. She was going after Rubí.
Carefully picking up a candle, Erin left her bedroom, grumbling under her breath, her brow furrowed into a deep frown.
"More adventurous is the nail of my little finger… Not adventurers, filthy liars…" She said bitterly when her elbow accidentally hit the living room shelf. She was getting angrier with every second that passed and gave free rein to her thoughts. "Is everyone in the town blind?" She only needed to look at the supposed adventurers once to know they were wealthy lords. All young, all extremely neat, with excellent teeth. Not a single scar or mark on their bodies. All of them were handsome and, on top, perfectly dressed and armed. Yes, they only wore refined outfits. The whole thing was rare to her. It was simply strange and suspicious. What were they doing in their poor village? Were they looking to satisfy some obtuse curiosity?
"Those arrogant sons of…"
Erin cut off the curse, afraid of waking her mother or, at worst, getting her attention with an ugly word. Luckily, her mother hadn't been as dazzled by the visitors as the rest of their people. To the contrary, her mother had kept a careful distance. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for Rubí.
Erin was heading to their kitchen when she caught sight of the movement of skirts and reddish hair in the small tea room window. Oh no... She thought regretfully when she was certain Rubí was running away from home.
"Gods, Rubí…!" Swearing, Erin placed the candle on the old wooden table in their tiny hearth room and reached for a rough coat. As Erin put it on, she regretted not having changed her nightgown. Once covered with the thick garment, she blew out the candle. And, without making any noise, Erin left through the same window her sister had used.