Forged in fire

The potent odor of garbage and sweat practically smacked Blithe in the face as she and her mother, Shena, walked the city street of Yusra on their way to a local spice shop. Blithe tightened her pink embroidered scarf around her nose and moved closer to her mother. The two traveled with their personal body guard Dante who lingered closely behind them. While Blithe kept her gaze mostly focused on the trash littered street below her feet her mother kept her head held high and walked with great haste.

The dingy cracked streets were lined with shops and produce stands, one more dilapidated than the next. “Mom, why do those girls dress like that?” Blithe faintly muttered as she peered down an alleyway. There were multiple women dressed scantly clad eyeballing men on the street and attempting to get their attention.

“Keep your eyes to yourself before someone decides to pluck them from your skull.” Shena hissed. Her deep emerald eyes filled with angst and displeasure.

Blithe once again returned her gaze to the ground, “sorry mama.”

“Stay close, you forget, we are not safe here.”

The rest of their walk was spent in silence. Blithe noticed, as they passed certain shops and stands that the people would give her the nastiest glances And threatening gestures. As they approached the spice shop Blithe felt a shiver begin to crawl her spine and settle at the nape of her neck. She attempted to get her mothers attention but was ignored.

The spice shop was one of the nicer places Left in the small forgotton town. It was built into the corner of an old brick building surrounded by vines. The storefront was lined with dark wood and the windows were stained glass to discourage snooping. Most people had no idea it was a spice shop until they entered.

“Dante, you are welcome to enter with us or you can remain by the door, it is up to you.” Shena glanced back at Dante who stood stoic just before the doorway, his amber eyes constantly scanning their surroundings.

He nodded, “much appreciated ma’am, I think I will remain outside this time.”

Shena once again glanced down at Blithe, this time her eyes softened, “remember to stay close and only speak when spoken to.

Blithe simply nodded. Shena took a black and silver embroidered scarf from around her neck and pulled it up over her mouth and nose, tightening it underneath her long black ponytail.

The aroma of the spice shop was a lot to take in all at once. They were greeted at the door by an older gentleman who immediately offered his assistance. Shena declined, reassuring him that she knew what she needed and where to find it. The store was mostly empty besides a few townsfolk and shop employees. Those who were in the shop couldn’t seem to keep their eyes off Blithe and her mother, it was very unsettling to Blithe who was growing more uncomfortable with each passing second. The shop was fairly small, four aisles only. There was a single cooler in the front of the shop next to the check out counter and behind that three more Long shelves lined with jars. Shena made her way through the aisles picking up an array of jars, shakers and dry goods. Blithe followed closely behind her keeping a close eye on those who were watching her.

“Find everything you needed?” A young store clerk inquired as the two approached the checkout counter, arms full of product.

“Yes, thank you.” Shena spoke graciously as she set items on the counter.

Meanwhile blithe couldn’t help the uneasy feeling that was beginning to consume her, She needed to get out of the store. “Mother..?” She trailed off weakly. Shena looked to her, raising her eyebrow. “Can I go wait outside with Dante?”

Shena looked around the shop quickly, clearly checking for potential danger. “Be careful.”

Outside it had began to rain so the streets had been almost completely deserted. Dante sat on a bench a few doors down from the shop, He motioned to her to join him. She picked up the bottom of her floor length pink lace dress and lifted it above her ankles so that it didn’t drag in the murky street water.

“Little one…” Blithe heard a soft hiss. She glanced to a small passageway that lead to a dead end alleyway. From the darkness emerged an older woman who, at first glance, resembled a walking question mark. She wore a black cloak that covered everything but her face and feet. Blithe began to panic, She attempted to call to Dante but fell mute. As the woman approached every hair on Blithe’s body seemed to stand up on end.

“What do you want?” Blithe’s voice was barely a whisper.

The woman approached, smells of death permeated the air. She said nothing as she grabbed Blithe’s hands. Blithe suddenly couldn’t breathe, the woman’s hands were ice cold and rough like sandpaper. Her cloudy yellow eyes met Blithe’s as she placed a small item in her palm. “One day you will understand.”

Before Blithe could respond she heard Dantes bellowing voice behind her. “Soon, little one.” Is all the women whispered before she released Blithe’s hands and disappeared back into the shadows. Just as Dante appeared behind her Shena also was exiting the shop. Blithe locked eyes with her mother, blatantly unaware of how prettified she looked. Shena dropped her bags, hiked her black dress up to her knees and sprinted full speed at her.

“Are you ok miss?” Dante knelt on one knee next to blithe checking her over for signs of injury.

Blithe swiftly shoved her hand into her dress pockets dropping the item before anyone could take notice of it. She glanced to Dante whose eyes were now filled with worry. “I am okay Dante, sorry for worrying you.” She placed her hand on his shoulder and did her best to muster up a smile.

Seconds later Shena approached yanking blithe in front of her. “What was that stunt!?”

“Sorry mama, I should have-“

“And you!” Shena’ s glare shifted to Dante, “you were supposed to keep an eye on her!”

Dante stood, towering over the two petite women. His head hung like a dog who had just been whacked with a paper.

“My deepest apologies miss, I have failed you.”

“Gather the groceries and we will head back to the palace. I have a very important meeting with the council.”

The walk back the the palace was spent in silence. Blithe clung to her mothers side taking shelter under an oversized umbrella. Dante trailed somberly behind, allowing the rain to drench him to his core.

Once checked back in at the gates Blithe snuck away to the Library which was located in the basement of the great palace. She pulled the item from her pocket to discover it was a intricately designed heart shaped locket. Mainly silver in color, with spots that appeared to be burned. Blithe turned over the locket in her palm to discover the initials “H.H” and the words “Godfather Of The Great Flame.” She opened it to find two long grey hairs tied together in a perfect bow.

Blithe wasn’t sure what it was but something told her this necklace held great significance to her life. She paced the library willing the universe to give her some kind of direction, then, across the library on an old worn out wood desk sat a book she had never seen before. Suddenly a blast of air seemed to surround her and push her towards the book.

As she stood in front of it she noticed the cover was made of old leather and appeared to be bound together by twine. It was cracked and like the locket, appeared burned in spots. The front cover had a tree of life inside a circle surrounded by elemental symbols on all four corners.

Blithe ran her hand over the cover and a warmth overtook her. The room began to tremble as the book flew open to a page that had no title but instead a handwritten note, “My dearest Blithe…”-

“Don’t fucking touch that!” Shena roared. She burst into the room and positioned herself between blithe and the book. She slammed the front cover shut and began to drag her daughter in the opposite direction back towards the door.

“Why!? What is it?” Blithe wriggled from her mothers grasp, standing firm in the middle of the massive room.

“That’s of no concern to you! What are you even doing down here?” Blithe unclamped her hand to reveal the locket. Shena practically fell backwards as if the wind had been knocked out of her body. “Where did you find that?”

This old hag in the alley gave it to me…” Blithe trailed off, clasping her hand tightly around the locket.

“You are to get rid of that immediately.”

“No. Tell me what it is.” Blithe demanded as she shoved the locket into her pocket once again.

“This is not open for discussion.”

“Ill just find out for myself.” Blithe muttered. She shoved her way past her mother, up the stairs and out into the frigid darkness of the night. She had to find that homeless woman again, she had to find out what secrets lie behind this locket….