Board :Chronicles of the Winds
Author :Zariel
Subject :A Serpent Aflame
Date :6/28

 The girl held her hands close, cradling the small flame to
her chest against the harsh winds and rain. She hummed a
quiet, tuneless song. A melancholy mood, largely drowned
by the relentless storm.

 She looked up to the sky, staring at the millions of drops
as they fell. Tiny meteors, tears from the heaven, cleansing
the lands beneath them with thousands of tiny brush strokes.

 She looked down to the small flame in her palms.

 It was warm. In the darkness, it gifted small light,
illuminating her pale face. Though the light was a
treasure in itself, she held it all the closer not for
the light, but for the calm it brought her.

 She remembered, long long ago... A whisper from lips long
lost to her.

 She held her flame and closed her eyes, willing everything
away. Light, sound, sensation... She faded slowly, drifting
beyond the storm scouring her skin. She swam quietly through
colours until only blackness remained... A quiet darkness,
and a small flame.
 
 Into the flame, she fed her heart.

 Into the flame, she fed her mind.

 Into the flame, she fed her doubt...

          And watched it all fade away.

 The fire spun, circling, coaelescing into shape, form,
fluid movement and swirling scales. She knew it long
 before it took final form.

 The last Queen of the Serpents would never forget.

 Could never forget.

 Into the flame, into the burning eyes, the hissing fangs,
she poured her tears and sorrow. She poured her memories,
her fears, her hatreds, her love... Till all that remained
was those blazing eyes before her.

 It lowered its face, holding her stare.

 Wordlessly, she reached out, falling to her knees.

 As her fingers fell upon the blazing scales...

 She awoke.

 The rain smashed against her tiny frame.

 The girl smiled, knelt down, and cradled her flame close.

<b>         ~ Z