Amber woke up screaming in her bed. The sun glinted faint streaks of warmth into the darkroom. She was panting and shaking as she slowly got up, wiping the sweat from her forehead and she concentrated on her breathing. Ever since Amber was twelve she would occasionally shave nightmares about her death. Every time it was the same thing. She would burn in her fire, basking the light she became, destroying everything around her.

Sometimes Amber would wonder if she had woken up in the afterlife if she had died. It would take a moment or two for her to come back to actuality, to realize how awful nightmares are. It was as if some wicked crone was in control of the tragedy she witnesses in her sleep. A hand holding her fate that was slowly destroying it. Amber would always imagine a vigilant laugh as she screams.

It was a cold Day in ílios. The first day of winter was upon Azure. Amber despised winters. Scorching cold the water was like thorns against her skin.

The room with one window and bed and a small drawer sprawled across it, was where Amber spent most of her time.

The wall was bare except for a few hook-hanging daggers that were untouched and had dust collected on them. Each of the blades looked like they belonged to a warrior.

Amber was on her feet and heading outside now as she knew a lot of work needed to be done today. The day would go alright if she just forgets about the haunting dreams. She likes to think that her dreams are a forgotten memory, that her childhood was ordinary and that she was just a plain illian girl with red hair easily forgotten and mundane. If only things were that easy to forget.

She lived with her mother who had been bedridden for a very long time. Her mother breathed and occasionally nodded, that was all she did. Amber took care of her mother and ran errands throughout the house. The old son

The first day of winter meant that everything in the marketplace would be cheap or probably free. Illios despite being the fire monarchy appreciated winter.

Amber set up a stew over the dry coals from the other day. Her hand didn't even graze the coals and the fire was already ablaze. Anyone else would have been surprised how good she was at conjuring a fire.

Every person in ílios is taught at a young age how to summon fire. They usually take almost ten years to light a candle, but the people who do become good at it join the Minister's guards and get trained to use their fire for combat. Amber on the other hand hated using her fire.

Her father would always say that her flame was unique.

Amber brushed her curly hair and tucked it inside her hood. It would take a while for her to reach the city centre. As she was ready to leave a noise from her room startled her. Amber instantly rushed to see what the racket was about. Everything seemed untouched and there wasn't a soul anywhere. The light through the creek, which was her window, was now hitting on an object on the floor.

One of the daggers that hung on the wall had fallen. She stepped towards it and knelt. The shimmering knife was a gift from her father. He had made it himself. The handle was embellished with leaves. It was still as light to hold as she remembered. Light but had enough weight to kill a man with a single swift throw. The hilt had some dull spots maybe it had started to fade.

She decided to take the knife along with her, to get it polished.

Amber, carrying the dagger made by her father, now left to the Bazar. Meanwhile, in the distance, a storm had been forming over ílios.

The streets and markets were buzzing with people. It was easy to go unseen in this crowd. There were stalls for spices and jewellery, anything and everything was sold here. Amber never cared much for anything else but she got excited with people started singing with their instruments. She loved music but could herself not hit a single note.

Walking with one hand carrying an empty basket, Amber let her hood fall off her face a little. She had a small smile on her face. It always felt nice being among people.

Being able to summon fires would still not mean she felt warm. Her hands were always somehow ice cold.

"Lady, would you be interested in getting these fresh plums?"

"My, my, your neck could use this silver and ruby necklace."

"We have chillies as red as your hair,"

Vendors and people were shouting. Amber kept walking, politely nodding and refusing people who stopped her for bargains.

Her eyes would just stop a little to observe all the stalls, there was so much going on.

A huge crowd had been gathered in front of the kéntro fountain. They were cheering and clapping. Amber was curious about why they were all gathered there.

"Excuse me," Amber slowly went through the crowd of people to see what they were surrounding. It was a chariot placed near the kéntro. The chariot looked grand and pretty. Maybe there were performers inside of it. Here to put up a show.

The moment when a guard in red uniform stepped onto the ledge to make a decree, Amber realized that she shouldn't be here. Panic struck her. She felt the weight of the knife tied around her waist.

"People of ílios. The Fire Minister has a very special bounty to announce." The sentry now went towards the carriage.

Amber instantly backed away, pulling her hood to cover her face. She had to get out of there.

The doors of the chariot opened and the Minister gracefully stepped out, the people were so terrified of his presence that they applauded because of sheer shock. He was respected by everyone yet still feared.

He certainly alarmed Amber, not terrified her. Just alarmed.

Amber could see the bruised face of the boy who was called the minister now. She remembered him crystal clear. His face and voice etched like a bad dream in her head.

It looked like her older brother hadn't changed at all.

+++

"Illians!" Icarus yelled. He wasn't sure if this would work, but he knew she was here.

"Find Amber Granier. Bring her to me and you shall be rewarded with a million coins." Icarus held with a wicked grin. The crowd was going berserk, people were whispering and cheering. They certainly knew who he was talking about and soon he shall be meeting her.