Familiar's Calling - The Bond
Chapter 18 - The Rescue

Krista was quiet the entire walk out of the Hall of Records and onto the main street, lagging behind Chase and Sylas with Jinx, staring at her feet as they walked. There were still tear tracks running down her face even though she had long since wiped the tears away. Now she just stared at her feet in what Jinx could assume based on her thoughts, was disbelief at how ordinary the Dohzan had made infant deaths due to impure lunar magick seem.

Jinx nudged her with his shoulder and asked, Are you ok? He craned his neck trying to look into her eyes. She raised her head for a moment, caught his identically colored eyes and shrugged before looking back down, kicking a pebble along as she walked.

Jinx put his arm around her as they walked, rubbing her shoulder with his thumb. That really got to you didn’t it? The thought of so many children dying? Without looking up she nodded at him, eyes still wide and staring down at her toes. It will be okay. It’s just- he fell silent, hearing loud shouts coming from up ahead.

Chase looked back at Jinx and shrugged communicating that he hadn’t a clue what was going on. As they neared the voices they were able to decipher a few words, including, “Burn the witches!” and “Burn them! Burn them!”

These shouts seemed to snap Krista out of her reverie because they made her head snap up, staring in the direction the voices had come from. After glancing at one another briefly, they all nodded and quickened their pace towards the corner they could hear the voices echoing around; they were in the square up ahead.

No sooner had they turned the corner into the square then they were forced to stop dead, both because of the crowds clogging the pavement and the scene playing out before them. Kneeling in the traditional ragged robes forced on those accused of witchcraft, as if this was still the 16th century, were a young boy and a woman, both plainly terrified. Krista had seemed to be about to turn away, clearly unable to watch this or deal with more death today, when suddenly her head snapped back as they all heard the voice inside their heads.

Help us… someone… please... Krista looked up at Chase, who had a look of ferocity upon his face as he watched the proceedings.

Did you… did you hear her? Jinx heard Krista ask her older brother tentatively, biting at her lower lip in her anxiety. He nodded in response to her, head barely inclining. We… we have to help them, Chase. I… I can’t stand by and watch them die. Her eyes became glassy even as she spoke.

Chase looked at the pair of them he replied stiffly. Yes, I agree.

The siblings conveyed this idea to Sylas, who at first replied in the negative.

It is too dangerous… our powers... They are not in control yet…

This was met with scorn and insistence that they had to try to save the two young witches.

We can’t just leave them! Sylas, please! Krista pleaded in a sort of semi public, yet private to the four of them, thought-speech.

Jinx agreed with a nod, even as Sylas muttered under his breath, “Okay. We can do it, but we have to stay hidden. We have to stay separated from each other, and we cannot do anything flashy.”

We can’t just do something small! We’re going to have to do something big to save them! Krista countered, shaking with combined anger and grief at the prospect.

Yes, but-- Sylas began before Chase cut in.

She’s right, Sy. Nothing small is going to save these two, and we have to save them.

Jinx, who had been silent up until this point chimed in, We need to figure out a way to save them, and keep ourselves safe.

Sylas did not reply, he was gazing up at the pair even as the crowd jeered and spat at them.

“Burn the witches!”

“We don’t want your kind around here! Go back where you came from!”

“Burn them! Burn them!”

Jinx winced at these comments, eyes finding Krista’s watery eyes even as she argued back, We have to move! We have to do something! What if this is a part of our destiny!

Sylas turned his head back to her, eyeing her with a scrutiny that would have made Jinx’s tail twitch had he been a cat at the time.

If you want to save them, Krista, then we need to come up with a plan. A foolproof and safe plan that both rescues them and keeps us safe.

There was silence as all four of them turned their heads to the raised platform and the growing crowd beneath it. They had begun to throw rotten fruit and vegetables at them which seemed to infuriate Krista even more, judging by the look Jinx observed on her face.

How about this, she began, we work our magick from here to rescue them, and that way after they flee we can easily get out of here without being seen because we are at the back of the crowd.

Sylas shook his head, You are forgetting one very important detail that the Dozhan was insistent about: we cannot combine powers so close together. The light would surely attract attention, and none of us would escape.

Oh, right… She lapsed into silence after that, clearly thinking the way her face was set.

“Burn them. Burn them. Burn them. Burn them.” The crowd chanted as one.

What if… Jinx began as all three of them turned their eyes on him.

What if we weren’t close together? He finished lamely - the chants from the crowd were interfering with his concentration.

“Burn the witches!”

“Save us from their wickedness!”

Sylas was staring at him, a finger to his lips in thought, How can we spread out? The square... It’s filled with people. I don’t like this idea at all, perhaps we should just leave.

No! Krista, Jinx and Chase all called in unison causing Sylas to put his hands to his ears as if it was loud.

Then you need to come up with a foolproof plan to keep us safe while you attempt this rescue, or it will not happen. He said this with an air of finality.

There was silence between them. The only sounds came from the growing crowd within the square. Booing, chanting and hissing at the scared boy and young woman.

Suddenly Krista put up a finger, I’ve got it! The square is filled with people. They all stared at her, Yes. Filled with people that we can get lost in. I was thinking we could separate casually and each wander to a different corner of the square and work from there. She suggested this with a stern and serious look on her young face. It was clear that she was determined to help her fellow witches; that she would not see more death today.

Sylas nodded slowly, a finger to his lips. Jinx and I will take the corners closest to the trial proceedings. That way if anything goes wrong you two can escape. Jinx nodded along with this plan suggestion, wanting to keep Krista as far away as he could.

Chase shook his head. No. You two can use your powers without being in line of sight. Krista and I have to be closer to work effectively. Sylas looked as though he was about to interject when Chase cut across him, No, Sy, we will be fine. Besides - here he snatched a couple of hooded cloaks from a man nearby who was handing them out - that close to the front we will need to wear these to blend in anyways. We will be fine.

He gave his familiar a stubborn look that clearly said that he would not budge on this matter.

Are you quite certain? If you are caught…

Yes, yes! We will be fine! I swear, Sy.

Sylas considered the proposition for a moment before finally relenting with a heavy sigh. Okay, fine. But do be cautious, Chase… we cannot afford for you or Krista to be caught. Not now.

Chase threw his arm around his little sister’s shoulders under the pretence of throwing the long cloak around her and gripped her shoulder firmly. Don’t worry, I would never allow anything to happen to the little squirt. He winked at Krista, as he helped her tie the cloak in place. She rolled her eyes at him as she pulled it up over her head and he swung his own cloak around his shoulders.

Now remember, everyone, we speak only in thought-speak once we get in position. Feel for each other. Know what everyone is trying to accomplish, Jinx cautioned seriously as Krista and Chase slipped inside the square and made their way casually to their requisite corners.

Corners was a rough description of where each witch headed.

The “square” was roughly comprised of four streets that met at that one specific point. Tall buildings stood on each block between the streets, and as crowds filtered in from each different street, it was to see a raised dais, or platform set up in the middle of what would have been the intersection had cars been travelling through it.

Sidewalk vendors lined the streets in front of what could only be described as a mixture between the older style of shops and buildings, and more modern, renovated looks. All together it looked as if someone had thrown some paint and new shutters on only handful of the buildings.

The shops that lined each side of the square were typical of any modern town. A ladies’ clothing shop on one corner - a candy store on the opposite one. No one was going in them today however. In fact, the business’ owners poked their noses outside to see what the fuss was about.

Of course! Came Krista’s quick thought, and then a few moments later, Yes, yes. Jeez, move it. Of course, came Chase’s reply, as he was jostled by the crowd.

Once the two witches were situated, they each called, Ready!

When they signalled, Sylas and Jinx nodded to each other and set off for their own corners. Just as Jinx arrived at his place and turned on his heel, a loud voice called the assembled crowd to order.

*

“People of Salem! People of Salem!” A man with a pointed chin, a goatee that rivaled the sparse whiskers on Chase’s chin, and a thin, pale face housing the fiercest looking eyes anyone had ever seen, spread his arms wide.

Connected to her mind intricately, Jinx felt the twinge of annoyance as Krista was narrowing her eyes at the evil man. He could feel the hatred for what he represented building inside of her, the core of her magic churning…

Settle, Krista. Settle. You cannot afford to give yourself away. He cautioned her, using his own abilities to calm her mind - it was a challenge, and he felt Chase’s mental intrusion as he attempted to calm her as well.

Slowly he could feel her emotions relaxing before finally they were sitting just in the back of her mind, Okay… it’s just -

I know, I know… let’s just save the witches, okay? Chase finished for her as the witches in question were dragged on stage, echoing through Jinx’s own mind making him hold his head; these multiple person conversations gave him a headache.

As Jinx felt the spark of Krista preparing to use her magic die away, the roaring, jeering crowd were yelling for the execution of the accused witches. Jinx could just make out the pale-faced man tugging a crude black robe and a white wig on; mockingly playing the ‘judge’. As Jinx tried to keep himself calm lest Krista get worked up again, the man again spread his arms wide to silence the crowd. As the last of the jeering calls died away, he began speaking in a loud, carrying voice:

“People of Salem, I understand your wish for vengeance!” Here he smirked.

“However we must have a fair trial for all those accused of the heinous crime of witchcraft.”

Jinx scrambled to climb on top of a crate nearby so as to see better. At the fake judge’s feet, the witch and his familiar were cowering in the burlap robes they had been forced to wear and looking at each other in fear. There would be no justice here; the trial would be far from fair. They were doomed.

That was when Krista gave a small, silent yelp.

What is it? Jinx asked wildly, concerned for her and squinting his eyes trying to spot where she was standing. His answer was revealed at a sudden panicky voice intruding upon Krista’s thoughts.

Please… please help us! it pleaded with her.

Don’t worry, she replied. We are here to help you. Just do exactly what we say, and we will get you out of this. What’s your name?

J-Jared. I’m Jared. We? Who’s we? he began, before the judge began speaking again, and even the conversation Jinx was eavesdropping on was drowned out.

“The boy and young women before you stand accused of practising magic, of conspiring against the people of our fair city in an attempt to taint us all with their wicked and evil ways.” From his perch Jinx could see him leering down at the cowering pair before continuing, “They used magic to put a spell on the town’s water supply in an attempt to poison us all with their evil,” he declared, which seemed to prompt Chase to direct his next thought to Krista.

Purification, you think? he queried her.

She responded with a mentally raised finger to all of them as she mentally turned to the boy, What are your powers? Yours and your familiar’s?

I can control water, and Zaphira, that’s my familiar, can use ecological empathy to sense the conditions of natural phenomena, he explained hastily.

It explains why they are here, but it is not important. What is important is saving them. He replied in a hushed tone - even for thought-speak.

I agree, but how? Krista questioned him. Big brother? I can sense you have an idea. She added after a moment’s pause. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Jinx wasn’t sure what Chase did, but Krista fell silent suddenly. Guys? Guys?

Just then a shout rent the air as the fake judge called out to the still growing crowd; many of which were wearing the hooded cloaks. Krista and Chase truly would blend in, so why did he have an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach?

“Witnesses for the prosecution?” he called to the crowd at large.“Aye!” What sounded like a middle-aged gentleman called from somewhere near Krista’s side. Now stretched on to his tiptoes, Jinx could just make out the balding man moving to the open area below the dais; his balding head shining in the noonday sun.

The man, dressed in a waistcoat and dress pants and his arms crossed across his chest, seemed to be glaring up at the witch and familiar on the platform - judging by the looks and posture of several others nearby.

“I saw them hanging around the water reservoir,” he replied with a growl.

“Good, sir. Do tell us what atrocities these,” the judge waved his hand dismissively at the pair, “creatures perpetrated while they were there?”

“I saw them, alright. They waved their hands all funny-like. The water shimmered for a moment and they left. I hastened straight to the authorities the moment I felt I was safe,” he spat, his voice full of venom.

“Quite compelling evidence! Thank you, good sir. You have done your township a great service this day!” the judge declared. The man bowed stiffly and retreated back into the crowd, his scowling visage the last thing Jinx glimpsed before the man turned around.

After smiling maliciously at the trembling, utterly terrified witch and familiar for a moment, the judge turned back to face the assembled crowd. “Will anyone speak in defense of the accused?” he called, tauntingly. No one moved, no one dared even twitch towards them for fear of also being labeled a witch and put on trial as well.

He waited a good ten minutes before clearing his throat and standing up straight in obvious triumph. “If no one can speak for the accused, I will now pass judgement and we can move on to sentencing on them.”

Jinx suddenly felt a twinge of fear and shock coming from Krista, she was practically vibrating.

Already?

Sadly, yes. Due process doesn’t really exist in these trials. Never has. Even the first time around. If you’ve been accused, you’re basically guilty. Best we can do, I reckon, is help them survive the inevitable execution, and then help them to escape. They will have to go on the run, but at least they’ll be alive. Chase responded with a sombre demeanour.

“Burn them!” shouted several good citizens from across the massive crowd.

“Hang them!” yelled a voice somewhere to Jinx’s right.

“Make them pay for what they’ve done!” someone demanded just below his perch.

The judge just stood there revelling in the hatred washing over the crowd in waves, arms crossed confidently across his chest.

Jinx shuddered at the waves of hostility he could feel. He suddenly understood just why he could feel such a rollercoaster of emotions coming from Krista.

At one point, Jinx watched as the judge knelt down and whispered something to the young witch, a boy by the look of the haircut Jinx could make out.

Whatever the Judge was whispering must have made Krista shudder or something because Jinx could practically feel the way the hair was raising on her arms. In fact, the hair on his arms reacted accordingly.

Don’t listen to him. We will get you out of there. Chase seemed to be talking to the boy.

Chase… be careful… Sylas suddenly interjected. Chase must have ignored it because he did not respond.

He wasn’t sure what happened but all of a sudden the judge was standing up and spreading his arms wide. “Good people of Salem! The witch has confessed to his crimes!”

Jinx could see the look of horror on the boy, Jared’s, face even from his lofty perch. He also heard Krista speak to him in the same manner that Chase had.

It’s okay. We’ll get you out of this I promise.

But… but who are you? Jared asked, frozen.

Chase butted in, There will be time for introductions later. Are you ready to follow our explicit instructions to the letter? Do you trust us?

There was a pause during which the Judge continued to rile up the crowd at Jared’s supposed confession.

“Let us punish the witches in the most noble of ways!”

“Let them perish for their crimes!”

The boy’s silence was unsettling - they needed him to make up his mind, and quickly. Jinx tapped his fingers, anxiously against his leg.

Jared finally replied, timidly, Zaphira says I should trust you, so I trust you.

He wasn’t certain if he was the only one, but Jinx thought he sensed a surge of emotion coming not from Krista - but from Sylas. Unfortunately, it was not the time nor place to discuss it.

Now that the crowd was good and riled up, the judge spread his arms wide again calling for silence. It fell over the ground in a wave - the last vestiges of muttering voices dying away as people looked back up.

“People of Salem, I can think of no better manner of death for one who has poisoned our water supply than death by fire. Let them not further poison our water by perishing in it. Let them burn and forever be kept from it!” He shouted the final words, to a roar of assent from the gathered crowd.

Sylas immediately began whispering to the other three - giving them all explicit instructions.

Okay, Jinx - you need to focus on cooling the temperature of the fire so they cannot feel the heat. Krista and Chase - this will take both of you - you need to focus on keeping the flames away from them, but just barely. I will increase their panic and tell them to scream as if they are being burned. He paused in his explanations thinking, wood was being dragged to the dais even as he thought of what he may have missed, Jinx… he began turning mentally towards his fellow familiar.

Yes?Do you think you could also, at the right time, increase the height of the flames? Give us a chance to help them escape behind a wall of fire? Sylas suggested.

He gritted his teeth at the prospect of such a feat, his eyes somehow finding Sylas through the crowd. I… I think so. Maybe… he replied, less than confidently.

You may need to turn back into a cat. It will help you focus easier, and let us know if you require assistance, Sylas told him.

He nodded. Alright… just let me fi- find a place to change, he replied uneasily.

Sylas nodded underneath his own hood from the other side of the street the two of them had chosen to square off from. Just do your best. We are here for you. Remember, stay in control, everyone.

He climbed down quickly from the stack of crates and shuffled around the corner of an abandoned vendor’s cart; this one selling fresh fish. When he was certain that no one was watching him, that he was well hidden, he shed his cloak and quickly transformed back into his feline form - collar and all.

Dashing back out from behind the cart, he desperately wanted to play feline and make his way to the front to work his magick, but he knew that would put him too close to Chase and or Krista. Instead he settled for hopping, purring and rubbing at the boxes, back up the pile of crates to lay down as if sunning himself.

Okay, I’m ready. If he had still had a human jaw he was sure his teeth would have been chattering, as it was, his jaw quivered.

“People of Salem!” the judge began as he accepted a torch from a guard nearby and began to bring it close to the wood, “I give you your retribution!” With that, he lowered the torch in close to the wood to light it.

That was when Jinx had a brilliant idea and summoning up all his concentration as the judge lowered the torch to the wood he summoned up a gust of wind that blew the fire out.

Startled Chase, Krista and Sylas turned their mental forms towards Jinx. What? he asked If they cannot light the fire, they cannot burn them alive.

The three of them were silent for a moment as the judge chuckled lightly. “Wind is such an unpredictable thing, isn’t it?” The assembled crowd murmured with amusement as he pulled out a lighter to relight the torch as if it was entertainment.

Sylas turned to Jinx. I understand your thought process, tecyu, however, that will only work for so long before they become suspicious. He broke off as Jinx watched a pair of men in cloaks walked past. Once they had passed he spoke again. They will begin searching for more witches. They are already on edge.

Jinx was rolling over onto his back, acting like a cat sunning itself, I’ve had to act like a friendly stray a lot lately, he reflected before nodding and answering Sylas.

Okay, we proceed with the plan then. He flipped back onto his stomach and stared up at the huge pile of wood surrounding the pair, I’m ready.

Sylas nodded. Good. Everyone, prepare - it looks like he’s gotten it lit again.

As Jared and Zaphira clutched at each other in genuine fear, the torch was lowered. As the fire caught, the wood sputtered and smoked - it was dry, and the fire licked at it hungrily. The judge strode casually back down the stairs, enjoying his performance - murder as an art form.

Sensing their chance, Chase, Krista, Sylas and Jinx sprang into action.

Jinx immediately began by focusing on the heat of the fire, on keeping it at a survivable temperature. In order to accomplish such a feat his mind focused on the idea of the flickering flame he could technically just barely see. It focused on the way it moved, felt when close to his body - how the heat would climb higher the longer the fire burned, the bigger it grew. Instead of letting this natural phenomenon take place, he focused on that barely registering temperature, like the sun warming his fur, focused on keeping the heat at that level. As he did this, he could feel the pressure that came with combining his powers with Krista’s, and he presumed Chase’s, but couldn’t spare a thought to check, as she or they pushed the flames away from the bodies of the witch and his familiar.

The strain of the effort caused him to shake slightly, gritting his back teeth to keep the transfer of magickal energy flowing. Can’t… keep… this… up. Hurry! he managed to choke out.

Their eyes on the frightened pair on the dais, Krista and Chase took deep breaths and, linking their minds, focused on keeping the flames away from Jared and Zaphira. Beads of sweat rolled down their faces from the effort.

A flame licked its way up a log towards Jared’s arm, the boy bound tightly by ropes, struggled trying to flee and before Krista could catch it and force it back, it seared Jared’s arm causing him to scream in pain.

Krista, who was obviously gritting her own teeth, mumbled Sorry… Sorry!

The crowd at large cheered at the scream, unaware of the efforts of the two witches and familiars.

Jinx felt Sylas connect to Jared and Zaphira. We are working on your extraction, however, you need to keep acting like it hurts - like you’re being burned alive. Jared and Zaphira said nothing, but nodded their heads, which Chase - who had a better vantage point - relayed to Sylas. Good, good. Hold on, tecyus, hold on, he reassured the young pair.

As Jinx continued to struggle to maintain the heat of the flames, and Krista and Chase to keep the flames pushed aside, Sylas reached out with his mind to aid them - to lend his emotional and mental support.

As he did, as the four of them connected to one another, the Malaonus Nor etched into each of then began to glow and sting as it had during their recent training session. The power they were channeling was so intense, so pure, their bodies were struggling to handle it. As the Dozhan had warned them, the magick was looking for any outlet and was forcing its way out of each of their bodies. Thankfully the heavy cloaks blocked the light from Krista, Chase and Sylas’ marks. Jinx, on the other hand, was forced to scramble down the crate pile to hide himself better behind the small cart where he had left his own cloak. Quickly he transformed before hurriedly seizing the cloak and throwing the hood up over his head to hide the glow coming from his ear. All while maintaining his focus on the temperature of the fire - barely.

It was hard work; the heat of the fire had been steadily increasing during the time he had been forced to drop his concentration. Sweat had begun to pour down Jared and Zaphira’s faces.

Sorry, he muttered, to the magickal beings at large. Scream, Sylas urged them. Scream like your life depends on it. He then turned his attentions to Jinx, Chase and Krista who were beginning to struggle, the fire wavering where they held it at bay.

Get ready, you three. The hard part is coming up. Sylas warned.

Krista, Chase gasped, we need to be able to raise our hands to channel. See if you can back into a corner - somewhere you can hide. Krista who was gritting her teeth to keep her concentration, must have glanced around quickly looking for anywhere she could hide.

I have something, she replied through gritted teeth.

Hurry.

With that, Krista backed up slowly, still staring intently across the square at the fire; her brother, who had already backed into a small alcove nearby, brought his hands up in front of him. As Krista hid, she slowly raised her hands to shoulder level and angled them towards the raised platform.

Ready! She practically growled into Jinx’s head in her effort to maintain her concentration.

Okay. On my count of three - Jinx, you raise the height of the flames, and Chase and Krista, you will need to part the flames so Jared and Zaphira can escape out the back. Jinx felt his companions’ acknowledgement even as he gave his as his limbs shook and sweat poured down the side of his face; he could only imagine how sweaty the other three were.

Just then he became aware of Sylas’ voice again. It took a minute but it sounded as though he was speaking to Jared and Zaphira, both of whom he could feel were shivering with fear.

When the flames part behind you, we need you to scream as you run through them. Scream, run and hide. We will find you.

Sylas! Krista choked out, I can’t hold it… Hurry! Krista’s mental voice was shaking with the effort of sustaining the magick and speaking.

The Malaonus Nor continued to glow beneath their cloaks, burning steadily as it did so.

Okay, 1… Chase and Krista shuffled their feet.

2… Jinx closed his eyes, and Jared and Zaphira prepared to run after Sylas had managed to slide some of Jinx’s magical flow, something that had felt like a knife slicing through him, into targeting just the ropes with a spark of flame so that they fell away from their targets.

3! Sylas called, practically screaming into all five of their heads.

*

Several things happened at once.

Jinx, in a surge of power that made him stumble slightly, caused the flames to suddenly rise up, seemingly out of control. He had scrunched his eyes tight shut as he focused on the idea of the flames suddenly shooting upwards as if someone had thrown a paper plate onto the fire. This caused the crowd to back up, gasping. As the flames leapt almost twenty feet into the air, Krista and Chase each swept a hand opposite from the other through the air, as if parting a curtain, and the flames behind Jared and Zaphira slowly inched apart.

As soon as they were about a foot wide, Chase gasped at the young pair, Go… go! His hand and knees were shaking from the strain; across the square, Krista was in the same predicament.

Opening their mouths wide, and in a clever last minute move, Jared and Zaphira shed the robes that had been forced over their street clothes and sped through the opening, keeping their heads low. The screamed as if the flames had really overcome them, screamed as if they were being burned alive, then they were gone from the minds of their rescuers. Jared and Zaphira escaped just in time.

As they had run Chase and Krista’s arms had begun to shake violently, threatening to vibrate out of their sockets. As their arms finally collapsed from the strain, the flames crashed together like waves in the ocean. As one, the siblings fell to their knees, the Malaonus Nor still glowing brightly underneath their cloaks as they leaned over, panting, and tried to catch their breath. They were not the only ones. Jinx had also collapsed to his knees, visibly shaking from exhaustion; in fact, only Sylas remained standing, and at that only just. He had been forced to lean heavily against the counter of a small stall selling various types of hats.

Sylas whispered urgently to Jinx, who was kneeling hunched over some ten feet away. Hurry Jinx, make the fire so hot and large they will think the bodies were burned to a crisp.

Jinx looked up, his eyes seemingly glowing, the pupil a cat like slit and looked across at Sylas for a moment before nodding slowly - wearily. Closing those bright green eyes he focused on the temperature of the fire, steadily increasing it until the heart of the flames was a brilliant, scalding blue. Sensing Jinx’s shaky efforts, Sylas connected with him - followed wearily by Krista and Chase, who were still kneeling on the ground. Together, the three of them helped steady Jinx’s concentration. Hands shaking, the fire burned hot and the flames leapt all over the platform.

For the next 10 minutes there was nothing but silence as the crowd still stared in awe and shock at the leaping flames. During those ten minutes, much was going on in the minds of our heroes however. Jinx sat hunched over, shaking violently, his face was screwed up in concentration as he concentrated with all his might on keeping the height of the flames dancing higher and higher. He could feel the helping hand, almost like a shoulder to lean on mentally, of his companions, and if he had any strength left he would have smiled. All four of them were sweating profusely, and it was a testament to their hiding skills that they hadn’t yet been caught.

Sylas murmured, strain beginning to creep into his voice, Okay, back it off slowly now, Jinx relaxed his mind ever so slowly allowing the flames to fade from his concentration which, in turn, made them fade away back to their natural height. There... that should do it.

As the flames settled back to their previous height and then began to slowly die on their own, fuel exhausted, the four magickal beings sat back on their heels. They were all breathing as if they had just ran a marathon. The crowd milled around the square murmuring to each other about what had just happened, their voices unintelligible, and the judge and several other men and women in robes congregated below the platform, speaking in hushed tones.

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