Chapter 1 Awakening. “My body is on fire! Why is my body burning! I see the flames on my skin but I don't feel any heat or pain from them? In fact... my body seems to be growing and developing as the flames burn me. My back! Something is growing out of my back! Is there, is there a pair of wings growing out of my back! What am I?!” Scared I run through the forest; the branches of the trees clawing at my skin. Under the moon's light I can see that flesh and skin are no longer growing from the flames, instead clothing is. I trip over several thick tree roots causing my shoulders and wings, why do I have wings, to slam hard and painfully into their trunks. Ahead of me I see dim lights shining through the trees. As I run towards the lights I can tell that something is there, a, a building. The flames stop burning as the last bit of clothing forms on my body. I find the door into the building. I need help. I’ve just been on fire and now I have wings on my back. This can't be normal. I need help. Stumbling through the building's door I only made it a few feet inside before collapsing to the floor. I am exhausted from running so far and hard. My body is drained of what energy I had. As I lay there on the floor my heart is racing. Its pounding in my ears and I can feel myself start to black out. Before I loose consciousness I barely make out the shadows of people rushing over to me. I hope this wasn't a mistake. My mind shows me chaotic swirls of nonconsecutive images and sounds. I see myself in some, but I am unable to make any sort of sense in what I see and hear. Even in this unruly of a dream like state I can feel the pain of my head as it tries to shuffle through everything attempting to bring order to itself. The world of chaos I am in starts to
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shift fading away as I hear a pair of voices talking in the distance. I can't make out what they are saying; I can only tell it's between a man and woman. Slowly I open my eyes; it's time to see if I made a mistake or not in stumbling into this building. I find that I’m laying in a bed, there is a candle lit on the nightstand beside me with a basin of water and washcloth next to the candle. Shifting how I lay, I attempt to sit up finding it very difficult as my arms have no strength whatsoever. The stirring of the bedding as I move alerts them that I’m awake. The man moves out of the shadows and into the light of the candle to sit down on a stool next to the bed. “Hold still now, try to rest. You've been in an accident, but you are safe now.” “Where, where am I?” “You're in an inn on the outskirts of Lanshire. This is a safe place for your kind.” “My... my Kind? What am I?” The woman I had heard talking before I awoke stepped to the end of the bed placing her hand on my right shin. “You mean you don't know?” There was concern in her voice. “No.” A long silence followed my answer. During which I tried to focus on my host, but the single candles light did not give much detail to their features. The silence was broken by the woman. “You're a phoenix.” “A what?” “A phoenix. What, what all do you remember?” “The only thing I remember is suddenly becoming aware that my body was on fire. Only the flames did not burn my flesh, but made it grow instead. I was somewhere out in the middle of the forest. At one point I remember feeling...” It was at that point that I remembered the wings on my back. “You remember feeling what?” The man broke my thought with his question. “I remember feeling a pair of wings growing out of my back...” My answer trailed off towards the end as I became distracted by my own statement. “You don't remember who you are or where you're from?” “No. I just remember the fire and running in fear because I didn't and still don't know what's happening to me. And now I am told that I am a phoenix.”
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The woman sat at the edge of my bed. “You are a phoenix. You've just been through a traumatic rebirthing.” “A what?” “A rebirthing. It's what happens to a phoenix when it dies whether by natural causes or otherwise.” “So... I was dead, but not anymore?” Adjusting how he sat on the stool the man answered. “Yes, normally when a phoenix dies of natural causes they are reborn with the memories of everything from their past life. They also have their strength. But since you collapsed on the floor downstairs after stumbling through the door, and now say you remember nothing prior to your life flames. We can safely assume that you did not die of natural causes.” “If it wasn't for the mere fact that I don't remember anything and that I have wings I wouldn't know what to believe. This is just a lot to take in and I don't know how to process any of it. I can barely grasp my own thoughts.” Concern was back in the woman's voice as she spoke up. “You must have died very traumatically. I know you've already answered but have you remembered anything at all now? Your name at least?” “No, nothing. I don't know who I am, or where I came from. The only thing that has change from when I arrived to now, is that if what you say is true, then I at least know what I am. Even if I don't fully understand it.” “Well my name is Olin and this is my wife Allena. I own and run this inn and it is a safe place for your kind. You may stay until you feel well enough to leave.” A warm smile was on Olin's face as he spoke. I felt that I could trust in what they said. “I wish I could give you my name now that I know yours. I suppose until I remember it, you can just call me Phoenix. Maybe hearing myself called that will help me remember.” “Well then Phoenix, is there anything I can bring you to eat?” “I, I don't know Allena. What do phoenixes eat?” “What do they eat? Well normal food, you know fruits, vegetables, breads, and meats.” Allena's light smile had become a look of sadness with my question. “I'm, fine I think. I’m just still tired. I think I'd rather try and rest some more.” “Take as much time as you need Phoenix. Well be downstairs if
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you need us.” “Thank you Olin.” Olin and Allena left my room as I turned over onto my side to stare at the candle's flame on the nightstand. The flicker of the flame soothed my mind as I watched it. Momentarily I thought this was strange since it wasn't very long ago that my body was covered in fire. Or as Olin called it, my life fire. I soon found myself drifting off into an empty black dream void of both images and sound.
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Chapter 2 Breakfast On An Empty Mind. I awoke the next morning with sunlight shining through my rooms window. I felt rested but still confused and with an uneasy sense of being lost. Pulling the covers back, I slowly got out of bed. It was odd, I had ran for so long the previous night but this morning it felt like I was using my legs for the first time. Unsteadily I made my way to the window. The leaves on the trees were full of bright oranges and yellows with deep reds mixed in. I have no memory of who I am or where I came from but I still know the basics of this world. Just not anything that really matters to me, about me. Reaching my hand around to my back I could feel the wings there. They felt both natural and unnatural to me. This entire situation felt unnatural to me though. My stomach grumbled loudly breaking me away from my focus on the wings. I was hungry. Allena had offered to bring me food last night. I wonder if she's awake now so that I may take her up on that offer. Turning from the window I notice a wooden cane propped up on the wall next to the door. I was thankful to see it. I relied heavily on the cane as I made my way down the hall outside of my room. The wood was an old rich golden color with a well worn path in the floor from countless travelers that have stayed here. I could see stairs at the end of the hall. A window just at the top allowed the sun light outside to illuminate the hall so it wasn't completely dark. There were doors along both sides of the hall with crystal door knobs and bronze room numbers on the frames. The hall wasn't really all that long but I took my time walking it on my unsteady legs. I tried my best to muffle the sound of my cane hitting the floor as I walked. On my right a door opened as I neared it the smell of a freshly snuffed candle and wild flowers permeated the hallway. A silverhaired woman appearing to be in her early twenties wearing a long
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deep green hooded robe with inlays of turquoise patterns stepped out into the hall. She was only a few inches shorter then I was with a very rich skin tone. Her eyes, a deep amber color. I paused walking, but my cane made one last thud catching her attention. “Oh good morning to you. I’m glad to see you're feeling well enough to walk. The way you collapsed to the floor last night had us all worried.” My mouth opened because I felt I should say something, but my mind drew a blank. She was friendly and I could tell her concern of my well being was genuine. I closed my mouth feeling foolish. “It's okay being at a lost for words. Olin told us what happened to you. It must be both frightening and frustrating to not know anything about yourself.” I simply nodded. She glanced down to the cane I was using. “Still not used to your new legs eh? That's a bit surprising since you did all that running.” “I don't mean to be rude with being so silent, it's just this is all so new to me. I don't know where to start with anything.” My stomach grumbled again. “Well, you can start by coming downstairs and having breakfast with me. You'd be surprise how much better you'll feel once you've had something to eat. A nice hot meal and friendly company can bring comfort to a wild mind.” I had no reply for her so I simply nodded not fully knowing if it was the right response. She closed her rooms door and kept pace with me as I continued down the hall. I could feel a headache starting again. Reaching the stairs I stopped. The cane helped me to make my way down the hall but I could not see how it would help me down the stairs. “Wait here, okay?” I took a deep breath and nodded once more to her. Quickly she made her way down to the floor below. She rounded the corner into what I guessed to be the main room. A few minutes passed before she returned followed closely by a burly built man appearing to be in his late thirties. His hair was dark brown pulled back into a small pony-tail. His cloths were covered in what appeared to be flour. As they came up the stairs I realized it was Olin. He was still drying his hands on a towel. She must have pulled him away from what ever it was he was doing to come help me. “Well it's good to see you up and about. But it would have been no problem bringing some breakfast up to your room for
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you.” “I didn't think I was going to have trouble walking when I got up. I seemed to be doing fine last night when I ran.” “Would you like me to help you back to your room?” “I've made it this far. I'd like to be able to eat downstairs. I just didn't count on the stairs being a task.” “Well, I don't blame you for wanting to get out of that room. I’m sorry to say it was the last one we had last night so it wasn't really ready for a guest.” “It's fine. It's more then I expected. But then again, I really didn't know what to expect last night.” He gave a light deep chuckle. Lifting my arm on to his shoulder he allowed me to use him to keep steady as we made our way downstairs. Once we had made it to the bottom I thanked him and continued on using just the cane. He went on ahead and through a door that led into what I think was a kitchen. I followed the silverhaired woman over to one of the tables next to a window. “Oh please forgive me, I’ve forgotten to introduce myself. My name is Lera.” “Um, since I can't remember who I am, I’ve decided to call myself Phoenix.” “Calling yourself by what you are?” “It's unusual, isn't it?” “No, well, yeah kind of. But if that's what you wish to be called then that's what I’ll call you.” Lera gave me a warm smile with her reply. “I thought the cane would be a good idea to leave in there for you.” Allena had come over to our table. Now that it was daylight I could get a better look at her. Her hair was as black as a raven's feather falling far past her shoulders in curls. She was dressed in browns with a white apron tied around her waist. A friendly smile graced her face as her blue eyes looked down to Lera and myself. “Good morning Allena.” “Good morning Lera. Are you feeling hungry this morning Phoenix?” “Yes...” “Great, do you know what you want for breakfast?” “Uh, no. I don't know what kind of foods I like. It's frustrating not knowing the most basic things about yourself.” “Well, why don't I order for you Phoenix. I'll have a glass of milk
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with a fried egg and two slices of toast. And,” Lera shifted her gaze to my wings. “And I think he'll best enjoy two scrambled eggs with hash browns and three strips of bacon with an orange juice.” “Coming right up.” Allena left us heading back into the kitchen. “Lera, why did you look at my wings before recommending my order?” “Oh, you caught that did you? Well, I have a confession to make. Your feather colors remind me of a friend of mines and that's how she enjoys her breakfast. And well you know that old adage; 'birds of a feather flock together'.” She gave me a shy smile. “You know someone with wings like mine?” “She is a friend of my family so I know her that way.” “Oh.” Looking out the window I watched the morning breeze moving the leaves about the ground. The sky was over cast with light gray clouds obscuring the suns light. The world around me felt so surreal as if it were all just a dream I had become lost in. I was pulled from my thoughts when I realized there was a hand on my arm. I looked down, it was Lera's. I could tell she was trying to comfort me, but my mind still raced as it tried to make sense of itself. “I know you don't remember anything of your past but do you know if you have a specific element alignment?” “A what?” “An element alignment. Most phoenixes I know of have an affinity to basic elements. You know like air, earth, fire, water, and so on. I’m just curious if you've felt an attraction to an element.” “Well, my first memory is being on fire. Would that make fire my element?” “No, I’m sorry. The fire you remember is what your kind call their life fire. The fire that gives them life. All phoenixes have that.” “Oh, well the only thing I can think of, is before I fell asleep after I regain consciousness was that I felt comfort in the candle's flame on the nightstand next to my bed.” “Well now that counts as an attraction to an element. I suppose we can say you have a natural affinity to the element of fire.” “Well I guess that's something new I know about myself. But what does knowing my elemental alignment do for me?”
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“For starters, you can use fire to gain energy and heal wounds.” Allena had returned with our breakfast setting it down on the table in front of us. The smells of the different items were intoxicating causing my stomach to churn in anticipation of the meal. “Allena, could you bring us a candle as well?” “A candle?” “Yes, I’ve discovered that our friend Phoenix is aligned with fire. I thought a lit flame would do him some good while he ate his breakfast.” “Oh alright, I'll bring one over then.” “Thank you.” Allena left us once more. “Phoenix what are you waiting for? Eat up.” I nodded. Only a few minutes later did Allena return with a lit candle politely setting it down on the table near my plate. Lera was right, once the flame was near me I could feel strength returning to me. That and the flavors of the food were wonderful. For the first time I was starting to physically feel better since I arrived at the inn.
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Chapter 3 A Memory Of Love. After breakfast was over I stayed downstairs gazing outside the window. Lera had excused herself and left the inn. I’m not sure what Olin would consider busy or not, but from my take, it was turning out to be a slow morning for travelers coming in. I guess that makes sense since people generally only need to come in for a room at night when they are traveling. As I gazed out the window I noticed the light smell of smoke. Looking down my candle had gone out. “Would you like me to bring you another candle Phoenix?” Turning I noticed Allena was folding napkins around silverware a few tables over. “No thank you Allena. I don't want to take you away from your work.” “It's no problem.” “I don't want to take away any more candles. After all you must go through quit a few of them each night as fast as these burn.” Allena snorted as she laughed at my remark. “Phoenix, one of those candles usually last us several nights. That one only burned so fast because you were pulling energy from it. Besides, we maker our own candles so it's no problem if you'd like another one.” “Not to change the subject, but I'd like to. Last night Olin said his inn was a safe place for my kind. What did he mean by a 'safe place'. Is my kind in danger of something or someone?” “It's sad for me to admit this but, yes. You see Olin, Lera, myself, and a few other people are friendly and helpful to phoenixes in this region. Whereas the majority of people are fearful of your kind. And they tend to kill and destroy whatever they fear. So for the few of us that don't fear phoenixes, we help them out as much as we can. In return for our kindness the phoenixes
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help us whenever we need it as well. Whether we need gold, healing, magick, or any other needs. We give all we can because we know the favor is returned even if not by the phoenix we helped.” “I see. Well I am grateful for the help you've provided me, and I promise once I get my strength back I’ll help out however I can.” “I wasn't saying that so you would feel obligated to help us.” “I know. But as you said, you help out as much as you can so the favor is returned. I want to help out for the phoenix that needs help that may come after me.” Allena smiled. “That's very noble of you Phoenix.” ~~~ I sat in a chair looking out side my window in my room as the sun set behind the trees in the distance. Lera had been right about the candle. It had given me enough strength so that I was able to walk on my own without the assistance of the cane to get back up to my room. I stared outside my window because it allowed me to focus my mind on something other then it's chaotic self. Each time I lost focus on something for a period of time I'd get a headache as my mind went back to the mess. I know it's something I’m going to have to let it do if I’m ever to learn anything about myself. But for now, I'd rather prolong the pain. The moon was just cresting the horizon when I heard a knocking at my door. “Just a moment.” Getting up my legs still held strength. It was good because I had left the cane downstairs. Answering the door Lera stood before me with a wrapped parcel in her arms. “May I come in?” I nodded stepping back and pulling the door open wider. “I saw your cane downstairs. You didn't need it to come back up to your room?” “No. The candle provided me with enough strength that I may walk about with out the need of the cane.” “That's good. I have a gift for you.” She handed me the parcel with a warm smile. “What's the occasion?” “No occasion.”
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Walking over to my nightstand she lit a fresh candle bringing light back into my room. I sat on the edge of my bed setting the gift on my lap. It was wrapped in a deep brown cloth held together by braided twine. My fingers refused to cooperate with me in untying the knots. Lera must have noticed my difficulty as she handed me a small dagger to cut the twine with. Unfolding the cloth a garment made of leather now lay on my lap. “What is it?” “It's a long coat. I’m fairly sure you'll be able to conceal your wings under it.” “Yes, Allena told me how people fear my kind.” “A sad truth. But they're easily tricked with a simple coat. You'll be able to walk about freely so long as you keep your wings close to your back and that coat over them.” “Tell me something Lera. You live here at the inn don't you?” “Yes. Why do you ask?” “At breakfast you told me of a phoenix that was a family friend who had feathers that reminded you of mine. I’m curious as to why she hasn't helped you into a home of your own?” “Because I enjoy living here at the inn. I meet all kinds of travelers from many different places. And on occasions I also meet other phoenixes as well. I find your kind very fascinating.” “Do you know how to get in contact with some of the other phoenixes you've met? Maybe they could help me in learning who I am.” “I wish I could help, but they just pass through and usually don't stay in one spot for to long. I have no way of getting a hold of any of the phoenixes I’ve met.” With her answer I sighed heavily, disappointed. What kind of world had I been reborn in where there was so much hate and fear of the unknown. The concept of it led me to speculating what kind of a past life I must have had. Had it been one of constant travel and hiding as the phoenixes Lera had met? Was I really part of a caste where we must stay hidden in order to survive? Allena said that phoenixes helped those that helped them with gold, healing, and magick. If my kind has these abilities to help why are we so feared? I pinched the bridge of my nose as my head started to ache once more. I had allowed myself to loose focus and for my mind to reflect inward on itself. “Phoenix are you alright?”
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I had forgotten Lera was still with me. She sounded concerned. “I... um...” Another sharp pain ran through my mind as several images and sounds fought for my undivided attention. “Phoenix?” I wanted to answer her. To tell her I was okay. But I couldn't. The room began to swirl around me as the images grew stronger. “Phoenix are you …” I didn't get to hear her finish asking her question before I was completely immersed in my mind. I kept getting flashes of a woman with red hair that fell past her shoulders curling at the bottom. Her eyes were so beautiful a deep reddish brown color, nothing like I’ve seen in this life yet. Her smile and laughter radiated a feeling of love from deep down inside of me. It frustrated me to no ends that I did not know who she was, I only knew she was very important to me. I was abruptly brought out of my mind by the sensation of water being thrown on my face. As the world came into focus around me I could see Olin standing over me with an empty pitcher in his hands. Allena had a pitcher in her hands as well, but by the way she held it I could tell it still had water. My head felt elevated from the rest of my body which was on the floor. “Phoenix are you okay now?” Lera's voice was shaking with fear as I became aware she held my head in her lap. My lungs burned forcing me to take a very deep breath of air in. It felt as if I had held my breath for a great period of time. Had I stopped breathing while I was ensnared by my own mind? “Phoenix please say something!” “I'm, I’m okay now I think.” “What happened to you?” “I think my mind was trying to get me to remember something, or erm, someone.” Olin sat the pitcher he had been holding down on the floor in front of the nightstand. “Someone from your past?” There was curiosity in his voice. “I don't know. All I know is that I kept seeing her face over and over again from different time periods. When she smiled at me or laughed I could feel a strong sense of love for her. I just don't know who she is.” Olin just nodded.
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I felt something warm and wet hit my forehead. Looking back up to Lera's face I could just make out in the candle light that she had tears running down her cheeks. “Lera what's the matter?” “*sniffling*What? Oh nothing Phoenix.” “But you're crying.” Olin looked up from me to Lera as did Allena. “You sure you're okay Lera?” “I'm fine Allena. I was just so worried about Phoenix when he fell back like he did that's all.” I may have only been alive for barely two days now, but I could still tell she wasn't being completely honest with us.
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