Taboo Fire

"In the name of the Three Kingdoms!" Zahra and Dodo exclaimed when they caught up with him.

The fire blazing the night chorused as they consumed the thatched roof and seemed to melt the wall made of clay.

It was a Harmattan fire. Nothing could stand on its way.

The bamboo trees used to roof the fifteen hut that was burning, hissed, and sang in harmony with the smoke as their helpless body waxed to nothing.

Tiny lines covered the tanned skin of Ginika, a testimony to the confusion that churned his stomach.

'What had happened and who had done this?!' He thought to himself, his expression with unmasked disbelief.

It was a taboo in the Kingdom to set houses on fire. Even bushes were burnt with utmost care for fear of destroying the cornfield of the taskmasters.

Or was it actually those vampires, who called themselves the children of the night?

Could it be that the villagers had finally revolted and had stood up to Fight those taskmasters?

Ginika bit his lower lips as the splendor of the yellow fire danced in his eyes. He knew the villagers would never Fight the taskmasters.

They had been oppressed so much that he doubts if they could even hurt a fly.

He didn't blame them though, living in the shackles of slavery for almost a thousand years since they stopped counting, could break down the fierce spirit in any human being.

His eyes scanned the burning village. It looked empty and totally desolate.

"What is going on?" Zahra asked the question in Ginika's head. The fear in her voice made Ginika want to pull her into his arms and comfort her.

He wished he could hold her soft body in his arms and take away the fears and anxiety.

But that, he knew, was like jumping off a high cliff, with the delusion that gravity would keep you afloat. The girl would rebuke him with insult and make fun of him afterward.

The best thing he could do for himself was to hold his peace and find out what is going on and who was responsible for the wildfire.

"I don't know," Dodo said. The smell of her body swerved in the air as she walked past Ginika, heading down the hill towards the burning village.

Ginika immediately held her elbow.

"Let go, Gini," She protested, but the boy would not back down.

"Why do you want to jump into a situation you know nothing about? It is dangerous. Something might be out there!" Ginika said, almost asking if she was stupid.

He waited for the girl to make fun of his words but was surprised when she only gaze at him in silence, "Don't be stubborn today and listen to me, please."

Slowly and reluctantly, he released her hand. Dodo didn't know when she paused her lips and lick it. She averted her gaze back to the village, as if hoping that the fire would die down by itself.

"What if someone is inside and needs help?" She asked

"This fire looks as if it has been burning for hours!" Zahra pointed out. Nothing can withstand that heat. It's only a matter of seconds, and everything would still turn to ash. Besides, what can you possibly do? You are a seer, I am a sword seeker, and Ginika is a mage. We have not had any training before; we are useless for now."

The fire hissed loudly, and as if bringing to life what Zahra had said, about three huts collapsed simultaneously.

"Don't go out there," Ginika said and took the lead, away from the burning building, "It could be dangerous. Our main focus should be on how to locate our parents. We should be more concerned with their well being. Let's hope they are okay."

For the first time in his life, Dodo did not argue with him. She only nodded her braided hair and followed his lead

Ginika traced his steps carefully but did not wait for the two girls who followed him behind. The moon still showered the sandy path with rich pale lights, and they snaked further into the distance.

He couldn't tell what to make out of the event.