prison-of-fire

Neria Naldiir yelped as a searing pain ripped through herarm. The fire elemental danced back, its flames writhing inthe arid wind cutting across the mountains of Lavastorm.“I told you not to get too close, girl!” Mantineus’ warningheld an edge tinged with mirth.Neria glared at her longtime mentor as she resisted theurge to grab the fresh wound. It stung. The smell of burntflesh rose from beneath her blackened leather armor.Varaca can heal it later. For now… focus!“Never take your eyes off the enemy!” Jantris steppedforward, positioning himself between Neria and the fireelemental. He raised his two-handed sword over his shoulder,preparing to strike the creature down.Overprotective as ever! I’m not helpless. I’ve seen nearly asmuch combat as you!Pressing forward, Neria slipped inside the range of hisstriking arc. She knew the old elf would chastise her for it, butshe would not let him finish this battle for her. She had alreadyworn the elemental down. If Jantris or any of the other eldersstepped in now, she would never hear the end of it.The scowl that deepened across Jantris’ face told her she wascorrect. Perhaps she should not have been foolish enough to movewhere a fellow combatant could strike her by mistake. She couldalready hear his chiding. ‘When fighting shoulder to shoulder withallies, you must pay attention, girl! As much to the warrior on eitherside of you, as to the enemy you face.’ Jantris lowered his blade andbacked away, however, so her maneuver had served its purpose.She forced down a smile before it reached her lips.No need adding fuel to his ire.1