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The smell of the fire, throwing off heat and scorched and burning wood assaulted Teresal's nose. She jerked and pulled herself from underneath the table that had fallen over. She could hear screaming and the clash of metal on metal. It sounded loud to the young Auri and she whimpered as she pulled herself along. A worried glance up towards the burning roof had her crawling along the floor faster.
"Mama...mama." Her mother had shoved her underneath the table when the hammer on the door had come and she made Teresal promise to stay until she came back. But mama didn't come back. And the smoke and flames didn't make her comfortable. She gave a squeal when wood groaned and cracked, sending hot embers down onto the floor. She scrambled to her feet and hit the door, slamming her hands against it when it wouldn't open. "MAMA! Please let me out!"
Yanking on the door only had it shake in place and she looked up to see the bolt in place, securing the door against anyone that might have thought they could force their way in. She stood on her toes, reaching for the piece of metal and cried out, clutching her hand to her chest. "Hot...too hot." She slammed her free hand against the door. "MAMA! PLEASE!"
One of the roof timbers gave a loud crack and came crashing down on the furniture, crushing the bed that was underneath it. she gave another scream before snapping her head around, pulling one of the chairs towards the windows, having to stop for coughing fits when the smoke filled her lungs. Tears streaked down her charcoal skin. She was all alone and the yelling outside wouldn't stop. No one could hear her.
Teresal climbed up onto the table and grasped the shutters over the windows, giving them a shake. They were stuck! She couldn't get out. Another scream escaped her when more of the roof came tumbling in and she huddled against the bolted windows, staring as the flames that continued to roar and consume the contents of her home. She slammed her hand against the wood, yelling and coughing. She was getting dizzy.
There was a hard slam against the window and she gave a tiny scream as the wood vibrated. She coughed, blinking rapidly as the smoke stung her eyes as there was a strike of metal against metal before the window opened and a tall Hyur woman stared down at her, a large axe held in one hand that was coated in a liquid that glistened in the flickering of flames. Behind her, the rest of the village was ablaze and she could see people laying on the ground.
Teresal stared back before looking behind her. There was no where to run and she didn't know this big woman. She squealed when the woman scooped her up and held her tight against an armored chest before turning and running.
"NO! MAMA! WHere is my mama!?" She slapped her hands agianst the woman as she was carried away. She almost smothered when a large hand covered her mouth and the woman glowered down at her.
"Child, you need to be quiet. We will find your mama - " The Huyr's head jerked when there was yelling off to the side and she picked up the axe she dropped to keep Teresal from yelling and ran behind another burning building. "Please, be silent."
Teresal clung to the woman as she stared with wide eyes as strange shadows came from between the buildings, heading after them.
"Hold tight. I will keep you safe." The woman's grip on her tightened on the child.
The things following them looked like monsters. Teresal couldn't focus on them. She didn't know where her mama was. She was scared-
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Teresal, are you awake? It's Alisaie."
She jerked up in the chair, blinking a few times. The fire crackled quietly and she stared at the flames for a moment, mesmerized as they danced across the wood.
Another knock and she shook her head as she got up from the chair she had fallen asleep in. A calm breeze came in from the open window and she could see the lights of Old Sharlayan. Someone was always awake.
"Yes. Yes, I'm coming." She opened the door to the young Elezen and Alisaie gave a half smile. "I was told that we all need to try to burgers at The Last Stand. We're supposed to meet everyone there."
A corner of her mouth quirked up and she nodded. "All right. Let's not keep anyone waiting."
The other woman tilted her head, staring at her. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. Really."
Another steady look before Alisaie gave a small nod. "You can tell me if anything is wrong."
"I know. Thank you."