It’s kind of strange how the fire makes you feel huh?

Many times they have seen those accused burn. A few times they would have burned themselves if not for evading capture at the exact right moment. One time they have actually burned. 

At the stake, accused of witchcraft, guilty of so much more. Bright eyes stared out at the accusers who stared them down. If Saima had taken any reasonable escape action, it would have only served to proved the point of how ‘demonic’ they were. But would the sight of them burning provide any more satisfaction?

If anything, the feeling of the flames was…comforting. It sent them back into another time, another place. Another world even – one before this one. One that had trickled down to this world through stories. And yet here were their people burning them for bringing some of this old faith with them. Such was the cost of the new faith spreading on the land and the fears that likely came with it.

The fire grew higher and higher while Saima could only close their eyes and think. They let the fire swallow them whole, it was then and only then could they escape before everyone’s eyes without attracting notice. If it took looking like a sacrifice, a prisoner for the ages – so be it. They were always skilled at playing to the situation when it suited them. 

The warmth cradled them and somehow only brought them more strength, more ability to survive. It was certainly contrary to the purpose of these burnings but who would be the wiser for it? It would be a secret that Saima would carry after this period was over. After all, they would be the only one to make it way, way into the future when all of this would only be history.