"HOTTER!" Bellowed the blacksmith after jamming a lump of cold metal into the forge, only partially worked and with a lot of work to go. They knew that - they'd been here for years now, and knew the hellish rhythm of this job.

The genasi winced as they pushed their flames further than they have before, breaths laboured while fires surge from their palms. The flames from their tail and hair sputtered weakly, shrank, and left them practically shaking as they pulled their hands back. They felt cold, lungs now faintly wheezing and rattling as they took as deep a breath as they dared. Mismatched eyes struggled to stay open, and the ringing of the metal-on-metal had a wave of nausea sweep over Hearth. They were exhausted - dangerously so. A trembling hand swiped at their forehead, the cold sweat unwelcome and, if anything, painful.

"YOU. OVER HERE!" Hearth's head snapped around, a strained and reflexive 'Coming!' leaving their lips before they could think, and they'd blow what warmth they could into their relatively freezing hands as they darted over. "Forge is coolin', heat it."

Hearth bites their lip, tail weakly flitting around themselves to where they could glance and see the flames were barely a red at all, so gone that it was barely a visible flame. They'd shakily nod, lifting their hands again to heat the forge, but they'd yelp and duck as the door to the massive smithing area cracked open with a hefty weight, their fires briefly sparking hot enough to turn blue before dying back while they cowered. Most of the Smiths ran, or tried, but the doorbuster - a human in a rich blue uniform - was barking orders, and dozens marched in and bound the smiths captured in iron. A few casters held them aloft or restrained them with enchantment, and Hearth watched with wide and frightened eyes where they were pressing themselves against the base of a forge - so warm, so comforting, and the ringing of the smiths were finally gone.

The human that led this raid was walking through, head tilting as he looked between the massive forges and anvils for any workers that hadn't bolted as well. "We're shutting down this operation. You're all free to leave, the Army of Arendia will provide you with food and a bed for a short time if you n—"

He stopped as he saw little delicate Hearth, pressed against the easily thousand degree forge and still shivering as if caught in a snowstorm, with flames nearly dead and clothes that hung borderline grotesquely off their underfed frame. It was the wide-eyed, unsure fear that had him pause mid-sentence, that had him soften his expression and voice and approach, crouching as if trying to coax a terrified kitten into his arms. "Hello there, are you alright?" Hearth shook their head slightly, skittish on the idea alone of him getting much closer. "I will not harm you. I'm here to help. My name is Bec. Do you have a name?" This time they nodded, and their ever-soft voice would crack through.

"H - Hearth, my name is Hearth - this was. This was my job, I - I don't have a home outside of this I don't have a family or —" Their voice trembled, growing ever frantic as tears welled in their eyes. They were so afraid of having to sleep on the streets again.

"That's okay, that's okay, Hearth. You don't have to work here anymore. How old are you?" He inched a half-step closer.

"I'm… s-seventeen?"

"Do you want a better job than here, Hearth? Where you can make a real difference?" He'd offered his hand to the frightened Genasi, and after a moment of debilitation, of eyes bouncing between him and his hand, Hearth reached out and took it with a small nod. He smiled, pulling them over slowly, letting them move in their own autonomy. "Then we'll set you up at our base. We'll get you recovered and healthy and you'll be welcomed into the army of Arendia with open arms. We'll treat you right, okay?"

Hearth nodded again, eyes cautious but hopeful, and as he stood, they followed, letting them lean on him and soak up what minor warmth he had. They were c o l d next to him, and at the first chance he'd wrapped them in his cloak and ushered them to a carriage where a few others were seated, and he'd speak to the driver before waving a goodbye. Hearth's eyes, for the first time in a Long time, held a spark of hope. Something better than their aimless optimism.

Over the next few weeks, several doctors and therapists helped get Hearth's flames back to their standard burning rate, helped fill their hollow figure out in a much healthier silhouette, and helped them process the troubles of their past emotionally. Their smile became a beacon of warmth in each post they were in, their heat a banishment of the cold on particularly long nights. Few knew who they followed and asked for protection. Fewer still would accept them for it.

But in a matter of two short years, Hearth had soared through the ranks, keeping an ear to the ground at all times for new tales. They impressed every officer with their willingness to learn, to drive themselves to the edge and know just how to balance there. They were thrilled to be stationed somewhere important, the Northern outpost, but… well, frankly, the coastal southern post would've been pretty ideal, considering the more temperate weather suited them. More people. Especially of a rising star platoon among the army; The Starlight Wardens. They were what one could only dream to be; brave, strong, and loyal. One in particular struck Hearth's heart. Relentlessly brave, merciful, unstoppable, but also said to be… kind. Loving. The dragonborn had caught their eye more than the others, but that didn't dim their light whatsoever. The fearless orc whose blade could fell a dozen men in one swing, the powerful tiefling whose tongue spit fire and lightning at a whim, the wizard whose weapon prowess was unheard of among other wizards, and matched only by his casting knowledge.

But they happily stayed in the North, always watching the border between Arendia and Gailar, finding a warm home amid the barracks and even earning a bit of the Major General's favour and affections. A little favouritism, as Hearth was one to go above and beyond. Seek approval.

And then?
           And then?

Months go by, whispers on a rainy evening, there's a colonel at city gates, the Black Lance is at our doorstep, surrendered to three soldiers. No, no, not any three soldiers; the Wardens. The Starlight Wardens!

Hearth buzzed quietly, their flames brighter than anyone had ever seen as they hid around the base, watching from a distance, too shy to approach or let themselves be seen. They'd rambled ceaselessly to their bunkmates, their grin bright and the fires overtaking their hair getting much longer and climbing much higher.

The sparring match - oh no, the sparring match? They could watch from a window, the sweet wizard girl recruit, Starre wasn't in uniform. His silver rod wasn't light like wood. Were things okay? No, not at all, that body language of his said anything but. The soft, furious way he seemed to speak to his weapon only added on to the worry.

  And then.
                 And then.

The general of the outpost approached Hearth not an hour later, pulling them into her office to speak privately. There was talk that Starre was going to be taking leave here for a while, teaching recruits to hone their magic. The idea of that alone had Hearth's heart and flames soaring, to learn from him would be nothing short of an honour. More good news — amazing news that they could barely believe — is that they were chosen.

Chosen to do what?

To fill in Starre's void while he recovered. To BE a Warden. Not permanently, but to serve with their platoon was quickly becoming one of the highest honours. They glowed. They internally Shrieked, and gave the commander a fierce hug. They were allowed. Though out of caution, they would be gently disengaged and offered a handshake, leaned toward and whispered the suggestion to get ready for the meeting with the other Wardens to break the news gently.

Even without Sila there, even with the nervousness of Asher, the presence of the Wardens in the commander's office felt much more dominant. When they were addressed, they'd stick out their arm much too fast, with the brightest grin any recruit would know to be theirs;

"Hearth! I'm so excited to finally get to meet the Starlight Wardens!"

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