57 What An Eccentric Little Girl

The girl who was standing in the way of the Nix'Rylian men had long pointed ears. She looked about seventeen, perhaps a bit younger, but as she was definitely an elf then she had to be far older than that.

Just she was still quite noticeably a young elven girl.

As Dawn watched, she let the carved wooden flute drop to her chest. Her smile did not falter as

she tilted her head to the side in a way that seemed rather cutesy.

"Why, I could ask the same thing? What do I see going on here?" The words came out in a musical voice that was so naturally good natured.

That smile seemed so pure and innocent that Dawn felt instantly worried for the girl. She continued on, ignoring the look of disbelief that came to the man's face, "And whatever are you doing to these poor people?"

The man laughed, "Shouldn't you be more worried about what I'm going to do with you? You are definitely the best specimen I have ever-"

"I suggest you let them go." The girl interrupted him smoothly as if he had not said anything.

"Ha! Why should I? You are just a girl, what can you do? No one is here who would help you. Why not come over here peaceably? It will be far easier on you if you do."

The girl looked at him, actual pity coming onto her face. "….You really think like that, don't you? How disappointing. But you are so very wrong if you think that I am alone. I am never alone, not really. Now, do let these people go or you might find out why I am so confident that I could easily

win against all of you."

"How arrogant are you?" The leader snorted and then gestured to his men, "Capture her, but do try not to leave any marks."

As the men made to go to grab her though, the girl raised her hands and grasped hold of the

symbol that hung down over her chest with one hand, as the other pressed to it with a clenched fist.

As she removed her fisted hand, a sword seemed to materialize, bursting into glorious red flames. Her right eye suffused with a white glow that streamed out of the corner, giving an almost otherworldly look to her image.

The men were startled as the girl who looked like such an easy prey smiled in a sad way, "I warned you. Don't mess with the Flame of Nireal if you do not wish to be burned."

"You might be able to summon a flaming sword, but can you even lift it?" There was a derisive snort. "Don't think that you are going to intimidate us."

He had a slight point. The sword was just as big as the girl was.

But he was proven wrong almost instantly as the girl seemed to meld into a blur of red and gold and in a moment the huge sword had cleaved into him, setting him on fire.

Dawn felt amazed watching the girl dance in a deadly arc of flames and destruction as she laid into the bandits left and right.

And then she felt the ropes on her hand just melt off as flames flashed along them, making her free from the bonds.

All her friends were freed as well and they quickly ran to get their things back. By the time they had reclaimed their weapons, the men were all down and unconscious. The flames then completely extinguished.

Dawn was about to say thank you to the woman, when she heard Aldresh say in a voice filled with deep admiration, "Wow! That was awesome! What a marvelous weapon."

She really should not have been surprised but she had forgotten of the sorcerer's obsession with fire.

The girl smiled softly, "Thank you, a pity I had to use it though…" She sighed, "They'll live though, and hopefully they've learned their lesson." Her smile then became a whole lot more brighter, "But are you all okay? If they hurt you I can help you in recovery." As she was speaking she was putting the sword back into the symbol.

"Thank you for aiding us." Dawn finally managed, "And thank you for the offer, but I think we only have some mild bruising."

The girl though had already moved on and had walked over to the three children that were still with them, "Oh! What darling little children! Makes me want to just mother them!" She then paused, "Of course I won't steal them. But I can be like an aunt or something, right?"

No one was actually sure how to answer her. She seemed rather energetic and slightly kooky. But she had just come to their aid so what could they complain about.