Soil's Story Part 7: Aftermath

It was a long month, and only now do I understand the true extent of what I brought on Old Flamey. Bringing Zephnos to his doorstep, actively provoking him into a fight, forcing him to use more of his powers... I hadn't realized everything that monster could do.   Now we know though. It seems he's stopped chasing me, but I feel like we're somehow still linked. If I really did steal his plant powers, then good. The less powerful something like that is, the better. But his memories? Something about our confrontation with him doesn't ring true. Dad seemed to remember more about his history than me, even if he was missing a few crucial points. I don't think I really stole them, but I definitely do have them. Maybe I can use that.   Zephnos aside, I saw the Tree again last night while sleeping. We chatted, and the Tree asked about Zephnos, the Salamander, and Bjorn. I think it already knew about them, but was trying to make polite conversation. More importantly, it asked about the Salamander Flame spark. "Don't show it to the Salamander, and don't let Zephnos have it."   "But what should I do with it? Not like I have a use for it. And why shouldn't I give it back to the Salamander?"   The Tree paused and fixed me with a stern gaze. Or at least, as stern as you can get using only one eye. "Trust me on this Soil. The Salamander Flame does no one any favors, and that spark can only make things worse. Just keep it safe, and keep it away from other sentient life." It paused again, then added, "And maybe dead things as well. You're doing the Salamander a favor by not giving it back to it. The less of the fire it has, the easier its life is."   I just nodded mutely. There's something about the Tree that makes it hard to argue with. Maybe its the feeling that it knows far more than it's letting on, or maybe it just uses the perfect voice to end an argument.   Once I woke up, I asked the Salamander about the Tree. I remember Zephnos seeing it, so I figured the Salamander had created it. He just stared at me blankly. "I don't know what you're talking about. And that has me worried."   Me and Bjorn tolerate each other. I found out about his past, and I understand why he hates me so much. I don't get why he stays though. He could have been sent home years ago, yet still he hangs here in the Campgrounds. He has this stupid notion he'll one day kill Zephnos. If both me and the Old Flamey couldn't, what chance does a human have? None, that's what. Especially if he can't even fight me with a broken leg. Not that I'd really cry over his death, but I do owe him after he saved me, and I don't like to have a debt that lives past the collector.   What's more annoying is how he tries to keep me away from other travelers, like he's scared I'll put them in a stew and eat them all up. Seriously, why does the Salamander let him stay? He's just annoying, like, 99% of the time. No respect for the unnatural, and I'm pretty sure he's even more scared of me because I'm a girl. Wouldn't that be a hoot, big old manly Bjorn scared of a pair of tits.   Anyway. Time to wrap this story up. Maybe I'll write more. Maybe I won't. Old Flamey insisted I write this all down, and it's not like I'm doing anything else with my time. Maybe once my leg heals... anyway. Uh. End of story, happily ever after, yada yada.