An Owl's Rise

Evelyn recoiled back as Melisandre got right up in her face and started raving about her heavenly flame.

There was an almost fanatic gleam in her master's eyes, and she suddenly felt quite uncomfortable.

Still Melisandre seemed to not have any restraint to hold back any longer. She had been waiting since she first saw Evelyn used the heavenly flame to ask her about it.

'I do not think she is going to just let it go this time. But what should I tell her to get out of this?' Evelyn thought while panic set in.

Ever since Melisandre showed interest in her heavenly flame Evelyn was afraid that she might try and remove it from her. Which very well could kill her.

Unfortunately, while she had been afraid of this, when Melisandre first came to her, she was more afraid to reject her offer and just be kidnapped and be experimented on again.

She had hoped she would be able to avoid the issue or come up with some sort of explanation other than the truth.

'I guess I will just try to play dumb.'

With no better explanation that came to mind, all Evelyn could do was deny knowing what her flame truly was.

"I am sorry Melisandre, but I do not know what this flame is exactly. It was one of the things that the humans were experimenting with on me." Evelyn said, coming up with the most logical lie she could.

Melisandre had already accepted that there were things she did not want to speak about in relation to her time in a human lab and hoped that would work again here.

However, while last time Evelyn was telling the mostly truth and only hiding some details, this time Melisandre picked up her blatant lie.

She did not get as strong and old as she was without being able to pick up when someone far less experienced than her was lying.

Narrowing her eyes and looking at Evelyn harshly, Melisandre was not going to accept a roundabout answer this time. Not when this was what she primarily wanted to know about Evelyn.

"Do not lie to me. I can tell that everything you just said is far from the truth. You never once mentioned this before, and I could see you toiling around for an excuse to not tell me. I am certain you know exactly what that flame you have is. The is no way that it is an affinity you just picked up. I imagine that you somehow assimilated with an elder fire elemental's heart or something similar to produce such a powerful flame at your rank. Now tell me what it is. I believe I have been accommodating enough and should have at least a bit of your trust at this point."

Gulping Evelyn could feel the intense pressure that Melisandre was giving off, and it seemed that she was not going to take any excuses for an answer.

But Evelyn still did not want to tell her if she could help it.

Maybe if she just left Melisandre would leave her alone. Though this might not be a possibility.

'If I refuse, she might torture me for information, or maybe she can just make some sort of truth serum that makes me speak. I do not really know what she is capable of.'

With no discernable way out that did not carry any sort of risk Evelyn clench her beak together and prepared to answer with the truth.

"Before I tell you, what do you plan to do with me? Did you just bring me here to experiment on me, or do you plan on somehow stealing my power once you know what it is?"

Bringing up her fears Evelyn wanted to know what Melisandre's intentions were before she shared any information on her flame.

Of course, she was afraid that no matter what she did or said that she was screwed. But she had felt this way from the moment Melisandre had locked onto her, even if she had pushed it to the back of her mind.

However, as Evelyn asked this, Melisandre back off and sighed while shaking her head.

She realized that she had just gotten really heated and practically ordered Evelyn to reveal what was obviously a very closely guarded secret. One that she feared others knowing would cause her to be killed or experimented on.

'Calm down Mel. As much as you want to know what her flame is, forcing it out of her is no good.'

Understanding that from Evelyn's perspective she had pretty much threatened her life, Melisandre took a step back and lowered her head.

"I am sorry about that Evelyn. I got a bit too excited seeing a powerful flame I do not fully understand. You are right to be guarded in keeping your secrets, and I should not be trying to pry them out of you. If you wish to keep it to yourself, I will ask no more about it. And I just want you to know that I am not like those humans that tortured and experimented on you. I will never do anything cruel to you. I may push you, but I will never do something that is not to your benefit. I did not bring you on as my disciple just to try and steal whatever power you might have. I saw that you were a rare talent and wanted to make sure you reached your potential. Please forgive me for making you fear for your life."

After giving her long apology full of assurances Melisandre stepped back and waited for Evelyn's response.

"Thank you for understanding Melisandre. I would very much like to keep the origins of my flame a secret if that is fine. Maybe one of these days I will tell you what it really is." Evelyn said with a look of obvious relief in her eyes.

She could see that Melisandre really was sincere in her apology, and that she meant what she said about not harming her. But still, Evelyn was not going to offer up the information about her heavenly flame so easily.

Her trust in anyone other than her brother has been long shattered, and she had no intention on divulging anything that might come back to harm her if she could help it.

Seeing that Evelyn had no desire to tell her about her strange and powerful crimson flame, Melisandre decided to just move on and act like nothing had happened.

"Now allow me to thoroughly compare the potion that you made with the one that I did." She said as she took one bottle of each and began examining them closely.

Though as she did, she frowned and constantly glanced back over towards Evelyn with a conflicted expression on her face.

"You truly are remarkable. I dare say that your potion is only slightly inferior to mind. If I put it in terms of a beast's rank my potion would be at the peak and yours would just be one step away from reaching the same height. I imagine that the only difference was the fact that I can control my magical energy better. Once you can do that, I daresay you have the makings of an even better alchemist than me." Melisandre said, praising Evelyn's efforts and talent.

Of course, what she had made were still only lesser healing potions that at best could mend minor broken bones or heal fare sized lacerations. But other than for truly grave injuries, they were more than enough.

"Now if you are up for it, I will demonstrate how to make some other items such as magical energy replenishment pills, antidotes, fortifications potions, and the like." Melisandre said, wanting to know if Evelyn wished to continue.

After what had just happened, she did not want to push Evelyn any further, since she was already uncomfortable.

Nevertheless, Evelyn nodded her head in agreement wanting to learn more. Already having put Melisandre's quick interrogation out of her mind after her master's apology.

"Good. Then we will begin with the magical energy replenishment pills. The first and most important ingredient in this recipe are these venairier fruits."

Melisandre then picked up the large slightly glowing fruit that Evelyn had allowed to absorb her magical energy.

It was this property that made them perfect as the main ingredient for creating magical energy restoration items.

"Now you can simply use the fruit by itself and make a decent product, but with the proper supplementary ingredients you make something superior." Melisandre explained as she went over her own personal recipe.

Continuing on Melisandre demonstrated each of the brews for making basic alchemical items which were quite useful to have on hand and would be great to sell as a source of credits.

Soon enough Evelyn had made a batch of each of the items Melisandre had shown her to make, and they were all of excellent quality as if made by a master alchemist.

'That flame of hers is more special than I thought. It seems to be able to bring out one hundred percent of the magical properties within any ingredient. That is beyond even what I am capable of with my powers. Truly, I wonder what its secret is?'

Letting out a sigh, Melisandre knew that she could ask no more without risking pushing Evelyn away. She had dozens of questions swirling around through her mind, but still, she held back out of respect for her disciple's wishes.

"Now I have taught you what I consider the basics. I will leave the recipes with you to allow you to practice when you wish. Spend the next week or so honing your skills in alchemy and controlling your magical energy. After that I will have processed the necessary paperwork for you to sell your creations and make more credits. You are going to need much more to continue advancing yourself in the future."