Zella and the Matchstick Map — Every evening, when the braziers went pop-pop in Ember Hall, Zella raced around the rune dais with a blackened matchstick tucked behind her ear. Read the full story →
Every evening, when the braziers went pop-pop in Ember Hall, Zella raced around the rune dais with a blackened matchstick tucked behind her ear. She wanted to follow the tiny lines scratched on it, because her missing aunt had carved them before leaving. “One spark, one clue,” Zella whispered, and tapped the matchstick to her crooked staff.
Until one evening, the cold stone under her boots began to hum. Because of that, the rune letters flashed like hot coals. Because of that, a ring of fire leaped up and chased the matchstick’s shadow around her feet. Zella held her staff high, smelled cinnamon smoke, and saw the shadow point to a crack in the dais. Inside lay Aunt Rinna’s brass door key, warm as toast. Next time the braziers go pop-pop, can you spot the matchstick map’s fiery clue?
