The Silver Pocket Staff

raven- chapter 8

After finding out what they were supposed to do, the four children researched tirelessly during Thanksgiving break, searching for any trace of the Infinity Scrolls and more on their elements. Unfortunately for them, there was not much information on the Scrolls.

"What have you found so far?" Hiraeth asked as she peered over Talia's shoulder.

"Not much." Talia and Dylan were flipping through books as Hiraeth and Will were looking for more. It was about eleven o'clock at night and the overworked orphans were the only ones in the library. It was lit by a few torches that were on the wall and it was somewhat peaceful with the rain drumming on the dark windows and the fire crackling in the fireplace.

Will returned with his arms full of many dusty books. He slammed them on the table.

"Look through these. Maybe they'll have something about the Scrolls." He hurried off, seeming eager to look for more books.

Dylan picked up a rather large book and sighed. He seemed very tired and Hiraeth thought he desperately needed a few hours of sleep.

Hiraeth left to find more books. She wondered when they'd be able to escape. Even though she was aware that the trip to find the Infinity Scrolls would be dangerous, she was excited to explore new places, use her powers, and meet different creatures.

She found a book that seemed like a helpful resource and decided to take it to Talia. As she got closer to the tables, Hiraeth saw Dylan engaged in conversation with the strange girl from Elements. Talia was sneaking looks at them from under a huge book. Hiraeth immediately walked over.

"What are you doing here? It's late and you shouldn't be up right now," Hiraeth said accusingly.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Raven." the girl said sarcastically. "I could ask you the same thing. It's none of your business. Anyways, I was just leaving." Raven looked to Dylan, smiling. "See you tomorrow." As she walked away, Hiraeth turned to Dylan.

"What did she want and why is she seeing you tomorrow?"

"Okay, so, don't be mad, but she knows that we're studying the Infinity Scrolls and-"

"Why would you tell her?" said Hiraeth furiously. "No one's supposed to know!"

"I didn't tell her, she sort of just looked at the book I was reading and figured it out. It'll be fine though, she said she'll help me research the Scrolls."

Hiraeth sighed. "Fine. Just don't tell her we're going to escape."

Dylan scoffed. "Do you think I'm an idiot?" Hiraeth raised an eyebrow and chuckled and Dylan rolled his eyes.

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Hiraeth, Will, and Talia were studying for different classes and doing assignments in the girls' dorm. As Hiraeth quickly wrote the last sentence of the essay she had been putting off for weeks, Dylan burst into the room with a huge smile spread across his face.

Will laughed. "What happened with you and Raven?"

Dylan sat down. "We had so much in common. We like the same things, the same hobbies, and our parents even died the same way!" The other three kids looked at each other.

"Is that supposed to be a good thing?" Hiraeth said, suppressing a laugh.

Dylan ignored her. "We literally just... clicked."

"Did you do any research or did you just talk the whole time?" Hiraeth asked.

"Hold on, I was just getting to that. She knows a lot about Elements and the Scrolls. Like, a lot more than us. She says she's been researching for years." He sighed happily. "She's so smart."

"Did she hit you with an Affectus spell?" said Hiraeth, recalling a love spell they had learned in their Verbal Spellcasting class.

"Shut up, Hiraeth. Anyways, she should come with us when we escape. She'd be super helpful and-"

"Okay, she undoubtedly hit you with a love spell. Are you insane? We barely even know her," said Talia.

"First of all, she didn't cast Affectus on me-"

"It's not like your forgetful ass would remember," Hiraeth whispered. Will and Talia laughed.

"And second, just trust me. What's the worst that could happen, honestly? I bet she'll probably help us find the Scrolls faster," Dylan said, disregarding Hiraeth's remark.

"If you want her to come along so badly, ask Mr. Scott. He's the one planning all of this," sighed Talia.

"I will. I'm sure he'll approve." Dylan stood up and ran out the dormitory. He returned ten minutes later, completely out of breath.

"He approved."