The Songs Of The Flames (The Curse Of The Thirteenth Series)

Chapter 20

Night fell upon the academy like the blanket of snow around them. Priscilla pulled the hood of her winter cloak over her head as they waited. The night was silent, all sounds muffled by the falling snow. Juniper stood beside her at the entrance of the academy, a matching black cloak covering her as well. A black car pulled up slowly to them. Priscilla opened the door for Juniper. She turned to the quiet academy to glance one more time, and saw the figure of Professor Sinclair standing in a window. She knew he recognized her despite the hood covering her head. She closed the door behind her, and the car took off.

The car ride took only ten minutes. Then they arrived in the town of Eddings. The town was small with mostly old brick houses. Priscilla thanked the driver as Juniper handed him money. The inn was nothing special, but they needed a spot to stay for the night. They collected the key from the innkeeper inside. Priscilla noticed the wall of keys behind the woman was full.

"Where are you traveling ladies?" The elderly innkeeper asked them.

"Just traveling for the Solstice," was all Priscilla said as they made their way upstairs. Juniper followed quietly behind her.

The room upstairs was small with two single sized beds. The walls were covered in floral wallpaper that once was white. The sheets were worn with illustrations of roses. A small mirror hung above a sink basin. The room only possessed one window. A fireplace sat dormant in the room. Priscilla worked on lighting a fire with her affinity as Juniper pulled out the leather book. Juniper began studying a map inside the book. Priscilla created a small roaring fire that began kicking off heat. She removed herself from the fire to stand over Juniper's shoulder. The girl stood bent over the book, examining it. A small lamp between the two beds provided the only light to the room.

"If we follow the river a good way in, it will lead us on a steady trail to the center, but this map is so vague it's hard to follow." Juniper mumbled. She pulled the red hat lower over her ears.

"I can't imagine many mapmakers voyage into those woods." Priscilla joked. A strained tension had fallen upon them the minute they had left the academy. She knew Juniper was afraid, and she knew Juniper could sense her nervousness as well. " We should get some sleep tonight. We have a long day of walking tomorrow." Priscilla said quietly. She urged Juniper to close the book. Juniper placed the closed book upon the table between the two beds.

Priscilla hung her cloak up on the coat stand, and changed into sleepwear. The fire slowly began heating the room up, but the night was still cold.

She tossed and turned throughout the night, unable to sleep.When she did sleep, she dreamed of the milky eyed creature. She awoke sweaty despite feeling cold. Priscilla knew Juniper slept the same way the next morning. Both the girls had bags under their eyes when the sunlight entered through the dusty window. They packed their belongings back into Juniper's infinity bag, and left the room.

On the main level of the old inn was a dining room. The two girls were the only ones there when they came down for breakfast. The inn provided a crude porridge. The food tasted bland on Priscilla tongue, and stuck in her throat like glue. She found herself not hungry though. Her stomach twisted in knots for what was to come today.

They left the village shortly after breakfast. Priscilla took the lead, following alongside the river that broke the town in half. The sword was strapped under her cloak, safely hidden. Ice buildup on rocks beside the river provided difficult walking ground. Priscilla slipped multiple times on the ice. The town became distant, and their climbing steep. The giant mountain loomed overhead of them.

The Forest was silent as they walked. The snow became less as they entered under the thick spruce trees. Priscilla climbed a steep rocky incline, and bent to help Juniper up. She felt tense from the quiet forest. No bird nor squirrel made a noise. The river they followed slowly turned into a trickling stream.