The Lost Heiress of Avalon

Chapter Three: Searching

As we reached the clearing in the forest, getting closer to where my mother said the portal would be, the wind seemed to whisper, the flowers started to glow and the air became lighter, crisp and felt as if it washed all my anxiety away.
A sudden gust of wind twirled around my ankles and blew upwards, and I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked back over my shoulder but didn't see anyone there.
"Did you just put your hand on my shoulder?" I asked Ryden, bringing my left hand to my shoulder and rubbing it, trying to shake the chills that ran down my spine.
"No, I didn't, why?" He asked and looked at me frowning.
"I could've sworn I felt someone or something touch my shoulder, but I guess it was just my imagination..." I trailed off and looked at my feet, counting my steps. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six...
"Wow, would you look at that!" Ryden exclaimed and stopped dead in his tracks.
I whipped my head up and the sight in front of me was magnificent. It felt like I was transported into a storybook.
The portal was a huge stone arch standing underneath an old weeping willow tree, with a row of steps leading up to it. Surrounded by the most colourful flowers and vines all around it and for some odd reason the sun was starting to rise at that exact moment, shining through the portal's arch and the light reflecting off of the nearby pond caused a rainbow to appear above the arch.
Completely magical.

"This is magnificent," I said in complete awe, "I have been surrounded by magic and magical objects all of my life, but this takes the cake," I said to Ryden and walked towards the base of the steps. I set my bag down at my feet and crouched down.
Zipping my bag open, I motioned for Ryden to come closer and prepare the portal for teleportation.
He followed my lead and took out the enchanted compass my mother had given him.
I took out my book of spells my mother had bound for me, tucked it underneath my arm and zipped my bag closed. I got up and threw the straps over my shoulders, walking up the stairs to the edge of the arch.
Ryden followed and came to stand behind me, rubbing my arms and planting a kiss on the top of my head. I leaned into his body and sighed deeply."Are you ready to start, love?" he asked bringing his arms around and hugging me from behind.
"I guess I have to be. It's now or never. All for Avalon," I said and took a step forward.
I opened my spell book to the bookmarked page and looked at Ryden, nodding at each other, we took our place at each side of the arch.
Ryden opened the compass and looked up at me smiling, with a wink he signalled that he was ready. I nodded and looked at the spell in front of me, clearing my mind of all things and focused on the task ahead, finding my sister.

I took a deep breath, exhaled and started reading the spell out loud; "Via temporis, iam clama ad te via spatti.." The wind began to blow ferociously and I looked at the arch in front of me. Licking my lips, I continued on, "Te ubio aperire... Aperill!Via concurssus, tempos spatium admi ut imperio!" I exclaimed, pointing to the arch it began to glow in the middle and the portal began to form. It glowed a pinkish-gold colour and then it grew to fill the entire arch. The wind began to cease and I closed the spell book. I looked over at Ryden and he had a puzzling look on his face as he studied the compass.
"What's the matter?" I asked and walked over to him.
"Nothing, this is just so amazing, the needle of the compass is going haywire," he replied and showed me the compass.
"Mother did say that once we've crossed over to Earth that the compass should start picking up Tryamon's location, leading us to her," I said and laced my arms through the straps of my bag, swinging it over to me and unzipping it. I put away my spell book and zipped it back up. I was swinging it back over my shoulder. I look Ryden's hand and we stepped forward. I stuck my hand through the portal, testing it.
"Seems safe," I said and shrugged.
"Shall we, milady?" Ryden asked and winked at me.
Hand-in-hand we both stepped into the portal. I looked back and saw the forest behind us, it was as if I was looking at it through a crystal ball.
My entire life, I've never left this planet, the place I've called home.
The portal behind me started to close and I looked at Ryden, he grinned from ear to ear.
"Wow!" he exclaimed, "this is amazing! I've never seen anything like this," he said sticking out his hand in front of him trying to touch the glittering dust floating all around us. It looked like we stepped into a kaleidoscope, a swirl of colours and patterns and glitter all over. The portal hummed a song, which sounded like a lullaby and I felt weightless. Gravity probably did not exist in the portal.
"Yeah! And I feel lighter than air," I said and kicked forward. My foot disappeared and I looked at Ryden, we realized we should walk forward to exit the portal.
"Well then, it seems like we do need to try and walk," I said taking a step forward into the glowing light. Ryden followed my lead and the next thing I knew, we were stepping into a dimly lit alleyway behind some kind of bar.
After we have stepped out, I looked back and the portal closed with a sudden burst of light. It was dawn and the sun seemed like it had just set, casting a red glow across the sky.
"Aria, you need to see this," Ryden called and brought my attention back to reality. I walked closed to him and looked at the compass in his hand, it was pointing North, which meant that we needed to go into the bar.
"It seems as if we might need to buy a drink," I said to Ryden and took my bag off, sticking my hand into the front pocket, I fumbled around until I found the bills and pulled them out, showing them to Ryden.
"Mother enchanted this pocket so that we could get all the money we needed whilst we are here," I told him and stuffed the wad of bills into my pants pocket.
"Right then," Ryden said as I was swinging my bag over my shoulders, "let's venture on then!" and took my hand again, placing a swift peck on the back of my hand.

We walked around and approached the outside of an old building, Nathan's Brewery & Eatery, the sign indicated on the window and we pushed the door open.
Inside the bar was almost empty with just the barman behind and two people sitting at the counter.
We looked around and Ryden pointed to a booth in the far back corner we should sit down.
I walked to the booth and Ryden over to the counter. A few minutes later he arrived with two glasses and set one down in front of me.
"I ordered us some food and the bartender said he'd bring it out as soon as it's ready," he said and slid into the seat next to me.
I brought the glass to my lips and took a small sip. I closed my eyes and took a big gulp, a soft moan escaped my throat and my eyes shot open, I looked over at Ryden who was studying me with a devilish smirk on his face. Desire flashed in his eyes
"Wow, what is this?" I asked taking another big gulp almost downing the glass in one sip.
"It's coke," Ryden said and took a sip.
"You're right, it's delicious," he exclaimed and took another big sip.

The bartender brought our food and sat it down in front of us, "is there anything else I could get you?" he asked, and looked at Ryden. When I looked up and my gaze met the bartender's, his eyes widened in shock.
"Trya, is that you?" he asked and leaned forward, "I've been trying to call you, but you're dodging my calls!" he exclaimed.
I looked at him in shock, and then it hit me, he must be talking about my sister!
"No, my name is Aria, but do you know Tryamon?" I asked him and his face turned red.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, I thought you were her. Wait, yes... We work together, but she's been off for the past week." he said and slid into the seat opposite us.
"I have come looking for her, she is my long-lost sister and I need to find her as soon as possible!" I told him and felt panic rise in my chest."I can help you with that, but I'd need a favour too,'" propositioned, leaning forward on his elbows. He looked kind of smug. I felt a weird feeling rise in my stomach. I do not like him, something about him seemed off.
I looked at Ryden and he took my hand underneath the table, giving it a squeeze.
I sighed and looked at the bartender, "alright, but first things first. What's your name and what do you need from my sister and me?" I asked, arching my brow.
"My name is Ezra and I need to talk to her... We had a... misunderstanding. What's your name," he asked and smiled at me sheepishly and then at Ryden.
A chill ran down my spine and I tightened my grip on Ryden's hand.
"Ryden," he replied and leaned forward, " will you help us find Tryamon or not?" Ryden asked him.
He leaned back against the seat and crossed his hand behind his head. He studied me, letting his gaze trail from my eyes down over my breasts. I crossed my arms over my chest and cast a pleading look at Ryden. "Yes, I will," he replied, licked his lips and looked back up at me.
He got up and looked at Ryden, " do you need anything else?" he asked and Ryden nodded, "Yes, two more cokes," he replied, Ezra nodded and turned to walk away.

I leaned in closer and placed my head on his shoulder, "I do not like him. He gives me some weird vibes and something about him is definitely off," I whispered in Ryden's ear.
"I agree," he replied when Ezra walked to our table with our drinks.
When he was back at the bar, we finished our food and drinks quickly. Ryden got up to go to the bathroom. Ezra walked over to me and sat down again, "you look just like her, you know," he said and set his chin in his hand.
"I know. Twins, and all that," I replied and looked towards where the bathrooms are. I looked back and he was staring at me, feeling uncomfortable, I needed a way to break the silence and just get him out of there. "Do you know where we could find her? Like an address or something?" I asked and he nodded.
"Yes, I'd just have to go and check our records in the back, as I haven't been to her apartment yet," he said and got up to leave as Ryden approached the table, he started walking back to the bar and turned around, "I'll write it done for you and bring it with your check!" he exclaimed and walked behind the bar.
I watched him bend and heard a tear, he got up, looked at me and walked back into what I assume is the staff room.
When Ezra returned, he handed Ryden the check and me the piece of paper with Tryamon's whereabouts on it.
"I also wrote down my cell, if you find her, call me," he said as I stuffed the folded piece of paper into my pocket.
"Alright. See you then," I said and handed Ryden a couple of dollar bills.