Rise of the Erifs (The Fire Song Chronicles Book 1)

Chapter 18

Earth 

"ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE UP TO THIS?" DAYE SAID, EYEING AURORA's bandaged arm.

"I'm fine. That cream you gave me worked wonders. I can even use my bow now," Aurora said.

"All right then," Daye said, still somewhat unconvinced.

It was the next day. Byron was bedridden but steadily making a recovery. He had told Daye where her father was hiding in a cave. The twins learnt that Byron was Balsard's young first year apprentice, working with him at the Science Academy. He had been at the Science Academy when the Erifs attacked and escaped with Balsard.  

Alex quickly hugged Aurora. "Be careful. We need you back in one piece."                

Aurora punched his arm playfully. "Don't worry. I'll be back little brother."

Alex tried to frown but found he couldn't and laughed. Aurora was born something like a minute before him and they used to fight about it all the time when they were younger. Now it didn't matter so much. 

"Wait! I almost forgot," Alex said and ran into his room. He came back with something that looked like half a bangle and oddly shaped. He handed it to Aurora.

"What is that?" Aurora said.

"It's a communicator," Alex said. "You put it on your ear and the speaker bends down into your ear."

"You know you made no sense." Aurora put it on her ear. "But because it's me I got it." She adjusted it until it was comfortable.

"And this is the mic that you talk into. It clips onto the front of your collar." Alex handed her a device about the size of a small button. Aurora clipped it on. 

Aurora grabbed her backpack, quiver and bow. She mock saluted Alex before following Daye outside. They walked around the back of the cabin and got into the Jeep. Aurora put the keys into the ignition and the car roared to life. She looked across at Daye and grinned.

"Ready?" she said.

"To die? No."

"My driving isn't that bad. And besides what do you know about driving, anyway?" Aurora said, as she floored the accelerator.

Daye felt her head sink back into the headrest as the car shot forward like a rocket. She gripped the side of her seat as Aurora spun the steering wheel to the right in a sharp turn. She slowed down and grinned across at Daye.

"Don't you ever do that again," Daye said, through gritted teeth.

"Sure, just as long as you stop calling me a bad driver."

"Deal!"

They drove past the clearing they had parked in last time. Aurora was going to drive them right to the cliffs. Once there she parked the Jeep. They grabbed their backpacks and jumped out.

Daye led the way to a stone staircase that Byron had described to them. Aurora was impressed by its craftsmanship as it was obviously manmade, beautifully and skilfully carved from the rock itself. She touched the stones and ran her hand along their perfectly smooth surface. More signs that Latainians had been here before. Aurora couldn't help but wonder what else they had hidden on the island.

They climbed the stairs which were steep and slow going. When they eventually made it to the top Daye stopped in her tracks.

"What is it?" Aurora pushed Daye aside so she could climb up.

Daye was rooted to the spot. She was staring straight ahead into the cave and her eyes blurred.

Aurora followed her line of sight and saw a small campfire burning in the cave with a man sitting beside it, scribbling furiously in a small book. She glanced at Daye who hadn't moved before approaching him.