The Heroes of The Elemental Academies Book 4: The Fire Within

Chapter 4: On the Road Again

Seth

   An hour later Seth sat atop a wagon being pulled by two magnificent Palomino's. The back of the wagon was stacked with sacks of food, blankets and bandages infused with light power, and many other medical items. The wagon itself had been created from the power of light by Seth himself as he had willed it into existence. It had taken more Fey energy to create than he had ever expected it to, but he had completed it. He had absolutely no idea how to work the tangle of leather straps but Aisha sat next to him her fiery hair flung over one shoulder. She had grown up on a farm, or so she said so Seth let her handle the reins.
They had made good time on their way out of the village. They had been granted an additional contingent of thirty agents all of which were now marching behind him in formation as they made their way down the road. Around him were his squad which were either perched on the wagon or riding their own horses alongside him. Another wagon brought up the rear of the small Column with even more supplies. It was going to be a long march.
The extra agents had been unexpected but not unwelcome. He had assumed she had only wanted his squad to go.
    Maybe Seth's comment to her earlier had gotten to her more than he had thought? Almost thirty agents had been placed under his command for "Logistics purposes," whatever that meant. But now in addition to their squad they had more people. He hadn't met any of them before except for their leader which happened to be Master Eutrand. His reason for taking command was different if anything.

  "Leaving on a possibly dangerous mission is no excuse for letting your training become lack luster. You have long to go before you master that sword of yours," Eutrand had stated firmly. Seth sighed once again just thinking about it but he understood the need. He had discovered his inadequacies when it came to sword play when he had dueled Orion. If it hadn't been for a clever trick at the last second Seth would've died. He was also working on utilizing and manifesting his elements internally.

   "Whatcha thinking about," Aisha's voice cut through his reverie. He glanced over at her where she sat on the front bench beside him. her fiery red hair cascading down her back. She in turn studied him back a look of trepidation in her eyes like she was afraid she had overstepped. For a moment Seth toyed with the idea of just ignoring her but there was no reason for that she had only asked because she was worried.

   "I can't keep thinking about how lucky I got with Orion." he said finally. She was quiet for a long moment before she pursed her lips.

  "I think you tend to over think a lot," she said finally.

"Gee thanks."

"No I mean it," She said sincerely. she lifted her gaze to hold his. "If you're that worried just train and get stronger, better yet pray." Seth was about to answer with a retort, but he stopped himself. if anyone was aware of their own powerlessness it was her and Karla who had suffered alongside him in those dungeons.

As if she was reading his mind an awkward smile broke out on Aisha's lip.

"Well it's not like I have any excuse to talk since I had to rely on you to save me from that hellish place. I can't believe we have to go back there."

"What about this village? what do you know about it?" Seth asked hoping to steer. the conversation away from what they had endured.  
Aisha seemed to take his topic change in stride. 
  "Kirchec village is small isolated village of around 300 people. I was able to find out that they have a leader, a mayor of sorts, that they all look to. He goes by the name of Charlo." She paused as she noticed him staring at her.
"What?"
Seth quickly tried to wipe the incredulousness out of his expression.
"It's just when did you have time to find that information?" She looked at him under raised eyebrows.