The Enchantments: Book 2 - The Key of Gandar

Chapter 12: Into the Depths

Day 18- Ushubee Encampment

A light mist rose from the ground as the Amazon woke from its night of deep slumber. The sun, which had not yet reached its zenith, began to burn away the remnants of the morning as the hustle and bustle of the small adventurers reached a peak.

Simeneon, with the help of some tribe members, began to pack supplies for the long journey ahead. It was her job to make sure everybody was up to the task of preparing for any trouble they were to face.

Fin stood on the shore throwing rocks into the current as Simeneon came up from behind. "Hey." She said.

"Hey." He returned.

"Anything the matter?" She asked concerned.

"Just thinking is all."

"'Bout what?" She picked up a few rocks and began throwing as well.

"My parents and how I never really avenged their death." He said, the rocks being tossed harder now.

"Oh because Sly was never really stopped, is that it?" She fumbled with a stone.

"Sort of, you know I'm not much of a vengeful person, it's just that..."

"There's no closure." She finished.

He looked at her and smiled." You are starting to scare me now. You know me better than I know myself."

"It's all part of my master plan." She rubbed her hands together looking rather sinister.

"Yea I know, to have women take over the world. I've heard it all before." He was still shaking his head when Simeneon came up and slapped him affectionately on the back and walked with him back to the others.

Day 20

Under the canopy of the rainforest, the group remained out of the power of the sun, but they had gone from one extreme to another. The humidity was stifling and it showed as within minutes the group was soaked through to the skin from sweat.

Simeneon stared at the other six members as they trudged through the underbrush.

"These bugs are really something," Clarissa said scratching her bites uncontrollably.

"Here put on my long sleeve shirt," Marlanda said. "It might not be much help to the humidity, but it's better then the bugs getting through." She reached into her bag pulling out a blue top, handing it over to Clarissa with a smile.

"Thanks," Clarissa said in surprise.

Marlanda ran forward to catch up with the group feeling a little embarrassed. Simeneon moved in alongside her. "That was a very nice thing to do."

She beamed. "It's the least I could do, you know, the way I've acted the last few days."

"Just promise me something." Simeneon placed her hand on her shoulder.

"Anything." Marlanda nodded.

"Use your powers for good, not evil." The two looked at each other then burst out laughing. The rest of the group looking back at them curiously shook their heads and turned back around. "Come on, we've got a long way to go!" They were still laughing as they walked towards the others arm in arm.

"Shhhhhhhhh!" whispered Mr. Negra strongly. Simeneon standing right beside him pulled back the large leaves in front of her and peered through to the clearing beyond.

"Who are they?" she asked back quietly.

"That's the Shumbadda tribe, they're an isolated group who believe any contact with the outside world is a crime against their way of life. If we are seen they will hunt us down until we are destroyed. So we must go around the encampment if they see us... well, god help us." He gently placed the leaf back and moved quietly down a small opening in the bushes disappearing into the darkness. Simeneon gave a wave to the others and they followed Mr. Negra in.