Secrets

Chapter Three

Chapter 3

With their bags heaved onto their shoulders and food and water required for the god-knows-how-long journey, they were undertaking, Kyle and Jax set off. They were given no horses because that would be considered external help.

Help for journeyers on Quests was given only completely willingly and thoughtfully. Help meant that you were tying yourselves to the Quest and were honour bound to continue to help the Questers in anyway they could.

They were giving further instructions for the Quest - none of which were very helpful.

...

Jeffrey Austin entered the room where the yow were packing - shoving things which looked even remotely useful into bags - with a scroll clenched in his hand.

It was uncommon for offenders to get sent on a Queste and this showed just how much females were distrusted within the walls of The Academy.

He placed the scroll down on the table, cleared his throat importantly, and began pompously, "By the Rule Book and the orders of the Council, you must leave the premises before Darke. All further instructions are written within the scroll. I wish you a good luck and success."

His voice was nearing a vicious snarl towards the end and his face was set into a permanent sneer. Austin obviously wished them anything but.

"Thank you. You may leave." Kyle jerked his head towards the door. Jeffrey snarled and stomped off.

Jackie picked up the scroll. It contained very vague orders with could be interpreted in a number of different ways.

Also it was long. More than three feet. She gave up half a foot in. There was no point in reading such a boring thing! It was not like it contained anything useful.

Kyle didn't bother.

They scurried around the room picking things up. Food and water had already been delivered.

Nervously Jackie began, "You know Kyle..." Kyle looked up questioningly.

"You dont have to come with me. It's not obligatory. You shouldn't need to ruin your life for my mistake." Jax said nervously.

Kyle sighed and stood up. "Do you really think I'm going to let you go to your death?"

"Hey!" Jax argued. "I can survive on my own!"

"No you really can't. You don't even know your way around let alone ways to solve that riddle."

To do something worthy, to bring back something unknown,

To make sure you earn your place and your fruits are sown.

It was the usually cryptic riddles of The Academy. Similar to the ones done in classes. But the difference was, this time Jacqueline would actually have to do it, rather than just figuring it out.

Jackie huffed. "Whatever!"

Kyle smirked victoriously.

( two hours later )

They were packed with clothing, money, food, water and everything else necessary. They slowly set off, with several curious pairs of eyes looking at them. Several rumours as to why Student Jacqueline Azzará and Mentor Kyle Lancaster left, would be circulated by the morrow.

They walked out of the gates of The Academy and into the Forest with the Full Moon hanging above them, guiding them. Wolves howled too close for comfort.

XXXXXXX

They walked for about ten miles and stopped under a wide oak tree, with its branches flowing out providing shelter. Jackie and Kyle set down their gear and thumped down.

So close to The Academy there was no need for a watch. But, later on, they would have to take turns sleeping.

XXXXXXX

The woke up early in the morning and checked their surroundings. Neither spoke much.

Reality had hit Jackie. This wasn't a test, this was the real thing! She could actually die on this and no one would be wiser. Except Kyle of course.

That was probably what the Council wanted. If she succeeded she would be a hero, but all credit would go to The Council. If she died, well, it wasn't like anyone would care.

Her whole life depended on just this one trip and so did Kyle's. She had found such a brilliant friend in him!

Just then there came a snarl from behind one of the bushes and Kyle leaped away just in time.

A huge Garm - half worm, half dragon - slithered out of the bushes. It's huge wings were raised, poised for flight and fire erupted from its nostrils.

Kyle unsheathed his sword and Jackie raised hers as well. Then began a slow moving battle of gazes with neither side backing down. They were crouching on par with the Garm and were gauging their chances of a win.

Suddenly the Garm leaped, tired of this tirade. It's slimy body sprung from the ground and flew towards Jackie. She flung herself away just in time, thumping down on the ground.

Kyle had engaged it now, and was trying to slash out the eyes. Unfortunately, the Garm was too ancient and versed to fall for any of the usual tactics.

The Garm slipped on a root and stumbled back, giving Kyle the opportunity to slash at the Garm's eyes.

Now blind and bruised, it was an easy matter to drive the sword through the Garm's heart. Soaked with blood, Kyle emerged from under the Garm to see Jackie frozen in her spot.

Witnessing the scene as she had unfortunately completely freaked Jackie out. It was only her First Day, for gods' sake!

"This is why you need me," Kyle said cockily, moving to help Jackie to a weather-beaten rock. He got out some heating charms as well and forced it down her throat.

"Thanks," Jackie whispered. "I don't know what came over me."

"It's okay Jax, happens to a lot of beginners. It's hour first fight and everything is so new to you that you just freeze. Your brain cannot comprehend and hence it refuses to let you body move."

"That makes more sense."

XXXXXXX

They had pressed on and had had their breakfast at a tiny inn in the village of Clantenbury. The inn was titled The Lone Sparrow and somehow it seemed fitting for their journey.

Except neither was alone.

They were currently having lunch in another inn in Spalkpieg. It was name The Merry Weather and somehow the warm weather and the hot food managed to give the two a sense of home and belonging.

It was hard to leave, but leave it they must. Pressing on to the Forest of Dume, hoping to reach by dusk; they walked.

XXXXXXX

So, I'm sorry it took me so so long to update but in my defense, their was always something happening.  Hopefully I won't continue to update this sporadically. 

Tell me what you think!

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—Manny