The Mark of Arella(Book One of the Dragonfly Chronicles)

Chapter Thirty

They woke up early and packed up their things. With luck and speed they would make it to the caves by nightfall. Lilly was anxious to get there and find the third book. They headed out before the sun rose and when it finally started to rise it was a beautiful sight. Lilly thought the sunsets were amazing in Fannon but the sunrises were just as spectacular. The same purples, reds and pinks were vibrant across the sky and it was looking to be a clear day. The snow had also disappeared and the temperatures were much warmer now that they were near the border of Dorstrum. Lilly thought about King Elias and wondered if this is what he meant about Dorstrum being so beautiful.  She sighed to herself thinking about how he seemed so tender and sincere towards her.  It was a shame he tried to use dark magic on her.  She shook off her thoughts and tried to plan what she would do once they retrieved the book.  Part of her wanted to read it right there in the caves, but a bigger part of her knew she needed to stay safe and it definitely wasn't safe for them this close to the border.  It was probably better that they took the book with them and got back to their home as quickly as possible.

The sun rose quickly and the monotony of the riding made the day go by quicker than she realized.  Rhylan strode up to her and asked if she wanted to stop for lunch or keep going.  Lilly really didn't want to delay but also knew the group could stand to take a break.  They had been riding for about 7 hours already.  They stopped at a nice clearing and pulled their food from their packs.  Sam and Jarron were sitting with Logan and laughing while Tam, Finn and Rhylan were seeing to the horses.  That left Colvin alone and he took the opportunity to speak with Lilly.  He walked over to her and she noticed herself stiffen a little but let it go right away.  She hoped Colvin didn't notice.  He said, "How are you holding up?"  Lilly looked at him for a moment, she wasn't sure about him anymore and that made her feel sad.  At one time, he was her sole source of comfort and friendship.  She replied, "I'm doing surprisingly OK.  It's warming up and its a clear day and we are almost there right?"  Colvin smiled.  She realized she missed that smile.  "Look Colvin, I've been avoiding you.  I am just so hurt by what you and Aeron did about my friends.  I just don't know why you, of all people didn't tell me.  You were the first friend I had here and I trusted you."  Colvin looked at the ground almost looking as though he felt ashamed.

"Lilly", he said, "I am so sorry for keeping it from you.  I could use the excuse that Aeron ordered me to keep it a secret but that isn't really an excuse.  I should have been a better friend to you.  I can see how much you care about Sam and I know you feel the same towards Robyn and Shannon.  They are great kids and I am partly responsible for them almost getting killed.  It hurts me to think about that.  Can you ever forgive me?"  Lilly sat there next to him for a moment and said, "Why did Aeron send you and Jarron after us?"  Colvin grimaced, "Are you serious Lilly?  You stole from him, he just wants his belongings back.  He undertands why you did it, but he wants me to make sure nothing happens to those books and artifacts."  Lilly sat up a bit and looked at him.  "What are those artifacts anyways?  When I grabbed the books I needed a bag to throw them in so that is why I took them. "  Colvin shook his head, "I don't really know what they are other than they are sentimental to him."  Lilly thought that was interesting.  He had told Colvin some ancient artifacts with dark magic were sentimental?  Surely he had to know they were dangerous?

Rhylan came up to them and announced the group was ready to leave.  Lilly and Colvin got up and headed to their horses.  They would ride for the rest of the day not stopping until they reached the caves.  Lilly sidled up to Sam and rode quietly next to him for a while.  She was still thinking about the artifacts and their connection to Aeron and the prophecy.  Sam broke the silence and it was clear he was thinking of the same thing when he said very quietly so no one could hear, "I've been thinking more about the bag of artifacts."  Lilly looked to him and nodded with encouragement for him to continue.  "You took this bag from Aerons office correct?"  Lilly said yes and he continued, "Why would he hide the artifacts with the prophecy books?  Are they connected somehow?  It just seems odd that he would put them together like that"  Lilly replied to him, "I have been thinking about this as well Sam, if those artifacts are connected, then how a did Aeron come about such powerful and dark magic?"  Sam nodded and said, "I hope this third book doesn't seem to be as much of a dud as the first two".  "Gosh Sam, I do too.  None of this makes sense and why would I be connected to a prophecy so vague?  I'm beginning to wonder if it is even real."  Lilly wasn't sure she was supposed to be the savior of the realm, but all these dreams/visions she had been experiencing did mean she had a role to play and she felt a terrible sensation that this was going to happen soon.  Her face paled at the thought and she grabbed her stomach.  Sam noticed the change in mood as Rhylan looked back at her.  She looked up at him as he said mind to mind, "Are you OK?"