The Apple of Eternity

Chapter Four

The young mages were now traveling on horse back with Alura and Bridget, their guides. None of them knew where they were going but the guides. "Exactly where are we going?" Dan asked Bridget. "Scar Mountain, it's where Alabera detected dark magic was being used, he says the Jokle will be gone in a week, just ruins," Bridget replied. "Yeesh. How long do you think this trip will be?" Kai asked. "Well, the path we're taking is called Black Road, the only path that can be taken to get to Scar Mountain, that is unless you fly. It'll probably be about a three day trip," Alura answered. "So three days to get there, one day to get The Apple of Eternity, and three days back? That's exactly a week," Brix said. "Yes, I know it's tight. But we just have to have hope," Alura said. "Well I think our first day is over," said Shella looking up into the night sky. The young mages found a small clearing and sent up a large tent. Bridget,Kai, and Brix stayed outside, while Alura helped get the others situated. "Mind helping with some protection spells? The Black Road isn't the safest place, especially at night," Bridget said. Kai and Brix reached for their spellbooks, but realized they had suddenly known tons of spells. Bridget smiled like she knew what just happened. "You'll get used to it, Alura and I have it too, special auras that is," Bridget said. "Really? Wow. Well then let's get this place protected!" Brix said. Brix raised her staff first and shouted,"Fire wall opus surroundus!" A large flame wall started surrounding the campsite. "Very nice! Kai?" Bridget asked. Kai nodded and raised his staff shouting,"Leefus stormo ringus surroundus!" A ring of razor sharp billowing leaves appeared surrounding the campsite as well. "Well that's two layers of protection, how about another?" Bridget said with a smile. She swung her staff and shouted,"Electric barrius surroundus!" An electric barrier surrounded the campsite and Bridget smiled. "Nice job guys! I think we'll be just fine for tonight!" She said. Kai and Brix nodded, and they stepped inside the tent, where cots and pillows were already laid out by Alura. "I made some soup! I brought a portable stove with us!" Alura said. Bridget took a sip and grimaced. "Alura it's cold as ice!" She said. "Hand me the bowls of soup, I'll warm them up," Brix said with a smile. Brix warmed up the soup, except Alura's, since she wanted it cold. Everyone enjoyed their soup and settled down in there cots. "One day down, two more to go and we're there," Dan said. "God I can't believe that I'll be facing my boyfriend! Do you think we can get him to change?" Shella asked. "You will be able to, probably, since you are his girlfriend," Kai said. "Now that I think of it he was my boyfriend. This stupid nonsense has screwed everything up. I just can't believe he did all this stuff," Shella said. Before anyone could respond, a loud explosion sounded in the distance."The fire festival! Oh my gosh he's probably there right now! And our parents!" Brix said nervously. "I wonder what he's doing, maybe Alabera evacuated the city, warned them or something," Kai said. "I'm probably not going to want to sleep now," Dan said with a half-hearted chuckle. "We have protection, don't forget. Let's check outside to see what that explosion was," Kai said. The young mages went outside to check, where a large fire and smoke could be seen. The smoke seemed to suddenly form into the letter S. Kai turned grim. "I think we all know that he's there now," he said. And with that he went back in the tent.