The Scroll of Terusca

Chapter Five

( A/N Wow guys, thanks for all the feedback on this story. I'm so happy and every comment is highly appreciated. Biggg thank you and a dedication to my editor @flyinghorseman. Remember to leave a comment and maybe a vote! Thanks again, have a very happy Easter!)

An hour later, Emeline was trudging down the dust trail that led out of the village. The Wise One strode along ahead of her, a wooden walking stick in hand. Cedar was out of his usual care-free character and had a sword in hand and was glancing around their surroundings.

"Hey, we're barely past the village, what's the worry?" Emeline asked.

"You can never be to careful, you of all people should know that," he replied, although he lost the dangerous look in his eyes.

The trio past tall trees, odd smelling shrubs and even spotted a few fairies before the Wise One spoke up.

"I am hoping we will reach the river before night falls. We will set up camp there and at dawn tomorrow, head off."

"Sir, where exactly are we going to? Where will we find these scrolls?" Emeline asked

"Well, I am certain one is in the ruins of the Old Kingdom." he replied shortly. He was very silent as he walked through the forest. Sometimes Emeline looked at him and saw him muttering strange words to himself.

"The Old Kingdom, huh, haven't heard of that place in a while," Cedar said. The story of the Old Kingdom always slightly scared Emeline, the tale of how such a prosperous place was able to fall at the hands of a battle, left to nothing but a pile of rocks and ashes. At night, her father used to tell her tales of how spirits roamed around the ruins, crying for their beloved city to come back. Emeline was terrified, but would never admit to it.

"Take me to this city one day, won't you?" she would ask him.

"I'll try, darling, I'll try." he'd reply, a soft smile on his face, yet his eyes were full of a sort of sadness.

 As the sun set and the bright blue sky subdued to an orange-pink colour, the troop arrived at a wide, long river. The surrounding trees reflected off the crystal water, Emeline looked down and was greeted by her own reflection. Her dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail and her deep brown eyes could clearly be seen. She stood at around 5"5, which fitted her sixteen year old body.

"Pretty isn't it? Take a drink, it's as cool as ice." Cedar said. He bent down low and cupped his hands, sipping some water. Emeline followed his lead. The Wise one was looking behind trees and bushes, pulling something out of a bag he was holding. Emeline turned around and stood, shocked. The Wise One had just pulled a small tent out of his bag.

"What is that?" he exclaimed, surprise etched across her face. A comforting laugh escaped his lips as he stood back to show off the tent.

"Well, when you have all these useful spells you might as well use them." he replied.

"Spells?" Emeline questioned. "You really can do magic?"

Cedar looked at her with shock. "Don't tell me you're one of those people who don't believe in magic?" he whispered mockingly.

Emeline blushed. "Well, no, I've just never seen any of it before, so how can I know if it's true?"

"Come here, watch this. Sir, show her the spell with the lights, remember, the one you showed me when I was a kid." Cedar replied, walking over to the Wise One.

"Very well," the Wise One said, a grin appearing on his face. He cupped his wrinkled hands and whispered a few words and suddenly, it was as if miniature fireworks were erupting in his hands. Swirls of blue jumped around, dashes of pink and orange collided and caused sparks to dance up into the sky. Just as the colours began to fade away, a burst of green arouse forming the shape of a beautiful flower.

Emeline was speechless. She had never seen anything like this in her whole life. 

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Cedar whispered, clearly at the same level of amazement.

"Simple, simple magic, yet it leaves us in awe." the Wise One said softly. He turned around again to busy himself at the tent.

Cedar stood up and called Emeline over to his rucksack.

"You got some blankets with you? I'm guessing you and I will be sleeping out here tonight. The Wise One will need the tent, and I don't fancy bunking in with him." he joked.

"I've got blankets of my own." Emeline replied, a smirk on his face.

"Oh no, I mean yes, I knew that, I didn't mean..." Cedar trailed on, his face going red. Emeline laughed in satisfaction, the tables had turned.

"I know what you meant. I'm going to have a look around the forest. I'll be back in a minute." she replied, picking up her bow again. Cedar nodded, turning away from her and opening his bag.

 Emeline walked to the trees, the sudden darkness engulfing her. She crept over fallen branches and around piles of crisped leaves. She gave her eyes time to adjust to the darkness before climbing up a tree. A nearby owl hooted, it's sound echoing around her. Suddenly, Emeline felt something touch her back. Her head whipped around and saw a shadow of some creature. It was quite small and it's red, beady eyes shone brightly in the darkness, and for a moment Emeline found herself entranced in them. Snapping out of her daze, she drew her bow. She knew better than to climb down the tree, this creature would more than likely beat her there.

The animal, whatever it was, began to make it's way to the branch Emeline was perched on. It leaped towards her, large wings flying out and sharp claws at the ready. Emeline quickly shot an arrow right into it's head, and the creatures red eyes instantly turning black as it fell from the tree.

When Emeline reached the ground, she examined the creature. She was unable to tell what it was, which was strange as she knew most things about the woods, but she knew if she had been any slower, she would have been badly injured. Unshaken yet a lot more aware of the dangers around her, Emeline marched back to the tent. Cedar was sprawled out on his blanket, staring at the stars. The Wise One was hunched over a small fire, heating up some sort of soup that smelled delicious. 

"Hey," Emeline said, sitting down beside Cedar. 

"Hey," he said. "What took - wow!" 

"What?" Emeline asked, confused.

"What's on your face?" Cedar asked, sitting up.

"What..." Emeline said, crawling to the river to look at her reflection. She gasped in surprise, on her face were two large boils,one on each of her cheeks. Almost as soon as she became aware of their presence, they instantly started to burn and she cried out in pain.