The Quest of The Sword

Chapter 4

Zara had no idea as to what content the letter held and after seeing Nathaniel's ashen face she was even more anxious. Recalling the events of the past hour was saddening but she had to tell him anyway. She held back her tears trying not to let her voice crack. 

"Chase and I were in the library... researching." she started. "Then I got call from Mom and she told me to come home as fast as I could. She was sounding hurt and out of breath and I got worried so I just ran home. Chase followed me and when I got home I..." That was it. She couldn't say anything further. Memories of her dead parents flashed her mind.She felt Chase's hand on her shoulder.

He had been awfully quite the whole time.  And then he continued, "We found Diane and Melvin dead. But somehow Diane was still barely alive. She told us to get that letter to you immediately. That's all we know."

Nathaniel ran a hand  through his brown graying hair and sighed. He walked to a small cabinet and took out a book. He placed it on the desk and turned to Zara and asked, "Has Diane ever told you a legend about a sword?".

"A sword? You mean the Excalibur?", Chase inquired.

"No, Chase. I mean the Shadowsteel".

The Shadowsteel. Zara was sure that she had heard the name somewhere but couldn't remember where. What had a legend got to do with Diane and Melvin's death?

"Do you think this is a time to joke around?", Chase fumed. Diane and Melvin's death had been hard on him too. They were like second parents to him. "What has a bloody fairytale got to do with murder?!".

Nathaniel sighed. Running a hand through his hair, he gave them a small, sad smile. He handed the book to Chase. "Everything, Chase. Everything", he stated. " You see, I, Rowena and Amelia and some other people have a special gift."

"Yeah. You people are freaks.", Chase interjected.

"Well we like to call ourselves Sorcerers but if that's what you prefer calling us, be it", Nathaniel sighed. "We are humans but only a different kind."

"What do you mean 'a different kind'", Zara asked

"We can control the four elements of nature and every minor thing related to it. It's something that runs in families but can be learned with extreme practice", Nathaniel said.

Zara had a hard time believing this and so did Chase. He was giving Nathaniel an incredulous look while Zara's own jaw dropped. Nathaniel chuckled and shook his head.

"I Know you kids are having a hard time believing me but I'm telling you what's true", Nathaniel said.  "And the Shadowsteel was created by one five of the best sorcerers a really long time ago and only one of their descendants can unleash it's true power. That sword can cause great welfare or destruction. You have to be careful; the both of you"

"Why?", Zara asked. Her heart was thumping wildly in her chest. She glanced at Chase who looked equally scared and confused as her.

"You're  a Sorceress, Zara. Just like your mother."

Zara couldn't find the words to say. Doubts were running around her head. First she finds her parents dead then she's a supernatural being. Chase was looking at her with a shocked look. He couldn't have actually believed that, could he? All her life, she had know that her mother was an ordinary lady. The thought of her mother being able to do magic seemed absurd. And even if Diane was a Sorceress like Nathaniel said, she had never hinted it; she seemed just as normal as any other person.

"All you need to know right now is that your mother was the protector of the Shadowsteel. I know you want to know more but not right now", Nathaniel said. "Besides, going back to your house is dangerous. It's best for you to stay here. I'll tell the girls to show the both of you some spare rooms."

"But I can go back. My house is not destroyed.", Chase stated.

"Apparently not but I don't want to risk sending you back".

Zara thought that Chase might argue but he didn't and she was glad. Nathaniel texted someone and after a few seconds Amelia, Rowena came in. Nathaniel told Rowena to stay and he instructed Amelia to show Chase and Zara rooms to stay. They followed Amelia out of the room and shut the door behind. A blonde girl was standing in the corridor with her back toward them.

"So meet my sister Amiyah", Amelia told. The girl Amiyah turned around and to Zara's surprise she looked very much like Amelia. Amiyah had the same looks as Amelia but what set her apart was that she had a small beauty spot under the left corner of her mouth and icy blue eyes. Amiyah's eyes were so clear that they almost seemed gray. They weren't as mesmerizing as Rowena's ocean blue-green ones but were surely beautiful. Amiyah gave them a dazzling white smile.

"Hey! Nice to meet you", Amiyah gushed. She extended her hand to Zara for a shake. Zara took it and smiled back to her.

"You're  twins. That's cool", Chase said as he shook Amiyah's hand.

Amiyah chuckled. She looked at Zara with soft eyes, "I'm sorry about what happened to your parents. Amelia and Rowena heard and they told me". Zara mumbled a thanks to Amiyah.

"Let's see your rooms", Amelia suggested. "You must be tired"

"Yeah. Zara come with me and Amelia you show Chase his room".

Amelia tried to hide it but Zara caught a slight blush on her cheeks. She smiled inwardly and followed Amiyah up a flight of stairs. Amiyah and Zara had a casual conversation on their way and they realized that they had a lot in common. Their likes and dislikes were extremely similar. Zara was a little happy to have to have made a new friend.

Finally, the two of them stood before a room. Amiyah opened the door to reveal white painted walls and a queen sized bed with black sheets. A painting of a white lily hung on the wall. The large window showed the beautiful scene of the ocean waves crashing on the beach.

"Take a shower and get some sleep", Amiyah instructed. "I've kept some clothes in the drawers. Meet you at dinner."

"Thank you so much, Amiyah", Zara said.

"It's no big deal".

Zara was extremely thankful for all Amiyah's help. She looked in the full length mirror on the wall. Her dark, coppery red hair was out of her ponytail and sticking out in every direction and her amber eyes looked like orbs of molten gold. There was blood on her hands and clothes. She took the towel from a drawer and hopped into the shower letting the water wash away the blood and worries.

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Sorry for the late updated. I was busy with exams and stuff.

Hope you like the chapter

-Pratyusha :)