Rift Chronicles

Rift Chronicles Chapter 5

Chapter 5: The Hunt for the Exam

 Lucas and Koola were sitting on a bench outside the inn, chatting. When the pair saw the trio approaching, they both stood up. Lucas put a pack with two sleeping bags on his back and Koola slung a sailor's sack over her shoulder. Lucas waved at the trio, and Grant and Raff waved back as they made their way over to the couple.

Grant was the first to speak up. "We have gotten everything we will need. Do you two need more time to get anything?"

Lucas shook his head and said, "No, we are good, right, babe?"

Koola nodded in agreement, then she said something that had been on her mind. "Once we leave, we won't be turning back. It's the exam or bust. So this is your last chance to pick up any supplies like food, water or something to defend yourself with. So I ask you once more, are you sure you're ready to go?"

Lucas smiled as his wife took charge. Grant confidently held his walking staff in a defensive position and nodded emphatically that he was ready. Larch shrugged like he wasn't worried at all and said, "I was ready yesterday."

Raff thought for a moment and reached into her bag. She pulled out a collapsible crossbow, something she had experience with. Seeing the confidence of the others, she tried her best to sound bold. "I'm ready as well." She got her crossbow ready and put it on her back.

Koola said, "Alright then. If you all are ready, then let's head out. If you end up needing to turn back, you have only yourself to blame. After all, we are all trying to become Hunters."

While she put up a good face she sighed internally, they all seemed underprepared to her, especially Larch. But it was their decision to discern what they needed. Time would tell if these kids were really up to this task.

Koola was the first to take a step forward. Lucas caught up with his wife and the rest followed suit, with Larch rolling along on the pavement with his sneakers that had wheels. Grant noticed that, compared to yesterday, there were significantly fewer people who looked like they were there to take the exam. Instead, Blancville seemed to be filled with mostly locals. Grant wondered if the others had a lead over them or if they were scattered throughout the town.

The group made good time and reached the edge of town. Instead of taking the trail that Grant had taken to get there or the opposite trail that led to a town called Fudgetton, Lucas took out a compass to get their bearings, while Larch took out his phone and brought up a map. King-Tides Beach was on the map, but as Larch had told Raff and Grant earlier, there was no clear path to the beach. Raff stared at the phone; she could see that from the town of Blancville, it was due northeast.

Koola asked, "So what direction does King-Tides Beach lay from here? Also, we should choose who will keep track of our progress."

Lucas suggested, "I could keep track of our location."

Koola responded, "Sorry, hon, but no. If we rely on your sense of direction, we might not make it in time, heheh. So do we have any other volunteers?"

Lucas laughed, "Ha! That's very true. Good point."

Raff was the first to volunteer, "I can keep track for us. That is, if Grant and Larch don't mind. I see that we need to go northeast from here."

"I don't mind. Thanks, Raff," said Grant.

"If that's what you want," said Larch. He added, "I noticed you don't have a phone. Do you need one?"

"Yeah, it's true, I don't have one. A lot of technology is banned in Doonar. Do you think I need one?" asked Raff.

"I don't know how you lived without one. You can borrow mine. I'll show you how to use the GPS on it. That will make it much easier to keep track of our location as opposed to pen and paper," said Larch as he held out his phone to Raff.