The Claiming (Book 3)

Chapter 3

     Making it back to the hiking trail in record time, Cera drove straight through the parking area. She was squeezing the wheel as tight as possible at every hole she hit and bump she flew over as she drove through the trail, not caring what happened to the path or the jeep. All she could think about was getting back to Amarundia as quickly as possible. Stopping right outside, she left the jeep headlights shining into the cave and raced to the very back of the jeep, pulling everything out of the small cargo space in search of her backpack. Cera had thrown everything out of the back of the jeep but it wasn't there. Punching the tire Cera yelled and then noticed the strap hanging on the back seat.

     Putting her foot on the bumper, she pulled herself up and jumped into the backseat. Yanking the bag toward her, Cera opened it and started throwing old food and water bottles out behind her. She prayed that she would find what she was looking for when her fingers closed around the glow sick. Tom had found it one Halloween and didn't know what it was, so he gave it to her. Jumping out of the jeep, Cera raced into the cave with the glow stick held tight in her hand. Sliding through the curtain of leaves she closed her eyes tightly, holding onto the glow stick with both hands while hoping that she wouldn't lose it and praying at the same time that she didn't have to go into the hidden chamber to get back. Twice Cera had been there and twice was just one too many times for her liking.

     Cera stood under the tree, breathing rapidly, and tried to think of what she needed to do. As if being called her eyes fell onto the leaning trunk of the willow tree and she quickly made her way over to it. Holding out her empty hand, she gently laid it on the rough surface and steadied her breathing. Closing her eyes, she remembered the valley in Amarundia, "Brae told me that this tree had been placed in this spot magically, so I have to believe that it contains the power to get me back to Amarundia without getting down in that chamber." Rubbing her fingers over the edges of the bark she remembered her entire time in Amarundia, everyone she had met, and pulled her hand and the glowstick to her chest over her heart as she thought of Brae. There was a hitch in her voice just before she spoke to anything that would listen, "I do believe. I will never doubt again. Please, I have to get back to Amarundia. I have to."

     Cera could see the light trying to penetrate through her eyelids. A gust of wind blew at her in all directions making her hair whip around her face and shoulders. When all was dark and calm again Cera dropped her hands and looked at them. She still held the glow stick.

     "Please, please, please." Cera ran out from under the tree, out the cave, and into the mist. Her shoulders sagged in relief and she smiled, "Thank you...CLEAR!"

     The mist lifted above the trees, but it was still too difficult to see. Cera had been through the valley enough to know the layout, but she couldn't take the chance of anything getting in her way and slowing her down. She knew the risk the light could bring, she would be a dim beacon, but she also knew there was no other way. Breaking the glow stick and shaking it up, she walked slowly through the valley until it got brighter and then took off sprinting.

     Cera saw where the outer barrier was in no time and called for the mist, "Return."

     Running through the outer barrier of the mist just as it descended and the glow stick started to go out, she came to a halt and ran back into the mist. Cera didn't want anyone to know she was back, and she hoped the Oracle wouldn't be watching for her since she had left. Never having met the dragons before and only having called for Amarundia once, she repeated the request, hoping to get a reply this time.

     "I need your help Amarundia. I am directly inside the outer barrier of the mist. I need to get to Crina quickly and I can't do that without your help. I don't know if I'm too late, but I have to try. Please, she's in danger and needs my help, but I need your help to get to her now."