The Valley of Mysteries | Book 1: The Beginning

Chapter 4 - THE TEACHER

"Grab that piece!" Aaron pointed at a small piece of log in the corner. Natalie gave it to him. He moved his hands in the air and muttered something. The wooden pieces were bound together by magic to make a raft. They crossed the river and burnt the raft.
"Why did you burn it?" Natalie asked, shocked.
"This wood is special! Ashwood! It's powerful and of course... magical. They can't cross the river until after the fumes are gone. This will give us more than the required time to flee." Aaron said.
"The tree grooves we hid under..."
"Ashwood!" Aaron walked ahead of Natalie.
"Do you ever smile? Or will it break your mask?" Natalie asked, trying to keep up with his speed.
"You want me to smile?" he looked at her out of the corner of her eyes.
"Yeah, I mean it's scary to wander around with a guy who never smiles! Freaky..."
"One; we're not wandering! Two; I don't find anything amusing here to smile or laugh!"
"Okay... but do you ever?"
"What's your problem? You're going to torture me for the rest of our journey?" Aaron stopped and turned towards her.
"I'm not trying to torture. I'll shut up. Sorry!" Natalie walked ahead without looking back.
"That's not what I meant!!" he ran after her.

"You really are a hot-head!" Aaron nudged.
"Was that a joke?" Natalie glared. He shrugged. "Oh, God! Suddenly, I'm missing Harrington's pathetic jokes." Natalie scoffed.
"He will be okay!" Aaron said, softly.
"Huh? Who?"
"Edward! I know you're really worried. I understand."
"Do you?"
"Yes, Sean is my best friend. I haven't heard from him ever since the attack." Aaron told, annoyed. Natalie sighed.
"I'm sorry. I just..." she fell silent.
"We'll find them! Don't worry!" Aaron said.

"What were those things?" Natalie finally spoke after a long walk.
"Those were Orcs. Human-like creatures. They seek pleasure in killing. But they are now working for the Malum." Aaron said solemnly.
"How do I fight them?" she asked. Aaron turned to look at her.
"I admire your spirit to fight!" he smiled.
"Did you just smile?" Natalie asked, shocked.
"As a matter of fact, I did!" he stopped and looked away. A grin spread across his face.
"Wow, I didn't know you were capable...!" Natalie laughed.
"Funny. We'll camp there." Aaron pointed at a clearing.
"Why there?"
"Look closely and tell me!"
"Hmm... Ash trees!" Natalie answered and smiled to herself.
"Yes, correct."
"So these orcs won't attack us here?"
"They won't be able to enter this part of the wood. I checked, and most of the trees are Ash."
"Interesting."

Aaron set the tent and Natalie lit a bonfire. Natalie started collecting more twigs and branches to make a circle around the area.
"What are you doing?" Aaron asked out of amusement and smiled.
"Extra protection won't hurt!" Natalie skipped around with her sticks merrily.
"Good thinking." Aaron looked away and shook his head.
"So, what happens now? How do we find them?"
"Honestly, I don't know. At least not now! But we'll figure something out." Aaron sighed.
"Do you think we're the only ones here?" Natalie said, her back towards Aaron.
"Why do you ask?" he stood up. Natalie pointed at a source of light.
"Stay here." Aaron put his arm in front of Natalie to stop her. "Let me check," he added. She nodded.
"Careful!" she said. Aaron moved towards the light stealthily. He made almost no sound. He turned towards the light and chuckled. Natalie ran towards him.
"What is it?" she asked and looked down at a ball of light.
"I told you to stay!" Aaron looked at her.
"Sorry!"
"Let's get back." he extended his hand towards the ball of light and a piece of paper materialized in his hand.
"What is that?" she asked again.
"Have you studied anything at school?"
"It's not my fault they were not teaching me."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I spent most of my time in detentions. And they don't allow me in their classes. I only have notes and books that make absolutely no sense to me." she sighed as they sat on a log.
"I can't believe it." Aaron was shocked.
"Moreover, it had only been a month when all this hell broke loose!"
"Okay, never mind. I'll teach you the basics." Aaron stood up.
"What? You will?" she asked, rising to her feet.
"Yes, I'll teach you. You have a sword, I saw earlier. Bring it here." Aaron said. Natalie ran inside the tent and returned with a medium-sized sword. Aaron took it from her and examined it.
"Hmm. It's balanced. But... who gave it to you?" he asked, flipping it around.
"Why does it matter? I have a sword. Teach me!"
"It's not one of Hale's. Where did you get it?" he looked up at her.
"Why do you ask?" Natalie crossed her arms.
"It could be enchanted to hurt you!"
"Alyssia's mother gave it to me... shortly before..."
"Either you're really naive or dumb!" Aaron said angrily.
"WHAT THE..." before she could complete her sentence, Aaron dropped the sword and held her by her shoulders, pressing her against a tree. He looked right into her eyes. His breath brushed across her cheek as he whispered.
"Keep your temper to yourself! I'm not your mother who will stay quiet even after listening to your crap." his face was now barely an inch away from hers.
"Wha...?" her breath trembled.
"Yes, I heard it all. I saw it all! Do you really think your mother wants anything more than to protect you?" his voice had a hint of anger as well as concern.
"I know she cares about me. But everything she did, I just can't forget that! You don't even know what she did!" she said in a small voice.
"Oh, trust me. I do!" he said in a cold voice. She looked up at him.
"Let go of me." she tried to pull away but he was too strong.
"I will but keep your anger at bay!" he said. She nodded and he finally stepped away, releasing her.
"What do you know?" Natalie muttered, careful that he doesn't hear. But he turned towards her again and shook his head.
"I know she killed your boyfriend... What was his name? Yeah, Scott!" Aaron said.
"How do you...?" she looked at him in utter surprise.
"Do you think Edward was the only one protecting you?"
"What do you mean protecting me?" her voice was full of shock and surprise. Aaron twisted his eyebrows.
"You... you don't know?" Aaron asked, shocked.
"Know what? Honestly Aaron... do you really think I have any clue about even one thing that's happening around me? I found out about being what I am 8 months ago, yes. But that's all. They told me half-baked stories. I entered your world two months ago and I'm already on a run for my life. It's been a month out, in the wild" she said angrily and pushed him hard. He stumbled but maintained his balance.
"Oh, I didn't..."
"Of course, you didn't!" she ran her hands through her hair and tried to catch her breath.
"I can tell you the rest if you want. Tell me where they left!"