Esprit Abbey

Chapter 6

Everyone was restless that night. But none so much as Chandler. He was frustrated that he wasn't allowed to go on the journey with the others. He knew he would have been a valuable asset. With his studies of the magical world, and the growth of his abilities, he knew he would be crucial to their success.

Chandler was wandering through the Abbey courtyard, kicking small rocks, and grumbling to himself. The night was portentous; fitful clouds hung in the sky, leaving only a soft ominous glow permeating through the misty veils from a tenacious moon. Light from a flickering glass lantern emanated from an open first floor window. Chandler could hear reticent voices coming from within.

He crept along the wall until he reached the window. Inside, he could hear Lucan and Mother Isa discussing the expedition: routes to take, domains to visit, possible dangers, and the ultimate goal.

"Chandler found the map," Lucan said. Chandler couldn't help but peek around the side of the window and saw the map with strange symbols spread out on the table.

"What is this a map of?" Mother Isa asked.

"This map shows the path the monks took all those years ago."

"The Amity Trail? It can't be. All records were to have been destroyed."

"Apparently they missed one."

"You say Chandler found it?"

"Indeed, he did."

Mother Isa sighed. "Leave it to Chandler."

"He does seem to have a knack for digging up the long forgotten."

"Forgotten by everyone but you, Lucan."

Lucan smiled. "We all have our talents. It is lucky he found this though. The Amity Trail starts at the Abbey and winds around to nearly every domain and finally arrives at The Aquila Mountains.

"I don't think they need to go all the way to The Aquila Mountains. That's a long way from the final domain. Odds are, there's nothing there anyway."

"The monks may still be there. Armies likely won't be enough to save us, the monks may be the only ones who can truly help our plight," urged Lucan.

Mother Isa thought for a moment. "Perhaps. We'll let them decide, depending on how successful they are up until that point. Agreed?"

"Agreed."

"Tomorrow morning we'll go over this map with them and advise them not to stray from the Amity Trail. We should assign someone as the map keeper."

Chandler watched as Lucan folded up the map and the two exit the room. With his back against the wall he slid down to a seated position. Placing his arms around his knees, he scoffed and thought to himself, I should be the map keeper. I found it. Lucan thinks I'm not mature enough-which means not old enough-but that Silas kid is hardly any older than I am.

Chandler heard some leaves rustling and a twig snap. Looking over he saw a dark figure running from the Abbey and into the forest. "Who is that?" Chandler said to himself. He stood up and began following the shadowed figure. It was difficult for Chandler to keep up, especially while trying to minimize noise and not be noticed himself. It didn't take long for the figure to disappear into the night leaving Chandler alone in the woods.

Chandler stumbled through the underbrush and around trees looking for any sign of the mysterious figure. The canopy grew thick, blocking out any lingering moonlight, blackening the wilderness around him. Sounds of the night filled the air: owls, insects, and the occasional scurrying rodent. In the distance he heard several shrill howls.