The Frost Phoenix

Chapter 6

Two days they traveled with no signs of a threat around which was a relief however Norril was sitting against the corner of the cart looking worried. The others were sound asleep laying on the ground while the half elf was on watch. She got up climbing out of the cart when she saw something in the distance from the light of the full moon. She watched the silhouette as it moved around on the top of a hill before she glanced back at the group. When she turned her gaze back her heart felt like it stopped when she saw the figure look as if it was staring back. The surrounding area seemed to blur the only point of focus was the silhouette who started making its way closer. The half elf winced as she felt something burn her pulling out the necklace it seemed almost as if it was going to burst into flames. Looking back to the figure who was now just five steps away she stumbled back in terror. The figure was in a black cloaked it was a decaying form of an elf whose flesh was completely missing in some parts revealing bones. It stared with a missing eye the other was glazed over however it's gaze was on her even though she made no sound. The dead elf said, in a haunting tone" follow your key to find the others then unlock the truth; avenge us half breed we count on you to right our species wrongs." Norril woke with a start, her heart racing as she looked around frantically when she saw she was still sitting in the cart. She let out a sigh realizing it was just a dream when she got out of the cart walking over to the nearby river.

A voice spoke up from behind her asking, in a slightly worried tone" Norril are you alright?" The half elf looked over to see Dan who had an upset look in his blue eyes as he ran a hand through his black hair. He looked unsure of what to say before he moved up next to her saying" I'm sorry about being overbearing. I was just worried when you got hurt then you just got up and left with no warning."

Norril gave him a small smile as she said" relax I'm not going to bite it's just I was already stressed. You added onto it and I just couldn't stand it anymore. I just wanted to have my space and couldn't." She cupped her hands together before dipping them into the cold river only to splash her face with the water in order to wake herself up fully. She shivered before saying" you should get some more rest, we still got a while before we have to hit the road." Getting up the druid put her cloak back up as she left Dan who was studying her for a moment only to go back to the others. A couple hours passed by before Norril shouted" alright everyone up it's time to go!" Silent let out a growl, his tail smacking Balisk who in the process bolted upright his elbow hitting Dan. Neek was already standing near the cart, having woken up about ten minutes earlier, while eating a piece of dried beef and bread. She climbed into the cart as the others stumbled over being yanked in by Neek.

Balisk yawned, moving to the front of the cart asking, as Norril snapped the reins getting the horse in a trot" so are we almost there? It's been two days since we've-" He was cut off when the cloaked druid changed course heading towards a forest. He asked" Norril where are we going this isn't where it was marked on the map, what's going on?" Norril seemed to be in a daze Balisk climbed up beside her only for his eyes to widen in surprise as he saw the necklace was glowing faintly.

His silence got the attention of the others Silent asked, moving closer" what's wrong you two? Balisk you look like you saw a ghost, Norril why are we off the trail?" The half elf didn't respond which was now highly concerning for the rest while Balisk looked as if he was reluctant to speak. It was as if he was afraid of snapping Norril out of her trance like state the silence dragged on until they reached a stop in a clearing.

The half elf jolted before looking down saying" so this is it very well I suppose. Everyone get your weapons we're going inside." Just on the other side of the clearing was a cave apparently abandoned for years now. A pale figure stood at the entrance watching the group as Norril hopped down clutching her staff. She made her way to the entrance as the others quickly trailed after her upon seeing the group approaching the figure vanished. Upon entering the cave the druid muttered a spell as a flame appeared at the palm of her hand providing light for the ones that couldn't see. Inside the cave was a desk, bed, chair, bookshelf, and a fire pit however they were all coated in a thick layer of dust. Papers were scattered around the area however what caught all of their attention was an almost skeletal remains of a humanoid figure in its grasp was something shiny. Silent moved closer to the remains carefully taking the object from the hand before showing it to the others. It was a ring in the shape of the moon however there was a lake carved just below it on the band.