The Edelin Chronicles: The Search for Cindias

Chapter 14: Why does Almost Every Road have a Pothole Filled with Lava?

Surprisingly, the ride to Dracinis was a lot shorter than I thought. I think either Raina or Capitan Nauta tried to explain the mechanics of the ship. But eh, right now my focus is getting to the Arce de Fumus and finding Cindias.

Right now, I'm on the top deck, Raina standing beside me as we watch the crew bring off assorted items, including our luggage. Though I guess you're wondering what happened after the night I kissed Raina. Well, a lot. Are we getting into this? Yes absolutely.

First off, we started being more intimate the morning after, which got noticed by some, Roman in particular. And he was fine with it, but I could constantly see him smirking at us, which was kinda awkward. Second, we spent most of the time on the boat together, either on deck, below deck, basically anywhere. And third, since Raina and I are spending so much time together, Dom and Artemis are unofficial playmates, and sometimes me and Raina just like watching them play together. Can we get back to the story, please? Alright, fine Dom. Why are you still calling me Dom?

Anyhow, we watch the luggage get pulled off the boat. Roman comes up behind us and wraps a shoulder around ours.

"Uh, third-wheeling much Roman?" Raina asks, trying to shove her brother's arm off her shoulder.

"Ah, did I ruin a good moment?" he asks smirking at us, Raina slaps him as I roll my eyes.

"Well, we're about to head ashore, so yea you did ruin the moment," I snark back, he just continues to smirk and walks away. Raina and I make eye contact after Roman leaves, and we immediately burst out laughing.

"Good Miralia, I love him, but sometimes he's a real pain in the @ss," Raina exclaims, as we continue laughing. But soon we hear a horn sound throughout the boat.

"That's our cue to get off, shall we?" I offer my arm to Raina, which she delightfully accepts.

Starting with the basic surroundings, you could accurately guess that most of the colors were either red, orange, black, or any combination of the three. Second, most of the roads were shockingly similar to normal asphalt roads in Mortealum, not winding roads of dirt or cobblestone, but something along the line of concrete or asphalt. And third, there was a surprising level of wildflowers and plants on either side of the road. Though I should probably stop sightseeing until I get settled.

I turn around to see a sizeable carriage that everyone was getting into. I walk up to see the horses, well... not exactly horses. At the front of the carriage were two rams, each about twice the size as ones I've seen(in places like Estes Park, but that goes without saying). With coarse grey fur, glowing orange eyes, and bright red horns, that they seemed to be made out of magma.

"Don't get too close"I hear from behind me.

I turn to see Julian standing behind me. A sizeable distance between him and the fire rams. I follow his advice and back away as one turns to look towards me. The glowing orange orbs piercing through my soul, as I stand paralyzed, fearing the worst. Then, it snorts and turns its gaze away from me. I relax and turn back to Julian.

"What are they?" I ask him, as we walk towards the door of the carriage.

"Those are Ariegnis, they were domesticated like horses, though it proved to be so difficult that only the upper crust got to use them," he explains as we entered the carriage. I sat next to Raina on my right, and Lillith on my left. With Roman and Julian across from us. I heard the flicking of reins as we sped off towards the Arce de Fumus.

The first notable place we drove through was what Julian called Phoenix Forest. We did see a phoenix roosting at the top of a large burnt-out tree. Before our second notable attraction, the Feveret Dons or Boiling Springs, but instead of boiling water being spewed from the springs, it's effing lava. Which works wonders on the road, we spent a solid two hours trying to navigate through the springs without destroying the carriage or burning anything. But soon, we got to make our first pit stop.