The Arrival (Birthright Trilogy #1) (7 page)

A few days, Loi flinched at that thought. What next then?

She spoke up, 'Then let’s focus just on us for the moment. I think we should make a meal, food helps shock right? And then we should think about a shelter.'

Sian agreed.

'Yep, food will help and a shelter’s going to be necessary.'

We grabbed our packs and pulled out our food. I was surprised to see we had different foods. Kassie had some vegetables instead of the bread I had, Sian some dried beans and Loi had a water bag, made out of an animal’s stomach. The four of us stared at it. Loi prodded it gently with one finger and we watched it jiggle.

'Is anyone else mildly grossed out by that?' I queried.

The other three gave tiny nods.

'Jellybelly,' sung Sian, eliciting a hint of a smile from Kass. Sian gave her a hug.

Please don’t be too angry, she thought, I really didn’t know this would happen.

Kassie turned and gave Sian a proper hug back. 'I’m sorry,' she muttered thickly. 'I know it’s not your fault.'

She wanted to say more but her throat seized up. She gave Sian another hug and they both turned back to the pile of food.

'Okay,' I pretended to roll up invisible sleeves. 'Let’s make a meal. Now who’s got matches?'

'Oooh,' Kassie started rooting around in her pack.

'Is that what these are for?' She held a piece of flint and a piece of metal.

'Yes!' Sian said excitedly. 'Lets see if we can do it.'

While Sian practiced striking the flint, which wasn’t as easy as it looked on T.V, we hunted around for sticks and dry leaves. After we’d scraped out an obvious circle of dirt, we set up the wood with the dry leaves underneath.

Leaning close to the base of the fire, Sian struck the flint again. A spark flew but hit the dirt and burnt out.

Urrghhh not again, she grumbled to herself and she changed position, then tried again. This time the spark hit a leaf. She leaned forward and blew on it gently. The leaf was absorbed by the flames which spread until the stack of wood burnt merrily.

We cheered for Sian who blushed, but looked pleased.

About an hour later we lay on our cloaks, full of food and feeling rather satisfied, all things considered. Audi and Lucky seemed happy enough with their meal of beans and dried meat and we knew we had enough to last a few days.

'What do we do next?' Loi asked.

There was silence as we considered this.

'Shelter,' I said.

'Let’s explore,' suggested Sian.

Kassie sat up, 'We really need to find a town or city, our supplies aren’t going to last that long.'

We sat up and got in to an earnest discussion of survival when Audi gave a sudden low growl.

Huh?
I turned to her and stiffened. The dog was crouched low; hackles raised looking very wolf like.

Uh-oh.
I started to look around, the others too.

Kassie gasped when she spotted it.

'THERE.' She hissed, feeling her stomach drop. The others froze.

'Oh God, what is that?' Loi whispered.

Sian shook her head, mute with shock. The creature didn’t budge. It just stood there, observing them. It was at least six feet tall, with long limbs and brown green mottled skin. It didn’t look like anything she’d seen before, not even in movies. The creature had a horrid, humanoid face with a hint of protruding muzzle and a heavy brow ridge.

Softly I said, 'I think we should pack up. Quickly and quietly guys.'

They nodded and we shuffled around, stuffing everything into the packs, somehow Kassie ended up with a full one. The snap of twigs alerted us to another of those creatures quite a bit closer.

I could see this one more clearly and the sight made my blood run cold. The skin looked clammy, like an amphibian and its hands were tipped with talon like nails. I shuddered in disgust. It stayed where it was, silent and observing, like the other one but you could sense their intent.

A strange predatorial energy seemed to resonate off them. Audrey kept up her low angry growl, eyes fixed on the first creature. The weapons made sense now.

'Strap on your weapons,' I insisted and we set to getting them on.

Loi’s sword was impressive, it was a long sword and strapped across her back. My sword scabbard was a similar style and Sian helped me get it on. Loi had hers on in a flash, but then, she’d worn them before.

I hastily buckled the daggers onto my arms and Loi fastened the strap that ran from shoulder to shoulder.

'Thanks.'

Kassie moved slowly to Loi’s side.

'Loi, can I pop Lucky in your pack?'

Loi quickly lowered the pack to the ground, keeping her eyes on the creatures. Kassie opened the pack and tried to get Lucky in it. The cat was not impressed and protested loudly. They winced at the sound but the creatures didn’t move. More forceful this time, she stuffed Lucky in, snapping the cover shut. Loi slipped the pack on.

'I think its time to go,' Sian said as she strapped her bow to her back.

'Where?' I hissed.

She inclined her head in a direction and staring hard, I saw what looked like a trail.

Sian looked at us.

'Guys, we’re probably going to need to run.'

We gave tense nods.

'Okay Kassie and Loi will lead; Cat, you and I’ll take up the rear. Loi, keep your sword drawn. You too, Cat, and give one of your daggers to me.'

I nodded as I slipped a dagger out of its sheath handing it over, and then drew my sword.

Not as easy as it looked in the movies. The scabbard on the back would take a bit of practice. My heart pounded in my chest. The rush of adrenaline made me dizzy and nauseous.

I want to run!

Loi stepped up to me.

'Hold it low with the point raised slightly, remember to lift it as you go over things and be aware of where the end is. You don’t want to skewer any of us by accident.' She attempted a smile but it didn't meet her eyes.

I squeezed her arm gently and met her eyes with as reassuring look as I could muster.

'I’ll manage.'

I sounded far more confident than I felt in that moment.

We shifted positions. Sian glanced around and checked that we were ready, then snapped, 'Go!'

We raced off. Crashes and furious shrieks came from behind. I didn't dare look back in case I lost track of the end of my sword.

Sian risked a quick glance.

'Move it guys!'

Loi could feel her pulse throb at her temple and she willed the migraine away. That's the last thing I need right now, she thought, and focused on the track in front of them.

Please, please let this lead somewhere, somewhere safe.

My breath burned in my chest as I willed my legs to move faster. The track was narrow and veered all over the place; we ducked under branches and dodged around trees.

Sword up, Cat, watch where the end is. Bloody hell!
I tripped but managed to stay up.

'Careful,' Sian gasped.

Terror crept into my belly and made my knees feel wobbly and useless.

No. Pay attention, watch the track.
I kept my view narrow so I was focused on it. The track flew past in a blur of green.

Please don’t let there be any more of those things out there. There's no way I would see it.

FOCUS.
I brought the thoughts inwards, stuffing them far away in my mind, trying to prevent the hysteria that built.

Out in front, Kassie stumbled and Loi yanked her upright. Kassie’s breaths were ragged as she focused on lifting her feet high enough so that she wouldn’t trip. She could feel the fear buzzing between the four of them. The disgusting creatures hunting them shrieked again, a hideous sound that made her cringe.

I am NEVER casting a spell again, she thought, why the fuck is this happening to us?

It was a love spell for Christ's sake!

Loi jerked her head out of the way as a low branch loomed. Spying a fallen log ahead she let the others know then hauled herself over and spun back to lift Kassie off.

'Thanks,' gasped Kassie.

Loi nodded, and Kassie ran on while Loi waited for Sian and Cat. Once they were over she raced back to Kassie's side.

The log had slowed us down a little and the crashing footsteps that followed sounded closer. Adrenaline seared through my veins as I caught a glimpse of one of those things, it had gained on us.

'RUN!' I screamed.

Audrey darted past and launched herself at the thing, snarling. It shrieked and jerked away. The sense of relief nearly tripped me, my focus on Audi as I lurched over a root. I managed to keep upright and she appeared at my side again, no worse for wear.

Suddenly the forest disappeared and we sprinted across open grass land, buildings visible about a mile from us. I stumbled at the change in ground under foot and the almost debilitating sense of relief at the sight of civilization. A surge of fear ran through me.

Do NOT fall, I growled in my mind, we are so close.

Sian could see the buildings more clearly now. They were surrounded by a high, oppressive looking fence for good reason, she thought. Panting hard as they neared the buildings, she could make out people—men—standing in front of the gates gesturing at them to hurry. She mentally rolled her eyes at them; it wasn’t like they were going slow.

The buildings are a strange design, she observed as she pumped her arms harder.

We so aren’t in Wellington anymore
.

'Push it!' shouted Sian.

My body screamed in protest as I forced longer, quicker strides. Men armed with cross bows, spears, and swords, stood by the gates waiting, watching the things behind us. We shot past them, straight into the arms of others who rushed us into a nearby building. I staggered, bent over my knees and gasped for breath as my head spun. The sense of relief was insane.