The Last Ritual by S K Smith

Author:S K Smith [Smith, S K]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-06-30T22:00:00+00:00

9 – AYDA

Shaking, Ayda dragged her sister’s limp, frail form from the side of the lake and clutched at her.

‘Elle, I’m so sorry, forgive me.’ Ayda whispered to her. Elle’s eyes were closed but tears were falling. Heavy droplets of regret splashing the dirt.

‘Is – is everyone ok?’ She asked timidly, not daring to open her eyes. Ayda had watched on in fear as she saw the water near Elle slowly bubble, she had called out frantically to the others who thankfully left the lake quicker than she expected.

‘We’re OK.’ Niall called out. Ayda could hear the quake in his voice, he couldn’t believe he had nearly been boiled alive. Ayda took a few moments with her sister to compose herself and steady her breathing. It scared her how powerful her little sister was. It scared her that she now knew Elle could not control it. The scariest thing, however, was not knowing how to help. She knew that the Wastes was not going to solve their problems, they needed to find someone urgently to teach Elle. Magic had been gone for centuries – who would know what to do? It hit her quickly, but it was a long shot.

‘Elle, the girl that spoke to you in the Ritual – what did she sound like? Did you recognise her?’ Ayda asked urgently. Her heart dropped when Elle looked up and shook her head.

‘Do you think she could help us if we could find her?’ Syren asked, bringing fresh clothes over to Elle.

‘She’s the only one that we think knows magic other than the Elders.’ Ayda asked.

‘But we don’t even know where to start finding her. What about the Temple of Scholars?’

‘It’s too dangerous.’ Ayda said firmly.

‘They have thousand-year-old records, they must know something of magic.’ Syren coerced.

‘But they are in the pocket of the Elders. They are their scholars.’

Syren nodded, agreeing, ‘So how do we find this girl? We don’t know her name or what she looks like.’ Ayda had not figured that out yet, it was a big world and they didn’t have any leads. She looked at her companions and felt a bitter spread of guilt. Niall, Theo and Karl were stood, unsure, at a loss themselves. They didn’t need to be here, Ayda thought, they had helped her from the beginning. She would not have got far without them. Theo was sporting a damaged leg that he not once complained of. They were risking their lives for her and Elle and she didn’t know what to do. It was likely they would be killed, and it seemed this was more and more likely to be an accident. She looked at her small sister who finally had the courage to stand and begin to dress amidst her sobs and shakes. How would her sister feel if she accidentally killed someone?

‘You should leave us.’ Ayda said unfeelingly to her companions. They all looked at her in shock, except for Niall.

‘I knew you were going to say that.’ Niall said sadly, shaking his head.

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