The Amulets (An 'Amulets of Andarrin' tale) (23 page)

It was a quiet and chilly night and Lily, Clive and Ben were all huddled together on a fallen tree trunk awaiting the return of Helena. The low breeze whistled through the trees and had caused them to search for something warm to cover themselves with. Thankfully, Helena had been prepared and they had found four small blankets in Fayne’s saddle and were now wrapping themselves up tightly.

Frankie had awarded herself the responsibility of staying with Fayne and, although Fayne was unresponsive, Frankie sat down by the river comforting her.

Clive, Ben and Lily heard a rustle from in the woods and their frightened gaze turned to the darkness of the tree-line. 

“Calm down it’s only me” Aaron said having been to the ‘toilet’ “Is she still not back?” He asked referring to Helena.

The three snug campers shook their heads. Aaron looked around with concern “Where’s Frankie?”

Clive was sat on the ground, his entire body up to his chin covered in blanket. “Sat with Fayne” he replied.

“She must be freezing” he said rubbing his hands together. “Here, give me that blanket, I’ll give it Frankie.” He said pointing to the one around Clive.

Clive looked stunned “No chance! I’m freezing.”

“Exactly, she’ll be freezing too and you’ve got two blankets” he said eyeing the under layer which was made up of another blanket “hand it over.”

Clive didn’t move. “She’ll be fine. She’s got Fayne to keep her warm and she’s massive, she’ll shelter her.” He told him confidently.

Aaron looked at Lily and Ben who were chuckling opposite him. Aaron joined in with the laughter and turned back to Clive “That’s my blanket” he said amused at Clive’s resistance to giving it away.

Clive pulled the blankets tighter around
himself and put his head down in hope it would cause Aaron to give in.

“Really?”
Aaron asked.

“
Yeh really” Clive said stubbornly.

Aaron wasn’t having any of it. “Give me the damn blanket Clive” he said as he moved over and began pulling the blanket from Clive who tried hard to keep it; he tried to shake free of Aaron’s grip but Aaron now used both hands.

“Let go” Clive moaned.

“Give it me...you little...horror” Aaron said, prying away at the blanket.

“No I need...” Clive began but it was useless, Aaron had pulled it free. He shot him a nasty and yet puzzled look. Still puzzled as to why Clive would actually make him force it from him.

“Use the one you’ve got like everyone else, you greedy sod” Aaron said, giving him a sharp look, yet still a little amused by the whole situation.

“Whatever.” Clive said grumpily, as he pulled his remaining blanket more tightly around himself.

Aaron left him sulking and headed down towards the river to sit with Frankie. Clive looked up and saw Ben and Lily chuckling at him. He gave them a questioning look. “What? It’s cold.”

Lily was still giggling. “You really liked that blanket huh?” she laughed.

Clive ignored her until Ben started. “Come on, it’s not that cold.”

“It bloody well is.”

Aaron moved around Fayne by the river and spotted Frankie who was laid curled up with her back against Fayne’s underbelly. She had obviously fallen to sleep and Aaron couldn’t help but laugh as it looked almost as if Frankie was her baby. Aaron looked at Fayne who he noticed was either asleep or unconscious and, as he hadn’t a clue about dragons, he decided not to disturb her in either case. Instead he turned to Frankie and paused for a second, admiring her. He’d always known he was attracted to her but it was right there and then that he realised just how much he cared for her. He smiled before moving over to her and placed the blanket over her, making sure to cover her shoulders so she would keep warm.

Aaron decided to stay by the river for a while whilst they waited for Helena to return. Fayne and Frankie were a good hundred yards from the campsite and Aaron didn’t want Frankie being alone whilst she slept. As he tightened the blanket around her Frankie stirred. She’d been awake, merely resting her eyes.

“What do you think’s going to happen Aaron” she said sitting up.

“You’re awake” he replied with a smile. “I don’t know, but it’s going to be alright” he said sitting down.

“How can you know that?”

“Well,” he said, putting an arm around her shoulder, “we’ve got a vampire looking out for us” he smiled “and that’s got to count for something.”

“You saw what happened at the house, how many there were” she said seriously “if they catch up to us Helena won’t stand a chance.”

“Maybe, but you can’t sit here thinking about that. Things will change and before you know it we’ll be back home and back doing all the boring stuff we’re used to” he smiled.

“I hope so. Do you think Jack’s ok?”

“I don’t know” he said reflectively looking worried.

Frankie rested her head on Aaron’s shoulder. He gazed at her fondly, even if a little surprised by her momentary closeness, but he knew she was scared, and he’d happily be the one to help her ease her fear.

He gazed at the river and wondered if Jack was alright. Helena had mentioned earlier that Delaius had gone for him, but they still hadn’t seen or heard from either of them. Aaron’s thoughts turned to James who, last he saw him, was laid motionless on the floor outside Delaius’ home. Was he alive and if so why would those people take him? He wondered to himself. Too much was happening and Aaron was beginning to believe he was going crazy, but then he turned back to Frankie and seeing her peacefully sleeping, he smiled “If this is what crazy feels like, then let’s be crazy for a little longer” he whispered to himself.

What Aaron and the rest of the group didn’t know was that, as every minute passed, Kalerum and his cronies were drawing closer to them, never tiring and hungry for the amulet. They would be there soon and Kalerum intended to leave none alive.

End of Part One