The great elemental
an excerpt

This excerpt (1 out of 2) takes place in chapter 6.

The tents where set up, and Sarah was exhausted from carting round Stephen all day. So, whilst the others camped round the fire, Sarah and Stephen slept. There was a dispute going on, about Stephen.

“She is too trusting. I don’t trust Stephen. He doesn’t seem to like me.” David started.
“She is being a fool David. She is leading herself to her own death. But who are we to stop her?” Sophia barked. “The way he looks at her though, I don’t think he will turn on her.”
“It is Sarah’s decision. If it leads to her peril so be it. I intend to get back to the water kingdom soon. Now she had Stephen that’s her fourth escort, which means..” Perrin said, rubbing his hands and putting them in front of the fire. “I get to go home.”
“You would leave her just like that?” Sophia spat. “You are more of a fool than I thought.”
“You challenge my authority Sophia?” He whispered threateningly.
“You know just as well as I what Sarah is. If she dies, the world will crumble. You are too blinded by your rebellions to see it. I can’t believe I once looked up to you.”
“I’ve got half a mind to kill you where you stand Sophia. Don’t push it.”
“Half a mind to kill her? You might be able to defeat her alone. But not the two of us! Your out of your mind, and depth Perrin.” David yelled.
“Not three of us.” Glen added, growling.
“You wouldn’t dare.” Perrin spat, glaring at Glen.
“Just watch me!”

Sarah’s sleep was disturbed by yelling and shouting. Her eyes reluctantly flickered open. She used some of the knowledge David had given her to lower one of the walls of the tent, and rolled out to locate the source of the commotion. The light of the fire was being blocked, but from the straying light she saw three figures shoulder to shoulder, attacking something.

Sarah ran forwards, and then saw what they where attacking. A fourth figure was lying on the ground crumpled. She walked over to the figure, and immediately the other three stopped their assault.

This excerpt is the whole of my shortest chapter, chapter 14
Chapter 14: Dusk Light.

The tunnel was tighter and more cramped than the last one. Although the group knew all but two exits where tunneled in, she didn’t know which two. This was their third out of twenty tunnels. There was several cracks in the roofs and a very dim light shone through. According to Stephen it was dusk outside. At least, it was when they had entered the cave.

It was hard to see, and Sarah’s hand was running along the damp wall. Her hair was damp with the sweat. It turned out, she had been so immersed in the fight, she hadn’t noticed the sweat running down her neck. Now however, she was ever too aware of the dampness around her face.

She had grown fond of her trials uniform, so didn’t mind that her clothes had been closed off from her. They where looser than the tight jeans, which she was grateful for, it gave her flesh more air.

They where walking quickly, following the tunnels twists and turns. Kris spoke out, surprising most all of the others.
“Did any of you think to pack any wood? Or have any wooden objects on you?”
“Yes. I brought wood for the fires, which we haven’t used yet. Here.” Stephen replied. Groping around in the darkness, he handed Kris a fairly large log.

Light pierced the gloom of the darkness. The log was flaming at the top. Kris moved to the front of the group. Sarah was astounded. She had forgotten he could use an element he was so quiet. Now he, the timid one, was attempting to lead the group out of the labyrinth of faith.

Sarah was grateful for the ability to see things further than an inch in front of her face. The group kept moving, and soon the sound of dripping water met their ears. Some of the group ignored this, and others saw it as a good sign.

The group halted as they came to a four way cross road. They decided to just carry on the way they came. Just as they crossed the threshold, two blasts of water came from the sides they weren’t going down. Sarah and Stephen both shielded instinctively, and protected the group. It seemed that the water users where going to jump at every active opportunity to attack the group.

Luckily, Sarah and Stephen had expected to be attacked, and been on guard. If they had not, at least one member of the group would have been struck in this assault. Sarah considered using a shard, but there was only three water users. One on the right, two on the left.
“Soph, take the one on the right. Me and Stephen will take the ones on the left.”

Sarah and Stephen worked on one fell wave, propelled by a blast of air from Stephen. Glen assisted Sophia, by striking the user from behind, he turned around and Sophia finished him.

“If they where waiting here, we must be going the right way. Look, those two exits are caved in!” Kris muttered to himself, but it was loud enough to be heard by the others.
“I think you are right Kris.” Stephen replied, and gestured for Kris to lead on again. He was still the one holding the light source.

They where walking for what seemed like an age, and the flame died. The wood had exhausted itself, and burnt out. Stephen fumbled around in his bag locating another log. “No need Stephen. We’re practically at the end of the tunnel.” Sarah spoke confidently.
“How can you tell?” Stephen asked gruffly
“I just feel it. I think it’s my senses, you know, as the great elemental.”
“Mm.” Stephen mumbled.

Walking in single file, each keeping a hand on the wall, the group stumbled forwards into the gloomy darkness. Kris, who was at the lead of the group gasped.
“I can’t feel the wall! Its, gone!”
“Light a fire in front of you. Mid air. Look around.” Sarah replied calmly.
“Okay.”

There was a pause, and then a flash of very temporary light. Then, more confident, Kris made a more powerful flame. Sarah looked over Kris’s shoulder, and then realized they where outside the cave! They where back where she had entered the trials, what felt like years ago.

The moon was out and shining harshly. It shone on the group, fiercely though. Slowly, the whole group got outside. They all sat down. Stephen pulled out a log, and Kris made it flicker into life. The fatigue of the recent events hit Sarah hard.
Barely keeping her eyes open, she asked a question. “How long was I in the trials for?”
“Two days.” Kris replied, but Sarah wasn’t awake to hear the answer.