The Scrolls of Talamyria - Book 1 Chapter 2: Woodland Flight

Arya burst through the fire doors into the school playground, she ran to where the school bins stood and crouched down behind them. She watched as flames roared out from the library through the windows, the fire alarm was screeching and she watched as panicked teachers herded groups of frightened children into the playground.

Two fire engines came screeching into the playground, followed by a line of police cars, Arya shrank back making sure she was out of view. She watched as two police officers went over to Mrs Browne and Mrs Webster and began talking to them, Arya couldn’t hear what they were saying but she had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, something told her they were talking but her and not in a good light. Arya turned and sat collapsing against one of the bins, she wondered what she was going to do, going back to the orphanage was clearly out of the question now, and she wasn’t convinced that she wouldn’t be arrested.

Arya closed her eyes and tried to work out what had happened, she could no longer feeling that burning internal heat, and the flames why didn’t they burn her?

Opening her eyes again Arya debated her next move, she turned and she could see Mrs Browne still talking to the police officers, taking a deep breath Arya stood up and grabbed her school bag and snuck over to a side gate that she knew was always unlocked, and luck seemed to be on her side, when she reached the gate she pushed it and it opened easily. Arya slipped out and looked around a spotted path that she knew leaded to Wistman’s Wood and eventually Dartmoor National Park, Arya thought quickly both areas were remote and she could hide there for a while.

An hour later Arya was already beginning to question her decision, she was tired and her school shoes were rubbing her ankles and her tights chaffing her thighs, she had just reached the edge of the woods, the West Dart River was on her left hand side, she came to a stop after another 30 minutes, sitting against a rock, she pulled off her shoes and tights and dipped her sore feet in the river, the cool water instantly soothing her sore feet. Looking around for the first time the enormity of her situation began to dawn on her, she was a fugitive from the law and had somehow set fire to her school, Arya wasn’t sure if things could get much worse, and no she was trying to run away over Dartmoor.

Sighing, Arya decided to discard her tights and shoes completely, deeming them a hinderance rather than a help, she got up and continued to walk barefoot through woodland, staying parallel to the river, she wondered where on earth she could go, as she turned to move up towards Higher White Tor, mild panic began to set in. She had no money, no connections and no family and no home, she had no clue about what to do.

Arya looked and noticed for the first time it seemed to be getting a lot darker, the sun was setting, she turned and to her surprise she could see smoke rising from the area where the school was, apparently the fire was still burning, looking around Arya spotted a small circle of rocks, seeing little alternative Arya went over and found a small spot with an overhanging rock and sat down underneath it and wrapped her arms around herself trying to keep warm, it was rapidly becoming a cool June night. Leaning back against the rock Arya glimpsed up at the sky, it was a clear night, but if she turned back towards the village she could still see the smoke rising, Arya wondered how long it would take to put out the fire. A mind drifted back to the library, she tried to work out again what had happened, she could remember feeling this unbelievable heat inside her and then the flames just appeared out of nowhere, and the fire, the fire hadn’t harmed that part alone felt like something out of a sci-fi novel.

Arya wasn’t sure when or for how long she had fallen asleep, but she was jolted awake the sound of thunder and pattering of rain on the stone above her. Grimacing she shivered, bitterly regretting discarding her shoes and tights now, huddling against the rock she turned her gaze over the village, and she could see the smoke was gone suggesting the fire had been put out. She squinted through the increasingly heavy, as if she might see if the school was still standing, looking around at the empty moorland, she couldn’t see anyone or anything, not even a fox or a rabbit, her gaze then drifted back to the lights of the village, burning like a candle in a window.

All of a sudden Arya hears the sharp snap of a twig, crouching behind the stone Arya watches as two policemen waving flashlights appear over the hill, her heart thudding Arya leaned into the rock trying to remain invisible.

“Any sign Simon,” asked the first police, a short stocky man with a bald head,

“Nothing Chris mate,” said the second officer, a tall man with green eyes and short spiky hair

“How can one girl vanish like this,” said Chris

“She’s probably scared mate,” said Simon, “She’s accidently caused a fire that burned down her school, wouldn’t you be scared,”

“So you didn’t believe what the teacher said about the fire being deliberate,” asked Chris

“Not a chance, probably an accident and she’s now scared,” replied Simon

Arya’s heart thudded an unnatural rhythm in her chest, so the police thought the fire was accidental, but Mrs Browne had tried to tell them it was deliberate, but the police didn’t believe her. Arya wasn’t quite sure whether that was a good thing or bad thing, however one thing she was sure of she wasn’t sticking around to find out. Waiting until the officers had turned their backs to her position, Arya carefully began to slope off, using the undergrowth she began to climb higher on the hill making sure to keep out of the direct line of sight of the two officers, who were now looking around the circle of rocks where she had been hidden.

As she began to descend the hill on the other side she spotted a thick line of trees, seeing them as her only chance, Arya made for them, breathing a sigh of relief as she crossed into the woods. Leaning against a tree she looked around and noticed a clearing through the trees, curiosity piqued Arya moved through the trees and emerged it the clearing; it was a clear and perfectly circular meadow, Arya looked up, the trees seemed to bow inwards creating a perfect circle that mirrored the meadow, letting the moonlight gleam inwards. At that moment Arya realises it is no longer raining, in fact the temperature had become almost balmy, moving forwards into the clearing, Arya’s bare feet brushed the grass and she got this strange tingling sensation, as if they very air itself was alive. Arya’s gaze was then drawn to an oblong white rock sitting in the middle of the meadow, unable to resist Arya walked over to it and picked it up.

The first Arya discovered was that the stone was far heavier than it had appeared, there was quite a bit of weight to it and it was a perfect oblong shape, with not a flaw anywhere, gold veins ran through the rock. The rock was also incredibly warm to the touch, and it thrummed with the same energy that seemed to be all around her in the clearing. All of a sudden Arya noticed the jewel around her neck seemed to all of a sudden become incredibly warm and heavy, looking down she could see it was glowing with a brilliant white light, but then just as suddenly as it happened the light vanished and the stone went back it’s usual cool but still beautiful state.

Arya stood still holding the stone, unable to explain why she was doing it, she placed the stone in her backpack. She knew it was ridiculous to do so, it would slow her down, but some part of her couldn’t bring herself to leave it behind. Looking around Arya wondered what to do now and where to go, the clearing didn’t seem to hold any further secrets and she got a strong feeling that staying put wouldn’t be a good idea, however before she could decide Arya heard the snap of a twig and whirled around, there stood the two police officers from earlier.

“Arya,” asked Chris cautiously

Arya nodded warily,

“Look sweetheart, we know what happened accident,” continued Chris, “We here to help you,”

“Come back to the police station darling,” said Simon gently, “We can get this whole mess was sorted out,”

“I’m not going back,” said Arya, “I hate that place,”

“I get that,” said Chris nodding, “But we need to talk about what happened,”

Both officers began to move forward and Arya stepped backwards,

“Look love,” began Simon now sounding irritated, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,”

“I’m not going anywhere,” snapped Arya

“You’re coming with us now,” growled Chris “You are under arrest for arson,”

“No,” yelled Arya, and all of a sudden the entire clearing lit up with a brilliant white fire,

“What the hell,” yelled Simon “What are you doing,”

Arya however wasn’t listening and bolted towards the other end of the clearing, running without looking she felt the branches of trees and the sting of nettles against her arms and legs, and her feet becoming cut and bruised. She could still here the police officers yelling for backup behind her, all of a sudden she tripped falling down an embankment, and rolling to the bottom, when Arya came to a stop on a patch of muddy wet ground, she looked up to see a beautiful blonde haired woman with clear blue eyes staring down at her.