Read The Arrival (Birthright Trilogy #1) for Free Online

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