Threads Of Destiny:Echoes Of The Pendant Book Three-Snake's Venom Chapter Two-Four

CHAPTER TWO

Snake was upset that he had to go alone with people from the other Tribe. But he knew better than to argue further with Thorn. At dawn, he left Base and walked to the lake. It was a chilly morning. The ground shimmered with dew. When he arrived, the others were already there. “Hi Snake.” Dylan was there, and so was Raven. Another woman was also there, standing near the edge of the lake. She had beige hair and amber eyes. “This is Soren,” Dylan introduced. A girl was standing near Dylan, grabbing his arm tightly. A flash of recognition ran through Snake, but like it appeared, it disappeared just as quickly. The girl had blond hair and blue-green eyes. In a way, she looked a lot like Snake. Who is that? How come I felt familiar with her? “This is Milana,” Dylan said.

“Can we leave now?” Soren asked impatiently. “Sure,” Raven replied. “Let’s go!” They headed off in the direction of the mountains. Snake trailed behind the group, who were laughing and joking with each other. Snake felt so lonely and left out. I only know Dylan and Raven from this group, and I’m the only one who is from Cobra. He glared at Dylan. That is, the only one that hasn’t BETRAYED Cobra. “Dylan?” Snake glanced up to see Milana hugging him and gazing up at him. “I’m tired.”

“Why’d you bring a five-year old girl on this mission?” Snake couldn’t help but ask. “I’m SEVEN!” The girl yelled at Snake. “She begged to come. Saber couldn’t stop her,” Dylan replied. Milana hopped onto Dylan’s shoulders. He staggered, but regained his balance quickly. Snake sighed with annoyance and they kept walking. “Look! Water up ahead,” Raven said cheerfully after a while. They all took a short drink from the clear stream. It was getting dark. “We have to find shelter,” Soren grunted. “What about there?” Dylan pointed to a huge crevice. “I can check if it’s deep enough.” Dylan put Milana back on the ground and went inside. “We can fit inside. It leads to a cave,” Dylan said after climbing out. “Ok. I’ll go gather food,” Soren mumbled. She set off. Snake, Dylan, Raven, and Milana stayed. Dylan had found some firewood and had made a pretty decent fire.

“I’m back,” Soren said as she ducked under and walked inside the cave. The orange flames lit her face up with a glow. She had caught fish, berries, and other fruits. “Wow,” Raven said admirably. “Good job!” They ate together, then lay down to sleep on the cold stone floor. “I’ll never get used to this,” Milana complained, but then pressed close to Dylan. They seem to have a very close connection. Raven came closer to Dylan as well. Only Soren and Snake were a distance apart from the three.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring. I hope we get thyme soon. Thorn is getting weaker by the moment.

CHAPTER THREE

Snake blinked his eyes open. Sunlight was streaming through the crevice. He looked over at where Dylan, Raven, and Milana were still sleeping. Soren was gone though. She must’ve gone to gather food! He heard someone yawn from where the three were sleeping. Raven got up and stretched her arms over her head. “Good morning,” she said to Snake. “Wake up!” Raven said to Dylan and shook him. “Okay…just give me a second…” Dylan lay there, then sat up slowly. “What’s happening?”

“We’re leaving soon,” Snake grunted. “Oh, you lazypuffs are finally awake. I’ve been awake for HOURS!” Soren poked her head inside. “Let’s get moving!”

They continued on until they reached a cliff. “We’ll have to climb it. Milana, you go first,” Soren said. “Raven next, then Dylan, then Snake. I’ll go last.”

Milana carefully placed her hand in a rockhold. She soon got herself onto the rocky cliff. They all started climbing.

Snake soon realized he was falling behind. Soren had climbed ahead of him and warned him to be careful. I don’t like heights! Just don’t look down. Snake looked down. It was an extremely dangerous climb, and a tall cliff. “We’re halfway there!” Raven shouted below. Milana let out a scream and fell. Snake heard the rocks slide as Raven caught her. “You alright?” Soren yelled up. “We’re fine,” Raven yelled down as a reply. Soon they reached the top. Milana climbed onto the ledge and sprawled onto her back. Raven got up, Dylan got up, and Soren got up. He was the only one left. As he tried pulling himself up, his hand suddenly slipped and one of his feet lost grip. “AAH!” he screamed as he slipped. “Snake!” Dylan hissed. He hesitated, then took off his pendant. “Hold on to this!”

“No!” Snake snarled. “I can manage by myself!” But anyone could tell that this wasn’t the case. He gave up on trying to get a hold on the rocks and instead grabbed the end of the pendant. It snapped as Snake pulled himself up. Dylan took the pendant up before it could fall.

“Thanks…” Snake muttered, embarrassed. “It was nothing,” Dylan mumbled. He put the broken pendant into his pocket. They continued up the slope of the mountain.

“Excuse me, what are you doing on our territory?” Snake whipped around and saw a boy, around Dylan’s age, maybe older. He wore thick black armor and had brown eyes and light brown hair. “Who’s territory? Who even are you?” Soren demanded. “This is the Glacier Tribe’s territory! I’m Aidan,” the boy said. “What are you doing here?”

Snake was about to snarl at the boy when Dylan spoke first. “I’m sorry, Aidan, we didn’t mean to trespass. Our Tribes are sick, and we’ve heard the mountains have a herb called thyme.” Snake glared at him. Why does he always have to KEEP THE PEACE!? “I’ve never heard of other Tribes around here!” Aidan said, astonished. “We haven’t either,” Raven answered. “Now can we have some or not?”

“It is to be decided by Frost,” Aidan said tartly. “Follow me.” The group followed Aidan further up the mountain to a castle. It was mostly pale blue, with a few chunks of snow and ice scattered around it.

They arrived inside the castle. There was a woman seated on a throne made of ice. She had blue eyes and blond hair. “Hi Aidan,” she said. Snake guessed she was Frost, the leader of the Glacier Tribe. “Hi, Frost. I found this little group roaming around our territory. They claimed their Tribes were sick and they needed thyme.” Dylan knelt down. “No need to do that, dear,” Frost said, surprised. He stood back up. “We don’t mean to cause any trouble, Frost.” Dylan said. “What are your names?” Frost asked. She had a look of recognition on her face. “I’m Dylan, this is Snake, Milana, Raven, and Soren.” Dylan gestured to the group as he introduced them, one by one. Frost narrowed her eyes. “Where are you from?”

“We’re from the Eclipse and Cobra Tribes in the forest,” Snake replied.

“You know, you look shockingly familiar. So does Dylan and Milana."

CHAPTER FOUR

Tears began to fall from Frost’s ice blue eyes. She suddenly ran and hugged Snake. Then she did the same to Dylan and Milana. Snake was so surprised by the gesture that he stepped back from Frost. “What?” Dylan asked. For once, he agreed with Dylan. “Yea…what’s wrong? What’s happening?” Snake said, very confused. “Sit down. I’ll explain.”

Soon, Dylan, Snake, and Milana were seated in a room around a table. Frost had asked Raven and Soren to be shown their rooms. She insisted they all stay, at least until the next day. “It’s dangerous to be travelling alone in the mountains, you might freeze to death at night!” She had insisted. They all had reluctantly agreed. “Listen closely,” Frost started. “A few years ago, I got engaged to this young man called Malachite. He had black hair and green eyes. Just like your hair.” She nodded to Dylan. “We had four beautiful children. Two boys, two girls. But then, Vernos came after us. He was jealous of our relationship, and threatened to kill our children. We had to hide them. One in the North, one in the South, and one in the East. The youngest stayed with me, she wasn’t old enough to fend for herself. Vernos was furious. He killed Malachite.” Frost began to sob, but soon got control of herself. “I was furious. Vernos was eventually killed by one of my men.”

“Are you saying…” Dylan trailed off. We are brother and sister!? Snake finished in his head. That’s not possible! Dylan’s so unlike me, in looks and personality, and Milana…I barely know her!

“Yes,” Frost answered simply.

“Then…who’s our other sister?” Snake asked. “Dove? Come here for a moment,” Frost shouted. A few seconds later, a girl burst in. She had black hair and light blue eyes like Frost. Dylan’s eyes didn’t match anyone’s, which made sense since he had powers. “Dove, meet your brothers and sister!” Frost said cheerfully. Dove looked to be around five years old. “You’re so pretty!” Dove ran up to Dylan. “Oh! I love your eyes!” Dylan smiled. “Thanks!” Then, she ran up to Milana. “Ooo! Almost the same age as me, is my guess!” Dove beamed with glee. Milana’s smile lit up her face. “We’ll have lots of fun together!” Lastly, she approached Snake. “My oldest brother! Mother told me lots about you guys!” Snake couldn’t help but smile. Dove was sweet.

“I can’t believe it!” They were sitting in the dining room for dinner. Raven had a shocked look on her face. “Snake and Dylan? Impossible!”

“That’s what I thought!” Snake muttered. Dylan was avoiding eye contact with Snake, he could tell. This is crazy. Dylan looks nothing like me. Black hair, blue eyes compared to blond hair, green eyes.

Snake fell asleep thinking about the crazy events that happened that day.