This is the 1st chapter of my 1st book Robert Inferno Please read and like this page! :D x Robert Inferno And The Sacred Stones of Ayres Rock The book is based on the 4 elements - Fire, water, air and earth and how anyone gaining control of these could rule the world. It is a story of the struggle between good and evil, as 4 young students at Brisbane University battle the shadowy Territor. Chapter 1 the strange weather patterns It was a strange year. All around the world the weather patterns were not following their normal course. The usually predictably hot Mediterranean summers in Europe had been replaced by cold wet conditions and the south of France had actually had a blizzard in June. Harvests were failing and some countries’ governments were warning of famine. In a small settlement on the edge of the vast desert which covered the Interior of Australia, a handsome grey haired man sat on the veranda of his house contemplating the thunderclouds gathering overhead. As the heat intensified and flashes of lightning split the sky, Professor John Inferno recalled what had happened 16 years ago. Then, as now, the heat had been intense, the grass tinder dry and a jagged streak of lightning had hit a small tree setting fire to it. Strong winds had fanned the flames and soon the grasslands were alight, the fire spreading rapidly towards the houses. Most of the terrified inhabitants escaped in their cars, but one family whose house was nearest to the fire had not been so lucky. The Professor had been taking a break from his research work and had seen the catastrophe unfolding as he rode on horse back a short distance away. It was his friend’s house that had been engulfed by the flames and with a fast beating heart he galloped back to the rescue. But the heat was too intense and he could do nothing but stand horrified in the now smouldering blackened grass as the house burned. Then, to his amazement, out of the blazing wreckage trotted a small child, his two year old godson, Robert. The flames were blowing in such a way as to leave him a safe passage through which he walked unharmed. He was clutching his teddy in one chubby little hand and his father’s ruby ring in the other, his face blackened by smoke and streaked in tears. He had always been fascinated by the way light seemed to flash from the ruby and his father had fondly allowed him to play with it from time to time. The Professor had adopted Robert and now that small boy had grown into a tall young man of 18 years and was about to begin studying at Brisbane University. John Inferno stood up pushing the memories away and moving indoors. It was to be a year of change for three other young people also bound for Brisbane University and who would become Robert Inferno’s closest friends. Marina Irwin was a slim blond haired girl from North Island in New Zealand. She loved the country and knew it would be a wrench to leave it behind for the new life she would take up at the Australian University. Perched on a rock overlooking a crystal clear pool, she contemplated whether she had time for another swim before supper. But the water proved irresistible and lifting her arms she dived into the limpid waters. There was hardly a splash and anyone watching would have had a strangest feeling that the waters had actually parted for her. Surfacing, she swam lazily across the pool before disappearing into the depths and swimming back under water. Making her way to the water’s edge she emerged into the warm sunshine, laughingly shaking droplets of water from her hair. The sun glinted on the large emerald ring she wore on her right hand, a gift from her mother on her 18th birthday. Symbolically she waved goodbye to the pool and suddenly little waves sprung up and seemed to be returning her gesture. Returning home she took her usual place at the table ready for the evening meal. As her mother began serving the food the evening news was just beginning on the television “Strange” commented her father “someone seems to have carved a face on Ayres Rock. The Aborigines are very upset, as the rock is sacred to them and they feel it’s a warning of evil.” “The only evil at the moment is the weather by the sound of the forecast” said her mother “I hope you will be alright Marina, they are actually predicting tornados for Australia.” “Oh I should be alright mother” replied Marina “Brisbane is not likely to be affected.” Far from New Zealand in British Columbia in Canada and also about to leave for Australia, a dreamy blue eyed girl was taking a farewell walk through the forest bordering the Athabasca River. The wind rustled the drying leaves on the trees, magnificent in their gold and russet colours. They seemed to be whispering to her “come back, come back.” “I will” murmured Jane, her eyes fixed on the eagles circling in the clear air above her. How could she not return, she thought, it was such a beautiful country. Later the snowfall would start, but this year the weather had been strangely unseasonable. It was far too hot for September. The berries, so necessary for fattening the animals up before winter, had shrivelled in the heat, leaving the bears hungry and restless. In some parts they had been raiding domestic bins for food and even attacking dogs. Jane also was feeling restless knowing her life was about to change as she took up studies at Brisbane University. She twisted a beautiful opal ring around her finger a present from her mother, and thought how the pale cloudy stone seemed to swirl and change like the clouds that sometimes gathered above the mountains she so loved. The last of the quartet that would become such firm friends was also heading towards Australia. Steve forest was a strong, brown haired youth with twinkling brown eyes and a deep ready laugh. He was a farmer’s son from Hertfordshire in the UK. He had an amazing ability with animals; they trusted him and flourished under his care. Even the crops in the fields seemed to improve when he worked the land. “He’s got the touch” the old farmhands would say nodding their heads wisely. But today, dressed in jeans, a leather jacket and shoes instead of his usual wellingtons, he was heading towards Heathrow Airport to begin the long flight to Australia where he was to study agriculture and soil composition. As he boarded the plane, the amber ring he wore on his little finger seemed to tighten and he almost felt if he was trying to tug him back home. Laughing at his own stupidity at such feelings, he took his seat and fastened his safety belt. The long journey had begun. They flew steadily south, ploughing through dense black clouds. As the air grew more turbulent lightning split the sky and rain spattered on the windows. Steve tried to sleep but the plane rocked and dropped into air pockets making it impossible to doze off. He was very glad when they landed and he climbed into the coach that would take him to Brisbane. Arriving at the University gates he noticed a slim blond haired girl crossing the grounds. The strangest thing was that her hair and clothes remained unruffled whilst her fellow students were being blown about in the very strong wind. “Steady Steve” he cautioned himself “you’re really letting your imagination run away.” Chapter 2 Secrets of the stones The four young people, who were all housed in the same accommodation block, made their way with the rest of the students into the great dining hall for a welcoming address from the university chancellor. A meal was then served amid a babble of exited chatter, after which the tired students retired to their rooms for a much needed night’s rest. They all slept soundly, insensible of the worsening weather conditions outside. In the morning they awoke to find several large trees had been blown down during the night. The maintenance staff were already busy, clearing the debris and making parts of the main clock tower safe. Luckily the storm had blown itself out and the sky was a bright clear blue. Jane and Marina, who were sharing the same room, had already become firm friends. As they walked past the caretaker who was overseeing the repair work, they became aware that he was staring really hard at them. “Have we done something wrong?” asked Jane “that man gives me the creeps”. Steve, who happened to be just behind the girls, laughed and said “He was just eyeing the two prettiest girls on the campus”. Marina and Jane turned as Steve winked at them and sauntered off to his first lecture. Robert was also starting work on his course; he had chosen volcanology like his late father and his godfather. Later that day he and Steve met up, as they had both volunteered for the college cricket team. Both had a lively sense of humour and were soon joking like old friends. After practising in the nets and both qualifying for the college team, they walked back together to the student’s common room. When they saw Jane and Marina chatting at a small table at the back of the room, they made their way across to them. “Hi” said Steve “can we join you?” The girls nodded and they all introduced themselves and were soon happily discussing how their first day had gone and what plans they had for the future. Over the next few weeks they settled in and became the firmest of friends. The world news seemed dominated by stories of the unseasonable and destructive weather occurring with increasing frequency, but the four friends were busy with their new life and were unbothered by these events. However one person was becoming quite agitated and knew it was time to take action. Gingo, the aborigine caretaker, first went to consult with his tribal elders before calling Jane, Marina, Steve and Robert to his small office. Curious and slightly annoyed at being summoned from their evening social hour by the caretaker, they waited somewhat impatiently as he began to explain himself. “You are the keepers of the four sacred stones” he began. “What?” queried Steve “what are you talking about?” “You must know” replied Gingo, “Your parents must have explained the power of the stones before handing them to you.” “I’m afraid we don’t know what you are talking about” said Marina as the four friends stared at each other in a puzzlement. “Well, I see I shall have to start from the beginning” said Gingo “if you really don’t know.” The four young people listened both amazed and fascinated by the caretaker’s story. He explained how back in the days when his ancestors lived in dreamtime, the world was ruled by four elements of fire, water, earth and air. The power of the elements was locked inside four stones, a ruby an opal, an emerald and amber. The stones were embedded in an arch built on the sacred Ayres rock. The people respected the power of the stones and the world lived in harmony. One day the stones were stolen from the arch and the world was plunged into chaos and evil reigned. Wild weather destroyed homes and killed thousands of people before four brave persons pledged to find the thief and recover the stones. The thief was an evil woman called Destructa and as the four brave searchers drew closer to her, she split each stone into two. In this way she hoped to ensure that even if her enemies found one set of stones she would still have the power of the other set. Accordingly she hid one set and had the other half stones made into four rings. Gingo paused in his tale to point to the rings worn by the four friends. and then continued explaining how she was eventually captured and the rings were taken from her. She was offered her life in exchange for the hidden set of stones, but refused this offer. She thought her henchmen would rescue her and she would regain her old powers. They did indeed free her and she immediately set off to retrieve the hidden stones. The new guardians of the rings however were alerted to her escape and set off in pursuit. All requests for her to stop were ignored and desperate to prevent her from regaining her ability to cause chaos and evil, the four guardians combined to cause a great storm and earthquake that shook the earth beneath her and she was swallowed up by the very powers she was so eager to possess. “What happened to the hidden set of stones?” asked Marina. “They remained lost” replied Gingo “until recently. I knew from the way the weather was causing so much death and destruction that the stones must have been found and by someone who knew their powers and how to use them”.
Posted on: Sun, 22 Sep 2013 14:22:20 +0000
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