by V F Sharp
“We need to go faster, now!” he yelled to the knights. He felt his blood rush through his veins as he gripped Thumps’s reins tighter.
Layton pointed to the trees above. Kyrian glanced up at the trees and turned his head back toward the group.
“Can your rabbits run at full speed until we get to the river?” he yelled.
Pallu looked down at Thumps, who was already looking tired. The rabbits would also need to expend all their energy in order to cross the river.
“I’m sorry, Thumps,” he said, petting the rabbit’s soft ear, “we’re gonna have to try.”
He glanced over to Jezreel and she nodded.
“We can make it,” shouted Pallu to the knights.
The two knights increased their speed to a steady gallop, and Pallu and the group tried to keep up. Layton pulled his horse to the side, letting the group pass, and then brought up the rear. Pallu was thankful that Layton was there to help keep the group safe and ensure that nobody fell behind.
Pallu was starting to perspire from the blazing sun, but he was never so glad to have the sunlight beating down on him. He glanced up and now spotted three wolves keeping pace with them, then a fourth.
“The light is our friend, our shield and our sword!” Pallu shouted. He figured if he spoke like a warrior, then maybe he’d believe it. But, it wasn’t really working. All he could think about was how quickly he wanted to get to that river.
As they raced ahead in the sun, the only sound they could hear was the rabbits’ breath. Pallu noticed that Zander looked like he was really struggling emotionally. His face was red with tears.
“Zander, don’t worry,” he said. “You know why your brother’s gonna be okay? Because we have the wolves distracted and those sun-wimpy things can’t touch us in the sunlight. The river’s just ahead. Everything will be fine.” He wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince Zander or himself.
Zander’s face changed from fear to determination as he sped up his rabbit.
“That’s it, my friend,” said Pallu. “We’re warriors!”
They rode quickly along the path, and Pallu kept looking up to see where the wolves were. The beasts were still following them in the shadows of the trees.
“Do you hear that?” said Jezreel from behind.
“Hear what?” said Pallu.
“It’s the river! Just ahead!”
Over the sound of Thumps’s huffing and puffing, he could make out the rushing waters.
“I hear it too!” said Pallu, laughing with relief. “Zander, what’d I tell you. There’s the river!”
Glancing over at Zander’s beaming face, Pallu could see that even he seemed happy.
As Pallu tuned in to the beautiful sound of the river, Jezreel rode up beside him.
“Do you remember the river sounding like this?” she yelled. “The water sounds louder than before.”
At that moment, Layton rode quickly past them to catch up to Kyrian.
“That water’s way too loud,” yelled Layton.
The knights didn’t seem to be paying any attention to the wolves. They seemed more worried about the river. Pallu looked ahead and recognized the green and yellow bushes that lined the path to the river.
“I can’t believe how deafening it is,” said Zander. “It sounds like a waterfall.”
They followed the knights down the wide, rocky path that wound around to the riverfront. They continued around the path until they finally approached the river.
Pallu couldn’t believe what he was seeing. The knights dismounted their horses and walked toward the river’s edge. Pallu did the same and everyone followed. The once calm river was flowing violently like wild rapids and the water level was up to the high bank.
“Is it a high tide?” said Ithron.
“That’s no tide,” said Layton. “Not at this time of day.”
“Is this normal?” said Pallu.
Kyrian shook his head. “I’ve never seen anything like this. It doesn’t make any sense. We observed the clouds and they departed to the east three nights ago. The weather’s been nothing but calm ever since. This is not a natural occurrence, I can tell you that much.”
“Do you think it’s dark magic?” said Ithron.
Kyrian just looked at him and shook his head. “I don’t know what it is. Anything’s possible I suppose.”
Pallu looked up at the trees above them and didn’t see anything. Ithron joined him.
“I don’t see the wolves,” said Ithron.
“That’s a relief,” said Jezreel.
“How does not knowing where the wolves are bring you relief?” said Zander. “It brings me fear.”
“Let’s not worry about where the wolves are right now,” said Ithron. “Because if we can solve that problem,” he said, pointing to the river, “then we can solve that problem,” he added, pointing to the shadows in the high rocks to their right.
“Okay, so then how do we get across?” said Zander.
“We don’t,” said Kyrian. “Not here, anyway.”
“Sir Kyrian,” said Jezreel, “how long do we have before sundown?”
Kyrian remained silent as he stared at the current. He appeared to be scrutinizing the raging waters. He and Layton walked further upriver and gazed out east. The two knights had a brief discussion, but Pallu couldn’t hear what they were saying. Shortly after, Kyrian returned to the group.
“Sir Layton and I are going to ride upriver to see if we can find a spot to cross. If we don’t see anything, we’ll check downriver, but it’s likely to be worse toward the sea. You should all be safe here until we return.”
“Should be safe?” said Zander, with angst in his voice.
“We still have some sunlight left and you’ll be in the open. Whatever you do, don’t go anywhere. Stay in the sun.”
“It’ll be dark before long,” said Jezreel.
“Exactly why we must be on our way,” said Layton. “Time is not on our side.”
The two knights mounted their horses and began to ride off.
“Wait!” yelled Pallu.
“Wait for what?” said Sir Kyrian.
Pallu was almost too frozen with fear to speak.
“They’re… here,” he muttered.
He turned and pointed upward to the terrifying creatures.
Everyone was silent as they looked up in the direction where Pallu was pointing.
“What if you two aren’t back by the time the sun sets?” said Ithron, without turning around. “They look like they’re ready to eat us.” He kept his gaze fixed on the wolves. They were waiting patiently for the moment that they could attack.
“We will be,” said Layton, tapping the tip of his sword against his hand.
“Is there anything at all we can do?” said Jezreel. “Anything?”
“Yes,” said Kyrian. “Pray that we find a crossing.”
The two knights that had brought Pallu a feeling of safety and comfort, rode off. The fear that entered his body was almost unbearable. He shifted his gaze back to the shadows.
The Diamondwolves were staring down at them from the high rocks, growling and salivating. He felt a chill down his spine as he saw how aware and intelligent they appeared to be. The towering beasts moved in unison and shifted their heads quickly, attentively responding to every single sound. Their eyes glistened like glass and they were enormous with beautiful white coats. It was hard to believe they were so ferocious. They exposed their jagged, razor sharp teeth as they growled and clamped down their strong jaws with sheer ferocity.
Pallu noticed the lowering sun briefly shone on one of them and it immediately backed off from the edge of the cliff. Their sunlight was their only advantage in this moment, but Pallu knew that as soon as the sun set, they would be utterly helpless against the wolves’ brutality.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
After some passing of time from Kyrian and Layton’s departure, Pallu realized that he needed to distract his mind from all the negative thoughts. He walked
to his sack and pulled out some greens and a water tin for Thumps. He headed to the edge of the river to fill the canister, careful not to fall in. If possible, the rapids were even more violent than when they had first arrived, only moments ago. He glanced back up at the wolves, and they looked as hungry as ever.
Jezreel was slightly upriver, scouting out the area.
“Don’t go too far,” Ithron yelled to her.
“You could help me,” she said. “I’m trying to see how deep it is.”
“It doesn’t matter how deep it is,” said Ithron. “We’ll never get across in that current.”
“Hey,” said Zander, “I have an idea. What if we tried to build a bridge?”
“Are you serious?” said Ithron. “Why don’t we just flap our wings and fly over while we’re at it? We couldn’t build a bridge if our lives depended on it.”
“Our lives do depend on it,” said Zander. “I’m just talking about knocking a tree over or something. It beats just sitting here and waiting to be eaten alive.”
“Does it?” said Ithron.
“How about a boat?” said Jezreel. “We could tie up a bunch of branches with vines.”
“I like that idea!” said Pallu.
“The closest trees,” said Ithron, pointing toward the wolves, “are up there. Does anyone feel like going up there to cut some branches? Because I don’t. Bridges, boats—all of those ideas are useless. If there were any possible way of crossing here, the knights would’ve considered it before they left.”
“Well, if they’re not back when the sun sets, we may not have a choice,” said Pallu. He was dreading the thought of that.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” said Jezreel. “I’m completely and utterly terrified.”
“Jez, we’ll be okay,” said Ithron. “We’ll be on the other side by nightfall, I promise you. They’ll be back.”
“Yes, that’s it,” said Pallu. “Think positive.”
“You know, Pallu,” said Zander, “what you said to me earlier has made me feel a little better.”
“What did I say again?”
“That we were distracting the wolves. You’re right. It really may be saving my brother’s life. And our friends’ lives.”
“That’s one way to look at it,” said Ithron.
“It’s the only way to look at it,” said Pallu, though he had to admit to himself he was as frightened as Jezreel.
“They look hungry,” said Zander, glancing up nervously toward the wolves. Their shining, menacing eyes remained targeted as they paced back and forth. They snarled and snapped at one another.
“Seeing them hungry is making me hungry,” said Pallu. “I’m going to join Thumps for a little nourishment. Does anyone want anything?”
“Food is the last thing on my mind,” said Jezreel. “But I’ll feed Buttons.”
“How can you even eat at a time like this?” said Zander.
“It’s easy to eat when I’m hungry,” said Pallu.
Pallu walked back to his rabbit’s saddle and took out some bread and aged cheeses, which he had found great for long journeys. He also grabbed pieces of bread for Jezreel, Zander, and Ithron, who all gladly accepted once he took it to them.
Pallu smiled when he saw everyone taking more food from their rations and then feeding their rabbits. It was like they all just came to life, their spirits lifted. He liked to think he had a little something to do with that.
As time passed, their conversations began to dissipate and they took turns pacing back and forth from their camp to the river, which was only a few feet away. Pallu caught himself and the others glancing up at the setting sun with increased frequency, and then anxiously toward the waiting beasts.
“Do you think Kyrian and Layton are okay?” said Jezreel.
“I hope so,” said Pallu. “I hope they didn’t run into more wolves.”
“I hope they didn’t decide to abandon us and cross upriver on their own,” said Zander.
“They wouldn’t do that,” said Pallu.
“How do you know?” said Zander. “I’m not sure I’d race back to complete strangers if I found a clear path to safety.”
“You’d be surprised what people will do for the ones they love and respect,” said Pallu. “Just look at what your brother did for you.”
“That’s different. These people don’t even know us.”
“I wasn’t talking about us. I was talking about the prince. That’s who they serve, and he asked them to protect us.”
Zander offered up a slight smile of relief.
“Hey,” said Ithron. Pallu looked to see Ithron pointing up to the cliff where the wolves were.
“The wolves,” said Ithron. “They’re gone.”
Pallu scanned the area, but he couldn’t see any sign of them.
“Well, that’s worrisome,” said Zander.
Pallu and the others stayed in a tight circle as they looked around in all directions for the wolves.
“Guys,” said Jezreel, “the sun is setting.”
Shadows began to gather on the ground ahead, creeping ever so slowly toward them. Pallu glanced toward the river.
“We may have to cross,” he said.
“That river hasn’t let up,’’ said Ithron. “If anything, it looks even stronger than before.”
“Where are those wolves?” said Jezreel.
“Where are those knights!?” said Zander.
Pallu gazed up at the darkening sky.
“Guys, I think we’re about out of time,” he said.
Just then, Jezreel gasped, her face white with terror. She pointed straight ahead between the high rocks. The wolves were standing at alert, nearly obscured by the shadows. They had made their way down from the cliff. They snarled with viciousness and stared at Pallu and his friends head-on, their glistening eyes piercing through the dusk.
“They know,” said Ithron.
“Know what?” said Zander.
“That it’s dinnertime.”
* * * *
With the wolves waiting to attack, Pallu sprang into action, hastily packing his belongings.
“Pallu, what are you doing?” said Jezreel.
“Not something I want to do,” said Pallu, glancing up and down the river as he fastened his supplies back onto his saddle and mounted his rabbit.
“That’s your plan?” said Ithron. “Crossing that?” He pointed to the wild current.
“Not getting eaten is my plan. The knights aren’t back yet, so what else can we do?”
“Pallu, remember your soggy bread,” said Zander. “You don’t want to end up like that, do you?”
“No, Zander, I don’t. But I only see two choices here and that one definitely seems like the better one.”
“Only two?”
“Yes. We can be pulled apart alive by wolves or we can take the same plunge my soggy loaf of bread took. I vote soggy bread, and I’m pretty sure Thumps agrees.”
“What about trying to outrun them?” said Zander. “Our rabbits are fast.”
“So are they,” said Pallu. “And run to where? You’d have to outrun them until morning.”
“What do you think Ithron?” said Jezreel.
“I hate to say it, but he’s right,” said Ithron. “We all need to try to get across that river.”
Ithron and the others began quickly packing up the few tins and canisters that were left out, and then mounted their rabbits.
“Let’s go closer to the river,” yelled Pallu over the raging waters.
None of them said a word as they delicately steered their rabbits toward the water. As loud as the river was, Pallu could hear his heart beating out of his chest. He glanced back to see the large, white wolves moving forward with the shadows, growling louder and louder, saliva dripping from their mouths. He shifted his gaze to the sky, wishing he could somehow will the sun to stay.
They arrived at the river’s edge just as he watched the sun slowly sink into the dark orange and purple horizon.
He wondered how he and Thumps were going to avoid being overtaken by the raging rapids and thrown against the rocks.
Pallu glanced nervously at the rabbits’ large feet just inches from the rushing water. He could feel the cold spray from the water against his face, as if daring him to enter. He gripped his rabbit’s reins tightly, afraid to make the move, but even more afraid not to. As chilly as he felt near the water, his hands were sweating profusely. He could see the others looked as terrified as he was.
He gazed up, as the sun was disappearing into the purple oblivion.
“On my mark,” yelled Pallu. “One…”
The wolves howled, nearly startling him off his rabbit.
“Two…”
The light from the sun vanished and the second Pallu looked back, he saw that the wolves had already begun their lightning-fast sprint directly toward them.
He was about to yell ‘three’ but he was interrupted by a faint yell that came from upriver. He glanced quickly and spotted Kyrian and Layton wildly motioning for the group to come their way.
“Guys, follow me, now!” yelled Pallu to the others, as he led his rabbit toward the knights as quickly as he could.
“Run, Thumps, run!” he yelled, struggling to hold on as the rabbit sprinted forward, as if Thumps knew they were in life-threatening danger. He glanced back to see the others racing for their lives, but the wolves were rapidly gaining ground.
“Faster, Thumps!”
The two knights were heading back upriver as Pallu tried his best to help Thumps catch up.
They rode through brush and trees, navigating over rocks and through tall grass, and avoided any obstacles that were in their path. Pallu nearly panicked when he felt something come up beside him, but it was Zander rushing past on his rabbit. Ithron and Jezreel raced past him on his left, leaving him and Thumps last—not a place he relished being at the moment. He glanced back to see the wolves almost upon him.
“Thumps, you have to go faster!”