by V F Sharp
As the group got farther and farther ahead of him, he contemplated steering Thumps into the river, but he got distracted when he spotted Kyrian and Layton arguing about something up ahead.
To his surprise, Kyrian turned his horse around and began racing back toward him as Layton continued to protest even more wildly. Kyrian drew his sword as he charged forward past the others, each of them turning their heads in horror as he passed them.
The wolves were snapping at Thumps’s tail, and Pallu could almost feel their hot breath behind him as they growled with hunger. He wasn’t ready to die.
Pallu leaned forward, hoping it would help Thumps gain speed, but he lost his balance and held onto the reins for dear life. The wolves came up beside him and chomped at Thumps. They barely missed him. Thumps continued running as fast as he ever had before and Pallu steered him in zigzag movements to deter the wolves. He struggled to hold on as he saw Kyrian getting closer, his horse kicking up dirt as it galloped like lightning.
“Keep going!” yelled Kyrian as he approached, raising his sword to strike. “See you on the other side!”
Pallu kept charging ahead, horrified at the thought of Sir Kyrian facing the wolves alone. As he headed quickly toward the others, he glanced back to see the knight slashing wildly with his sword at the vicious beasts as they all attacked at once. Pallu continued riding Thumps through rocks and dirt and over a large fallen tree branch.
Just as he straightened his balance on Thumps, he heard a horrifying scream behind him that rattled him to the bone. His stomach rose to his throat as he realized what had happened. He could see the others up ahead looking back in terror. He was afraid to look back, but felt he had to.
As Thumps soared over a large rock, Pallu turned his head just in time to see the wolves overtake Kyrian and his horse. They leapt on him, one after the other and tore him and his horse apart. Pallu’s heart sunk. One of the bravest men he’d ever met had sacrificed his life for him and his friends.
He returned his attention forward, glancing back on occasion through his watery eyes at the horrific scene. He was determined not to let Sir Kyrian’s death be in vain. Just as he caught up to the others, he turned around to see three of the wolves racing forward once again, while the other wolves continued to eat the remaining flesh.
“They’re coming back!” he yelled to the others.
The group picked up speed as the wolves got closer, until they came to an enormous fallen tree that blocked their path and extended into the river, partially submerged. Layton’s steed bucked when the knight slowed him to a halt. The others were forced to stop as well, in spite of the approaching wolves.
“What do we do?!” yelled Zander. “We’re trapped!”
“No, get in the river!” yelled Layton. “This is the crossing! The trunk has blocked the current at least halfway across the river. Go now. Quickly!”
Pallu watched nervously as Ithron and Jezreel rode their rabbits into the evening water, the luminescent moon rising over the horizon. They seemed to be doing okay as long as they remained alongside the trunk.
Layton waved for Zander to hurry in next, and then Pallu.
As he led Thumps to the water, Pallu glanced over to see the wolves approaching. Layton drew his sword.
“No!” yelled Pallu.
“You just go!” said Layton. “Quickly! Get across that river!”
Pallu tried to hold on to Thumps as the rabbit swam along the fallen trunk. He could see the others ahead in the moonlit river. All he could do was hold on to Thumps and hope.
He glanced back to see Layton slashing his sword at one of the wolves, slicing its nose. That wolf backed away but, another leapt forward. Layton’s horse bucked wildly, kicking the white beast back. Their white fur shimmered, glowing in the darkness. Layton quickly turned his horse around and led it into the river, the wolf nipping at its tail.
Pallu nearly fell into the water as he looked back in terror to see Layton on his horse entering the water, while the three wolves climbed onto the trunk one by one, following him. They walked a few paces, but two wolves stopped and turned around, frightened by the rapids crashing against the trunk. The third wolf continued forward, snapping at Layton from above. The knight jabbed at the wolf with his sword but he couldn’t reach it.
Pallu returned his focus forward, relieved that Sir Layton had made it into the water. Though it was dark, the moon was full and he could see his friends up ahead passing the end of the trunk and entering the wild part of the river. They seemed to be struggling and were forced downriver by the strong current.
“Pallu, look out!” yelled Layton from behind.
Pallu looked back to his left just in time to see the wolf racing toward him on the partially submerged trunk.
“Swim faster, Thumps!” yelled Pallu.
The large, white creature thrashed toward Pallu with intensity. Holding tightly to the reins, he fought to make it past the trunk as the wolf stood at the very edge of it. He passed the trunk and the force of the water immediately threw Thumps to the right. Pallu attempted to paddle with one of his hands, but it was to no avail.
“You’re almost there!” yelled Layton from behind. “Keep going! Don’t go against the current!”
Pallu held on for dear life, but he lost his balance and fell into the violent river. Swimming became a losing battle. He just wasn’t strong enough and the water was much too powerful. He thrashed around intensely with every goal of saving himself, but his muscles began to cramp and wear out. He realized and determined in his mind that he wouldn’t have the ability to beat the current.
Pallu decided to at least try to get Thumps to safety. He mustered every ounce of energy and strength that he had left in him. He brought his knees up to his chest and made a huge push with his legs toward the rear end of his rabbit, pushing Thumps closer to the safety of the riverbank. Exhausted, he let his arms go limp as the water flowed and furiously raged around him, and with a last breath, Pallu succumbed to the force of the rapids and allowed the cherished memories of his life to replace the fear in his mind. He closed his eyes tightly and allowed himself to sink and be taken with the river’s current.
* * * *
The next thing Pallu knew, he was lying on his side, spitting up water on the riverbed.
He looked up to see Zander, Ithron, and Jezreel sitting around him with their rabbits. Both fear and relief were plastered on their faces. He was told that in an act of unequivocal courage, Layton had gotten off his horse midstream and fought with the current while he swam toward Pallu. Layton was able to successfully grab him and pull him across the river.
Pallu rolled onto his back, thankful to be on solid, muddy ground and grateful to be alive. It was all, thanks to the courage of two knights whom he had barely just met. He especially thought of Sir Kyrian, whose tremendous, gut-wrenching sacrifice would not be forgotten.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Pallu opened his eyes to find that he was still lying on the ground. He must’ve dozed off, though it couldn’t have been for long because his hair was still wet and his clothes were drenched. He vaguely recalled Zander looking down at him, encouraging him to rest while they all set up camp. He sat up to look around. Thumps was half asleep next to him and the friends were nowhere to be found. He spotted some canvas tents set up back by the trees and figured the others must be there. As he slowly rose, he noticed Sir Layton kneeling by the river with his head down; he was mourning his lost friend.
Pallu wondered how long the two knights had been friends. He wanted to thank Sir Layton for saving him, but he didn’t want to disturb him quite yet. For now, he quietly led Thumps back toward the trees so he could set up camp and find a good spot for a camp fire. On his way, he heard a wolf howl and the hairs on his arms stood up. He stopped to hear where it was coming from, afraid to even breathe in case they could sense him. Then he heard it again. Wherever it was, it sounded far away. He turned and realized it was coming from across the Galoran River. He exhaled and continue
d on toward the trees.
Once Pallu found a good spot by a tall tree, he set up his tent and unpacked his belongings. Still soaked, he peeled off his wet shirt and trousers, leaving his undershorts on, and stepped back out to hang the wet clothes over some branches to dry. Just as he began to set out tinder and kindling among the logs for his fire, he heard footsteps behind him. He turned to see Zander approaching. He had a confused look on this face.
“Pallu, what in Izhar’s ghost are you doing!? There’s a lady out here!”
“I know there’s a lady here,” said Pallu. “That’s why I’m still wearing these soaking wet undershorts, so be thankful for her presence, my friend.” He smiled, glad to see Zander’s face.
“This is too much for my eyes,” said Zander. “This can’t be unseen.”
“What can’t be unseen?” said Jezreel, arriving with Ithron. “Oh!” she added, spotting Pallu. She immediately averted her eyes and stifled a laugh.
“Pallu, what are you doing half-naked?” said Ithron.
“What does it look like I’m doing?” said Pallu. “I’m building a fire and drying my clothes,” he said, pointing to the tree branches and the fire that he finally got started. “Wet clothes make me itch and give me rashes. You can all do the same and join me if you like, unless you’d rather swash around in yours.”
“That’s not a bad idea, actually,” said Ithron, who began peeling off his clothes as well.
“Actually, it’s a good idea,” said Jezreel. “It beats getting sick.” She walked into her tent to undress in privacy.
Zander rolled his eyes and shyly started peeling off his wet shirt and trousers. Once undressed, he covered his bare skin with his arms in embarrassment. “At least there are no ladies present now,” he said.
Just as he said that, Jezreel came back out, wrapped in a small blanket that had somehow remained partially dry in her sack through the river crossing. Pallu and Ithron couldn’t help but laugh at Zander.
Pallu laughed so much that his stomach hurt. Giving it a rest, and with a large smile, he stared into the dancing fire when he heard a noise coming from the direction of the river. It was Layton. They watched as he tied his horse up by the rabbits and approached the campfire.
Everyone was silent, no doubt unsure what to say, but Pallu felt he should at least say something.
“You must be freezing in those clothes,” said Pallu. “We’re all getting warm by the fire.”
Layton offered a weak smile. “So, I see,” he said.
“We’re terribly sorry about Sir Kyrian,” said Jezreel. “He was a brave man to do what he did. We’re eternally grateful for his sacrifice.”
Layton appeared on the verge of tears, but held his composure. “There were none more brave,” he said. “Someone will wish that they’d never been born once I find out who’s behind this.”
“If it weren’t for the two of you, we’d all be dead,” said Pallu. “You risked everything for us, and for me. Thank you for saving my life.”
“We did our duty,” said Layton. “Nothing more and nothing less. I’m glad you’re all alive.”
Layton patted him on the back, smiled, and walked over to the trees, where he stripped down to his undershorts. As he turned toward the group, Pallu was dumbfounded at how muscular the man was.
“Wow, you’re like a perfect specimen,” said Pallu. “You’re buff!”
“Pallu!” said Zander. “What does that even mean? Buff?”
“You’ve never heard of buff?” said Pallu. “You know, it’s the opposite of puff and fluff.” He patted his belly causing it to wobble around. “I’m puff, and maybe a little fluff, but he’s definitely buff.”
“Maybe this ‘stripping down’ stuff wasn’t such a good idea,” said Ithron, covering Jezreel’s eyes while she giggled and slapped his hand away.
“Yeah, on second thought,” said Zander staring at Layton, “I’d rather look at Pallu’s naked body. I’m beginning to feel inferior.”
“I think maybe he should put his clothes back on,” said Ithron.
“All I know,” said Pallu, taking a large piece of bread out of his sack, “is that I want to look like that one day.” He pointed at Layton with the piece of bread and took a large bite.
“Well it’s not going to happen by eating that, my friend,” said Layton.
“I know,” said Pallu with his mouth full. “That’s why I said one day. Today is not that day. Tomorrow probably won’t be either, now that I think of it.”
Layton smirked and glanced back and forth between Pallu’s stomach and the enormous loaf of bread he was about to take another large bite from.
“Don’t do it,” said Zander.
Just as Pallu stopped mid-bite, everyone began laughing, even Layton. Pallu joined in the laughter, too, satisfied that he managed to lift their spirits.
* * * *
After a deep, restful sleep, Pallu awoke bright and early. He knew the smell of his cooking would fill the air and rouse anyone who might still be sleeping. He wanted to surprise everyone with a hearty breakfast after the horrific ordeal and tragic loss from the day before. At the very least, it would fuel their bodies for the journey back to Old Vynterra.
“Pallu, are you using magic?” said Zander, just emerging from his tent.
“Magic?” said Pallu, wondering what he was getting at.
“How else can you explain the fact that you never run out of food? Those food sacks must be endless!”
“I just like to be prepared, my friend.”
Zander grabbed a piece of bacon from a stone next to the fire and watched as Pallu cooked the last of his flat bread.
Soon after, Ithron approached and tossed his packed-up belongings on the ground.
“Did you kill a wild boar this morning?” he said, grabbing a piece of bacon before going to his now dry clothes and putting them on.
Jezreel came out of her tent already dressed and began packing up. Pallu noticed she looked really down, no doubt from yesterday’s devastation.
“Jez are you okay?” said Pallu. “Are you hungry?”
“Thanks Pallu. It smells amazing, but I just don’t have an appetite right now.”
Ithron walked to her and gently rubbed her back as she wiped away a few tears.
“You okay?” said Ithron.
“I’m okay. Or maybe I’m not. It’s like I woke up from the most horrible nightmare and it turns out to be true. I can’t imagine what poor Layton is going through.”
They both looked around the camp.
“Where is he?” said Jezreel. “Have any of you seen him?”
“I’m not sure, but his horse is here,” said Zander. “Pallu, have you seen him?”
Pallu signaled to them with his finger to hold on, while he finished the large piece of bacon that he’d just taken a bite of.
“No,” said Pallu, gulping down his food. “He’s not inside his tent?”
“His tent’s all packed up,” said Ithron.
“I’m sure he’ll be back,” said Pallu.
“Oh. There he is,” said Zander, pointing in the distance.
Layton was walking toward them from the river. He was holding a long, silver object in his hand that glistened in the sun as he walked.
“Did he take his sword with him?” said Ithron. “I guess that’s wise. You never know what could be out there during these dark times.”
Pallu began to clean up, but then turned his attention toward Layton, who was now approaching with the large sword in his hand. He looked upset and his eyes were red.
“Are you okay?” said Pallu. “That was smart to take your sword.”
“It’s Kyrian’s,” said Layton, holding the sword up, its razor-sharp tip pointing toward the sky. “He would’ve wanted me to have it.”
Pallu’s mouth dropped in disbelief.
“Wait a minute,” said Zander. “How did you get his sword? You didn’t—”
“I did,” he said, lowering the shiny weapon. “I went back down
river to say my final farewell, and—”
“But that’s impossible,” said Jezreel. “The river—”
“Come look at the river,” said Layton. “All of you.”
Pallu and the others followed the knight to the river. When they got there, Pallu couldn’t believe his eyes. The once raging waters were now calm and only inches high.
“How is it so low?” said Pallu.
“I don’t know,” said Layton. “I could see the sword from this side of the river, shining in the water. I was able to walk right across.”
“Did you see his… um, I mean… was he…” Jezreel was stumbling over the right words.
“This sword was the only thing left of him,” said Layton, sparing her the awkwardness.
“I’m sorry to ask this,” said Pallu. “I hope it’s not insensitive or anything. But, how long have you known Sir Kyrian?”
“Known him?” said Layton, taken aback. “All my life,” he added. “He was my brother.”
Pallu’s heart sank, and a chill ran through his entire body. He intuitively glanced over at Zander, whose eyes were watering as he undoubtedly thought about his own brother.
“I’m sorry,” said Pallu. “I didn’t know.”
“None of us did,” said Jezreel.
“I saw the two of you arguing before he turned his horse around,” said Pallu.
The knight took a deep breath. “I wanted to be the one to go against those beasts, not him. It should have been me. I pleaded with him to let me face them. But he rode off before I could do anything. I don’t even remember what his last words were.”
“I do,” said Pallu.
Layton looked surprised and immediately curious as he turned toward Pallu.
“First, he told me to keep going,” said Pallu. “But then, the last thing he said as I rode away was, ‘See you on the other side.’ I’m so sorry he didn’t make it like he hoped.”
Layton smiled. “The other side,” he echoed. “Brave to the end, that was my brother. He wasn’t talking about the other side of the river. He knew he’d meet his end with those wolves. He was talking about the great beyond.”