by Dane Bagley
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Jashion had been strong, before the battle. Aiden was gifted as a healer. It didn’t take long and Jashion was well, again.
“Aiden, I’m ready.”
“Yes, I think you are.”
The two made their way towards the pool. As Aiden had expected, the remaining wolves in the dark forest were pacing in front of the water’s edge. Thirty plus wolves he counted from the top of a tree they’d climbed. Jashion looked concerned. Aiden contemplated.
After some time, Aiden said, “I’ll take out a few with my bow and then draw off the rest. You head for the pool and I’ll circle around and meet you. We won’t have much time. You’ll have to go immediately.
“Listen, Jashion. This is no frolicking swim. You’ll have to dive and go down deep. There’s a crevice and the current comes right at you. It’s narrow and it’ll be hard to pass and swim through. Don’t hit your head on the rocks, if you pass out, you’ll not make it.”
“I’m ready. I know.”
“Good.”
Aiden studied the wolves and picked those that he’d take out. He and Jashion silently descended down the tree. Aiden took aim and shot three wolves who were separated from the others. They each fell silently and were not seen by the remaining wolves. Next Aiden shot a wolf in the center, the largest of the group. This death did not go unnoticed. He had time to hit one other large one and then he took off running as noisily as possible. The twenty-five other wolves shot after him.
Jashion waited a few moments and then ran to the pools edge. He could hear the wolves growling and knew that they were running in the opposite direction of the water. He didn’t have much with him to begin with. He dropped his sword, knowing he couldn’t swim with it. He removed a small sack, his shoes, and a belt. He had nothing else but his clothes.
It had been about five minutes. He could still hear the wolves, their cries farther away. He looked around, ensuring that none had stealthily returned. Everything was silent around the pool. He thought about what he would do if one arrived. Would he dive in immediately and head there, before Aiden arrived? Or, would he fight it off and wait for his friend. He elected to retrieve the sword.
The ten minutes that followed felt much longer. His heart was racing. He began to hear the wolves from different directions. They had spread out. Jashion never worried about Aiden, he’d never had reason to worry over Aiden before. But then he began to worry. He looked around, wondering what was taking him so long. Suddenly, Aiden appeared through the trees.
“Remove your shirt, too,” said Aiden quietly. “You won’t want it getting caught on the crevice.”
“Aye, are ye ready?” said Jashion. “Who’s to jump first?”
Aiden was at his side.
“You go to the promise land,” said Aiden.
“Aye, but are not ye coming, too?”
“Perhaps, one day. Today it is not peace and protection that I seek. One day that may be my desire. It is time, Jashion. It is not safe for me to stay much longer.”
Jashion wanted to protest, to tell him he’d wait until he was ready. But the words didn’t form. Jashion was ready then and did not want to wait another day. Aiden would not be ready for a very long time, perhaps ever; this Jashion could read on his face.
“Until again,” said Aiden with his hand on Jashion’s shoulder.
Jashion nodded and looked his friend in the eye. Jashion had lost or said goodbye to everyone he had ever known. It hurt this time more than ever.
A rustling of the leaves made them each turn their head. A wolf had returned.
“Go!” said Aiden
Jashion dived in. He didn’t get as deep of a breath as he should have. He swam down, his lungs already burned. He reached the crevice and felt the water rush at him. He groped for the opening and was pushed back. He pushed out a large portion of his breath. He wasn’t going to make it. He thought of resurfacing and taking another breath, but realized that that option did not likely exist. The wolves may be on him and he was already exhausted. Something inside of him provided the nudge. He lunged forward and fought, with every stroke, the current. It seemed to get more difficult the farther he went. Darkness engulfed him and he swam on. The current started to abate and he perceived a glimmer of light ahead. He pushed ahead and came through the crevice.