Game of Destiny, Book I: Willow

by J Seab

  As soon as they lowered Swiik into the calm waters of the pond she swam strongly off to meet with Misti. The two immediately began to talk, nose to nose, with Swiik providing most of the conversation. Willow swam over and dived underwater periodically to observe. She couldn’t understand much but it did look like Swiik was jabbering up a storm.

  According to Misti, dolfina communication included sounds that humans couldn’t hear. Willow just had to trust that Misti would translate the conversation for her later. Every few minutes they both popped to the surface, took an explosive breath, then dived again to resume their discourse.

  This must have gone on for at least an hour. Willow was vacillating between letting Swiik continue, since she seemed stronger, and demanding that she come to shore to rest and have her wound closed.

  Geldane had climbed onto the fishing flat, his feet dangling in the water as he watched Willow paddling nearby. Mel and Rick joined Twine and Servitor Arla on the shore.

  Willow heard Mel trying to explain Swiik’s condition and what Willow had done to treat it, but he didn’t understand enough to offer very good information. Arla, meanwhile, paced back and forth, pressing her hands together, asking Mel for details that he could not provide, and calling out to Willow a few times to come tell her what was happening. Willow waved but otherwise ignored her. There was nothing anyone could do until Misti and Swiik let them.

  Finally, the dolfinas’ conversation tapered to an end. Both surfaced. Misti told Willow that Swiik was exhausted and must rest.

  That’s when it happened.

  Swiik exhaled a long, ragged breath, rolled to her side, and began to sink. Alarmed, Willow dived after her, followed by Misti. Misti got under Swiik and tried to push her to the surface. Frantic, Willow grabbed her dorsal fin and pulled. Neither worked very well. Geldane and Mel joined them in the water. Together they were able to push her to the floating swimming platform behind the inn. Arla rushed over and took charge.

  It was too late.

  Shaking in sorrow, Willow sat in the shallows and sobbed, her tears plopping into the water where they rippled out to bathe Swiik’s silent form.