Wind Rider Page 9

  “I do,” Mari said. It was Joshua, along with Brandon and Jaxom, who, under the influence of the Skin Stealer disease, attacked Sora not long ago. “Joshua was one of the two infected Earth Walkers Nik killed protecting Sora,” she explained to Davis and Nik.

  “Yes, well, we were all infected together. Brandon seemed to try to fight the disease like me, but Joshua gave in to it quickly. It was like he found pleasure in his growing anger. He tracked Sora. I say this not to take away my personal responsibility. I will spend the rest of my life trying to atone for what I almost did to Sora. But remember the kind of man Joshua was before he was infected?”

  “I didn’t know him well,” said Mari. “But I do remember one thing about him, because Mama admonished him for it—he cheated at net ball.”

  “Yes, so much that no one wanted him on their team,” said Jaxom.

  “Net ball?” Nik asked. “What’s that?”

  “A game the Clan loves to play,” said Jaxom. “I can show you the next time we make land and have some free time.”

  “I’d like that,” Nik said.

  The young Earth Walker’s words piqued the interest of the healer within Mari. “So, Jaxom, what you’re saying is how the Skin Stealer disease affects people might be tied to the ethics of each person. I’ll have to make note of that in my journal.”

  “It’s an interesting theory,” said Davis.

  “And, hopefully, one we won’t need to test because we’re leaving the poisoned city behind,” said Nik.

  “Another good thing about this river, right, Nik?” teased Davis.

  Nik snorted, and Mari poked him gently with her paddle again. Nik playfully batted it away, which she was glad to see. He wouldn’t be waving that arm around after her paddle if his wound had broken open and was bleeding again.

  They settled back into silent paddling as Mari considered what Jaxom had said. It did make sense. Wilkes and Claudia had been infected—just like Thaddeus. But they had remained themselves—sick and dying versions of themselves, but they hadn’t succumbed to hatred and anger like Thaddeus. Sora, too, had been infected, and though her anger level increased, they had been able to reason with her—she’d still been their Sora.

  “Nik, you knew the Hunters and Warriors who were shooting arrows at you, right?” Mari asked.

  “Yeah, of course. I grew up with them. And there was only one Warrior shooting at me—Maxim. The rest were Hunters.”

  “What was Maxim like before he was infected?”

  Nik paused in his paddling as he considered. “He was arrogant. He used to make fun of the Terriers. He called them miniature dogs, not even canines, and encouraged his Shepherd to bully them. Hey, Jaxom may have a point. Though I liked Maeve. It was after Father died that she changed.”

  “Maybe not. I didn’t like her,” Mari admitted. “Sorry, Nik, but the night I met her and your father she was cold—distant—a lot different than how Sol greeted me.”

  “It does give Jaxom’s theory more weight,” said Nik.

  “Hello, the boats!” Antreas’s call interrupted their conversation.

  Mari squinted, trying to make out which blob belonged to the Lynx Companion’s boat.

  “We’re bringing up the rear, but we’re all together!” Nik shouted back.

  “Circle up!” Antreas said.

  It only took a few minutes for all the boats to gather in a bobbing, lopsided circle. Antreas and Danita paddled their little canoe into the middle. Mari noted with pleasure that Danita seemed to already be an expert on the water as she mirrored Antreas’s strokes perfectly.

  “Okay, can all of you see the metal spikes sticking out of the water there?” Antreas pointed upriver.

  There were still clouds in the sky, but they were more like ghosts flitting past the moon, allowing silver light to shine through. As the gentle wind parted their gauzy shrouds Mari could see two distinct hulks jutting from the river not far from either bank. Almost exactly in the center of the wide waterway another ruin protruded, though it appeared that section of the bridge had come to rest on its side, so that a wall of rust formed an ominous, watery barricade.

  The Pack made nervous sounds, letting Antreas know they could, indeed, see the obstacles they faced.

  “Okay, keep your wits about you. This particular ruin looks a lot worse than it truly is. First, let’s light our torches.”

  As the Pack began producing thick, spearlike lengths of wood, Davis explained to Mari and Nik, “Look along the inside of your boat. Yours will be there.”

  Sure enough, Nik pulled out their torch from where it had hugged the inside bottom of their boat. Mari noted that one end of it had been wrapped in cloth that stunk like old rabbit fat. The other end was wrapped in hemp rope.

  “Sora, I know you have one of the tinderboxes,” Antreas said.

  “I do!”

  “Begin passing it from boat to boat. Each of you light your torch and then use the rope to affix it to the stern.”

  “Stern?” Mari asked.

  “That’s the rear part of your boat, Mari,” Danita said.

  “Exactly. Good job remembering, Danita,” said Antreas.

  Antreas’s Lynx Companion, Bast, made the strange coughing sound that meant she was pleased, which had Mari grinning. That Lynx has definitely chosen Danita as Antreas’s mate! And from the grin on the young Earth Walker’s face, Mari deduced that that choice might be growing on Danita.

  Mari was proud to see that even in the middle of the dark, treacherous river, her Pack worked together well. In no time each boat was a bobbing halo of light.

  “Now, do exactly as I say,” explained Antreas. “First, loose the tethers. We can be tied together through ruins, but try to keep no more than about two boat lengths between each of you. I’ll help you by calling out your strokes. Those who are not paddling, help your boatmates by keeping time with me. We’ll go forward single file. We are going to pass to the right of center. The current will get choppy around the ruins. Just remember, no matter what happens do not stop paddling. As long as you’re moving forward it’ll be a lot more difficult for your boat to be swamped and capsize. Questions?”

  “What happens if someone does get into trouble?” asked young Spencer, sounding terrified.

  “The most important thing is not to panic. All of you can swim—remember that. And I’ll be watching. You’ll make it through if you’re steady and careful and keep your wits about you.”

  “Okay. I can do that,” said Spencer bravely.

  “We’re right here with you,” said Mason. He, along with the recovering Claudia and Wilkes, was in her boat.

  “That’s right. Wilkes and I are going to paddle as we go through the ruins. We’ll be fine,” said Claudia.

  “I grew up on the river,” added Wilkes. “We can get through this. It is scary, especially because it’s dark, but we’re in this together, and we’ll make it out together.”

  “Claudia brings up an excellent idea,” said Antreas. “Everyone who is able should be paddling through the ruins. Just listen to my cadence and keep your strokes together. Understand?”

  There was a chorus of yesses from the Pack.

  “What do we do when we’re through?” Sora asked.

  “Keep paddling. I’ll tell you when we can stop. We have to get well upstream of the bridge to be past the sucking current. So, pay attention, and remember we’re not through until we’re all through.”

  “Understood!” said Sora as the Pack nodded nervously.

  “Companions, relay to your canines that they need to hunker down and hold on. Strapping in your Shepherds is probably a good idea. Davis and Rose, be sure your Terriers are secure under your seats,” said Antreas. “I’ll give you a few minutes to get ready.” He raised his brow at Bast. “You should get down from there and attach those claws of yours to the belly of this canoe.”

  The big feline huffed at him, but she did jump lithely from her figurehead perch to crouch close to Danita.

  Mari and
Nik joined the other Companions as they worked quickly to rig hemp ropes around the torsos of the big Shepherds and tie them to their ballasts.

  “Companions, keep your knives handy,” Nik said. “If a canine gets in too much trouble you may need to cut the rope so he or she can swim freely.”

  Mari’s fear was a sick feeling in her stomach, but she repressed it, not wanting Rigel to pick up on her nerves.

  “Ready, sweet boy?” she asked her Shepherd.

  He barked twice, wagging his tail enthusiastically—and his enthusiasm was mirrored by the other Shepherds.

  “They don’t seem afraid,” Mari said to Nik.

  “Shepherds are strong swimmers,” said Nik. “A lot stronger than we are. If they’re worried or frightened, it’s only for us. Or the Terriers.”

  “Wait, they can’t swim?” asked Mari.

  “They can,” Davis told her as he tucked Cammy under his seat. “Just not very well and not for a very long time.”

  “How about young Shepherds?” asked Jaxom, sounding as sick as Mari was trying not to feel.

  “Very young Shepherds, or Terriers, can swim, but not well. Your Fortina isn’t that young anymore. She’s a big, strong girl. Don’t worry, Jaxom. She’ll be fine.”

  Davis petted Fortina. They didn’t have a ballast on their canoe, but she was lying under Jaxom’s seat, her head poking up to give Davis a doggy grin.

  “All ready?” Antreas asked.

  Shouts of “Ready!” rang across the water.

  “All right. Here we go! Stroke! Stroke! Stroke! Stroke!”

  The Pack took up the cadence Antreas called until the night pulsed with their tempo.

  Antreas and Danita led. The next boat behind them was one of the biggest, carrying O’Bryan with Jenna, Sarah, Lydia, Lily, and Dove. Mari kept glancing forward. She could see that everyone except the eyeless Dove was paddling, even Lydia. Mari made a mental note to check the burn wounds on her back when they stopped for the night. And with her next glance Mari noticed that even though Dove wasn’t paddling, she was calling cadence with Antreas in a strong, clear voice.

  Mari watched the current grab the boats, causing them to dip crazily and even spin a little, but as soon as they were past the ruins the boats shot forward, righting themselves quickly.

  Mari’s nerves had quieted considerably by the time there were only three boats left to cross the obstacle. They’d paddled close to the ruined bridge, where they paused, catching their breaths and readying themselves.

  “All right, we’re next,” Sora said, glancing nervously back at Mari.

  “You can do it,” Mari called to her. “Just keep those puppies safe.”

  “Chloe isn’t going anywhere.” Sora patted the lump in the pouchlike carrier strapped to her chest.

  “I have the rest of the pups,” said Rose, who had positioned herself sitting on the hull with her Companion, the mama Terrier, Fala, crouched there with her and the remaining four pups snuggled against them.

  “We’ve got this,” Sheena said. “Just keep cadence with me.”

  “It’s going to be okay,” said Davis. He and Jaxom were directly behind Sora and Sheena’s boat.

  “Ready, go! Stroke! Stroke! Stroke!” shouted Sheena, and they began to row in time with the cadence she called.

  Davis and Jaxom waited, giving them time to get a couple boat lengths ahead, then Davis picked up Sheena’s cadence, and off they went.

  “Our turn,” Nik said, glancing over his shoulder at Mari.

  “I’m ready.” She really wasn’t, but she wiped her sweaty hands on her pants, gripped the paddle, and was ready when Nik shouted “Go!”

  Only he didn’t shout “Go.” Instead they heard a terrified scream.

  It was the boat Sheena and Sora were in. As they approached the hulking ruin of the bridge, a log suddenly crossed their path. Spewed from the swirling current, it rammed into their boat, causing it to veer sideways and pitch dangerously.

  “Don’t stop!” Antreas’s shout merged with Rose’s second scream, and then Mari saw Rose try to stand!

  The young Companion was gripping the side of the boat as it lurched, almost capsizing. She pointed behind her into the dark, frothy waters, screaming, “A puppy! A puppy fell out!” Then Rose had to grab Fala as the mama Terrier tried to jump overboard to save her pup. “Help her!” Rose shrieked. “Save her!”

  “Oh, Great Goddess, no!” Mari gasped as she watched the pup’s little head go under the waves and then reappear as she bravely tried to stay afloat.

  “Keep paddling, Mari,” Nik said. “We might be able to get close enough to her to throw in a line and snag her.”

  “I’ve got her!” Jaxom shouted, and before anyone could tell him no, he dove out of his boat, heading for the struggling pup.

  “I have to keep paddling!” Davis shouted over the hysterical whines and pitiful, panicked barks that erupted from Fortina as she stood, stress-panting and looking like she was going to jump in after her Companion.

  “Stop her, Mari!” Nik shouted. “Don’t let Fortina go after him.”

  Mari concentrated quickly, sending soothing thoughts to Fortina and an image of Jaxom, safely back in the boat. She could feel the raw panic coming from the young Shepherd, but the pup didn’t leap into the frothing water.

  “I can’t stop!” Davis yelled as his boat hit the currents by the ruins. “Gotta keep stroking!”

  “I got her!” Jaxom shouted.

  “This way, Jaxom!” Mari called. “Swim to us!”

  Jaxom changed direction, heading toward them. Thankfully, the currents near the ruins hadn’t caught them yet, and Jaxom was a strong swimmer. He reached them, and would’ve been swept past had Mari not stuck her paddle out for him.

  “Grab on!”

  Jaxom did so, and Mari pulled, helping him get close to the boat.

  “Here, take her,” Jaxom gasped while he held on to the paddle with one hand and almost threw the waterlogged pup into the boat, where she huddled at Mari’s feet, whining, coughing, and shivering.

  “Got her!” Mari said. “Your turn.”

  “No. I’ll capsize you. Give me the rope.”

  “But, Jaxom, you have to—”

  “He’s right,” Nik interrupted. “There’s too much current here and our canoe’s too small. He’ll pull us over if he tries to get in. Here, Jaxom.” Nik tossed the rope to him. “Tie this around your chest under your arms. We’ll pull you through. Just keep your legs as close to the surface as possible—not beneath the boat. There’s always wreckage waiting to snag you near these ruins.”

  “Got it,” Jaxom yelled, treading water as he tied the rope around himself. Then, hand over hand, he made his way along the side of the canoe to position himself just off the stern. There he held on, kicking to remain as close to the surface as possible.

  “The current has us. We have to go now. Stroke, Mari! Stroke!” Nik shouted.

  Mari shut out everything except the cadence Nik and the rest of the Pack were calling. She gripped her paddle and used all of her strength to fight the water, battling the sucking current. She wanted to turn around and be sure Jaxom was still there—wanted to be sure they weren’t dragging him under the water and drowning him—but if she did that, if she hesitated, she and Nik could capsize and join Jaxom in the seething blackness.

  And then it was suddenly easier! Mari was only fighting against the usual current, and the hulking metal giant was behind them.

  Mari looked to Rigel’s ballast first. Her pup was there—wet, but safe. His father, Laru, looked even more waterlogged, but was also still safely strapped to his ballast.

  “Jaxom?” Mari called, trying to look over her shoulder and still keep stroking.

  There was a pause, and Mari saw nothing, and then Jaxom’s head broke the surface as he coughed and gagged.

  “Here!” he gasped. “Still here!”

  “Hang on—we’ll get you to the others,” Nik said.

  Mari’s shoulders burned and th
e palms of her hands, wet from sweat and river water, had begun to ache in time with her heartbeat, but she kept her head down and continued to drive the little boat forward in time with Nik.

  “Okay, okay, hold,” Nik finally said.

  Struggling for breath, Mari put her paddle down and turned. Jaxom was there, holding tightly to the rope that kept him tethered to their boat.

  “Did he get her? Is she alive?” Rose was calling across the water as they joined the Pack.

  “She’s fine,” Mari said. “Jaxom saved her. I have her right here.”

  “Oh, thank you! Thank you, Jaxom!” Rose said, and then she collapsed, holding Fala close as she sobbed tears of relief.

  “Is Jaxom alive? Did he make it through?” Antreas asked as he paddled expertly to Mari and Nik.

  “We got him. I think he’s half drowned, but he’s definitely alive,” said Nik.

  “I’m alive!” Jaxom said, and then a wave crashed over his head, causing him to gag and cough.

  “I’m coming!” Davis called, maneuvering his canoe to Nik and Mari.

  Antreas, too, came up beside them. “Jaxom, wait until Davis is leaning to counterbalance you, and then as smoothly as possible, lift yourself up and into the canoe.”

  Jaxom untied the rope from his waist and swam wearily to Davis.

  “Ready!” Davis shouted, leaning away from Jaxom.

  With what was obviously the last of his strength, Jaxom kicked hard, lifting himself up as he grabbed onto the side of the canoe and pulled himself aboard, where he landed in a soggy puddle. Fortina instantly began licking him as she whined pitifully while wagging the entire rear half of her body.

  “That was a damn close call,” Antreas said.

  “Lucky. Jaxom is very lucky,” said Nik.

  “Not lucky,” Dove’s serene voice rang out. “Goddess blessed.”