Daniel rounded the curve in the river and slid to a halt. He gasped for breath as he strode carefully along the ravine, the stitch in his side causing him to wince with each intake of air. The banks down below were now thick with bushes and low growing trees. He’d never be able to see Aidan in there if he ran, so he moved only as fast as he was comfortable that he’d spot his brother’s bear form if it were down there. He grew fearful the farther he walked. The river current was picking up speed and boulders were beginning to litter the bed. There was yet another turn in the river a short ways down, and although Daniel wasn’t sure there were rapids down there, it sure sounded like it. A steady roar of rushing water could be heard, growing louder as he walked. I wonder if he can turn himself into a fish, Daniel thought. He smiled to himself as he made the next turn with the river.
His smile froze on his lips. It wasn’t rapids up ahead, it was a waterfall. Daniel ran to the edge, his heart hammering against his ribcage. Skidding to a halt, Daniel looked over the side of the cliff. The waterfall cascaded down a sheer face of rock and crashed violently onto boulders below. There was no way to survive a tumble down those falls. Daniel swayed at the sight before turning and moving upriver, pushing from his mind the possibility that Aidan had been swept away. He moved much more slowly and methodically now, searching everywhere the light would let him. Large shadows from the thick overhanging branches obscured much of the riverbank. Frustrated, Daniel climbed slowly down his side of the ravine and moved gingerly along the thin edge, careful to avoid being pulled into the currents.
“Aidan!” he screamed. Nothing.
Impatient at how long it was taking him to canvas the shore, Daniel slammed his fist into a nearby tree. A bolt of pain shot from his knuckles, through his wrist, and up his arm. Cursing, Daniel shook his hand as if the injury could be flung off like dirt.
“I don’t see how punching things is going to help me.”
Daniel spun at the sound of his brother’s weak voice. Lying about twenty feet away, half in and half out of the water, his brother struggled to hold on to a tree root. Dashing forward, Daniel grabbed Aidan’s arms and pulled him the rest of the way onto the shore. Flopping onto his back and coughing up a mouthful of water, Aidan choked out his thanks.
“Don’t mention it,” Daniel replied. “You alright?” Aidan nodded. “Good, and good job keeping Olivia safe.” Aidan turned his head toward Daniel. “She’s fine,” Daniel added, seeing the concern in his brother’s eyes. “I left her back up where you fell off the cliff. What happened up there?”
Aidan rolled over and pushed up onto his hands and knees before reaching up for a tree branch to pull himself to a standing position.
“I didn’t fall,” Aidan objected. “We came out of the forest and started to follow the river. I didn’t even see the dragon, just the huge fireball that exploded next to us. She got tossed toward the forest and the ledge crumbled under me. I got pushed around by the current a bit. Good thing I finally managed to grab that tree. I’m glad you got here so quick. My arms were starting to get tired.” Aidan shook them out to accentuate his point.
“Me too,” Daniel remarked. He gave his brother an affectionate nudge. “By the way, did you know wet bear smells worse than wet dog?”
“Ha-ha. Why don’t you save your breath and go get me some clothes? I dropped my pack back on the path on our way here.”
“I got it,” Daniel replied. “I found both yours and Olivia’s packs on my way here. I grabbed your shirt and shoes too. Wait here a second. I’ll be back with your stuff.”
Chapter 17
Back to Work