Page 162 of Wind Rider

“Dash! Dash! Listen to me! We’re going to come down to you. Just stay really still,” said Lily.

The pup yipped pitifully.

“He understands, but he’s afraid!” Lily said. “And he’s hurt!”

Mari focused on connecting with the pup. Unlike the other Companions, she had the ability to communicate with all the canines. She could even talk with Bast, though the feline’s mind felt decidedly different from a Terrier’s or Shepherd’s. Mari didn’t like to use her special ability, as she felt it was an intrusion, but as she connected with the distraught pup she silently thanked the Goddess for her gift.

It’s okay, little Dash. We’re coming for you.While she spoke to the pup Mari painted a picture of him being very still as hands reached out to lift him to safety.

Dash whined and yipped again.

Where do you hurt?she asked him.

He sent her an image of his right front leg. Mari was trying to decide whether it was broken or not when the pup relayed another picture to her that had Mari’s breath stopping.

“Nik!”

He hurried to her as he tied a noose into a long length of rope. “I’m hurrying,” he said.

“The pup’s hurt, but I don’t think badly. It’s his right front leg.” Then she lowered her voice and whispered to Nik, “And he isn’t alone down there.”

His eyes widened.Danger?he mouthed.

Mari nodded.

The pup whimpered and whined.

“It’s okay, my precious one!” Lily soothed. “We’re coming to save you!”

O’Bryan rushed over to them. “Set up the anchor. I’m better at rappelling than you are. I’m going over the edge.”

“Agreed,” Nik said. Then Mari watched him whisper to his cousin.

O’Bryan nodded grimly and unsheathed the long knife he wore on his belt. “Sora, I need that sling you carry Chloe in.”

“Of course!” Sora unwound the sling and then rushed to O’Bryan, rewrapping it around him. “Just stuff the pup in the front here. He’ll stay.”

“Perfect. Thank you.”

Sora touched his arm gently. “Please don’t fall.”

“I’ll do my best,” he said.

Nik worked quickly, with Antreas helping him. First they looped rope around Lily’s legs, securing it to a scrub tree that grew by the bridge. Then they used a boulder as an anchor for O’Bryan’s rappelling line, wrapping the thick length of braided hemp around it.

Wilkes and Sheena hurried off the bridge. Immediately they helped with the anchor. Rose rushed to Lily’s side, dropping to her stomach to peer over the edge as she took Lily’s hand in hers. Davis tied another rope around Rose’s legs, securing her to another immovable rock.

“It’s okay. O’Bryan will save you—just like he did during the forest fire,” Rose called down to Dash. Fala, pressed against her Companion, barked encouragement down to her puppy.

Behind them, Mari could hear Dove praying to the Goddess to keep Dash and O’Bryan safe.

O’Bryan stepped into the makeshift harness Nik had created with an intricate series of knots. He nodded to Nik, who moved back, following the rope. Most of the Pack had crossed, and when Nik called, “I need the strongest of you! Wrap your hands and take hold of this rope. We anchor O’Bryan and drop him over the sideslowly,” Wilkes, Jaxom, Mason, Davis, Antreas, and Sheena didn’t hesitate in joining Nik on the rope.

“Okay, I’m ready,” O’Bryan said.

“Start rappelling. We’ve got you,” said Nik.

“I don’t doubt you for a second, Cuz.” O’Bryan flashed a smile at Nik and patted the handle of his wickedly sharp knife. “And I’m ready for whatever I find down there.” Then he disappeared over the edge.