Page 25 of Wind Rider

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 happensdo not stop paddling.As long asyou’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’reallthrough.”

“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 quicklyto 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.