Page 28 of Wind Rider

“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.”

Mari felt a jolt of surprise as she studied Dove’s serene expression. The torch on the stern of her boat cast a soft light over the eyeless girl, causing her—for just an instant—to appear as if she were glowing.

Perhaps…Mari thought.Perhaps this Dove can see.

CHAPTER 6

They transferred the waterlogged pup to Rose’s boat, where Fala set to work licking and comforting her. Then the Pack bent to the task of stroking up current.

Mari missed the torches. Antreas had insisted that they extinguish them, saying that they were still too close to the cities and the turmoil they’d left not far enough behind. Mari wanted to overrule him, but she knew he was right. And she couldn’t get the image of the massive God of Death from her mind. She was certain He’d seen her, and if there was any chance whatsoever that He might follow her… Mari’s skin shivered with fear.

Better to travel in darkness for a couple more hours than to draw the attention of Death.

But enough was enough. Mari had wrapped her hands in strips of cloth she’d torn from her already tattered shirt, and still they were broken and bleeding. She had just decided to call out to Antreas and tell him that theymuststop—if her hands were raw then others’ would be, too—when from the lead position in the line of boats a torch flared, illuminating a small, brush-covered island directly in front of them. It appeared to erupt from the center of the river. After hours of fightingthe current, Mari thought it was the most beautiful piece of land she’d ever seen.

Antreas raised his hand. “Pack! We’re in luck! This is Spirit Island, named thus because it tends to disappear—especially in spring. I was hoping it was late enough in the season for it to be above water. So, I want you to untether yourselves and then, one at a time, stroke fast toward the island and ground yourselves. The person in the bow should get out first and help guide his or her boat in. The river is fairly shallow near the island. See those rocks and logs and such?” Antreas pointed at the island’s gentle, sandy bank, which was peppered with rocks and river debris. “That’s what you’ll tie up with. Okay, watch me and then, one at a time, follow me in. You shouldn’t have any problems. The current is mild here.”

One by one, the weary Pack grounded their boats, with a little accidental dunking taking place, but no one being swept away.

Mari and Nik’s boat was last, and it was with enormous relief that Mari clambered from the little watercraft to the sandy island. She wanted to curl up between Rigel and Laru and collapse into much-needed sleep. Instead she dragged herself to her feet, and while Rigel and Laru rolled in the sand, she looked around for Antreas. But before she could find him, or call out for him, there was a flurry of activity a little way down the shore as Fala rushed up to Jaxom, jumping up on him and barking with excitement.

“This should be good. Fala’s thanking Jaxom,” Nik said, taking Mari’s hand as they approached the bemused-looking young man.

“Hey, hi, Fala. Good to see you, too.”

“She’s saying thank you,” Rose said, hurrying up to them. She was carrying the little girl pup Jaxom had saved wrapped close to her skin, in a makeshift carrier a lot like the more permanent one Sora had rigged to carry her Chloe.

“Oh!” Jaxom squatted down closer to Fala’s level. “You are welcome, little mother.”

The Terrier articulated a long series of barks and whines and excited huffs, ending by jumping up on Jaxom and covering his face in lovinglicks. All the while Fortina was trotting around them, barking and wagging joyfully, as if to say,Look at my wonderful, brave Companion!

Laughing and wiping dog kisses from his face, Jaxom stood, only to have Rose hurl herself into his arms.

“Thank you so much. Fala, this little pup, and I owe you a life debt.” And she kissed him gently on each cheek.

Jaxom’s face blazed with color. “You don’t owe me anything! I’m happy I was there and was able to catch her. Now that I have a Companion of my own, I am beginning to understand just how important these canines are to us. I know any other Companion would have tried to save Fortina, so it’s the least I could do.”