The Book of Athanasius

Chapter 1

"Every story begins with another"

Hot winds blew across the dry land adding yet another discomfort to the already unbearable weather. Spotted here and there plants who, by natures own miracle, managed to survive, but you would never have known by looking at them. The midday sun was high above, Its summer born golden rays of heat bearing down, being neither friend to plant, nor water, and definitely not to the four travelers who made their way across the barren landscape.

Up front there were two otters. Similar in both height and impressive physical stature they made their way showing little sign of care for the intense heat. Taking a glance back it became apparent the other two travelers were not making as good a progress as them and that a little encouragement was needed.

One of the otters began shouting back at the creatures behind him. "OY! Urry up those baby legs o yors! Me and Trov ere don wanna be 'ere all season!"

The other otter, Trov, joined in on the teasing. "Ay, at the rate we're goin' we'll be ol an' grey right Brunt?"

The otters Brunt and Trov burst into laughter as the two companions hurried to catch up. One of them, a young red squirrel, bore on his back a large pack containing the supplies and gear of the four travelers. Angry at the otters forgetfulness of his current handicap he was about to voice his plight when the gentle pat of the hand from the creature beside him stayed his anger.

He turned his head, and auburn lady field mouse meeting his gaze. She had the same amount of seasons as him, yet scolded him like a den mother would a dibbun. "Don't go shooting off that mouth of yours Bernal. You promised that if we let you come with us you wouldn't complain and we're still holding you to that promise!"

Bernal found it hard not to smile whenever she spoke like that. "You're right Ammer," he said mimicking a small child, "I'm ever so sorry. Please don't send me up to bed with no dinner."

Ammer looked away, embarrassed at the realization of how prudish she had sounded. "No need to make fun. I just wanted you to be thankful that you are traveling with us."

Bernal gave a laugh, apologizing to Ammer as they both quickened their pace.

The two soon caught up with Brunt and Trov who had now stopped. The otters' faces seemed to be held in deep thought as they starred at the ground a small distance away. Bernal and Ammer looked ahead, following their stare. Waves of heat moved over the ground, blurring it to the point where nothing definite could be seen. Curious to see what Brunt and Trov were so concerned with they stared harder. Surprise began to overcome them when as things came in to view, so it seemed the ground itself was disappearing. The squirrel and mouse stood in awe of the immense canyon that stood before them.

They were warned about this and the great challenge it imposed, but what was pictured in their minds was nothing compared to what now lay before them. Close enough to see but too far to cross, the distance from one edge to the other was almost taunting them. There were no bridges, no crossings of any sort, and the canyon seemed to stretch from one end of the horizon to the next.

The silence that followed carried with it the announcement of defeat, something that doesn't get along with the stubbornness of otters. Trov moved over to the edge and peered down. The canyon was deep, but not bottomless. Jagged rocks, some even big enough to count as a ledge, lined the walls, leading down to where something familiar to Trov sped down the length of the canyon.

Trov motioned Brunt to come over, pointing to what he saw. Various whispers began going back and forth between them, too soft for Bernal or Ammer to hear. Tired at the day's travel, Bernal released the sack and gave his body a rest. Ammer did the same, sitting down next to him. They both starred at the other side of the canyon, the otters' continued their discussion at the edge.

Bernal looked over to Ammer, her face set solid in a look of determination. In an attempt to break the mood he tried talking. "Well," he said, "Some fix we got ourselves in huh? You'd have to be a bird to make it across that monster."

He chuckled. "I guess those old foggies back at the village weren't exageratin when they told us about this. What do you think will happen now?"

Without turning her head Ammer answered. "I don't know, but what I do know is that we've worked too hard to turn back now. I say there's nothing else but the road ahead, and whatever is asked of us to continue we must give with all that we are."

She turned her head to Bernal. A large grin was spread across his face. "Wow Ammer, and to think I was the one trying to cheer you up."

Ammer's solid look of determination melted away to joyful embarrassment as a wave of laughter erupted from the squirrel.

The echoes of Bernal's laughter had died out when Brunt and Trov came away from the edge. Booming in pride and confidence they moved quickly. Brunt grabbed the sack and began dividing it into two piles. Trov rummaged through the sack as well and selected a long piece of rope. Walking over to Bernal and Ammer he motioned for them to get up and began to tell them of the plan that him and Brunt had constructed.

"Well," he said, "as am sure ya figured out we can't vary well cross up top 'ere. Not even me on my best day could jump a hole that big, but me and Brunt ere 'ave been taken a gander at them walls. They ain't smooth that's fer sure. They're rough an' rocky, well enough fer a beast ta climb down, an' from what we saw that ain't no bottomless pit there, there's a river running down at the bottom. So it simple really, we climb down, take a relaxing swim across, an' make our ways back up hehe it'll be simple as teachin a bird ta fly."

Bernal and Ammer did not have the same confidence as Trov. Bernal laid back down while Ammer simply stood frozen. Quickly snapping out of it she began to question the security of the plan. "…I…I'm not a very good climber. As a matter of fact the only thing I ever climbed was stairs."

Trov rested a reassuring hand on Ammer. "No worries love. You'll have the best climber a lass could ask for helping ya every step o' the way."

Trov began tying the rope he had around Ammer's waist. Confused with Trov's words she asked who that was. Without a word he took the other end of the rope and, after helping the squirrel up, began trying it around Bernal's waist. Bernal started to go pale as he realized who the "best climber" was.

Bernal pulled Trov close so Ammer wouldn't hear. "Why me?" he whined, "I'm an average climber at best. You and Brunt are strong enough you could easily carry her on your own."

Trov's joyful face quickly faded. "Look," he said sternly, "Me an' Brunt will be carryin' the supplies, not a light affair as am sure you remember. On top o' that we'll have to test each rock we step on an' we can't do that with Ammer weighin' us down. Am sure you'll do fine. Yore a squirrel, climbin's in yore blood. Jus remember, Ammer's in yore care now so keep a good lookin' after her an' you'll do fine.

Bernal looked down as Trov finished tying the rope. With a deep breath he tried expelling his fear. He looked over to Ammer who was fidgeting with her end of the rope. Walking over to her he took her hands into his. "There's nothing to be scared of," he spoke with a voice that seemed calmer then he was, "Climbing is a lot easier then you think. We'll just take on step at time and it'll be over before you now it."

Trov smiled to himself as he and Brunt finished strapping the supply packs to their backs. Giving a small prayer to whoever was listening he made his way over the edge and began to climb down. Brunt followed shortly leaving Bernal a moment to gather his courage before making his way down with Ammer in tow.

The climb down started off slow, but slowly increased pace using the otter's improvised system. Bernal would wait a moment while Brunt and Trov tested the next set of rocks. After giving the go ahead Bernal would make his way down the path the otter's had selected stone for stone. Every few feet Bernal would glance up to check on Ammer. For a field mouse who had never climbed before she never showed it. Each step she made, although slow and cautious, was accurate and very sure footed. Bernal smiled to himself. She would've made a great squirrel.

Now halfway down the travelers' spirits were high. Fear and worry had given way to confidence and a newfound pride for their conquering of what had recently been an impossible task. Bernal, with Ammer above him, decided to take a look down while he waited for Brunt and Trov to give the next go ahead. Past the otters he could see the river clearly now. It wasn't as calm as it had appeared to be and was moving quite fast along the canyon floor. It wouldn't be an easy crossing, but confident with his courage and good friends beside him he felt ready to take anything on.

Trov shouted from below that the next few feet were okay. Bernal took note of which rocks to use and began to make his way down. He stopped. Bringing his foot back to where it had been Bernal stood still. He had heard something. It sounded like a whistle, but was very faint, too faint for the others to hear. Bernal turned his head to the direction of the sound as it slowly grew louder. There was nothing but the open space of the canyon. Looking farther into the distance he noticed a sandy haze filling the canyon. His eyes widened in horrific realization as it rushed towards them. "HOLD ON!" was all Bernal could manage to shout as the giant wind torrent hit.

Bernal buried his face into the canyon wall. Fear overcame the pain his body felt as he dug his hands and feet into the rocks. Sand whipped around him tearing cuts into both cloth and fur yet still he gripped tightly, unmoving from his perch.

There came a scream from above. Bernal froze in horror as he felt the form of Ammer fall past him. A million thoughts rushed through his mind, not a single one gave him a way out of his stupor. He could only clench his eyes with a knowingness of what was to come next.

To his surprise it never came. Ammer scream was suddenly cut off. There was a hard tug on the rope around Bernal's waist. Unprepared for such a burden he lost his footing. His arms strained for a moment and then gave way.

The world quickly sped up around Bernal. He saw Brunt and Trov speed by as he fell. There was neither a paw extended nor a look given. "They don't even know I fell," thought Bernal, "I'm alone…unnoticed…just as I've always been, and this is how I'll end."

Though his mind knew this as fact there was a glimmer of doubt. The glimmer grew into a screaming shout as a name entered his mind, "Ammer." She was there falling with him. She was always with him. Bernal acted quickly, scrambling at the canyon walls with his hands and feet. Through near misses and rocks giving away under his grasps he managed to slow down their decent enough to grab hold and stop.

The wind was dieing down and Bernal could see their situation. His hands and legs were ragged. Cuts and gashes to numerous to count covered is body. By will and determination he held on, but Bernal knew he wouldn't last. Looking up he tried to spot Brunt and Trov. The various rocks and crags made it impossible to see the otters. Bernal looked down, hoping Ammer was well enough to get herself back onto the wall. She hung by her waist, unmoving. "She must be unconscious from the sudden stop," he thought, though it was more of a hope then a realization.

Bernal was running out of ideas and, although he couldn't feel it, he knew his grip was slipping. Past Ammer the river was now in full view, but still a long drop away. Bernal saw it as the only option. He made a silent promise both to himself and Ammer, "You're going to be alright Ammer. The road ahead is still there and I'm going to give all that I am to make sure you reach it."

Pushing out with his legs, Bernal launched himself off the wall. He made sure he moved far enough so that the rope pulled Ammer along with him towards the middle of the river. Straightening himself out, he prepared for the river's cold impact.

He hit it faster then he had expected. Bernal's speed drove him into the bottom. He felt a blinding pain in his left leg as it broke itself against a rock. Bernal desperately began to surface, one leg flailing limp.

Breaking the surface Bernal franticly pulled on the rope. The current quickly began to carry them downriver as the body of Ammer was brought to him. She seemed to have landed better then himself. She floated on her back and look as though she suffered no injuries from the fall. Bernal rested her body on top of his, keeping her head above water. Using the rope he tied and retied himself to her.

Finishing the last knot he let fatigue and pain overwhelm him. Leaning back the cold water crept up his neck and head. The world was slowly fading away to black. There was no pain, only the satisfaction that she would be okay and the sorrow that he wasn't able to finish their journey together. In the end he smiled. He found his answer to the trouble he carried with him from the village and with this he let the world slip away to nothingness.