Ch 4 A Stormy Night
A storm surrendered
A child to lose
A cry unending
Can he still choose......
The cold rain washed over the small group as they walked slowly trying to make their way up the steep and narrow path, gust of wind whipped manes and tails and threatened to blow the youngest off the path. That's it Remi thought to himself, they had to find shelter and soon.
:I agree: Val said, he could feel the worry she tried to hide from Mikel.
:I almost wish we had waited until next spring: he sent to Val on a level Mikel was unlikely to hear.
:I'm beginning to think you were right, we should have waited: she said.
:Do you want to turn back: he asked her.
:No, not when we've come so far: she said, determination filling her voice.
:Alright I'll abide by that, I trust you know what you can do: he said.
Though he kept his eye out for a campsite, he saw nothing promising, as the dark of the storm deepened into true twilight he was starting to become desperate. :We need to pick a spot to camp: he said to Val.
:This is as good a spot as any we've seen recently: she said in a tired voice.
He nodded and dismounted, there would be no fire tonight and he wished he had packed the larger tent he had been offered, at the time he had been thinking about speed not convenience. He set up the tent, it was only large enough for him and Mikel, if they crowded. :I'll be fine: Val said.
It was a wet miserable night, for some reason he seemed to have picked a spot where a small stream of water washed under the tent, slowly seeping up through the floor and into his bedding, it was a long time before he fell asleep. He wasn't sure at which point Mikel left the tent to join his mother. It was Valana's cry that woke him, that and a loud rumble and the faint shaking of the ground, her terror shook him and he tumbled from the tent, just in time to see the wall of mud wash down the hill not six yards from their camp. His eyes dark with shock, he stumbled to Val's side holding on to her and staring at the destruction.
:Where's Mikel: she asked, as soon as they had time to think. Her cry of anguish was answer enough. He was gone, Remi stared at the wash of mud not wanting to think what it could mean.
The next morning he looked in vain, there was no sign of him in the mud, if there had ever been, it was gone, along with the trail, they would have to backtrack to find another path if they wanted to continue.
:He's alive, I know it: she said when he broached the subject.
"Where" he asked patiently.
:I don't know: she cried, his heart bled for the anguish in her mind voice.
"We have to go to Haven" he said quietly. When he felt her rebellion he added. "It's our duty, yours as Companion and mine as Herald".
:I know: she said in a voice so quiet and sad, he almost cried.