The Wayfinder by Darcy Pattison

Author:Darcy Pattison [Pattison, Darcy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-62944-137-5
Publisher: Mims House

THE WATERFALL

Lady Kala’s head broke the surface of the swampy pool. She gasped, then spluttered, “Help!”

Win pulled her ashore. Chocolate water dribbled from her mouth, and she was still struggling to breathe. She shook herself violently, splattering Win. He blinked and wiped the brackish water from his face. She collapsed on the soft, swampy grasses.

“The crocodile—what happened?”

“Dead.” The single word echoed weakly in his head.

Win collapsed beside her. He gritted his teeth. He’s failed again; he’s been too late. Lady Kala was alive, but only because of her own courage and strength. He had done nothing to help.

Lady Kala stood and shook herself vigorously. “I just defeated a white crocodile, the beast that the Zendi consider lucky. I wager that I could even defeat a Zendi Warrior.” Her chest swelled. “I could join a wild pack and not be ashamed of what I could contribute.”

Win lay on his back, refusing to look at her. Far, far overhead the blue sky was half hidden by the cliff walls. He tested the Finding for the Well of Life. It was just as clear as ever, and the pull was back toward the river and farther down the cliff wall.

“We must Find the Well first; then you can join a pack. I still have the Finding, but are you sure you want to follow me? I–” He broke off, ashamed to admit his cowardice. But she could read his mind anyway, couldn’t she? She would know, if not now, then later, because he couldn’t always shield his thoughts. He leaned up on his elbows. “I should have dived in and Found you.”

Lady Kala sat beside him on her haunches and fixed him with a gaze that rooted him to the ground. “Is that what happened with your sister? You froze?”

Numbly Win nodded. “I told them I was too late. But I wasn’t. I Found her. I just froze. I stood there frozen in fear and let her try to come to me. That’s why she fell. She took a step toward me.”

Lady Kala tilted her head to the side. “If you had dived in while I was fighting the crocodile, what could you have done?”

“Nothing.”

“And you aren’t responsible for your sister’s fall; you were just a few seconds too late. She was foolish to be so close to the Rift on such a foggy night.” Lady Kala sighed in exasperation. “The Heartland and the Prince will live or die depending on what we do. We must work together. I forgive you for not diving in for me.”

“Thank you.” The heavy press of Win’s conscience eased a bit.

“Now, which way?”

“The Finding goes this way.”

Lady Kala’s hair was still wet, matted, and untidy. The smell of it mingled with the stench of swamp water. When they splashed through the river to the opposite side, Win offered to stop and wash her, but she refused.

“I’ve already caused us to waste too much time. I will wear the mud as a penance.”

The afternoon was miserable with heat and bugs that, attracted by the swamp smell, swarmed around them.

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