Chapter 38: A Dive Into The Deep End
It was midmorning when the vast Swimmer herd neared The Big Water. The adults were awfully tired from the long migration and for the younglings positioned in the centre of herd where they had the most protection by the adults from any predators were bored stiff. The journey for them was not only physically draining but notoriously tedious as well. There was no chance to play while there herd was on the march and any interesting subjects of conversation had all been spent in the early phase of the journey. None of this really mattered to the young light brown Swimmer boy walking on the fringe of the group of children who all appeared to be clustered around three large boys who were set to compete in The Swimmer Trials, these boys were bigger than others their age and were very popular with the other children.
The boys looked up to this trio because of their strength and the girls were simply to foolish see past there charming faĆade to see what these three were really like. Trough however was not interested in them, to him those three were just bullies. Not that Trough was weak or puny but he was younger than them and he was also the loner of the group, because of this he was often picked on by the three brutes and no one dared help or even talk to him for fear of getting beaten up. Trough was not interested in them he was more concerned with getting this journey over. He had been patient the entire time even though he hardly mixed with the other children outside of his brothers and sisters, he did however have one that he could talk to and that was the blue coloured Swimmer, Bluey. Even though she was an adult Trough often confined with her as they were both loners in their own classes and in a way he saw her as a kindred spirit and a kind friend who did not think of how other people thought of her but got on with her life. Bluey was the only friend Trough had.
Deciding that he could not bear to watch the girls try to get the attention of the popular trio, Trough decided to spend a little time with Bluey. He didn’t care that he would have to stray from the protective circle, he did that all the time. He found it easy to slip in between the adults unnoticed as they either too busy watching the surroundings or watching the main group of children. Trough slipped to the rear of the herd where sighted Bluey and her mother. He quickened his pace until he was close to Bluey.
“Hey Blue” he whispered.
Bluey looked down at Trough and chuckled before lifting him up into her hands and held him at eye level. Bluey’s mother rolled her eyes at seeing Trough. He often went sneaking off to see Bluey even if he would have to leave the protection of the adults. “But it’s not like he has anything better to do at the moment” thought the aged Swimmer, she was well aware that Trough was a loner and had no interest in what the other children did.
“I should have known that you would come and see me again” chuckled Bluey.
“If you could get past those so called “guards” then how will they be able spot a Sharptooth unless it was right in front of them” said Bluey’s mother with a humorous laugh.
“Well I am small and if they are looking for great big Sharpteeth then why would they notice me?” replied Trough, a wide smile on his face. He took great pride in his stealth abilities as they had kept him safe from Sharpteeth and evade the Trio of bullies.
“Good point” said Bluey.
“Do you know when we will get there? I’m so bored” winged Trough. He was totally over being guarded day and night and being confined to a small space during his waking hours. There was no privacy for any of the younglings when they had to relieve themselves and Trough was more the nervous and embarrassed about such things even though he told himself that he should be used to it by now.
“I think we will arrive at The Big Water later in the day” said Bluey’s mother.
“Is it true what they say about The Big Water? Does it really have no end?” asked Trough sounding very curious. He had never seen the ocean in all his life but he had heard many stories about its vastness from other Swimmers in the herd.
“Oh it’s true alright” said Bluey’s mother.
“It’s just a big expanse of endless blue” added Bluey.
“Have you been there before?”
Both Swimmers nodded. Trough looked very excited he knew he could always rely on Bluey and her mother to tell him the truth. “Wow” he said.
The two adults laughed heartily at Trough’s naivety. After the laughter had died down Blue fixed her eyes on Trough, looking at him as if he was a big enigma. “Why you spend more time with us then you do with the other young ones I may never know” she said.
Trough felt a little saddened by this fact that he did not spend any time with children his age. “I am just bored by the stuff they do and because of the fact that the Trio of Barge, Storm and Whirler won’t allow them to have anything to do with me, besides I’m sick of spending my time in the “safe zone” it’s enough to bore anyone out with nothing to see but the legs of all the grown-ups” he said.
Bluey was quite surprised that the other children did not accept him. “How could they not like you?” she asked. “Your mature, strong, fast, funny, kind and a good friend” she said.
“But I’m a loner and Barge does not like me. He threatens to beat anyone he sees talking to me outside of my own family” said Trough sadly, he could feel a lump in his throat and anger boil deep within him, he hated bullies and always felt compelled to teach them a lesson but his own values would not let him as it would just cause him more trouble.
“But surely some of the girls accept you?” stated Bluey in shock.
“Nope, they only have eyes for Barge and his cronies, none of them ever notice me besides most girls are just idiots” Bluey’s expression shifted into a frown “You two excluded of course” said Trough quickly.
"I’m surprised you don’t have anyone Blue because you’re a great friend” said Trough
Bluey gave him a sad smile while her mother looked at her with caring eyes. “No one wants me” she said “I’m just too unusual for them”. Bluey gestured to her light blue skin colour.
“At least they have a reason to not like you unlike me” said Trough. This appeared to make his friend very angry as she glared at him and said in a firm voice.
“Skin colour is not a reason to discriminate, nor is being a loner Trough but some people are just too blind to see past their own prejudices” she said, breathing hard. Her mother put a hand on her shoulder and exchanged a brief nuzzle with her.
“I’m sorry” said Trough sadly. “I didn’t mean to make you mad” he said.
“It’s not your fault dear” said Bluey’s mother. There was an uncomfortable silence in which the Swimmer’s continued on journey.
Trough finally broke the silence between them “Are we really going to The Great Valley after our time at The Big Water?” he asked.
“Yes dear, we are going to attend The Swimmer Trials” said Bluey’s mother.
“Hmmm” said Trough thoughtfully, he was not yet old enough to take the Trials for at least another year but he had already heard about them.
“It will be your turn soon enough my little friend” said Bluey in a reassuring voice.
“The Big Water!” shouted someone ahead.
The three Swimmers turned their head to gaze upon the ocean. It was just like what everyone else had told Trough about but at the same time it wasn’t.
Trough was simply amazed by the sheer size of the ocean that he was looking at “Whoa” he said simply as he stared in awe at the ocean. He knew what to expect but he did not expect the sheer beauty of the sight that lay before him, he felt strangely attracted to this massive mass of water. The two adults shared a laugh with each other as they observed Trough’s reaction.
“You better get back to the rest of the children Trough” said Bluey, who lowered Trough back to the ground. Trough was reluctant to leave his companions but indeed he headed off back to the centre of the herd. ”I’ll be back” he said as he left.
“I’m sure he will” said Bluey to her mother.
“He’s so young, kind and adventurous just like another Swimmer I know” said her mother as she stared into the distance.
Bluey held her mother’s hand and gave her a gentle nuzzle as her mother sighed. “Come on mom. I personally want find a nice place to rest after this long walk” she said. Her mother nodded and they both headed off, down to The Big Water.
*
Trough quickly re-joined the group of younglings in the centre of the herd after he left Bluey. Yes, there was another thing that he did not like about being in this enclosed space was that he could not avoid Barge when he chose to target him as there was nowhere here could go to escape his taunts.
“Ah look who’s arrived out of the blue. The loony Loner Trough” said Barge he was a dark brown Swimmer just like the others of his trio and he was also very brutish but none of that registered as he switched to a witty childish voice as he talked of Trough.
Trough rolled his eyes and ignored him as best he could. “So where’d you go this time huh? Trying to relieve yourself where a Sharptooth can get you because you’re too much of a sissy here?” taunted Barge.
Trough felt his cheeks go red with embarrassment as everyone laughed at him but he bit his tongue and forced himself to remain passive to their taunts even though he was feeling mad enough to punch Barge.
“Perhaps the creep has been trying to prove that he’s brave by sneaking around the grown-ups feet” joked Storm. He was a lot more cunning then Barge.
“No wonder no sane Swimmer would like him” said Whirler, he was the least brutish and cunning of the three Swimmers but he had a wicked sense of humour.
Trough tried his best at a come-back “and only a foolish idiot with no sense would hang out with a bunch of bullies like you” he hissed through gritted teeth.
This earned a lot furious glares from the rest of the children especially Barge and his cronies but before anything else could happen the different parents began calling for their respective children. Trough taking his chance quickly rushed to his mother before anyone could intervene. A few of his siblings gave him cold looks as the passed him and Barge glared furiously at him and mouthed “This isn’t over” as he left.
His mother took him and his six siblings to a few trees on the beach and prepared to make her nest for her and her children. Trough in the meantime just sat on the sand near the river mouth away from the other Swimmers and looked out over The Big Water and let out a content sigh. If only the peace lasted however as almost as soon as it began it ended.
“Trough! We got a score to settle” came Barge’s furious voice over his shoulder.
Trough groaned and got to his feet but before he could turn to face his adversities he was pushed to the ground by what he assumed was Barge. Trough and stood glaring at The Trio. “I was enjoying a nice rest” complained Trough.
“You’re going to pay for insulting us!” yelled Storm with as much fury as his name implied.
“What like you don’t do that to me all the time” replied Trough. He was not going to tolerate this bullying any further and instead of taking up his usual passive approach to conflict he took the mantle of an active participant.
“We’re going to make you wish you never even hatched” growled Whirler with lots of venom in his voice. A fight was not far off.
“How does it feel being the odd one out, the loner?” asked Storm, a malicious grin spreading across his face.
“Shut up!” hissed Trough.
“How does it feel knowing that no girl will ever have a puffed up little git like you” continued Storm.
Trough felt anger as he never felt it before. His whole body was trembling, his blood boiled and his face was red with fury even though he knew that at the present moment that he was unlikely to ever have a girl. “How would you like being in place?!” he yelled at the bullies. “I’ll tell you what though I would prefer to be the loner I am then the bullies you three are!”.
Trough turned his back to them and proceeded to walk away from them but he hardly got far when Storm kicked him in the back, causing him fall to the ground. Storm did not relent he quickly proceeded to kick and punch every inch of Trough’s body. He ignored Trough’s painful yells. He blocked Trough’s feeble punches and left him lying on the ground with a multitude of bruises.
“Get him Whirler” said Storm as he backed off. Whirler pulled Trough up and threw him several feet away. Trough lay groaning in the sand, he tried desperately to ignore his pain but it immobilised him while the bullies beat him. He was thrown through the air a few more times by Whirler before he backed off.
Trough got to his feet, he struggled to keep the tears in his eyes but to his surprise Barge did not make any move to him but instead stood a few feet away. Trough could have just escaped but the reckless anger that had taken over him held him in place. “You won’t get away with this” he hissed under his breath.
“Ohhhh” said Barge. “You going to run off and tell your mother or that stupid weird blue brat that calls herself a Swimmer”.
That did it. Trough could take insults but he could not stand anyone insulting his friends especially not a kind friend like Bluey. He gave a fierce yell and charged at his nemesis but Barge lived up to his name and barged into Trough and sending him tumbling into the river and getting covered in mud. It was at that moment that his tears started to fall.
“Cry baby, cry baby!” chanted the bullies at the defeated Trough.
Trough lay in the mud tears falling down his face, his body felt like it was on fire as much from his anger as the physical pain he was in. It was a pathetic sight.
“That’ll teach you” hissed Barge. He walked up to Trough and kicked him into the mud he was about to deliver another kick when……
“STOP! Leave him alone you big bullies!” shouted a feminine voice.
Everyone turned to see a light green Swimmer, a girl obviously run across the river and over to where Trough lay on the ground. She crouched down beside him and for the first time Trough gazed into the Swimmer’s eyes to see a beautiful light blue that seemed to reflect her caring composure. She offered him a hand which he took gratefully, his eyes were still looking up into the girls eyes he felt a strange feeling come over him that was totally unfamiliar to him as well as a strange feeling of numbness that dulled the pain he felt. He suddenly felt like he belonged in her arms as she lifted him up onto his trembling feet.
“Are you okay?” she asked in the most kind, caring and sympathetic voice he ever heard in his life even though he could hear how worried she also was.
“I’m f…f…fine” he stuttered.
He turned and looked at The Trio, all of whom appeared to have been captivated by the young Swimmer girl's looks as well.
“Well, well, well what’s a girl like you doing out here?” said Barge in the arrogant voice he usually used when talking to other girls in the herd but if he was hoping to get the affection of this girl he was sorely disappointed.
“I am helping him I am I am” The girl gestured to Trough “I won’t let you hurt him nope nope nope” she said firmly, glaring at each of the boys facing her.
Trough was a little startled by her speech but it also had a comforting feeling to it. But his surprise was heightened by the fact that this Swimmer girl was willingly helping him and standing up to the bullies in the process.
“Don’t you know who he is?” asked Storm. “He is but a loner, why should you care for him?”
“I do not care if he is a loner! I care because you are hurting him yep yep yep! Why are you hurting him though!? What has he ever done to you!?” replied the girl.
The three bullies were obviously taken aback by the female’s unexpected reaction. All the girls they had met had basically thrown themselves at their feet but not this one.
“He is simply an annoying git” said Whirler.
The girl gasped in disgust. “That’s no reason to hurt him!” she cried. “Now please just leave us alone and if you want to hurt him then you will have to hurt me first”. The Swimmer stood in front of Trough in a defensive stance.
All the boys present gaped in astonishment was this girl really prepared to protect this Swimmer whom she’s only just met. Not wanting to hurt the girl Barge gestured to the other boys and then addressed the Swimmer “Fine then we will leave but don’t think that this is over runt” he spoke to Trough and with a flurry of motion the Trio of bullies headed off, back to the herd.
When Trough and the Swimmer girl were left all alone the girl helped him into the shallow water of the stream and started to rinse all the mud off his body, revealing the many bruises that he had just gained. The Swimmer gave a shocked gasp as she observed his injuries “Oh those bullies are mean they are they are” she said in an angry voice.
Trough for the most part was still in a state of shock that this Swimmer had stood up to those bullies to protect him. “Thank you” he said.
The Swimmer girl looked at him and smiled, a loving smile. It was at that moment that Trough felt very light headed, a grin appeared on his face. “I am just happy that you are okay” said the girl. Then she asked “Why were those bullies trying to hurt you?”
“They don’t like me because I don’t like to hang around with them like everyone else in our herd does and when they showed up here they wanted to get back at me for telling them that only a foolish idiot would hang out with them” explained Trough.
“Don’t you have any friends?”
“Outside a few of my brothers and sisters no. Though I do have one friend but she’s a grown up and I’m not supposed to be around her” said Trough.
The young girl gave him a sympathetic look and put a hand on his shoulder and said “If you want to I could be your friend”.
Trough looked at her with a look of astonishment, never before had anyone wanted to be his friend especially not a girl. He was so surprised that he stuttered before making a coherent response. “I would love you to be my friend” he said with a wide grin on his face.
“Good, because I would like to be your friend too yep yep yep” said the young Swimmer
Trough felt his cheeks go red even as he tried to stop it, trying to stop the conversation from becoming more awkward he asked “Are you from around here?”
The Swimmer shook her head “nope nope nope. I only came here recently”.
“Me too” said Trough in an overly excited voice “My herd is staying here then they are going to migrate to the Great Valley”
“The Great Valley?” said the Swimmer turning her gaze directly on him.
“Yeah, some of the others are going to go through the Swimmer Trials, like those three you saw before, but not me I’m not old enough yet” Trough looked at the girl with a mixture of curiosity and confusion for when he mentioned The Swimmer Trials she looked a little down cast, she took a long breath and looked out over the ocean with a distant longing.
“Are you taking the Trials?” he asked slowly.
The Swimmer nodded but did not say anything more.
The two sat together in silence until Trough finally plucked the courage to speak up again “Do you have a herd nearby?” he asked with genuine curiosity.
“Not really, I just came here with my mom”
“But then where’s the rest of your herd?” asked Trough, trying to figure out why this Swimmer was out there all alone.
The Swimmer looked at him with a blank expression but he could see the raw emotion deep within her blue eyes, he wondered whether he had touched a nerve here but he did not get much time to ponder it as a loud voice called from a distance
“Kids! Come to the nest!” called Trough’s mother.
“That’s my mother, got to go” Trough said as he got to his feet, he felt a great reluctance to part with the young girl. He started to head off for his nest but stopped and looked back at the girl as she was turning to go “My name’s Trough by the way” he called.
“And my name is-“
“Trough! Where are you!” called his mother.
Trough took a look back down the beach in the general direction of the herd but when he turned his head back to the Swimmer he found that she had gone, without hardly a trace, except her footprints in the sand which faded into the river.
“Trough!”
“Coming mom!” called Trough in return as he headed toward the herd, but his thoughts kept on drifting back to the young Swimmer girl who had protected him. She was an enigma to him and he wondered who she was.
*
Ducky quickly made an exit after Trough’s mother started calling for him, in her heart she felt truly sorry for him that he had been beaten, teased, discriminated and shunned just for being who he was. She never had to experience that in The Great Valley because nearly everyone respected the unique traits of the individual residents no matter who they were. She could not imagine having to live like Trough and be almost completely devoid of friends, it was just horrifying for her and awfully saddening, that was why she wanted to be his friend. She also could not believe the abuse Trough had been put through and it made her very angry, she just did not understand why those three kids had it in for Trough.
She pondered much of these thoughts on her way back to the cave. She sniffed as she remembered her friends and family in The Great Valley. When Trough spoke of going to The Great Valley and of The Swimmer Trials it released a torrent of flooding memories of her journey and of the Trial and the feeling of loneliness. She missed her friends dearly and especially Spike, she just wished she knew how he was going and if he was okay, just like everyone else. Ducky had also been reminded of her own family, how she missed them all.
And last of all her thoughts settled on Trough, he seemed like a kind Swimmer even though he had been shown little kindness by the other children. He also seemed sad. “Well he had been beaten when I arrived” thought Ducky.
But he also seemed sad that he did not have the companionship that he deserved. But Ducky had also noticed his reaction to her. He had appeared to be totally captivated by her. He was interested in every word she said and appeared to be in a dreamlike state when he was in her arms. Did he really like her that much?
Ducky felt her stomach drop and a confusing feeling fell upon her. She had always been liked among her friends, family and other children in the Valley but no one aside from Petrie and Spike had ever expressed affection for her at such a level. She did not know what to think now, she did not know Trough very well and nor did he know her well. How was she supposed to handle a situation as delicate as this? She was swimming in very dark waters now.
Ducky pondered these thoughts until she arrived at the opening to the cave where Jane was playing contently in the shallow water with Cyrest keeping an observant eye on her and her surroundings. Sura was laying on the sandy beach and basking in the heat of the sun’s rays.
Upon arrival Sura looked up at Ducky with an inquisitive glance. “Well, you were away longer than expected, I don’t remember it taking so long for you to bath yourself in the stream dear” she said. She was evidently curious about what Ducky had been doing in her absence. She said she was just going to bath in the nearby stream.
“Nor do I remember you ever being dirtier then after having a good wash” stated Sura, eying Ducky’s feet and knees which where caked with brown river mud.
Ducky looked shocked she had forgotten all about her bath and about washing the mud off her feet after meeting Trough. She gave an embarrassed smile.
“What have you been doing dear?” asked Sura.
Ducky sighed, there was no point in hiding the truth from her mother. “I was going to have my bath” she said.
“But you obviously did not” said her mother.
Ducky nodded and began her tale about how she had stopped Trough from being beaten, how they talked and how he told her how his life had been. She also mentioned Trough’s herd were planning to go to The Great Valley for the Swimmer Trials.
When she had finished Sura looked at Cyrest with a contemplative expression. “This is certainly news” she said to him.
Cyrest nodded “Perhaps we can join them on the way back” he suggested.
Sura however appeared a little more worried. “What if Sculra has allies within that herd” she said.
“Oh Sura” groaned Cyrest. “Sculra is who knows how far away. Who would be loyal to her in a migrating herd? And even if there was one then how would she ever get a message to them about you if she is as you said to have hidden herself in the darkest corners of the Great Valley” reasoned Cyrest.
Sura looked thoughtful “I guess you have a point, I just hope your right and Ducky when you go back to the herd I would like you to be very careful and tell no one that you are going to do The Trial of Destiny dear, I don’t want you risk yourself like that” she said.
“Okay mama, but how did you know I wanted to back?” asked Ducky.
Sura chuckled as did Cyrest. “You like this Swimmer Trough, you were blushing the whole time you were talking about him”
Ducky looked absolutely mortified she had been unaware that she was blushing. Cyrest laughed at Ducky’s display but Sura looked a little more serious. “Dear, don’t rush into things here. You hardly know anything about Trough and I don’t want anything bad to happen to you, so just be cautious” she said putting a hand on her daughter and receiving her full attention.
“I’ll try to be careful mama I will I will but I don’t think Trough means me any harm” said Ducky in an attempt to reassure her mother.
“I’m sure he doesn’t but there might be someone else who does like those three bullies. Do you understand dear?” said Sura.
Ducky nodded “Yep yep yep” she said.
“Good, now I think you’d better get that mud off your knees dear” said Sura.
Ducky nodded and proceeded into the water near Jane and after scraping off all the mud joined her in a water fight. They splashed water at each other and laughed happily. Ducky hardly did any real manoeuvres when Jane splashed at her but rather let the water rain down upon her before splashing at Jane. The adults watched the two with smiles on their faces the atmosphere was very relaxed.
SPLASH!
Noon followed closely by Mo jumped high into the air before doing a display of acrobatic somersaults then landing back into the water and swimming up to the bank.
“Hello lazy bones!” joked Noon.
“Noon, Mo!” said Ducky in surprise and delight.
“To what do we owe the pleasure of your company Noon?” asked Sura.
“I would like to know that too” agreed Cyrest.
“I came because I had an idea that will help with Ducky’s training” said Noon.
The two adults looked inquisitively at Noon while Mo went to join Ducky and Jane. “I think that you should teach Ducky your wisdoms and then when she swims with us we can put what she has learned into practice” said Noon.
“That’s not a bad idea “said Cyrest “The Big Water is a great place for Ducky to test out her skills”.
“As long as I am with her and the tasks aren’t overly dangerous” added Sura.
Noon nodded. “We would never dream of putting your daughter in great danger Sura but we will present her with certain challenges. For example I believe that Ducky is currently working on refining all her underwater senses?” asked Noon to which both Sura and Cyrest nodded.
“What have you in mind for her first challenge?” asked Sura.
“There is a large underwater cave not too far down the coast from here. It is a labyrinth of caves that I know well. The deeper in you go the darker it gets until there is no light at all. I plan to swim into the centre of the caves and make a call out to her while she attempts to find me. You and Mo will be accompanying her of course so safety is all good and the cave will allow her to test her abilities in using her other senses to find me. So what do you think?” said Noon.
“I think it is a great idea!” said Cyrest enthusiastically “If Ducky can do this in a cave in The Big Water then The Crescent Caves should no problem”.
“I’m not sure” said Sura slowly. She thought the idea good but anything could happen in the ocean. “Are there any air bubbles in the cave?” questioned Sura.
“Not when it is high tide, no” replied Noon. Sura looked uneasy. “But if we go in at low tide then there won’t be any problem” said Noon quickly.
“Hmmmm” said Sura thoughtfully.
“Come on Sura, you want Ducky to survive the Trial don’t you?” said Cyrest in agitation.
“Yes but-“
“Then let her try this, she’ll be perfectly safe with you and Noon looking after her” said Cyrset.
Sura still looked uneasy but she consented. The three adults turned their heads to the children. “If we want to do this we have to do it now” said Noon.
Sure nodded but she had a very bad feeling about this expedition. She and Cyrest walked over to where Ducky, Mo and Jane where playing.
“Ducky” said Sura. Ducky looked at her mother with a happy smile. “We grown-ups have agreed that you will learn the wisdoms with Cyrest and then have a challenge with Noon in The Big Water” announced Sura.
Ducky nodded. “Your first challenge” said Noon “is to find me in an underwater cave system, were I will be calling out so you don’t get lost and your mother and Mo will also be joining you”.
“Okay” said Ducky, a little nervous.
“Right” said Noon to Sura “Let’s go before the tide comes in”.
Noon and Mo quickly departed followed closely by Sura and Ducky. Jane tried to follow but Cyrest brought her back to the shore. Meanwhile Noon led everyone along the coast past the tall cliffs situated along the coast they swam for a fair distance until they came to a depression in the cliff that reached into the water and this is where Noon stopped. “Well here we are” she said.
Ducky and Sura floated at the surface along with Mo. “Through that crevice is the entrance to the caves, you’ll know when it is time to begin when you here this” Noon made a high pitched whistle “Then Ducky it is up to you to find me, I will keep the whistling up when I am settled so you have a general idea of where to look” said Noon before disappeared beneath the water.
Ducky started to Hyperventilate in case the nearest air hole was far away. She took deep breaths in and out so as to eliminate her bodies need for air for a little longer. “You can do it Ducky” said her mother in a warm voice.
Ducky smiled even though she was nervous. “Stay close” she said.
“We will always be with you Ducky” said Mo.
Ducky felt a chill run up her spine when Mo said that. She remembered Swayer saying those exact same words. In the corner of her mind she wondered if Swayer was watching her from The Great Beyond or wherever people went when they died. She felt a little reassurance in that she was not alone here but she also knew that she would be alone when she faced her Trial.
Mo gave her a friendly slap with his fin. She could not help but smile at her friend. She was in safe hands…….or fins in Mo and Noon’s case but she was heightened to know that Mo was with her, he never failed in making her smile and she knew that both he and her mother would not let any harm come to her no matter what.
The wait drew on for an uneasy time in which no one said anything and Ducky became increasingly aware of her heart beating slowly as she tried to keep her breaths deep and slow so as not to overwhelm herself with tension. In all respects it was the calm before the storm. Ducky looked down into the clear waters below her that led into the darkness of the cave. Her impatience rose higher, why couldn’t Noon signal the start yet?
Finally after what felt like ages the high pitched whistle echoed out of the cave. The starting signal from Noon, which meant that she was ready and in position. Ducky looked at her mother who gave her an encouraging nod then at Mo who gave her an encouraging smile. Ducky felt a pleasant feeling of warmth come over her body. She knew that she could do this. So without further ado Ducky took a deep breath and plunged into the deep. She swam down towards the cave, the visibility was excellent here and the walls were littered with sponges and anemones.
Ducky swam into the darkness and soon all light was cut off, she had truly entered the cave now.
*
Ruphus was taking his turn to guard the nest it was good in a way to just stop and lay down but now it was torture. His body was slumped and limb on the ground as if it was pushed down by an invisible weight. The weight here was the news of Sura’s death. There was still a lot of red around Ruphus’s eyes from when he had been crying.
There was a pain deep in his heart but he did not know whether it was worth experiencing as he did not even know if the Flyer had been telling the truth but if he had been telling the truth…….No he did not want to linger on that. He just could not bear to lose Sura. The Flyer did recall a whole lot of injuries that would make survival very bleak and he did mention that Ducky was with Cyrest but he did not know for sure.
He had been debating for the past day whether or not he should go out and search for Sura even though reason told him to stay in the Valley and look after his family but a tormented mind rarely listens to reason as was Ruphus’s situation. How could he leave his children? But how could he bare to leave Ducky and Sura out in The Mysterious Beyond? And if Sura was dead…he thought of his children and closed his eyes tightly. It would simply devastate them. “Why couldn’t life be fair” he thought to himself.
He looked at the eggs and was reminded of the promise they contained, the promise of new life. He just had to hope that Sura was alive and that Ducky was safe.
The sound of footsteps approaching pulled him out of his dark train of thought as he looked up to see Merri settling herself down beside him. She looked sad but still retained her caring nature. They both looked at the eggs for a while.
“The children aren’t here” stated Merri. They had not told any of their young ones about the rumour of their mother’s death.
Ruphus sighed and looked at Merri. His eyes conveyed nothing but hurt and regret as did Merri’s. “Do you believe him?” he asked “Do you believe what that Flyer said?”
Merri looked down and closed her eyes, a few tears fell to the ground beneath her. “I don’t want to. But I can’t get what he said out of my mind” she said, her voice beginning to tremble. “I just hope that it’s not true but the way that Flyer described it he sounded like he was actually there but he is also untrustworthy” said Merri. She started to break down, her sobs becoming a bit more audible. Ruphus nuzzled her affectionately until she had calmed down. “I don’t know what to think” she said.
Ruphus looked a little hesitant but then finally said the idea that had been gnawing on his mind for the past day. “I am thinking of going out to find Sura and Ducky”.
Merri looked shocked “No Ruphus you can’t leave not now” she said in horror.
Ruphus looked away.
“You’ve got your children to look after” argued Merri “You can’t just abandon them, they need you right now”.
“And what about Sura and Ducky?” asked Ruphus. “They might need me, I can’t just sit around like this while they are in danger!” he yelled in suppressed anger. “I can’t believe it, I just had to know if Sura really is….”
They both broke down at that thought. The two Swimmers held tightly onto each other while they immersed in their grief. They both held each other’s hands tightly during this time as if they were the only things stable in the world.
Although Merri would not admit it to Ruphus but she too had the same idea of going out to find her sister. She loved her with all her heart and Ducky as well, she found it almost unbearable to sit here and wait. She might have run off if it had not been for a heartening chat with Grandma Longneck about how she felt after the Great Earthshake when her daughter and grandson were separated from her so she spoke to Ruphus exactly what she had told her that convinced her not to forsake the Valley and go on a foolhardy adventure that could easily turn out to be a wild goose chase.
“Do you think Sura would have wanted you to leave dear? Do you think she would want you forsaking your children and putting yourself in danger on the word of the untrustworthy Flyer that once helped kidnap Ducky?” asked Merri.
Ruphus felt ashamed. He certainly would not want to do the wrong thing by Sura.
Seeing that her rouse was working Merri continued “Sura would not want you risking your life for hers when she knew the risks of going out and she certainly would not want you to forsake any of the children, if Sura is……gone then you can at least honour her memory and legacy by looking after your children” said Merri in a trembling voice.
Ruphus sighed in defeat he knew in his heart that Merri was right, Sura would not want him to abandon their children on the word of untrustworthy rumours. No she would never abandon her children and nor will he, even if she was gone.
Ruphus nodded to Merri “I just wish I knew if she was okay” he said in a small voice.
“We all do Ruphus, we all do” replied Merri.
Ruphus and Merri turned their heads back to the seven eggs in the nest. Even when Sura was not around to provide comfort to either of them they could still find comfort in each other. But the question still remained. Was Sura alive? Everyone in the Valley just wished to know the answer to that question and they all sincerely hoped it was a good answer.