Dark clouds loomed on the horizon threatening rain. After fishing all day at the river, Marwynn and Farrell packed up their catch and heading for home. It was in truth all of Farrell’s fish, Marwynn had caught exactly zero fish. Farrell on the other hand had a full line of fat, juicy fish.
Farrell, the persistent joker, turned to Marwynn, “What is the best way to catch a fish?”
“I don’t know, what?” Marwynn sighed.
“Have someone throw it at you!” Farrell quipped
“Hold on, hold on! I got another one!” he struggled not to giggle at Marwynn’s stoic and unamused face.
“Why did the fish cross the road?” Farrell asked.
Marwynn pretended not to hear and continued walking, he knew that indulging Farrell with a response would only encourage him. Not dissuaded, Farrell answered his own question, “Cause it was hooked!” In fits of giggling he saw the slightest curve of a smile on Marwynn’s lips.
Marwynn implored him, “Farrell, stop.”
“Aww don’t be so sore Marwynn, maybe you’ll catch one next time,” Farrell nudged him.
Not willing to dignify him with a response, Marwynn continued in silence. The ominous clouds and rumbling overhead cast a dark gloom over the forest. Farrell, taking the hint, changed the subject, “Maybe Muriel will notice me now, eh?”
“It would be hard not to with that big head of yours.” Marwynn declared.
“Lighten up will ya, don’t be such a wet blanket.” Farrell smirked at Marwynn.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Returning his smirk with a snigger, neither Marwynn or Farrell saw the figure running through the trees straight at them. Declan appeared out of the darkening brush and plowed right into Marwynn, knocking him to the ground.
Farrell grabbed Declan by the shirt, lifting him up, and said, “Hey! Watch where you’re going!”
Declan exhausted from running, had nothing left so he begged, “Please, help me.”
Farrell had a fistful of shirt in his hand and noticed a symbol on the clasp that held this man’s cloak. Immediately he let go and fell to his knees. With a trembling voice he said, “Forgive me your majesty, I did not see you.”
Declan stood and pleaded, “Please, get up.”
Farrell was caught off guard by the kindness in his voice and looked up. A royal was actually smiling. Before he could respond, he heard it. Thwip! An arrow was whistling through the air. Before he could think, he jumped up and pushed Declan out of the way. The arrow made a sickening thud into Farrell’s side.
From the ground a gut wrenching “No!” escaped Marwynn’s lips as he watched his best friend fall to the ground.
The air in the forest felt electrified Overhead the thunder rumbled its warnings and the glimmers of lightning where getting closer. Fat raindrops began to fall from the canopy of trees overhead. Declan aware that the archer was not far behind crawled towards Farrell and gently rolled him over.
Farrell looked for Marwynn, “Marwynn..”
Marwynn reached him and scolded him, “Don’t speak, you’re going to be fine.”
Ignoring him, Farrell say “Marwynn… I.. I’m so cold…”
Declan pulled off his cloak and draped it over Farrell’s body. A blinding flash with an immediate boom sounded so loud that Declan had to cover his ears. The sky opened up and the rain fell in sheets around them. The tree that had been struck crashed down taking branches with it and falling onto the path a small distance from where the archer had been standing.
Declan peered up over the bushes and looked to where the tree had fallen. Through the rain he saw the sprawled figure of a lifeless man underneath the tree. He knew he could finally stop running. Turning back towards the men before him, Farrell was looking paler by the moment.
Marwynn looked up at Declan in anguish, “Would you please help me get him to the village? It’s not far. A healer lives there.”
Without a word, Declan moves to help. Hoisting Farrell’s arm over his shoulder, Marwynn takes the other side. Through the pouring rain the three of them ambled slowly to the village.
