Chapter 28 So where is River?
Daphne
The forest whispers secrets to me, the wind carrying the scent of moss and damp earth as I gather herbs for my potions. Sunlight filters through the towering trees, casting dappled shadows across the forest floor. I’m one with the woods, a part of the magic that thrums beneath the surface. Today, however, the air feels heavy, charged with an energy that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
I pause, sensing a disturbance… a chaotic burst of sound that shatters the serenity of my surroundings. I close my eyes, focusing my energy, and feel it: a battle. Wolves and bears clashing, a struggle for survival echoing through the trees. My heart races. I know I should stay away, but something compels me to investigate.
I move swiftly, weaving through the underbrush, my feet barely making a sound. The sounds grow louder, and then I see it through the eyes of my bird friends… a clearing filled with the chaos of fur and teeth. My own eyes widen as I take in the scene: a werewolf, fierce and powerful, is surrounded by three werebears.
Then, in a heart-stopping moment, the werewolf, River, lunges to save a younger warrior, and I catch a glimpse of something catastrophic about to unfold. Everything goes wrong, and in a flash, he’s falling… plummeting into the abyss below.
“No!” The word escapes my lips before I can hold it back. I react on pure instinct, my magic surging through me in a desperate bid to cushion his fall. I clasp my hands together, calling upon the earth itself. Leaves, moss, and underbrush rise up in a swirling mass beneath him, a soft landing that would break his fall.
The impact is still jarring, the ground quaking as he hits the pile of foliage. I watch, breathless, as he lies motionless, his body still and fragile. Panic grips my heart. I rush to where he landed. River is unconscious, his dark hair fanned out around him like a halo, his breathing shallow.
A growl rumbles behind me, and I turn to see a bear, just a normal bear, a big one with shaggy fur and wise eyes. He must have sensed the commotion and come to investigate. I know this bear well… he’s a gentle giant, a guardian of the forest who often wanders near my hut. “Come here, friend,” I whisper, urgency lacing my voice. “We need to help him.”
The bear approaches, his massive form looming over River’s still body. I place my hands on the bear’s fur, feeling the warmth radiate from him. “Can you carry him?” I ask, knowing that time is of the essence. I can’t leave River here, not when he’s so vulnerable.
The bear grunts and lowers himself. I carefully help maneuver the werewolf into the bear’s sturdy arms, praying that he remains undisturbed. The bear stands tall, and I lead the way through the thick forest, my heart pounding with worry.
As we walk, I can’t shake the sense of dread that settles in my stomach. River’s wolf is strong, but will it be enough to heal him? Werewolves are resilient, but they’re also fragile in their human forms. The fall was steep, and there’s no telling what injuries he’s sustained.
When we finally reach my hut, I push the door open, the familiar scent of herbs and wildflowers enveloping us. I guide the bear inside and gently help him lay River down on my bed. The bear snorts softly and steps back, watching with his intelligent eyes.
I begin to assess River’s injuries, my hands trembling as I brush the hair from his face. There’s a bruise forming on his temple, and a cut grazes his cheek. I take a deep breath, focusing on the healing magic that flows within me. “Stay with me, River,” I murmur, though I know he can’t hear me. “I’m here.”
I gather a few sprigs of yarrow and some comfrey, known for their restorative properties. With deft fingers, I crush the herbs, mixing them with a bit of honey and applying the paste to his wounds. I can feel the energy pulsing between us, a connection that ignites a flicker of hope within me.
“Please, let your wolf heal you,” I whisper, my voice barely above a breath. I place my palm over his heart, allowing my magic to intertwine with his essence, hoping to reach his wolf deep within. I close my eyes, envisioning the bond they share, the strength that lies dormant and waiting to awaken.
Time stretches, each second a small eternity filled with worry. I can feel the pulse of life beneath my hand, but River remains unresponsive.
The bear shifts, his massive form leaking up almost half my hut, as if to offer silent support. I glance at him, feeling a strange kinship with the creature. “You know, you’re not so different from us,” I say softly. “We all protect our own in the end.”
With each passing moment, I pour more of my energy into him, hoping to coax his spirit back to the surface. I feel the stirrings of his wolf, a deep, primal force that thrums beneath the surface, but it’s trapped, held back by the weight of his unconsciousness.
“Come on, River,” I plead, desperation creeping into my voice. “You’re stronger than this. Fight.” The air around us thickens with magic, swirling in a gentle breeze as I continue to call out to him, weaving my enchantment through the very fabric of his being.
Suddenly, I feel a flicker… a spark of awareness beneath my hand. It’s faint, but it’s there. My heart leaps as I concentrate harder, urging him to awaken. “I believe in you,” I whisper, my voice steadying as I focus all my intentions on reaching him.
The bear shifts again, and I sense a change in the atmosphere. The shadows seem to recede, and I can almost feel the forest holding its breath, waiting for River to respond. “You can do this,” I murmur, the words flowing like a chant. “Come back to us.”
As I hold my breath, I see the flicker turn into a glow, a warmth spreading from his heart to the rest of his body. I can feel his wolf stirring, pushing against the barrier of unconsciousness, and I know… he’s fighting.
In that moment, hope blooms within me, and I know that this battle is far from over, but River is fighting to return and his wolf is fighting to heal him.