Seach, Stumble, and Fall
"O.k. Just let me get this straight. Some people saw Shadow Things,
just like we did, only they were seen fighting with blades. So we are
going to investigate "NInja Shadow Beings from WHo-KNows-WHere"?"
Grumped Sage.
"Yep" Grinned Rowan shifting the Weight of his hiking pack.
Rowan had convinced everyone,with Ryo's help, that THEY needed to check
out the Shadow People, because it was their duty as Ronin Warriors to
make sure it wasn't a threat to the mortal world. Of coarse, Sage, Sai,
Kento, and Ryo knew that Rowen had discovered a mystery and would go
with or without the others, regardless, he was going to find out what
was going on.
So the Ronins found themselves with packs and camping gear trudging
through the woods looking for shadow what-evers.
"Well there's nothing over here!"Yelled Ryo, who'd strayed from the path
to investigate a noise," JUst a rabbit"
"GUys, how much farther? THis is boring, we've been out here for hours,
and found nothing. How 'bout a break?" Asked Kento.
"I'm with Kento" said Sai.
"Alright everyone take a few" Said Ryo, who'd just returned.
"I'll scout ahead" said Rowen, as he pushed through some brush and
continued onward.
"O.k. who's idea was this?" Whined Sage" We have found nothing, so maybe
the shadow people are gone. Or maybe they know we're here and won't
show. I mean come on. This is stupid"
"Is someone scared?" Asked Ryo.
"NO!" Said Sage.
"Suuuure" said Sai.
" Really, I just think it's dumb. That's All."
"Who are ya trying to convince?' asked Kento.
"You" Shrugged Sage, not sounding convincing.
"So who's up fore a swim?" Asked Sai.
"Sai, there's no water." Said Ryo.
"Yes there is, just beyond that grove of trees"
"We should wait for Rowen" Said Sage.
"Where is Rowen?" Asked Ryo.
" He said that he was going to scout ahead" Said Kento.
" Yeah he should be back by now" Said Ryo.
"Rooowwen!" Yelled Sage. There was no answer.
" He can't be that far off" Said Sage.
"Let's go look for him, maybe he just didn't hear us" Suggested Sai.
"Yeah, lets not split up, though" said Sage.
"He went that way" Said Kento.
" Kay then that's where we're headed" said Ryo starting off. I
shouldn't have let him go alone, thought Ryo, what if something has
happened to him.
"Roooowen!" bellowed Kento.
They searched for Rowen until the moon was high in the sky.
" WHere could he be!" Shouted Sai uncharacteristic.
"Sokay Sai, He might have found his way back to the cabin or something"
Said Ryo.
"If anything hurt Rowen......" Kento let the threat hang. Sage just
shook.
"We should make camp and search in the morning" Said Sai.
" Are you just gonna give up?" Asked Kento.
"No! We can't help him when we can't see 5 feet in front of our faces.
We need rest. We'll start again in the morning" Whispered Sai fiercely.
" Sai's right let set up camp. We can search first thing in the
morning." Said Ryo.
So they rolled out their sleeping bags and lay down, each with their own
twisting thoughts about Rowen and what could have happened to him.
Sleep soon claimed them all.
"Dee duh dum da dee Dum day dutta dutta day" was the sad, haunting flute
melody that woke Sage. Sage groaned and sat slowly peering about him.
"Wha-?" Grumbled Sage.
Then suddenly he was wide awake. Maybe, that's what lured Rowen away,
thought Sage, I've got to see what it is.
So Sage quietly slank away from his friends to investigate that eerie
melody. He had carefully followed the melody for about five minutes
when he came to a river. He remembered Sai saying something about
swimming the day before and figured that must be where Sai wanted to
swim. The melody was stronger, and beckoned him from across the river.
"I've gotta get across" Said Sage to no one in particular.
He peered upstream and saw some rocks, but they didn't quite go all the
way across. They looked almost like a dam that had broken. Sage
shuddered. He looked downstream and saw a large log that had fallen
across the river. That should do it, he thought. He proceeded
downstream towards the log. The log was thick, with little notches and
bumps along it. Sage mounted the log and started to cautiously cross.
He got about halfway across when he tripped on a notch. He windmilled
wildly, and caught his balance. Whew, he thought, that current looks
wild. He took another step stubbed his toe on a bump, yelped, and fell,
lost to the current. He swirled madly spiralling he knew not up or
down. He tried to swim, but his limbs failed him. his lungs were
burning. Thud! Sage hit a large, jagged rock beneath the water.
Struggling for consciousness, Sage's last thoughts were of strong arms
pulling him out of the water, a figure, and .... a flute?