| Isengrim led everyone out of his home and up the cliff to the river that flowed over the falls. The river was hundreds of feet wide, but was bridged by a suspension bridge of wood and thick rope. They all walked to the middle of the bridge, standing a few feet above the rushing river. "This is the Waterfall of Fate," Isengrim said. "Keilich and I have both heard of it." "Why is it named so?" Clara asked. "It's named that," Keilich said, "because it is here where it is determined whether a mortal is a hero of S'Allumer. You jump into the river and allow yourself to drift over the falls. Should you survive the fall into the river below, you are blessed by S'Allumer and will fulfill your duties to him. It is not known to me what will happen if you are not blessed; I imagine certain death from falling." I can't believe this, Clara thought, shivering with fear. Thank goodness Kat isn't here to do this. "We will all do this, one at a time," Isengrim said. "Clara, I know you said your friend Kat was sealed within the orb, but she, too, can join us." "She can?" Clara asked. "Yes," Isengrim replied. "All you have to do is hold the orb in your hands as you drift over the falls. You must not let go of it." Clara was astounded. "But she's not here!" she exclaimed. "And if the orb is damaged, I will never be able to see her again!" Isengrim smiled. "Well, if she can't be here with you," he began, "she can at least be with you in spirit." Isengrim slid his head between the ropes that made up the guardrails of the bridge. "I will go first," he said. "If I am truly pure, I will return alive." The old cleric jumped into the river and began to be washed away with the tides. He drifted towards the edge of the cliff in the rapids, and finally tumbled off. He screamed as he fell, rushing through the waters that fell with him. His voice faded away as the other four people watched and listened. "Will he come back?" Clara asked, anxious to find out. "We shall see," Keilich said. "Look!" Erma cried, pointing to the edge of the waterfall. "There he is!" What Erma saw was her husband, suspended in midair, floating back towards the bridge. His clothing was soaking wet, and slightly ripped. His family, Clara, and Keilich watched with wonder as he was set down gently on the bridge. Finally, the magic that brought him back focused around his body; these powers dried his drenched body and his clothing. He had not a single injury. "I am destined to be a hero," he said, smiling. "Keilich, now you." Keilich put his staff down on the bridge and jumped into the river, followed soon after by Salem and Erma. They all fell down the waterfall, screaming all the way. Isengrim and Clara watched intently at the edge of the falls. After several seconds, the three were lifted from the water and carried back to the bridge. They were all suspended high above the ground and returned safely back to the bridge. "My family and my friend are safe, you see," Isengrim said to Clara. "You are the only one left." Clara looked down into the rushing river. "I am afraid, sir," she said, her eyes downcast. "You cannot be fearful," Isengrim reassured her. "In fact, I think of you as being very brave and adventurous. The fact that you were chosen by S'Allumer to complete his quest is deserving of immense praise, and the fact that you accepted such a task is an action of only the most brave individuals." He pointed toward the waterfall. "Jump in the water. And don't let go of that orb." Clara readied herself for the leap, the orb tighly clenched in her right hand, held firmly against her chest. With a deep breath, she wrapped her left hand around her fist for extra security. S'Allumer, guide me, she thought. With that, she jumped off the bridge. Next page >> |