Page 28 of Sword of Rage
In the dark, it was difficult to see how quickly they were approaching the cliff, and Ackley had no desire to smash into it.
“I hear the waterfall,” Gytha said, still paddling with her hands.
“Head straight for it,” Ledger commanded. “The cave is just past it.”
Nausea rolled through Ackley. Leaning over the side of the boat, he vomited. The oar slipped through his hand. Not wanting to lose it, he grabbed it before it disappeared under the water. Knowing that all three people in the boat were staring at him, he refused to face them. Instead, he reached down, splashing water on his forehead and neck. He needed to pull it together. Otherwise, he’d lose all credibility with his companions.
“Are you okay?” Harley asked gently.
“I’m fine,” he snapped, not liking that she saw this side of him. Something that made him vulnerable. Weak.
“I see the cave,” Gytha said, capturing everyone’s attention. “It’s to the left of the waterfall.”
Situating himself back on the bench seat, Ackley clutched the oar and began rowing again. The faster he rowed, the sooner they’d reach the cave and he could get out of this blasted boat.
Since Ledger had his back to the cliff, Ackley made sure to steer them toward the cave’s entrance. The closer they got, the more concerned he became. “So this cave,” he said, already suspecting the answer but not quite believing it, “are we just going to…row into it?” In the dead of night? Without a torch?
“Yes,” Ledger answered. “When we go in, the boat will hit bottom. Once it’s secure, we’ll climb out. We should have no trouble even at night.”
Ackley sincerely doubted that.
“A light is rounding the cove,” Gytha said, panic laced in her voice. “We need to get in that cave. Fast.”
“Almost there,” Ackley said, huffing.
While he steered the boat, the strong swell made it difficult to stay on course. Fighting the water, he used his strength to row hard and fast, aiming for the dark entrance to the cave. As they neared it, the water became even more turbulent.
Shoving his oar forward, he pulled it back, again and again. His shoulders burned. The swell increased, sending the boat up and down. His head pounded, and his stomach cramped. He wouldn’t last much longer. They were just about to reach the entrance.
“Steady,” Ledger said.
Ackley lifted his oar, reached forward with it, and accidentally clipped Harley’s outstretched arm when the boat dipped down.
She yelped and tumbled out of the boat and into the dark ocean below.
Harley
Frigid water and sheer darkness enveloped Harley. The heaviness of her wet dress weighed her down, making it difficult to kick her legs. Unable to resurface, panic consumed her. She was going to die. No, she chided herself, she would not die here tonight. After surviving the takeover and witnessing her brother’s murder, she would find a way to survive. She needed to avenge Hollis’s death and make Russek pay for what they did. She had too much to accomplish to drown now.
Frantically reaching out, she sought the boat. If she could find it, she could hang on. If that didn’t work, she’d attempt to remove her dress, freeing herself from it.
Strong fingers gripped her right wrist, yanking her head above water. She heaved in large gulps of air, her lungs stinging. Ackley and Gytha hauled her over the side and into the boat. Voices shouted around her, but she couldn’t focus on any of them as she collapsed on the floor of the boat, coughing. She rolled over and expelled some of the water she’d inadvertently consumed during her near drowning. Gytha hit her back, yelling something in her ear. Harley clutched the bench seat, trying to calm her shaking body, stinging lungs, and ragged breathing. She was alive.
The boat slammed into something, startling her. Complete darkness—similar to underwater—surrounded her.
“I’ll get out first,” Ledger said, his voice somewhat panicked. “Ackley, use your oar to keep us from being pulled back out.” The boat shifted. “It’s only knee deep.” There were some splashing noises. “I’ve got a hold on the boat. Everyone out.”
“I can’t see a thing,” Gytha muttered. “Where do we go?” The boat shifted again.
“I don’t know,” Ledger snapped. “Figure it out.”
“Well now,” Gytha said, her voice singsong. “I’m just a frail little woman. I don’t know if I can do anything without a man.”
“You’re right,” Ledger said. “I’m sorry I was curt with you. I will escort you from the cave momentarily.”
“Oh bloody hell,” Ackley muttered, the boat shifting again. “She was joking.” Slim fingers curled around Harley’s waist. “Come on,” he said, his voice close to her ear. He lifted her out of the boat, then swung her up into his arms, carrying her onto the shore.
Unable to see in the dark cave, Harley clung to Ackley’s shirt, feeling his solid strength beneath. She was alive.
