Passion of the Liger

Chapter 43 - Swan Dive for Love

            "Please!" said Maruska, "Spare his life."

"No!" said Bastion, "Today I will be rid of this pest forever." He turned to the guards on the wooden plank, "Push him over!"

One of the guards, nervous at being so high up, poked his spear at Anton, but missed.

"Bastion!" said Maruska, "I am begging you, please, spare his life!"

"I am the King," said Bastion, "Do not tell me what to do."

Once again, he turned to the guards and said, "Push him down!"

This time, the both guards moved into position and poked their spears at him.

"Stop!" said Maruska.

They stopped when they heard her cry out, so desperate it was.

"Please, Bastion," said Maruska, "You say that you love me, please do this for me. Spare his life."

The King screamed in frustration. "Why do you care so much about this wretch? This man who betrayed you and left you for dead? It was I that cared for you all these years and did everything you wished, and you don't even look at me."

"I love him," said Maruska.

Bastion was burning with up with rage. "I said, push him in!"

Now the guards thrust their spears at Anton with gusto. Anton dodged the first, but the second pierced his chest and he toppled over and fell backwards!

Maruska saw only one thing, Anton falling backwards towards the water below. At this point, nothing else in the world mattered to her. She zipped past Bastion on the wooden platform and sprinted down the plank, skipping around the two guards and then jumped off the edge, swan diving after Anton! She was met with a terrifying sight. Anton was plummeting down, against the backdrop of a giant gaping mouth! The legendary sea creature was flying up from the water, ready to eat its offering.

"ZOOMBALA NE CORTEGA!" Maruska screamed.

Pure fire came out of her hands, two torrential blasts of orange flame! She aimed it so that it would not hit Anton, but would burn Shai'Susu. The sea creature immediately closed its maw and withdrew back into the cool, watery depths.

Maruska breathed a sigh of relief. She closed her eyes. It was one of the most powerful spells she knew and she had put all her energy into it; she would be tired for days. But she was happy. It had been worth it. And then the water hit her.

Hard.

She had never, ever been hit so hard. She felt her body go down into the water for a long time. Eventually she began to float up again. She gasped as she reached the surface. The pain from the impact screaming at her, but she paid no heed. Her eyes scanned the water for Anton. His hands had been tied! Would he drown?

Then she saw it. A splash to her right and before she could even think, she was swimming over to him. She grabbed him and said, "Calm down, I've got you."

Anton stopped flailing his body and went to float on his back. Maruska dived underneath him, and undid the rope binding his wrists.

When she surfaced, Anton put his arms around her. She suddenly felt an overhwleming feeling of warmth, peace and joy. She was back where she belonged.