Breach

Chapter Six

The twig snapping under Tamaan's foot telegraphs his intent. I duck, avoiding the roundhouse kick. Darting under him, I push up with my fist and land a solid blow on his stomach. With a whoosh, the air leaves him, and he stumbles back, gasping.

I straighten. "That move would've produced a better result if you'd remembered that the placement of your feet will give you away."

Tamaan grunts acknowledgement. I turn and reach for my water skin as I wait for him to get his breath back. The water's deliciously cool, but there's not enough of it. I shake the empty water skin, trying to squeeze a few more drops out. It's no use. "We need more water. Let's talk while we walk."

Reaching for my over-shirt, hanging on a nearby branch, I sling it over my head before heading deeper into the forest. This particular part of the forest isn't as familiar to me as other areas. Probably because the hunting isn't especially productive here. I happened upon this clearing only a week ago and was reminded of it when thinking of a place I could spend time training Tamaan without the rest of the enclave knowing.

Strange that it has remained hidden for so long. Most other spots this secluded and close to home have been ferreted out and are favorites for romantic liaisons. I pick my way through the underbrush, careful not to disturb the vegetation. I'm pleased to hear Tamaan being just as cautious as me. After all, we don't want anyone else finding this place. A random thought strikes me. How has the clearing remained free of vegetation without pruning?

"I thought we were going to talk as we walked?" Tamaan says, breaking my line of thought.

"Yes," I reply before launching into an analysis of his attack and my counter-attack, pointing out areas where he could've altered his approach to be more effective. I'm so engrossed in analyzing things in my mind I almost fall into the pool.

It appears out of nowhere, and I check my bearings. How is it that within a week I find not one, but two areas I've never seen before? Or maybe they were here all along, and I just kept missing them by being slightly off-track? Deciding this must be the reason, I gaze at the pool.

It's breathtaking. From its deep azure hue, I'd guess the pool's deep. Rocks surround it on all sides, bright green moss growing on the shady, north facing sides. The sunlight, dipping into this little piece of heaven through the opening created by the lack of tree limbs overhead, is a shaft of pure gold. It reflects off the water, throwing shimmering light all around. I search for a water source, but don't find it.

"Did you know this was here?" Tamaan breathes next to me, his voice so full of awe as to be almost inaudible.

"No, I've never seen it before."

"Why are you frowning?" Tamaan asks.

I scratch my head. "If that's north," I say, pointing back in the direction we came from, "then that means the river that flows past the village should be there." I indicate, and Tamaan nods. "It follows then that the lake should be that way, and the beaver dam should be over there." I point as I go.

"So?"

"How does this pool fit into that picture? The river would have to take a serious turn to reach this part."

Tamaan shrugs. "Perhaps it's a side stream that feeds into the main river?"

I evaluate the comment, but however much I do the math, it still doesn't seem feasible. "Perhaps. Let's fill up our skins and get back to training."

I amble over to a section where the rocks allow easier access to the water. Clambering over the boulders, I'm amazed at how difficult they are to negotiate. Obstacles like this don't usually pose a problem for me. Determined, I pick my way across the rocks, even more surprised when I'm breathing heavily by the time I reach the boulder closest to the water. I bend down to fill my skin.

It happens so suddenly I almost don't realize I've slipped until the water's closing over my head. I kick with my feet, aiming to get back to the surface. But the water feels . . . wrong. There's nothing to push against. I kick harder. But I keep sinking.

Panic sets in. Everyone knows I hate water. Ever since I fell into the river as a kid when my guardians weren't attentive enough and I almost drowned. Thrashing my arms in addition to my legs, I try again. But some unseen force is dragging me down. I lift my head, watching as the trees rimming the pool fade to blackness. Then even the light that made the pool seem so inviting disappears.

My lungs are going to burst. I can feel the blood beating against my brain as it demands air. Black spots dance in front of my eyes. I can't hold out much longer. Vaguely, I wonder where Tamaan is. Did he not see me fall in? Why isn't he here to save me?

I can't help it. I open my mouth and draw in. . . air? It's not water. I'm not choking like I did the day I almost drowned. Tentatively, I try another breath. As my body accepts relief from the deprivation, it demands more air. Greedily, I gulp it down.

Only when the need is satiated do I notice my surroundings. Or the lack thereof. It's like I'm in some sort of void. No sound. No smell. Just me. In a pool of light that has no apparent source. And the blackness beyond. I take a few steps forward. The light moves with me. What is this place?

I remain where I am, my mind galloping as I consider my options. Clearly, I was at the edge of the pool. Then I fell in—or was I pulled in? The more I deliberate that point, the more pervasive the chill in my bones gets. Yes, I was definitely pulled into the pool, then sucked down here. How am I going to get back?

I become aware of a new sensation. The reverberations quaking through my body. Like a small pulse beating in time to some ancient rhythm. It reminds me of the way my body feels when the drums are hit too hard. Yet there's no sound.

Slowly, I turn, inspecting my surroundings. Nothing's changed. I don't know why I expected it would. I half turn, but there it is. Again. The slight change in the rhythm thudding through me. Did it just get a little louder? I laugh, the sound muted in this strange place. Impossible that something I can't even hear could get louder. Then again. . . I test what happens when I turn away. Yes, the sound is definitely softer, the beating against my body not as intense. I turn back to where the rhythm was loudest and take a step forward. This time, the difference is unmistakable. I take another step, then another as the drumming through my body intensifies.

While there's no pain, the sensation is uncomfortable. Does that mean I should be walking away instead of toward whatever is causing this? Something glints in the darkness beyond the light. I tense. A predator? No, it's not eyes. Something else.

I creep forward. The light catches again. A blue spark. The thudding in my veins is now almost indistinguishable from that of my heart. Then the light exposes what it's hiding. I gasp.