Chapter 30

The Forests of Ayumah

- Water, the wine of life, the blood of the earth -

Thonavar was tired.

And it was rare for him to be tired. Running for hours at a time was something he was well-familiar with. After all, back in the streets and slums of city below, Alexis’ boys hunted him for sport all.

Why am I so tired? I should be stronger.

He was irritated.

Perhaps, it was the lack of food he had been given the day before. Perhaps, it was the open landscape and the increasing level of heat generated by the sun which was now moving out into the middle of the sky.

Moreover, he was surprised that Lyla was able to keep pace with him. In fact, she did not seem to be tired at all. She had been keeping pace with Thonavar since they had left the hill. Chaeron, on the other hand, made no attempt to hide his discomfort and looked close to exhaustion.

The three of them had chosen to start off at jog unlike some of the other boys and girls who looked supremely strong and confident in their physical abilities. Thonavar was starting to think that the three boys who had started off at a blistering pace were truly extraordinary. They were nowhere to be seen.

Across the vast swathes of surrounding grassland, Thonavar could make out tiny figures running at various speeds but all heading in the direction of the white-capped mountains in the distance. The landscape before them was not easy terrain. There were many small hills and valleys that they had to ascend and descend, and the constant uphill and downhill was proving difficult for the trio, especially Chaeron. Behind them, the hill where they had left Biron Malcus, the overseer, was so far away that it looked like one of the many hills they had left behind

On one of these many hills, Thonavar and Lyla had stopped to examine the landscape before them. Chaeron was glad for the break, and took the opportunity to catch his breath. The trio had then identified several stops for water and rest, and planned a general route to the cold mountains based on these strategic locations. Eager to travel under the cover of the forest canopies, Chaeron pointed out the need to find shade to hide from the midday sun as the heat was fast becoming unbearable.

Thonavar recalled the words of Biron Malcus. When the sun comes out at midday, ayumah will be vulnerable to blistering waves of heat.

It was almost midday and it was getting very hot. Perspiring profusely, with sleeves rolled up, Thonavar called a halt and decided for the sake of their diminishing strength to continue under the shade of a nearby forest. They could walk through the forest and still be covering ground. He was sure the forest stretched in the direction of the mountains. Lyla voiced her agreement with this plan for they had initially chosen to run along the edge of the forest to a water point they had marked out while planning.

However, it was difficult to run while within the forest for the terrain was filled with thick knotted roots and bushes. One could easily twist an ankle or trip and fall badly if he or she were not careful.

The trio then set toward a nearby forest.

Chaeron did not say much but looked strangely relieved.

Perhaps he is conserving his energy, thought Thonavar.

Entering the forest, the trio reduced their speed to a brisk walk and moved along the sides of the forest. Peering into the depths of the forest, Thonavar saw that it was dark and slightly more difficult to walk. But it was cooler inside and they needed to escape from the heat. The trio entered the forest cautiously and instantly, the temperature plummeted. Coming under the shade of the overarching canopies, Thonavar felt as if someone had doused a bucket of water upon his head.

It was now midday.

The sun was now in the sky and even from inside the forest under the cool of the trees, Thonavar felt the scorching heat of the sun bearing down upon the land all around. He knew that Lyla and Chaeron were thankful they had found shade within the forest. However, their faces were flushed. Thonavar knew they had to reach a water point soon for they were fast reaching the point of exhaustion, or worse, dehydration.

Leaping over a fallen log, Thonavar’s ears pricked up.

He had heard something.

Lyla came up beside him.

"Why are you stopping?"

Her face was flushed and Thonavar could see that she was exhausted. Her eyes, however, remained sharp and focused. But Thonavar focused on the sound he had hear moments ago. His eyes widened.

"Do you not hear that Lyla? Listen!"

Lyla fell silent, her face frowning in concentration as she sought to hear what he had heard. A faint gushing sound could be heard coming from within the forest.

Water!

Hope blossomed on Lyla’s face.

"You hear that?"

"Aye, water!"

"Come let us take a look to see if there is fresh water to drink," said Thonavar to Lyla, his face excited.

Lyla nodded vigorously and proceeded to go. But Thonavar stopped in his tracks. Something was amiss.

"Wait, where is Chaeron?"

Thonavar turned around but there was no sign of Chaeron. Lyla gave Thonavar a look of concern. Thonavar wasted no time. He ran past her and back up the trail they had covered.

"Chaeron! Where are you?"

Thonavar shouted as he ran. But there was no answer.

"Chaeron!"

Climbing atop the fallen log he had leapt over, he cursed.

There, sprawled out in the mud, was Chaeron. His eyes were closed.

"Helping him will only slow us down," said Lyla. "He does not belong here. He should go back to his fancy home up in city above."

Anger flared up within Thonavar.

"And suppose the same happened to you? We would not leave you-."

"I would not be surprised nor would I blame the two of you for leaving me behind," replied Lyla coldly.

"Lyla," said Thonavar, coming up to look her in the eye. "This is not what friends do to each other. If we are to be friends, we must help each other."

Lyla looked uncomfortable and could not bring herself to look Thonavar back in the eye.

"Fine," she said. "What do you suggest?"

"We have to get him up before the overseer or the other evil-looking one finds him like this. If he is not able to continue, he will not be able to be arrive at Sanctum’s gates," said Thonavar, peering over him.

"But what if he is unable to walk? Surely, he would only be a burden."

A groan came from Chaeron.

"Fools, I have not collapsed yet. I just needed a rest", mumbled Chaeron, and he squinted up at Thonavar and Lyla.

Relief flooded through Thonavar and he shook his head, stifling a chuckle. Lyla appeared relieved but her anger was apparent. She frowned and was about to issue a retort when Thonavar shook his head and gestured for her not to argue back. Lyla swallowed her words and together they helped Chaeron to his feet.

But it was not over.

Thonavar could see that Chaeron was pale and flushed, with mouth hanging slightly slack. His eyes were manic and he was panting heavily.

Lyla looked at Thonavar, her look telling.

He does not look good.

Thonavar had seen this before. Back in school he had stopped to help a boy who had collapsed during the annual race.

Chaeron’s condition was as serious, if not, more serious than that boy’s condition. Chaeron’s lips were flaked and dry. His body was starting to twitch and spasm uncontrollably. Chaeron was almost dehydrated and his muscles were drained of water. He could no longer exert full control over them. His eyelids flickered and it looked like he was losing consciousness.

"We have to get him to water," said Thonavar, his expression serious. "And we have to go. Now!"

Lyla nodded.

"Quick, help me carry him!"

"Where to?"

"The water!"

Together, they half-carried and half-dragged Chaeron toward the sound of rushing water they had heard previously. Chaeron had fallen unnaturally silent. Thonavar was beginning to fear the worst.

After a few minutes of tripping over roots and crashing through bushes, the sound of rushing water could be heard more audibly, and with renewed urgency they pressed on.

Finally, they found the source of the noise. It was a shallow fast-flowing fresh-water stream, about the width of a fully-grown man. Thonavar and Lyla brought Chaeron to the riverbank. Lyla cupped her hands and scooped some water for Chaeron to drink. But Chaeron’s eyelids fluttered madly before becoming still. Lyla looked at Thonavar, her eyes wide.

"Listen Chaeron," urged Thonavar. "You must drink!"

To his astonishment, Chaeron nodded frantically, bent his hand low and sucked up completely the water that was in Lyla’s cupped hands. Lyla threw a look of astonishment at Thonavar before quickly running back to the river to retrieve more water for Chaeron while Thonavar held Chaeron’s head up. After a few more drinks of water, Thonavar and Lyla could see Chaeron becoming noticeably more lucid and in control of his movements.

Suddenly, Chaeron stood to his feet in a burst of energy, and catapulted himself into the stream much to the shock of both Thonavar and Lyla, screaming at the top of his lungs.

"Wahooooooooooo!"

Alarmed by this sudden movement, Thonavar shouted, rushing to the edge of the stream. "Chaeron!"

A big splash followed.

A brown-haired boy surfaced grinning from ear to ear.

Staring in him in half-shock and half-amusement, Lyla shook her head, pursed her lips and folded her arms.

Thonavar could not resisting smiling back at Chaeron.

"Chaeron, are you alright?"

"Ah, that feels much better."

At this, Thonavar saw Lyla glaring at Chaeron. He appeared unperturbed.

"What was all that about? Were you pulling our leg? You could have died!"

Chaeron shook his head, bobbing about in the water.

"Was no joke, I am afraid. I think I was very thirsty."

"You were dehydrated," said Thonavar. "You could have had a heat stroke."

"A heat stroke?"

"Yes, which could lead to brain damage, you fool", said Lyla. "Fortunate that you do not have much brains to start out with."

"Ah, you are upset. I apologise for the inconvenience I have caused to you both. I am much better now," he replied.

Upon hearing this, Lyla’s expression softened and she nodded, accepting Chaeron’s apology.

"The water is refreshing. Let us rest here for a bit," suggested Thonavar.

"Good idea," said Chaeron and he dropped below the surface of the water, before emerging again. "The water is deep but not that deep."

A sudden wave of exhaustion overtook Thonavar and he stumbled into the river. At the corner of his eye, he saw Lyla too easing herself into the water. Thonavar disappeared underwater and could almost hear the water hissing as it touched his burning forehead.