The Princess and the Pirate, Ch 16, The Storm

The weary group of travelers awoke early in the morning, ready to continue their journey. They devoured a hasty breakfast, and brought as many provisions with them they could carry. Humidity hung in the still, oppressive air like a thick, wet blanket, making each step an arduous task as the sun climbed its invisible arch in the sky. Clouds began to follow them from the skies above the sea like so many blackened cotton balls tossed upon the floor. No one mentioned this fact, but everyone pressed on all the harder as the tropical storm drew and gathered weapons to express her royal temper.

They kept under the cover of the trees. Going in this way was second nature to Christopher, for he routinely took these paths to protect his privacy and serenity as he went from the castle to the sea and back. He always avoided the towns along the way, but now it was imperative that they do so. They could not risk the princess falling into the hands of their enemies. Just after lunch, the storm struck with all its fury. Lightning filled the sky like an angry Titan. Rain flew in sideways, stinging Fioretta's exposed skin like a hoard of insects. Wind bent trees and howled like a banshee in its attempts to snap them. The tiny group all held hands as they continued on, hoping to find one of Christopher's caves to escape the dangers they now faced. Every muscle in Fioretta's body ached. Her feet hurt from their shoe less abuse. The party constantly battled to remain upright as one or two would slide down in the mud.

When they finally came upon one of Christopher's caves, it had been blocked by a rock slide. Fioretta was glad the rain hid the tears that streamed unbidden down her face. They pressed on. Fioretta was thankful they did not have to climb the actual mountains themselves. It was difficult enough to hug the foothills as they traveled through the storm. They could barely see for all the rain. They had almost reached one of the last hills when the accident happened.

The storm had been beating its head against the mountains and hills for several hours, so it was small wonder that tiny streams had turned to torrents racing down to the rivers below. The party had already crossed several of these, firmly holding on to one another. However, they all stopped short as they came to the rivulet that roared wickedly across their path. They stood like reeds being blown about the edge of a pond as the wind tried to push them off their balance. They argued back and forth as to what they should do from here. Some wanted to wait out the storm. Others wanted to follow the rivulet down the hill and go on from there. Suddenly, the storm sent a knock-out punch to one of the trees that stood on the bank very near the party. The root system split the ground and sent the bank on which the party was standing sliding into the torrent. No one was spared.

Fioretta screamed in terror as everyone slid toward awaiting death. She tried to grab a hold of anything, but the only thing that reached her fingers was mud. Down, down, down they all went. The currents in the water grabbed each person like a one-year-old grabs her rag doll. Fioretta bobbed helplessly, sometimes being sucked down, other times being forcefully pulled. Her dress kept dragging her down, so she ripped the buttons as she tore it from her battered body. She had a much easier time with just her under dress. She had no idea how anyone else was doing. Her only thought was to try to survive. She kicked and tried to swim. She felt lucky she had not hit any rocks or debris as she went through her wild ride.

The water's sounds began to change its song, and between being dragged under and gasping for breath, Fioretta realized they were heading for a fall. Entirely helpless to change the situation, her stomach lurched as she flew with the water into the nothingness of free fall.