Chapter XI: The Phantom
The journey along the river was enjoyable to everyone. The river ran quiet and the tranquility of passing along the shore put peace in everyone‘s hearts. The peace, however, did not last long. The river, that was supposed to be a straight shot to Shavron, was now forked into two.
"That lion said it was a straight shot!" said Barrachus.
"Which way do we go?" said Tiber.
Gideon looked at both detours and made a decision.
"Steer to the right."
Barrachus turned the wheel and the small sail boat obeyed the command. The right branch of the river was much wider. The wind picked up speed pushing the sail boat quickly along the river. Within an hour, they passed through a fjord to the open sea. It was quiet on the boat; no one had a sea map and there wasn‘t any land in sight. Barrachus tried to steer the sail boat back toward the river, but the wind and sea guided the small boat further out from land.
"We‘re done for.," came Barrachus‘s pessimism. "We have no idea where we are and we only have food for three days. We should have went to the left."
If things could have gotten worst, they did. In the distance thunder could be heard. The dark clouds could be seen in the distance.
"A storm is coming; I can smell the rain, said Leopold. "The storm is about an hour out. The best thing to do is to out steer it. How about it, Barrachus?"
"I‘ll do my best, but don‘t expect a miracle."
Barrachus struggled at the helm as the boat fought him at every turn. He turned the wheel, but the wind would only push them closer to the dark clouds. The rain began to fall, Barrachus and Tiber stayed above while Leopold and Gideon went below.
"Why have you taken me down here?"
"I want you to stay here until the storm blows over," said Gideon. "I don‘t want to lose you."
"If it's my blindness, I—"
"I mean no disrespect, but it would calm my nerves."
"Fine, I‘ll stay, but if I feel the need to help I coming up, no questions asked."
"I wouldn‘t have it any other way." said Gideon.
Gideon went to open the cabin‘s door. Outside the rain was falling at an incredible rate. Gideon could only see a few feet beyond the boat; the rain covered the horizon like a veil. Tiber was tying ropes around the mast for support. Gideon went over to Barrachus.
"What‘s going on?"
"This storm is coming quickly. Look at the waves up ahead, there already twenty feet high; and I saw one that was about forty! Tiber‘s supporting the mast, but I don‘t think it will hold for long."
The sail boat traveled up the first of a myriad of treacherous waves. Barrachus easily navigated the first wave, but the second one nearly capsized the boat. Tiber was thrown backwards to the helm, all three hanged on for the next wave. An immense wave crashed down on the boat, breaking the mast, and sending the coyote over the side. He tried swimming back to the boat but the ocean pulled him further away until a wave took him under. Gideon wasted no time pursuing him. The rabbit swam with all his might to find the coyote; he was there unconscious, sinking deeper to the ocean floor. Gideon caught hold of Barrachus, but swimming back to the top proved difficult. The harder Gideon swam, the further they both sunk. The rabbit was loosing air, so he tried a desperate attempt and bit Barrachus on the arm (not drawing any blood) to wake him up. The coyote‘s eyes shot wide open and swatted the rabbit on the head, but he quickly understood why the rabbit had done such a deed. Both swam to the top just in time for a breath of air.
The sail boat was only a few feet away. Gideon and Barrachus swam viciously to get out of the water. Tiber threw a line of rope out to help them. Soon both were safe and all retreated to the cabin to wait out the storm. The waves tossed the sail boat to and fro like a toy. The barbaric ride lasted for an hour; but by the watchful eye of the Lord, the boat survived with its occupants. The waves settled and peace to the sea was restored.
The vessel settled near the beach of an island. Tiber was the first to come out of the cabin. He crawled on all fours, shaken from the ride.
"That was close. I thought we were done for."
"That was the worst thing that has ever happened to me." said Gideon. What about prison?"
"That too."
The island before them was covered by a dense forest. The sail boat was tied to a rope and towed closer to shore by the four. The rope was tied to the nearest tree and everyone sat down to rest. Barrachus and Gideon returned to the sail boat for supplies. Food wasn‘t the only thing that they found in the cabin. In two wooden cases were swords and shields. Barrachus marveled at the design of the swords.
"I may dislike the lions but they sure have a way of making a fine sword." That night the four ate well and went to sleep under the stars, but in the night lurked a creature unknown to them. It crept slowly behind the group as they slept. The creature went through the food. Suddenly, Leopold woke up. The creature gripped the items as if it had gotten caught, but of course that was impossible: for Leopold was blind and the creature was invisible. Leopold slowly dozed back to sleep and the creature left the camp as quietly as it had arrived.
The next morning, a mystery found its way into Tiber‘s mind as he looked for some breakfast.
"Barrachus did you eat the orange I had here?"
"No," said the coyote. "You probably ate it last night and don‘t remember it."
"No, I‘m sure I didn‘t. My water is gone too."
"Hey, who ate the dried fish that was here," said Barrachus. "You all know I claimed it."
"My apple is gone too." said Gideon.
"You greedy mole!" the coyote said blaming Leopold. "You could have at least asked first!"
Leopold quickly defended himself.
"First of all I didn‘t eat your smelly fish or any of the food for that matter. Someone else must be on this island. It‘s the logical conclusion."
"Really," said Barrachus eagerly, " then I think some exploring is long overdue." The four suited up to enter the forest. Tiber carried some rope and a sword. Barrachus took two swords. Gideon carried at shield and Leopold was happy with his epee. The crew went into the forest as Barrachus lead the way by cutting away the plants with his sword. Suddenly, there was a rustling in the treetops. Barrachus called out to see if anyone was there.
"HELLO IS ANYONE OUT THERE?"
The coyote extended his ear for a response; there was none. The group continued to walk until they came to a small pond. Gideon threw some water on his face to draw away the insects.
"We‘re wasting time," said Leopold. " we should be figuring away to get off this island."
"We can‘t, not without a mast for the sail boat," said the coyote. "We‘re stuck so stop complaining."
"I‘ll complain when I feel like it! We‘ve been in trouble ever since you‘ve come along."
"You got a big mouth for being a shrimp."
"That‘s it I won‘t be insulted any further," said the mole angrily. "Put up your dukes!"
"All right let‘s go!"
Gideon and Tiber jumped in to calm both of them down. The bickering continued until a strong and quick breeze blasted pass them. Everyone stood still, looking around as the forest grew quiet again.
"What was that?" said Tiber.
"Maybe it was the wind." replied Gideon.
"Wind doesn‘t move like that." said Barrachus nervously.
Suddenly the same gale flew behind the coyote. He jumped to the side.
"That‘s not wind!" he shouted, " Hey--- my rope!"
The gale of wind spun around the four tying the rope around them. Gideon jumped clear away from the scene. Barrachus, Leopold and Tiber, were all tied into a tight bundle.
Gideon came to help. The sunlight beamed down on Gideon and Tiber caught a glimpse of something walking up behind him.
"There‘s something behind you, look out!"
The phantom grabbed Gideon from behind and tossed him to the ground. It grabbed a large stick and came upon the hare. The club was raised; Gideon took his shield and braced himself.
"GIDEON!" Tiber shouted.
The club was dropped to the ground. Gideon looked from his shield as the sun light revealed a transparent figure. A tall cheetah appeared standing over the hare. She knelt down and careful removed the shield from his hands.
"I‘m so sorry. I didn‘t know it was you."
"…Who are you?" asked Gideon.
"Don‘t you remember our adventure from Moran, the coliseum battle, and our expulsion from Shavron.
"Deborah!" the hare said quickly rising to his feet, "it can‘t be you. I haven't‘ seen you in five years. I thought you were dead."
"I thought you were too."
The rabbit and the cheetah embraced with a deep friendship; tears ran quickly and laugher soon arrived.
"I‘m glad you two are having this reunion," said Barrachus, " but could you untie us please, the rope is cutting off the circulation to my arms."
"I agree." said Leopold.
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