The Maiden and The Four Waters

Walla gasped for air as she felt the cool night breeze hit across her face, her body felt like it had longed for air before she even had a chance to choke on the water.

“WALLA!” The three on the wooden jetty cried out.

Walla allowed her eyes to adjust to the darkness of the night sky as she opened her eyes, she noticed Crowe and Melana kneeling on the edge of the wooden jetty both reaching out to her.

She noticed Exel with his shoes and shirt off, he noticed him pulling down his pants “EXEL!” She shrieked out.

Exel took notice as he beamed with joy than quickly with embarrassment as he realised his nakedness in front of Walla. He quickly hoisted his pants back on comfortably.

Walla kicked her legs as she splashed towards the wooden jetty.

Crowe, Melana and Exel all reached out to her, the three of them helped her onto the wooden jetty.

Walla shivered with cold as she rested herself to lay down as she controlled her breathing.

Exel couldn’t help himself as he squeezed himself on top of Walla, holding her in his arms.

Walla didn’t protest as she was held uncomfortably in his arms, she wrapped her arms around him as she smiled.

Walla’s body started to ache in Exel’s arms, she tried to move her arms away from his body hoping he’d get the hint.

Exel did.

He rested on his knees as he stayed by Walla’s side.

Walla curiously glanced at Exel.

“I did it for love” Exel spoke, hinting that he understand what Walla was about to question.

More questions ran through Walla’s mind as she brought her glance up to Crowe and Melana.

“He was worried about you” Crowe admitted as she sat comfortably next to Melana.

“I dive in fully dressed; time is wasted otherwise.” She playfully tossed her glance to Exel.

He wasn’t sure if he should take it as an insult or a playful poke at his love for Walla.

“We’re thankful your still alive.” Melana took joy in her words.

Walla carefully rose to her feet; Exel took the cue to rise to his as he stayed by Walla’s side. Both Crowe and Melana raised to their feet as they awaited for Walla to think out loud.

“Walla” Crowe hushed.

Walla took notice of sharp claws touching the front of the wooden jetty, she pushed Exel behind her.

Crowe and Melana stood either side of Exel, Crowe held out the dying light.

Walla stood her ground as the four of them watched.

Exel jumped with fear as the dying light blew out, he wrapped his arms tight around Walla’s waist as he squished himself closer to her body.

The four of them watched as the claws reached up.

Walla remained calm “I have a truce with the king.” She prayed that her lie was convincing.

A violent shriek filled the air.

Exel cowered as the three woman remained brave.

The claws fall with a loud splash into the water.

Neither of the four on the wooden jetty could make out the silhouettes as splashes rippled around the water.

“Walla” Exel’s voice begged in her ear.

She shook her head.

Walla wanted to stay, see if this brought the end of the drownings.

Violent shrieks continued to fill the air as the water continued with vicious splashes.

“Walla” Exel’s voice trembled with fear.

Walla placed her hands over Exel’s “I need you to go” She whispered to him.

“I’m not leaving you.”

Walla bravely turned her back on the water as she looked at Exel, she shifted her attention to Crowe and Melana “I need you three to go, go back to the town. Protect them.”

“Walla” They all chimed together.

“I’ll be fine.” Walla pulled herself out of Exel’s tight grip.

“And you?” Melana questioned.

“Staying. I need to see what the creature is, I need to see if my heart hasn’t betrayed me, I need to see the truth.”

The two woman didn’t question anything, they already knew there’d be no point to continue arguing with a woman who wanted to seek danger.

Exel’s face soften as it filled with worry “I can’t leave you.”

“Exel, you’re the scribe. Speak of the truth, speak of the legends, speak of what you see and tell it till your dying breath. I trust you.” She smiled at him.

Exel took hope in her words as they stung his heart.

Love had taken a hold of him, without a second thought Exel pressed his lips against Walla’s. His kiss was full of love even though it was one sided, she could never love him the way he wanted her to.

Walla didn’t pull away nor did she let the kiss linger for longer than a second “Goodbye, Exel.” She whispered.

The violent shrieks and the vicious splashes continued around them.

Walla turned her back on the three that she had grown full of love for, she closed her eyes for a second before running to the edge of the wooden jetty, she dived headfirst into the water.

On the wooden jetty stood Crowe, Melana and Exel, they watched with bated breath as the violent shrieks stopped as the vicious splashes stopped.

The water returned to swaying gently in the moonlight as the nature sounds slowly returned to their ritual night calls.