The Defender of Rebel Falls: A Medieval Science Fiction Adventure (The William Whitehall Adventures Book 1)

by Christensen, Erik

  “I was given a job to do, and until I am finished or completely unable to do it, I’m going to keep trying.”

  “Forget it, Will! I’m not letting you do this.”

  “King’s teeth, Jack, shut up!” It was William’s turn to yell. “You may be my best friend, perhaps my only real friend in the world. But I’m tired of you deciding things for me. This is my job. Not yours. You invited yourself on this escapade because you thought it would be a lark, or maybe because you wanted to chase Rachel halfway across Azuria. If you want to go back, then go. I won’t stop you. But the rest of us have a mission, and until I say otherwise, we’re going on.”

  Jack stared back at William, and then toward the cave entrance. The rest of the group stood at the cave entrance in dumbfounded shock at William’s outburst. Jack snorted. ”Well, look who’s all grown up now.” He pushed past William and stomped out of the cave. Rachel followed after him.

  A thorough land survey of Esperanza’s continents was completed during the terraforming process. These records were understandably lost during the rush of Colonization, with the result that contemporary maps lack detail and accuracy. Today’s most respected map-makers are still unable to include Eastern Azuria, Ibyca’s northern coastline, or the uninhabited continents that have gone unseen for centuries. Even inland travelers are sometimes surprised by features not recorded in these records.

  Planet of Hope: A History of Esperanza

  “Can’t we wait here at least one day? Your leg needs time to heal,” said Maya.

  William shook his head as he packed. “We don’t know how many bandits there are, but I’m sure they are all experienced fighters. If I have trouble walking, you’d better believe I’ll have trouble fighting. Tell her, Charlie.”

  Charlie nodded. “We’re a target here.”

  Rachel came into the cave with Jack in tow. “Will, Jack has something he wants say to you.”

  Jack’s scowl made it clear he wanted no such thing, and he stood in the entrance staring at his boots as he scuffed the ground around him. Prompted by Rachel with a punch to the shoulder, he said, “Here. I made this for you.” He tossed William a branch he had hacked and carved into a makeshift crutch.

  “Perfect height,” said William as leaned on it and hobbled around gingerly.

  “What else, Jack,” said Rachel.

  “I’d like to continue on the mission with you,” said Jack, looking at everything except William. “That is, if I’m welcome.”

  “Of course you are,” said William. “Why wouldn’t you be?”

  Jack looked to Rachel who simply said, “Keep going.”

  Jack kicked at the dirt until he could no longer hold it in. “You’re an idiot, Will,” he said. “But you’re an honorable one,” he added before Rachel could punch him again. “And I’m sorry about what I said, about…you know.”

  “I know,” said William. “And you’re a clown. But you’re not a stupid one. And I meant what I said, about…you know.”

  “I know,” said Jack.

  An awkward silence filled the cave as everyone looked at each other.

  “Well, I feel better,” said Jack. “Don’t you?”

  William laughed at Jack’s mock innocence; it was impossible to stay mad at him when he played the fool. “Much better, thanks. Aside from this bite on my leg.”

  Rachel shook her head in exasperation. William knew she thought Jack had shortchanged him on his apology, but she didn’t know Jack the way he did. The crutch was the real apology, and he was certain Jack had made it before Rachel scolded him. His words were no more than adornment to his action.

  The crutch came in handy. Without it William would have slowed everyone down. The ground became rockier as they gained altitude, and walking became much more precarious. They were often well above the river now, the water having cut deep gorges through the undulating highland terrain. Where the ground was level the river made slow, wide turns around dark, sandy banks. Two days after leaving the cave they stopped testing the water because the banks were too high and steep. The few streams they crossed were clean.

  William tolerated the agony as well as he could. Most of the time he stared at the ground, his eyes unfocused, following the sound of his friends’ footsteps in a daze, practically unaware of his surroundings. He didn’t realize how little attention he was paying until he bumped into Jack. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “Why did everyone stop?”

  Jack pointed. “We’re blocked.” A massive wall of rock barred their way upstream. He looked hopefully across the river, but the current was too fast to cross. Besides, the wall was just as high and sheer on the south side. The only opening in the cliff was where the river rushed through it, and there was no way they could make progress through that torrent.

  “We’ll have to scout a way up on this side,” said William. “King’s boots, I wish we brought some rope.”

  Rachel peered up to the top of the wall. “I don’t see anything up there to attach a rope to.”

  Maya grabbed William’s arm. “Someone else will have to do the scouting, Will. You sit and rest until I say otherwise. I don’t care who attacks us, you aren’t moving.”

  “No argument from me; I can barely move. But you aren’t going either. And that means Charlie stays too.”

  Rachel sighed and turned to Jack. “There’s no getting away from you, is there?” she asked.

  “Lucky you. You can help me save the day,” said Jack.

  “Me help you? Who’s the expert here?”

  Their voices faded as the pair disappeared into the thick growth, and William chuckled to himself. Finally able to relax, he contemplated the vast landscape sprawled out before him. Compared to the flat, marshy plains where he had spent his whole life, this place was rocky and rugged. He marveled at the cliff that blocked their way, and at how immense and almost artificial it looked. He had a vague understanding of how rivers could change the land; the gorge beside him was a perfect example. But this wall defied understanding.

  Maya seemed to read his thoughts. “There must have been a huge quake here some time ago. Either this side dropped, or the other side was raised. I’ve seen other places where something like this happened, but not this spectacular.”

  William looked around nervously. “Could it happen again?” he asked. “If we’re stuck here whenever another—”

  Maya laughed. “No, no…it happened a long time ago, probably millions of years. If this was recent the river would be falling from above us, but it’s had time to cut a channel further upstream. In fact, I’m willing to bet there’s a waterfall somewhere upstream from here.”

  They sat in silence as they waited for Jack and Rachel. The afternoon sun shone on the rock face behind William, and he soaked in the reflected warmth. How long he had been cold, wet or both? He fell into a blissful sleep, not waking until he heard Jack’s voice. “Stop hogging the glory, Rachel. I’m the one who found it.”

  “All you did was climb a tree and point,” Rachel said. “I’m the one who actually checked it out.”

  “I’m pretty sure Steve made it up there before you did.”

  “You didn’t go up there at all.”

  “I delegated. Ouch! Will, I am pleased to report that I discovered a way up the ridge about a half mile north of here. Rachel will tell you she found it, but you can’t believe anything she says.”

  “Jack is handsome,” she said.

  “Except that.”

  Rachel narrowed her eyes at Jack, and a sly smile spread across her face. “Jack is half a genius, and very possibly competent at a few things.”

  “And…I actually don’t know how to respond to that.”

  “Jack at a loss for words,” said William. “Well done, Rachel; I’ve never managed that. The way up you found—is it safe?”

  “It’ll be tough on your leg,” said Rachel. “But the path is wide enough.”

  “No, I mean…that’s good, but I meant did you see any signs of other people? Bandits or other
wise?”

  Rachel and Jack looked at each other and shook their heads.

  “Okay, we should leave now, or we won’t make it to the top before dark. Am I done resting, Maya?”

  Maya shook her head and shrugged. “It’ll have to do, I guess.”

  “Good. We can’t spend the night — ow! King’s blisters, that hurts. It must have stiffened up.”

  “Can you walk?” asked Jack.

  “Let me look,” said Maya, who pulled at his trousers without waiting for a response. William lowered them to reveal the wound, which had grown red and swollen. “No pus. And it doesn’t stink. But I don’t like the looks of it. I’ll change the bandage, but as soon as we get to the top I want to get a closer look.”

  “How much closer do you need to be?” asked William as he pulled up his pants.

  Maya glared at him. “I stuck my hand inside it once, mister. I can go deeper if you like.”

  “No, that’s okay,” said William, recoiling from the fire in her eyes. “Sorry, I’m just tired and sore. We all are.” William’s leg loosened as they trudged along the wall, but the pain remained. When they reached the path William’s heart sunk. It was steep enough to challenge a person with two strong legs; he doubted he could climb it without help. The path was too narrow to have someone to walk beside him, and the last thing he or anyone needed was to tumble down a cliff.

  “Are you sure there’s no other way?” he asked.

  “You can make it,” Jack said. “There’s trees on both sides of the path. You can use them for balance and to pull yourself forward.”

  “Not the whole way,” said Rachel. “The top part is bare rock and dirt. Nothing to hold on to.”

  William stared at the cliff in despair. He would have to pull himself up somehow or they would be stuck here another day. He hated the idea of camping this close to the cave, even more than he disliked the idea of falling off the cliff. He cursed himself again for not bringing a rope. He might walk on all fours, or even climb crab-style, but no matter what position he took he would still need to push with both his legs. A crutch was no substitute for a leg when it came to climbing.

  “I can carry you,” said Charlie.

  William stared in disbelief. “Are you sure?”

  “I carried my dad once. He’s bigger than you.”

  “Did you carry him up a hill?” asked Rachel.

  Charlie hung his head and said, “No.” He added nothing to convince them, and hope faded in everyone’s eyes. Even Maya said nothing.

  William wasn’t willing to give up. If Charlie was his only hope, then so be it. “Charlie, if you say you can do it, I believe you.” He got the result he wanted: pride filled the big man’s face as the others added their encouragement.

  “Jack will carry your pack,” said Rachel.

  “I will? Ouch! Charlie, let me carry your pack.” Jack rubbed his arm where Rachel had punched him.

  William climbed onto Charlie’s back, and Charlie lifted him with ease. Using his spear for balance, Charlie began the ascent. Steve raced up the path with ease, and the others, even without the advantage of four legs, climbed rapidly and were quickly out of sight. Charlie stopped twice to rest before tackling difficult sections, but at no time did William doubt they would reach the top. Soon they passed through a narrow gap between two large rocks at the top of the path.

  Charlie froze; William gasped and gripped his sword-hilt. Three dirty, ragged men had taken them by surprise. A hairy ape of a man nearly as large as Charlie, but meaner looking, held a knife to Maya’s throat. No wonder they hadn’t called out to warn them. Rachel had tossed her bow aside and held Steve beside her. Another man was searching through their packs; the third approached William and Charlie, his short, crooked knife aimed at their bellies. “Drop your weapon, big boy, or the girl gets her throat cut open.”

  Charlie did as instructed. William slid down Charlie’s back, hiding his sword from view. He hoped their attackers would dismiss him as an invalid, having seen Charlie carry him in; any advantage was worth trying for.

  Maya’s captor turned to his colleague rifling through their bags. “I thought you said there was five of them,” he said.

  “There is five. These four and the dog,” said his scrawny colleague. William looked around and could not see Jack anywhere. His heart pounded as he realized his friend had somehow eluded these men. His left hand hovered near his sword hilt, still hidden from the bandits by Charlie’s frame. William held on to Charlie’s cloak to keep him in place, and to appear as though he needed the support.

  The largest man spoke again. “What kind of tracker are you, Sniffer, if you can’t tell the difference between a man’s tracks and a dog’s?”

  “Stop busting my chops, Joe. We found them, didn’t we? We have their weapons and their food, too. The boss will be happy enough.”

  “I want that bow,” said the third man, whose eyes made William shudder. “And the girl.”

  “You touch me, and my dog will rip your throat out,” said Rachel.

  Sniffer laughed. “Who said he was talking about you? One girl’s as good as another.”

  Rachel aimed her cold gaze at the tracker. “You touch her, and I’ll rip out your throat myself and feed it to my dog.”

  “Shut up, both of you,” said Joe. “Ripper, you can talk to the boss about the bow, but there’s others who can use a bow better than you. As for the girls, we’ll take—”

  Jack’s attack surprised even William. Joe’s knife had dropped from Maya’s throat; Jack dashed from behind a rock and sunk his dagger in the man’s shoulder. His knife-hand disabled, Joe smashed his other arm into Jack, knocking him down. Steve lunged at him before he could finish Jack.

  Charlie had been ready, too; in one smooth motion he kicked his spear into his hands and slammed the heads of the other two bandits as they charged him. Sniffer reeled; Ripper bounced up and slipped past Charlie’s spear. Sniffer found his feet, and William hacked at him before he could reach Charlie. The skinny tracker backed away, unwilling to fight one on one. William, unable to follow, slashed instead at Ripper who was holding his own with Charlie despite his size disadvantage. Ripper sidestepped William, who again could not pursue.

  Sniffer’s yell distracted him. “Joe! The girl has arrows!” Rachel was on her knees, stringing an arrow she retrieved from the ground.

  “Let’s go!” Joe threw off both Jack and Steve and dove for the path below, ducking Rachel’s arrow. Sniffer followed, but Ripper never got the chance. The handle of his own knife was sticking out of his chest, courtesy of Charlie.

  William collapsed to the ground, as much from shock and relief as from pain. He stared at the body in front of him, its eyes open and unfocused like a fish at market. Just moments before this was a human being, a live person just like himself, and now that life was gone. It was one thing to kill an animal, even one as majestic and noble as a wolf; but to take the life of a fellow man, even one who had attacked him and his friends, was an enormity for which William was simply unprepared.

  Jack touched him on the shoulder. “Will, I’m really sorry. We should have checked things out better,” he said.

  “What are you talking about?” asked William. “You were perfect. No one could have timed that attack better.”

  Jack’s breath came in rapid shudders, his shoulders still heaving from excitement and fear. “Maybe I reacted well, but we shouldn’t have been caught in the first place.”

  “He’s right, Will,” said Rachel. “It’s my fault, I should have looked—”

  “It’s not anyone’s fault,” said William, cutting her off before she could blame herself further. “Is anyone hurt? No? Okay then, we did fine.”

  “But—”

  “Rachel, we can discuss it later if you want, but right now we have to get out of here. You heard Joe. They have other people, and they’ll be back here soon. Maya, you look shaken. Are you okay to go?” She nodded as Charlie consoled her, shock making a frozen mask of her face.


  William forced himself to stand, coaxing the others into action by example. “Did we lose anything? No? Good. Let’s get everything back into the packs and start moving. Rachel, can you check that body to see if there’s anything we can use? I’d do it myself, but I can’t bend my leg right now.”

  Maya regained her composure. “Wait. Will, let me check your leg.”

  William shook his head. “Later.”

  They departed as quickly as they could. The ground on the high side of the cliff was flat and devoid of trees, which aided their progress but made concealing themselves nearly impossible. William ignored the pain as best he could; it was slow going, but they put some distance between the rock wall and themselves, enough that they could relax. As Maya predicted, they discovered a massive waterfall about two miles upriver where the water dropped at least fifty feet into a churning pool, raising a mist that filled their lungs and invigorated them. William had never seen anything like it, and he wished they had time to marvel at the view. Maya insisted on taking a water sample despite the risk that they were being pursued. It was still toxic.

  They traveled at night to avoid being seen, but they paid a heavy price for it: Rachel couldn’t hunt. She laid traps for squirrels and gophers, but with no result. Meals were sparse; they had to preserve what food they had for as long as possible. Worse, the darkness made for slow progress. Torches were out of the question, as they could easily be seen for miles. Instead, as each evening fell they would decide on their path for that night’s journey, keeping the river close by so they wouldn’t get far off track. But the mountains to the east would appear no closer when morning broke.

  William suffered the most. Aside from being hungry—they all were—he constantly tripped on roots and rocks in the darkness, which made the pain in his leg even worse. At the end of their fourth nightly march since the waterfall, they found a small hollow to camp in. William collapsed to the ground without even unpacking his bedroll, and Maya would no longer be put off. “Will, you’re burning up. This fever is a bad sign. I’m sorry, but I absolutely have to open your wound and take a look.”