Welcome to my seemingly endless journey.
A trip that will take you to places I might have visited many moons ago.
It´s a tale that came back to me when I meditated on one of my past lives. A life I told you about in my unbelievable true story.
As promised in that story I will now share this story with you.
Chapter 81
Living in fear is so natural, but equally useless. She controls your life, which can be so short. Now consider that this is truly your last minute. In that last minute you read our story and then everything is over.
What did you do the past few days before your end came......? How often have you been afraid, worried, anxious about what might happen? And what could you have done to prevent what actually happened to you?
Damn little, I'm sure. Now count the moments when you enjoyed that one life without any worries. Which side receives the most stripes? Do you live in fear or worrylessness?
(if you prefer to read part 1 first, click here)
“We must remain in hiding for at least another moon before the storm surrounding our escape subsides at all. I've thought about destroying the bridge, but it's our only way out of here. It is the only way to escape and at the same time, it is the noose around our necks."
"I think the only option is to build a raft and have it ready day and night so that when the bridge and fighting are no longer an option, we aren't trapped here like rats in a stew pot. But believe me, it is the last option. I am not fond of sailing, let alone on a sea where I do not know the current and strength.”
Everyone is silent and Reiko continues. “It shouldn't become a mess, this raft may have to serve us for a few days before we can land somewhere again. It must have room for five," he looks at Retsj, "say six men and supplies. But let's hope that all the work we put into it turns out to be unnecessary. According to my calculations, we will know within seven nights whether they have found us or not. We need three days to build this raft, which means that the next few days are crucial."
"If we work in teams during the night, it can be done in two. I'm just not in favor of that. Suppose we work at night then it is necessary to have lighting, which means fire. This is visible for miles around; if we were working in the forest during the day, they might pass us by without descending, let alone finding the stairs.”
He had a point, fire in the night attracts a lot of attention, but how could they ever find us here? Although Reiko's words gave me the feeling that he is certain that they would follow us to the end of the world. I didn't give them a chance, not through that deadly area.
No one put up any resistance against Reiko's plans, he is clearly a born leader the way he manages to rally everyone behind a plan without any form of persuasion. I feel that my respect for this man increasing day by day, and it´s also a burden off my shoulders to no longer be directly regarded as a leader. I know my qualities, but there is a difference between teaching and management.
The uncertainty makes the day pass slowly, even though we work like horses. Our eyes keep reaching up to the sky, looking for the ledge where we could expect our possible visit. According to Reiko, we are right on schedule, but I hoped to beat his schedule. It became clear to me that it was not possible and that soldiers are strict planners.
The uncertainty makes the day pass slowly, even though we work like horses. Our eyes keep reaching up to the sky, looking for the ledge where we could expect our possible visit. Reiko indicates that we are right on schedule, but I hope to beat his schedule. It becomes clear to me that it is not possible and that soldiers are strict planners.
Tonight I am too tired to worry.
The morning starts early, too early as far as I am concerned. But Reiko's military precision expects this of us. While working I discuss with Numico what we should do after the seven nights of waiting.
We are both more determined than ever to reach the city. We are getting so close and our knowledge has grown so rapidly that that we begin to taste the completion of our quest and the taste is sweet. We have to succeed, once we get there we have to succeed.
I look up at the ledge less and less often, I believe in the raft and that she will be ready on time. This evening the sun turns a beautiful pinkish red over the sea, spreading a golden-pink glow over the water.
I turn to Numico to point out the beautiful play of colors of the sky and sea. As I turn I feel like I see something moving far above me. Startled, I look up at the edge on the other side, where I think I see something. Numico, visibly impressed by the look in my eyes, does the same.
I breathe with relief, I must have imagined it.
Unfortunately, that very quickly turns out to be just the father of my thought and my wish does not come true because at least twelve men are suddenly visible on the edge of the gorge.
Everyone is in the woods and hopefully invisible from the canyon at this distance. Whispering, I warn Reiko, who in turn signals Retsj and Cabilah. Everyone stands transfixed and stares at the mountainside. Of course, we hope they will pass by, but one of the men breaks away from the group.
When he is in sight again it turns out that he has started the descent. By all gods, this is going wrong. We gather carefully, hoping that the canopy and gathering darkness will obscure our movements.
“You can count on them coming, they are masters at following tracks. We can only do one thing. The scout, who just left, will immediately signal the rest to come or not. As soon as we see the next one descending, we leave the forest. We pick up our weapons and take up positions. We have four bows and plenty of swords. The men I have with me are not great archers, which is to our advantage."
"Secondly, from the bridge, they have to go through open areas, also our advantage, but then it quickly ends."
