Griffin
The world somehow moved both very fast and very slow.
Jack’s cry of fear rang out, echoing against the heights. Then the sled was sliding over the edge, and Jack clinging to it, and the dogs howling their terror as they fought against the sled dragging them to their deaths.
The guide Haswell drew a sharp knife and ran forward, shoving his way past me. The dogs blocked us from getting to Jack, so he began to saw on the harness holding them to the sled. “Grab hold!” Haswell shouted at me.
I latched my fingers into the harness of the lead dog and threw my weight backward, struggling to keep them from slipping any farther. Where was Jack? Had he—
Whyborne hung over the edge of the slope, clutching Jack. His eyes were wild, teeth gritted, as his body inched slowly closer and closer to the point where gravity would take over completely, and suck them both down into the void.
My heart stopped. Haswell shouted something I couldn’t make out, and the dogs suddenly surged forward. I let go of the harness and ran, even as the tumbling sled caught Jack’s shoulder and jerked them those last, few fatal inches.
Then time snapped back into place, and I lay on Whyborne’s legs, my arms latched around his thighs. My throat felt raw—I’d screamed his name, although I didn’t remember doing so. Haswell joined me, followed by Iskander and Christine.
“We’ve got you!” Christine shouted encouragingly. “Don’t let go!”
Inch by inch, we dragged them back up. As soon as Jack came into reach, Christine and Iskander seized his arms, and between us all we managed to easily haul them both onto the trail.
Whyborne collapsed against the sheer wall behind us, gasping for breath. “Ival?” I grabbed his arms. “Are you all right, my dear? Friend,” I added hastily, remembering Jack and the guides.
“My arms hurt,” he said. “And I rather think I could use a stiff drink. But otherwise, I’m fine.”
“You’ll have that stiff drink, if I’ve anything to say about it,” Jack said fervently. “Thank God the whiskey wasn’t on my sled, eh?”
“Unfortunately, food and lamp oil were on it,” Iskander said. “I fear we’ll be on short rations these next few days. But at least no one was hurt.”
Jack ruffled the fur of the lead dog, who pressed close against him as if looking for comfort. “And we didn’t lose the dogs—good work, Haswell.”
The guide nodded. “We’ll just distribute them among the other teams and continue on once they’re settled.”
He led the dogs away, and there followed the usual minor commotion as the harnesses of the teams were adjusted. Christine and Iskander went to offer assistance, but I hovered, unwilling to leave my husband or my brother. The moment when I’d thought they would fall to their doom kept replaying in my mind. More than anything, I wanted to sweep Whyborne up in my arms and plant kisses in his hair, on his face. I wanted to find somewhere warm and private, where I could inspect every inch of his skin and make certain for myself he was unharmed.
But I couldn’t. I contented myself by saying, “Can I get either of you anything? Are your canteens full enough? Or...”
“I’m fine,” Whyborne said. “But you’re right—water would probably be wise after such a fright.”
I hadn’t meant it thus, but he was correct. Ironically enough, one of the dangers we’d been warned against in this land of snow and ice was dehydration, as cold apparently suppressed a man’s desire for water. Whyborne and Jack both took long drinks from their canteens, and I had a smaller sip from mine.
“Not quite as good as the whiskey, but bracing enough,” Jack said, tucking his back into his coat and refastening the bone buttons. He hesitated, glanced at me, then at Whyborne. “Dr. Whyborne...you saved my life.”
Whyborne blinked back him. “You were about to fall off the trail.”
“And you kept me from doing so. At great risk to your own life.” Jack’s brows drew slightly together, as though he wasn’t certain what to make of Whyborne.
“Of course,” Whyborne said, baffled. “You would have fallen to your death, otherwise.”
“When I started dragging you down with me, you could have let go,” Jack persisted. “But you didn’t. You held on tighter.”
Whyborne stiffened. His face went pale, save for two spots of color high on his cheeks. “I know I may not be as athletic as most of the men you encounter here in Alaska, but it doesn’t make me a coward.”
Jack’s eyes widened. “No! No, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean...well. I was only surprised.”
I found myself becoming annoyed as well. My earlier worry appeared correct—Jack judged Whyborne a useless fop simply because he wasn’t used to rough living. “I assure you, Jack, Whyborne is one of the bravest men it’s ever been my honor to meet.”
Whyborne looked away, no doubt to hide a blush. Jack held up his hands for peace. “No—I’m terribly sorry. I’m saying this all wrong.” He glanced from me to Whyborne. “Please. Forgive me. I never meant to cast aspersions on your courage. The whole incident has shaken my nerves, and I don’t know half of what I’m saying.”
For a moment, Whyborne wavered. Then he nodded. “Of course. Despite Griffin’s kind words, the truth is I was absolutely terrified the entire time. The experience has put me off as well, and I’m too quick to take offense.” He took a deep breath, then held out his hand to Jack.
Uncertainty flickered across Jack’s face, there and gone so quick I wasn’t certain I’d really seen it. He shook Whyborne’s hand heartily. “The fault is mine, and I thank you for being good enough to indulge me.” He looked to the guides, then climbed heavily to his feet. “I should oversee the work, if we’re to cross to the other side of this damnable portage before nightfall. But...I owe you, Dr. Whyborne.”
Whyborne waved tiredly at him. “You don’t owe me anything. Anyone else would have done the same.”
Jack didn’t look as if he accepted it. But he nodded before hastening away, back toward the head of the column. I rose to my feet and held out my hand to help Whyborne up.
He rose with a groan. Under the pretext of hauling him to his feet, I pulled him close. “You’re wrong,” I whispered. “Many men wouldn’t have done what you did. I love you.”
Ival leaned in, his forehead close to mine, but not quite touching. “I love you, too,” he whispered, the steam of his breath brushing my face like a kiss. Then he pulled away, and we resumed our places on the trail.