SEARCHING

Galen and Rafael rose early in the evening while the day’s heat was still strong. Galen helped Rafael make the slow trip to and from the spring. He had passed through the worst of the illness, but he was still weak. Galen gathered snails, grubs and spiders, then left the food near his brother. He gathered fresh grasses and dug sassafras roots and scattered them about the den, hoping to rid it of the sour smell. Satisfied that Rafael was settled for the night, he went out searching as his brother had suggested.

Half the night, Galen thought. Was it long enough to find the Faralone Falls? He breathed deeply of the hot night air and let hope fill him.

He wandered aimlessly, almost due east, fighting through brambles and scrambling over dead logs. He returned with scratched armor and nothing else.

The second night, Galen decided to plan each night’s foray, taking different directions each time. He followed the trail Corrie and Victor took upon leaving. Galen was sure he traveled farther than the night before, but again found nothing. When he returned, he flopped onto his belly beside Rafael. Bitter disappointment nibbled at his confidence. He was stuck here and would find nothing.

Galen listened to his brother’s regular breathing. Rafael needed a new den. He felt better and needed out of this place of sickness. Besides, their spring was getting lower each night, and without rain, Galen worried about their water supply.

Excited, he stood and paced. Yes. He needed a legitimate reason to search, not the impossible dream of finding the Faralone Falls. That job had fallen to Victor and Corrie. But he could do a good job of caring for his brother by finding a good den and fresh water.

Rafael stirred.

“Are you awake?” Galen asked.

“Yes.”

“Ready to go out?”

“Yes.”

Gently, Galen supported his brother up the tunnel into the open. Beneath the white oak, a breeze stirred the leaves. “Rafael, I’m going to dig a new den. First, I’ll find a bigger spring.”

“Yes,” murmured Rafael. His blind face swung from side to side. “A new home is good.” Then, he was quiet as he concentrated on walking straight.

Even this encouraged Galen: earlier Rafael had leaned heavily against him.

At the spring, Rafael drank, then lay with his nose on a soft bed of moss. “Can we stay for a bit?” he asked plaintively. “It’s so pleasant.”

They stayed until dawn began to pink the sky. Then, Galen helped his brother make the slow journey back to the den. Rafael slept with the sleep of one just beginning to recuperate; Galen slept the sleep of one with satisfying plans.

.