The Maiden and The Four Waters
Chapter seveteen

Exel finally work up the strength to break free of his fear and panic, he grabbed Walla’s shoes and ran as fast as his body would allow to Walla’s house, he ignored the lights off as he pushed through into the yard, he ignored the coloured bows in the bush as he struggled to control his breath as he forced himself to continue to the front door.

Exel pushed open the door, he dropped Walla’s shoes by the doorway. He chewed down on his lip with uncertainty as he struggled to regain his breathing. He swallowed the dryness in his throat as he followed the darkness throughout the house.

He pushed open a door “Crowe.” He tried to keep hushed as he stayed at the doorway “Crowe.”

Crowe jolted awake “Exel?”

“Walla’s dived in.”

Crowe yanked off her blanket before grabbing her robe “Grab Melana.”

Exel barely had a second to nod as he forced himself to follow the hallway to another closed door, he pushed it open “Melana.” He hushed again.

A glow of candlelight appeared in the hallway.

“Melana.”

Melana groaned in annoyance.

“Get up, woman!” Crowe hissed in the darkness.

Melana forced herself to sit up “What?” She pulled her blanket over her shapeless nightgown.

“Walla’s dived in.”

Melana was thankful the darkness hid her smile “She’ll do as she likes, neither what Crowe or I say, let alone you will change her mind.”

“Melana, she was going to come back to land, but hands appeared on the wooden jetty, and she just dived in.” Exel watched as Melana found her comfort again as she laid back in bed.

Crowe appeared by Melana’s side “Woman!” she hissed “You know she’s entranced, just because we can’t change her foolish mind doesn’t mean we should stop trying.”

Melana heaved her breathing as she sat back up again.