The ship crashed into the gate, splintering. Halt watched in terror as the water level slowly rose. If he was on him own, he would have dived in and swum for the shore, but he couldn't abandon Abelard. He lead his horse up the ship to the back of it. Then he asked the all important question.
"Can you swim?"
I've never tried. And that water looks cold.
"You'll be fine. It's that or drown."
Thank you for that encouragement.
"No problem. I've got another question. Can I swim?"
I've never seen you try.
"That's the problem. What if I can't?"
Then we both drown.
"Both of us?"
Yes. Because I won't swim if you don't.
Halt gulped. He had faced Morgrath, stolen from the Temaji, escaped assassination, survived poison, got married, faced execution in the desert, and yet the water surrounding him terrified him more. He didn't want to drown. Not without telling Joseph about his parents. He closed his eyes.
Above on the cliffs, the others watched helplessly as Halt was stranded on the sinking boat with Abelard. He seemed to be terrified. Halt was seasick. Maybe that was because he feared the water? Joseph watched, wide-eyed as his mentor closed his eyes...
Halt dived. He pulled himself to the surface, swimming with powerful strokes toward the shore. Then he stoped. Abelard hadn't jumped. He was still stranded.
"Abelard!" Halt called. "I won't let you drown! Now JUMP!"
Abelard looked at his friend and master, and jumped. Halt grabbed the reins.
"Strong kicks! Keep going!" He yelled, more to himself than to Abelard. They were swimming for what seemed forever, and then...
"Land!" Halt cried as he felt the pebbles of the beach underneath his feet. He dragged himself up to where the waves wouldn't reach him, and collapsed. He was bone tired. Abelard flopped down beside him.