Submerged

It has been quite some time since I was pulled back to Arth. In truth, I had grown to miss it a while back.

I spent this morning submerged in my writing, furiously tapping away at Draghon, the conclusion to the first trilogy of the Sagas of Di'Ghon.

Afterward, while taking my wife out to lunch I noticed how beautiful it was outside. I decided right then and there I would take my work poolside for the rest of the day. I knew I wanted to spend the balance of Saturday on a different project, a YA Dystopian with the working title of Repsychle.

One cannot work poolside on such a hot day before the lure of the cool water calls. So I took a quick dip. I'm one of those people who loves water. I float like a cork and am a pretty good swimmer. Also, there is something very peaceful about being submerged.

I'd been staring at the puffy clouds through the pool water, my lungs empty and ready to surface for another breath, when it happened.

Arth called.

My breath was spent. My strength long gone. I tasted my own coppery blood in the water. The current banged me against rock, dragging me ever deeper through the underwater cave.

I'd like to think that I resisted death longer than I did. In truth however, my time in the water had gone by quickly.

I was submerged in shame as much as the icy flow though for I knew that the High Lord's gift had been wasted on me. I only glimpsed the Circle and his old companion. If it weren't for the firelight glinting off two sword blades onto the cave wall when they found the spot between decorated armor plate I never would have seen a thing. I was already under water when I heard my leg armor clang against the rock floor I'd been standing on above. My axe never left the hoop. The High Lord's gift didn't even have a chance to spring from my palm.

One moment I was standing watch and the next I knew, I was thrust under the icy current, legless. Despite of how cold it was the water still burned as I took it my lungs.

I'd have been proud to die a glorious death as our legions spread over Anwar and eventually all of Arth. Instead I die plunged in shame and water, submerged.