Ben the Dragonborn by Dianne E Astle Page A

successful.  He moved towards an upright log that supported the walkway. Once there he thought of the suction cups that had helped him stay on Akca’s back.  They appeared and he climbed the log easily and pulled his invisible self onto the now empty walkway.  Ben moved quietly onto the lily pad.  It dipped slightly as he stepped onto it, but Jared and Sueska did not notice. Ben walked along the outside of the lily pad on the opposite side of the men searching for him with their boats. Jared and Sueska had their backs to him and did not notice the wet footprints or the water that dripped from him onto the lily pad. He knelt down beside the fish. It was barely breathing.  It lay unmoving on the lily pad although Jared had untangled it from the net.    
    Ben took hold of the rope around Akca’s snout.  To his surprise he found the rope was already untied and had been draped over the Orca’s jaw to give the appearance that it was still tied. Ben, still invisible, pushed Akca, but the fish was heavy and he was not able to move him.  He pushed again and this time it was easier.  It was easier because there was another pair of hands pushing.  While Sueska faced the other way, watching the boats that were searching for Ben, Jared pushed the fish.  As the fish flopped into the water, Jared stood up and yelled, “Help, the fish has escaped.” 
    Ben moved quickly out of the way.  He climbed into a boat as the men converged back at the point where Akca had gone into the water.  Ratore looked suspiciously at Jared and said, “How did that fish get untangled from the net?”
    “I loosened it,” Jared replied. “I didn’t think it had the strength to escape.” 
    “You can come with us and explain to the council how that fish escaped.”  Sueska stated firmly.  “Tully, you search this area.  Kirk, you guard the walkway leading to this pad until you are relieved.” 
    Kirk, not relishing spending much of the night alone, and not wanting to miss an interesting discussion by the council said, “The changeling escaped with his fish friend.  He’s long gone. There’s no need for me to stay.”
    “If Kirk is not staying, neither am I,” stated Tully. 
    “All right,” Sueska replied. “Search the area and then come to the meeting hall.”
    Ben leaned back in the boat and pulled a piece of the sail over himself.  After Kirk and Tully finished he planned to take a boat and make his escape.  He listened to Tully sing in the darkness as he searched. Ben’s eyes closed. The boat rocked gently back and forth in the waves.  Ben soon fell asleep. The moment he fell asleep, Ben became visible

9. Friend or Foe
     
     
    When Ben opened his eyes he expected to see his roommate Denzel.  His first thought was that Denzel was beside him, waking him up from a nightmare.  When he actually opened his eyes it was not Denzel’s dark face he saw, but Jared’s round freckled face.  Jared’s blue eyes were staring down at him. Jared was shaking him awake.  Ben became invisible a moment later.  So did Jared’s hand and arm.  Jared’s eyes went wide and he gasped.  At the same time he tightened his grip on Ben’s invisible shoulder.   
    “The council members will send someone down here soon,” Jared said quietly. “I wouldn’t want to be you when they get here.  I’ve got one question and I want a true response.  Did you really come to find the crown and stop a war between us and the mer?”  
    Everything in Ben wanted to find a way to leave this world and its endless water, but he whispered, “Yes.” 
    “I’m going to help you escape,” said Jared quietly. “In exchange you will do me a favor.” 
    “What favor?” Ben asked.  
    “Let me come with you.” Jared responded. 
    An invisible Ben quickly whispered, “Yes.”
    “Do you promise to take me with you?”
    “Yes,” Ben stated firmly.  In truth it would be a relief not to be alone in this strange world. 
    “I’d stay