Grig - Chapter 4: Downpours and Departures
Grig and the others barely found shelter in time. What started as a run-of-the-mill spring shower was now the most aggressive rainstorm Grig had ever encountered.
He huddled under a large awning where village-wide events took place. Kartax, Adrin, and Brier stood a few feet away from him.
They all stared in front of them with a mixture of fascination and concern. The rain was falling so hard and fast that it obscured everything else. A world of water encircled them on all sides.
The ceaseless roar of countless drops struck the ground, drowning out all other sounds and forcing them to shout to hear each other.
“Great gulping gasper!” Brier squeaked out at top volume. “Have you ever seen rain like this?”
“Brain mice kiss?” Kartax hollered back, his ear turned futilely towards Brier. “What the deuce does that mean, speck?”
Brier rolled his eyes and was about to attempt a response when he noticed Grig a few feet away waving and trying to get the attention of the group. He leaned close to Grig’s ear and asked him what was going on.
Grig pointed directly in front of them. The dirt path that typically wound its way through the village had become a river.
With an effort, Brier peered out at the water as the rain continued to pour down. Sticks, leaves, and assorted debris could be seen floating on top of the impromptu waterway… and then Brier saw it.
A massive curved leaf was drifting lazily on the water. It was heading straight for them, and Brier was shocked to see Rigba standing on the front edge of the leaf, guiding it forward like a sea captain.
On both sides of him were two groups of four strong, silent frogs. Each one held a thick staff, and they dipped their staves into the water at precise intervals, moving the leaf ship closer and closer to them.
Finally, the leaf drifted up closer to the awning. The frog rowers changed the positions of their staves, keeping the leaf in position in the swirling current.
Rigba turned his head to look at Grig and his protectors. Without emotion, he made signs to indicate they should climb on the leaf quickly. The other frogs attended to their work, ignoring everything else.
Brier finally managed to get the attention of the rest of the group. At first, no one moved a muscle. Then Grig stepped back, ran as fast as he could, and jumped off the solid ground with a whoop.
It was a solid leap, but he still almost fell short of the target.
As he started to fall toward the rushing water thick green arms grabbed him and pulled him to safety.
Once they saw someone else do it, the others stopped being so nervous. One by one they leaped from the leaf ship.
Brier did it with ease, flying through the air in a graceful arc. Adrin did nearly as well and landed easily.
Kartax walked farther back than any of them before running towards the boat, bellowing like he was leading a charge. He covered the distance without too much trouble, but his bulk made the leaf tilt dangerously in the air. It came back down with a loud slap and it took a moment to settle it down in the roiling water.
“Sorry,” he muttered as he moved carefully to stand in the center of the leaf with the other protectors.
Rigba shrugged and turned forward again. As the rain continued to fall, he guided the makeshift boat out of Gicha village and off into the wilderness, using the flooding to maximum advantage.
The leaf bounced and leaped unpredictably, but the frogs kept it moving and afloat.
They’d traveled for a considerable distance before Grig realized he hadn’t told his parents goodbye or made sure the villagers were okay.
“Fret not, Grig,” Brier said. This weather is bound to settle down soon. Once it clears, we’ll join up with Aras again and he can check on your village and inform your family.”
Grig nodded numbly. These words were scant comfort, but they would have to do. One thing seemed certain. There was no way the hunters would be able to track them in this mess.