Chapter 24

Clambering up the slope on the far side of the beach was no easy task. The ground seemed to peel away under his feet and he had to grab at the roots to keep himself on the ledge. Slipping to his hands and knees on the slick ground, Gair struggled and continued to crawl until the land leveled out, then he leaned backward, stretching the kinks out of his back and shoulders before he lay down. He wasn’t sure if the tightness was from the lightning striking so close to him or the tenseness he’d maintained as he crossed the cove and climbed out. Everything ached and felt pulled taught. Just then, another bolt of lightning streaked across the sky making him cringe and flinch his eyes shut. He scowled at himself. Great. He was afraid of the lightning now, like a wee lad. Just then the clouds opened, dumping great torrents of water down from the heavens. He looked around, hoping to find some shelter, but could see nothing nearby but rocks and grass. In the flashes of light, he could see a sha