Chapter 9.
Searching together - Max
As they walked, Max could see the tracks in the ground next to the stream and then the river. There were some other animals that he didn't quite recognize.
As Max looked around and saw Link walking beside him, Max felt obligated to say, "You don't have to go with me."
Link shook his head. "Nonsense. How are you going to get home if I don't show you the way? Besides, I want to meet these animals who took care of a talking elephant. We've never heard of anything like that."
Max shook his head. Now that he had his memory, he knew how strange it was. All that he could ever remember was hearing that talking animals and non-talking animals rarely got along.
As they walked, Link looked up occasionally. Max guessed he was checking whether the Osprey was following closely. It was, but from high in the sky. Every once in a while, it let out aloud, “Cheereek” as if it was complaining about the course they were following. When it did, Link made a small course correction. Max was curious again about their relationship. He was convinced that the bird didn't like him and didn't like the fact that they were working together.
Max shook his head, birds. Max knew it was wrong to judge all birds by the action of one, but there was a prejudice amongst many of the animals of the upper plains, that birds could be more than a little stubborn. And though it was said elephants never forgot anything, it was said that birds never forgave.
Max didn't think that was true. It seemed to Max that forgiving and letting go of things would be good. He remembered his parents talking about it, saying that when they thought he couldn’t hear, that birds oftentimes held on and rarely forgot when they were offended. At least Max thought he remembered people saying that.
Max wouldn't let himself assume what the bird was thinking. And until he found otherwise, he would just assume that the bird was helping them. Even if it seemed that the bird was not happy with Max and Link walking side by side. If any other animals had come by, they would have been shocked. Here, walking side by side was a little smaller than average elephant, and a larger than average river otter walking side by side.
This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Occasionally, Link would share something about his family, and Max nodded his head. Max was more focused on the path they were taking. Therefore, he didn't catch everything that Link said.
After they had walked a little while, they turned and began to cross the river. This was the place where the stream broke away from the river. Here, the river went from fifty feet wide and deep to its shallowest. To make up that the river was only a couple of feet deep, the river spread out to be almost five times as wide. Though shallow, it could sometimes be very swift, but it wouldn't be a problem for Max and Link, who swam across without any issue. Max and Link quickly made their way across. Link, being a creature more familiar, more comfortable in water, quickly got ahead. When Link got so far ahead, he would stop, come back for Max, and then swim ahead again.
Max and Link followed the tracks of elephants that led out into the water.
Once they reached the other side, it was clear that a lot of elephants had come out here, but they were moving not in the direction that Max expected. The tracks clearly moved straight east toward the desert.
On this side of the river, it didn't take very long before they could see the grasses thinning and sand increasing. Max could walk it, though the ground occasionally would slip underneath him. Link, though able to walk better than his non-talking relatives, but he was having a little bit of difficulty.
They hadn't got but a little way from the river, when Max looked down and said, "Would you like me to carry you?"
"I wouldn't want to be a burden." Link stopped and looked at Max. "I mean, I wouldn't want you to have to carry me, but."
Max could see that Link liked the idea.
Max pointed out what they both knew, “Link, I'm an elephant. I could carry you all day and never notice."
At that comment, Link laughed and then laughed together.
"You're right,"
Max nodded, "Besides, if I let you wear yourself out, how will you lead me to the Bridge of Hope?"
"Good point," Link said with a wink and a smile
Max lowered his head to the ground and stretched out his trunk, making it easier for Link to climb up on Max's back. Max smiled. It was just like when they played when they were children.
The Osprey's shadow continued across their path, and for once, it actually made no protest. Link lay out on Max’s neck and head, making himself comfortable. As Max got up, they continued to watch the tracks and moved further into the desert.
