Waterfall Junction and The Narrow Bridge

By Jeremy Bursey

Two heroes. Two destinies. One duology of trials, tribulations, and redemption.

In this duology are two short tales of adventure and fantasy about would-be heroes who face life-threatening elements, confront their own eroding courage, and learn to trust the unfamiliar guides who lead them to the prizes promised to them. These stories show hope and faith in a world that wants to destroy both and crush those heroes who fight for redemption.

In “Waterfall Junction,” Dalowin the Rabbit, head of a loyal army of knights, is commissioned to raid the city at the bottom of the hill and destroy the evil forces that lurk inside. Trouble is, he’s afraid to lead the charge, and he’s even more afraid to send his men into battle when the opposition is so fierce. So he abandons his army and runs for safety that he might spare both himself and his men. But thanks to a personal journey that leads him to a place where his faith and resolve are tested, Dalowin the Rabbit may just get his courage back, as long as the test doesn’t kill him first.

In “The Narrow Bridge,” Kirk is an adventurer who’s just trying to find his way to the Land of God, but he faces many insurmountable obstacles along the way, including temptations to wander off course and disasters that impede his forward progress. But his truest test comes when he faces the great chasm between the two lands and the hordes of travelers who think they know how best to reach the other side, and he must decide which of them really knows the truth, for certain death finds those who get it wrong.

“Waterfall Junction” and “The Narrow Bridge”: Two heroes, two fables, one message of hope. Read it today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeremy Bursey
• Release date: Mar 9, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311594747

Jeremy Bursey

Jeremy Bursey is the author of many short stories, essays, and poems, along with a modest number of novels and screenplays, each covering topics and genres that differ from what he had written previously. He hopes to bring many of these into the ebook generation over the course of the next few years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Central Florida and currently works at a local college as a writing tutor. He appreciates feedback for anything he offers to the public.

Book preview

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Copyright © 2016 by Jeremy Bursey

All rights reserved.

jeremybursey.com

E-book edition: 1.1a

License Notes

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Some real-life cities, towns, institutions, or products may appear to lend authenticity to a scene for literary purposes, but this work does not intend to endorse or malign them. There is no catharsis or advertisement happening here. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.

No part of this text may be reproduced in any other work without giving credit to the author. No part of this text may be used for commercial purposes, except by reviewers or critics under fair use rules, without the author’s permission. The complete text is intended for personal use only and may not be used for commercial purposes, or duplicated in any other form for purposes other than personal, noncommercial use, or posted to any other site without the author’s permission.

Identifiers

ASIN: B01CRMEE9Q | ISBN: 9781311594747 | GGKEY: 0WH6436Q3ZG

Cover Design

Layout: Jeremy Bursey | Background Image: AI generated by SUPERMACHINE (using the Stable Diffusion engine)

Contents

Introduction

Waterfall Junction

1. The Rabbit

2. The Flight

3. The Test

4. The Fall

5. The Sacrifice

The Narrow Bridge

6. The Storm

7. The Forest

8. The Canyon

9. The Cottage

10. The Chasm

And now for a quick message from the author

Author’s Note

Stay in Touch

Share Your Ideas

E-book Version

About the Cover Image

About the Author

Introduction

Thanks for your curiosity about this double-featured tale of adventurers and their faith in the unseen and in the unknown. These are similar to parables and not exactly sprawling epics of grand fantasy adventure or overcoming some evil force (at least not in the classic sense). They are based on messages of faith and wisdom. Even though they are written in the style of traditional fantasy and contain elements of adventure throughout, they are nevertheless allegories of biblical themes. Good and evil exist in both stories, and our protagonists do have plenty of conflict to manage. But these stories are based more on the internal conflict than the external. These stories revel in our heroes’ victories over themselves through the power of faith more than in the conquest over an evil entity. Regardless of what you may expect from them, I hope you’ll get a positive message out of both. Keep an open mind about their themes and I’m sure you will. And even if you can’t, just remember that there is still plenty of adventure in both stories, and it would be a shame for you to miss out. So, thank you, and enjoy the experience ahead.

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The Rabbit

Waterfall Junction, Part One

War was averted. Or so he hoped. As the moon elevated from behind the Great Mountain, a lone horseman in tin-plated armor trotted along the banks of the Paradise River, breathing in damaged rhythms under his mask. Although his rusting sword dangled by his hip, the blade destined to see countless engagements remained untested.

Having wandered for hours along a hillside where the fountains of blood once slumbered, he stopped beside the water’s edge to labor another breath. His Iberian Saddle Horse bowed down to drink from the calmed edge of the rapids, while he, the rider, removed his steel helmet and tossed it to the current. Where he was going, he didn’t need it.

The rider, Dalowin, stepped down from his four-legged accomplice and collapsed along the shore. With his thighs touching the soft ground, he picked a rock out of a shrub and rolled it between his fingers.

The river crashed and bubbled in its flowing fury, yet he stayed close, hoping the anger would quench him. On his own there was nothing he could do short of tossing himself in, but he waited—for an earthquake, maybe—to give him that jarring nudge. Waiting was folly, however. The natural land had showed him no favor, and it would not begin to favor him tonight. He scooted from the riverbank, plunging the stone in his place.

Do not be afraid, said a ghostly voice echoing from the water.

Dalowin jumped