8 Morn, who had made a desperate dive and barely
reached his friend's shoulders now spread his wings and fought with all
his might to slow their descent. His wings felt like they would rip
from their sockets or their membranes would tear. His hand and arms protested, but he held on. "Spread your wings,
North!" he cried, "Don't try to fly, just break ... I'll guide you in!"
9 North tried to obey, but even as he did so, he cried out "Drop me,
Morn! You can't hold me alone! You'll rip your wings and we'll both
die!"
10 "Shut up!" screamed Morn, "and get ready to roll!" The powerful
beats of his wings sent the dust rising as they neared the ground.
North's feet touched. He rolled in best he could, but he still hit
hard. Morn tried to keep his feet, but he, too, was forced to tuck in
his head and roll. He came to rest on a rock that didn't do his face
much good.
11 North tried to rise, but his right leg gave away and he fell back on
his face. Morn gained his feet, spread his wings, and made sure nothing
was broken. Then, he ran to North. "Don't try to move! " he ordered,
"You're badly hurt!"
12 "And you?" asked North.
13 "A few bruises and some broken teeth that will grow back," Morn
assured him. "Don't worry about me, just stay still...lie back down!"
14 At that moment one of their teammates ran up. "I flew to a call
box," he announced, "and summoned two Stretcher Teams. They should be
here in a few minutes. There's a hospital only a short distance from
here."
15 "Only one would have been necessary," came a voice from behind them.
16 They looked in that direction and the opposing team was gathered
around their companion, who had been laid out on the ground. "The Holy
Ghost has taken him," announced the Team Leader.
17 "Are you sure?" asked Morn. He walked over and examined the body
himself. When he rose he shook his head.