We’re so close to saving him, and then we can get to Rynthea…only— Gods damn it.
Rynthea has fallen in the water, too.
She startles awake from the cold rush, unleashing a deep roar only a minotaur can produce.
“Oh shit!” Algar yells as we keep pulling Thane up.
She floats past Thane, who has already made it to a safe ledge and holds on to it with an elbow anchored on top.
My chest tightens when I realize I have no solution for Rynthea. There’s no way we can toss her a vine, too. She’s too far away and getting closer to the falls.
Thane breathes rapidly as he throws an illuminated hand up in her direction. With the remaining strength he has left, he manages to stop Rynthea from going any farther. He peers over his shoulder, curls flat on his head, water spilling over his lips as his arm shakes. He’s doing his best to keep her steady. She’s able to shift toward the edge and wrap her arms around a boulder. When she does, Thane’s hand falls, his eyes close, and his head drops on the ledge.
And then something miraculous happens.
A bubble of water forms around Rynthea like a cocoon and carries her to our side of the rapids. Confused, I watch as she hovers in the safety of the bubble. Then I notice a group of people in brown and gray tribal clothing a short distance away.
One of them has his hands in the air as he manipulates the water, the muscles in his large, tan, inked arms flexing as he places Rynthea on the ground with a gentle splash.
The land quakes beneath my feet, and I back up as Thane’s ledge breaks away from the gorge. Rocks and dirt descend, falling like rain as he and the ledge are transported around us to reach safety.
I climb back up and run to Thane, lowering to my knees and pressing a hand to his forehead. His skin looks a little gray, and he’s hardly moving. But he’s breathing. That’s what matters.
The woman who controlled the ledge stands a short distance away. She drops her arms, and her deep brown eyes connect with mine. Her gown is beige and billowy, her face utterly flawless. A silver crown with golden flora sits atop her head.
The man who manipulated the water joins her, and both approach as the tribe members wearing brown masks with hollow mouth holes close in on us. Spears are in their hands, and every single tip is pointed atus.
I’m hoping Kelrean can aid us, but he, too, has a hand in the air. The other is pressed to his ribs. His eyes are closed, and his face looks contorted in pain.
“Speak,” the woman with the crown orders with her eyes still trained on me. She has warm, wheat-like skin and hooded eyes. Her lips are plump, and pale-yellow lines are painted on half of her face. The loose waves of her hair are the darkest shade of black I’ve ever seen.
“We’re not here to cause trouble,” I say, holding my hands in the air. She studies my hand, tilting her head a bit. The tribe thrusts their spears forward, bringing them dangerously close to my head.
“Do you possess magic?” she asks, shoulders squaring.
“No—no! I’m just a mortal.” I pull my hands down. “I have no powers.”
She scans me before cutting her gaze to Algar and Kelrean. She pauses on Kelrean, studying his robe—mostly the engraved emblem on the chest. He’s breathing much harder now.
“A royal,” she says.
“That I am,” he wheezes. “I apologize for my…my lack of introduction. I’m Prince Kelrean Shattore of Bernwood, and it is possible that I will bleed to death without your help.” Kelrean lifts his hand, revealing a fresh bloody patch on the robe near his ribs. It’s seeped right through.
“Kelrean, oh my goodness,” I gasp. Algar and I rush to his side, catching him before he buckles.
“You are very close to Immalon borders,” the woman says, like she couldn’t give a damn that he’s bleeding. “We nearly killed you.”
“Well, I’m thankful you didn’t.” I cling to patience. “Can youpleasehelp us?”
She looks from me, to Thane, and then Rynthea. “They are with you?”
I nod. “Yes.”
“One is a sorcerer with exceptional combat skills,” she remarks, raising a brow. “A severe threat to my people.”
“I guarantee he won’t hurt you or your people. I can explain everything if given the chance, butpleasehelp us.”
Thane is still unconscious on the rock. I really hope he’s not drowning from fluid in his lungs. Rynthea is stirring, so I assume her lungs are fine.
