There was a suspended moment of uncertainty as he decided what to do. A realization hit him: Aislinn had conflict following her, from the moment the drunkards at the tavern yelled at her to now, when a kelpie had almost killed her. It was almost as if all this had occurred only because Aislinn was present. Of all the people he could have met on the day he visited the humans he had to choose this frustrating woman.
Coinneach's emotions changed like raging waters, shifting in different directions at any given time. This instance he turned to mirth, amused by the audacity and uncommon qualities--for a woman--Aislinn possessed. It could have just as easily turned to anger, but he had felt quite enough of that recently. What would be accomplished by killing her now, anyway?
A slight glow enveloped him, lighting up nearby trees and the ground. It faded, leaving him in a human form. He walked up to her back and wrapped his arms around her. "Is this better?" he said in her ear softly. His chuckled followed low, almost seductively. Water still clung to his now human skin and where he clutched her it soaked through her clothing. Coin held her gently so that she could escape, as he knew she would. The hug was only a tease to him, anyway. The icy coldness of the water was a contrast to now feeling human warmth, which, for the fleeting moment it always was, he enjoyed.
The River Spirit And The Bad Omen
-
Aislinn Vahtees
As she felt the cold water soak into her clothes and freeze her flesh she shivered and shrugged his hug off. It was not better at all, it was creepy. He was warm but she felt so cold, bone deep cold.
"Do not touch me again." Her voice was stone dead, her eyes were fixed on his pale face and slight grin. She was not going to give him an inch. She crawled away from him, putting at least three feet between them on the muddy bank.
"I did not tell the townsfolk. That I promise you." She sighed and decided to explain about her visions. "I see things...visions. Sometimes I have dreams, sometimes I have mind splitting visions that invade my conscious mind and show me the future, or the past. Occasionally, like this evening, I see the present as it happens." Remembering the vision of the girl dying, and seeing Coin's face so stoic now, but so gleeful and murderous then, she had to turn her glance from him, and direct it onto the black river. "I saw your death earlier, which was the future at that point, and assumed it was you I needed to help. It wasn't until I was playing my flute that I saw it was the girl that was the innocent soul my mind was being tortured with. I did not have time to raise the alarm, I thought I could save her, I thought I could stop you..."
A tear slid down her grimy cheek, and she scraped it away with the heel of her hand. She refused to weep in front of him. To shed another tear for these people. It was because she cared that she was in this situation time and again. If she could simply ignore the visions, and live her life. If only she could numb herself, freeze her heart and not care about the blood and agony suffered by these people she did not know and never got to help. Maybe then she could live the normal life she so craved...
"I am cursed... I am doomed to see the death's of these people and can do nothing to stop it. Believe me, if I could close this window in my mind, I would. Maybe then I could live a normal life... instead of running from place to place, alone and afraid."
Something occurred to her, a thought that should have dawned on her earlier and perhaps would have done had the chaos of the chase not ensued. Coin had avoided his fate. Her vision had not come to pass. For the first time ever she had been able to alter destiny. Yet, she could not help but wonder; what would be the repercussions. She had saved the murderer, not the victim. For that, had she accrued some bad karma, would she be punished for her interference this time?
"Do not touch me again." Her voice was stone dead, her eyes were fixed on his pale face and slight grin. She was not going to give him an inch. She crawled away from him, putting at least three feet between them on the muddy bank.
"I did not tell the townsfolk. That I promise you." She sighed and decided to explain about her visions. "I see things...visions. Sometimes I have dreams, sometimes I have mind splitting visions that invade my conscious mind and show me the future, or the past. Occasionally, like this evening, I see the present as it happens." Remembering the vision of the girl dying, and seeing Coin's face so stoic now, but so gleeful and murderous then, she had to turn her glance from him, and direct it onto the black river. "I saw your death earlier, which was the future at that point, and assumed it was you I needed to help. It wasn't until I was playing my flute that I saw it was the girl that was the innocent soul my mind was being tortured with. I did not have time to raise the alarm, I thought I could save her, I thought I could stop you..."
A tear slid down her grimy cheek, and she scraped it away with the heel of her hand. She refused to weep in front of him. To shed another tear for these people. It was because she cared that she was in this situation time and again. If she could simply ignore the visions, and live her life. If only she could numb herself, freeze her heart and not care about the blood and agony suffered by these people she did not know and never got to help. Maybe then she could live the normal life she so craved...
"I am cursed... I am doomed to see the death's of these people and can do nothing to stop it. Believe me, if I could close this window in my mind, I would. Maybe then I could live a normal life... instead of running from place to place, alone and afraid."
Something occurred to her, a thought that should have dawned on her earlier and perhaps would have done had the chaos of the chase not ensued. Coin had avoided his fate. Her vision had not come to pass. For the first time ever she had been able to alter destiny. Yet, she could not help but wonder; what would be the repercussions. She had saved the murderer, not the victim. For that, had she accrued some bad karma, would she be punished for her interference this time?
It was hard to keep smiling and feeling mirth when she was teary-eyed. He turned serious, leaning back from her now that she had admitted to him of her special power. Digging his hands and feet into the squishy mud absent-mindedly, Coinneach watched her face and heard the emotion in her voice. It was so genuine, and he had to believe her. After she was finished he told her so. "I guess I have to believe you. At first I wanted to blame you." He paused then continued almost wistfully. "Most of the time they don't catch me so soon after the fact. They might have a sneaking suspicion that it's me, but can't prove it or go against what they believe to be a demigod. I have been here for their whole life, after all, and they only know stories about me. But in this instance they could have thought I was just a regular person, though by now those that survived have probably figured it out."
His face showed no emotion as he followed her gaze to the water of the river he knew so well. "Your words... strike a chord... I, too, am alone. I suppose I take my anger out on others, like you. I'm truly sorry for what I almost did: taking you into the water with me." His voice was candid on showing his sorrow, but in his mind he doubted what he felt. If he had been successful in the pure rush of the moment, afterwards he would only feel smug and content. Yet, this woman—alive—was almost starting to get to him in a good way. Bonds between other creatures and himself were impossible, or so he had always thought. Was there someone worth keeping alive? With the way she obviously felt it would be a mercy killing. And yet, if she was dead, she wouldn't have such good words to give to him.
His face showed no emotion as he followed her gaze to the water of the river he knew so well. "Your words... strike a chord... I, too, am alone. I suppose I take my anger out on others, like you. I'm truly sorry for what I almost did: taking you into the water with me." His voice was candid on showing his sorrow, but in his mind he doubted what he felt. If he had been successful in the pure rush of the moment, afterwards he would only feel smug and content. Yet, this woman—alive—was almost starting to get to him in a good way. Bonds between other creatures and himself were impossible, or so he had always thought. Was there someone worth keeping alive? With the way she obviously felt it would be a mercy killing. And yet, if she was dead, she wouldn't have such good words to give to him.
-
Aislinn Vahtees
"Maybe they had had enough... maybe they weren't prepared to have their children, their loved ones be taken by you any more..." Her voice was dead. She wanted to let the tears flow but held them back. She was determined now to find a way to rid herself of this curse. No more burying her head in the sand. No more trying to prevent the inevitable. "I am merely in the wrong place at thw wrong time. I drift towards wherever a tragedy will occur. It will happen regardless on me being there or not. I understand being blamed though. People have to look for something or someone to blame, why not the vagrant?" Anger burned in her, as it was unfair and often cruel. Today it had been almost fatal.
His sentiments did not feel genuine to her at all. Her visions gave her a window into the the mind of the killer often enough and in his mind she had seen and felt the joy he felt after he had killed. Loneliness was a pathetic excuse. He was clearly not a mindless animal, he was calculated, malicious, and until this night had been content with his life and had possibly never felt anything other then these feelings of joy and pleasure. If she had become a conscience then maybe she was doing something positive? In retrospect it could lead to him wanting to silence that little voice of reason and guilt. She shifted just a little further from him. She was not ready to day yet.
"I have no idea which way to go. For the first time I have a purpose, but no direction. I normally have a direction and no purpose."
His sentiments did not feel genuine to her at all. Her visions gave her a window into the the mind of the killer often enough and in his mind she had seen and felt the joy he felt after he had killed. Loneliness was a pathetic excuse. He was clearly not a mindless animal, he was calculated, malicious, and until this night had been content with his life and had possibly never felt anything other then these feelings of joy and pleasure. If she had become a conscience then maybe she was doing something positive? In retrospect it could lead to him wanting to silence that little voice of reason and guilt. She shifted just a little further from him. She was not ready to day yet.
"I have no idea which way to go. For the first time I have a purpose, but no direction. I normally have a direction and no purpose."
Coinneach sat quietly beside her listening, unable to refute what she said. Witty remarks surfaced but he wasn't so dense that he didn't realize she would not appreciate wisecracks right now.
To her last statement, however, he had to ask, "And what purpose would that be, Aislinn?" Around her his urge for words was still strong. Questions usually invoked more, and he was truly curious about what she had to say. Why would she have a purpose from all of this? Wouldn't it make her lack of purpose worse?
Coinneach swung his head back to her, gazing at her with his eyes which could see her as well as in daytime. Despite the sleep she had gotten at the tavern she still looked worn, tired, burdened. Now he understood why. He also understood why a young woman like herself was traveling alone. It was so...sad. An almost humane feeling came over him as he wracked his brain for something consoling to say, but he was in unfamiliar territory. Anyway, he had a feeling she wouldn't warm to him from something as simple as that. The sadness that lingered around her was the only thing making him continue to bother with her. He didn't want her to feel happy; he wanted her to wallow in misery just as he did.
To her last statement, however, he had to ask, "And what purpose would that be, Aislinn?" Around her his urge for words was still strong. Questions usually invoked more, and he was truly curious about what she had to say. Why would she have a purpose from all of this? Wouldn't it make her lack of purpose worse?
Coinneach swung his head back to her, gazing at her with his eyes which could see her as well as in daytime. Despite the sleep she had gotten at the tavern she still looked worn, tired, burdened. Now he understood why. He also understood why a young woman like herself was traveling alone. It was so...sad. An almost humane feeling came over him as he wracked his brain for something consoling to say, but he was in unfamiliar territory. Anyway, he had a feeling she wouldn't warm to him from something as simple as that. The sadness that lingered around her was the only thing making him continue to bother with her. He didn't want her to feel happy; he wanted her to wallow in misery just as he did.
-
Aislinn Vahtees
"Why, to rid myself of this curse of course. I have been running from it for too long. Thinking I could use it to change things, to challenge destiny. I see now that I have only been making my life harder, and becoming an outcast."
She stood up and brushed down her muddy skirts. It didn't make too much of a difference, but she felt like she was making progress. She couldn't return to Shim, that much was clear. What, with the mob and her name sullied and her face attached to this murder she wouldn't be able to show her face there again...Then suddenly, it hit her. Like a punch in her midriff she felt the force of it double her over and knock the winds of change and hope out of her. Her flute!
Panic started to rise in her and she fought it, pushing it down into the pit of her stomach. She had to go back... she could not leave her flute there. If she had another purpose in her life it was her music. It was the only thing that had kept her going, the only thing that validated her and made her want to continue, helped her forget the dreams and nightmares that plagued her. It was also the only way, bar whoring herself, that she could make the money she needed to eat. Looking at the stars which had now come out and were shining brightly, she ascertained her position and faced the direction she believed the town to be in. How she was going to get her things, she had no idea, but once she had retrieved them, she was leaving Shim for good. Where she went was the next big question.
"On my travels, before I came to Shim, I heard of a city nearby. Marn, I think it was called. How far is it? And what direction?"
She stood up and brushed down her muddy skirts. It didn't make too much of a difference, but she felt like she was making progress. She couldn't return to Shim, that much was clear. What, with the mob and her name sullied and her face attached to this murder she wouldn't be able to show her face there again...Then suddenly, it hit her. Like a punch in her midriff she felt the force of it double her over and knock the winds of change and hope out of her. Her flute!
Panic started to rise in her and she fought it, pushing it down into the pit of her stomach. She had to go back... she could not leave her flute there. If she had another purpose in her life it was her music. It was the only thing that had kept her going, the only thing that validated her and made her want to continue, helped her forget the dreams and nightmares that plagued her. It was also the only way, bar whoring herself, that she could make the money she needed to eat. Looking at the stars which had now come out and were shining brightly, she ascertained her position and faced the direction she believed the town to be in. How she was going to get her things, she had no idea, but once she had retrieved them, she was leaving Shim for good. Where she went was the next big question.
"On my travels, before I came to Shim, I heard of a city nearby. Marn, I think it was called. How far is it? And what direction?"
Coinneach nodded as she expressed her new purpose. It was a noble one, but one he doubted could be realized. Going against a part of yourself was impossible; he knew that well. It was better to embrace it... But he wasn't going to tell her that. Let her have a dream, just so it could come crashing back down to earth when she realized exactly what he realized a long time ago.
A complacent, kindly smile returned to his face as he looked up at her. For a moment after her inquiry he was silent with only a smile. He disliked Marn and didn't want her going there. "Yes, it's called Marn," he said amicably. To her actual questions, however, he said nothing. Instead, he stood and walked to stand in front of her. As he faced her, trying to look in her eyes, the forest presented a gloomy backdrop. Her face should tell her what she was feeling better than words. Yet, she seemed apathetic or she was hiding her feelings. "Marn isn't that way," he stated, continuing to be amicable.
A complacent, kindly smile returned to his face as he looked up at her. For a moment after her inquiry he was silent with only a smile. He disliked Marn and didn't want her going there. "Yes, it's called Marn," he said amicably. To her actual questions, however, he said nothing. Instead, he stood and walked to stand in front of her. As he faced her, trying to look in her eyes, the forest presented a gloomy backdrop. Her face should tell her what she was feeling better than words. Yet, she seemed apathetic or she was hiding her feelings. "Marn isn't that way," he stated, continuing to be amicable.
-
Aislinn Vahtees
"Marn isn't, but Shim is..."
Marching away from the stationary Coin, she entered the woods and headed in the direction of the Town of Shim. As she walked her mind was overwhelmed with cautions and plea's to turn back and head for the City of Marn right now! If she could find a soothsayer, a wizard or a shaman perhaps she could free herself of this curse. Magic was a touchy subject in Thar Shaddin it seemed, but she had no choice. She did not have a knowledge of its workings or of the Astral Plane and had a feeling her power was linked to it somehow. If she could find someone with this knowledge, she would be one step closer to her life of normality.
Right now her aim was to retrieve her flute and the rest of her possessions from Shim. It might be foolhardy but she needed it, she needed them... Perhaps word had not reached the town yet, perhaps her name had not been besmirched by the insanity of the mob? As the trees started the thin and the edges of the village came into sight, she could not tell if they knew or not. There was no sign to indicate either way. Crouching behind a low wall and waiting, she wondered if Coin had left her, and hoped she had not offended him.
Marching away from the stationary Coin, she entered the woods and headed in the direction of the Town of Shim. As she walked her mind was overwhelmed with cautions and plea's to turn back and head for the City of Marn right now! If she could find a soothsayer, a wizard or a shaman perhaps she could free herself of this curse. Magic was a touchy subject in Thar Shaddin it seemed, but she had no choice. She did not have a knowledge of its workings or of the Astral Plane and had a feeling her power was linked to it somehow. If she could find someone with this knowledge, she would be one step closer to her life of normality.
Right now her aim was to retrieve her flute and the rest of her possessions from Shim. It might be foolhardy but she needed it, she needed them... Perhaps word had not reached the town yet, perhaps her name had not been besmirched by the insanity of the mob? As the trees started the thin and the edges of the village came into sight, she could not tell if they knew or not. There was no sign to indicate either way. Crouching behind a low wall and waiting, she wondered if Coin had left her, and hoped she had not offended him.
Coinneach sighed as he watched Aislinn disappear from sight between the trees. She had been so rude lately, but he supposed he deserved it. He cast a yearning look at the dark river then followed her. He was far enough away that she wouldn't notice him. As he walked silently, dodging from tree to tree and watching her, he wondered why she was going to Shim. The kelpie wasn't the type to be a prince in shining armor, but this poor woman really needed one. Whatever she was going back to town for wasn't worth it. If she was caught, what he would do without the river close by he didn't know.
Coin crouched behind a bush that had grown on the edge of the forest and watched as she readied herself. Silly humans are so materialistic he thought, pouting. It was now obvious that was why she was back at the tavern. For a crazy minute he had thought she was going to try to talk to them and convince them of her innocence or something asinine like that.
The town was silent as the grave. It was a little eerie, not that the town bustled much during the day anyway. Normally everyone would be in bed, but he doubted the ones that were would be sleeping easily. At least not with their men and a few mothers gone off to look for Margretta. To think that such a dumb little girl could arouse such fervor and worry...
Coin crouched behind a bush that had grown on the edge of the forest and watched as she readied herself. Silly humans are so materialistic he thought, pouting. It was now obvious that was why she was back at the tavern. For a crazy minute he had thought she was going to try to talk to them and convince them of her innocence or something asinine like that.
The town was silent as the grave. It was a little eerie, not that the town bustled much during the day anyway. Normally everyone would be in bed, but he doubted the ones that were would be sleeping easily. At least not with their men and a few mothers gone off to look for Margretta. To think that such a dumb little girl could arouse such fervor and worry...
-
Aislinn Vahtees
She caught sight of him in the corner of her eye, but acknowledged him with nothing more then a silent nod. Making her way as silently as she could from the trees to the edge of town she did not look back, again silently hoping he would follow her. Her heart was beating so hard it drowned out all the opposing thoughts in her head. Trying to focus on being quiet was difficult when every noise you made seemed to be louder then a cymbal crash...
Getting to the Inn was easier then she thought. The roads were deserted and she kept to the grey shadows. Dawn was still a couple of hours away and the town was silent and still. When she got to the servants entrance to the Red Chalice Inn she paused, pressing her ear to the door, trying to ascertain if their was someone on the other side. She had no other choice but to assume there was no-one and so she opened the door. Its creaking would be enough to wake the dead! She thought, in a panic. Deciding she would need to come back out this way, and not wanting to risk opening it again, she left the door ajar and tiptoed down the hallway that led to the stairs.
Her room had been on the second floor, all she could do was hope word of her supposed guilt had not reached this sleepy little town yet. Even though she thought it was strange she had not met a soul yet, she thanked the gods that she got to her room without being accosted. Opening her own door she felt a little more relaxed. Someone had put her flute on her bed, and everything else had been packed. They must have wanted her on her way, either way; such strange behaviour was rarely tolerated anywhere. She sighed heavily, picking up her things and allowing a regretful tear to escape her dark eyes. She had liked it here. For the first time in so very long she had felt welcomed, had had a soft bed to sleep in and warm food to nourish her. She didn't know how far Marn was but she suspected she might find making a living a little harder, perhaps she would have to try her hand at something else?
shaking herself out of her gloomy thoughts she returned her focus to the room. Through the window she could see approaching torches, their flickering amber glow permeating the cold, pre-dawn grey like a surgeons knife through flesh. Their presence brought her back to her danger and she hurried from the room, hoping to hit the streets before they did.
Getting to the Inn was easier then she thought. The roads were deserted and she kept to the grey shadows. Dawn was still a couple of hours away and the town was silent and still. When she got to the servants entrance to the Red Chalice Inn she paused, pressing her ear to the door, trying to ascertain if their was someone on the other side. She had no other choice but to assume there was no-one and so she opened the door. Its creaking would be enough to wake the dead! She thought, in a panic. Deciding she would need to come back out this way, and not wanting to risk opening it again, she left the door ajar and tiptoed down the hallway that led to the stairs.
Her room had been on the second floor, all she could do was hope word of her supposed guilt had not reached this sleepy little town yet. Even though she thought it was strange she had not met a soul yet, she thanked the gods that she got to her room without being accosted. Opening her own door she felt a little more relaxed. Someone had put her flute on her bed, and everything else had been packed. They must have wanted her on her way, either way; such strange behaviour was rarely tolerated anywhere. She sighed heavily, picking up her things and allowing a regretful tear to escape her dark eyes. She had liked it here. For the first time in so very long she had felt welcomed, had had a soft bed to sleep in and warm food to nourish her. She didn't know how far Marn was but she suspected she might find making a living a little harder, perhaps she would have to try her hand at something else?
shaking herself out of her gloomy thoughts she returned her focus to the room. Through the window she could see approaching torches, their flickering amber glow permeating the cold, pre-dawn grey like a surgeons knife through flesh. Their presence brought her back to her danger and she hurried from the room, hoping to hit the streets before they did.
Coinneach watched Aislinn enter the tavern, being as stealthy as she could. The night was still, except in the distance he heard people talking. Soon there was the crunching of many sticks and other forest matter. He ducked lower when a group of townspeople, made up of mostly women, walked not too far away from him. They were headed into town and seemed to be carrying people. Probably the injured. More than a few were crying as they walked. It was only a small fraction of the original amount of people that had come searching for Margretta, and Coin wasn't sure if it was because the rest were dead or whether they were still searching for more bodies.
They were led by the owner of the tavern and they headed for that building. Coinneach cursed wordlessly to himself as he saw them entering. They probably wanted a place to rest the injured. Aislinn's luck had worn short.
Coinneach stood when most of the people were gone, naked and pale in the moonlight. He probably stuck out like a sore thumb. He turned to go, feeling sorry for Aislinn, but paused. She needed a hero more than most. Guilt made him face the tavern again, and walk across the empty grass toward the building. His uncertainty was gone and suddenly he was galloping in horse form. Someone looked out the window as he approached and inside people began to scream and the men stormed out the front.
Coinneach reared and whinnied so loud it was more like a continuous roar. The men who still had their farming tools stabbed at him, but Coinneach, graceful for such a big horse, wheeled away. He hoped his distraction would allow Aislinn to escape, but he couldn't see what was happening inside.
They were led by the owner of the tavern and they headed for that building. Coinneach cursed wordlessly to himself as he saw them entering. They probably wanted a place to rest the injured. Aislinn's luck had worn short.
Coinneach stood when most of the people were gone, naked and pale in the moonlight. He probably stuck out like a sore thumb. He turned to go, feeling sorry for Aislinn, but paused. She needed a hero more than most. Guilt made him face the tavern again, and walk across the empty grass toward the building. His uncertainty was gone and suddenly he was galloping in horse form. Someone looked out the window as he approached and inside people began to scream and the men stormed out the front.
Coinneach reared and whinnied so loud it was more like a continuous roar. The men who still had their farming tools stabbed at him, but Coinneach, graceful for such a big horse, wheeled away. He hoped his distraction would allow Aislinn to escape, but he couldn't see what was happening inside.
-
Aislinn Vahtees
When she got to the side alley she stopped in horror! The tavern owner was leading people her way and she had nowhere to run. Others had entered by the bat wing doors and were already inside, she could hear them. The alley was not deep enough to take her far enough away from the inn door, and there was nothing to conceal her either. They looked angry, and no doubt were still baying for her blood. If they saw her, she was dead.
She was frozen to the spot again, fear taking over and not allowing her to move, even though there was no where for her to go. Just when she thought she was to be discovered a roar of anger rose from the mob and they turned to face something in unison. Screams of radiated through them and it was this sound that unfroze Aislinn's mind and allowed her to escape.
She did not know what possessed her but once she was clear of the crowd she took one further chance. She had seen the stable boys in the mob as well and banked all her luck on the stables being empty. She had been an accomplished rider in another life, and chose the best black stallion she could find. Saddling him up quickly she mounted him and walked slowly out of the stables. The mob was still engaged by what she could now see was Coin! They were stabbing at him and he galloped away, in the opposite direction she was facing. Touched that he had risked himself to help her she dragged her eyes from his gleaming skin and kicked her own stead in the direction of Marn.
She was frozen to the spot again, fear taking over and not allowing her to move, even though there was no where for her to go. Just when she thought she was to be discovered a roar of anger rose from the mob and they turned to face something in unison. Screams of radiated through them and it was this sound that unfroze Aislinn's mind and allowed her to escape.
She did not know what possessed her but once she was clear of the crowd she took one further chance. She had seen the stable boys in the mob as well and banked all her luck on the stables being empty. She had been an accomplished rider in another life, and chose the best black stallion she could find. Saddling him up quickly she mounted him and walked slowly out of the stables. The mob was still engaged by what she could now see was Coin! They were stabbing at him and he galloped away, in the opposite direction she was facing. Touched that he had risked himself to help her she dragged her eyes from his gleaming skin and kicked her own stead in the direction of Marn.
As Coinneach wheeled around and around, dodging the farmer's weapons, he noticed a rider galloping away toward the woods. It was Aislinn, and he knew where she was going: Marn. The hated place. He neighed loudly and angrily and ran in the opposite direction from it, leading the townspeople away. He ran with all his strength and wondered why he had thought that putting himself in such danger for a woman he hardly knew would be a good idea.
The humans were no match for his speed and soon he was jumping over rotting logs and thorns through the trees. The river roared into visible range in the faint pre-morning light and, with relief, he went straight in and disappeared into the water.
The humans were no match for his speed and soon he was jumping over rotting logs and thorns through the trees. The river roared into visible range in the faint pre-morning light and, with relief, he went straight in and disappeared into the water.