enjoying a heartbeat of weightlessness before he slammed into the steep side of the short cliff and bounce off and away. He hit the rocky bank and rolled into the water, barely conscious and suddenly thrust back into the same watery nightmare that had almost killed him less than twenty-four hours ago.
The rushing water swept Corian away. It carried him east and sent him tumbling and plunging through rapids and over small waterfalls. The cold water soothed the burning in his leg and chest, but it left him numb and desperate for breath whenever he could get his face above the surface. A small bundle of fallen branches crossed the river ahead. He managed to grab it with his left arm and hold himself still long enough to gather his breath and spit out what water was in his mouth.
His fingers trembled, the cold and exhaustion sapping their strength. He began to force his right arm up out of the water when he saw movement up the river. The splisskin were searching for him, two of them leading the way with arrows fit to bows. Corian lacked the energy to curse. They weren’t trying to capture him; they were going to kill him. He had no choice.
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes before letting go of the branches. The current swept him under and downstream towards a roaring waterfall that fell a dozen feet. He clutched his arms to his chest and thought up a prayer to Saint Preth, the patron of survival.
Chapter 9
Allie tucked her bundle of dry clothes under her arm as she walked along the edge of the river. She was dripping sweat again after her morning workout. Grandpa drilled her over and over, making her fight against imaginary opponents and then beat a bale of hay until she was itching and exhausted. Then he made her rake up the hay and feed their horses.
The only good part was the time it gave her to think about what he’d told her. They’d talked about her mom, or at least as much about her mom as Grandpa knew. He said they’d lived in Assurion’s Crossing but it was burned down. Grandpa and her dad found it burning and her dad rescued her. He couldn’t save her mom, though. It was enough for Allie; it made sense why her dad didn’t talk about it. He must have felt bad. She couldn’t wait to see him again and give him a hug and let him know she didn’t blame him. Maybe then he’d open up and tell her more about what she’d been like.
Her muscles were sore and her arms were so tired they felt like they were made of iron. But she felt good. Great, actually. She was covered in dust and sweat and didn’t smell like a girl ought to smell, but she felt alive. Even more than that, Grandpa had nodded and smiled a few times, approving of her progress.
Even more exciting than all of that, she was dying to jump in the river and go for a swim. She walked as fast as she could without breaking into a jog and reached the spot she’d been a couple of days past, after she’d broken Talwin’s arm. The healer at the shrine to the patron saint of light and growth had set and bound his arm, but there was little more he could do for him. Magical healing was a thing of miracles and fantasies in Almont. Only the rich and powerful could afford such boons, and they wouldn’t be found anywhere near a tiny trading post like Almont.
Now Talwin was avoiding her and it looked like word had spread. Boys were steering clear of her and the three girls in the village her age would look at her, but then find something else to do. She was different from them. She wanted more out of life. The simple fact that she was learning to defend herself was more than they could understand. She was a girl—in their eyes, she should set her sights on finding a man to protect her.
Allisandra pushed the thoughts of her peers away. Today was a good day. The sun was hot and the water cool and inviting. She’d worked hard and now she was going to enjoy some time to herself. She kept going, heading farther upstream than she usually
The rushing water swept Corian away. It carried him east and sent him tumbling and plunging through rapids and over small waterfalls. The cold water soothed the burning in his leg and chest, but it left him numb and desperate for breath whenever he could get his face above the surface. A small bundle of fallen branches crossed the river ahead. He managed to grab it with his left arm and hold himself still long enough to gather his breath and spit out what water was in his mouth.
His fingers trembled, the cold and exhaustion sapping their strength. He began to force his right arm up out of the water when he saw movement up the river. The splisskin were searching for him, two of them leading the way with arrows fit to bows. Corian lacked the energy to curse. They weren’t trying to capture him; they were going to kill him. He had no choice.
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes before letting go of the branches. The current swept him under and downstream towards a roaring waterfall that fell a dozen feet. He clutched his arms to his chest and thought up a prayer to Saint Preth, the patron of survival.
Chapter 9
Allie tucked her bundle of dry clothes under her arm as she walked along the edge of the river. She was dripping sweat again after her morning workout. Grandpa drilled her over and over, making her fight against imaginary opponents and then beat a bale of hay until she was itching and exhausted. Then he made her rake up the hay and feed their horses.
The only good part was the time it gave her to think about what he’d told her. They’d talked about her mom, or at least as much about her mom as Grandpa knew. He said they’d lived in Assurion’s Crossing but it was burned down. Grandpa and her dad found it burning and her dad rescued her. He couldn’t save her mom, though. It was enough for Allie; it made sense why her dad didn’t talk about it. He must have felt bad. She couldn’t wait to see him again and give him a hug and let him know she didn’t blame him. Maybe then he’d open up and tell her more about what she’d been like.
Her muscles were sore and her arms were so tired they felt like they were made of iron. But she felt good. Great, actually. She was covered in dust and sweat and didn’t smell like a girl ought to smell, but she felt alive. Even more than that, Grandpa had nodded and smiled a few times, approving of her progress.
Even more exciting than all of that, she was dying to jump in the river and go for a swim. She walked as fast as she could without breaking into a jog and reached the spot she’d been a couple of days past, after she’d broken Talwin’s arm. The healer at the shrine to the patron saint of light and growth had set and bound his arm, but there was little more he could do for him. Magical healing was a thing of miracles and fantasies in Almont. Only the rich and powerful could afford such boons, and they wouldn’t be found anywhere near a tiny trading post like Almont.
Now Talwin was avoiding her and it looked like word had spread. Boys were steering clear of her and the three girls in the village her age would look at her, but then find something else to do. She was different from them. She wanted more out of life. The simple fact that she was learning to defend herself was more than they could understand. She was a girl—in their eyes, she should set her sights on finding a man to protect her.
Allisandra pushed the thoughts of her peers away. Today was a good day. The sun was hot and the water cool and inviting. She’d worked hard and now she was going to enjoy some time to herself. She kept going, heading farther upstream than she usually
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