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about concealing themselves from view. At any rate, Nelwyn
hoped that they would find something before they reached the
rapids. She just hoped they would not find the enemy himself; they
were not yet ready for such a confrontation. Nelwyn thought of
Talrodin’s astonished expression and shuddered. She didn’t like
being all alone by the river. At least it was getting warmer as she
made her way south, and the cold wind would soon pass. For now, she
was miserable.
    The Elves had encountered only two others in the last
four days, fishermen of a different clan from those up river. Both
had been on the east bank. Gaelen had questioned them, but from her
posture it was apparent that she had learned little or nothing from
them.
    Gaelen was wet and miserable herself. She felt her
cousin’s gaze, straightened, and waved at her. They would both go
to shelter for the night facing the same dreary prospect—no dry
wood, only a few remnants of food, and no nice, warm cousin to
share cloaks and the pleasure of complaining with.
    If they didn’t find something soon, Nelwyn feared
they both would lose heart, and she had no wish for that. But they
were so far from home already! Grumbling to herself, she settled
her back against some large stones that protected her from the
wind. This was not much of a shelter, but it was better than
nothing.
    A few moments later, Nelwyn was startled by a cry
from the east. Though it sounded rather like a large bird, she knew
it was Gaelen— she must have found something. Nelwyn leaped to her
feet, shaking off the cold, and peered into the rain. Gaelen was
pointing down and across the river, gesturing for Nelwyn to
investigate. Gaelen started down river herself, keeping a close
watch on the far bank. The boat was there, about a quarter mile to
the south.
    There was no sound, scent, or sight of the enemy.
Nelwyn could tell that he had left the boat in haste and was now
making his way over land, for he had left plenty of sign for her to
follow. This was encouraging, as it meant that he was probably not
aware that anyone was tracking him. Either that, or he didn’t
care.
    Though the second possibility frightened her, the
first cheered Nelwyn as she climbed into the boat, which had been
secured with a short rope to a nearby stone. She examined the small
craft for signs, and there were plenty, if not very enlightening. A
few remnants of food stolen from the fishermen and a few drops of
strange, dark blood were left behind, not quite washed away by the
rain. The same foul smell was now evident, but it was very faint,
indicating that the creature had been gone for a while.
    As she stood up to signal to Gaelen, the rear of the
boat moving unsteadily under her feet, Nelwyn heard a sound from
the brush at the edge of the trees. She spun around in surprise to
behold a tall, shadowy figure moving rapidly toward her. It
startled her enough to throw her off balance and, with a cry, she
fell into the water. The cold numbed her senses for a moment, long
enough for the current to pull her away from the bank.
    Gaelen gave a cry of alarm, grabbed a slender cord
she carried across her shoulders, uncoiled it, pulled a rather
unique arrow from her quiver, and tied the cord to it. As she did
so, she spotted the tall figure leaping after Nelwyn, who was
floundering along a steep and rocky bank grasping at whatever she
could. The unknown figure could not reach her, and it soon
disappeared amid the thick scrub along the riverbank.
    Gaelen held her breath, waiting until Nelwyn had
fetched up against a large stone and clung to it, struggling
against the wild water. Seeing her chance, Gaelen drew back with
all the strength and skill she could muster, and sent her shot
across the river.
     
    The stout, multi-barbed shaft lodged firmly among the
stones several feet above Nelwyn’s head. The cold had robbed her of
her strength, and soon she would no longer be able to stay above
water. She didn’t dare try to grab the cord—Gaelen