Slynn took the first step into the river, his boots sinking into the churning water up to his thighs. The current tugged at him, threatening to pull him off balance, but he gripped the rope tightly, his fingers digging into the coarse fibers. The bard stumbled a bit, his foot slipping on a submerged rock, but he quickly regained his footing and continued forward.

  Selly followed closely behind Slynn, her nimble feet finding purchase on the slippery riverbed. She moved with notable more grace than Slynn. As she waded deeper into the water. But she didn't falter; determined to reach the other side.

  Esme was next to enter the river. She moved slower than Selly and Slynn, her frame struggling against the force of the current. She was careful in her movements, taking each step with precision to ensure that Velma remained secure on her back. The water reached Esme's chest as she waded deeper into the river, but still she pressed onward.

  Finally, Krill stepped into the water. The current pulled at him fiercely as he made his way across the river, but he clenched the rope with his left hand while using his right hand to steady himself against Esme's shoulder.

  Progress was clearly being made, a fact that Elara noted with satisfaction as she observed. But there was still a long way to go before they would reach safety on the other side.

  Her gaze flitted from one companion to another, a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach. She scanned the rushing water, noting how it gnawed at rocks.

  Her own boots sank deeper into the muddy bank. This wasn't just the icy bite of the river threatening their journey. Every swirl of water felt like a phantom grasp, trying to pull them into its depths.

  Her gaze caught Slynn's for a moment, meeting his eyes over the rushing current. He winked, offering her a reassuring grin, his hair plastered against his forehead by the spray. Even his cocky demeanor couldn’t completely disguise the effort needed to maintain balance.

  Esme looked up, catching her worried gaze, a silent nod exchanged between them. Then Esme shifted Velma slightly, checking the restraints. She wouldn’t falter.

  Upstream an object snagged Elara’s attention, a dark, jagged mass moving swiftly with the current. At first glance, it seemed like nothing more than a piece of driftwood, harmless and unremarkable. But as it drew closer, a chill crept down her spine, and her heart pounded against her ribs.

  It wasn’t driftwood.

  It was a chunk of a broken boat or raft, splintered wood, jagged pointed ends catching the light like wicked teeth.

  The current propelled it forward with alarming speed, aiming straight for the group. The object’s momentum could easily knock someone off their feet, or worse, impale them.

  There was no point in shouting a warning. The roar of the river drowned out any chance of communication. Still, Elara cried out, her voice lost in the churning water. Her mind desperately searched for a solution.

  Void bolt? No, that was too weak. It never showed to have any actual force needed to sway such a large chunk of wood.

  The object will hit the group in seconds unless she did something. Her voidwalking ability, it’s risky, but she knew it was the only way to stop the collision.

  She focused on the moving object. The world around her dimmed, colors fading into shades of gray as she tapped into the void. She visualized herself standing atop the debris, her destination clear in her mind.

  She vanished, leaving behind nothing.

  Reappearing atop the broken raft, her boots sliding on its wet, uneven surface. The rush of the river is deafening now, and the force of the current beneath the debris threatens to throw her off balance. She crouches low, steadying herself, and wraps her hands around a protruding piece of wood.

  She squeezed her eyes shut, leaning heavily on her knees, a wave of nausea washing over her. Purple wisps shimmered in her vision, lingering echoes of her exertion. A groan escaped her lips as dizziness threatened to overcome her. This was beyond moving herself; hauling that chunk of debris, focusing on her Voidwalk skill to pull that weight. The mana drain felt profound.

  She blinked, watching from her new found position as Slynn scrambled backwards, stumbling a bit. Selly stared, eyes wide, while Krill tilted his head, considering.

  Only Esme simply grinned.

  “Nicely done, Alira!” Her voice boomed, loud enough over the rushing water. “Almost gave us a heart attack.” Esme let out a deep, rumbling chuckle, clapping her hands together. Selly’s eyes blinked rapidly, her gaze flicking nervously from the splintered wood at the edge of the bank to the still-motionless Elara.

  The sudden absence of the raft piece created a wake. Water surged forward to fill the gap, pulling against the rest of the group. Krill scrambled for purchase, shouting a warning over the roar of the river.

  Selly, usually agile and quick, didn't fare as well. A strong surge snatched at her feet, sending her off balance. Selly disappeared beneath the surface.

  Time seemed to slow. Elara's breath caught in her throat. Instinct kicked in. She prepared her mana for another Voidwalk, planning to throw herself towards Selly's vanishing form.

  But Selly resurfaced immediately, sputtering and coughing. A wave of relief washed over her, followed quickly by an upsurge of adrenaline.

  Without pause, the rest of the group surged forward, ignoring Esme's barked command to "be careful!"

  They scrambled onto the riverbank, hearts pounding, breaths coming in ragged gasps. Esme rushed immediately towards Elara, her massive frame a reassuring beacon.

  Her firm hand clasped her arm, pulling her to her feet. "Alright, little jumper," Esme said, her voice rough but gentle. "That was some fancy footwork back there, but next time, think about how many Gs you could slap on the rest of us before factoring in your grand entrance."

  "But better some water affected by gravity than a boat with the force of gravity," Selly tired voice chimes in.

  Elara's legs wobbled beneath her, the aftereffects of moving the boat still lingering. She nodded, muscles aching from the exertion.

  Slynn, ever the dramatic one, stood a little further back, bowing dramatically.

  "What a thrilling rescue!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing through the woods. "Your daring interjection, my dear Alira, saved us all from watery oblivion!"

  A blessing, truly, she thought, gazing at the swirling rapids. Her meager combat skills was hardly a detriment. Voidwalk, coupled with her growing dexterity, made her surprisingly formidable.

  Krill limped closer, concern etched on his weathered face. He gently patted Velma’s shoulder, checking her bindings.

  “She’s alright, thank goodness,” he murmured, relief washing over him.

  Esme, still chuckling, gave Krill a playful nudge.

  “Just a bit shaken and wet, but otherwise fine.”

  While Esme and Krill talked, Elara’s gaze drifted towards the remnants of the broken boat, laying uselessly on the ground.

  Slynn sauntered over, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

  “Fancy finding some treasure, eh, Alira?” he asked, a playful grin spreading across his face.

  “Maybe identifying marks?” Elara suggested, gesturing towards the splintered wood.

  Slynn’s grin widened. “Who knows what secrets this river holds? Perhaps a map to buried riches?”

  They approached the broken boat. Despite the river's fury, the wood showed little signs of water damage. It had not been long since the vessel had met its end.

  Elara ran her fingers over a plank, marveling at its smoothness. "Look at this," she said, pointing to a particularly well-preserved section. "It seems the boat was destroyed recently."

  Slynn raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "That is peculiar," he mused. "What could have caused this?"

  As they continued to examine the wreckage, Elara noticed something etched into the wood. It was an image of a Six-Headed Creature, each adorned with a crown of a different design. Its coiling body encircles a tower that pierces the heavens, the base of which is entwined with chains and coins. The background is a web-like structure, stylized and regal, with sharp, intertwining lines. She traced her fingers over the grooves.

  "Slynn," she said slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think I might have found something."

  The bard leaned in closer, his hand resting on his chin as he studied the carving intently. She turned to him, her voice barely above a whisper. "What do you think it means?"

  Slynn looked at her, then at the others who were far away, not interested in the piece of wood that nearly impaled them. He shook his head, his expression thoughtful. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "But I have a hunch."

  Elara leaned in closer. "What hunch?" she asked, her voice barely audible over the roar of the river.

  Slynn looked back at her, his eyes searching hers for understanding. "I've only heard this symbol described to me," he said slowly. "Never seen it before." He paused for a moment, weighing his words. "But how many have a six-headed hydra with crowns as a symbol?" he joked lightly, trying to ease the tension that had settled between them like a thick fog.

  Despite his attempt at humor, Elara could sense the unease still lingering beneath the surface. She knew Slynn was holding back. She pressed him further. "What do you think it could mean?" she asked again.

  Slynn hesitated for a moment before answering. "I don't know," he admitted finally. "But I think we should ask someone more knowledgeable about these things." He gestured towards Esme and Krill, who were talking quietly off to one side. "Esme or Krill might shed some light on this. And may affirm my suspicion."

  Elara's dissatisfaction with his non-answers boiled over as she called out to Esme and Krill, her voice cutting through the hum of the river. She didn't want to wait any longer for answers, and Slynn's vague responses weren't helping her understand what she had found.

  Esme and Krill, who had been engaged in a quiet conversation, were momentarily taken aback by Elara's abrupt interruption.

  Elara winced at her own rudeness but couldn't help her impatience. She pointed at the piece of wood with the intricate carving for Esme and Krill to see. "What do you make of this?" she asked.

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  Esme and Krill exchanged another glance before Esme stepped forward to examine the symbol more closely. Her brow furrowed in thought. Krill stood behind her, his eyes fixed on the carving as well.

  Slynn watched them intently, focused on their reaction. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against a rock, waiting for them to reveal their thoughts.

  After a few moments of silence, Esme finally spoke up. "I've seen this symbol before," she said slowly, her voice measured. "But I never expected I would find it here." She looked up at Elara with a serious look in her eyes. "It is associated with a newly formed territory south of the Empire."

  Krill nodded in agreement as he stepped forward to join Esme in examining the carving more closely. "The Six-Headed Hydra is their emblem," he explained. "Each head represents one of the six people involved in creating the new country."

  "A new country?" Elara echoed, her brow furrowing. The concept itself was intriguing. How did something like that even come to be? Six people ruling sounds interesting. "Doesn't that seem...unusual?"

  Elara thought back to the dungeon they’d been in, its location east, heading west as they traveled now. “Where were they headed? And how close are we to the border?”

  Esme’s gaze drifted towards the swirling rapids, her eyes thoughtful. “That river flows south,” she pointed out, gesturing with her head towards the current. “Meaning that boat was comin’ from inside the Empire.”

  Krill nodded in agreement. "This river," he added, "doesn’t lead to any major cities. Not that I know of, anyway."

  He shrugged, then glanced at Esme. "Of course, I'm no expert on every backwater creek in the Empire. Maybe they have a good reason for bein' here."

  Slynn snorted. “To travel this far destroyed their boat,” he said, his voice taking on a serious tone. "Doesn't sound good, does it? Best we forget about having seen it," he finished with a sigh.

  Krill shifted uncomfortably, his silence and downward-pointing lips speaking volumes. His shoulders tensed under the weight of words unspoken, and he cast a fleeting glance at Esme as if seeking her support. It was clear he disagreed with Slynn’s suggestion, but he kept his dissent firmly locked behind a wall of tight-lipped restraint.

  “Why?” Elara pressed, her curiosity overriding her caution. The way Krill avoided her gaze only sharpened her sense that something more was at play. “What’s wrong with getting involved?”

  “Territory disputes, Alira,” Slynn replied with a sharp exhale, running a hand through his hair. His voice was tight, laced with unease. “They’re messy, dangerous affairs. Best to stay out of them altogether. Nothing good comes from meddling in power struggles.”

  “What dispute?” Elara echoed, frowning. “I know nothing about this.”

  “It’s no surprise,” Slynn chuckled nervously, the sound lacking its usual confidence. “Even I’ve only heard whispers. Officially, there has been no open conflict. But…” He trailed off, his gaze darting toward Esme.

  Esme remained silent, her eyes fixed on the river ahead, where sunlight danced on the rippling surface. Her expression betrayed nothing.

  “But?” Elara prompted, her frustration growing alongside her unease. She folded her arms, fixing Slynn with a pointed stare. “If you’re going to drop breadcrumbs, you’d better be ready to share the loaf.”

  Slynn’s lips twitched at her quip, but the humor didn’t reach his eyes. He shifted his weight, glancing over his shoulder as if expecting eavesdroppers in the quiet forest. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders slumping in reluctant defeat.

  “A new country forming so close to the Empire…” His words were low, almost a whisper. “That’s never a good sign. Especially not one with a symbol like that.”

  “A hydra,” Krill muttered, his voice gravelly with distaste.

  Elara’s frown deepened. “A hydra?”

  Slynn nodded, leaning against a stone as though the effort of speaking this truth drained him. “Six heads. Each representing a leader. Powerful, ambitious…prideful. A new territory needs resources and mercenaries looking for coin. Outcasts seeking purpose all will find their way there. The Empire would probably start with an alliance of convenience to absorb them into the Empire, but with such a prideful sigil… you can guess how long those last.”

  “Not long,” Krill interjected grimly, his brows knitting together. “And when they break, they break violently.”

  “And where does that leave us?” Elara asked, her voice steady but her pulse quickening.

  “Caught in the crossfire if we’re not careful and don't leave the south,” Esme finally spoke, her voice low and deliberate. She turned her gaze away from the river, meeting Elara’s eyes with a piercing intensity. “The Empire won’t let this new territory grow to challenge their dominion. And neither will the smaller factions watching from the shadows, waiting for their chance to take a bite. It’s not just a dispute, Alira. It’s a battlefield waiting to happen.”

  Elara’s mind raced as the implications settled over her like a leaden cloak. “So we stay out of it. Is that what you’re saying?”

  Slynn hesitated, his expression flickering between agreement and doubt. “That’s the safest option, yes. But safe isn’t always possible.”

  Esme gave a small, approving nod, while Slynn rubbed the back of his neck, clearly less confident.

  Elara stared at each of them, weighing their words against the unease curling in her chest. This sounded like trouble, a storm brewing on the horizon. But storms rarely stayed in one place.

  Elara settled beside Velma, the warmth of the crackling fire a welcome contrast to the damp chill of the evening. She watched as Selly squeezed excess water from her clothes, laying them out on a makeshift rack constructed from sticks. It was a simple contraption, yet remarkably effective. She burned the image into her memory, noting the angles and placement of the sticks, committing it to her mind as a skill to be learned.

  Krill meanwhile, gathered firewood and tended to the flames. Esme, ever watchful, scanned the surrounding area. Slynn, seemingly more at ease now, leaned against a nearby boulder, humming a tuneless melody as he sharpened his daggers.

  The rhythmic crackle of the fire, the soft humming, and the distant hoot of an owl created a symphony of sounds. Elara relaxed, the tension that had coiled tight in her shoulders easing with each passing moment.

  The peace was shattered as Velma’s hand pressed against the ground, her body rising like a startled bird. Elara, jolted from her reverie, cried out, "Velma!"

  Her heart pounded against her ribs as the woman’s face contorted into a mask of confusion, her eyes wild with panic. Velma's hand scrambled for purchase on the rough ground, her body thrashed as if struggling against an unseen force, her breaths coming out in short, shallow gasps.

  Elara scrambled to Velma's side, worry twisting her stomach. Before she could do anything meaningful, Esme was there, a blur of motion as she crouched beside Velma.

  Esme expertly turned Velma, pressing her arms firmly to her sides, effectively halting her thrashing movements.

  Krill knelt beside them, his hand hovering over Velma's chest. He murmured a wordless chant, his voice barely a whisper, and a faint blue glow emanated from his palm. As his fingers brushed Velma's skin, the erratic thrashing subsided. Velma’s breaths, previously ragged and panicked, gradually slowed, her wild eyes flickering, finally locking onto Esme's firm gaze.

  Velma’s scowl deepened, her brows furrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line. The anger in her eyes was palpable, a smoldering ember that threatened to flare into full-blown fury.

  “At least you’re awake,” Esme drawled, a slight smirk playing on her lips. Her tough, weathered face softened just enough to mask the glint of amusement in her eyes. “Don’t worry, I won’t bite… unless you make me.”

  Elara, seeing Esme joke around, made the tension ease slightly from her shoulders.

  Selly settled down beside Velma, a relieved smile spreading across her face. “Glad you’re awake,” she said softly, her voice tinged with a hint of exhaustion. “Been worried about you. Haven’t been able to get any decent grub with you out cold.”

  At the mention of food, Velma’s eyes flickered away from Esme's, her gaze settling on Selly. A flicker of something akin to hunger crossed her features, softening the hard lines of her face.

  Esme, ever vigilant, detected the shift in Velma's demeanor.

  She slowly loosened her grip on Velma's arms, her eyes still fixed on the woman with unwavering attention, preparing to move to restrain her at the slightest hind of aggression.

  Velma slowly came to her feet, leaning heavily on Selly’s outstretched arm. Elara watched, a knot of apprehension tightening in her chest. Velma’s chest rose and fell with ragged breaths, but her wildness was gone. Replaced instead by a weary acceptance.

  This wasn’t supposed to be possible.

  Krill had been a meticulous healer, always tending to Velma’s with a gentle but unwavering diligence. He’d treated her, bandaged her shaking limbs and used his skills on her to keep her condition in check, but...

  Elara looked at Krill now, parting her lips to ask, but the words caught in her throat. His face was pale, his hands clenched into tight fists. He turned away from their gaze, staring into the crackling fire, his usually bright eyes shadowed with a discomfort that tugged at Elara’s unease.

  Recently, they’d all believed Velma wouldn’t make it. The toxin had gravely injured her. They’d used all their resources, pouring energy and healing into keeping her alive. It hadn’t seemed likely she’d recover.

  But here she was, standing. She flexed her hand, a faint frown creasing her brow before the tension eased.

  Elara watched, momentarily forgetting her confusion about Krill's reaction. Velma turned to look at the group, a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes. "What happened?"

  Esme shrugged, a wry smile playing on her lips.

  "You passed out in the fight against that spider," she said simply. "Krill had..." She hesitated, looking towards the healer, her gaze lingering for a beat before returning to Velma. "...used his skills on you. You'll feel better soon, hopefully."

  Esme’s usual humor seemed subdued, replaced with a guarded watchfulness. Her eyes darted between Velma and Krill, lingering just a moment too long on the healer’s troubled expression.

  She knew Esme. Something had shifted. Krill, usually a pillar of patience, seemed equally off. His silence was heavy, his gaze distant. Even the rhythmic tapping of his fingers on his staff seemed hesitant, unsure.

  The focus shifted as Slynn strolled over, a smirk dancing on his lips. "Looks like someone got tired of walking and decided to take advantage of a free ride!" he chuckled, gesturing towards Esme.

  Velma’s brow furrowed, confusion clouding her features. Slynn’s words seemed nonsensical. She glanced towards Selly, seeking clarification, her gaze earnest.

  “Food?” Velma croaked, her voice hoarse from disuse.

  Selly, understanding instantly, scurried towards her pack, deft fingers quickly navigating through its contents. She emerged moments later, holding aloft a piece of dried meat and a wedge of cheese.

  Velma’s eyes widened, and with surprising speed, snatched the offerings. She tore into the meat, chewing furiously, crumbs scattering across her worn tunic. Each bite seemed ravenous, her hunger palpable.

  Elara watched, speechless. Everyone else seemed equally stunned, caught off guard by Velma's sudden change in demeanor. The silence stretched, punctuated only by the rhythmic crunching of Velma's teeth.

  Esme, her usual blunt demeanor replaced with a bewildered frown, shifted from foot to foot, her gaze darting between Velma and the healer. Krill remained silent, his eyes fixed on Velma’s ravenous consumption, a troubled expression etched on his face.

  Krill approached Velma, his grip on his staff tightening. Velma, oblivious to the tension in the air, continued to devour her meal.

  He leaned closer to Velma, his voice a quiet murmur. “Ivory Blanclume,” he said, the name heavy with meaning. Confusion flickered across Velma's face, quickly giving way to a far more unsettling expression.

  “Does that mean anything to you? Is there anything unusual in your status?” Krill pressed, his tone firm but measured.

  Velma’s eyes widened slightly, and her gaze flicked upward, fixing on an invisible point in the air. Her lips parted as if she might speak, but no words came. The pause stretched, taut and unnerving.

  Elara watched her closely, a knot forming in her chest. She knew that distant look, the way Velma’s pupils darted over unseen lines. She is looking at her status window.

  Velma threw a glance Krill's way before focusing intently on what held her focus previously. If the venom still affects her, would the infection have the same effect on Velma as it did the animals? She couldn't help but wonder if it would eventually consume her from the inside out, just like the wolves.

  As she watched, Velma's hand trembled as she touched her stomach, and tears welled up in her eyes. Elara felt a pang of sympathy for her newfound acquaintance. This must be terrifying for her.

  Krill placed a comforting hand on Velma's shoulder, offering what little solace he could in this dire situation. "We will do everything we can to help you," he promised. "But we need to act fast. The longer we wait, the worse it will get."

  Velma took a moment to settle her emotions, wiping away the tears that had welled up in her eyes.

  "What's the plan?" Velma asked finally, her voice steady but fraught with uncertainty.

  Esme stepped forward. "We're heading for Fox Leap Crossing," she said, her voice blunt but reassuring. "From there, we'll make our way through the Mountain Pass to get to Heimshore."

  Elara could sense Velma's hesitation as she listened to Esme's words. There was something about the name Heimshore that seemed to resonate with her. Velma merely nodded, her expression grim but resolute.

  "I understand why you headed there," she said softly. "Heimshore would be the best bid to find a high level healer."

  Esme gave Velma a firm pat on the shoulder before turning back to Krill and Slynn. "Let's pack up and move out. We have rested enough." She ordered, her tone brooking no argument.

  Elara watched as the others gathered their belongings, a sense of unease growing in her stomach. They'd barely had a moment to rest before Velma awoke, and now they were preparing to set off again. She didn't feel ready to take to the road, her legs still aching.

  As she glanced over at Velma, her concerns deepened. The woman was still recovering from her ordeal, and Elara wondered if she was even capable of keeping up with the pace. But before she could ask, Esme strode over to Velma, her face set in a steadfast expression.

  "Time to get moving," Esme said, her voice firm but not unkind. "You're coming with me."

  Velma's eyes flashed with annoyance, but she didn't argue. Instead, she nodded curtly. The warrior crouched down, her arms wrapping around Velma's thighs as she hoisted her onto her back.

  Velma settled into place, her arms wrapping around Esme's neck. Velma didn't look thrilled about the arrangement, but she did not protest. As Esme stood up, she adjusted her grip on Velma's legs.

  For a brief moment, Elara envied Velma. Being carried like that actually looked... comfortable, in a strange way. Maybe too comfortable, she thought wryly. If Esme started offering rides, I’d be tempted.

  With Velma secure on her back, Esme turned to the others. "Let's move out," she said, her voice crisp and commanding.

  The others fell into line. Elara hesitated for a moment, her eyes fixed on Velma's pale face. She hoped they were doing the right thing, that Heimshore would hold the answers they so desperately needed.