Koleyn paused to dump the food over the side. It was almost the last thing to go, leaving him with his sword and what he was wearing. He leaned over the oars, brreathing heavily.

Oriel was in the water, seeming to have boundless energy, but the elf hadn't slept and had a boat to drag through the water. To make maters worse, every time he had to pause, the villagers chacing them gained. He wasn't even sure where the sea creature was unless it drew up near the boat as it did during his rest.

"Take care soon," it said. "Swim carefully."

"What are you talking about?" he asked wearily.

Before Oriel could answer, Koleyn looked up and saw the villagers pulling to a riverbank. He perked up slightly. "Maybe they're giving up," he said. "They're getting out of the water."

Oriel wriggled, rocking the boat and catching Koleyn's attention again. "Care," he admonished before slipping back into the water.

"I need to rest a bit," Koleyn said to no one. He practically dozed in the boat as it moved faster and faster. He was jerked awake by a roar from ahead of him. He looked, seeing a plume of foam rising from the river. A waterfall. He looked down at the river, knowing that he couldn't pull away from the current.

Making as ready as he could, he looked to the side. The villagers were watching him sneeringly. He threw one of the oars at them, satisfied that they moved even though he couldn't aim, and then he went over the fall and everything was water.

He woke with cool limbs surrounding him and worried music in his ear as Oriel urged him to wake.

"How am I alive?" he croaked.

"The water was gentle on you. It saved you for me."

Koleyn tried to nod but he felt like he was made of lead. "The boat?"

"You were saved," Oriel repeated.

"So it's gone," Koleyn determined. "And my sword with it...."

"We must move," the blue creature said urgently.

"Why? I can't outrun them."

"Stay to the river. The water will save us." The soft hand curved around his cheek. "You are mine. The water will protect you."

Koleyn smiled slightly. "I was going to protect you, but now I can't. Get to your see, angel. I'll slow you."

"No!" Oriel insisted, pulling him to the water.

Koleyn sighed, still unable to deny Oriel anything. He pulled off his clothes so they wouldn't weigh him down, and once again his world was water. But as he gave himself up to it, it bouyed him, holding him as he couldn't remember ever being held. He knew he was safe there.

He reached out blindly, knowing that Oriel would be there. He could almost feel the presence of the blue one at his side as the slender fingers curled around his.

Together, they swam.