The Taming of a Beast

Chapter 8

"This way!"

Evelina led them to the nearest river she could find. Adrian felt both dizzy and nauseous as he followed, no doubt the symptoms of his mana pool almost reaching his limit again. Clearly, he hadn't fully recovered just yet. Already their pursuers seemed to be catching up, so there was no time to waste.

Adrian gritted his teeth. "Do you trust me?" He asked.

Evelina nodded without hesitation.

"Then hold on to me tight."

Letting go of her hand, Adrian wrapped his arms around Evelina. Eclipse was secured tightly between them in her cat form, although she didn't look too happy about it, her fur standing up on end. Evelina shivered in his arms, but he had no time to think about the reason why before he flung them all into the river. Just as their bodies hit the water, Adrian summoned for air bubbles in the river to coalesce and surround them so they could breathe.

"Bear with this for just a while," Adrian said. "Close your eyes if you feel dizzy."

Evelina looked astounded as they floated towards the bottom of the river, but she nodded resolutely, only holding Eclipse tighter. There was a layer of air around them so they could breathe, but the air could do nothing to help with the coldness of the river. 

When Adrian was sure that Evelina and Eclipse were secure, he summoned the waters once more and propelled them through the river, following the flow of the water. Evelina clutched at him even tighter, for if she let go, they could be separated easily.

By the time Neer's men arrived, Adrian's and Evelina's trail had already disappeared. Their pursuers crossed the river, not knowing that their prey had escaped that way.

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As soon as Adrian brought them back to land, Eclipse jumped out of Evelina's arms and shook out the water in her fur in complaint. Evelina shivered as Adrian helped her out of the river. With a wave of his hand, Adrian siphoned every drop off of their clothes and from Eclipse's fur until they were all dry. Still, he was afraid that they had been in the cold depths of the water too long as Evelina sneezed a few times.

They were now out of the Forest of Illusions into normal woods. In short work, a small fire was produced to warm them up.

Evelina procured some bread and cheese from her storage ring, while Adrian used his magic to catch a few fish to roast by the fire. Eclipse dragged one raw fish for herself and nibbled contentedly.

"How are your injuries?" Evelina asked, worried.

Adrian stretched and tested out his shoulders. There was only a little bit of soreness, but his wounds had not reopened, thankfully.

"My mana pool is diminished again, but it should be okay after I rest for a while. How about you?"

"I'm not injured but just tired. Here, let me check your wounds just in case."

Evelina had Adrian drink some bitter tasting herbal medicine before he opened his shirt so she could check on his bandages. She nodded in approval as she saw the fading injuries, afraid earlier that the water from the river would infect some of the deeper injuries.

"Aren't you going to ask?" Adrian said as Evelina carefully applied a layer of earthy smelling medicine.

"About what?"

"About why those men are after me."

Evelina looked up at him.

"I'm not someone who likes to pry into other people's affairs like that. I admit I am curious, but I would rather you tell me on your own terms when you're comfortable."