The Two Sides of a Sword

Chapter Nine

It seemed odd that she would be so excited to see water, especially after hiking through the rain for the past few hours. But there was a chance this water was more drinkable, and the stream it followed could lead towards the mountains. Toward Rocki.

She hurried forward, following her ears closer to the sound. A few moments later, she almost fell down a steep bank into the stream but pulled back in time.

"Curse this fog, it makes everything so difficult to see," she muttered as she carefully lowered herself to the side of the rain-swollen stream. She hesitated to drink the water, seeing how cloudy it was. Then she remembered what Xinn had told her—all the water was opaque.

With that in mind, she cupped her hands and filled them with water, groaning in relief when she poured the cool liquid down her scorching throat. She refilled her hands, gulping down the water over and over again, until her throat finally felt moisturized. It wasn't the best water she had ever tried, but beggars couldn't be choosers.

She sat back on her heels and shivered, rubbing her hands up and down her arms. She found she could raise her wings to partially block out the rain, but it didn't do much good since she was already soaked. At least it was slowing down, hopefully for the rest of the day.

She glanced up the stream. I think that leads towards the mountains. Sort of at least. If I'm lucky, the water is coming from a mountain spring and by following it, I can find my way towards Rocki. She rubbed her face, spreading the moisture around her face instead of actually drying it off since her hands were equally as wet. I'm so sick of being wet. I'm sick of being away from home. Tears pricked her eyes. Great, more water.

Something rustled on the other side of the stream.

Aley's head snapped up, eyes immediately latching onto a creature that was already watching her. It had a moose-like shape—big body, muscular but elegant legs, cloven hooves—but its short hair was dappled with grey and brown, and its antlers were small and thin. It had a trunk, not quite as long as an elephant's, but still without hair. The eyes were big and gray, framed with two sets of horse-like ears that focused on her.

What in all of the Star Wars?! She couldn't move. She didn't want. If she did, would the creature try to attack her?

The animal lowered its head slightly, head turned just a bit so one gray eye could pin her down. Its trunk wriggled at her—trying to get a scent? It blew out a breath, then glanced upstream, nodding its head, which sent a drizzle of raindrops flying about, and stomping a hoof.

Aley stared at it.

The creature once again looked at her, something she imagined as kindness in its eyes. Even though it was all the way on the other side of the overflowing stream, it still reached out its trunk towards her, taking a small step.

Something cracked and fell in the forest, immediately drawing the animal's attention. It stared for a long, fearful moment into the distance. Then it shivered rain off its coat and turned around. It trotted into the forest, blending into the mist until it completely disappeared from sight and the sound of rushing water covered its hoof falls.

Aley stared after it, then shook herself and stood. I should get going too. Who knows what else will find me while I'm just sitting here. Although, something will probably find me while I'm moving too... probably for the best that I don't think about that.

Whatever that creature was, it seemed to encourage her to go upstream, like she had planned. So, that's the direction she started off in. The stream cut deeper into the forest than she would have liked, but she still got occasional glimpses of the mountains, and she seemed to be heading the right direction. Following the stream was better than trekking through the desert without provisions.