The sound grew louder with each approach, Atheline had fought at least seven more beasts before he could reach his destination.
His steps were hurried.
"Finally."
When the tree thinned the river revealed itself. It wasn't as wide as he had imagined but clean and clear.
The water moved over stones reflecting the rising sun. Compared to everything else in the forest, it felt oddly surreal but out of place.
He stood at the edge for a moment, watching and listening for any sudden movement.
There was nothing. Even the weird crawling sensation at the back of his neck had dulled slightly.
"Good enough, " he mummbled, his voice dry from lack of use.
He crouched dipping his hand into the water. It was cold, giving him a sense of being grounded with all the things happening around him.
He took a small gulp, sloshing the water around his mouth as he got rid of the metallic taste.
He had bled a few times on his way.
He spat the red water to his side.
