章節 474: Water Coach
Renat realized his fate a moment before he hit the water. Inhaling deeply, the scientist braced for the cold water to envelope him.
'Not again.'
Renat and water seemed to find themselves at odds with one another far too often as of late. If he didn't need to drink the stuff to stay alive, the brown wolf would be very happy to never see it again at this point.
A scream pierced the air as Renat's head plunged beneath the surface. The riverbed was deep below the surface, so the wolf's entire body was thrust beneath the waves by the impossibly long watery fist.
But no sooner had his toes been pushed into the current then he was pulled even more quickly upward. Wet and cold, Renat emerged from the water to view three figures pleading from the shore.
Alaron had thrown back his hood. "I am a Guardian now, Wai. That's why I don't look exactly as you remember."
Dripping, Renat tried to process the words that were being said. He had heard the name Wai before. Was this the magical creature that had helped defeat Xander and his armada? Alaron seemed to think so.
The nymph gurgled and sputtered, but only received a helpless reaction from the humans in response. "I am only getting every other word, I am sorry. My ancient tongue is not as good as I would like."
If Renat's brain were working properly, he would have remembered that Alaron had been working very hard on his ancient tongue. It was Wai's accent that must have been confusing him.
However with all the blood rushing to his head, the brown wolf was simply trying to stay conscious.
Mairwen pushed back her hood and her blue eyes were full of concern. "Please Wai! He is Alaron and I'm his sister. Don't hurt the man you are holding!"
Wai let out a gasp, her breath sending mist into the air. With her free hand, she lifted a puddle from the river, which shivered until it took a definite shape.
The droplets formed into the visage of a familiar woman. The princess on the ground looked like a slightly younger version of the watery statue.
"Yes! Empress Aurora is my mother! I am the princess and the creature you are holding is my husband." The blue-eyed girl paused. "He was…cursed."
Wai spoke very slowly. After a time, Alaron seemed to understand.
"She says Renat smells wrong. Wai says he shouldn't exist. She knows it and so do the animals…" The Guardian spoke hesitantly, but the watery woman nodded that he had spoken true.
"You are right!" Mairwen admitted. "None of this was supposed to happen."
"But it isn't that man's fault…" Alaron added quickly.
Wai narrowed her gaze and spoke harshly to the silver eyed man. He quickly held up his hands in defense.
"No no! This time I had nothing to do with it. I have given up magic, I swear!"
The last time the two had seen each other, Alaron was being held prisoner by Gandr and Devrim for magic use and trying to take over the empire. The young man truly had a lot of explaining to do.
"I can tell you everything that has happened and how I became a Guardian and made things right with my parents, but please first put down Renat." Alaron spoke slowly, sprinkling in the ancient tongue as much as he could.
His effort had a positive effect. For although Wai did not release the scientist, she did turn him upright and allow him to sit on her…knee? Wai situated herself to listen to the tale.
The twins and Eira explained everything that had happened since the battle against Cafer where the Nymph had helped defeat Xander.
Alaron told of his speaking with the Maker and apologizing to his parents. They even included information about Dania and their current mission.
"So you see, we are trying to fix the problem, and turn Renat back human." Mairwen motioned to the brown wolf.
Eira added to the princess's words, "We are heading to the lake by the ice barrier to stop Taran, save Dania and keep anyone else from being turned into a monster."
Taking in the information, Wai nodded.
"So…do you believe us?" Alaron gritted his teeth. There was really nothing else to say.
The water nymph gave an affirmative gesture, much to everyone's relief.
"Will you put down Renat?" The dark-haired princess took a step into the water in the hopes of receiving her husband back on the dry land.
However Wai shook her head and raised both herself and Renat higher in the water. Her determined babble announced her decision.
Mairwen looked at an astonished Alaron. His face was pale as he took a step back from the river.
"Please Wai, you don't need to do that!" The Guardian assured her.
It was no use. Ignoring him, Wai lengthened her free arm and enveloped the other three. The women had not been expecting the move, and they were easily swept up into her embrace.
Only Alaron knew what was coming and nearly escaped her grasp. Unfortunately, he was not fast enough even with his inhuman speed.
With all four people in her arms, Wai began to move upstream.
"I thought she believed us!" Mairwen called helplessly to her twin.
"She does…" the young Guardian placed his face in his hands.
"Then what is she doing?" Eira looked at the river far below her passing in the opposite direction.
"Helping us," Alaron sighed.
The world began to move them faster and faster, quickly becoming close to a blur. The swaying of the nymph as she moved was like being aboard a ship. Mairwen remembered her short trip on board Xander's boat and her stomach became taut.
"Wai, you are very kind. But you don't have to do this simply for our sakes!" The princess tried to find something on which she could get a grip, but the magical creature had no solid surface for Mairwen to find purchase.
It was like the nymph was made of substance yet liquid all at the same time, and Mairwen had no way to keep her footing on such uncertain ground. The lack of warning before being unceremoniously scooped up like a rag doll caused the princess to panic.
"There is no use fighting it, Mair. Wai won't change her mind. This is a good thing." After his initial resistance, the silver-eyed prince seemed elated by this change of circumstance.
He had done this before so he knew what to expect. Plus there was a small part of him that liked seeing his sister not be in control of the situation.
"Just relax and enjoy the ride" Using his feet, Alaron pried open Wai's fingers and and laid down on her hand.
"But you told me how much you disliked traveling this way before!" The princess was confused by her brother's sudden change in attitude. "No offense, Wai!"Mairwen added, realizing she was being rude.
"As you said, that was before. I am a reformed man." Alaron gave a lopsided grin as he put his hands behind his head and stretched out.
Rolling her eyes, Mairwen inhaled sharply. "You literally tried to run away a moment ago..."
"What can I say? I reform quickly." The Guardian winked at his sister as she puffed out her cheeks.
In the other hand, Renat had managed to assume a similar position. His furry body, which was still quite wet, was stretched out on the Nymph's hand with his eyes closed.
"You too, Renat?" Mairwen called helplessly from inside the crook of Wai's elbow.
The canine's eyes popped open as he looked at her guiltily. "I am trying to use the wind to dry myself off. Plus, if you give into the sway, it is actually quite pleasant."
"What if someone sees us? They could alert Taran." Eira reasoned. She was not opposed to the method of travel, but she was also not as eager as the men to be carried. A soldier always liked to have their footing secure.
"Hey, Wai, if you see or hear anyone coming our way, can you help us hide? Our enemy doesn't know we are coming and we would like to keep it a secret." Alaron called up to their glistening companion.
Wai grunted and nodded.
"See, we have every angle covered. If you want to find Dania, this really is the fastest way possible." Alaron shut his eyes and sighed contentedly.
"Come sit with me," Renat urged her. "It cannot be comfortable where you are."
Wai pulled her hand toward her stomach and allowed the princess to climb from the opposing elbow onto her large palm. Mairwen had to admit it was more comfortable. Finally resigned to their new fate, the princess snuggled up to her hairy husband and let him hold her.
Alaron looked at the feminine soldier. "If you need a place to rest, I don't mind sharing..."
"No." Eira answered without explanation. She stretched her back and laid down in Wai's elbow like it was a watery recliner.
And just like that the four began the next leg of their journey by water coach...whether they liked it or not.
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