Big Jon and Cara extended oars to two pirates who landed in the water near their boat. One successfully grabbed the oar but the second was swept under by a voracious pi ranna. Big Jon pulled the pirate aboard and Nigel strategically placed his dagger near the man’s throat. Eomore and Boomer bound the pirate securely with a rope from Cara’s pack.
“Keep your mouth shut. I’ve not garroted anybody this week. You haven’t seen tough. We eat river pirates! We’re from Gonnagitgee. It’s the meanest town in the west. May I eat his ears?” Nigel smirked.
The captured pirate was better off than his mates. When pirate ship sank, twenty-five pirates vanished beneath the blood tinged waters.
“Those fish attacked with tactics! Fish are mindless, but they worked together. They were several different types of fish! Why didn’t they attack us? Why don’t they attack us?” Lyana Rikmon pondered.
“I think I know,” Cara said as she glanced back at the second boat.
Erinnia stood with her eyes focused on the water and her right arm extended.
“How did you do that?” Dael asked.
“It was a bit of luck. I’ve never tried an Animal Control spell on fish before. It worked pretty well didn’t it?” the elf answered honestly.
Eyerthrein peddled furiously.
“Whoa! What’s your hurry?” Cyttia said as the second canoe slipped past the first.
“I want to get off this river. I didn’t know there was such nasty stuff beneath the waters. I’m not sure I’m ever going to eat fish again! I don’t want them holding any grudges!” Eyerthrein answered.
The young light sorcerer’s enthusiasm was contagious and the others joined him. Tree-covered foothills appeared in the distance on both sides of the river.
Aching muscles encouraged them to slow the pace of their rowing.
“Why haven’t we seen any crocs?” Dael asked.
“We are too far north,” Cade answered. “Rarely a white croc may venture into the Luumic’s tributaries but you find them mainly in the Lachinor.”
They rested and the current carried them to the wooded areas in about an hour. They found an accessible area on the northern side of the river which was large enough to anchor the canoes. They went ashore. Everyone welcomed the opportunity to rest.
Nigel led the captured pirate off the boat
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