Teri McLaren
several hundred yards, trying to keep quiet in the rustling, drier leaves that lay scattered under the dogwoods and maples. Claria moved well in the noisy rubble, but Ogwater sounded like Yob. Finally, at the river's edge, in the relative shelter of a huge, storm-fallen willow, Cheyne bade them stop.
"Looks like we can wash now, Claria. We'll need to take to the water if we want to continue to follow them. How far upstream are we, anyway?"
Claria had already waded into the clear, cold water. A low mist hung inches above the river, almost like ice crystals suspended in the air.
"Birr! The water is like ice! It shouldn't be this cold this time of year. The leaves haven't even fallen," she complained, quickly splashing down and wading out again. "I recall that there is some kind of enlargement in the river around here soon. I drew it about four miles into the forest-sort of an island in the middle of the stream. That's all the traders' maps showed. We should be very close to that," she replied.
"That would be the rock of the main lodge. Wiggulf s personal quarters are supposed to be as big as a banquet hall," said Og. "I know a song-" He began to hum, but Cheyne hushed him with a glare.
"Come on. Back in the river."
"Not me. We won't last ten minutes in that water," said Claria, still shivering. "Besides, how are we going to follow them into the main lodge? It'll be surrounded by selkies, won't it?"
"I'll take you."
They all turned at once toward the husky voice. The female selkie stood smiling before them; at her side, Yob shook violently, his face as pale as a dead leaf.
"Let's go. This greenskin is fading fast on me. He's too heavy to carry and they never float, and I need to keep him alive for awhile. He'd probably like that, too. I finally had to come back for you because you were so slow. He hasn't got long before he falls down. But now you can carry him when he needs it." She waved a