#dreaming

"And I'll have to pass due to peer pressure" The satyr throws in though he does look confused and mutters "Not sure why we're not jumping on but hey"

Zara makes an apologetic gesture.

"As you like" The Dougal says, and twists a knob, and it clambers on

"Well, so much for that" Zane watches the Dougal Nocker (Or servant of Dougal anyway) depart

They resume their path. The water goes the trod side by side with the river.,

it does get rough and wild

then, a plop sound behind them.

Look?

There's a fish, the poor thing gasps on the trod, but it is NOT safe there, for it has no air. However, as this is the dreaming, it talks "This is it... .. goodbye cruel world.... " Heave breathe "Oh harsh air, filling my gills"

Zara fusses, scuttling over to toss the poor thing back in the river!

The two men with her turn to see her grab the fish. Earl looks worried, protective "What if it's a..."

"It's on the trod, Sir Knight. " Zane supports her move

"Rescued? How. .I.. oh yes .." A cough "But hurry, hurry... I fade.. I.." And she throws it granny toss (Sluagh respect the age of the granny style throw don't you know?) and it goes into the water

Another apologetic gesture - alas, she denied the fish a dramatic death!

The fish is joyous "I Live again! Yes, to brave the white waters ..take that inevitable doom"

A quiet smile.

The fish looks at them, "Ah, my savior is a sluagh, so I cannot really ask how to repay and expect answer... but know this, lover of slower waters, should you be near the river here, and ever in need, raise your hands in the sign of Pieces and aid maybe yours for the service you've done me. "

A bow.

And the fish splashes in the water "once more, I brave the rapids undaunted!"

"Why doees that remind me of Siv?" Zane mutters

Smile, nod of agreement with Zane.

Earl grunts, and motions them to go on... and the trod have become stairs... and there is a reason why, the River ahead is a waterfall, to follow it, they must descend

Zara wends her way

Down they go, and Zane hops athletically, Earl just skips a few by normal stride... Zara.. well, she practically pools from step to step like autumn mist... to the side, the great falls are crashing and roaring.....they can see chimerical figures in barrels laughing like madmen

She shakes her head - THOSE remind her of Siv.

Soon, they are walking away from the falls, and it's something of an audiotory relief

And Zara might note the in the distance, another river!

Pointing! Excited!

Earl nods ... and notes that there are other things along the banks. Mechanical seeming reptiles with Clock faces for eyes, and wind up keys twisting from their backs. Clockodiles!

They had been warned...

Tick Tock Tick tock ...

They turn their heads to see the travelers

And for a moment, there's an urge to walk up to the crocks, to make sure the time is right, adjust the tiny 'hands' in the eyes, or wind them up if they slow down. It's playing on perfectionist tendencies and mechanical fasicination.

It's also how Clockodiles lure their prey! And each of our heroes finds themselves resisting the hypnosis

Oh, clever things...

Earl's eyes darken.. his protective nature. He looks tempted to flickerflash them to a desert in another part of the Dreaming.

But - they're so close!

"Don't look at their eyes" Zane says, unaware the other twoh ave resisted as well

He means well

Earl says "We have it, come on. " And he motions them along

Soon, the hateful bond can be broken!

Or can it? Dun dun dun

well, as they move, they see this river finally slowing , growing at at gentler pace.

Siiigh. Lovely river.

Just the right flow to hide in the reeds, to grasp at ankles...

Why even the texture of the shore is ideal.. misleading in it's apparent solildity at the edges, seeming shallow at the reeds but deep enough for a wily river spirit to move unseen. Memories of being a Rusalka have returned to her this deep. And memory of the prize she was given. But she must be careful. There are other things of the depths.

A hand lightly touches her stomach. Oh yes.

That is, of course, when she feels something in the river .. a sense of hunger.. eager hunger.

Eyes narrow and she studies that sense.

A riverhag soul! FLickering into and out of solidity... a changeling soul... unattached by mortals.