FDExcerpt

Fantasy Excerpt

The howling faded into the distance, a would-be relief had not the trees grown eerily denser and the ground soft beneath Liesa's feet. Soon her slippers felt damp clear through. She shivered but continued walking, keeping silent so Alasdair could concentrate. When he spoke at all, he spoke in a whisper. Suddenly he came to a halt.
     "What is it?" Liesa asked. She peeked around Alasdair to see the path disappear into endless black waters. Pure swamp. "Do we have to walk in that?" Liesa whispered.
     "'Tis the only way."
     Liesa caught her breath.
     Drawing his sword, Alasdair led, his weapon in one hand, Liesa's clenched fist in the other. He pryed open her hand and interlaced his fingers with hers. "Glide smoothly through the water," he cautioned. "Do not splash."
     Liesa did as he directed. As she walked, the water rose to mid thigh then leveled off. "Why glide?" she asked.
     "First, I would not alert the dark faeries of our presence. Second, I do not wish to stir any life that rests beneath the water's crest."
     "Like crocodiles or snakes?" Liesa asked. Her voice shook and she worried her lip as she ran a quick perusal over the water.
     "Nay. In truth, I know not what lies beneath, but I am certain something lurks there. 'Tis best to not discover what."
     Liesa nodded.
     "Liesa, do not splash!" Alasdair repeated.
     Liesa studied her smooth strides. "I'm not splashing."
     Alasdair stilled.
     Liesa stilled.
     The splash of water continued.
     "Run!" Alasdair pulled Liesa with him, fighting the water's resistance with each forced stride.
     "Do you think they know we're here?" Liesa asked between labored breaths.
     A whistling sounded and Alasdair flung an arm across Liesa's back, thrusting them below the water's crest. Liesa broke the surface sputtering.
     "This way." Alasdair tugged her into a thick copse of trees that rose from the water, their trunks the breadth of a small house. They leaned against the far side of a huge craggy bole.
     Liesa tried stifling any sound she made as she coughed up the remainder of water from her lungs.
     "I am sorry," Adasdair apologized.
     "Try to warn me next time," Liesa hissed through her teeth.
     "There was not the time."
     "What was that whistling sound?"
     "The release of an arrow."
     "Arrow!"
     "Aye. And to answer your question. I think they know we're here."