The War Begins

The water chilled him slightly as he stepped into it. At that moment, he wished he had thought to ask someone if the water was fit to drink or not. He wished he had paid more attention to his grandfather's stories. He suddenly felt a shiver of fear as he remembered something Dainler had said, "I've heard many ancient creatures live here." He wondered if here included the river.

He waded into the water until it was thigh high and then he settled in and let the current swirl around him. His skin cooled instantly, and he felt revived. He sat on the sandy river's bottom and closed his eyes for a second. Upon opening them again, Jess looked out over the water and noticed a dark shadow moving swiftly in his direction: a little school of fish. Several skimmed the surface and gleamed briefly. At first, Jess admired their beauty, but then uneasiness swirled within him just as the current swirled around him as he realized the smaller fish swam intentionally in his direction. Just as he stood, the fish split and surrounded him. Wary, he stepped toward the shore, and as he did, two of the fish darted from the circle and nosed him. He trembled as half a dozen more left the circle also, but this time they did more than simply nose him. Jess felt two stings - one above his knee and another behind it, and to his horror, saw little beads of blood in the water.