Sunday Excerpt, "Crucible"

Linvin turned toward Anvar with the intent of telling him to cover his body in magic but his uncle would have never heard the words. The old elf was entirely covered by the tentacles and just entering the water. Linvin resumed his jaunt across the sand. When he finally reached his uncle, he hacked at the vines just below Anvar’s feet, but the blow was blunted by the water and caused no damage. Undeterred, Linvin grabbed hold of his uncle’s legs and lifted them out of the water with one arm. Once they were airborne, Falconfeather paid its respects with a slice that severed the connection with the beast beneath the water. There was no time to check his uncle’s condition. Linvin spun around to build momentum and threw Anvar as far from the water as could manage.

Stepping out of the surf, he began to run back toward the others and Miri. He gasped for air but did not stop. Again he was attacked along the way. This time, however, he struck low first and ran past the higher attackers.

When he reached the twins, Bander was free and he was using a dagger to cut his brother’s bonds. Normal weapons were a poor match for the thick rope-like substance but they made slow progress. Rather than cutting, Bander had to saw through each strand.

Linvin paused a moment by his cousins as he could not see Miri. He turned anxiously toward Bander and the brawny young elf told him, “She was just pulled under the water. She’s gone.”

Linvin’s eyes gleamed with red fire as he pressed forward to her last position. He was not going to lose her. It was a scenario he would not accept. With Falconfeather in hand he ran into the water.

“What are you doing?” called Bander. “Your sword won’t help underwater. She is gone. Going after her is suicide.” Linvin’s last words before he dove under the water were, “I will not sacrifice any one of you to this Monster. Five of us came to this beach and five of us will leave.” With that, he disappeared from sight.

Bander was stunned but could ill afford to waste time. There was no telling when the next attack would come. He finished freeing Rander and the two of them ran over to Anvar. First they pulled him to the far edge of the sand, near the grass, and then they set to work cutting him free. When his head was revealed, Anvar began to cough and spew lake water. Once he finally stopped he looked around. “Where’s Linvin?” he asked as he shivered from the cold water.

“He saved us,” Bander noted as he pointed at the lake. “Then he dove in after Miri.”

“He what?” Anvar said in astonishment. “That fool. How long has he been down there?”

Bander never was good with time and answered, “Well, he’s been down there since he went under the water. I am pretty sure of that.”

Anvar was frustrated by the answer and stammered to his feet. He considered going after Linvin but feared stepping on the beach again. Even if he were to brave the sand, he realized there was nothing he could do to help his nephew. He hung his head in despair.

For a time only the wind on the waves could be heard. Dead remnants of tentacles littered the sand as the elves kept a silent vigil. When even Anvar began to lose hope, the water started to glow red with the light coming from beneath its surface. Moments later, the water parted and Linvin levitated above its surface, cocooned in a bubble of Red Magic and holding the limp body of Miri in his arms. He floated over to the others and set down. Once he dispersed the bubble, Linvin gathered the staff and scabbard in his hand and immediately replaced them on his back. Meanwhile, Anvar checked on Miri.