put something more impressive between us and them than distance, if we’re going to survive this.’
‘Captain, if I may make a couple of points that may have slipped your mind,’ said Ben, face pale in the falling rain. ‘First, I’m scared in open water, and second, when we hit this calm stretch, you said we had to get out quickly to avoid crocodile attack. And now you’re suggesting we jump back in? Are you really sure?’
‘If we don’t, they’ll track us down and kill us before we get to the ships, unless we are incredibly lucky.’
‘And if we do, we’re breakfast for crocodiles.’
‘Not necessarily,’ said Yron. ‘It’s all a question of timing and appearance.’
Ben shifted and frowned. ‘You’re really scared of these elves aren’t you?’
‘More scared than I am of a crocodile or a piranha shoal,’ said Yron.
‘How can they be so good?’
‘When we get across to the other side, I’ll tell you,’ said Yron. ‘It’s time you knew what we’re up against.’
‘What about the others, then?’ asked Ben, jerking a thumb back into the forest.
Yron smiled. This boy would go far if he survived. About to risk his life in the water, he still had enough wit to be worried about the other men.
‘They had a good head start,’ said Yron. ‘They have a chance.’
‘Really, Captain?’
‘Don’t stop believing,’ said Yron, though inside he had very little hope left, none for the groups travelling without mages. ‘Come on, let’s find ourselves a float and a place to cross.’
Yron led the way back down the short climb, dropping the last couple of feet to stand ankle deep in the water. He cast an eye over the river, looking for telltale ripples or the eyes of a crocodile just above the surface. Ben was descending slowly, favouring his left leg. He looked clumsy.
‘You all right, Ben?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘What’s wrong with the leg?’
‘Just a little stiff I think. I must have lain on it bent or something.’
‘Right,’ said Yron. He looked closely, watching as Ben jumped into the water by him, landing on his left leg only. ‘Are you sure?’
‘It’s fine, really.’
‘Right,’ said Yron again. ‘Stay here, watch the opposite bank. Count the crocodiles on the mud and tell me if any take to the water before I get back with the flotsam. Think you can do that?’
‘Yes, sir.’
Yron hurried back upstream to the pocket of still water they’d finished their river journey in. The log was still there and Yron greeted it like an old friend. He edged it from its lodging place and shepherded it downstream much as the day before, smiling as Ben came into sight. The young lieutenant was staring across the river sixty yards to the mud slope where four or five of the big reptiles lay.
Yron knew they couldn’t see them from that distance but they’d sense vague movement and see clearly from about halfway across.
‘Anything happen?’ he asked.
‘Nothing at all. They haven’t moved a muscle.’
‘Glad to hear it. Right, follow me. And tread lightly; anything in the river will be able to sense movement, so take slow easy paces, all right?’
Ben nodded and Yron set off, keeping the log slightly ahead of him and brushing the rock face. His nerves began to tingle. Here there was no quick escape. Here they were vulnerable. But he really had no choice. Crocodiles were predictable to a point. TaiGethen were infinitely more dangerous.
There was no movement from the opposite bank. He didn’t necessarily expect any. Of course they wouldn’t all be resting, but it was early yet and reptiles that size would be sluggish until they warmed up. It was imperative they get across at the earliest opportunity.
About two hundred yards further downstream, the river took a bend to the left and narrowed to forty or fifty yards. The bank just before the bend was grass-covered and sloped sharply upwards but would be easy to scramble up in a hurry if necessary. The distance was as good as they were liable to get but the negative was that the river flowed that bit quicker here. It would take a lot of effort and noise to ensure they landed before drifting past the bank and into the next cliff-sided stretch.
‘You ready for this?’ asked Yron.
‘I’ll never be ready for it,’ said Ben. ‘So I’m just going to do it.’
‘Good lad. We’re headed there.’ Yron pointed downstream. ‘Anywhere along that stretch and we can get out quick. Now here’s what we’re going to do. Like yesterday, we’re going to push gently out