Round 45

The water was up to Merrin's waist now, freezing cold and relentless, rushing past her in a churning torrent that threatened to sweep her off her feet at any moment. She clung to the stone wall with desperate fingers, her crossbow held awkwardly above the floodline as she fought to keep her head above water. The tunnel around them groaned ominously, dust falling like snow from the ceiling, and somewhere distant came the sound of collapsing masonry.

"Jeane!" Merrin shouted, voice barely carrying over the roar of rushing water. "Where are you? Answer me!"

Her heart hammered in her chest as she strained to see through the darkness and swirling current. The sorceress had been right beside her moments ago—had she been pulled under? Had the current swept her away?

"Jeane!" Merrin tried again, panic rising. "Please—answer me! Are you okay?"

The water climbed another inch up her thighs, and she bit back a scream as something cold and slimy brushed against her leg in the dark depths below.