Everything began to blur as the cold grip of the lake water began to take hold...
Quinn shook off the sensation, struggling to regain consciousness. The slimy lake hag still had a strong grip on his ankle and was pulling him farther from the surface. His air was running low and the hag, despite his attempts to break her hold, was still pulling him to his doom. Sizrit meanwhile was frantically circling above the surface, helplessly watching his Halfling friend disappear beyond his sight into the lake below.
"Dear Mystra help us" He said as he flapped frantically searching for something, anything to help. Suddenly there was a splash as if something large hit the surface of the water. Sizrit cried out in alarm.
Quinn reached for a hidden dagger in the cuff of his shirt and with a sharp, quick flick of his wrist he sent the tiny dagger deep into the shoulder of the astonished hag. The hag released him and he began to swim frantically for the surface. His lungs burned as they squeezed the last of his air into his flailing muscles as he swam towards the surface. The hag recovered from the shock of her prey's stinger and began to bolt after her lost quarry.
He was nearly there when he looked back to see the hag gaining on him at an incredible speed. He pumped his arms as fast as he could to escape the rapidly approaching predator. Suddenly something burst past him like a rush of spray and he turned back, his gaze following the strange shape that swam past him.
What looked like a giant lizard made out of clear glass and effervescent bubbles, with strong claws and giant wings came up under the chase. The hag looked back and let out an audible, gurgled wail as the massive dragon's head opened wide and engulfed the shrieking hag. She disappeared inside as if the creature was as solid as flesh or scale.
The dragon swam to Quinn and lifted him gently out of the water. Quinn touched ground gasping for air, wide eyed in astonishment at the dragon before him. It looked as if it was made out of pure liquid and it seemed to be grinning slightly on its amorphous face. Sizrit shrieked and flew for cover in the nearest tree.
"Uh um, thank you?" Quinn as he began to recover his breath. The dragon nodded its appreciation and began to turn to leave.
"Wait! Do you happen to know where we are?" Quinn called to it as it slowly sank to the water.
“You are in Rashemar." A silvery, female voice sounded in his head. "Seek the watchtower north of here. The witches of this land will help you find your way little one." With that the song sung voice drifted under the water as the bubbling shape of the water dragon returned to its lake home.
"What in the world was that?" Sizrit called as he swooped from his hiding place to a rock near Quinn.
"I have no idea but I plan to ask the witches. We're going north. Would you mind drying me off?" Quinn asked.
"Certainly." He flew to Quinn's shoulder and the tips of Sizrit's feathers began to glow orange as he slowly dried Quinn off.
To be continued....
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