It takes my eyes a few moments to adapt to the murky light of the depths before I’m able to scan my surroundings.
Once certain there are no eels nearby, I gently propel myself left, gliding along the lake’s edge and disturbing the water as little as I can.
The lake is deeper than I expect, and so it takes me a while to reach the bottom, my palms scraping across the rock in search of any opening. I manage mere yards before I’m forced to return to the surface. I do so carefully to avoid stirring the water.
Over and over I repeat this, my slow pace becoming an increasing concern. Scouring the lake may take all night, and by then Elaric’s magic will have frozen all the water.
But I dare not quicken. Doing so may cause a flurry of eels to rush toward me.
I’m not sure how much longer it takes before I reach halfway around the lake, but my body is quickly waning from the exertion. Despite my slow pace, pushing through the water requires significant strength.
As I resume my search, I begin to question whether Belinda was being truthful about the lake or whether she has sent us on a fool’s errand. Perhaps the error lies with Elaric and me for choosing the incorrect lake, though it’s only a short distance from the castle ruins. I suppose there was no definitive marker to verify this spot, and we just assumed this was the right location based on its proximity to Festyn.
Though it seems probable this is the lake we’re searching for, Belinda mentioned nothing about Zaroy Eels standing between me and the cave, and there’s a chance I’m currently risking my life for nothing.
I don’t allow myself to dwell on these thoughts for long.
As I resurface for air, I glimpse a flash of crimson. Heart plummeting, I turn rigid, barely daring to breathe.
An eel glides toward me, and for one horrifying moment I believe it’s found me. But then it changes its trajectory, drifting to a cluster of rocks nearby.
I nearly sigh in relief, but it remains far too close and offers no indication of leaving. My already strained lungs scream for oxygen as the eel continues to hover by the rocks.
I’m trapped.
Moving now will draw it toward me. But if I stay here much longer, I’ll drown.
Holding my breath is quickly growing impossible. My chest burns, and my vision blurs. The water seems to spin as dizziness sets in.
What if the eel doesn’t leave? What if I lose consciousness before it does?
Right as my lungs are nearly bursting, the eel darts away. I watch until it vanishes entirely, only then daring to kick up.
I swim carefully, fighting against every instinct urging me to bolt for air. Lungs screaming, I force my movements to remain steady.
Then I break the surface and suck in all the air I can, coughing and spluttering.
“Adara!” Elaric shouts.
I long to answer, to reassure him of my safety, but speech proves impossible. Each heaving breath incites more coughing.
“Adara!” he calls again, fear elevating the pitch of his voice.
I worry his panic may prompt him to freeze the whole lake.
“I-I’m fine,” I rasp. While my voice is shaky, hopefully it offers enough reassurance that he won’t resort to any drastic measures.
Ignoring burning lungs, I gulp a breath and submerge again—both to avoid Elaric’s worried questioning, and to keep watch for potential threats below. If he knew how near that last eel came, I doubt he would permit me to continue my search.
Once more, my hands skim across the rough perimeter of the lake, searching for the opening. After such a close encounter with that eel, my chest feels badly bruised, and I can’t hold my breath for as long, slowing my search.
Just as frustration peaks, I spot an opening—a narrow cleft near the lake’s bed.
Relief washes through me, but I don’t hesitate before shifting closer toward the cave.
The gap is slender but I’m able to slide through. Yet if I were any broader, it would be impossible. I doubt Elaric would manage at all.
I carefully maneuver my body to avoid the jagged edges, not letting my skin graze the coarse surface. Even the smallest nick will doom me.