Rallavalan pulled back with a sigh. She saw him take the point of his spear and drag it along the inside of his arm, drawing blood. It floated from him in a steady plume.
One of the flesh eaters turned toward them. Its beady eyes were fixed on Rallavalan. The others slowly turned to join it until the entire pack was staring. Nimrilwyn watched, her heart in her mouth. Rallavalan remained motionless, bobbing in the water.
One of the flesh eaters charged toward him, but Rallavalan was already moving, swimming as fast as he could toward the territory of the Folk. The pack followed, snapping at his fluke. Nimrilwyn could do nothing but try to harry them from behind with her spear. As soon as they were within earshot of the border, she raised the conch at her belt to sound the alarm. Armed sen
