But he was not altogether tireless, and it seemed as if he might sink
and go under at any moment. Still gripping his mane with one hand,
Si'Wren reached back with the other and quickly untied the paired
saddlebags containing her writing kit and clenched them in her free
hand to lighten his load.
They were nearing the far shore, while far behind her she could hear a
chorus of hoarse voices as the men howled in frustration.
A few shot arrows in her direction, but it was too far for good aim and
their shafts did not come down at all close to her. They could no
longer reach her, and none dared follow the path she had taken.
Si'Wren felt her grip on his mane slipping, and letting go
involuntarily, she was dragged under by the weight of her waterlogged
kit with it's heavy clay tablets.
Underwater, she struggled to keep a tight grip on to her slippery
leather saddlebags as the river swirled and tumbled her over and over.
Up on the cliff, Kadrug abruptly thrust his sword into the air and
shouted in triumph, and as his men waved their flashing bronze swords
in the air, a chorus of hoarse voices howled in victory.
Then their leader jeered his derision as he turned away abruptly, and
after a final contemptuous look at the river from his followers, they
all retreated from the precipice and returned to their horses.
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