A Mistake had Been Made

She didn't answer. Instead, she froze them with the lance before disappearing back into the river. When she reappeared, she cracked the ice. The two men were cold, confused but unharmed, and simply stared up at her. They noted belatedly that she hadn't reformed her ice lance.

"I - apologise," she said in an awkward manner, obviously something she was not used to doing. "I was unaware your weapons have been enchanted. Unlike the others I have stopped you have been sent here for a higher purpose. I have therefore been ordered to let you pass."

Her form dissolved back into a pillar of water and the column retreated back into the river, leaving two bewildered men behind. Billy looked at Fred as if expecting him to know what was going on. "I'm in the dark as much as you are." Fred told him. "Perhaps we'll get some answers later."

Billy didn't seem happy with that.

"That water-lady said the fate of the humans to the south was sealed. What if that means they'll be dead when we get there?"

Fred sighed. "She probably said that to get us to turn away," he said, though Billy could tell there was an element of doubt in his voice. He pressed further, finally resulting in Fred telling him to can it.

1. They continued walking south in silence.
2. They get intercepted by a sylph.

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