First steps

The previous chapter: https://chyoa.com/chapter/Powerful-gifts.1010449

Misha and Sally exit the dwarven city, the sun light hurting their eyes.

"So, Misha, how are we getting to Thesa?"

"We're gonna run, of course."

"It's over a hundred miles away!"

"Yeah, you might want to hold on then."

"What?"

Misha leapt into the air, landing in his Thal form. He cocked his head at Sally.

"Wait, you want me to ride you? That's kinky."

"(Growling)"

"Alright, don't get you panties in a twist."

Sally positioned herself on Misha, wrapping her arms around his neck. She nearly fell off when he broke into a sprint. He must have been going at least 50 mph (80 km/h).

It was maybe a half hour of running when Misha skid to a halt at the bank of a river. Sally barely managed to not get thrown into the river, and dismounted him. Misha returned to his catboy form, and examined the water carefully.

It was fast flowing, a few feet deep, and about 20 feet (6m) across.

"Yeah, I can't run through that."

"Can we go around?"

"This is the river Nixos. The nearest bridge is too far away, it would slow us down too much.

"So what do we do?"

Misha thought for a moment, before his hand found its way to one of the daggers in his belt.

"We can't walk through it, but maybe I can walk over it."

"Wasn't there a guy from the new world who did th-"

Misha pulled the dagger from it's sheath, and Sally's mouth hung open, moving at exactly 1/60th of her normal speed.

Misha tentatively put a foot into the water. At his speed, it was like standing on cement. His foot slowly sunk in, but he was able to walk on the surface without sinking too much. He grabbed Sally, and carried her over the river.

Gently placing her on the ground, Misha re-sheathed his dagger, and was promptly knocked to the ground by a wave of fatigue.

"-at like a long time ago... Misha?"

Misha entire body was wracked with pain.

"Those dwarves significantly under estimated the cost of using these."

Misha's right hand was red and steam was floating off from it.

"Let's avoid using them unless we have to."

"Yeah you're right about that. We should get moving, I'd like to arrive before the deadline."

And so they set off, stopping occasionally to rest or eat. By nightfall, the two stood at the entrance to the forest the Thal inhabited.