What's next?

Across a river

The odd trio emerged from the forest on the bank of a fast-flowing river.

"Where are we?" Susan wondered, not recognising this as any part of Narnia she knew.

"By the river." Barka said, pointing at the water and raising her eyebrows.

"Yes," Susan said, "but which river?"

"This one." Barka replied slowly.

"Come on!" Folia jumped and landed on the first of a series of stepping-stones, as she made her way across Barka followed. Susan hesitated at the edge. For the sprites each rock was the equivalent of a small boat, for Susan there would barely be room for a foot on each.

"Hurry up!" Barka called back to her.

"Is there any other way across?" Susan asked.

"Only if you know how to fly."

"There's no bridge or anything?"

"Not for ten miles or more. Come on, you'll be all night at this rate!"

"Oh, very well!" Susan stepped out onto the first rock, instantly soaking her foot. She could only fit one foot at a time, so took her next step to the next one, stretching out more than was comfortable. "With the luck I'm having, I won't be surprised if I split my knickers." she muttered to herself.

She took another step, then her foot slid off the smooth surface of the stone and she tumbled into the water.

"Help!" She cried out as she landed in the fast current, "Throw a branch or something!" She tried to paddle, but the water was pulling fiercely. Luckily for her, she suddenly realised she was not being swept away, because she was actually kneeling on the river bed.

Susan stood up in the six-inch deep stream and looked down at the sprites, who were falling about laughing.

"Ooh, help, help!" Folia cackled, "throw me a rope, I'm drowning!"

"Yes, very funny." Susan waded to the edge and got out. "Oh, drat." While the river was shallow, the current had been strong enough to rip the hole in her blouse bigger, as well as creating several new ones, and the tattered remains were waterlogged and turned transparent. It had also torn off her tie and one of her socks, there was no sign of either of these.

"Can we just get moving?" The bedraggled teenager said to the giggling sprites.