“Caleb?” Edward snuffled at Caleb’s sleeve. They’d been walking a further twenty minutes, apparently Byures’ definition of close by being somewhat different to his own. No building tops or elegant tower spires were in view, though Caleb did find himself spending far more time staring exhaustedly down at the broken path keeping focused on placing one foot in front of the other, rather than towards the sky. The Hunter did not slow his gait, indeed he seemed utterly single-minded in achieving his destination as if nothing in all the world could hurry or stall him. His lumbering gait covered ground steadily, leaving his travelers lagging in his wake, drawing ever further behind. At Edward’s request Caleb glanced tiredly up from the never-ending trail, giving the weary young hippocampus a inquisitive glance. Edward was limping now favoring his right foreleg. His pale gold fur was smeared by dirt and dried sweat while his once watery eyes were crusted over. Mane like golden thread was tangled and burr bedraggled, giving what once was a proud, strong yearling foal, the appearance of a broken old nag. Caleb rested a hand upon Edward’s withers, feeling the muscle tense and ripple under the pressure.

	“What’s wrong Edward, are you well?”

	“Noooo,” came the hippocampus’ whine. The pale head sank lower, as if he were too exhausted to hold it up any higher. “I’m so, so thirsty Caleb. My mouth is dry, my brain aches, something is stabbing into my foot, and everything hurts.” He lifted his gaze, one eye fixing Caleb with a pleading desire. “I want to go back to the ocean.”

	Now that Caleb thought about it Edward did seem a bit dried out, as if his body was withering away under the sun. The boy winced, scratching at a scab that had formed where a whipping branched had struck him during their wild ride. “Tell you the truth Eddy, I’m not feeling to chipper either. I could use a break and a drink of water myself. But we must find Rainbow and recover Valentino’s gift! I would hate to tell the prince of the ocean that his treasure was stolen.” Caleb did not want to admit, but the sooner he was out of the forest and away from Byures company the better. Both gave him a sense of dread, that hung in the back of his mind. Edward only whined in response, his head sinking a little lower. “But a short break wouldn’t hurt.” Caleb sighed, broken by Edward’s pathetic appearance. “Maybe Byures’ knows about a stream or pond nearby.

	The aligatorman in question stopped so suddenly the youthful duo nearly crashed right into him. It was all Caleb could do to avoid stepping on his long, dragging tail.

	“These things I know.” He acknowledged, twisting his long reptilian snout to appraise the two. “Away from our final destination we will march, but closer, much closer freshwater rests. I do not trust the human wells, rank and filth infused. Follow.” He turned a perfect ninety degrees and stalked off. Caleb and Edward exchanged glances but hurried to follow. At this point they were far to lost amongst the trees to ever hope finding their own way out, much less a good water source. Encouraged by the promise of water they limped behind the Hunter, eagerly awaiting the first sight. True to his promise they were not far off, and Caleb was the first to hear the blessed sounds of running water. They broke through a patch of willow trees and there before them rested a shallow forest pool, fed by a small waterfall that trickled down a patch of mossy rocks. Giving a happy cheer Edward darted forward, splashing straight into the pond’s surface. Caleb followed at a much more reserved pace, kneeling, and dipping his hands to cup a mouthful of the sweet relief into his parched mouth.

	“Ew, gross, phath!” Edward emerged from his submerged position coughing and gagging, shaking droplets from his golden pelt. “Caleb don’t drink that, somethings wrong with the water!”

	Caleb spat it out hurriedly. “What’s wrong? It tasted fine to me?”

	“The water is well.” Byures assured them from his place of observation. The alligatorman watched Edward curiously, tilting his large head ever so slightly. “You are creature of the ocean, yes?”

	“That’s right,” Edward concurred.

	“There is no salt, the water is fresh.” Byures explained, his voice deep and slow, soothing the worried hippocampus. “The taste is different, but I do not think one who can breathe the air, and yet survive beneath the waves should be concerned. Drink child, the water shall do you good.”

	This was enough reassurance for Caleb who drank his fill greedily. Edward hesitated, but his thirst won out and he dipped his head, sucking down the life-giving liquid by the gallon.

	“Careful Eddy,” Caleb laughed, splashing some water towards his friend. “You’ll drop the level of the pool drinking like that.”

	“It’s nasty,” Edward complained, his tail whipping at the pond flies that were trying to settle on his flanks. “It makes my stomachs feel queasy, but it’s better than nothing I suppose.”

	They relaxed along the pool’s shore, swimming in the shallows and laughing at the different tricks Caleb could preform jumping off the rocky waterfall’s summit, spinning or twisting through the short fall before splashing into the deeper portions, scattering the small fish that resided there. All the while Byures watched, silently. So perfectly still he almost blended into the leafy green background. At one point Edward swam out to the deepest part of the pool, where his legs still managed to scrape the bottom and submerged his head, but he burst above the surface a short while later and returned to shore looking deeply concerned. Caleb lounged on the grassy bank plucking a blade of grass and twisting it between his fingers.

	“What’s wrong Eddy? The water still making you feel sick?”

	“Yeah, it is. But it isn’t that.” At Caleb’s insistence he explain further Edward laid down, a very odd affair for a horse but he managed it, lifting, and twisting his right forehoof as if he was trying to see beneath it. Yet despite his best efforts he could not managed to adjust his body enough to get a proper look. “Something was hurting my foot,” he admitted resigning to laying on his side. “So, I thought I might transform into a fish, because fish do not have hoofs, or legs, or feet. That should have worked, except I cannot transform. I was trapped somehow, stuck in this body. Neither my true self, nor any of the other three would appear, it was as if my magic is severed, or at least strained.” Caleb thought he saw tears emerging from Edward’s large eyes. The boy leaned forward wrapping his arms around the powerful neck of his equine friend.

	“It’ll be alright Eddy,” Caleb assured his young companion. “We ran so far inland chasing after that thief, you’re probably just not used to being so far from your home. Once we find Rainbow, we will go back to the ocean, and I’m certain your powers will return.”

	“You think so?”

	“I guarantee it.”

	“Alright,” he gave his best horsy smile he could muster, but Caleb could see the worry in his eyes. Not doubt fearing he would be forever trapped on land.

	“No offense, but having legs is painful.” Edward commented after awhile. “I don’t know how you go around on land and surfaces without end.”

	“Oh, right!” Caleb sprang up, motioning Edward do the same. “Let me check your hoof, maybe something is trapped there.” Edward did as he was bid, gingerly returning to his feet, still favoring his right foreleg. Caleb knelt on one knee, taking Edward’s injured leg like he’d seen farriers preform to his home village’s horses. Taking two fingers he rubbed them along the hoof wall and then the sole, brushing aside the mud and gunk that clung there. He discovered the source of Edward’s discomfort almost immediately. His fingers brushed against the base of a thorn, and Edward flinched, giving a little yelp of surprise.

	“Ouch, what did you do?” He grumbled, nudging Caleb with his nose. “That stings.”

	“Stop twitching and bumping me Eddy, you made me lose it. Hang on here it is. You’ve got a nasty thorn in your hoof.” Caleb rediscovered the offending barb, trying to set his fingernails around its stubborn base. It was lodged deep, and it was huge, Caleb did not know how Edward managed to walk so far without more serious complaint.

	“A, thorn?”

	“Yeah, a big one. I can pull it out, but it’ll hurt.”

	“Will it hurt more than the hooked jaws of a giant sea monster?” The question was asked so casually it gave Caleb pause. Boy and hippocampus exchanged a glance and Caleb shook his head.

	“No, I don’t think it will.”

	“Then I shall manage.”

	“Okay, here goes.” Securing the thorn Caleb gave a sharp tug and twist and out popped the two-inch spike followed by a little spurt of blood. Edward braced for the pain barely flinched. Whistling Caleb held the absurd barb up to the sunlight, shaking his head in amazement. “I do not understand Eddy, you were walking with a whole spear stabbing into your foot and only now mention it?”

	“It wasn’t comfortable.” Edward tested his hoof on the soft loam, sighing appreciatively. The aggravating sting that had been bothering him for the better part of two hours was finally gone. “Thank you, Caleb, that’s so much better.” He moved his head around, examining the gore streaked trophy curiously. “So that is a thorn. Its rather small isn’t it, to be the culprit of so much discomfort.”

	“Small!” Caleb cried aghast, knowing full well if the thorn had been in his foot, he would not have been able to walk more than a few agonizing steps. He flicked the spike away for some other unfortunate to trod upon and stood. “C’mon then, we should finish our little walk. And try to avoid stepping on any brambles this time.

	“I’ll certainly try. They are less friendly than a sea urchin.” Edward concurred taking one last sip from the forest pool. “Shall we be off then, Byures?” Edward raised his head, twisting this way and that. “Hey, the Hunter is gone.” 

	“No he’s not, he’s right over…” Caleb began a frantic search of his own. He had noticed the alligatorman’s uncanny stillness, and ease of blending in before, but now it seemed he was well and truly gone. How could someone so large have vanished without them noticing? And why would Byures leave them alone by this pool?