What help is a river?

The group ran with all their strength, arriving quickly at the river as they reached the top of a small hill: it was the river bed. Without hesitation, they continued to run for the river. The Vargr riders having closed the distance to just a hundred meters, slightly less. 

The river was not large, nor was it deep. 

Storing his spear, Eldrian jumped right in, finding it to only reach his knees. He had hoped it would be deeper; maybe it might have forced the beasts to find a new route. This would not do.

The river was also not wide, only around ten meters. Pushing onward Eldrian ensured that he did not surpass the group of women they had saved and were escorting. 

"Go! Put all your strength into getting across!" Eldrian shouted, as if accomplishing this would save them. As he watched the women help each other across the last stretch, Eldrian heard the splash of water as the Vargr also reached the river.