RAFEL WOKE UP FOR AN EARLY BATH the next morning. It was still dark, and he managed by himself to the creek—after fondling about for the skull cane Rosa had lent him of course. The girls were still asleep as he undressed and dipped into the spring.
"I'm so glad for strength this morning. Perhaps, the THING last night with the Detective helped." He said quietly to the Guardian wolf.
The dire breed of blue wolf yipped and ran along the banks. Rafel pulled his head under the crystal water and his red hair went streaming with the rush. It felt exhilarating, and Rafel put it at the back of his mind to learn how to swim. Sekhmet could help; her assets were riverine if anything.
By the time he broke surface again, the first wisps of dawn were hitting the stone bridge overhead.
Rafel remained on the shallow parts of the creek.
"Lord Israfel! My Prince!"