Burden Of The Beast [II]

Ju Feng went back to Chang Chang's side. "Are you well enough to walk? We have to get to a hiding place. We won't be able to fight Cerest like this."

"I know," Chang Chang said, "but Zu Ruo's wound is bad. I don't think we can move her."

A pitiful wail erupted from the water. Chang Chang and Ju Feng tensed. Ju Feng turned, his fists raised to defend against another attacker, but it was the deformed man. He thrashed in the water, his tentacles floating weirdly around his head. It gave the impression an octopus was latched onto his neck.

"Gods," Chang Chang said, "he can't swim." She took a step toward the edge of the raft.

Ju Feng latched onto her arm. "Or maybe he's a clever play actor who'll stick you with a hidden dagger when you get close enough to help him."

The cries intensified. Chang Chang flinched. "If that's so, you'll finish him when he makes his attack. If it's not—I can't listen to him die like that."