The boat resembled a canoe, except longer and broader. Qishti had asked two Draconians to accompany them and man the two sets of oars. The four sat in the middle, with a rower in the front and back of the boat. The water was calm, and the sleek vessel glided swiftly past the islands. They saw various lizard men on the landmasses and entering and exiting the water. It appeared as if most were fishing or gathering plants from the water and water edges.

“Can I ask you something?” Spence asked Qishti.

“Of course. You are our leader now.”

Spence glanced at Morgan, raised his eyebrows, and grinned. “Can you and your people live away from the water? In case we have to march across Nibiru to battle the dwarves?”

Qishti made a clucking noise that might have been a laugh. “Yes. We live on and in the water because this is where Enki chose to place us. We enjoy the water and have developed a great ability to swim and hold our breath. But we do not need it for survival. We would only need some training on acquiring food since fish is the main source of our diet, as well as the plants growing in and around the water.”

“I assume the other races will face similar challenges,” Spence said thoughtfully. He hoped their plan would work, but he had to start figuring out how to lead an army of lizard people if it didn't. That caused him to reflect on a more painful thought. Morgan would have to leave him to join the elves. Since last night, his outlook on everything had changed. They were both drunk, but he knew spending the night together might have meant something. Morgan could have simply asked him to leave. Was it just the loneliness and isolation from other humans their age? Or did she actually have feelings for him, as improbable as it seemed? But now, would they even have a chance to find out?

“Do you think we can swim with everything on?” Caleb asked quietly.

Spence hadn’t considered that. He could slide his staff beneath the straps on his pack. It would slow him, but he could manage. His boots would make it more challenging, though. Caleb and Morgan had more serious issues. “I think I’ll be OK.”

Morgan frowned. “I guess I can keep my bow over my shoulder. But I’ll need some way to secure my arrows.”

“Scoot back. Let me see if I can tie up your bow and arrows.” Morgan did as he asked, and Caleb went searching through his pack. He withdrew the rope and cut several small pieces. He then deftly secured the arrows to the quiver and the quiver to the bow. “There. Nothing is going anywhere. Hopefully, you won’t need to use it in a hurry, though.”

They entered a large stretch of open water after they passed the last of the small islands. Not long after, they began seeing trees and thick patches of reeds. Spence couldn’t gauge whether the water was shallower or supported islands covered with growth. The rowers guided the boat between the ever-increasing thickets. Soon, it seemed like they were picking their way through a mangrove swamp.

Their progress continued to slow as it became harder to navigate the growth. Eventually, they reached a solid wall of tangled vegetation that they could not find a way through or around. “We are here,” Qishti spoke. He pointed to the land in front of them. Several red flowers grew from one particular type of bush. “Those are the swamp roses.”

The growth was too thick to get out of the boat and walk on the land. The rowers turned the boat parallel to the bank, and Qishti picked the roses as they floated slowly past. He placed them into a canvas sack he had brought with him. Spence and the others studied the surrounding swamp. The water was pitch black, and it didn’t seem it could be too deep with so much growth reaching out of it. But he remembered the giant worm also living among the islands and trees.

After a few minutes of harvesting, Qishti turned to his guests. “This might be a good spot to explore the waters. The thick, white plant roots are edible. You might want to harvest some of them.” Qishti reached inside a pouch on his waist and pulled out a clear, tear-shaped gem. He squeezed it, and it glowed a soft white. “Take this with you; the waters are dark. Also, remember, you only have an hour of air.”

A thought occurred to Spence. He rifled through his pack and brought out the carefully wrapped yellow bread they had eaten during their first night in the forest. He unwrapped it and handed a piece to Morgan and Caleb. “A little snack for our swim.” They all ate it, and once again, Spence experienced the rush of energy and adrenaline. The effect wasn’t as powerful as the potions he and Caleb had drunk, but it would definitely help them with the task they faced. He returned his pack to his back.

“I thought you only had one piece left?” Morgan asked.

“Oh…oops. Or three,” Spence said, grinning sheepishly.

“Although the time is wrong, I suppose my watch still works.” Caleb grabbed the gem, and the three placed the breathing devices into their mouths. Spence secured his staff beneath the pack straps. Caleb also checked the shield on his back. His sword was secure in its sheath. “It’s three o’clock. Qishti, if we’re not back in an hour, we’re not coming back. Squad, let’s go diving.”

Caleb rolled backward off the boat like a scuba diver and disappeared under the surface. Morgan turned and dove off headfirst, also instantly disappearing. Spence tried to dive, but he did more of a belly buster. He flopped and kicked until he, too, submerged into the black depths. He found it easier to sink with his pack and boots on, but his staff dragged a little in the water. However, it would be challenging to swim back up if their plan didn’t work. He soon spotted the glowing gem and the others not too far ahead.

A tangled wall of roots and vegetation stretched in front of them. The thicket appeared to grow out of a floating island, which allowed the roots to grow through to the water. He saw some of the long, thick white roots Qishti had mentioned. Of course, they weren’t concerned with harvesting food.

Spence caught Morgan as they followed Caleb deeper into the water. He felt powerful from the bread and swam much easier than he had the day before. As they descended deeper and deeper, his ears began popping and hurting from the pressure. They were at least thirty feet deep when they finally arrived at the end of the growth. Caleb swam beneath the thicket, forming a dark, tangled ceiling above them. The bottom of the swamp was only four or five feet below. The surface was dark and thick with some type of vegetation.

Spence suddenly began feeling claustrophobic. If the floor elevated much or the roots extended further down, they would be trapped or at least blocked. He wondered how long they had been down. He guessed around fifteen minutes. Then the time-fear hit him. If it took longer than thirty minutes to reach the dome's wall, and they couldn’t break free, they would all drown. His heart raced, and he gulped bigger breaths of air. Then he realized he would have even less time now. He forced himself to calm down. God, please keep us safe and show us the way. He began holding each breath for thirty seconds before breathing again. He had to conserve air.

Spence knew Caleb was having similar thoughts because he now swam faster. And Caleb had the watch, so he knew the exact time. Spence swam as hard as he could, but despite the energy gained from the bread, swimming was difficult with boots, dagger, pack, and staff. The harder he swam, the more breaths he had to take too. The bottom did elevate some, reducing their swimming space to three feet. He wondered if the gods had thought of this possibility, and the area would totally close off, preventing them from reaching the wall.

Caleb slowed and turned ahead of him. Morgan also pulled up, allowing Spence to join them. Caleb tapped at his watch and then pointed to his mouth. Spence’s stomach tightened. They had traveled thirty minutes. Caleb shrugged his shoulders and then pointed straight ahead.