Chapter 25 — Anglers and the Non-Swimming Healer

 Part 1 — Exile, Then Saving the Nation

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Everything’s ready. The rig’s perfect.

So why is my creel empty?

“Another hit!” Bill crowed.

“Same here!” Meg chimed.

The twins whooped as their rods bowed. We were fishing in the river that cut along the edge of our “estate.” Technically it was just our backyard stream, but the foxkin insisted on calling it a river.

They were hauling them in by the dozens. I, on the other hand, had nothing but a soggy line. Same bait, same hook—zero luck.

“No way!” Mimi laughed. “You two are unstoppable. Tonight’s dinner sorted!”

“We can do salt-grilled, butter sautéed, marinated, fried…” Ellie rattled off a menu. Her eyes sparkled—and yes, she was actually drooling.

“Whatever you cook will be great,” I said.

“Flattery will get you seconds!” she teased—right before her rod yanked forward.

“Whoops!” She slipped, and I lunged. We both hit the water with a splash.

The river was deeper than it looked. Still, I could swim. Ellie, however, was a certified rock. She flailed wildly, kicking and splashing.

“I’ve got you,” I said, looping an arm around her waist. The current tugged us downstream. Mimi shouted from shore. Ellie thrashed so hard I couldn’t help but grab—well, everywhere.

“Dan! Help!” she coughed.

“Calm down. I’m right here,” I soothed.

“D-don’t let go!”

“Not planning to.”

Only later did I realize my hand had slipped inside her blouse… and latched onto something very soft. As in, I’d been cupping her breast the entire time.

“Dan… your hand…” she whispered once we reached shallow water.

“Sorry! Reflex!” I yelped, trying to pull away.

She seized my wrist. “No! I mean—just until we reach the bank. It’s still scary.”

We shuffled to shore, my palm pressed to her chest the entire way. Every step was an exercise in restraint.

Once we reached solid ground she straightened, flushed from cheeks to ears. Her soaked tunic clung to every curve. I gaped, brain empty.

“What?” she asked shyly, hugging herself.

“N-nothing.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Pervert.”

Meg’s voice shrieked from behind us. “Ellie! That outfit’s see-through! Dan, turn around!”

I spun faster than I ever had in battle. Mimi’s giggles followed. “Nice view, huh, Dan?”

***

We cut the fishing trip short to get Ellie into dry clothes. Mimi declared I didn’t need to change because “Dan’s oblivious and sturdy.” Thanks.

After storing the gear, I wandered onto the deck to find Bill sprawled on the sofa admiring a shiny rock.

“What’s that?”

“Found it near the river,” he said. “Thought it looked cool.”

The metallic gleam made my eyebrow rise. “This looks like silversteel ore.”

“Silversteel?”

“Rare alloy. Stronger than iron, lighter too. We import most of it. If it’s washing downstream, there might be a vein upriver.”

Bill’s eyes widened. “Let’s go find it!”

“Tomorrow. After Ellie forgives me,” I said. “We’ll do a little resource scouting.”

With luck, the river would yield more than fish.

----- End of chapter -----