Lexx struggled with his wings and getting his mouth above the water. His movements started to get more erratic, until he felt hands gripping his shoulders from the back, pulling him back.
"Lexx!" Chel kicked hard, trying to get him to move more onto his back. "Calm down! It's not that deep. Let me help you!" She had touched the rocky bottom of the lake when they landed with her feet. It was maybe seven or eight feet deep. Lexx gasped for air, having a difficult time putting his faith into a scrawny human female. Then, he realized he wasn't having as much trouble staying afloat.
"Kick!" Chel sputtered. Lexx's weight was a little more than she could handle. She dug her fingernails into his shoulders to get his attention, "Lexx!" Pain shot through Lexx's injured left shoulder. The wound wasn't completely closed and was very sensitive. He relaxed his wings and kicked his legs to move him in the direction Chel was tugging him in. He did not have much of a choice.
A short swim later, Lexx and Chel trudged up a grass and rock strewn beach. Lexx was exhausted and let his wings drag on the ground. Chel was aching. Neither said a word as they gulped in unhampered breath without water trying to force its way in.
Swiftpaw arced out of the sky, circled around twice and landed near Lexx and Chel. Drift immediately slid off the winged fox. He tumbled to the ground in a mass of quivering feathers.
"Wings are not made for water." Lexx sighed, wringing water from his clothes.
"Heh … no." Chel smiled, wiping at excess water on her shirt.
