Water covered Harrow's mouth.
Jiang pushed harder beneath his wrist. The rider's head rose against the stone roof, leaving room for one ragged breath.
"Useful bird," Harrow said.
Jiang considered lowering him.
"Friend," Harrow corrected before Jiang could test the difference.
Rill's voice came through the cataract. "Keep insulting your rescuer. It tells me how much air you have."
"Then I am drowning in excellent health."
Aylin reached the pocket first. She had wrapped the descent chain around her forearm and crossed the wet shelf on one knee. Her injured palm was bleeding through the fresh grip.
She put her good hand beneath Harrow's jaw. "Jiang, move when I have him."
Jiang watched her shoulder take the weight. When Harrow's mouth stayed above water, he slipped beneath the shelf.
Darkness narrowed around his body.
