The tale of the water breathing monk

I had been sent by the Temple of Kynareth to some nearby caves to rescue a member of the Order who had gone nuts... Those monks, when they go crazy, have the bad habit to escape and hide in the most strange places, usually dungeons so filled with monsters that someone could wonder how could they made that far... But anyway, I didn't lose too much time with these questions and I hurried to the site the clerics told me.

As I have already mentioned, it was a complex of caves, linked here and there by passages obviously built by men (or dwarves maybe: they are undoubtedly better in these things). The floor was littered with humanoid bones and skulls, and remains of bonfires could be found as well. "I'm on the right way" I said confidently to myself, "No doubt it's a trace my man left..."

I advanced through the maze of caves, sure I would find him in minutes, but, although the complex was not vast at all, I was not able to find him with the first exploration. I opted for a thorough one, and I began looking for him in every single corner. There were indeed some parts I had overlooked, but they were the flooded ones (and I'm not fond of water at all). Though a bit reluctant, I removed my suit of armor and jumped in the pool: it was an experience I wish to nobody. The water was sickly green and icy cold, not to mention the hungry slaughterfish I found in there...

Anyway, I emerged from the other side, but it turned out to be a dead end... All this labour for nothing! The monk was nowhere to be found! I began losing hope, seriously thinking about going back to the temple and admitting I had failed, when I remembered of an empty cavern (save for a zombie at the very entrance) of which I had just a glimpse... but it was completely flooded and had no exits whatsoever.

Actually, I had not entered it, for I didn't wanna get wet, but at this point it made no difference: I made for it, took a deep breath and dived in the stagnant water. I tried to stay on the bottom and, to my wonder, there he was, standing carelessly in the middle of the pond. And he was breathing water as it was fresh air! I tried to approach him, but swimming wasn't easy, and, before I could get any closer, the monk noticed me and, in his madness, drew his weapon. I did not want to hurt him, so I dodged his first strike and gave him a good hit with the flat of my sword. The poor guy fell to the ground, screaming in pain (actually, I didn't hear him, but I saw a bunch of bubbles coming out of his mouth, so I suppose he was yelling), and, before running out of air, I loaded him on my shoulders and emerged.

As soon as I could speak, I whispered a "Recall" spell and, in a blink of an eye, I was back to the temple of Kynareth; there the clerics were surprised to see me (most of all because I was dripping water like a fountain), but they quickly realized that the thing I had on my back was no other than their companion, so they hurried to help him and offered me a towel to dry me up, as well as an Icon as a token of their appreciation. I know the monk I rescued was a worshipper of Kynareth, the deity of air, but I wonder how faithful could he be, to have his goddess provide him air for so long a time!