Sleepy Fox Hollow damn the dark, damn the light

Clarence knew the posture of someone who was about to attack. But Cenric was quick and Clarence was out of practice, and the blow to his neck was a little shocking. Startled, the spotted boy had his head plunged beneath the surface of the water. It was chilly - colder than it had been when he was drinking it, but that might have also been the panic. 

But Clarence knew how to defend himself. How to fight. It wasn't a skill he was proud of, but it was something he could use, right now. 

The wolfdog gathered himself as best as he could and pushed off backward, aiming to shove his assailant back and get him off of him, for at least a moment.