In the scorching heat, Piyo discovered a body of water in the distance.
As the sun began to set, we finally managed to reach the waterside that Piyo had found. Unfortunately, the water was murky and undrinkable. But it would be good enough to cool off in. I immediately took off my shoes, rolled up my trousers, and dipped my feet in. …It was lukewarm, just like a foot bath.
Well, there’s nothing to be done. For the time being, we’ll camp here tonight and head towards the town again tomorrow. We unloaded our luggage and decided to camp under a small patch of shade.
As I sat down by the water’s edge, I happened to look to my side and saw a hole in a raised part of the ground. I wondered if it was a badger’s or weasel’s den. While eating dinner and watching it for a while, a lizard’s head poked out from the entrance. It had a small head with beady black eyes and was flicking its tongue in and out like a snake, surveying its surroundings.
After a while, perhaps thinking it was safe, a bipedal reptile resembling a small dinosaur emerged from the den. Following it, one after another, companions came out of the den. There were about ten of them. They intermittently raised their heads, searching for food on the ground or drinking water.
Could these be the animals I saw before when I was heading to the Kinnara settlement on Philiana’s back? I couldn’t see clearly then because they were too far away, but they have a cute appearance.
“Hey, Philiana, are these…”
I couldn’t help but let out a voice. The small dinosaurs all looked at me at once, then disappeared into their den with incredible speed.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, they were just here, but I surprised them, so they ran away.”
Piyo said “Ah!” and started peeking into the den.
“There’s something inside!”
“Hey, that’s cruel. You might get bitten.”
Still, she tried to reach into the den with her wing. When I looked up, I saw more of them scurrying out from another den.
“Ah, they’re gone.”
Of course, they were. They had prepared multiple escape routes. Perhaps I could ask for their names when I get to the next town.
As the sun set, it became even colder than before. I crammed extra blankets onto my existing bedding and curled up, closing my eyes.
