Pivoting carefully on his naked backside, an uncertain Hasa eyed the result of the Sakuntala’s hunting. “Look like oversize millipedes. Are they good to eat?”
“Nawenaa might be tasty, but too dangerous to try to eat one.” Jemunu-jah settled down on his knees next to his slow-moving menagerie, his body straps flapping around him.
“What are they?” Masurathoo had never seen anything quite like the lumpy, seemingly helpless creatures. “Poisonous? Or do those silicaceous growths on their dorsal sides break off and shatter inside a predator’s mouth?”
“No, not poisonous. And not break off. Watch.”
As Hasa and Masurathoo looked on, Jemunu-jah took a clawed finger and poked one of the slow-moving organisms in its side hard enough to draw blood. Letting out a barely audible keening, it immediately curled up into a ball, exposing to the watching world only the glassy spines on its back. Hearing their companion’s cry, the others did likewise. While human and Deyzara watched, the spines began to glow. Yellow at first, then a deep red-orange.
“Nawenaa can produce chemical reactions in their bodies that generate heat. This rises up into and warms the spines on their backs.” He smiled at his companions. “Hungry predator that bites nawenaa ends up with burned mouth.” Reaching down, he carefully prodded another of the creatures. The glow on its back intensified.
Even from where he was sitting, Hasa could feel the concentrated blast of heat. He nodded in the direction of the unexpected exhibition of biothermics. “That’s why I’m here,” he observed. “This place is full of interesting, and potentially profitable, life-forms. Growing things are more my line, though. Especially macromycetes.” Rubbing his chin, he eyed the Sakuntala sagely. “Long as we’re traveling together, maybe you could point out to me one or two rare growths that have unique properties? I’d share any ensuing profit with you, of course.”