“Hell no.” Sitting in the light but steady rain, Hasa removed his rain cape from its pouch, unfolded it, and slipped it over his head and body. A flick of the activation control showed that it still retained more than half its original charge. The cape’s electrostatic field repelled water, keeping the falling drops a fraction of a centimeter away from the actual material. When the field was on, the transparent fabric was always dry to the touch.
“After the whirlpool collapsed, I went back down to try to kill the sumbitch. You can see it pretty clearly when it’s not generating a killing vortex. Looks like a big, fat olive green lump half buried in the bottom muck. Nothing much shows but the mouth and all those fins it uses to create a whirlpool. I didn’t see any eyes.” He wiped river water from his face. “Probably detects potential prey by sensing pressure changes in the water.” Squinting into the rain, he glanced upward. “Locating in a calm place under something like this big overhanging tree makes sense. The water’s easier to eddy and the tree’s shade helps conceal it from unsuspecting victims.” His gaze returned to the river. “And other predators.”
Jemunu-jah indicated agreement. “One of first things Sakuntala parent teaches cublings is where is safe to swim and where is not.” A long, slender arm reached out toward the water. “I not know this place, so not able to predict what might lie in wait here.”
“That’s the Viisiiviisii for you.” Hasa seemed none the worse for their near-death encounter. “Chock-full of lies. The big clawed meat eater that crosses your path isn’t hungry, but the water is.” He rose from where he was seated. “Squatting here philosophizing ain’t bringing us any closer to that village.”