Masurathoo had anticipated the observation. “I have watched him every time he makes use of his supplies. His emergency kit includes a general human soporific. I will endeavor to obtain some and slip it into his food. Alternatively, when he is sound asleep I will apply it to his lower torso via injection.”
Jemunu-jah was impressed. “Bold action for a Deyzara, to contemplate forcibly incapacitating a human.”
Reddened, protuberant eyes met Jemunu-jah’s own. “Desperation can drive even the civilized to take previously unimagined risks. Are we in agreement?”
Backed into making a commitment, Jemunu-jah still demurred. “Another difficult day lies ahead of us. As we walk there will be plenty time for contemplation of alternatives. I will tell you tonight what choice I make.”
“Excellent! I’m confident it will be the right one.” Turning away, the Deyzara began to assemble his gear. “It may be the last chance we have to make one.”
The light was beginning to fade when they reached the river. One more river, Jemunu-jah thought tiredly. Yet one more. And this one wider and swifter of current than any of those they had previously crossed. They might yet have to pause and expend more of what little remained of their reserves of strength on building a raft with which to attempt the crossing. This unnamed watercourse was sufficiently broad that it might not be possible to swim it. Furthermore, during the approach he had not seen or smelled any vatulalilu. If they were to try swimming so deep and wide a waterway without some form of protection or camouflage they might as well do so with some of the human’s clever advertising signs hanging around their necks, proclaiming to every water-dwelling carnivore that dinner had arrived.