Sand exploded near them.
Hissing pops pelting them in burning water.
Mialtros wobbled as she sat up, running her hands over her eyes.
“There ain't a reason to wake a body up like that Xiathia. Shaking my shoulder woulda been enough."
Claws kneaded her knee.
'I doubt the Tupteil care for social graces. They see an easy food source in our companions shell.'
Opening her eyes, Mialtros held her breathe.
Slender snouts rooted the sand. Long ears drooped along muscled bodies. Were it not for their tufted tails, Mialtros might not have known they were cows at all. They were kept from stepping on them by a pink dome made from jelly. It wriggled as a Tupteil licked at it.
Mewl must have made for them when he woke up. She wondered how long he'd been awake as she sat up and stretched.
She l
