:103 steps taken; 1,046 steps to go. 104 steps taken, 1,045 staps to go. 105 steps taken; 1,044 st-:

:Mycirin, you can quit the counting now. It's starting to get a little annoying.:

:But don't you want to know how far away you still are from the lake?:

:No.:

As the mind-voices get closer, you notice a small white flitter flying backwards above the grasses and in the grasses a pair of moving white wings.

:All right, all right,: the small cheerful voice says with a touch of irritation. :Mind if I sing?:

The two creatures are closer to you now. You can tell that te white flit is no ordinary flit- he has blue wings and a blue stripe, not to mention the black spots down his back. The other creature appears to be catlike, with black ears, a white body and black spots. That's about all you can make out between the grass.

:You know I don't mind you singing,: the second voice says, :but there are others to consider.

:There are?!: The flit turns several mid-air circles before he sees you. :Oh! There are! So sorry. I won't sing then.:

"I don't mind," you say, hoping his singing's not too bad.

:That's great!: he says, and starts humm9ing a soft, light tune, soon keening tit out. He;s actually quite good at singing, you notice, and tell him so when he finishs. He blushes.

:Er, thanks. My name's Mycirin. This is-:

:Amishesta,: the spotted cat tells you, cutting him off. :Greetings. Would you liek to come to the lake with us? It is that way,: she tells you, nodding to a steep mountain's cliff, :over that hill:

"Maybe some other time,: you say, eying the cliff warily.