"If they wanted," answered Geo.
In front of them now appeared faint shiftings of silver light. Five minutes later, they were crouching at the edge of the forest, looking down over the rocks at the white shimmerings over the river.
"Into the water?" Geo asked.
Snake shook his head. Wait ... came the familiar sound in their heads.
Suddenly a hand raised from the water. Wet and green, it stood a foot or so from the shore in the silver ripples. The chain and the leather thong dangled down the wrist, and swaying there were two bright beads of light.
Iimmi and Geo froze. Urson said, "The jewels...."
Suddenly, crouched low like an animal, the big man sprang onto the rocks and ran toward the river's edge.
Three shadows, one white, two dark, converged above him, cutting the moonlight away from him. If he saw them, he did not stop.
Iimmi and Geo stood up from their crouched positions.
Urson reached the shore, threw himself along the rock, and swiped at the hand. Instantly he was covered by flailing wings. The membranous sails splashed in the water. Two seconds later, Urson rolled from beneath the layers of membrane that still struggled half on land and half in the water. He started forward up the rocks. He slipped, regained his footing, and then came on, nearly falling into Geo's and Iimmi's waiting arms.