"The jewels," Urson breathed.
The struggle continued a minute longer on the water. Something was holding them down, twisting at them. Then suddenly, the creatures stilled, and like great leaves, the three forms drifted apart, caught quietly in the current, and floated away from the rocks.
Then two more forms bobbed to the surface, faces down, rocking gently, backs slicked wet and green, shiny under the moonlight.
"But those were the ones who—" Geo began. "Are they dead?" His face suddenly hurt a little, with something like the pain of verging tears.
Snake nodded.
"Are you sure?" asked Iimmi. His voice came slowly.
Their ... thoughts ... have ... stopped, Snake said.
Crouched down in front of them, Urson opened his great hands. The globes blazed even in the dim light through the leaves, and the chain and the wet thong hung over his palm to the ground. "I have them," he said, "... the jewels!"