[Child of the 7th Age]

Angara and Bird emerged in the cave at the very same time. Ahead of them, they saw the two girls searching the wall for more and more pictures. Birdland quickly morphed back from her dolphin form.

The instant she had done this, Bird looked about the cave from side to side with concern evident in her face. "I see the two of you, but where is Kali?" she stared directly at Daisy.

The young hobbit's words came tumbling out with nervous apprehension, "I'm not certain. He was just here a moment ago. He led us into this place. He has to be here somewhere!"

Rose placed her small body between Bird and Daisy. "She's right, Bird," she countered. "Kali found this underwater place and led us in. We were exploring. He must have gone further down this tunnel, or slipped out while we were examining pictures. If anyone is at fault here, it is me. I probably led our boat too far out into the seas, and didn't keep a close enough watch on the hobbrim."

"But," Rose continued, "Kali is as old as I am. He is not a prisoner, or a small child. If he wishes to explore this island, I'm not going to stop him. In any case, none of us meant any harm."

[ July 28, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]