Heading Downstream

"Unfortunately that information is not in my database."

"Oh well, never mind... From the map that you put up, it looks like we just need to follow the river downstream. Is that right?"

"Yes. The settlement is located beside the river. However the river winds a little, so following it will add about five kilometres to your journey."

"We have jungles in the south of Aqualaria," Astra said, "and I know that it it very easy to get lost in them. So we will follow the river and not be tempted to take any short cuts. Let's be off."

"Goodbye, Maya," Stacy said. She found it hard not to think of the AI as a person. "Thanks for all your help. I feel rather guilty that we have to leave you behind."

"Goodbye. It was a pleasure to serve you." Stacy wondered if Maya was really capable of feeling pleasure, or whether that was just a form of words that was programmed into her to be used in such a situation as this.

"Goodbye, Maya," Astra said. Then she and Stacy set off downstream.

After thirty minutes or so of steady walking, Stacy was feeling thirsty, and regretted not having asked Maya if the water in the river was safe to drink. Though if Maya didn't know about the berries and nuts then she probably wouldn't have known about the water either, she reflected.

1. Astra notices how much Stacy is sweating, and suggests that she had better ditch the overalls before she gets heatstroke.
2. Stacy reflects that the journey is likely to take at least five hours, and that in this heat that's far too long to go without water. She's going to have to risk drinking from the river.
3. They hear the howl of some animal that sounds as if it's quite close.

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