"Lean On Me"

Astra said that the giant hand had pointed towards a range of hills visible low on the southern horizon. That was not what Fred had wanted to hear, for that direction would take them even deeper into unknown country. Still, he followed Astra as she started walking southwards. They had been through much together and, for all her funny Aqualarian ways, he respected her too much to desert her now.

It was immediately obvious that their progress would be slow. Astra's stride was only half the length it had been when she was fully human, but in spite of that she was much better off than Fred. Not only did his knees bend the wrong way for walking erect, but his legs were supporting more weight than they were designed for. Perhaps worst of all, his paws did not give him the stable platform that feet would have done. In this barren land, there was nothing that he might use as a crutch.

Within ten minutes of starting out, it was clear that their initial estimate of six hours to reach the hills was wildly overoptimistic. Fred had already fallen over several times.

Astra sighed. "We are going to get nowhere like this," she said. "Don't you have a suitable goddess who can help?" Fred asked rather acidly. "No. You are going to have to make do with my help instead. Put your arm around my waist for support." "Your waist is too low. If I bend down that far, then I will be more unbalanced than ever." "Then put your arm around my shoulders."

So, slowly, Fred and Astra continued their progress towards the hills where, they hoped, they might find food and - even more important - fresh water. At best, they would only make two or three miles an hour. Though the sun was obscured, which was a mercy, the air was uncomfortably hot and their throats already felt parched.

1. They continued doggedly onwards.
2. Meanwhile, in what had until recently been Minestus' lair...
3. Meanwhile...

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