Why?

"Could the spirits have sent the snake?" Fred asked. He could see its lower half coiled round Astra's calf. The rest of it was hidden by the knee-length loose shift that she was wearing.

"Maybe the spirits did send it. But why? I can't think of a reason."

"As a protection against any dangerous animals that we might encounter?"

"That sounds rather far-fetched to me. If that was the reason, why couldn't it just slither along behind us? Why did it have to coil itself round my leg?" Fred had no answer to that.

They resumed walking steadily westward.

1. Astra eventually discovered why the snake was twined round her leg.
2. As yet, there was no sign of the spirits providing them with their next meal or with water to drink.
3. They reached a small stream crossing their path, flowing towards the lake, which was now some miles to their north.
4. Eventually the snake uncoiled itself and slithered off. Before long, though, it returned.

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