Styx & Stones by Lahela Ino. Courtesy of The Ringling College of Art + Design.

The Shasta Caper, Chapter 50 Part Two

Chapter Fifty, Part Two

"Samuel." Nanny said after taking a hit off her canteen and wiping her lips with the back of her sleeve. "How'd that Saran character escape the explosion of his ship?"

Samuel considered that a moment. "It's possible he didn't die in it."

Jimbo butted in. "We don't even know what kind of escape mechanisms they have for such a situation. Maybe he parachuted."

"We didn't see any."

Jimbo looked  away. "Maybe they were stealth."

Nanny laughed. "Now that is stretching it."

Samuels eyed the lake intently a few moments. "I think I see people down there. "

They all turned to watch where Samuel pointed.

"Darned, if you aren't right, partner!" Jimbo said, his eyebows furrowed in thought. "But they don't look big."

"Maybe not everyone is...."Nanny cut in. "...Here."

"Only one way to find out." Samuel said, rising to his feet. He stretched to get the kinks out of his back and legs, then began marching downwards again.

As they continued the rough ground about them became thicker with vegetation. Large areas of wild flowers spread colorful lines of blossoms and sporadic brush with red and gold leaves sprouted from within the lines of flowers.

Once an odd creature poked its head up from the brush and looked at them.

Nanny almost shrieked. "It's an elephant!"

"My God! Your'e right." Drawled Jimbo. "A pigmy elephant."

"Kinda hairy for an elephant." Samuel noted.

Nanny grabbed Samuel's arm. "I got to see if I can touch it."

"I wouldn't..." Samuel started to warn her, but she was already off, heading for the tiny creature. It watched her as she approached, its tail swishing busily. It munched on a flower, then looked down and plucked another with its trunk to shove into its mouth. 

She dropped down onto her knees next to the creature and gathered a flower blossom and held it out. The elephant made a wary sound and backed up a bit.

"It's okay, baby. Mommy won't hurt you." She told it, a bright smile on her lips.

The creature stiffened again, but when she laid the flower down, it edged closer and took the flower and jammed it into its mouth. Its eyes widened with pleasure.

Nanny laughed and the elephant made a small trumpeting sound.

She plucked another flower, one out of the elephant's reach and a different kind and color and held it out. The elephant didn't budge at first, then it tentatively moved closer and snatched the flower from her. It ate the flower, then stood still looking at her. It raised its trunk and made what couldn't be considered anything else than a pleading sound.

She plucked one of the higher flowers and laid it on her right knee. The elephant eyed it hungrily, wavering a bit, then it edged closer and snatched the flower. It swallowed it, then gave her a new pleading look. But this time it lightly tapped its trunk on her knee. She smiled warmly, then grabbed two flowers this time and placed them on her knee.

The elephant moved cautiously closer, then put its two front feet on her knee and swept the flowers into its mouth. It remained in that position, giving her a new look of demand. Nanny plucked an especially large one and held it in her hand for the elephant. It stepped the rest of the way up onto her knee and ate the flower from her hand.

She gently placed her fingers across its back and it didn't flinch or try to get away. She gently stroked it.

Jimbo and Samuel watched with amusement and delight as the spectacle unfolded. "You have to admit, Sammie, she's got a touch with the critters."

"I'm sure your horses would love her, Jimbo."

Jimbo didn't see Samuel's face. His eyes were on Nanny. "I'm sure they would."