To fend off the chilly winds, Leena and Tiva had gathered near a bonfire beside the two farmers. The villagers had been kind enough to offer them some tea and much-needed company while Xander was away.
As Xander walked ashore, drenched from head to toe, the man smoking his pipe stood up and called out to his friend.
"Look who's back," he announced.
The other man spat out the chewed beetle nuts from his mouth and turned around. As he saw Xander dragging himself ashore, he couldn't help but laugh.
"I never knew city boys like swimmin' with their clothes on," he said. "You better git yourself dry, or you'll freeze like my old aunt Bessie."
Leena breathed a sigh of relief as Xander approached the bonfire. Exhausted and cold, little Tiva had fallen asleep on Leena's lap.
"Can we cross the lake now?" Leena asked.
Xander shook his head. "It's still open. Things got complicated in there."
