What unusual creatures. Had Cyrus seen them before, when he had gone to that space structure? They seemed familiar, at any rate.

And they swarmed the lake, sunning themselves in the late summer heat. Were they there to remain? The presence of eggs indicated at least a lengthy stay.

One of them floated up to him, and at first he paid it no mind. When it started fiddling with the end of his jacket, though, was another story. "Begone with you!" he growled.