The surface of the lake rippled and sparkled in the dying sunligtht, and the boat swayed gently on the small waves. The party sat on the deck and ate some of their rations while the wind push the boat across the lake.

As Cerys pulled an apple from her travel bag, she felt something moving in the sleeve of her robe. She nearly dropped the fruit and screeched when she felt something brush up against her arm.

“Something’s in there!” she exclaimed.

Himeko gave her a worried look, not sure whether to move away or get closer to her friend in order to help her. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I think it’s a mouse!” Cerys told her.

Noshtra was much braver, and moved towards her. “Where?” Then he noticed the movement in her sleeve, and leaned in curiously.

She held out her arm nervously, and let Nashtra reach over to pull back the cloth. Cerys was trembling, feeling something clinging her arm, and nearly yelped when she at last saw what it was.

“How did that get in there?!” she cried.

“Well now,” Nashtra said, keeping his voice calm and smooth. “You have a bat taking refuge in your sleeve.

“A bat? Peter asked, suddenly very interested in his sister. He hurried over and knelt down beside her.

There, its wings wrapped around her arm, hiding its face underneath, was a small star bat.

“So it is,” James said. “It looks like it hid in your sleeve for safety.”

“What am I supposed to do?” Cerise asked him nervously.