He means to say something, then means to take her challenge, but he’s still holding one of the moth-hares, so the first thing he takes is a moment to set it down gently. It immediately tries to climb his leg, and he mutters again, Seven hells.

“Aye, you’re on,” he says then.

He’s making for the water too, and not taking any trouble to undress himself. It isn’t only the company — although it’s also the company. More to the point, the clothes need washing as much as his hair and face do. If he was to leave them by the water, the creatures would probably swarm them, and probably continue to swarm him once he put his clothing on again.

Gods be good, they will not try to drown themselves once he and Hennessy are in the water.

Until then, it’s good to have grass and dirt under his feet, and it’s good to plunge into the water, too. Once he’s there, he wades in all up to the waist.

A cadre of disappointed moth-hares stares at him from the water’s edge, before beginning to disperse.