“So, what are we going to do now, Zarundok?” asked Tom. “The first thing we have to do is hire some Spiny Hopperloxes. It’s quite a dangerous journey through the forest and they’re the only safe way to travel.” “I’m not going to sit on a spiny anything!” shrieked Jared. “I sat on a spiny sea urchin at the beach last year, and my bottom got infected and ...” Zarundok cut him off in midstream. “Don’t worry, the Spiny Hopperloxes have retractable spines. They only bring out their spines when they’re under threat of being attacked. The passengers are protected by a Hizoon leather saddle, so they’re perfectly safe. Nothing can penetrate Hizoon leather.” Huon thought that Jared still didn’t look entirely convinced. He put his arm around Jared’s shoulders. “Cheer up Jared, you can sit with me. You’ll see; we’ll be fine.”

It had now stopped raining, so the group ventured out from under the Umbrella Tree, and followed Zarundok along a path which led along the outskirts of the forest.
“There should be a stable along here somewhere, if my memory serves me correctly,” muttered Zarundok.
“But you haven’t been here for a thousand years,” William said incredulously. “How could you remember that? It would have fallen down by now.”
Sure enough, as they turned a corner, a very modern looking stable stood directly in front of them.
“Wow, your memory is terrific, Zarundok!” Jared said with a whistle of admiration.
Standing outside was a Quiggler chatting with a group of animals. The animals had owl-like faces, on a black, heavily wrinkled body. The Quiggler was pointing things out to them from a manual.