The Lake, which just a moment ago appeared desolate and lifeless, was transformed briefly into a hub of paranormal activity. Mayuka and Kiana were startled out of their wits when they saw those weird creatures. Being some distance away, they knew they were safe, but the girls feared for the safety of Igashu and Sherpa.

Zino appeared most upset. He repeatedly stomped his forefeet and bleated loudly. When Igashu fell to the ground, Zino wanted to charge downhill to the Lake to protect him. Mayuka and Kiana had to yell at Zino to return, which he reluctantly did.

Kay, too, appeared agitated. He wanted to rush down and be by his master and Ayk. Mayuka was quick to rein him in by tightly tugging at the long hair on his neck.

The girls were impressed with Sherpa’s bravado and how he made the creatures vanish. They heaved a sigh of relief when they saw Igashu seated on Ayk and the three of them making their way back.

“I can see Igashu’s foot is bandaged. “I wonder how bad the injury is”? Said Mayuka looking worried.

Kiana jumped off Kay’s back, saying, “I must check out my medicine bag and keep the medicines and bandages ready for Igashu”’

Igashu looked sad as he was helped by the Sherpa to get off Ayk’s back. “Mayuka and Kiana, I am terribly sorry for going off foolishly and causing this mess. Those creatures caught us by surprise”.

Mayuka, carefully getting off Kay’s back, rushed to Igashu to give him a welcome hug.

Kiana, too, left her medical bag on the ground and gave Igashu a hug. Zino nudged his way between the three, not wanting to be left out.

“There’s no need to feel sorry, Igashu. We could have stopped you, but we allowed you to go. Anyway, things could have been a lot worse”, said Mayuka.

“You should not fret over this Igashu. We are in this together. Right now, what’s important is attending to your injured ankle. Come let me have a look. My mother has packed medicines and bandages for sprains”. Saying that, Kiana gently unwound the makeshift bandage.

“I don’t think it’s anything serious, but it needs to be checked out”, said the Sherpa, offering Kiana a helping hand.

The ankle appeared swollen and bruised and felt tender to the touch.

Kiana dressed the injured ankle with a herbal paste and then applied a crepe bandage.

“Oh. Thanks, Kiana. You have done such a wonderful job that I don’t feel the pain anymore”, said Igashu, attempting to sound jovial.

“No heroics, Igashu. You need to rest that ankle. As suggested by Sherpa, we will have your injury checked out at the Tezu General Hospital”, said Mayuka sternly.

“Then what about our plans to get to the coast and cross the ocean”? Asked Igashu, sounding dejected.

“We will definitely do it sometime in the future, Igashu, but for now, resting your injured ankle is most important”, said Kiana.

The Sherpa opened his worn-out flask one more time and poured out small portions of yak’s milk for Igashu, the girls, and Zino. Squeezing Igashu’s shoulder firmly, he said, “son, I can see you are an achiever. The passion in you to explore has made you adventurous and fearless. That’s the reason you went down to the Lake, and that’s the reason why you three have come so far. But it’s also important that the heart and the mind strike a balance. Your heart has overruled your mind, and the result is there for everyone to see. Good sense tells us that we must be in top physical condition to undertake an adventure. I am sure you understand that, Igashu”.

“Yes, Sherpa, you are right. I agree with what you, Mayuka, and Kiana are saying. We have seen and learnt so much in the last few days. We have many exciting stories to tell our parents, not forgetting Cyan, Nevaeh, and Ahren. Besides, I miss them. We will turn back. We will plan an even bigger adventure where all six of us participate”.

“Yups! That’s the spirit. The Six Plus One Gang in the next adventure”, said Mayuka. “Let’s head back. Even I am missing everyone”.

“Yippee! I miss my kid brother Ahren the most. I wonder how he would have reacted had he seen those weird creatures in the Lake”, said Kiana.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he would have tried pelting those creatures with his catapult”, said Igashu laughingly.

“Hahaha! That’s Ahren, the little devil with angelic eyes and a charming smile”, remarked Mayuka.