Tajlon and Soshe sailed the Casgora Wind back to Novaland Harbor and docked in its usual place. Tajlon noticed the light on in Jejliard's room at home.

"Dad's still awake. I've got to tell him about this tonight," Tajlon said. "You don't have to come. I'll go with you back to Mara's first if you want."

"No. I'll go with you. Come on."

They ran up the hill to the house. Tajlon led Soshe to a sofa in their living area.

"Wait here. I'll get Dad."

He found Jejliard at his desk drawing up some detailed plans for the new structure on Turodey.

"Dad?" Tajlon was a little breathless from the sprint.

"Tajlon? I wasn't expecting you this early," he said putting down his work to give Tajlon a curious look. "Everything alright?"

"We're fine. But I need to talk to you about what happened on Turodey. Soshe's here too."

"Tell me it's not what I think," he said raising an eyebrow.

"It's not what you think. Although we need to talk about that too I suppose."

Jejliard followed Tajlon to the other room where Soshe was waiting. She sat with her legs drawn up, curled into a corner of the sofa. She had a worried look on her face.

"Hello, Soshe. What happened?" Jejliard said with concern in his voice.

"Something was spying on us while we were on the beach," she said. "You know I lived on Turodey. I never encountered anything like this before."

"What did it look like?"

"We didn't get a look at it, Dad. We felt it shake the ground when it walked." Tajlon said. "I don't know what sort of creature does that, but it isn't native to these parts. We didn't stick around to investigate."

"There has to be a logical explanation. Maybe just a tremor. We have them from time to time."

"I'm familiar with the tremors on the islands," Soshe said. "This was different. I felt its eyes on us."

"Our nerves are all on edge, Soshe," Jejliard said. "Try not to let your imagination take over."

"I was hoping you might go with me tomorrow and check out the area," Tajlon said, "Hal too."

"Not a problem. We'll be there working anyway. If something that large is stomping around it shouldn't be hard to find."

Soshe hugged herself and looked at Tajlon. He sat down and wrapped an arm around her. "You don't ever need to go back there."

Jejliard paced the floor back and forth a couple of times as he often did when thinking over serious matters.

"Why don't you stay with us until Mara gets back, Soshe?" Jejliard asked. "With everyone gone she thought it would be a good time to visit some friends. Nova went with her, so you'd be staying alone at the boarding house until they get back."

"Thanks. I doubt if I'd sleep a wink up there by myself."

"Isn't General Colberton staying at Mara's Bed and Breakfast?" Tajlon asked. "Not that I don't think Soshe should stay with us," he added hastily.

"Things are happening faster than anticipated and he had to leave. I'm sorry but he won't be here for your show, Tajlon."

"It's okay. I'm not sure if I need to put on a show under the circumstances."

"We''ll see. I won't hazard to predict what another day around here might bring."

"I'll get some fresh linens for the guest room," Tajlon said getting up. He smiled at Soshe who couldn't keep her eyes from him.

"After you get Soshe tucked in for the night, there's a few things we need to discuss, Tajlon," Jejliard said. "I've neglected a few of my duties as a father."

* * *

Before Soshe and Tajlon were awake the next morning, Jejliard had a hot breakfast going. They woke to the delicious aroma of skillet cakes and bacon with eggs.

"I called Hal. He'll meet us at the docks by the Luca Luna," Jejliard said. "Soshe, I'd appreciate it if you just stayed close to home and didn't take the boat out today while we're gone."

"Don't worry, I have no desire leave Novaland today."

"I can show Soshe how to use the radio so we can stay in contact," Tajlon offered.

"Good idea," Jejliard said.

Tajlon gave Soshe a quick lesson. As usual she caught on fast.

"What did your dad have to say last night?" she asked. "You know, after I went to bed."

"Uh yeah, we had the 'talk'."

Soshe laughed. "I probably need the 'talk' too. I mean, I know where babies come from and all. I've had a couple of boyfriends, but nothing serious. I had to navigate puberty pretty much by myself except for some help from a couple of old library books."

"There are hardly any kids my age around here. The island population was severely impacted by the tsunami and a lot of the survivors left," Tajlon said. "I've grown up around people Dad's age and a lot of older scientists. You're the first real girlfriend I've had."

"And he's okay with that I hope." Soshe said. "I mean I have to admit feeling a little insecure, like maybe Jejliard doesn't think I'm sophisticated enough for his talented son."

"No, nothing of the sort. Dad really likes you, Soshe, but..." Tajlon didn't want Soshe to get the wrong impression. Jejliard was happy about their relationship.

"Let me guess, He wants us to put on the brakes."

"Yeah. I guess swimming naked isn't the best way to do that." They laughed and Tajlon gave her a kiss.

"Saved by the demon," she said.

They found Jejliard packing sandwiches and snacks for the day.

"Okay. We'll be returning late. Make yourself at home," Jejliard said on leaving.

"I'll let Koutou know you're staying at our place," Tajlon said giving Soshe a hug goodbye. "He'll keep you company. By the time we get back you'll be ready to get an operator license for the radio."

"No doubt," Soshe agreed. "Koutou loves being my tutor. I am surprised Captain De'Marc didn't take him along."

"I know. They go everywhere together," Tajlon said. "I suspect he left Koutou here for the same reason he loaned you the Casgora Wind. They're on a very dangerous mission."

***

Turodey came into view and Jejliard steered the Luca Luna to circle the island past the dock to the east.

"You say the beach was over around here?" Hal asked.

"Yes. It's nearly hidden from the open water."

"It looks like nothing but rocks," Hal said.

"I know, keep going. "

They stood at the bow, Hal was watching the shore with a scope.

"See anything?" Tajlon asked.

"No. Not sure what I'm looking for."

"It's big whatever it is."

"You say this thing shook the ground?" Hal asked. "Sure it wasn't Soshe's kisses?"

"Well, she felt it too."

"Sounds hot."

Tajlon flashed Hal a grin. "It was."

They finally came to a break in the shoreline.

"That's it." Tajlon said pointing to a rocky inlet.

They sailed up a narrow neck that opened into a small cove. The little beach was tucked away from the open sea, the water was smooth and glassy.

"We were lying on that rock over there that runs into the water."

"Nice," Hal said. "I'm jealous."

Tajlon pulled up the centerboard so they could anchor in shallow water near the big rock. Hal and Jejliard went into the cabin. Jejliard emerged carrying a rifle he'd kept since the days of the Agartoon wars. Hal was armed with a large caliber gun he'd borrowed from De'Marc's collection at the duplex, military issue also.

"Damn, Hal," Tajlon said. "Do you think that portable cannon is big enough?"

"I wanted to match the monster in your story. De'Marc took most of his firearms with him, but I found this one for you, lover boy." He handed Tajlon an old tranquilizer gun made to handle big game animals loaded with a couple of darts. "Another of De'Marc's toys."

"Sweet."

Tajlon extended a wooden ramp and went ashore with Hal while Jejliard made a final check of the rigging and anchor.

"Why didn't you anchor over here last night instead of swimming to shore?" Hal asked.

"I couldn't see the bottom very well and was afraid we might put a rock through the hull."

"Yeah, any excuse to get naked."

"I should never have told you."

Hal laughed. "Too late. I'm enjoying this."

"Hush, here comes Dad."

"Where do think this thing might have been hiding?" Jejliard asked joining them on the beach.

"The wind had died down and I heard the leaves rustling up above us there." Tajlon walked toward the trees. They searched the general location.

"Look at this." Jejliard said. "Something tore up the ground and looks like it made a bed right here." The grass was flattened and crushed in a large circular area. There were lots of broken twigs and torn vines.

Hal separated from them to follow the signs of disturbance in the neighboring vegetation. Tajlon and Jejliard searched closer to the beach.

Hal called out for them to join him. "Over here guys. You need to see this."

Tajlon and Jejliard were quick to catch up to him.

"Oh gross!" Tajlon said backing away and holding his nose.

A giant pile of fairly fresh excrement lay before them.

"Still warm in the middle I bet," Hal said poking it with a stick.

"Don't do that for my benefit," Jejliard said moving back a few paces.

"This would make about five cow piles don't you think?" Hal asked.

"Easily," Tajlon said.

"So, guessing the weight of one cow to be around eight hundred to a thousand pounds, this big boy might weigh upwards of three to four thousand."

"Big enough to make the ground shake, right?" Tajlon asked.

"Oh yeah." Hal answered.

"Well, we have what we came for," Jejliard said. "Evidence."

"If it poops, it bleeds." Hal said shouldering his weapon

"I suggest we avoid a direct confrontation with this creature until we are better prepared to deal with it," Jejliard replied.

"What about the wreck?" Tajlon asked.

"What about it?" Hal asked. "Do you think this is our underwater pal paying us a visit?"

"I don't know where it came from, but the construction crews will be arriving soon. Shouldn't we at least warn them?" Tajlon said.

"You're right, Tajlon," Jejliard said. "We need to secure the area. I'm not so sure we need to share our suspicions."

"Who'd believe us if we did?" Hal made a scary face and held up both hands to imitate claws.

"Colberton would," Jejliard replied. "I don't want to call him in on this just yet. You know how he'd handle it. I'd really like to study this animal while it's still alive."

"Maybe we could ask them to build a security fence around the work perimeter?" Tajlon asked. "For general precautions."

"If this creature can swim, you'd have to control water access as well," Jejliard said. "That's hard to do with crews coming in and out daily."

"Then we need to find a way to capture it," Tajlon said. "Its size alone makes it dangerous,"

Hal took one last look around. "Eventually we have to drive this thing out. We can't have a university here with a giant carnivore on the loose."

"It could be a vegetarian for all we know," Tajlon held his breath and collected a sample from the dung before they made their way back down the beach. "This will tell us what it eats."

Hal held up one hand and stopped them abruptly. A huge footprint was in the sand on the far side of the beach from the rock. A distinct claw mark could be seen protruding from the end of a toe imprint.

"I'm guessing it eats whatever it wants to," Hal said. "And that toenail says I'm right."