It's Not A Competition

I wonder if we'll be in trouble, says Greedy.

We won't be in trouble, says Terence. The Kroomby knows the way.

Kroombit, says the Kroombit tinker.

I said that, says Terence.

I meant when we get back to the others, says Greedy. 

We didn't tell them where we were going, says Freddy.

Woop, says Terence. They didn't tell us where THEY were going.

They might think we're lost, says Greedy.

Well we aren't, says Terence. And when we get back we'll be heroes.

Why? asks the Kroombit tinker.

Because we found you, says Terence. You're the frog they're all looking for.

Just me? asks the Kroombit tinker.

Yes, says Terence.

No, says Greedy. You and other frogs like you. Gaius wants to know how you're doing.

So who is this Gaius? asks the Kroombit tinker.

A man who counts dangerous species, says Terence.

Endangered species, says Greedy.

I said that, says Terence.

So he'll want to count me, says the Kroombit tinker.

Ha ha, laughs Terence. That's easy.

So maybe I don't need to come, says the Kroombit tinker.

You'd better come, says Freddy. They might not believe us.

True, says the Kroombit tinker. I should make an appearance.

They wander on in the flickering torchlight, under the blue gums. 

The blue gums look like dark menacing figures.

One of the dark menacing figures is flashing a light.

Maybe it isn't a blue gum.

What are you doing out here? asks Nerida, stepping out with a torch.

Guess what? says Terence.

Oh! says Nerida. Well done! You've found a Kroombit tinker. 

Has Gaius found any? asks Terence.

No, says Nerida. Only a bumpy rocketfrog  and a scarlet-sided pobblebonk.

Yay! says Terence. We're the winner!

It's not a competition, says Nerida.