Magelets can waddle pretty fast for short distances. But they are prone to tripping, so Rydia might end up with one or two clinging to her. They can stop for a rest once they're a little way up the trail.

"The guard was some kind of yellow cat thing," says Juro, "but I didn't see a tail."

Mistral shakes his head at that. "It's a mask. He was wearing it the last time, too."

The Magelets look around, not finding all that much to look at but rocks, until they near the first bend in the trail.

Something is crouching on the ascending path near the bend. It tenses and then jumps down towards them on four long insect legs.

The Magelets collectively meep and try to hide behind Rydia and Mistral.