[enchilado]

II.

Quick and nimble, the Mudokons easily lost the Sligs - an attempt at pursuit was made, but it became clear as the thin feet of the latter inhabitants sank into the leafy undergrowth, catching and snagging and stumbling them, that it was wasted effort. After some hours of bruises and stalling motors they desisted and began the struggling journey back to their camp.

General Ackrodisiac expressed displeasure that the Mudokons had not been captured and set most of the Sligs who had been present to cleaning duties. They set to without delay, but only for fear of being demoted to the worst form of reprimandal labour: the toilet hygiene squad. It was said that only half the Sligs assigned to this torturous task survived until the end of it, and afterwards were never the same again.

Each morning in the camp each Slig had to report to an officer (of which there were five) in order to make sure they all were present. It was meant to ascertain no one had been killed or had deserted, but more usually it led to the discovery that someone had broken into the liquor stores and binged themselves to unconsciousness. When at nightfall that day (the time by when every Slig must have proved himself present) it was realised that nobody - not even ordinary soldiers - had seen Pudzy all day, it was naturally assumed that in the excitement of the Mudokon attack he must have seized the opportunity to sneak into the stores. This was not really so different from the truth, but Pudzy was far from being unconscious on the floor of a portable cellar.

As soon as he had heard Mub's cry, the thieving Slig had known that he was in a tight corner. If he ran to assist Jukker along with the others, he'd have to drop the stolen food right where he was and it would surely be found later. He could return it to the stores, but what a waste that would be! The only option that seemed viable was to flee the camp now, hide the food somewhere, and return. Sneaking out across the moist grass and into the mists, he considered that on the whole it was as well he didn't go to meet the Mudokon anyway. It was probably a very unsafe thing to do.

Unsure how far to hide the food from the camp, Pudzy kept walking for some time. It was peaceful out among the pine trees, watching the black exhaust from his pants drifting slowly higher into the atmosphere. He pondered on the appearance of the Mudokon - not what they had come to this area in search of, but a very valuable resource none the less. They were always stronger and healthier when captured from the wild. Caught up in these dreams of prosperity - he might get a job as a personal bodyguard for a rich and powerful Glukkon, wealth and fame would be a powerful asset for that - he took little notice of where he was going. He envisioned an extravagant set of superlative armour, his very own, and the admiring looks of other Sligs as he stood by his employer's side. The sun rose high into the sky, raising the mist with it and revealing an extensive view of the landscape, and finally Pudzy decided he had gone far enough.

Stuffing the bag into the exposed roots of a pine tree, he threw needles over it until it could not be seen at all. Satisfied that he done a good job of it, he dusted his hands and turned back to return to the camp. He saw patches of grass, patches of dirt and identical trees. A dozen paths seemed to lead away from him, and none of them looked like the route he had come along. He knew the camp was in that general direction, but he was uncertain which way exactly and he didn't want to stumble upon a Mudokon nest. He considered clicking on his radio and informing Jukker or someone that he was lost, but on an open frequency everyone else would hear too. He didn't want to be found out as the thief of the food.

Shrugging, he decided that if he took the middle path he would at least be close, and he could keep an eye out for familiar land marks. It wouldn't be too hard to find the camp again, really - after all, he hadn't come far. He saw several rocks he recognised as he strode quickly along, and - apart from the river - it seemed to be the way he'd come.