Chapter 4

--Ok, we're practically at the edge of the woods, and there's no'one around, so I don't think we'll get much notice crossing the dunes,-- Sam said.

We'd all morphed the animals we'd picked for light ground-level travelling. I'd gone wolf, having nothing else to morph. Sam was her dog, a biscuit coloured greyhound called Tallulah. She was obviously feeling the delights of the dog's mind, and was jumping up and down in excitement, ready to go. Philip had chosen a morph that he'd acquired very early on, but had not yet had a chance to morph.

--What's that you've got again, Philip?-- Sam asked. She was gazing up at Philip's new animal body, a large goat like animal with two enormous curved horns protruding from its' forehead and arching down over his shoulders.

--An ibex,-- he replied after a moment of trying to control the animals' mind. --It's a large type of mountain goat. I thought it might be rather fun to try something new.--

--Yeah? What's it like?--

--Well it's mind was a bit temperamental, it's quite territorial and doesn't like being around humans. But otherwise it's amazing. It has excellent senses, and feels really sure-footed. I feel like I could walk up Mount Everest.--

But it was Ferdie who stole the show. He'd morphed a horse, an amazing chestnut mare with a long golden mane and dark silky tail. He was trotting round the little space as if he was at a dressage competition, swinging his head back and forth and shaking his mane.

--I adore this animal!-- he cried. --She was the first animal I acquired. I don't think I've ever felt such easy, incredible power.--

--I remember,-- said Sam. --You almost knocked me unconscious jumping over that fence at your house.--

--Is she your horse?-- I asked. --The one you acquired it from?--

--Yeah, her name's Dynasty. One of my best polo ponies. I bought her from my uncle last year and she's fantastic. Really responsive and very friendly.--

--Wow,-- I said. --I might try and acquire a horse sometime.--

--Well, we might have time to later,-- Sam said. --Right now, my dog brain is telling me to get out of this cave, and go find something to do, and I couldn't agree more!-- she laughed, wagging her tail.

We set off over the dunes and headed for the nearby woods. Luckily the place was almost deserted, it would have looked a bit strange to see a goat, a horse, a wolf and a dog travelling together. Hopefully if anyone saw us, they'd just assume we were a couple of wild ponies being chased by stray dogs.

--Yee hah!-- Ferdie cried, as the dunes became flat dry land and the shrubs became tress. He broke into a canter and set off into the woods, his tail flying in the air, hooves pounding, the setting sun reflecting off his golden back. Sam ran on after him, laughing as she ran along side him. Philip and I stayed further back, trying not to be blinded by the clouds of dust that Ferdie was creating.

--I thought the stag morph was my favourite,-- Ferdie called to no one in particular, --but now I have to say, there's nothing quite like becoming a horse!--

--I guess it must put a whole different view on riding,-- replied Sam.

--Absolutely,-- he said. --Even the greatest horseman could never understand the mechanics of the horse, without actually becoming one. It's made me realise so much, and how I was going so wrong in some areas! They way they move, the way they think, I could re-invent riding!--

We galloped, trotted and ran through the woods for another half an hour or so, letting off the pent-up energy of all the monotonous flying and swimming of the last few days. I took in the sweet smells of nature through my incredible wolf's nose, listened to the sounds of the animals and my friends around me, and tried to comprehend the fact that we were in another continent.

--I wonder what the Americans are like?-- I wonder out loud. --They can't be much worse than you English!--

--Us English?-- Ferdie laughed in mock offence. --I'm sorry, but I could list off more than a few things about you Scots!--

--Oh aye? At least out greatest achievement isn't failure!--

--Failure as what made us English great!-- he exclaimed. --At least the men in our country don't wear skirts!--

--Well, we invented a great whisky,-- I said.

--Which you've probably never drunk in your life.--

--Well, that's true…-- We laughed amicable for a bit, then came to a pause, having sort of run out of steam. Sam and Philip were slowing down, checking out a clearing in the wood we'd come to.

--Well,-- said Sam. --I think maybe we should try and get some sleep before we head into town. We've still got a while to go, assuming we don't get lost, and I think this is a pretty good area to rest.--

The four of us demorphed and sat down on the grass. Ferdie lay on his back, chewing apiece of grass like a farmer.

"My morphing outfit's in a right state," I said, picking at the torn fabric. It was filthy from the last time we'd slept in the woods, and was still damp from being in the water. Obviously, water on our bodies morphs with us.

"I think we should work in shifts again," said Sam, trying to stifle a yawn. "Two hours in morph on watch, while everyone else catches some shut-eye."

"Sure," I said. I suddenly realised how tired I was. We hadn't slept in our human forms since we found the HMS Hertford.

"I'll go first," she said. "I'll keep an eye out for any silver choppers. Then Philip, then Maggie, and Ferdie, you go last. Make sure you wake us all up at the end of your shift."

"How are we supposed to tell the time?" Ferdie asked. "We can't do that star thing like last time, it's too cloudy."

"Just guess," said Sam. "We've done loads of two-hour morphs so hopefully that's enough practice to know. If you're unsure, demorph so that you don't get trapped, and remorph."

Philip used some braches to clear away some straggly bushes, and we settled down for the night. I wasn't sure what time it was, but the sun was setting and it was late summer, so it was probably around eight or nine in the evening. I had no idea of what day of the week it was though. I'd lost track of that when I'd been abducted. I sighed and lay down in the dirt, thinking about all the events of the past few days. It had seemed like such a whirl, everything that had happened blurring into one, big morphing confusion. It was chilly, but I was so exhausted I didn't mind at all. I found my eyes closing, my head drooping, and suddenly I was dreaming about flying through the sky as a winged shark.