Valla didn't like how Tommy seemed to be antagonizing Drael with his questions. As he flashed a grin at Valla, she answered with a disapproving frown.<br/><br/>Why did he have to always be so difficult?<br/><br/>Valla, for her part, barely followed what Drael was talking about. Her speech seemed more like religious recitation than practical explanation, and Valla doubted there was any real threat at all. More likely, Drael's people had existed on this island for many generations and had built up their own belief system, giving the island supreme importance in the cosmic scheme of things.<br/><br/>Or something else, who knew. Valla sure didn't, she was just happy not to trip on a root.<br/><br/>Wanting to change the subject, Valla thought for a moment. "Drael, Tommy encountered a creature the other night that attacked him. It was a big, brutish fellow. None too pleasant. I don't suppose there are a lot of those here, are there?"