`` shut up , '' tavi said `` give me the oil '' he took the jar from kitai 's hand , jerked the broad cork out of its mouth he turned to the area behind himself and kitai and stomped hard on the ground several times , breaking the surface of the wax and drawing out more of the sludgy , glowing fluid more outraged , chittering shrieks rose through the glowing forest `` what are you doing ' '' hissed kitai `` you show them where we are ' '' `` yes , '' tavi said `` exactly `` he dumped the oil onto the croach , into the depression his boots had made , and took the firestone box into his hand he opened the two separate chambers and took the firestones into his hand , kneeling beside the oil he looked up to see the glowing orange dots of dozens of eyes closing in on him with that same weird , alien grace , knobby legs rippling across the surface of the croach `` whatever you are doing , '' kitai half-shouted , `` hurry ' '' tavi waited until the eyes were close and then he reached down to the oil and struck the firestones together they sparked brightly , glowing motes falling down , into the spilled oil one of them found a spot where the oil was not deep enough to drown it , and in a rush , the whole of the small pool took sudden , brilliant flame fire leapt up from the depression in the croach , as high as tavi 's chest the boy recoiled from the flames , grabbed kitai by the marat boy 's one-piece smock , and hauled him toward the pool they tumbled into the cold water together , and tavi pulled them both down the water was shallow , no more than thigh deep , and viciously chill tavi and kitai gasped together at the cold then the aleran boy stared at the keepers the wax spiders had gone mad at the kindling of the fire those nearest to him had fallen back and were scuttling in circles , letting out high pitched shrieks others , farther back , had begun to bob up and down in confusion or fear , letting out high-pitched , interrogative chirrups none of them seemed to see either of the boys in the pool `` it worked , '' tavi hissed `` quick , here `` he reached into the pack and drew out both blankets he shoved one at kitai , then took his own and dipped it into the water a moment later , he lifted it and draped it over his shoulders and head , shivering a bit with the cold `` quick , '' he said `` cover up `` kitai stared at him `` what are you doing ' '' he hissed `` we should run while we have a chance `` `` quick , cover up '' `` why ? ''