"We wouldn't necessarily have to," said Sidon, who didn't much care for the idea of presenting an alternative but felt it was important to at least be honest about it, as he turned back toward the shore in an arc that was unnecessarily wide to take up a bit more time, "but it would be significantly easier," and more preferable, "to do so.

"Now," he added, slowing down a little on the approach, because that...made it easier to talk, yes, clearly, that was the reason why, "as far as the caves go, I can see one of two options: there's one we can enter via the water that flows through it and keep swimming, or there's one just off that small strip of beach there accessible by land. And as it is your tour, I shall naturally divert to the lady's choice."