Stranded on a Tiny Planet
Chapter 34: Kriees

Kriees had traveled the sun cycles it took by sand dragon to reach Anashee. She kept herself inconspicuous by traveling mostly at night when the Anasheetan patrols were lighter. The Rogashay knew the Ansheetan EFP didn’t fly at night very often due to the danger of not being able to see through the trees. It had once been considered that would be the way they would invade. However, Anashee was arranged so deep within their forest that they couldn’t make it in one night. So, any force was discovered by daybreak and dealt with.

Kriees knew this and was intercepted before she even reached the end of Anashee Lake. The EFP had met her and when they did she presented the colors of an Emissary which was a piece of tanned sand dragon skin marked with the symbol. It was indeed an old symbol as the EFP scouts seemed only vaguely familiar with it. She was made to wait stationary astride her sand dragon until more EFP were called. After that they flew over her, escorting her for another day and a half through the forest until they reached the mountain pass of Anashee and onward toward that gate.

The Rogashay female bore a stoic expression as she rode, though inwardly she marveled at how lush and plentiful the Ansheetan’s land was. True enough she’d been through the forest on a few raids but the outskirts never had farmland like what she was seeing. Crops of every hue and shape growing bountifully. It made her sick that these Ansheetans had so much and her people had to scrape by.

Something she didn’t see however was this giant creature her mate had warned her about. Boroxle had acted subtly terrified of what would happen to them because of its presence. In fact, it was the whole purpose of her visit as an emissary. Surely something of that enormity would be easy to spot even at a distance? She kept scanning around for evidence of it.

With precision the EFP members who had been with her guided her down the road, across a long bridge, and toward the gates of Anashee. There she could see a contingent of more maroon uniformed Ansheetans waiting for her. Obviously word had come ahead of her arrival. She halted her sand dragon in front of them. With a nimbleness she swung her leg from the lizard’s neck and dismounted, standing tall beside it whilst she held its reins.

A dignified looking Ansheetan female with markings on her uniform indicating her high rank floated forward with a raised plume.

“I am Commander Madala, leader of the EFP. To whom am I addressing?”

The Rogashay female pulled back the hood on her cloak, showing her bony head crest. Her green eyes were stolidly fixed on the Commander.

“I am Kriees. Emissary of the Rogashay tribes.”

“And what is your purpose for being here?”

“I would speak to your Elder on those matters,” was the even reply.

Commander Madala raised her chin, “I would know your purpose before you get to speak to our Elder.”

Kriees had fierce eyes, like something of a predatory reptile, but her light colored face was emotionless, “Very well. I come to talk of terms for peace between the Rogashay and the Ansheetans.”

The female Ansheetan stared at her with her bright blue eyes; a common feature of all their females. Then she gestured to a couple members of the contingent to tell them to inform the Elder of the arrived Emissary’s purpose.

“My sand dragon is in need of nourishment and water.” Kriees stated.

The Commander nodded and ordered meat and water to be brought for the huge scaly mount.

“We will bring what your animal requires...as well as something for you. Remain here until I receive word from our Elder.” Commander Madala explained.

Kriees nodded but kept her sharp eyes on everything in case this turned into a well disguised trap.

...

Commander Madala had heard of the Rogashay emissary a sun cycle prior from a fatigued EFP member who flew as fast as he was able to deliver that news. A single emissary sent by the Rogashay was unheard of and that made the leader of the EFP suspicious. Typically, their adversaries came in small to large packs; never alone. And when they came it was to raid, pillage, and steal from unwary travelers and unguarded settlements. They were a warrior race, prone to violence and possessing great physical and combative prowess. She had fought a few skirmishes against them and they were powerful and rarely merciful. But flight, greater numbers, and superior fortification kept the Ansheetans safe from their total conquest.

The war between their peoples was even beyond her life’s recollection. Elder Felreh herself was very young when it occurred. The last time a Rogashay emissary was sent was during the beginning of Elder Felreh’s time as Elder. According to Felreh, the Rogashay weren’t keen on peace then and hadn’t made the attempt for it since. She couldn’t fathom what the Rogashay wanted after such a long time of diplomatic silence. However, it wasn’t hard to guess the catalyst that sparked this sudden reaction.

Merco.

Anu and Traynar had been captured by a small Rog Bandit raiding party during their stint observing the giant alien. Merco had subsequently saved them but didn’t kill any of the bandits. In fact, he held one bandit captive and let him go later on. It was obvious that was how word had spread of the giant that now lived near their city.

However, the shrewd commander kept the knowledge of the arriving emissary secret between her and Elder Felreh, lest rumors of a “Rogashay invasion” be birthed in Anashee.

It wasn’t until the emissary was within an hour of the city that she sent Traynar to summon Merco for this meeting. Granted, she held reservations toward the giant alien, but even she could admit his overwhelming presence would be an excellent deterrent should the emissary have false intentions.

However, unbeknownst to her, Merco had made a trip out to Pela Canyon that morning so Traynar had to fly out to retrieve him. The Commander knew how fast Traynar could fly as well as how much ground Merco could cover with his immense stride, so she knew they would be returning soon.

It took time but Elder Felreh was informed of the emissary and immediately arranged for a meeting with her within the Council Chambers. The other council members were summoned as well. When all was in readiness, she herself went to gather the Rogashay emissary.

...

Kriees waited patiently but with a deep anxiousness for the meeting ahead. She was informed that she would be brought before the Elder in the Anashee Council Chambers where they would discuss the terms they desired to attain peace. That would mean she would be brought into the city where she would be surrounded and immeasurably outnumbered. But she would face those odds. Though the Ansheetans were a strong force, they were also mostly passive...physically weaker. She would take down many before they would subdue her if this went bad.

Several male Ansheetans in a different garb than the EFP appeared from over the wall and landed near her. One was carrying a small tray of various small food items and a vessel of water. The other three groups were hauling between them what looked like a large chunks of meat for her sand dragon. Smelling the flesh, her sand dragon began to move forward, to which Kriees tugged her lead sharply to remind her to hold her place.

Giving a sand dragon food could be a dangerous prospect if one didn’t want to end up as their meal too. They were not fussy eaters; meat was meat. She knew a few foolish Rogashay that lost limbs and even their lives because they did not remember that simple fact.

“Give those to me, one at a time.” Kriees demanded of the meat carriers, “You don’t want to be eaten yourselves.”

Without argument the groups brought her the chunks which she easily held with both hands. She stepped away from her sand dragon and held up one of the huge chunks over her head. The movement made the horned lizard lift its head with interest, its wet tongue flicked to taste the scented air.

“Zay-za.” She said the dragon’s name and then tossed the meat to her.

The massive jaws whipped open, flashing rows of dagger teeth as it snapped the meat from the air and swallowed it whole. Kriees could sense the anxiousness of the Ansheetans behind her as she fed her sand dragon. They were not used to their ferocious nature. She had to smile with confidence as she fed Zay-za.

Finally, when all the meat was gone, Zay-za weaved her head from side to side, flicking her tongue rapidly which was indicative that she was searching for more. A sand dragon was a gluttonous beast and would eat well beyond what it truly needed if given the chance. This was when they were the most dangerous if not properly trained. Quickly, Kriees gave the lead attached to Zay-za’s throat flesh a sharp tug to snap her out of her search. It was slightly painful for the sand dragon but pain was one of the few things to reign in their hunger and remind them of their training.

“Zay-za! No more.” Kriees barked sharply.

The sand dragon stopped its searching motions, shuffled its feet and reset its jaw to a more passive state. Kriees watched her carefully, making sure all her body language lined up with passivity. When it did, she was able to turn her back. She could see the subtle and not so subtle looks of amazement on the faces of the Ansheetans present; not believing she could command such a large, fearsome beast with ease. Then she too accepted the water and food given to her.

Time passed slowly and for a long stretch, but Kriees remained standing before the small contingent left to watch her. Sitting would be a show of ease which she didn’t want to convey. Ease suggested a lowered guard; weakness. She would not show that to the Ansheetans.

Zay-za, who had laid down on her stomach during the long wait, all at once began to fidget and rise up. Kriees glanced at her sand dragon to see what she was doing. She squinted upon seeing the big lizard with her horned head up and twitching slightly. That was an atypical posture for a calm sand dragon. The upward posture conveyed unease. Slowly, Kriees approached her and ran a hand along the sand dragon’s jawline.

“Zay-za. Zay-za.” She said her name in an easing tone.

But then Kriees saw something just beyond her sand dragon towards the mountain pass of Anashee. There was something moving several miles away near the opening. A blue-violet shape moving against the darker purplish black mountains. She couldn’t make out what it was until a few minutes passed and the silhouette became clearer. Zay-za got more agitated, even warbling in a fearful way. Kriees watched as the distant form took shape as something bipedal and very...very big.

The Ansheetan’s giant monster.

It seemed to be following the road she had taken and it was closing the distance at a leisurely but terrifying rate. By the time it was closer to the bridge of the river lands she could distinctly feel the tremors created by its footsteps even though it was still a distance from the gate. Its enormity grew the closer it got and she knew Boroxle hadn’t exaggerated a single word.

In four large steps the huge creature crossed the river lands, passed the crop fields, and was heading for the gate. Like an ominous black cloud, its shadow swept fast in their direction, blanketing everything it touched in darkness. Its every quaking footstep grew stronger and more jarring. Though Kriees dare not show it, she couldn’t deny the fear welling up from deep inside. Still, she held her ground and did not run. Much like when training sand dragons, fear was a show of weakness and it would be exploited with deadly results. This giant thing might have the same killer instinct that she dared not trigger.

Zay-za, however, was desperate to flee and Kriees couldn’t hold her back as the sand dragon threw her head, yanked her lead from Kriees’s hand, and rushed away from the oncoming giant. The female Rogashay tried to call her back but fear had overwhelmed her. Scaring a sand dragon was no small feat.

Suddenly the gigantic creature veered off, long towering legs stretching out to cut off her sand dragon.

“Oh no...Zay-za’s fear must’ve triggered its hunting instincts!” she thought with horror.

In a few quick steps the colossal creature got in front of Zay-za, making her rear back with a defensive hiss. One of its huge hands opened, it bent down and grabbed hold of Zay-za behind her head frill. The sand dragon squealed, tail whipping as she was stopped instantly.

“NO!”

Kriees ran across the distance at a dead run, arm reaching under her cloak to pull her energy spear. With a high, powerful jump she dodged Zay-za’s lashing tail, landed on the sand dragon’s back half, and plunged her energy spear into the giant creature’s huge gloved hand. A painful recoil shot through Kriees’s arm bones upon impact. The Rogashay winced and tried to bear her weight into the weapon twisting it. But much to her horror the gigantic creature made no reaction what-so-ever to her strike. The only thing she succeeded it doing is cutting the black glove.

“Hey, hey! No need for that.” It suddenly spoke in a deep, decidedly male voice.

Kriees squinted, surprised at hearing his Ansheetan. More surprising was that it almost sounded more like the Rogashay dialect than Ansheetan. The two languages were in essence the same but sounded different when spoken. Kriees looked up to meet eyes with the creature who loomed over her and her dragon with terrifying stature. She couldn’t believe he didn’t feel her strike.

Perhaps the glove was somehow protecting him?

“Let her go NOW, monster!” she shouted.

With a quick retraction of her blue bladed energy spear, she pounced over the arch of his fingers, hopped onto the back of his hand, and ran up the slope of his huge arm. She could see exposed flesh just beyond his elbow. Kriees jumped again with her strong legs, reared the spear back over her head, and with a powerful thrust she drove her spear into its flesh. Red blood spurted up in reward. It had the desired effect as the giant’s hand opened, releasing Zay-za. He bellowed a sound of pain and jerked violently, throwing Kriees off balance. She clung to her spear to avoid falling. His great head turned; large gray green eyes focused on her.

“NO! STOP!” a female Ansheetan voice rang out desperately.

Kriees all at once spotted a young female Ansheeta sitting atop the monster’s shoulder just above her. She had a horrified look on her face. Then two more members of the EFP appeared and flew in closer. The male had a spear brandished defensively but he kept his distance.

Then a shadow darkened everything and Kriees was suddenly subdued on all sides when the giant’s opposite hand swooped across and massive fingers pinned her to the side of his arm. The female Rogashay growled, kicking and squirming to free herself.

“Release me!” she snarled.

She was lifted effortlessly and held her up for inspection.

His eyes blinked down at her as his hairy head tipped slightly to look at the spear stuck in his arm, “Now what was that for? I was only trying to help you catch your lizard.” He pointed off to his left, “See! Now it’s running away.”

Kriees’s fierce eyes gave him no mercy, “You’re the reason she ran! Let me go!”

The two EFP members flew in close, the male flared his plumage and narrowed his eyes, “You’re lucky Merco is the gentle sort.”

“What are you going to do? Order him to kill me?” Kriees hissed.

The giant creature with the furry face cleared his throat, “I will do no such thing. Here. I’m putting you down.”

He lowered her slowly and set her down. The female Rogashay found her feet and spun to face him, straightening her back and holding her head up in a brave pose. She was honestly taken aback that he released her without a command from the Ansheeta. Did the Ansheetans truly command this thing? He deftly reached up and plucked her spear from his arm, baring his teeth with a pained hiss as it came out.

The young Ansheeta on his shoulder spoke with blatant concern, “Are you ok, Merco?”

He looked at her from the corner of his eye, “I’m fine, Pixie. Just a little poke.”

“A little poke? I put my whole force into that strike!” Kriees’s thought, her pride stung.

As he held the spear like a twig, the male Ansheeta flew up and put out his hand, “Better give that to me. Emissary or not, she can’t have that if she’s meeting our Elder.”

The giant nodded and handed it over.

“Your weapon will be returned to you once your meeting is concluded.” the male explained curtly.

Kriees knew that was inevitable but it still soured her face. Weaponless but bold, she stood before the giant creature staring him down to show she wasn’t going to let him intimidate her.

“So...you must be the Rogashay Emissary I was told about. My name is Merco.” He introduced himself out of nowhere.

She eyed him sternly, “And you must be the Ansheetan’s giant monster I was warned about.”

He gave an uncomfortable look and sighed, “Um...not a very accurate description.”

“Are you saying you’re not under the Ansheetan’s command?” she challenged.

He looked over at the little female on his shoulder, “They are my friends...but I think for myself.”

Kriees was shocked by that admission. She was under the impression that this giant was some sort of attack beast that did as it was commanded. But given how he spoke and behaved that didn’t seem to be the case.

What were his motivations then?

He was obviously a powerful entity, but would he attack her people as Boroxle surmised? He certainly didn’t act ferocious...even after she attacked him. Zay-za was far more dangerous in temperament than this giant creature seemed. There was no doubt if he wanted to go on a rampage nothing would be able to stop him, but his mannerisms and speech seemed far more like a passive Ansheetan than a warrior.

Just then Commander Madala arrived, ”What is going on here?”

“Misunderstanding.” Merco said simply, wiping the blood from his arm so it wouldn’t get on his new shirt.

Commander Madala looked at him and then the Rogashay Emissary, “I see you have met Merco. I do apologize if he gave you a scare.”

Though inwardly she was hoping he did scare her a bit...

Kriees kept her eyes warily on the giant alien before her before she pulled her hood over her head again and approached the Ansheetan commander, standing nearly double her height, “Your monster scared away my sand dragon. I need to retrieve her.”

The Commander gave her a look but then said, “I’m sure Merco could catch her for you. Couldn’t you?” she gave him a pointed stare.

“Um...yeah. I’m sorry about that. I’ll go get it for you and bring it back.” Merco offered.

The Rogashay Emissary gave him a mistrustful glare, “If you hurt her I will aim higher next time.”

Merco raised his eyebrow, “I... promise I’ll be gentle with it.”

Nodding, Madala raised her tall plume, “The Elder and the Council have gathered. I am to escort you to the Council Chambers personally. You will of course be searched for weapons before entering Anashee.”

Kriees nodded, expecting the statement as she began walking with the Commander. She had learned much in a short time.