Stranded on a Tiny Planet
Chapter 9: Secretly Helping

Back in Anashee a couple hours later...

When the two scouts caught up with Traynar he readily accepted their aid in carrying the young female back to Anashee. He had doubted he could make the long trek back with a second weight on his back.

When they finally were in sight of Anashee the young female gasped with wonder, “Is that Anashee?”

“Yes, young one. This is Anashee. Our home.” Traynar confirmed, smiling at her awe.

Anashee was a very beautiful place. Set into the indention of a huge, gray rock formation that ascended up above the forest and spired with carefully carved trees, the city was a beautiful mesh of technology and nature. The ancient black barked trees that grew near the rock face of Anashee were much fatter and stronger than the other species in the forest and grew to tremendous heights. Their ancestors had discovered these trees and painstakingly carved them out to become homes over generations. Gradually, as the city grew, the Ansheeta began carving out the rock face as well to set up more commerce and residences. Bridges, and countless walkways created a seemingly endless web of paths that connected the trees to the rock face. The design was meant to accommodate both fliers and non-fliers. The natural formation of the rock also created a barrier that hid the city as well as shielded it from most weather.

Traynar and the other two scouts flew over the first rise of the natural rock barrier and down toward the massive double tiered gateway that served as an entrance; fliers on the top and non-fliers at the base. Unlike usual, the gate was closed, and no activity could be seen. With careful maneuvering they landed on the top tier and were met by other EFP guards who quickly ushered them deeper into the city where the large council chamber was located.

Several of the Council members associates lived in or around the chamber and were always present to act as a buffer between the many needs of Anashee and its people and the Council members themselves. This prevented them from getting bogged down with minor needs and could focus on the bigger, more overreaching problems and needs of their city. Two of these associates saw them and recognized Traynar.

“Traynar, is this...” one began but Traynar interrupted in a no-nonsense tone

“Please inform Madala that Anu and I have recovered the young one. Inform her family immediately.”

The associates nodded and left to inform Madala and the others of their return. While they waited outside the chamber, the young female they had rescued seemed anxious.

“Are you all right young one?” Traynar inquired.

She looked to him, “I hope my family is here as you say. I want to meet them.”

“I just saw them at our last meeting. They’ve been here every meeting since your chrysalis was taken. They will be very happy to see your safe return.” He reassured her.

She nodded, seeming comforted by his statement. After a while, Madala, Felreh, and the female’s family appeared. Unable to contain her excitement, she rushed to them for she recognized them from the data feeds she was given while in her chrysalis. They embraced, cried, and began talking in short comforting sentences.

Madala and Felreh smiled at the touching scene before addressing Traynar, who saluted them.

“Well done, Traynar.” Felreh, the elder congratulated. “You’ve completed the mission we set before you in record time.”

“Thank you Elder Felreh.”

Madala looked around and asked, “Where is Anu? She didn’t return with you?”

Traynar shook his head, “She remained behind. The giant moved closer to Anashee Lake and has collapsed. We believe his head wound has become infected and made him sick.”

The female commander looked to Felreh a moment, “Will he live?”

“Hard to say.” Traynar gestured to the female they’d rescued, “He collapsed and was unconscious. That’s how we came to rescue her so quickly.”

Madala nodded, “Very good. Rest now, you’ve done well.”

“With all due respect Commander, I would like to rejoin my mate in the field.”

She thought a moment, “All right then. Proceed.”

Madala and Felreh approached the rejoined family, “I would like to speak with this young one if I may?”

The parents looked loath to part with her but Felreh assured, “You may accompany her of course.”

To that, they consented and were all led into the council chamber. Felreh motioned with her hand for them to sit so they could talk.

“Are you all right young one?”

She nodded, “Yes. I am well.”

Madala sat in front of her, eyes kind but serious, “Tell us what happened from the time of your Emergence until you were rescued.”

The young female looked to her parents whom nodded with reassurance. So, she recounted the events from her Emergence to when she left Merco. Everyone present listened with interest and disbelief until she finished.

“And this...Merco...didn’t hurt you? Didn’t try to eat you?” Madala prompted.

“No! Of course not. Even though I couldn’t understand him, he never acted like he wanted to do anything but help me.” She stated assuredly.

Her father raised his dark plume, “But, he took your chrysalis from us! Why?”

She shook her head, “I don’t know, but... I don’t think he knew what my chrysalis was to begin with. He seemed just as shocked as me when I Emerged.” She looked to the two female leaders, “Please, Merco is very sick. I want to help him.”

“Help him?” her mother seemed shocked.

Her father shook his head adamantly, “No. You’ve been through too much already. You need to stay with us.”

She looked like she wanted to protest but Madala nodded in agreement, “He’s right. Besides, we have Anashee closed down. No one is entering or leaving the city.”

The elder Felreh, whom had been listening carefully to the entire exchange without comment, finally spoke, “Young one, I admire your courage. You said this Merco attempted to communicate with you?”

“He spoke a lot, but I didn’t understand his language. He used gestures and I could kind of understand what he was meaning.”

“If we needed you to, would you be able to communicate with him again?”

The young female nodded, “I would try.”

Madala gave Felreh a look of disbelief but said nothing.

Felreh nodded her ancient head and said, “Thank you young one. Please go with your family. You have much catching up to do.”

When the family left Madala asked, “What are you thinking Elder?”

“Just ensuring we have other options.”

Madala shook her head, “You’re not honestly entertaining the idea that this creature is able to be reasoned with?”

“You don’t believe the young one?”

“She has only just Emerged. Her naivety could skew her view of what this thing truly is and what his intentions are.” Madala gestured to punctuate her paranoia.

The elder bowed her head sagely, “Perhaps. But you yourself haven’t seen this giant yet. Are you any less naïve than she?”

The female militant paused, realizing the wisdom of the statement but still feeling her mistrust assert itself.

“Are your plans for defending the city in place?” Felreh asked.

Madala nodded, “The EFP is ready. Although, given Traynar’s report, we can only hope this giant will succumb to his illness and we won’t have to instigate any of our plans.”

...

Out in the forest almost to Anashee Lake...

Anu and Hitalel sat in silence for a while, watching the gigantic creature sleep until Hitalel whispered, “So...do you think it’s dying?”

Anu blinked and then shrugged, “I...don’t know.”

“That would be for the best if it is. Then we won’t have to worry about it coming to Anashee and destroying us.”

Before Anu could counter a rebuttal to the cold statement, a shaking began rattling the tree leaves. They both looked and the giant was trembling, curling in on himself. Sweat dotted his brow. Anu knew it was crazy, but she honestly felt sorry for the gigantic being as he curled up on the ground and groaned with pain. It was ironic to see something so big and powerful be struck low by a sickness.

An hour passed, and Anu all at once noticed Hitalel’s eyelids drooping so she asked, “Was this your first scouting shift?”

“Second.”

“Why don’t you rest for a bit. I’ll keep watch and wake you if anything changes.” Anu offered, secretly hoping this was the opening she’d been waiting for.

Hitalel seemed loath to admit her fatigue but the offering of sleep was too tempting. She nodded gratefully and began leaning into the trunk of the tree, eyes closed. It wasn’t long before she was fully asleep, so Anu took the chance and set to helping the fallen giant.

Quietly, she flew down close to the ground, amid the trees searching for a particular plant known as leeching weed. Her EFP training had familiarized her with basic first aid as well as basic plant medicine knowledge since scouting put her out in the forest alone and accidents happened. Leeching weed was a common plant and when ground down into a pulpy paste and applied to a wound it would draw out poisons and other toxins.

She didn’t know if it would work on this...Merco...but she would definitely need a lot to try it. Much to her relief, she found a sizeable patch, adorned with the distinct tentacle-like leaves curling toward the sky. She quickly began pulling handfuls of the weeds and piling them on a rock. Then, she took another rock and began mashing the plants until they were of proper consistency. She did this for quite a while, until she had a mushy bundle bigger than her head.

“Hope that’s enough.” She mused, wrapping the weed pulp into a larger unrelated leaf to make a ‘package’.

She then flew until she could see the massive outline of the giant’s prone form engulf her view. He seemed to stretch on forever, like a living impassable wall. His slow deep breathing sounded like gusts of wind as he lay on his side. Anu swallowed hard and tried to steel the trembling of her frame as she floated to his head. She stopped over the ugly head wound glaring up at her. The thought of her next move made her knees go to jelly upon imagining the repercussions. She was going to administer the leeching weed to his wound. Meaning she would have to touch his open wound; a very dangerous prospect. But if she was to help him it was the quickest way. She floated down little by little. Every instinct of survival was screaming not to go any closer.

Anu was within reach and viewed the angry wound, gaping on the left side of his forehead. It was so red, and an unpleasant odor was wafting from it. Anu cringed, partially from revulsion but also empathy for the pain he must be suffering. She lowered the ball of mashed leeching weed with both hands toward the wound. Her arms were shaking as she gently pressed the poultice in the deepest part of the gash.

Immediately, it instigated a reaction from the colossus. His huge head ducked away from her; brow knitted with a grimace. He hissed through his teeth like a huge air compressor expelling air. Anu cried out when one of his powerful hands shot at her with frightening speed. Losing focus, she fell onto the side of his head and ducked to avoid his crushing grasp. But he wasn’t reaching for her. His huge hand hovered near the wound but refused to touch it as his fingers flexed in a claw motion. Then, he moaned in his throat and his hand retreated, collapsing like a fallen tree back onto the ground beside him.

After several tense seconds his breathing became more even again. Anu swallowed a frightened swelling in her throat, hoping not to wake him with the rest of the poultice she had to administer. However, she knew leeching weed had numbing properties on open wounds and with any luck the giant wouldn’t feel the rest of her aid. Grasping the blob of poultice, she spread it into the rest of the gash. She froze when he grimaced again, but he didn’t react beyond that.

In a few minutes she had filled most of the wound with the leeching weed without incident. However, when she attempted to fly off of his head her anxiety crushed her attempt. With careful steps she retreated down his neck, gripped his shirt, and slid down to the ground. Then she ducked behind the nearest tree.

Anu heaved a sigh of relief as she put a hand to the center of her chest to calm the frenetic pounding of her heart. Despite the fact that she believed him to be good and not evil, it still didn’t stop her from fearing his power. It took her several minutes to calm down enough to regain her flight. Luckily for her, Hitalel was still asleep and didn’t see her return nor did she see her aid the giant.

So far so good.

A few more nublars passed before Anu noticed the giant begin to stir. He groaned deeply and very slowly pushed himself up with his arms.

Hitalel was startled awake by the sound, “Wha...what’s happening?”

“He’s moving...I think.” Anu explained.

His arms shook minutely, and his eyes looked like they were barely open. He smacked his lips and made a face of discomfort. Anu noticed that his lips looked very dry and guessed he was probably thirsty. The lake wasn’t very far by his standards, but could he reach it? He made a sound of discomfort again and shakily brought his leg underneath his body. With a forced effort, he stood on shaky legs. Anu and Hitalel stared up in awe as his massive form rose up above the trees; albeit they weren’t sure if he’d remain standing the way he was shaking. Almost in a zombie-like state, he took a forced step forward; shaking the ground. Then another. He swayed dangerously.

“I think he’s going for the water.” Anu commented as he got further away.

Hitalel raised her plumage and perched on the edge of her branch, “I think you’re right. Come on.”

Stealthily the two females left their tree and flew out to the giant’s left side, just out of his sight. He was somehow still standing but like a dead tree in a stiff wind, he was beginning to lean in a precarious manner. Quite suddenly he collapsed again. A quake hit the forest and thousands of branches snapped under his great weight. The two Ansheeta females flew up higher to gain a better view and saw the trees began bending and wobbling around him as he continued in a crawling motion on all fours. After causing much disturbance and noise he finally arrived at the lake’s edge, pulling himself the last few meters on his belly. He plunged his face in the water and began gulping down as much as he could hold. Several seconds passed before he swallowed his last mouthful, gasped with completeness, and rolled weakly onto his back beside the lake. His enormous chest rose and fell before slowing down again and returning to a state of rest.

Anu sighed internally, thanking whatever powers that be that he made it to the lake. She couldn’t even conceive how much water he had just drank and knew she alone wouldn’t have been able to bring him enough water to slake such a massive thirst...never mind doing it without being caught.

Hitalel made a noise of frustration but didn’t say anything. Obviously, she was anxious about the giant’s will to survive superseding her expectations of him simply dying. Anu, however, was hoping her”help” would pay off and he would recover. Only time would tell.