“Wait!” Rachel stopped Ket, feeling unprepared. “This meeting is too important not to talk about first. Your boss said I was being placed with this tribe; are they expecting us? But you said there is no contact between species normally. Do they even understand about the trials at all or do they just think they are invaded by aggressive aliens repeatedly?
She spotted the hesitant, jerky gestures Ket was making and narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “You don’t know! Why aren’t these trials held on planets without sentient life? This…ugh! They’re bound to be hostile. And with good cause.”
Ket thrust their head up close to Rachel’s with a hiss, “You’re right! I don’t know. Maybe arrangements were made with the hosts in the beginning, but maybe they weren’t. Oddly, nobody has asked me my opinion based on my vast experience and knowledge.
“I can tell you that Ktikikt has no way to speak with any of the hosts here and can not interfere. It is up to us to make peaceful contact and try to arrange a mutually beneficial existence. If we fail, we can only hope they let us go because we won’t be able to fight our way free.”
Glaring into the large pink eyes, Rachel became aware of her nails biting into the palms of her clenched hands and the harsh sound of her breathing. With a gasp, she stepped back and dropped to the ground. “I…” She shook her head, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken my anger and fear out on you.”
Ket sank down with a descending whistle and began scoring intricate designs into the mud. After an extended silence, their voice was soft and musing, “Sometimes my fellow students would talk, when it grew late and studying became difficult from exhaustion. Speculation into our role in the System and morality, but in the end we are as trapped as every other.”
They paused and returned Rachel’s gaze, “If they deny us shelter or even attack, is not that their right?” She slowly nodded, still afraid, but not seeing any other option than to continue.
“To boldly go,” Rachel murmured to herself as they left the last of the trees behind and a village took shape before them.
“What was that?”
“Oh, just a dream I never thought could happen. I’m about to meet another type of people on a different planet! I don’t know if I would ever get used to this to the point where I didn’t get excited. How strange to be eager and terrified at the same time.”
Ket froze with a strange squeaking noise. Rachel tentatively touched their arm. “Ket? Are you okay?”
“I just realized that I’m in the same position as you; normally the recruiters are the only ones to go to a planet and interact. I’m possibly the first Ketask to meet other species physically since we underwent our own trials. We don’t even have any interaction with the species that crews the spaceships we travel on.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that.” She paused thoughtfully. “Thinking about it though, there are some differences, I know there are other humans around somewhere and you’ve got your Kickitykick watching over you. But why do you say ‘possibly’?”
“Because you have raised the question in my mind of what haven’t we been told by those in charge. Also, you are aware that Ktikikt just heard you mangle their name?”
“Nope. I’m pretending no-one is watching.” She looked around until she spotted the wandering member of their team. “Skippy! We’re going this way.”
Drawing closer to the village, Rachel studied the buildings. It looked like around two dozen sizable, mostly single-story with a few two-story clustered in the middle. There were maybe twice as many that didn’t look more than one room huts. Those closest to the travelers had timber corner-posts, cream colored plaster, and thatched roofs, although the thatching was black or dark gray instead of the browns she considered normal. The windows were small with open shutters.
A group of natives exited one of the further buildings and began walking the path towards them. There was a range of colors from the almost white smallest figures through various cream shades to one that was deep orange-brown. All wore knee-length, sleeveless wrap tunics tied with sashes or belts. At first Rachel thought they had the usual two arms and two legs until a lithe little one wriggled free and ran for the river. Something whipped out from one of the taller figures, wrapped around it’s middle and pulled it back to the group. She tugged on Ket’s arm, “What was that?”
“Prehensile appendages.”
“Fascinating. Oh! I think they see us.” The group had split apart and only three individuals continued toward them. Rachel had instinctively stopped and waited to be approached. When the natives halted about ten feet away, one stepped forward. They were about her height and covered with a very short, sand-colored fur. Despite the fur, there was nothing bestial about the face and there were no visible ears, although the eyes were a startling yellow-gold.
“You are not meant to be here. Have you come to challenge for the village?” Their voice was pitched low but perfectly clear.
Rachel looked at Ket for guidance, but didn’t get any. “I don’t know what that means. We don’t intend harm. My name is Rachel, this is Ket, and the third member of our party is called Skippy. We are looking for a safe place to stay, but we won’t enter the village without permission.” She wanted to look around for Skippy, but was too worried about messing up this first meeting to let it distract her.
The native’s face was incredibly expressive; a welcome change from the immobile Ket under the circumstances. The only problem was she had no frame of reference to judge what emotions were being conveyed by wide eyes and pursed lips. “Visiting species rarely bring anything good to our people. We are a small village and cannot hold against an invasion. Are you the first of many?”
“Oh! No, we were put far away from the others because they were unlikely to come here. This should be a safe place, but if your people are uncomfortable with us, we won’t stay.” She glanced at Ket hoping for a hint that she was on the right track, but they seemed frozen. “I would be very grateful for a chance to trade for some clothing or simple tools. We do have some meat to offer and I can heal minor wounds.”
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
That seemed to garner a reaction and the spokesperson murmured something to one of the others who took off jogging back into the village. Nothing more was said and the group stood awkwardly avoiding eye contact. Rachel became aware that the other natives that had stayed back were out of sight and all the background noises had gone silent.
A person she could only assume was the same one who had left returned holding a rope loosely looped around the neck of a six-legged, five-feet tall anteater. When it was stopped in front of her, Rachel could see what appeared to be infected puncture wounds on its back. The holes were larger than her hands and she hoped they wouldn’t have to mess with whatever had caused them. Without hesitation, she activated her heal skill and began to work her way around the beast. The smell was atrocious, but also reminded her of many challenging cases at work. She was careful to stop before her mana ran out and studied the blue glow emanating from the continued heal effect. Finally, with a satisfied nod, she stepped back beside Ket and waited for a reaction.
The natives were clustered around the animal watching the healing process. The lingering glow faded when the outward signs of infection were gone although the wounds remained. Their spokesperson faced Rachel again, held up their arm with color bands towards her, and asked to see hers before solemnly nodding. “You are young in the System. If you stay here, will you agree to heal as needed? And can you be certain others won’t follow you and bring death to our village?”
“Yes, I have a lot to learn and practice. I would be happy to help.” She turned to Ket, “Is there any way the other humans could learn of our presence? Would anyone from your team betray us?”
Ket gestured dismay before replying, “There is no way to communicate with participants on the planet; the team is limited to monitoring only. Someone would have to travel from here to tell the others of our existence. There may also be magic that could locate us but it will be many orbits before any of the wizards reach those levels and if the natives have the skill, they are unlikely to help outsiders.”
Facing the native directly, they continued, “I have some small skill in hunting I would offer to the village to atone for the burden of sheltering us.”
Before they could say anything more, all the natives present gasped and stared behind them toward the forest. Whirling around, expecting to see a monster attacking, Rachel was puzzled to only see Skippy emerging from the bushes with a cheerful “Chirrup.” It proceeded to walk under Ket, an activity that seemed to delight the bird every time, and hop over to lean against Rachel’s leg. She looked from Skippy to the stunned natives and back, “What’s going on?”
She was ignored as the natives talked vehemently among themselves, often stopping to gawk at the bird before returning to their discussion. Finally, visibly taking deep breaths, they once again faced the travelers. “That is a motrowli, a legend come to life.”
Ket spoke up again, “This is the creature companion of Rachel. We believe it was sent by the System but we know nothing about the species.”
The natives exchanged confused glances, “This is unheard of.”
“I get that a lot.” She ran a calming hand down Skippy’s back. “I will not accept any harm to either of my companions in case there are rarity hunters around. Is a motrowli allowed in the village?”
“While there are some questions if we have imbibed too deeply of corak smoke and are in a waking dream, we will offer you shelter for now.” They tilted their head, seeming unable to stop staring at Skippy. “Do you know what your companion will eat?”
Rachel pulled the worm bowl from her harness and offered it. “These are Skippy’s favorites so far. Simply boiled in water. Although any meat seems to be acceptable. Um, Ket and I can’t eat these and we haven’t had a chance to try any plants.”
The native took the bowl with obvious reluctance. “This will be easy to supply; the children can collect them with the next rain. Come. Follow me.”
Rachel found herself staring at their back as the entire group moved into the village. All the native tunics had a v-neckline in the back and there were two lumps making a corresponding vee, but no indication of how or even if the appendage she saw earlier came from there.
They formed a small parade with one in front and the other two following with the injured creature. Rachel felt the weight of many eyes although everything appeared deserted. She was relieved when they reached the center of the village and entered one of the two-story buildings. A good-sized rectangular room, the ceiling was low enough to brush Ket’s head and the open windows on two sides provided the only light. Their escort handed the bowl off to another with a murmured comment and gestured for everyone to sit at one of the many tables and benches. Ket paused to remove the pack of meat and hide, then proffered it as a gift to the village.
“We thank you for this gift, it is an excellent meat and hard to find near the edge of the forest. Our evening meal is fish and root vegetables. Is this something you can eat?”
Ket answered, “Rachel’s healing ability should warn her of any food that is dangerous. Nothing has been a problem so far. There are some plants I must avoid, but I will be able to detect if present.” They didn’t mention that Rachel’s assassin class would render any poisons inert.
“Very well.” The spokesperson sat opposite them with the other two flanking them. “My name is Matta, this is Sellu and Temme. We are the Guardians of the village. If you have any concerns while here, come to one of us first.
“As to your other companion.” They seemed to run out of words, then sighed. “It’s difficult. Are there tales of creatures among your peoples that are considered magical and much loved by children, but not at all real?”
“Of course! Unicorns.” And Ket offered up “Ztkikchezk”.
“That is what motrowli are, a symbol of happier times of prosperity that never existed. Legend tells of them giving warning of coming disasters, saving lost children, even magically bringing rain. Other legends consider them the harbingers of trouble, but we don’t know anything about them and they’ve never appeared to warn of the invaders.”
“So, no idea on how intelligent it is, if there is a way to communicate better, or if it can defend itself? Heck, I can’t tell if it’s male, female, or none of the above. And does it have a name already?” As one they all turned to watch the odd bird explore the room, currently investigating shelves of dinnerware. As they watched, it picked up a small bowl and slid it under its feathers while looking around, then comically freezing upon seeing them all staring. Nonchalantly, the bowl was returned to the shelf and Skippy sauntered away. “Umm, it might not be a bad idea to keep an eye on small, portable items.”
“We can check one thing,” Matta said before murmuring instructions to Sellu, who stood and walked to the far side of the space. In a calm, clear voice, Sellu said, “Skippy.” At which the bird trilled and hopped over to them. “Well, whether it had a name before, Skippy is what it answers to now. Perhaps the other answers will come in time also.”
At this point, villagers began to arrive and fill up the other tables. Platters of fish and tubers were brought in from another door and passed around while quiet conversations ebbed and flowed. Rachel didn’t know if her encroaching exhaustion was being respected or if it was cultural not to discuss important topics during a meal, but she appreciated the break. After eating, they were shown to another room with cots and she quickly succumbed to her heavy eyes and befuddled brain. She didn’t even hear Ket and Skippy settling down.