Jal moved from group to group after the evening meal. It learned that what it had seen as it waited its turn to climb was not an isolated incident. As people filled out their daily observation journals and checked in with Jal or Dr. Gyasi, many said they had witnessed the unusual movements.

Those people who had been first up the mountain saw the rocks “dancing” as they had ascended, but hadn't spent time thinking about them.

The geologists doubted that this was due to an odd gravitational situation. They asked the scientists controlling satellites over the area to scan the mountain while the evening meal was cooked. Nothing unusual was noted. The rocks were metamorphic in nature. A handful was gathered and transported to a lab to be analyzed.

Jal’s sleep was interrupted that night by an unusual series of dreams, and it woke with a start. It slid out of the sleeping bag, pulled on clothes and boots, and went out of the tent. With a flashlight in hand, Jal walked through the camp.

“What is it, Jal?” Dr. Gyasi met it by the fire in the center of the camp.

“I’m not certain. I had some strange dreams, and my sense is that there is something unusual about this place. Dancing rocks? Are they a life form?"

“Do we need to put guards out?”

“I don’t know. I’m very uneasy.” Jal made itself a cup of tea and sat looking into the fire. "That's not a good enough reason to wake people."

“You need to rest, Jal. We have two more days until we have a long resting day. Go back to bed. I’ll continue to walk around the camp at regular intervals. I’ll wake you if something happens.”

The following two days, the expedition moved slowly over several mountains. Members’ tents were carefully placed on the limited level surfaces. All day long, the rocks moved, stacking and restacking themselves. Small handfuls of pebbles would gather, then fly as if someone had thrown them. Some seemed to come together and tooked like arms jutting out from a central point.

The trek became more difficult, and the inclines grew steeper. One afternoon, the first group members descended to a level spot where they would spend the night.

Badas Punjal, an agricultural scientist, was leading the way. Suddenly, he stopped. “Dung balls! What are those? The surprise in the typically quiet voice was like an explosive.

Pari Navid, Cirus Young and Maya Ojer stared in amazement.

“They’re clearly not alive,” Maya muttered. She was curious, but not willing to take chances like the other Tresdons.

“They are! And they’re coming this way!”

The “they” were two creatures at least four meters tall and appeared to be rocks that were balanced upon one another. One seemed to inch forward on appendages made of rocks. Two rows of smaller rocks seemed to hang about where arms would be.

“Go away!” itt seemed to rumble as it waved its arms.

“Um, what do we do?” Cirus muttered.

“I’ll get Jal,” Maya backed away, then turned and ran toward where Zalim was descending from the rockface.

“We improvise,” Pari said. “We’d like to pass through this area,” she called out.

“No! Go away!” It moved forward menacingly.

“We mean you no harm,” Pari continued boldly. “We’d like to pass through this area.”

“No!”

“We’ve never seen anything like you. What is your name?”

“Tez.”

Pari tried to think of something to do.

“Ct”

“You are formed from the planet’s surface?”

“Li.”

The creature was responding. Pari wondered how the rock being that stood facing her had enough intelligence to speak. “If I keep talking, can I confuse it?” she thought.

“Oooooo,” the creature howled.

“Where is your home?”

“Poe.” This sound echoed through the valley.

“We’d like to pass through this area,” Pari said again.

“Ca.”

Word travelled via the rope lines that there was an emergency. Dr. Gyasi was quicker on his feet than Jal was, but it took some time for him to get to the highest point and begin to descend. There'd been no indication of the situation below. He only knew that no one had been injured. As the scientist came down the mountain, he saw the stacked rocks seemed to lean toward Pari. A second stack was piled higher. It seemed as if the rocks on each side of the big center one were suspended.

As she spoke, the top rock tipped a bit, but didn't fall.

Dr. Gyasi had no idea what to do. Were they some form of life? They were huge! He quickly assessed its size and began to guess its capabilities. It seemed to have a basic intelligence.

“We’d like to pass through this area,” Dr. Gyasi echoed Pari’s request.

The creature’s head tipped back and forth. “No!”

As the expedition party members stood together, they tried to figure out what to do. Should they ignore it? Distract it? Change their plans for the night and move to another spot? What if there were more?

The creature stopped moving. No one spoke.

Jal wasn’t sure what the emergency was either, but it had hurried up the mountain and descended carefully on the rope. As Jal neared the highest point, it could hear the last part of the exchange between Pari and whatever she was speaking to.

“Poca? Poca?” Jal thought wildly. Its memories of the rock monsters on the Iragos Peninsula came readily to mind. Jal released the rope from its climbing equipment, asked Maya to continue helping the others, and went down the slope to see what was happening.

“It’s a Tezcatliopoca,” Jal said to the people who stood in a tight group. Quickly, Jal explained its experiences and the group inched backward. “Why isn’t it moving? Did you do something to it?”

“No. It appears to be thinking,” Badas remarked. “Note how the top rock tips back and forth.”

“Maybe it’s not as advanced as the ones on Iragos,” Jal said. “I heard it call out its name, but it was speaking so slowly. I guess there’s only one way to know.” Jal took its wand from its belt and stepped away from the group.

“Hello, Tezcatliopoca! Do you have some obsidian here?”

Stolen novel; please report.

The top rock seemed to turn and the creature moved as Jal walked further away from the others.

“Do you have any black rock?”

“Blk. Rrrk.” It didn’t move.

“We’re going through the mountains,” Jal said.

“No!”

“Where are your brothers?”

“No.” The head seemed to move from side to side.

“Can you walk today?”

“No.”

“Your magic is gone?”

“Essss”

“I’m sorry to hear that. The Tezcatliopoca on Iragos Island was a worthy opponent.”

“Ah. Goes.”

“I would guess he was a cousin of yours. Do you have any brothers in these mountains?”

“Noooooo.” The answer was like a plaintive howl filled with loneliness and sadness.

“I’m so sorry. This brother here is no longer alive?” Jal motioned to the other creature.

“Noooo,” it wailed again.

“I’m sorry,” Jal said. “We’ll keep you company for tonight. Tomorrow we’ll go on our way.”

After everyone had descended and picked up their packs, Jal gathered everyone. “Tonight there will be guards posted around the camp because of our friend here. I have encountered these creatures, and I suspect there might be more in the area, even though this one says there aren’t others.” Volunteers were organized for two shifts and the group went about its evening routines.

“This mountain that we just came over didn’t have the dancing rocks,” Nehee Bakin said to Diya Tak and Kees Sork that evening as the geologists discussed the situation.

“Maybe there’s a chemical that’s leaked into the air around the others?” Diya Tak suggested. “Maybe that’s what creates the movement?”

“You’re being too logical about this, Diya,” Jal said to her. “The Tezcatlipoca are magical creatures. The ones I encountered would fall apart, then reassemble. They spoke and were sentient.” Jal told of the magic spells it had used to defeat them.

“There’s no such thing as magic, Jal.”

“Oh, brother,” Jal stood up. “How did you get here, Diya? How did you get from home on Trazene to Shifos?”

She looked at Jal, puzzled. "I took a speeder to Dagmon, the transporter to the enclave and they used the transporter there to get me to Nik. Then Pari and I met, and I transported with her."

“How did Pari make that happen?” Jal faced her.

"She and I met at the Protectorate Enclave."

“Hm.”

Jal left the small group. In its tent, Jal took out a tablet with the list of expedition members. As it studied the list, it recognized that there were two other people who didn't use magic and had stated there was no such thing. “I have to make sure that Mila Goyl, Mink Faber, and Diya Tak always have someone around them who can use magic to help protect them if something happens,” it thought. It checked the list of people who were sharing tent space. Fortunately, Diya and Mila were not partners, so Jal was able to step back from its worries about the three.

Jal couldn’t get to sleep that night. It shifted and turned and listened to Sage Elvan snore. It thought about the route that they were on, the scans of the continent and the people who were waiting on the coast.

“What is your problem?” Sage Elvan sat up. “You’re worried about something. What is it?”

“I don’t know. Something’s not right. I don’t know what to do.”

“What do you mean, something’s not right?”

“I don’t know.” Jal stared at the top of the tent. “The voices. The voices I usually hear are silent tonight.”

“Did you meditate?”

“I tried. Something’s wrong. I couldn’t get the words out.”

“Tell me what they are, and we’ll say them together.”

Jal looked at the ceiling. “I can’t remember them,” he whispered. “I feel so lost. I don’t know why I can’t remember them.”

***

Over the following week, as the group moved in a northwesterly direction through the mountain valleys the terrain changed. The valleys weren’t as deep and were no longer grassy. The deer-like animals were replaced by sheep-like animals with large horns. Scouts were able to locate their narrow trails that led high into the mountains in the general direction that the group needed to go.

They edged their way carefully along the top of a mountain and went down the trail to the far side, The hikers saw a tiny metal bridge that arched over a swiftly flowing stream. It was in the middle of nowhere, it seemed.

The leaders looked at one another in surprise. “If there’s a bridge, then there must be people.”

They crossed the stream easily, wading through the water, and noted the simple construction of the bridge. Walking became easier and the animal trail widened. It wound between tall hills. The group hiked for nearly two hours. When they stopped, each person studied the area, searching for a village or whoever had built the bridge. When the sun was high overhead, they stopped. Something reflected in the distance. It was another tiny metal bridge. This stream seemed to run faster than the other one and disappeared out of sight.

“Bridges but no people?” The members of the group began to speculate where the people were. They couldn’t see any other traces of civilization. The stream widened and the group fanned out in a small grassy area. Someone shouted that there was a valley ahead, with green grass. Maybe there would be fresh meat, some of them hoped.

“Heya!” There was a squeak. A tiny human popped up, surprising everyone. It was about half a meter tall, its height was just below most people's knees. Pointed ears stuck out from its head and it had a wide smile under a round bulbous nose.

“Heya!”

“Lio,” the little person pointed to himself. He spoke, but no one understood. He motioned that they should follow him, and they eagerly came back together to meet this new person. Lio lifted two small buckets of water and turned away.

A few minutes later, members of the group whispered to one another speculating how old Lio was. His voice seemed high and bright, like a child's. He confidently led them through the valley to an open area near some woods. “Ma!” he called out. He boldly pointed to the visitors, who towered over him. As they studied their surroundings, Morti, an environmental scientist elbowed Luk. "Are those buildings?"

"Looks like it. Those doors are pretty small. Just past my waist."

"We could get through them on our knees. Jal and Sage Elvan would probably hit their heads!"

Built under the trees, the small buildings reflected the sunlight.

"Lio?" the woman responded to him. "Who dese? Vat?"

Lio brought her the buckets he was carrying.

She smiled, “Heya!” Pointing to herself, she said, “Mena.”

The expedition members cleared a path for Dr. Gyasi and Jal to come to the front of the group, and Mena repeated their names.

She made a motion with her hand, which Jal took to mean that it should follow her. She pushed open the sturdy metal door. Dr. Gyasi got down on its knees and crawled through. Jal followed on its knees, ducking to avoid the top. They sat on their knees, bending their heads as they touched the ceiling.

She pointed to a tiny metal pan of water and made a motion as if to wash her hands. So, Jal dipped its fingers one by one. It looked around for what might pass as a towel. Seeing none, it dried its hands on its pants, and Dr. Gyasi took a turn washing, carefully placing his fingers so he wouldn't splash.

She handed Jal and Dr. Gyasi each a tiny bowl of hot cooked grain. “Borda.”

“Thank you,” Jal smiled. They ate slowly with the tips of their fingernails after she motioned with two fingers scooping. Jal studied its surroundings while it ate. The small home and fireplace appeared to be made of metal. Miniature stools of what appeared to be bronze were scattered around a low table. Cramped, Jal ifted his head and whacked it on the ceiling, leaving a dent. Many of the tiny household items were made of metal alloys of some type.

Jal emptied the bowl. “Good food,” Jal rubbed its stomach.

“Borda,” she responded.

“Is there a way through the mountains from here?” Jal asked.

“Mountains?” she squeaked.

Jal pointed east and made a line like the ridges of the mountains.

“Hm. Timo.”

“Timo,” Jal repeated.

She motioned to them and stepped out the door. This time, Dr. Gyasi hit his heat quite solidly and the entire building vibrated. Jal crawled out carefully so it wouldn't knock the tiny table and stools.

She led the pair to another low metal building. This one reflected the sunlight. Tinny, high-pitched noises made Jal's sensitive ears itch. A puff of smoke hung outside the door. Mina went inside and squeaked, “TIMO!”

The noise stopped. Timo was wiping the sweat and soot off his face with the back of his hand when he stepped out. The sweat dripped off his dimuitiive hand onto the ground. Mena pointed east. “Jal. Fiol.”

Timo tipped his head back. Unafraid, he lay down on the ground, looking up at Jal. “Long leio,” he finally said, stretching his arms out. “Long, long leio.”

“Can we go through the mountains?” Jal made a snake-like gesture.

He looked puzzled. He made a waving gesture, as if to say there was a way to go over them.

“I’d rather go through, if there’s a way.” Jal repeated the snake-like motion.

“Oof.” He put two fingers to his forehead, as if he were thinking. “Ah! Ugo!”

“Ugo?”

Timo pointed. “There!”

“Thank you, Timo!” Jal smiled. Jal looked at Ugo, who stood by a stack of wood. Jal smiled. The tiny pieces seemed as big as the tip of his fingernail.

“Ugo?” Jal spoke in a whisper. This individual turned and looked up at Jal. “Are you Ugo?”

“Ugo.” She tapped her chest.

“I’m Jal Jomari. I’m with a group of travelers. Is there a way through the mountains?” Jal repeated the snake-like motion.

“Yfir fjöllin.” Ugo said and waved her hand up and down. “Fjallakindur.” She held her hands above her ears and made a turning motion. “Kindur. Maa, maa,” she bleated like a sheep. “Fjallakindur.” She picked up a stick and led Jal and Dr. Gyasi to the stream.

Dipping her hand into the water, Ugo said, “Vat.”

“I think she’s trying to say ‘water,’ Jal. Water is vat.” Dr. Gyasi wet his hand. “Vat.”

“Ja,” Ugo nodded. “Vat.” She took the stick, dipped it in the water, and drew on the ground. “Vat. Fimoll.”

“Follow the water to the mountains?” Dr. Gyasi guessed. She stared into space. “Just a minute, Jal. I believe she’s speaking a variation of a northern language.” A moment later, he said very quietly, “Fylgja vatninu til fjalla?”

“Ja! Ja!” she squeaked excitedly.

“We’re supposed to follow the water into the mountains.”

Dr. Gyasi and Ugo spoke for several minutes, and each time the scientist restated his understanding, Ugo nodded, “Ja!”

“Pakka per fyrir, Ugo! Thank you!” They turned to leave.

“Biddu! Biddu!”

“She’s telling us to wait, Jal.”

This time Ugo’s tone changed. She scowled and it sounded to Jal as if Ugo was warning Dr. Gyasi about something.