Cool.
Today's excerpt
He pressed hard against Flat Rock, sensing the approach of two bipedal somethings. There were little short-lived instances of a strange light. The creatures would stop, the light would come and go, and they would move. Whatever they were, they were approaching the campsite. Sylk realized he recognized the movement of one of the creatures, their visitor from earlier in the night. The other was smaller, and more delicate in movement, but with that same weird otherworldly feeling.
He could actually hear their footsteps now, not just feel their vibrations. They were in reality quite clumsy, but Sylk also realized that, had he and Moa’qi been relying on sound alone, they would have had little time to make a getaway without being detected. He was very grateful for his newly developed sense. He also realized that Moa’qi either had a much higher or attuned sensitivity, or that he must have expected this. Sylk resolved to ask about this in daylight, when he felt they would be safe.
The two creatures arrived at the site, and a light blazed forth. There was a moment of silence, then some loud harsh words from one, and the other, softer, more controlled, shushed the first. They walked about for a second or two, trying, Sylk guessed, to pick up a trail. There was silence again, and then a low heated discussion. Sylk could not make out the words, but the emotion was apparent. One was angry, the other imploring. The discussion ebbed and flowed, then stopped for a moment. The light flicked off. The harsher voice, which Sylk now characterized as male, began the imploring again. The other did not respond. The imploring continued until it changed character, and became anger as well. This was followed by a long silence. The softer, more controlled voice said something curt, and the strange unnatural white light blazed again. Sylk saw a beam sweep the rock face in front of him. He wondered if the optical illusion would hold under those lighting conditions. It swept back again, and the softer voice, which Sylk determined to be female, had a quizzical tone. Sylk realized that she was noticing something odd, but could not figure it out. The male became impatient, and the arguing started in earnest.
There was a scuffle, a scream, a sound of flesh hitting Flat Rock, and a crunch. Then one set of sounds moved off into the dark, carrying the light source with it. The other stayed where it was, and did not move. Sylk was unsure, but he thought the male had run off, and the female remained. He guessed from the sounds, and the flight, that the female had perhaps been killed or at least injured severely. They lay still for what seemed like forever. Moa’qi did not move. Sylk dared not.
He lay still in the dark, and finally relaxed. He knew there was nothing nearby, and with the cozy comfort of Flat Rock, he knew that he would be aware of any movement coming near. He slept.
A roaring, gushing sound awakened him. He sat up, wiping the dew from himself, and realizing he was hearing the cataract. It was nearly deafening. He turned toward Moa’qi and realized that again, when he woke, Moa’qi was sitting, looking at him, having woken up some time prior. Sylk wondered if he would ever wake up before his Master. Then, some prescience told him, that he really never wanted to. The thought troubled him, and he looked away. Glancing out toward the plain, he asked, “Is there danger?”
“Always. Come, we look to the cataract first.” They stayed on the ledge and moved toward the sound. Soon they were in a mist, and became soaked again, as if a new dew had fallen. Sylk could see the rushing water ahead. Moa’qi tapped him on the shoulder and bid him move toward the edge and peer over. The sight was awe-inspiring. The water hurtling over the edge was pounding into the ground below. White foam was spewing everywhere, and the mist hung about like clouds. Sylk thought he detected a hint of color, in a kind of arc, near the base where the water was pounding. He pointed it out to Moa’qi. Moa’qi just smiled. Speech was impossible in the noise. Sylk returned his attention to the crashing water, and then looked out toward where the water was spilling out from the depression. He knew now why the ground looked as it had the day they had arrive. The power and fury humbled his mind. He gazed mutely for a while, before looking around the surrounding ground near the hollowed out area. He noticed at that moment a body of some sort almost directly below him. He motioned to his Master again, pointing down. Moa’qi nodded, and tapping Sylk’s shoulder again, turned to leave.
When they were far enough away to carry on conversation, Sylk asked again about danger. He was given the same laconic response. “Always”, was all his Master would say. Sylk was wearying of this enforced mystery, but did not dare broach the subject now.
Sylk chewed on his lip. Was this going to be another of those kinds of days? He chose his words carefully, and began, “Right, but, last night we moved just after the fire died completely. You were in a hurry, but not worried. We hid. There was two of – them. We remained silent, and now we talk. So, the danger, if that is what we hid from, must be not nearly so near. So, are we in imminent danger?”
“Why do you ask questions which have already been answered?”
May or may not write tonight. It is my birthday, you know. ciao. fb
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