The Arrival

By J.E. McKnight

The planet of Seledania is about to get an uninvited guest. How will the inhabitants cope with the discovery? How can one human affect the small society?

Rain and wind blasted his back and the side of the object. He had never seen anything like it before but, peering through the transparent coverings, he quickly realized the object must be some sort of traveling device. He once created something similar out of a hollowed log. He had latched the log to a large paleethrad but the animal was unpredictable and the log, unstable. He remembered fondly the taste of the paleethrad. At least the beast was good for something. His log traveler would have taken a rider around their territory... where could the rider of this contraption have traveled from?

Bodram examined the device further; coming to a break in the smooth, white cover, he pawed at the seam until the door lifted open. He jumped back and held a stick out, prepared to defend their lives against whatever being lay in wait. What could be inside? He needed to ensure his daughter’s safety, but was he bringing her into a more threatening situation? How will this affect Dimlyn?

“The author’s ability to imagine new worlds, and old worlds revisited, is remarkable in that you feel as if you are right there with his characters. Think... sci-fi-fantasy-space travel... where alien befriends human - and you are in for a fictional treat. It should be on the big screen!” ~ Linda J. Pedley, Author / Publisher

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dream Write Publishing
• Release date: Apr 26, 2014
• ISBN: 9781927510353

Book preview

The Arrival

By J. E. McKnight

Published by Dream Write Publishing Ltd.

Sherwood Park AB Canada

on Smashwords

Time’s Hostage

ISBN # 978-1-927510-35-3

Copyright ©2013 J. E. McKnight

No reproduction, in whole or in part, of this work is allowed without the express written permission of the author, except for quotations in book reviews and interviews. Please contact the publisher for use. Dream Write Publishing and the author are committed to providing quality literary products for all ages and provide the following in-house book rating:

General Adult/ Teen – Fantasy/Sci-Fi:

Profanity/language = (0); violence: gore = (3); Sex/nudity = (0)

Look for this novel in print:

www.dreamwritepublishing.ca

The following takes place on the distant planet of Seledania

and the following dialogue is translated from the inhabitants’

primary language, Seledanian.

Chapter One

The third moon, Vidden, crested over the mountaintops and brightened the night sky. Dimlyn only ever saw Vidden a few times in her young life. The sun would be chasing the seldom seen satellite from the velvet sky in less than a solar hour. Between the small gap in time in which Vidden is visible and the constant threat of violent flood and rock storms, the sight she gazed upon that morning truly was a remarkable one. She stretched her arms skyward making her muscles flex under the black scaly plates covering most of her body.

Dimlyn, I am surprised to see you in the Vidden hour. What are you doing?

I could not slumber, Father. The last storm lasted so long this time. I do not remember it ever lasting thirty solar cycles before. I needed to get out of that stuffy cave and breathe the air the moment it passed.

Dimlyn’s father dragged his sharp claws across his bald, scaly scalp and looked into her yellow eyes. You are too young to remember this, Daughter, but when you were young, the storms got so bad we were holed up in our cave and did not see the light from the sun or our moons for over a Casden period.

Three hundred seventy solar cycles is a long time for a storm to rage.

You had an older brother then.

I remember you telling me about him. I have no memories.

No. You would not. Kylden expired in the Casden period Storm when you were only twelve lunar phases old. He smiled, baring his sharp, green, dagger-like teeth. Dimlyn matched her father’s grin as he placed his powerful stone crushing hands gently on her shoulders. That is why we must never stray too far from the caves. We need to protect ourselves as best we can from the sudden attack of storms and meteors.

I know, Father. While I am awake anyway, I think I will search the forest for whatever plant and animal life I can scrounge. There are some species that will be slumbering when Vidden is no longer visible.

You have a knack for finding beauty from devastation. The forest has not yet fully revitalized since the big rock storm when I was a mere pod. And the meteors that plagued us since have prevented any re-growth. The burnings have rendered the forest blackened and lifeless. Where do you find the food you bring to us?

Dimlyn knelt down and used her claws to scoop away a handful of soil. The first soot-covered scoop yielded nothing but as she dug further, her father noticed the soot did not go all the way down. He could not recall the last time he saw brown dirt. And, as he looked closer, that was not the only thing revealed by his daughter’s persistence. Slimy loam crawlers scrambled and slithered away from the five-clawed intruder that invaded their home. With two slender fingers, Dimlyn pinched one of the crawlers between her claws and hoisted it to her mouth. She observed the tiny creature as it squirmed and fought to escape her grip.

You see, Father? Everyone just takes for granted the cave creatures and their byproducts will last us forever. And when an animal happens to wander into our territory, we consider it a stroke of luck and the whole society rushes out to eliminate it. I believe they come from somewhere. There is still hope for our survival. We cannot go on much longer like this. This small riepalner is proof Seledania still has something to offer but, if we are not careful, that will not last. Dimlyn dropped the loam crawler into her mouth and grinned as she enjoyed the contrast of its slimy coat and crunchy center.

You get your imprudent optimism from your mother. He gave his daughter a hug and let her go off towards the forest. He shook his head. She was far from the spawn he cradled in his arms after each gestation. He was proud of the female she had become but still disappointed, during her latest gestation into maturity, she did not relinquish her childish fantasies. Do not travel too far, Daughter! The skies are clear now but that will not last!

Dimlyn charged across the territory between the two mountain lines, past the neighboring set of caves, and into the forest. She closed her eyes and took in the sensation of the wind on her face; letting her other senses guide her through the scattered trees. From the crest of her skull to her calves, her mane danced in the breeze. The gender specific trail of hair that forked at the buttocks and grew on the backs of the females’ legs was used for sexual display, for most females her age, but Dimlyn had no interest in the opposite sex. She much preferred the freedom her forest offered her.

She screeched to a halt, spraying soil and gravel out in a fan formation. She crouched and listened intently for the sound she heard mere seconds ago. A low growl filled the air. Dimlyn recognized it immediately as the mating call of the valeen beast, a small but deadly herbivore. The young huntress leapt into the nearest tree and climbed the trunk at breakneck speed, perching herself on the lowest bough. Her eyes picked out the valeen from fifty feet in the air.

The beast sniffed the ground, stopping for only a moment as he munched on a fungus. The creature continued to search, for what, Dimlyn did not know. At the moment, the beast was alone; if he was truly pursuing a mate, she did not have much longer. Capturing the animal depended solely on a surprise attack of a solitary beast. He would not go easy. A ground attack and a level playing field would certainly give the valeen the advantage. She saw too many Seledanian inhabitants perish in pursuit of such a prize.

The mighty huntress gripped the bough with the claws on her hands and feet and spun herself into a downward attack position. The beast was still unaware of her presence but the way he carried on, he would not be alone for long. She pushed off with her legs and soared in the direction of her unsuspecting prey. Her claws gripped the creature’s flesh as she took him to the ground. The valeen squealed in pain and thrashed his head in defense. His tusk caught an exposed piece of flesh under her arm. She winced in pain and raised her arm, claws spread, ready for the death blow. She paused, holding the animal at bay with her opposite hand. She heard it again. The valeen mating call echoed around her. The female. A single claw to the base of the beast’s neck rendered him temporarily paralyzed. She shot up into the tree for one more attempt at a valued prize. Could I really expect to go home with two?

Dimlyn’s parents spent the morning digging after the loam crawlers their daughter revealed to them. The sun filled the planet with warmth and light and they did not want to waste a second more in the cave while the scavenging was good outside. The scraping of the cave walls for sludge and mold could wait until they had to retreat into the caves and were holed up to wait out storms or meteors.

She gets her resourcefulness from me but she gets her stubbornness from you. Rylorn, Dimlyn’s mother, scooped out a handful of soil, containing half a dozen loam crawlers and released them into a hollowed rock to keep for later. She placed a larger stone on top to prevent escape.

You tried to convince me of that since she was still in her pod. I disagreed then and I disagree now. Bodram lifted the rock and quickly added his contribution before dropping the lid once more.

It is irrelevant if you disagree. Dimlyn demonstrates it every waking solar hour. I hope you told her not to venture too far away. I really abhor her going into that forest. There are dangerous beasts out there and, what if she gets lost or goes too far? If a storm hits or we get hit by another rock storm, she might not make it back in time.

You worry too much, Rylorn. Like you said, she is resourceful. Where she gets that, I do not know, but it is definitely not from you. He offered her a reassuring smile. She practically grew up in that forest. She manages to uncover plant life and loam crawlers the best scavengers have been unable to find. If she found herself in trouble, I am confident she would find a way out of it.

I know you are right. I just worry so much. Kylden was also like his sister. I cannot lose her, too.

Bodram wrapped his arms around his mate. Kylden had not even reached his first gestation period when he wandered out into the worst storm I ever saw. Dimlyn can handle herself. Trust in her. She will do the right thing.

Rylorn looked over her mate’s shoulder and her mouth dropped open. Bodram, look. I think we both underestimate her.

Dimlyn emerged, over the hill between the mountain ranges and the forest line, dragging two valeen carcasses behind her on the make-shift carrier made of logs and straps from the hides of other beasts. Lords of Seledania! I do not believe this! Daughter, did you terminate these animals yourself?

I hunted them alone, if that is what you mean, Father. But they did not expire by my hand. I rendered them into a slumber. I want to keep them.

Bodram glared at his mate. Are you happy now? She has lost all her sense. It must be from when you dropped her pod in the second gestation.

Rylorn broke eye contact with her mate, rolling her purple eyes as she neared her daughter. Dimlyn, what do you mean you want to keep them? They are dangerous beasts and, if you are not careful, they will devour you.

That is why I will be careful, Mother. I was going to terminate the male’s life but then I heard the mate nearby. It occurred to me, if I can breed them, we would have a never ending supply of meat and hide.

And you will be endangering the lives of the whole society. I cannot allow this.

Bodram! Take the rock of loam crawlers into the cave and while you are there, we could use some sludge. I will handle our daughter.

Bodram began to protest but was cut off by the shrill growl from his mate. Being the sole male in a family of headstrong females had definite disadvantages. He hoisted the rock and headed into the cave.

Dimlyn, are you sure you know what you are doing? These are dangerous creatures. I hate to say this but your father is right, you could be putting a lot of Seledanians in danger.

I can handle it, Mother. There is a cave in the far back that is big enough to house a growing valeen family. All we need to do is roll a rock in front of the entrance so they cannot get out but is small enough to allow them air and space to slip food through for them.

How do you expect to get inside to harvest the mature? Lords of Seledania! You are bleeding?

It is just a scratch. I rubbed volden fungus on it. It stopped the bleeding. It does not even hurt anymore.

Rylorn sighed and grabbed one end of the carrier. Well, come on, then. Let us get them inside before they wake. I hope you have this all figured out because you know we will hear about it from your father if any member of the society is terminated.

Chapter Two

Bodram glared through the space above the boulder to the valeen family inside. The pair of valeen beasts Dimlyn imprisoned inside the cave four lunar phases ago had since been joined by four valeenlits. He hated to admit his daughter was right about breeding the wild creatures. So far everything was going the way she promised. She took excellent care of her stock and the animals seemed content within their dwelling and had yet attempted escape. There was only one thing that worried Bodram, what will happen when the young ones are breeding age and the time comes to butcher the parents? Opening the door could potentially release six dangerous beasts stampeding throughout the caves. Dimlyn assured her father she had a formula to cause them to become docile and therefore, harmless. Can I trust that? She has been right in the past but can it last?

Dimlyn kept the smile to herself as she approached the valeen pen. She never imagined her father would have shown this much interest in the beasts. I wonder what is really on his mind. Is he still angry I brought them here, or is he proud of the job I have done in keeping them confined? I will probably never know for sure.

Hello, Father. How are the valeen doing this afterVidden?

The beasts are still contained and seem content. They most likely prefer their current situation to trying to survive the storms.

You are probably right. We were lucky this time. The latest storm only lasted four lunar phases. After I feed the valeen, I am going to walk through the forest. I would like to see if any new life has sprouted.

Maybe it is time you gave up such foolishness, Daughter. That forest will not yield us anything anymore. Why do you not search elsewhere?

If I had given up, we never would have been given these valeen. The more they reproduce, the longer we feast. The forest has plenty to offer us.

How do you plan on harvesting the mature valeen when the time comes? Capturing one beast at a time is difficult enough. Do you plan on stepping into the den with six rampaging animals?

As a matter of fact, I do. The only difference is they will not be rampaging.

Yes, you made mention of your formula. What, in the land of Seledania, is this formula and how do you know it works?

Ah, Father, you need to trust in your daughter. I hashed out all the details of my plan before I finished fastening the logs together that brought the beasts here.

What is it?

There is a moss that grows over the charred trees. It attracts several varieties of loam crawlers but the animals do not eat it. I made a mistake during one of my visits and ate a handful. The next instance I remember, I woke in the Xandix hour.

Your forest treks are in the norm of the third solar hour after Vidden. The first moon does not rise for another eight solar hours past that. You slumbered the whole time?

Yes. I am mindful of what I eat now, just as the forest creatures are. As a test, I added the moss to the valeen’s food. If I made the correct calculations, we should be allowed, at least, a couple solar hours, based on their size. That is plenty of time to move the matures out of their pen and butcher them before they wake.

Dimlyn peered into the pen to see the mature valeen standing back while the valeenlits crowded the door for their breakfast. The new stock farmer dipped her hand into the hollowed rock she held in her other arm and extracted handfuls of slop laced with her moss formula. The six hungry beasts devoured the offering, snorts and grunts of satisfaction echoed throughout the small chamber.

Now we will see, Father, how long it takes to bring them to slumber. The valeenlits should reach sexual maturity in no more than sixty solar cycles. At that time, we can prepare for the arrival of several more valeen and the meat from the two matures will feed several Seledanians.

Very good, Daughter. I will keep watch here and pass my findings on to you. You may go on your forest trek. Do try and bring something back we can feast on before the Xandix hour.

Dimlyn crouched on her perch fifty-three feet in the air. The cloudless sky had a scent to it she knew well. A storm was approaching. She dared not return to the caves without a feast dragging behind her. I best find something soon. The storm has to only be less than half a solar hour away. She focused her hearing on the world below. The whistle of the wind carried past her, cooling the air around her. The persistent huntress tensed her scales, lessening the size of the gaps, in an attempt to limit the cold bite of the wind penetrating her flesh. This is no use. I am the only mindless one to be out here as a storm threatens the world. All other creatures are hiding in their… what is that?

A small lenaint bounded along the forest floor. He is a good size, too. Not everyone in the society will be able to feast from this furry creature but, at least, the three of us will eat tonight. Persistence paid off. The predator pushed herself from the limb of the blackened tree and landed with a thud, mere meters from her prey. The lenaint scrambled as fast as it could but was no match for Dimlyn’s lightning speed reflexes. The small creature, barely of size to sate the family of three, thrashed about desperate to escape. A quick and silent swipe with her razor sharp claw ended the tiny beast’s struggle. If only each hunt was this easy.

The clouds rolled in silently while the mighty huntress stalked and terminated her prey. Her heart pounded and her breathing became labored. She was caught in the storms once or twice in her life and barely survived those instances. Maybe it will pass by. Probably not. I might have time to make it back. Dimlyn tucked the fresh carcass under her arm and charged in the direction of the forest opening. Without warning the wind picked up, pushing trees over all around her. She fought against the unrelenting gale, striving to catch her breath. A sudden gust blew through the trees, lifting the huntress into the air, tossing her into the nearest tree. The sudden impact took her breath away but further injury was averted due to her natural armor. Her fresh kill lay next to her. Dimlyn lay still and close to the ground to afford her opportunity to regain her breathing.

The sky opened up and the rain came down hard, soaking the fallen huntress and her kill in an instant. The rain pelted her scales and stung her flesh. She wanted to resist standing for as long as she could but despite the forceful winds and stinging rain, she knew she had to move or risk drowning in the low section of the forest. Dimlyn bit into the lenaint as she crept near to the ground as fast as her four limbs would carry her. A loud thunderous crack froze the female in her tracks. A nearby tree collapsed in her direction. No time to escape, she curled herself into a ball and tensed her scales to protect her from the impact. The charred remains of a once tall and mighty kreet tree slammed into the ground, shaking the forest floor for miles. The mighty huntress lay beneath the monstrous kreet. The lenain, now just a stain in the soil; a river of red flowed away from the bodies.

Bodram! Bodram, No! The storm is too wild. It will take you for sure. She grabbed at her mate’s shoulder, desperate to hold him back. She had already lost one child and possibly another. She would not lose a mate, too.

Our daughter is out there, Rylorn. I must fetch her home. If this storm persists much longer, there is no way she will survive without shelter. He shrugged her hand off and pushed the large boulder from the door. He closed it behind as he entered the torrent weather, leaving his mate to wait out the storm.

Rylorn shuffled away from the entrance, scraping her claws against the wall of the cave, collecting a handful of sludge to snack on while her family braved the elements. Her long, slender, black tongue slid through the green slime in her hand and slurped a mouthful of the salty treat. Not wanting to be alone, she waded through the tunnels, looking for any member of the society that would keep her company in the despairing time.

The valeen pen was unusually quiet for being the middle of the storm. The norm of it had the pen walls reverberating with panicked footfalls of twenty-four hooves pounding into the rocky floor. She peered in at her daughter’s stock and remembered the day she dragged the two matures up to their doorstep, proud and invincible. I wish she did not view herself in that light. As proud as I am of her bravery, it may have been that naïve perspective keeping her from me now. She smiled at the slumbering beasts. The concoction she came up with worked. Now the society will have access to meat without having to scrounge around the sparse landscape. At present count, the valeens slumbered for three solar hours. That would give them plenty of time to harvest the meat, anything more than that was just a bonus.

The sound of laughter and commotion resonated from the far end of the corridor. Bodram and Dimlyn were sure to be solar hours from returning, if not a solar cycle. She could leave the cave without fear or guilt of abandoning her family. The friendly faces of her neighbors greeted her as she entered their territory.

Rylorn, what brings you to our end of the cave? Would you care for some sludge or fungus? We have plenty here to ride out the storm. Saklyf, one of the few male friends she held onto from before she mated Bodram, placed a friendly hand on her shoulder and guided her to sit down amongst his mate, his daughter who was in her first gestation, and newly hatched son.

Thank you, Saklyf. I did not want to be alone this night.

Where are Bodram and Dimlyn? Saklyf’s mate asked, passing her guest a hollowed rock of fungus in sludge.

Rylorn smiled her appreciation and took the snack. Dimlyn went out a few solar hours ago to hunt down a feast for this night. When she did not return and the storm raged on, Bodram left to search after her. I fear the worst.

You must not speak like that, neighbor. Your family is strong and does not yield easily.

Kylden did.

Kylden had not even reached his second gestation. Bodram and Dimlyn are both matures. They will get through this.

Pardon my ignorance, Rylorn, Saklyf’s mate leaned in and offered her neighbor a comforting hand against her knee. Why on Seledania’s rocky surface was she out there hunting for scarce food when you have a family of valeens in one of your caves?

I agree, Rylorn. If it had been anyone else, I would have terminated those beasts myself. They make an awful racket, not to mention the danger they pose to everyone in the society.

It is my daughter’s plan to make sure the society as a whole will always have food. She is breeding the beasts in order to harvest the meat and hides.

That is a noble gesture.

Now, she may expire before her dream is realized.

Do not think like that. They will return. What you need is to take your mind off the whole situation.

The rain ran off Bodram’s scaly back; aside from his face, his flesh kept dry. The wind