Taren and Keui

By Kate MacLeod

The Taren and Keui live in the fields ringing the mountain that touches their world's sky, but not together. The Keui live in herds for protection, the Taren their constant predators.

Both need jing to keep their plasimetal flesh supple and moving, but jing only grows in the bodies of the Keui. For a Taren to get it, they take it from a Keui. Violently if necessary.

One lone Taren searches for answers about their world. One lone Keui searches only for safety outside of the herd life.

Then their paths crossed, with each other and with three starving Taren eager to devour the lone Keui.

The oldest question in any world: fight or flight?

"Taren and Keui", a science fiction short story, originally appeared in Persistent Visions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ratatoskr Press
• Release date: Jan 15, 2018
• ISBN: 9781946552563

Kate MacLeod

Dr. Kate MacLeod is an innovative inclusive educator, researcher, and author. She began her career as a high school special education teacher in New York City and now works as faculty in the college of education at the University of Maine Farmington and as an education consultant with Inclusive Schooling. She has spent 15 years studying inclusive practices and supporting school leaders and educators to feel prepared and inspired to include all learners.

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Taren and Keui

TAREN AND KEUI

KATE MACLEOD

Ratatoskr Press

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CONTENTS

Taren and Keui

Sci-Fi Serial Podcast!

Complete Series: The Travels of Scout Shannon

New Series: The Ritchie and Fitz Sci-Fi Murder Mysteries

Also from Kate MacLeod

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About the Author

Also by Kate MacLeod

TAREN AND KEUI

The Taren had left the plains behind shortly after sunrise just as the symphony of birds was dying down and the whispers of things moving through the tall grass was beginning. The only sound since had been its own footfalls, the skittering of gravel it had dislodged bouncing back down the rocky slope, and the rare screech of a hawk circling high above. The sudden cry of a Keui almost at its feet was so startling the Taren's plasimetal body hardened in defensive response, nearly causing it to fall as its long, loose strides tightened.

But it didn't fall, and a momentary thought relaxed its body. It ran silently