The Bite of Minds: Bytarend, #2

By Simon Cantan

Tondbert Payne is running through all the daydreams he's had about meeting his true love. Roses and long walks featured prominently. None of those daydreams had him standing with his back pressed against hers, wild creatures circling them. There'd always been a lot less claws and slavering. He can't see a way out, but there must be one. After all, who's ever heard of doomed young lovers?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon Cantan
• Release date: Nov 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9781386134428

Simon Cantan

Simon Cantan is an Irish Science-Fiction and Fantasy author living in Fredrikstad, Norway.

Book preview

1

Searching for Leeches

The forest lay quiet around them. Tondbert spotted a squirrel run out on his right and stop, staring at the four humans walking through the woods. The squirrel wrinkled its nose at Tondbert.

Aw, that's so cute. Kaylinn stopped to watch.

Tondbert thought that Kaylinn and the squirrel had a lot in common, both tiny and adorable, although Kaylinn had less fur. She did have the same russet hair and button nose, though.

A curse from up ahead sent the squirrel bolting for a tree. Tondbert turned to look.

Professor O'Neill was fighting his way through a bush, thorns catching on his lab coat. The professor's long legs tangled in the briar before he could pull himself free, and he fell onto the far side. The professor stood up, his flushed, exhausted face matching his red hair. Come on, it's this way. I'm sure of it.

Tondbert's girlfriend, Isabelle, hurried to catch up with the professor. She reached the briar, pushed her blonde fringe out of her eyes, and pulled her sword out to cut down the obstruction.

Don't, Tondbert said. You'll ruin the edge.

Isabelle turned and glared at Tondbert, before cutting her way through the bush and sheathing her blade again.

Tondbert felt a mild sense of annoyance. His weapons master had drilled him for too long in proper sword care for it not to sting. He didn't know why Isabelle was in such a sour mood, but it seemed to be something he had done, or maybe not done. He followed Isabelle through the ragged hole in the bush.

Tondbert, can you help me carry this? Kaylinn called from behind him.

Tondbert turned and saw Kaylinn struggling under the humongous backpack full of equipment the professor insisted she bring everywhere they went. The pack teetered above her tiny frame, and her tunic was soaked with sweat.

Of course. Tondbert jogged back and hefted the bag onto his shoulder.

Thanks, Tondbert. What's up with Isabelle today? Kaylinn asked.

Tondbert shrugged. I don't know. I guess I did something.

You must have some idea what you did?

Tondbert shook his head.

Isabelle turned and scowled at Tondbert again.

Scary, Kaylinn said. Do you think we'll find the animal-leeches? It's been a month.

I'm not sure I'd want to run into them right now. Last time I saw them, they tried to eat me.

Don't worry, Isabelle can just scowl them to death.

We're onto something, Professor O'Neill called. Hurry up.

Tondbert and Kaylinn jogged to catch up with the other two.

Isabelle shot another glare at Tondbert and waved him off to the side. What was that about?

Huh? Tondbert asked.

You and Kaylinn seemed to be getting on well back there all huddled together?

We were just talking about you. Tondbert regretted the words the moment they left his lips.

What?

It wasn't anything bad, Tondbert said.

Stay away from her, Tondbert. I don't trust her. Isabelle shot Kaylinn an evil look.

Kaylinn looked shocked and blushed.

What's with you today? Tondbert asked.

Isabelle considered him and sighed.

From somewhere nearby in the forest, something cried out. Tondbert thought it sounded like a baby animal.

Ah ha. The professor sprinted off again.

Kaylinn shrugged to Tondbert and darted after the professor.

Professor, wait, Tondbert shouted.

We need to catch him before he gets between a baby and its mother. Isabelle rushed to follow Kaylinn and the professor.

Tondbert fell into step beside her, Kaylinn's pack jangling against his back as he ran. The professor and Kaylinn disappeared out of sight in the thick brush ahead. Tondbert burst through it, into a large forest clearing.

He saw a small animal standing in the middle of the break in the trees. Two enormous eyes on each side of its head focused on the intruders. The furry creature bleated and staggered towards Tondbert on two legs, holding its arms outstretched. Its head was level with his knee.

That's adorable, Tondbert said. What is it?

Stay back. Isabelle put her hand on Tondbert's chest. It could be dangerous.

The creature opened its mouth and emitted a plaintive cry that tugged at Tondbert's heartstrings. He recognised a lost baby calling for its mother. Sidestepping Isabelle, he walked over to the animal and gathered it up. It curled its arms and legs around Tondbert's chest, nuzzled against him and closed its eyes.

Isabelle hurried over. What are you doing? If its mother finds you . . .

Tondbert reached down and pulled the creature's lips back, revealing dull, flat teeth. This thing doesn't eat meat.

Those claws still look sharp enough to kill. Isabelle pointed to the broad razors on the end of the animal's fingers.

The professor and Kaylinn joined them.

I'd advise caution as well, the professor said. You don't want it to get too attached to you, or you might end up becoming its mother yourself.

Tondbert felt his stomach drop. Alright, let's have a look around for more of these creatures.

Kaylinn smiled at him. It looks so cute curled against your big chest.

Isabelle's expression darkened, but Tondbert couldn't see why.

They crossed the clearing and moved out through the forest. Tondbert scanned the trees for any sign of life, seeing nothing but dark boughs and snow. He stepped out through the snow and glanced between the trees. A little face peered around a trunk at him and then vanished again.

I think I see the mother. Tondbert pointed.

Tondbert moved closer and crouched down, doing his best to peel the sleeping baby creature from his arms. The infant began sobbing. Tondbert looked up to the other creature's face, its gaze now on the small bundle at his feet. Tondbert beckoned to the mother and backed away.

She didn't move, her chest rising and falling quickly with each breath. After a long moment, she overcame her fear and crept out from behind the tree. She slunk towards Tondbert, her eyes flicking between him and the baby.

Tondbert retreated further, giving her room to collect her child.

The mother came up to Tondbert's waist but walked like a human, on two legs. Her eyes glinted with intelligence, despite their position on the side of her head. She gathered the baby to her chest and bolted for the nearest tree.

Tondbert heard the others moving closer around him.

The mother clambered up the tree-trunk, the baby clinging to her chest. She ran along a thick bough and jumped to the next tree.

Astonishing, the professor said. We have to follow it.

Professor O'Neill bolted after the creature, his lab coat trailing behind him in the wind. Kaylinn, Isabelle and Tondbert dashed after him.

Tondbert tried to keep an eye on the white coat ahead of them, while avoiding low branches and raised roots.

The professor pulled ahead with his long, loping strides.

After a few minutes of running, the pack dug into Tondbert's shoulder with each stride. He breathed in, ready to call for a break, when the professor stopped and stood dead still, his arms outstretched and frozen.

Tondbert dropped his hand to his sword, ready to draw it as he reached the professor. The forest opened into a clearing, where he saw an enormous nest on the ground, made of branches and leaves, with dozens of the furry creatures inside it.

Tondbert spotted the mother they'd followed, doing her best to hide on the other side of the nest. She held her baby away from them, out of sight.

Just back away. They haven't seen us yet, Tondbert said.

Don't be afraid, the tree huggers won't hurt us, the professor said.

Tree huggers?

Or huggies for short. They won't attack us.

One after another of the huggies turned and stared at the humans.

A huggy near the centre of the nest took three steps towards them. Flamf bakbak.

Tondbert wasn't sure if he wanted to know what that meant.

2

Communication Problems

Isabelle saw the professor and Tondbert standing motionless ahead of her. She could see Tondbert tensed for something. Her side hurt from running for so long, but she put in a new burst of energy and drew her sword, ready for danger.

As she reached them and saw the nest, the sea of passive, furry faces did nothing to quell her fears. She couldn't help but stare at the hook-like claws at the end of every creature's hands and feet. Their eyes swivelled, orienting on her, not quite on the front of their heads.

Aren't they sweet? Tondbert said.

If you think fluffy balls of death are cute, Isabelle said.

Tondbert had been rubbing her the wrong way ever since they'd collected the professor and Kaylinn. Isabelle had caught Kaylinn eyeing Tondbert, and Tondbert hadn't rebuffed her. Isabelle wasn't about to let Kaylinn steal Tondbert away from her.

Kaylinn walked up beside Isabelle, her gaze on Isabelle's drawn sword. I don't think you'll need that. They look as if they'll bolt at any moment.

Kaylinn strode to the edge of the nest and stepped over the lip. The huggies retreated away from her.

Kaylinn, stop, the professor said. Don't scare them off before we've had a chance to study them.

Kaylinn shrugged and moved back. I just wanted to get a closer look.

Isabelle sheathed her sword and stepped nearer the nest. The creatures didn't seem to be aggressive, but she kept her hand near her weapon.

Falmf bokbok, the professor said, walking over and clambering into the nest.

The huggies looked at him, wrinkles appearing between their eyes. They jumped out of the nest, dashed to the nearby trees and began stroking them.

Are they getting ready to run? Tondbert asked.

I'm not sure, the professor said.

The tallest huggy broke away from the others and came back into the nest, creeping halfway across to stop in front of the professor. Pol falmf bokbok? Bokbok ming?

Isabelle gasped. That wasn't just an animal sound. He's talking to you.

The professor nodded. I suspected as much. They're group animals with sizeable heads and opposable thumbs. In order to cooperate, they need to be able to communicate - just like we do.

The large grey leader turned to the other huggies. Bkalk bakbak.

The huggy walked away without looking back. The other huggies entered the nest and fanned out, ignoring the presence of the humans. They lay or sat around, eating from small piles of dirt.

Falmp bokbak, the professor said.

None of the creatures looked at him.

Isabelle realised they'd been dismissed. The huggies didn't seem interested in anything that wasn't an active threat. Isabelle relaxed and let her sword hand drop to her side. She stepped into the nest and walked to the nearest huggy, crouching down opposite it.

The creature glanced at Isabelle for a moment before returning to its pile of earth. A second huggy approached and hunched near the first, dipping into the mound of dirt.

Mumnum. Goof daob. The new huggy walked away.

Kaylinn came over and huddled beside Isabelle. This is more than rudimentary language. The second huggy just thanked the first.

Isabelle straightened up. It just sounds like animal noises to me.

No, Kaylinn is right, the professor said. There's a definite structure there. I'll need to hear more, to know for sure, but I think they might have an entire language.

Isabelle glanced around the short, furry creatures pulling dirt into their mouths. Doesn't that require intelligence?

Oh, they're obviously very bright. The professor held his hand out to Tondbert. Constable, could I have my backpack please?

Tondbert swung the pack off his shoulder to the ground. It landed with a thump.

Isabelle felt a little thrill run through her from Tondbert's easy strength. She dismissed it as being girlish, coughed and adjusted her sword.

The professor wrestled the bag until he found what he wanted. He held up a small package wrapped in paper and tied with string. This will be ideal.

Hey, that's my lunch, Kaylinn said.

It's all in the name of science, my dear. The professor unwrapped the parcel. He revealed a cheese sandwich with the crusts cut off. The huggies nearby stirred, sniffing the air and glancing at the food before looking away.

I hope you're not going to feed it to them, Kaylinn said. They're filtering the dirt for bugs and minerals. That'd be far too complex for their systems to handle. It could kill them.

The professor waved in the air, dismissing her concerns. Don't worry, I won't give them much.

The professor walked to the centre of the circle, knelt down and tore off a corner of the bread. Placing the sandwich between his knees, the professor held out the small piece of crust to the leader of the huggies.

For a moment, the huggy ignored the professor, but gradually his gaze oriented on the food. He walked over, reached for the bread and popped it in his mouth. The huggy's eyes widened in surprise. Lopup. Huff huff.

All of the other huggies' eyes turned to focus on the professor, and they drew near him. They swarmed at once, and the professor vanished under a hill of brown fur.

Isabelle pulled out her sword, starting towards the furry pile. Tondbert darted to her side in an instant, drawing his own blade.

The sea of fur dispersed, revealing an unharmed professor. The sandwich had disappeared.

Isabelle slid her sword back in its sheath and moved closer.

A ring of huggies clustered around the professor, butter on their furry cheeks and hopeful looks in their eyes. A small huggy approached him and tugged on his sleeve. Muhmum that?

Tondbert grinned. It almost sounded like she spoke Mognisian.

Just a coincidence. The professor turned to the little huggy. Flamf that?

The huggy walked around the professor, lifting up his lab coat and looking under it.

Flamf muhmum, the professor said.

The circle of huggies cocked their heads at him, appearing confused.

Tondbert touched Isabelle's elbow. We should take one as a pet.

We could bring a test subject back to the lab, the professor said.

Kaylinn shook her head. Professor, we don't know enough about these creatures to remove them from their habitat.

Professor O'Neill sighed. I suppose you're right. We'll have to carry the equipment out here instead.

Tondbert bent to stroke the small, curious huggy's head. I'm going to call this one Dainty Face.

Leave the huggy alone, Isabelle said. Come on, we should take the professor and his assistant back to their lab.

***

Kaylinn waved goodbye to them a little longer than Isabelle thought necessary.

Isabelle led the distracted Tondbert away from the professor's house.

Kaylinn is pretty cute, huh? Isabelle hated herself for fishing.

As a button, Tondbert said. Smart as knives, too.

She likes you, Isabelle said.

I like her too.

Isabelle couldn't see any malice in Tondbert's deep blue eyes, he had the expression of a month old puppy, as always; bright and ready to make friends. His naiveté around women irritated her. She liked to use it to make him squirm, but she couldn't stand to see anyone else manipulate him that way.

Wait. Realisation dawned on Tondbert's face. I mean as a friend.

Isabelle slipped close to Tondbert and wrapped her hand around the back of his neck. I know that, Tondbert, but I don't know if she does. You keep giving off the wrong signals.

But she knows I'm with you.

Isabelle drew Tondbert down for a lingering kiss, and then let him go. "That means less to most