Stranded on a Tiny Planet

Emissary

Kriees looked behind her at the large black pod of their first young, nestled comfortably in its stand, "Our first will be Breaking soon. His movements are getting stronger."

The Rogashay leader leaned past her and touched the large black pod. Beneath the textured, volcanic rock-looking surface he could indeed feel several surges of the life moving within.

"How soon?"

Kriees laid her hardened crest against his scaled shoulder, "Very soon. Perhaps as soon as eight sun cycles...it's hard to say."

Much like the Ansheetans, Rogashay females expelled a single egg or pod from a hidden opening in their chest. And like the Ansheetans the pod would grow over time to create the new Rogashay life inside. Unlike the Ansheetans, however, the Rogashay did not have brooding chambers to house their young ones. Instead they were buried in the sand or dirt for two to three rotations to keep them cool and protected. Then when they were of the proper size in their development, the sand dragons would be tasked to dig them up and bring the large pods out in the suns to harden. After that they were housed for two more rotations in the dwelling of the parent Rogashay.

They had education probes as well, while not as developed as the ones of the Ansheetans, still served the same purpose. The probes were inserted after the pods were dug up and before they hardened in the sun. Then, when the time of Breaking arrived (the Rogashay term for Emerging) the new Rogashay would fight their way out of their pod using their hardened head crests. Those that didn't fight their way out were seen as weak and unworthy and would not be aided, subsequently perishing within their own pod. Though, this instance was uncommon, it was a harsh reality for all Rogashay. Only the strong were allowed a place in the tribe.

Kriees looked at her mate, "We cannot afford a battle now, not with our first about to Break. There are many others in the tribe about to Break as well. If this giant creature could mean our destruction we must at least consider a meeting with the Ansheeta. If only for his sake." She gestured to the pod.

Proud Boroxle didn't want to do that. But he also didn't want to jeopardize his new family before it was even so. In his gut he very much doubted the Ansheeta would even speak with them much less barter any kind of peace that would lean in their favor. Most likely they'd threaten them to leave into the Wasteland as far as they could and never return or they'd sic their giant monster upon them.

"And if we can't reach a peace?" he asked.

She touched his face with a fierceness in her own eyes, "Then I will fight our last battle by your side. I will find a way to kill this giant monster by myself if I have to."

He returned the touch with pride, "That is why you are mine and no other."

She stood with purpose, "I will travel to Anashee and broker a meeting with their Elder."

"I will go with you."

Kriees halted him with a firm hand, "I will go alone. If you go or a party of warriors attends me, the Ansheeta could construe it as a raid. Our tribe cannot afford to have you captured."

"I can't afford to have you captured." He growled with insistence.

A confident look raised her chin, "You know I can fend for myself."

Though the Rogashay leader nodded to her, he still didn't like it.

...

A couple days after the 'swimming lessons'...

Anu had news for Merco and she wanted to tell him personally. She flew out to his shelter outside of Anashee where he was sitting in the shade with Seraysa and a small group of Ansheetans, talking. Seraysa was at her favorite spot on Merco's shoulder.