Fall of the Drjeen Read online

  She still needed more berries and so instead of flying back decided to move deeper into the forest until she found a small grouping of piney trees. It was a good sign. Being this deep meant it was unlikely that another Drjeen had foraged them. Plus, each tree in a grouping often produced more than individual trees. Surely, this would be the end of her day’s work. She glanced around and after seeing nothing she began a quick sprint across the small field leading to the patch of trees. Her eyes darted from one end of the field to the next. She knew she was taking a risk being this deep into the forest, but nearly a week’s worth of berries was worth it. Without them, she could possibly starve. Her two hearts began pumping so hard that she could feel her skin glow brighter. The overhanging branches above made it difficult to spread her wings, so she kept them tucked tightly behind herself.

  She was only twenty lengths away when she realized her mistake. Sitting at the base of the trees she was sprinting toward was a large boulder. That’s what she was aiming for with the hopes of using the stone’s height as a launching-pad upward into the tree. Still, as she saw the boulder stand upright and twist in her direction, she didn’t immediately process that she was running straight into a Gramen.

  When standing at full length the Gramen was three times as large as the Drjeen. Standing on two relatively stout back legs, the creature extended its long arms which also acted as legs in full sprint. As Shakja quickly shoved one of her legs deep into the ground trying to stop herself, it wasn’t the Gramen’s size she was worried about as much as the four sharp claws on the toe of each front leg that was swiping the open air between the two. Unlike the hairless Drjeen, the Gramen was covered in a thick coat of hair which acted part as protection against rain and also as a coat of armor in a fight—something Shakja wasn’t intending to get into. Once stopped, Shakja caught only a glimpse of the animal’s short, flattened face reveal the intertwined mix of short and long teeth as it bellowed out an echoing call. Within two steps the Gramen was in full stride with a wide smile stretched across its face and charging directly at Shakja.

  Her only hope was to find a tree tall enough to climb and hopefully give her the berth she would need to escape to the sky. Her only advantage over the wingless Gramen was flight. It was her only way.

  She was struck by the full weight of the Gramen and collapsed to the ground in the creature’s bulk before she ever made it to the tree.

  Chapter 2

  The Tower of the Moons was the tallest structure in the entire region at nearly a thousand lengths above the cloud level. The stone structure towered over all around it and while the clouds below often parted enough for a view of nearly half the region, the scientists assigned to the tower often went several turns of the sun before ever coming across an unassigned Drjeen.

  Aput was trying to remember the last Drjeen he’d met before his tower assignment. He couldn’t recall and as the moon passed overhead, he gave no more thought about the subject. His heavy feet pushed his chair away from the telescope and he sat upright taking time to stretch his shoulders and fan out his wings relieving any tension built during the last few hours of diligent focus on the stars. These hours-long observations were difficult as the telescope’s sensitivity could be broken with any sort of uncontrolled movement. In fact, the only time he ever moved was to take careful notes on his observations or to stretch out every few hours.

  Telescope observations were not the most prestigious duties in the Tower of Moons, but as a youngling in his caste, the telescope observatory was a second home to him. Although, while the long hours alone and focused attention on the telescope wreaked havoc on his young joints he rather enjoyed the assignment and loved learning about the celestial bodies and movement. Aput leaned back feeling the last cracks of his joints before sliding forward again. He cracked his neck to the left and then to the right catching the dark grey scales of his body in a mirror across the room.

  “They won’t darken until you are much older.” A voice came from the back of the room. The senior Drjeen astronomer, Ittar, stepped through the room’s arches. Like most of the Drjeen in research facilities, Ittar was tall and in age his scales and outer skin were a deep black. However, despite broad shanks and shoulders, Ittar’s musculature was narrow and weakened.

  “I can’t help but feel I am behind.”

  Ittar grunted as he stepped up to the notepad placed on Aput’s workstation. He took a quick mental note and then grunted. He appeared even more ill-tempered than his everyday irascibility.

  His questions dismissed, Aput went on. “You’re here late. Can I help you with something?”

  Ittar took himself away from the notepad and turned away from Aput. The room was simplistic in nature, not reflecting the importance of its observation. Aside from the massive telescope that Aput spent hours each day looking through there was only a desk and line of telescope mirrors waiting to be installed and polished once the current batch needed to be replaced.

  “I’m getting reports of an unknown star in the southeast sky. Have you scanned that sector recently?

  “Not for many turns of the moons.” Aput was already tapping in the coordinates as Ittar went on.

  “Well, I need you to scan the sector. Let me know of any anomaly; anything that could be described as strange, unusual or unknown.” The telescope began its slow movement toward the southeastern sky. “Find out whatever this thing is so I can get the findings out there. The reporting has been occupying the last two days and I’m tired of it.” Ittar began snorting violently as he spoke. He paused, realizing his frustration was obvious. “Just let me know as soon as you find something.”

  Aput had worked with Ittar as long as any other Drjeen and understood the scientist's lack of affection for the lower castes. As he understood it, Ittar couldn’t stand the lower castes which is one of the primary reasons he chose to stay in the tower as opposed to handling his political responsibilities on the ground level.

  “I will, as soon as I find something.”

  Ittar nodded and with a snort, he turned and walked out.

  Aput placed fresh drops in his eyes, expecting to be viewing the southeast for some time, but curiously, within a few breaths, he saw something strange. He reached for his notepad and quickly jotted a few notes, speaking aloud as he did. “Strange blue star. Brighter than the closest known stars.” He took himself away from the telescope and quickly stood up. “What’s going on? That doesn’t even make sense. How could we not have seen this before? Even if it began emitting new light recently there was no way this could be right. Aput calmed himself and sat back down, refocusing his viewing eye.

  He reached again for his notes, “Not a star. Asteroid. Oddly glowing blue from an unknown source.”

  The second moon was soon too close to the asteroid for Aput to watch it with any degree of detail. He grabbed his notebook and read through his jottings; apparent speed, movement pattern, size and... destination. Not good. “I need to find Ittar.”

  Aput could hear a small cough from Ittar before he entered the senior scientist’s office. The aging Drjeen was engrossed in a book but not so much that he didn’t see the smooth deep grey scales of his underling rush into his office. Despite his recent orders, the elder Drjeen was obviously upset by Aput’s disruption.

  “What do you want?”

  Aput took a moment to regain his breath, “I’ve...I’ve found the blue star people are going on about.”

  “Go on.”

  “Well, it is not a star. It is an asteroid.”

  “Is that all? Good news. I will report it tomorrow. You are dismissed.”

  “But, sir?”

  Ittar was again annoyed, “Yes?”

  “It is an asteroid. But my measurements show that its trajectory is a direct impact with Planet Jeen.”

  “Nonsense!” Ittar stammered. “Not possible. I would surely have been told by another scientist if this were the case.” The implications were obvious Ittar thought little of Aput’s abilities. “Have you shown t
he blue star to others for verification?”

  “No, you wanted me to—”

  “Well, others have seen it and confirmed it is not an asteroid. They have not shirked their responsibilities of colleague verification.”

  “Maybe they should look again.” Aput stammered, getting annoyed and initially not caring how senior Ittar was to him. Then he realized his place, “Maybe I can have someone review my calculations to see if they match any previous findings.”

  “They have better things to do with their time. If you believe this asteroid is really a threat, then you watch it the next couple turns and re-verify your calculations to make sure you are not the one in error before you embarrass yourself.” A sly grin came across the elder’s face and Aput knew exactly what it had meant.

  Ittar had been keeping Aput working overnight a lot and this was just another reason to do so. Whatever Ittar was up to, Aput did not know, but if that meant working overnight a few more days to recalculate the asteroid then he would do it. “I will watch the asteroid and confirm my findings.” He bowed as he left the room knowing unequivocally that the asteroid was going to strike regardless if anyone believed him.

  Aput hustled down the long corridor to the observation deck where he was solely bent on spending the next couple days. He ran the calculations over in his head as he passed one office after another ignoring those Drjeen inside. He had half a night remaining to observe and take additional notes on the blue asteroid and he needed to take as much advantage of his viewing time as possible. Glancing up at the windowed ceiling he saw that the second moon should no longer be in his way.

  For five nights he viewed the asteroid and with each new calculation, he again cross-referenced his numbers and verified his initial thought. The asteroid was heading directly for Jeen. He took the time to complete his report according to the Drjeen scientific standards. It took an additional day to compile all of his results.

  Finally, it was time.

  With the report in hand, Aput went back to Ittar’s office. The elder heard him approach before the youngling arrived and as Aput entered the office he was met with a growl.

  “What do you want? Have you found the asteroid is nothing?”

  “To the contrary. The asteroid is in line with Jeen and we don’t have much time.” Aput dropped the thick report on the desk in front of Ittar. Then he began pointing out the specifics of the report, where he calculated and recalculated his observations. He showed the elder charts and graphs to easily lay out the speed and trajectory as well as confirmed coordinates of the asteroids consistent travel verified against fixed stellar objects and their well-known orbits. He’d even calculated multiple impact locations on Jeen; not an easy task.

  Aput was caught up in his own exasperation that he hadn’t noticed the anger and resentment coming over Ittar. “You still have not convinced me and I will not stand by your theory.”

  Aput fell back, the realization that Jeen may be soon destroyed overcoming him. My calculations are right, I know it. There must be something that—.

  “If you feel something must be done you can take it up with the Royals. Convince them...without my support.”

  “I will then,” and Aput grabbed the report from Ittar’s desk. “If that is what I must do to open your eyes, then I will speak with them immediately.”

  Stupid old fool! Aput ignored tradition and left the office with his back to his elder and not bothering to bow.

  Something must be done! He only hoped that he could convince the elders. If not, then he prayed his theory was wrong. Even if it meant banishment.

  Chapter 3

  The Gramen’s blow felt crushing as it sent Shakja hard against the base of the tree she was trying to reach. Her spine and dominant-side wing were burning, and she wondered what damage had been done. But she had little time to look at her injuries. Luckily for Shakja, the beast had lunged from a great distance, using its weight to plummet forward so, upon impact the animal struck, but then continued to roll forward giving the injured Shakja enough time to clamber up and dig her talons into the tree bark. One strike after another she pulled herself upward knowing that once the Gramen was back on its haunches it would begin chasing her and she was certain it was a much faster climber than she. Halfway up the tree, she could hear the snarls and grunts below as well as the shaking of the tree. She knew she was running out of time and tried to scramble upward one talon stroke at a time. The pain was growing along her back and each upward thrust was excruciating.

  Her tail lashed, hoping to avoid being snatched by the Gramen, but at only the three-quarter level she could feel the foul warmth of the creature’s breath hitting the sensitive receptors in her tail. She blindly lashed her tail hoping to land a powerful strike, but the Gramen was too quick and dodged each blow before it came. Shakja realized the effort was not only fruitless but may also be giving the Gramen the ability to grab hold so she began a fluttering movement sending violent twitches through her tail and creating a vibration so quick it would be impossible to grab hold.

  Finally, Shakja reached the top of the tree, but it was soon apparent the tree wasn’t tall enough to clear the canopy. She still couldn’t fly and the Gramen was almost to the top. Shakja raced across a top branch and lunged forward. If she could not go up, then her only choice was to continue running until she could find a clearing. She landed hard against the side of another tree, nearly knocking the air from her body, but somehow her talons stuck and the Gramen snarled from a dozen lengths. Shakja peered over her shoulder and watched the Gramen walk away. She let herself take a moment to breathe, realizing how close she’d come to death.

  Shakja wasn’t looking when the Gramen darted across the same branch as Shakja had. She did not see the creature leap from the branch, but she did feel the creature’s vibration and knew what it meant. She closed her eyes with the only option she had left—to wait for the Gramen to sink its teeth into her scales and devour her flesh. She waited, but the crash of beast against Drjeen never came. Instead, there was a thump quickly followed by a squeal. Ten lengths below her, Shakja watched the creature strike the tree in a lump. There was a Daken spear stuck in one of the Gramen’s thighs. While it writhed in pain it was still alive and now even more dangerous.

  A Daken and its armored rider were in a small opening below Shakja’s tree. In a flash, Shakja saw the statuesque warrior release another spear which landed in nearly the same place as the previous. The rider spun his Daken into another position to realign with the falling Gramen, now clinging from a thick broken branch. The rider’s spear was drawn and awaiting the Gramen to make its move.

  “Shook!” cried out Shakja recognizing one of the few Daken riders she called a friend regardless of caste hierarchy. “He’s going to lunge—,” but her words were lost as Shook and his Daken sped past the tree, unable to hear. Shook let loose the spear just as the Gramen leaped from the tree to the attack. Shook didn’t anticipate the Gramen’s attack, but his Daken did and maneuvered from the path. In adjusting its position, the Daken was able to reach out with a strong paw and dig his talons deep into the Gramen’s shank. The Gramen bellowed out in pain and collapsed the remaining few lengths to the ground. The Daken stood on its two back haunches, claws outstretched and focused on its prey, yet instead of the Gramen speeding off, it carefully observed the Daken and its rider now circling on the same plain.

  The two creatures stood twenty lengths apart and Shook prepared another spear. “Darma!” Shook cried out to his mount. “Steady… Hold steady…” The Daken waited. Shook released his spear which flew harmlessly passed the Gramen.

  The Gramen then lunged forward taking advantage of an unarmed rider. Darma then took control and leaped up on her hind legs, bringing her taloned paws out. The two creatures smashed into each other and all Shook could do was hold tight. The Daken managed to control and used her talons to swipe down upon the Gramen, both paws ripping deep gashes where the Gramen’s eyes were.

  The Gramen cried out, but with a
n indelible sense of smell, it didn’t lose any indication of where the Daken and its rider were. The Gramen circled again, but this time and at closer range Shook was able to loosen multiple spears, each striking the beast which collapsed and writhed on the ground. Darma then leaped up and struck downward sinking her sharp teeth plates deep into the furry flesh of the Gramen. Within moments it was all over.

  Shook left his mount and walked over to the Gramen. He was cautious knowing the beasts were known to play dead before striking a final blow. He took his spear and made his way to the center of the beast’s chest. He took his spear and with a single thrust felt the pointed end rip through the heart. The Gramen’s body let out a burst of gas, and there was no spurt of blood from the wound. The Gramen was dead.

  Shook walked away and took a snack from his mounts pouch which he then fed to Darma who eagerly snatched it away from Shook.

  “It’s alright my friend,” Shook yelled up into the tree.

  Shakja slowly climbed down, “I can’t thank you enough,” she said still gasping for air.

  Shook was already removing loops of rope from his Daken’s saddlebag and preparing the wrap the Gramen to be towed back to his camp. “I should have known it was you,” he chuckled again as Shakja hit the ground. “We received reports of a Gramen lingering around here so I was dispatched to find it this morning. I have to thank you for bringing it out in the open for me. Easy target.”

  “That was easy?” Shakja stammered. “That was an easy target?”

  “I’ve seen worse.”

  He walked back to the saddlebag and found a small container that he handed to Shakja. “Rub this ointment on your wounds. They should be good by morning.” Shakja took it and began finding the few scrapes on her body. None were too serious, and she couldn’t fathom how lucky she’d been.

  “You shouldn’t have been here.” Shook said, giving her as close to a glance of disapproval as he could manage. “We heard there was a Gramen lurking around here. We’ve had patrols scouring all day.”