The First Colony: Book I: Settlement Chronicals

by W. J. Rydrych

  Hath wrinkled his long fox-like nose as the strong odor of the animal reached him from across the clearing. It had the rancid smell of a carnivore or carrion eater, which matched the judgment he had made earlier when he pried open its mouth and examined its teeth. Its back teeth were suitable for grinding like the animals they hunted for food, but it also had small canines, although much smaller than those of the Torgai. Also, its jaws didn't seem very strong. It probably lived mainly on carrion, supplemented by seeds and berries. Since eating carnivores or carrion eaters was taboo to the Torgai, it wouldn't serve for food.

  Well, Hath would keep it for awhile anyway since it was so different from anything he had seen before; at least he would if Barco and the council of elders approved. Barco would have to examine the creature to see if it was 'taboo' before it could be allowed in the village, but since it was intelligent enough to wear clothing and carry tools he was sure it was something that would be of interest to Barco.

  Barco was always interested in anything that was different. Unless Barco and the council wanted the strange creature destroyed Hath thought he might just keep it and try to train it. Maybe it could be trained as a pack animal or a watch animal. It must be trainable for something, since it had already shown it could paddle a boat. Anyway, it would draw a lot of attention to his village. When it stood on its hind legs it looked like it was trying to pretend to be one of 'the people', which of course it wasn't. Its funny stubby face, with hardly a nose at all, made it look grotesque. It even had five fingers when all of the Torgai had four. He would have to pry off the strange wrappings on its feet to see if it also had five toes instead of the normal four.

  Maybe it really was one of the 'near men' that had been trained by some other tribe of 'the people' who lived far off and were seldom visited. That could explain it, since they might also have removed the hair and put the clothes on it. But that was unlikely; if it had belonged to any of the villages of his clan-group he would have heard about it at the gathering, or Barco would have been informed during a 'dream state'. Hath felt content with his prize. If he could have smiled, he would have, but his face lacked the muscles to lift the corners of his lips.

  The gathering had been successful for his band this year. They had brought three young males for the coming of age ceremony and two had survived. At least, if the one that was injured survived. Much better than last year, when all four of their village's young males had been killed during the ceremony. If it wasn't for the wounded young male they carried they could have tried to capture the other creature at the landing too; but as it was even carrying this one in addition to their wounded member was difficult enough work for his group of seven hunters.

  Hath fingered the strange tool the animal had been carrying. It was longer than his forearm, and made from a material something like that of his bracelet, but more like that from which the 'caller' was made. He had tried to bend it on a rock and had bitten it, but couldn't make anything but small scratches. Hath didn't like it. It reminded him of objects they sometime found near the gathering place, or of the 'caller' itself which was used to summon Kraka. That's probably where the creature found it, near the gathering place, but why did it still carry it around? Things like that were taboo, and even a shaman would hesitate to keep such an object. Rising from his crouch Hath held the object in his hands, and turned and inspected it one last time. Then, swinging it over his head, he threw it as far into the forest as he could.

  Returning to his crouching position, Hath again fastened his eyes on the captive. It had changed its position slightly, and Hath could sense it had regained consciousness. Good, he thought. He had been concerned when it hadn't regained consciousness during the afternoon trip or while they were making camp. He was afraid he had killed it, and he didn't want that. Not yet anyway.

  Awareness returned to Eric. First, a dreamlike state, then the feel of the ground under him, followed by the thudding ache in his head. Gradually his feeling of disorientation was replaced with the memory of the trail through the jungle, ending in blackness. But things seemed different. Through his closed lids he couldn't sense light, only darkness. As awareness increased Eric realized he was laying on his back on the ground, but that it was night and that he was no longer on the trail. Through slightly opened lids he could see the remnants of a campfire about 10 meters away and what appeared to be a person crouched behind the still glowing embers. Largely hidden by the shadows, the person was more a shape and a feeling than a clear picture. The changing pattern of the shadows from the flickering fire was the only thing that made Eric certain that someone or something was actually there. Near the fire Eric also saw several bundles which he took to be sleeping figures.

  As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, Eric's floating sense of semi-consciousness changed to a focused attention on the crouching figure on the other side of the fire. The figure looked strange, something about it was very unusual. Straining to make out more detail, the unmoving, shadow-shrouded figure was too dim to identify. It certainly wasn't Yasu, or Topu or Mike either.

  Eric tried to control his breathing to appear to be still unconscious, while still watching the immobile figure. After several minutes the figure leaned forward, and placed a small piece of wood on the coals, which ignited casting a flickering light over the figure's face. Through the cloud of pain in his head it slowly dawned on Eric; it wasn't human! While the figure was manlike in outer appearance, the outline of its face as it turned its head to the side was more like that of a wolf or fox. Keeping tight control of himself, and keeping his eyes away from the flickering fire so they could better adjust to the darkness, Eric could make out more detail. The creature appeared to have a long canine snout and a hairy face, but in its crouched position it was hard to tell much more.

  Eric lay still, almost without breathing. The creature's attention was focused on something in its hands, which appeared to be Eric's laser rifle. A short time later it stood to its full height and threw the rifle into the woods, then resumed its crouch, its attention fully on Eric, the firelight causing its eyes to glisten like those of a wild animal.

  As he watched the creature stood and walked around the fire and approached. On its feet, Eric could better see what the creature was like. While Eric was over average height the creature was well over a full head taller, but appeared very thin and angular. He doubted whether its weight was over 70 kilos. Except for its fox-like face it could pass at a distance for a tall, rather emaciated human. It was also now clear the front of its upper body was covered with short fur, with a longer layer covering its back. While it wore a fur lower garment extending halfway to its knees it was too dark to see much additional detail. The creature walked over to Eric with long noiseless strides, and stood looking down at him. Eric lay unmoving, but through his half closed lids could see the creature's feet less than two feet away. It didn't wear shoes; its feet covered with short, stubby fur, and with four toes with claws rather than normal toenails. Eric stilled his breathing, making it as regular as he could.

  After watching Eric for some time the creature moved away with fast, fluid movements, walking rapidly around the clearing, stopping periodically to sniff the wind, and then returned to crouch behind the embers where it continued its vigil. Hath smiled inwardly. The animal was sly, and amusing. It was laying there awake, pretending to be asleep. He could tell from the change in breathing patterns, and also from the change in odor. It was clearly alert and apprehensive. A very intelligent animal. Well, he thought, if it is that intelligent I should be able to train it for something useful.

  Two days later . . . .

  The rapid, smooth flowing pace of his captors allowed Eric to doze fitfully. He was being carried in a litter made from twisted vines tied tightly to the pole suspended between two of the rapidly moving creatures, his hands tied over the pole for added support. Periodically, without slowing their pace, the bearers would exchange the load with two of the others. Ahead two others carried a second litter with one of the creat
ures that appeared to have been injured. While the creatures looked fragile because of their thin, gaunt appearance, they were amazingly strong and enduring; maintaining the rapid pace for hour after hour without rest. At this pace Eric estimated they must have covered over 300 kilometers in the last two days. They reminded Eric of sleek, well conditioned greyhounds, handsome in their own way.

  Eric was growing used to their appearance, but still found their gaze, with their rarely blinking yellow eyes with black oblong pupils, unnerving. They had little facial expression, and Eric was unable to read any emotion either in their faces or their movements. The fox-like head, with its long snout and long, flowing reddish brown mane, presented the appearance of an inhuman head on an 'almost' human body. 'Anubis', Eric thought, like a living statue of Anubis.

  Their long slender bodies weren't really 'gaunt', if that meant emaciated. They were slender but well muscled, with short fur covering most of their body, but with a longer mane running from their heads and down their backs. Hands were quite human in overall shape and appearance, except for the four fingers instead of five and the claw like fingernails. Their feet were more in keeping with their fox-like facial appearance; large and fur covered with four ‘clawed’ toes.

  They hadn't been intentionally cruel. The first day they had thrown him a piece of raw meat, and seemed surprised when he had through his motions made it clear that he preferred the meat they were cooking for themselves. They had gathered around watching while he had picked the cooked meat apart with his fingers to eat. After that they had tied his hands, perhaps realizing that his fingers were capable of untying the knots in the vine tied around his neck.

  Erick was beginning to be able to tell his captors apart. The tallest, the one who had watched him the night he awakened, appeared to be the leader. He was always first in line during the day's travel and didn't share in carrying the litters as the others did. He also appeared older, with slight streaks of white in his reddish mane. From the attention the leader paid him, and since it was the one who gave him meat and tied him to the litter, it appeared the leader thought of Eric as belonging to it. The others rarely approached him, but the leader was in the habit of sitting on its haunches for long periods in the evening watching him.

  The creatures must have a well developed language, since from their actions they seemed well coordinated, but Eric found it difficult to determine exactly how it was done. They made some sounds, which he found hard to reproduce, but much of their communication seemed to be with hand and body motions. He had been able to communicate his basic needs, such as when he wanted food or water, but so far was unable to interpret any of their sounds or accompanying gestures, although he attempted to repeat them. Eric's ability to communicate even his basic needs seemed a never ending source of interest to his captors, as if his ability to make their word-sounds and mimic their motions was something totally unexpected.

  Eric's initial fear had worn off and, since he knew escape was unlikely, he was beginning to accept the inevitability of his situation. They had already traveled so far that even if he was able to free himself he had little chance of making his way back to New Athens, even if he knew the way. Besides, since they didn't appear hostile he was beginning to look at the episode with more detachment. The immediate problem was how to convince the creatures that he was worth keeping alive. What the existence of these creatures might mean to their colonization of the planet also preyed on Eric's mind.

  The mapping of the planet had shown no sign of intelligent habitation, and all the colony's planning had assumed a virgin planet for the taking. The only indication was the bracelet found on the beach that Bachmann had informed him of in an early radio message. The colony wasn't equipped to deal with intelligent inhabitants, and if hostile had little defensive capability. Additionally, while these creatures seemed primitive, Eric couldn't discount the possibility that more sophisticated cultures existed.

  While he couldn't be sure, the creatures seemed to refer to themselves as Torgai, a sound the leader had repeated several times to Eric while motioning to include the group. Pointing to himself, the creature repeated a sound that sounded like 'Hath', which Eric assumed was its name. At least the creature responded when Eric attempted to make the 'Hath' sound. Part of Eric's problem in 'mimicking' slowly became clear. There appeared to be subtle but mandatory hand or body movements associated with each sound that could change their meaning, which Eric often didn't catch, but which he now looked for more carefully. As he lay in the swaying hammock Eric practiced the sounds and associated movements he had learned so far. A way to pass the time.

  Eric's attempt to communicate human words to the 'Hath' creature hadn't met with equal success. While the creature attempted to mimic Eric's name, it seemed to lack the necessary mouth and voice box structure to make anything but rudimentary attempts. Eric thought achieving human speech, except for the simplest sounds, would be impossible for them.

  Eric had made up his mind he wouldn't try to escape, at least for now. Instead, he would learn all he could about the natives. If they were hostile, or actively opposed the colonists, he could later try to bring what knowledge he gleaned back to the colony. If not naturally hostile, perhaps he could ease the inevitable contact. In the meantime he must convince the natives that he, and the other colonists if they were aware of them, posed no danger, whether true or not. Living with primitive tribes was not unknown to Eric; during his years in Southeast Asia he had spent several months living with primitive hill tribes in the area of Northeast Laos, and had learned that acceptance could be earned if he made the effort to learn the language and the customs. He would accept his captivity, at least for now, and see what the future might bring.

  The day had grown well advanced, and from the slowed pace it appeared the group was preparing to stop for the night. Soon they arrived at a clearing and the litters were lowered to the ground. Hath approached and stood looking at Eric on the ground, hands still tied to the litter carrying pole. After a short pause, Hath crouched and untied Eric's hands, motioning him to follow.

  Eric got to his feet and followed Hath to the edge of the clearing, where he followed Hath's example and relieved himself, while Hath watched with interest. Apparently Hath found it of interest the way Eric had to unfasten and fasten his trousers for the act, and that he relieved himself in a standing position. Hath and the others crouched for that purpose. Finishing, Eric followed Hath back to the center of the clearing where the others had already started to assemble wood for the cooking fire. Not bothering to tie Eric, Hath motioned him to sit by the pile of wood which one of the others was starting to light using a friction stick.

  To Eric, Hath seemed curious about everything. The previous night he had motioned for Eric to remove his shoes, and appeared fascinated by the shape of Eric's feet. He had carefully touched each of Eric's toes, moving them backward and forward to see how they worked. Examining the shoes, he had sniffed them carefully both inside and out, and put his hand inside to feel the interior. Then he just sat quietly looking at them before finally setting them down beside Eric and getting up to go on to other things.

  Seated on the ground Eric was only a few feet from the injured Torgai, who still lay in its litter. Fully awake, but clearly seriously injured, Eric could see the bandage had slipped from the wound on the Torgai's chest, and the wound had started to open. Since no one seemed to be paying attention to the wounded native, having either melted into the forest after game or become involved with the fire, Eric got up and went over to the wounded native and readjusted the bandage, refastening the supple vines which held it in place. The bandage itself was made from the flexible inner bark of some tree holding in place a cluster of moss over the wound. Unmoving, the patient watched as Eric redid the bandage.

  The wound was a deep tear which exposed the ribs underneath. Clearly in pain, the wounded Torgai accepted Eric's ministrations without a sign of fear, showing a stoicism which wouldn't admit to discomfort. Finishing, Eric sat next to the
invalid, wondering what could have caused a wound like that. From the appearance the wound looked to be a tear from a claw or something else that could rip the flesh, not a 'clean' cut a knife would make. In any case, from the look of the wound he was lucky to be alive.

  At the edge of the clearing Hath watched as Eric readjusted the wounded Torgai's bandage. The captive continued to show amazing traits. The dexterity of its fingers was greater than the Torgai possessed; that was clear from the ease and rapidity with which it was able to tie and untie knots. The clothing it wore, its ability to mimic and perhaps even understand words, its ability to use tools. All these things pointed to a high level of intelligence. But more than that; the captive was able to show compassion for the wounded Torgai, an emotion that set it apart from any animal he had ever encountered. Animals rarely showed compassion, especially for a different species. It made Hath wonder what this was they had captured.

  As soon as they reached the village Hath would have discussions with Barco, the shaman. Later, when he and Barco had agreed on what should be done, he would call the council of elders into session for a final decision. But first Barco; maybe he would know what to think of this strange creature.

  CHAPTER 8: Village of Hath

  (March 3, Year 2): The sun warmed Eric as he sat with his arms folded over his knees on the small, rocky outcropping. It was late afternoon, but the Torgai village spread over the upward slope of the hill to the east still looked almost empty, most of the Torgai still away working in the fields or hunting, the mouths of the cave entrances enhanced by the shadows of the receding sun. Eric had spent most of the afternoon with the flint workers making weapon points. With his manual dexterity he was already beginning to surpass his teachers and was moving on to more complex work. Now, with the afternoon waning, he had free time to rest, relax, and let his mind wander.