by Zena Zion
Dreth. A name Beth recognized. The leader, or king, of their people. He had provided an enormous amount of information about this planet that Lexi kept guarded from all but his most prized assistant. In return, a practical library of information on Earth and its inhabitants was returned for the study of the Asreen population, though her boss assured her they did not have the intelligence to interpret more than the most basic of language.
“It’s a courtesy, Miss Coulter.” Professor Margwall had informed her. “It shows our support of their culture, but I highly doubt they’ll read anything past the elementary school books. It’s a waste of information, really, but a necessary waste to gain their trust.”
With a quick nod, Beth followed the woman, who turned and began the slow descent down a rocky path that ran between two boulder outcroppings.
Careful not to lose her footing, Beth was watching her feet when she finally reached level ground. It was for this reason that she did not see the elaborate fortress until she was veritably standing at its doors. Made entirely of stone, the structure was honed with the skill of a master mason. Some of the curves and angles seemed to defy physics, their beauty and skill creating the illusion that the city-sized construction was swaying in the wind.
Contrarily, Beth would have said that it was the most solid and secure fortress that she had ever laid eyes on, even more so than the underground headquarters of the Intercontinental Task Force on Earth.
There was not a single door or window anywhere in the lowest hundred feet of the wall in front of her. Beth was wondering how they were expected to enter the stronghold when the violet woman gave a sharp whistle and one of the winged beasts came diving down to land beside them.
The fiery orange creature roared at the top of its lungs at the sight of Beth. It snapped razor sharp teeth in her direction before being resolutely scolded by her guide in what sounded like an enormously complicated language.
The beast ruffled its scales, making them stand on end in an impressive display of might, but otherwise remained quite docile.
“You will sit.” The female instructed, gesturing at the slight hollow in the creature’s back.
“What?” Beth exclaimed. “No way!” she shook her head. “Absolutely not.”
“You must.” The guide pressed her. “There is no other way inside.”
Beth glanced up once more and to her amazement, she realized that dozens of the creatures were flying in and out of massive cave-like entrances that were spaced evenly along the higher surface of the wall. She squinted her eyes, looking for riders, but saw none.
“No.” She repeated. She’d go back to her pod for the night if she must but she would not side astride this ferocious beast. Especially not before she had a chance to observe their behavior and study their biology.
“We have your oxygen inside. Lots of it.”
“Why would you need oxygen?” Beth wondered because the trio appeared to have no difficulty breathing in the current atmosphere.
“We CAN take in the gases but oxygen is, as for you as well, easier on our bodies when we are in our gentler form.” When Beth’s brow furrowed in confusion, the woman held up a hand to keep her from asking any further questions.
“You will have no need for that… device… on your face.” The female attempted to coax her but Beth still refused. “Your home is already inside.” She tried again.
With disbelief, Beth followed the female’s gaze into the air where, just as she had stated, Beth’s pod was suspended between two of the creatures as they carried it through an opening and into the massive fortress.
“Do you ride?” Beth asked the woman with a pleading voice.
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