FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Ships Log:

"I have come across a most fascinating situation! The planet itself is very Terran like; it's almost eerie actually. Until you realize that everything is many times greater than the size it should be!

"I am going to land my ship tomorrow and have a closer look. Sensors are getting odd readings; Seemingly there is no life on the planet other than plant life and a few lower life forms. Very strange.

"I will know more tomorrow upon landing. Must sleep tonight." --Tom

Ships Log:

"Descent completed! A few odd readings from the engines, a little worrying, but they should be fine. I will have to have new ones rotated in back at Parallax station. Hopefully my findings here will cover the cost! Still getting strange readings from the sensors. I wonder if they're on the fritz?

Been on a bad run lately, no good planets found. But this one? Oh, this could be the jackpot! Wood is so scarce these days and I find a planet with an oak tree that's as large as a mountain almost? Tom, you may have finally broke your bad luck! " -- Tom

Ships Log:

"I am the first human to have set foot on this planet! If all goes well, it will be a fact for the history books! The air smells just like Terra, at least the few times I've been there. It's just odd, the lack of wild life. Maybe that's better. Nothing to displace. I can't wait for tomorrow" --Tom

Ships Log:

"Oh My Lord! They're huge! I can't believe this! I'll write more tomorrow." --Tom

Ships Log:

"Damn damn and damn! I'm going to have to leave! This is beyond the scope of my charter. Damn!

Everything checks out, it's perfect, worth a large fortune! Could have a better ship or even buy a place on one of the orbital stations, but hell no! Giant animals would be one thing, they would probably look past that.

Not giant, biped, animals

Damn, Damn, Damn

They're going to screw me over. I know it. I may get a "finders" fee, but all of the glory, money, and attention is going to go to the sciences division of whatever government agency is in control of first contact

I may get a foot note "Oh yeah, and this guy named Tom found the first sentient life outside of the solar system. Meanwhile, the experts came in.."

Damn it.

So much for luck turning about. Bad as ever, isn't it Tommy boy? Guess I'll launch tomorrow. No point in staying around. Going to sleep if I can. -- Tom

Ships Log:

WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING TO ME?

It's not bad enough that this planet is mostly a bust but now the ENGINES ON MY BLOODY SHIP HAVE GIVEN UP THE GHOST.

I'm trapped here. All I can do is scrounge for parts and hope for the best and I don't have much hope. I hardly know a damn thing about engines. This is just great. Just great.

Oh well, if I'm stuck here at least I'll have food and water until something comes along and squishes me.

I hate my life. --Tom

The elder looked up at Rence, drumming his fingers on the table. "So you say you saw this flying...thing come down from the sky and land in one of the lower valleys."

"Yes, elder."

The bear leaned back in his chair, the wood creaking as it supported his weight. He closed his eyes, pursing his lips. "This is not a time for jokes, Rence. I know your people love pranks but this could have serious repercussions."

The fox sighed. "I understand that, Elder and I am not joking. I saw the object descend from the sky, trailing fire, and it landed in one of the lower valleys."

"Could be a meteor."

"No, honored one. I have seen many and no meteor turns and hovers like this did. It was controlled."

"And it came from the sky."

"I cannot see any other explanation honored one!" the fox said, bowing low.

"Huh," the bear said, running his forepaw over black fur that was speckled here and there with white. He dropped his paw and squinted at the fox, his eyesight not being quite what it was. "This is not going to go over well."

"I only bring news, honored one."

The old bear snorted. "Yes, and I deal with the fallout."

"We each have our task."

The bear glared at the fox. "Rence, I am going to bury you in The Mucks."

The fox grinned back imprudently, his bushy red tail swaying back and forth. "You'd have to catch me, and we both know that's not going to happen."

"Too true, Rence, to true. Go, let me think this over before I introduce it."

The fox bowed slightly and pulled the hide curtain that covered the door to the elders hut and stepped out into the afternoon sun. The elder sighed and sat back in his chair.

Outsiders. Outsiders in flying machines. What could it possibly want with them? He sighed deeply. The old stories talked of beings from above, odd things in the sky, but until now he had discounted them all as fable, as simple myth.

Now, evidently, a myth had landed in one of the lower valleys.

He stood up with a grunt, his bones creaking; there was nothing to be gained by waiting. He would address his people first, he decided, bears being more pragmatic about things, then decide how to introduce it to the others.

Hopefully the other leaders would be as reasonable about the situation. He snorted. Jarris was a hothead and libel to send his hunters down to kill it and take it's hide before he was done speaking. Blood ran hot within the tiger clans.

He sighed and walked out the door, wondering how the rest of the day would fair.

Rence padded along the valley, humming to himself as he walked through the warm spring air. The temperature was just perfect, the sunlight warm, and the fox's steps were light, his tail up and swaying slightly, reflecting his mood.

As the chief scout for the village it was his responsibility to investigate any possible disturbances and to keep an eye on things just in general. Normally it was fairly simple work and would be boring save that Rence loved to explore and prowl about the countryside.

Today was different however, completely out of the routine. Today he was going to investigate what could well be an alien, something from beyond the skies. It was all he could do not to sprint back to the area where he saw it land.

He slowed down as he approached the valley he guessed the flying machine to be resting in, scenting the air as he walked, sniffing at the breezes for any scents out of place. As he cautiously moved forward he caught the scent of some foreign material.

He grinned to himself as he drew his hood up around his head, covering his red fur and white tipped ears. He'd been waiting for a moment like this all his life, to discover something completely new, something unique.

He crouched low as he moved, keeping out of sight, weaving and ducking through the trees and brush with the silence of a skilled hunter. He eased himself forward until he caught sight of the flying machine resting on the ground. It was an odd looking craft like nothing he had seen before.

A rather boxy, ungainly affair, Rence thought, expecting something more bird like. It had no wings and looked more like a bunch of boxes stacked together with a wedge shaped head on the end. It looked to be made of some sort of metal.

Rence watched the craft with keen interest, wondering what could be piloting it when it dawned on him that the craft was much smaller than he expected. He lifted his head, cocking it in confusion. How could anything that small have someone inside flying it?

As if in answer a door opened on the side of the ship and a small bipedal figure stepped out and looked around for a moment, then started to walk around the ship.

Rence watched, jaw dropped in amazement. It was small! Very small! Rence's eyes tracked it as it moved about and he shook his head. If he guessed right it would barely come up to the tops of his digitigrade ankles. How was something that small intelligent enough to create such a craft?

He shook his head once more and carefully backed away. The elder had to hear of this.

The elder stared at Rence. "What in the world are you talking about?"

The fox scout shook his head. "It's tiny. Really, really tiny."

"Not a time for jokes."

"Not joking!"

The bear folded his arms. "How big?"

"I could hold it in one hand. Could pick up his flying machine in two if it's not too heavy."

"And you didn't notice this before why?"

"All I saw was the shooting star and fires shooting from the flying machine. I didn't stop to think about sizes, I just knew I had to get the information to you."

The bear sighed. "Fine. Fine. This changes things. Thank the heavens you got back to me before we addressed the rest of the peoples. Right now my people, your own, and the horse people are the only ones who know"

"At least all of them are fairly level headed."

"True."

The fox considered, flicking one white tipped ear. "You should tell the dragons."

The bear glared at him. "No."

"Just saying."

"No."

"You can't let your prejudice run away with you. They're not all bad and they know a great deal."

"And they'll use it against all of us!"

"You're biased."

"And you're not?" the bear shot back. "Don't forget I know how you were raised, Rence." He stopped and shook his head. "There's nothing to be gained by arguing. Keep this to yourself and that is final."

"Yes elder."

"Go and gather the ones who know."

"Yes elder," Rence said and left

The bear sat down hard. A tiny outsider. He didn't want to think of the repercussions this could have.

The engines are fixed and I can leave!

The engines are fixed and I can leave!

The engines are fixed and I can leave!

No, didn't work. Didn't think it would. What the hell, couldn't be worse than anything else I've tired. What do they call it? Magical thinking?

Damn.

Well, my food stores will last out for another eight months, power will run long after I am a rack of bones, and communications are being effected by the same thing that was botching up the sensors

If I had a budget like some of the corporate explorers, I could have launched a communications sat and a few others to keep an eye on things. I'm sure the relay would have worked.

My budget doesn't include new engines to say nothing of fancy sat tech.

I guess I'm going to sleep. I'll try to work on the engines more tomorrow.

So far, no contact from the giants. I hope it stays that way.

"I have this feeling I'm being watched. Every time I turn to look I don't see anything however. The only other creature that has come anywhere near was a large squirrel looking thing. It watched me for a bit and then left. Not sure what I would have done had it attacked. I can only hope my gun would be enough to scare it off.

This is no longer fun and exciting. It's getting out and out nerve-wracking

Work on the engines tomorrow. Hoping for the best. Maybe I can at least get atmospheric maneuvering working.

--Tom the Shipwrecked

"Wow! Maybe some good news! I think I've at least partially restored reaction control thrusters! Not enough to move the ship, but it's progress!

Maybe I'll manage to get out of this after all

--Tom

Rence sat on the hill, looking down at the tiny ship and being that swarmed about it, wondering at what it was doing.

He lay flat, keeping as low a profile as he could. It was hard to see the being that roamed around the ship. He was amazed that something living, something intelligent and living, could be that tiny!

Like the elder, he wondered at what all this meant. Clearly the outsider had knowledge far above their own. Dragons could fly. Some of the horse people had even come up with a "bird wing" of sorts that allowed them to glide but none of them could rise up on columns of fire and go beyond the sky

Rence considered. He knew some of the others would think the outsider to be harmless. So tiny, so insignificant, that there would be no way it could be a threat. Rence knew better. There were many tiny creatures that could kill with a single bite.

Who knows what kind of weapons this creature had.

Rence continued to watch, hoping that whatever the elders decided, that it would be peaceable.

The bear elder followed Rence along as quietly as he could, considering his advanced age, to the location the fox had staked out to watch the little alien.

They both hunkered down and watched the ship for a long while when the hatch opened up and the little alien stepped out. The bear looked over at Rence in stunned amazement. "By the skies above, you were right. I could easily pick it up in one hand!"

"As I said, Elder."

The bear sighed. "And that thing it walked out of brought it down from the sky?"

"Yes, Elder."

They both watched the little creature as it did something to the craft that they couldn't make heads nor tails of. After awhile the creature went back inside and a few moments later, the craft started making a humming sound and lit up.

Both fox and bear drew back, uncertain as to what was going on. The craft sat for a moment, humming, lights flashing, then suddenly went dark. The little alien walked out a few moments later and started shouting at the craft; it sounded as if it were upset.

They both looked at each other and the bear nodded. The quietly left and made their way back to the village

Tom's Luck: Always Bad!

Got the engines running for a moment, enough to get power through the ship, but the moment I tired to apply thrust at all they cut out. What gives? I'm so glad no one was around to see me cussing out the ship like an idiot. Not as if the damn thing understands anything.

Guess I'll try more tomorrow. --Tom

Woke up to the proximity sensors going off. Went to the cockpit to investigate to find a large opossum looking creature snuffling about. It sniffed at the ship several times but fortunately didn't try to knock it over or anything. I think the shields would hold for a little while, but without the full power of the engines I doubt it would be long.

Ballistic Weapons System would probably work fine, but there's a certain hazard shooting a missile at something point blank.

Hope I don't have to find out. --Tom

"Stay away from it. That's final, Rence."

"Elder, we should at least keep an eye on it!" Rence protested.

"It was decided to allow the creature to go its own way. There's no indication that it knows we're here and it's clear that it's trying to fix whatever may be wrong with its craft. We wait till it leaves."

"Assuming it can fix whatever is wrong."

"If not, hopefully it will stay away."

"And if it doesn't?"

"We will take whatever steps needed to secure our villages."

Rence shook his head in disgust. "So you'd just smash it, that's what you're saying."

"Not your concern, Rence."

"What the hell has gotten into you?" the fox demanded. "In the ten years we've worked together you've never, ever treated me this way. Now you're acting the part of the high and mighty elder, not the bear that helped raise me!"

"I am the elder, Rence, and you'd do well to remember that," the bear snapped.

Rence stared at him and the bear held his gaze. "Fine. Fine, elder, whatever you say."

"Don't disobey, Rence. I can't protect you if you don't."

"Fine!" the fox said and stormed out of the tent, fur bristling.

Rence had to admit to himself that he was very curious about the alien. It was one of the reasons he was one of the best scouts in the surrounding villages. He had always, always had the need to explore, to see new things, to figure things out.

He walked out of the village and followed the hidden trails up to the top of the mountain. He looked over at the small valley the alien's craft was sitting in and wondered if he should go look anyway. It was not in his nature to disobey, but at the same time, his curiosity was so great he could nearly taste it. He stared in the direction of the valley, tail a twitch with frustration.

He looked back towards the village, back towards the valley, and started off to view the alien once more. There would be no harm in observation. It was not as if there were any other scouts that came this direction and besides, he was the best. No one could find him if he didn't want to be found.

Ships Log:

Got the engines running again, briefly, but there's something overloading them. I'm going to have to tear apart the aft drive system and inspect it. Unpleasant work, that. But what else can I do? I want to get out of here. --Tom

Tom walked out into the warm afternoon sunlight, toolkit swung over one shoulder, pistol holstered at his side, a determined look on his face. He knelt down beside the ship and set his toolkit down with a jingle, then worked to undo the retainers that held the access panel in place. After fifteen or so minutes the panel came away and he set it aside, then crawled into the access bay, only his legs sticking out.

He started tracing circuits, cleaning exchangers, all of the little drudge tasks, trying to figure out what was blocking up the works. He was humming to himself, lost in his work when he heard a shuffling like sound from behind him. He pulled himself out of the access bay and started.

Standing there, looking at him with beady eyes, was one of the opossum like creatures. It made a low growling sound and sniffed.

"Shit," Tom muttered.

He slowly reached for his pistol, hoping he could get to it before the creature decided to attack. He wasn't sure that the gun would do anything to something so large, but it was better than nothing. It was far larger than the bull elephant he had seen in the Terran zoo. In fact, it was the size of a two story house. His shaking hand made contact with his pistol and he drew it out.

The opossum looking creature watched all this and then made a low growling noise and started towards him. "Get back!" he shouted, waving his arms. The creature paused for a moment, sniffed, and started to come forward again, drool starting to drip from it's jaws.

"Shit!" Tom said again and raised the pistol. He took aim and squeezed off several rounds, striking the creature in the head. It made a barking noise of pain and reared back.

He watched it in surprise for a moment and then bolted for the door of the ship. He had only taken a few steps when he felt something latch around his legs, dropping him to the ground. A moment later pain flared up where the creatures teeth grazed his legs. It was a miracle the teeth didn't strike bone.

He screamed and twisted firing the pistol blindly. The creature snarled and shook it's head, flinging him hundreds of feet away from the ship. He rolled, and got to his feet, dazed.

The sight of the opossum creature bearing down on him made his head clear. He squeezed off several more rounds, striking the creature, and then ran for some rocks, hoping he could find a place to hide.

There was no way he would get around the thing to get back to the ship. Breath burned in his lungs and his arms pumped, legs ran for all they were worth. He squeezed in between two rocks just as the creature slammed into them, hissing in anger, trying to reach him with it's claws.

"Shit!" Tom said, again.

***

Rence watched the whole drama play out, his ears drooping, tail lashing behind him. What should he do? The elders said to stay away, to leave the little alien alone, but could he do that? Could he actually leave what was clearly a thinking, reasoning being to it's death? The bara would dig him out of there with little problem or just wait it out. They were nothing if not tenacious. Little threat to a grown person, but to a tiny one like the alien?

He hesitated only a moment more and jogged down the mountain side, walking staff in hand, ready to drive the creature away.

***

Tom drew back into the crevice as far as he could and even then the claws were coming far too close to him. He looked down at his pistol and realized he only had two shots left. He stared at it. They weren't doing much to it. Maybe if he got a lucky shot into an eye.

He shook his head. He was no marksmen. He watched the creature as it tried to dig him out. It was only a matter of time. He looked back at the gun and wondered if he had the guts to put it to his head and pull the trigger. Surely it would be a better death than being rent by those giant claws or eaten.

The creature made another swipe and he drew back further, nearly sobbing with the effort. It wasn't supposed to be like this. He accepted the risks of piloting a lone scout ship, the fact that he could die in space, or crash, or any number of other things. But eaten by a giant opossum? No, that wasn't on the list.

Suddenly the opossum drew back and Tom heard the sound of something large pounding it's way along, the ground starting to shake. Great! Another creature out for his blood!

The opossum creature snarled and a javelin the size of a small tower suddenly embedded itself in the dirt next to it. With a hiss it bolted for the safety of the nearby grasslands.

Tom looked at the javelin, eyes wide, when the owner of it pulled it out of the ground, then knelt down to look in the crevice.

It was a huge, staggeringly, terrifyingly huge fox.

And it was looking right at him.

Tom stood there, heart pounding fair to beat its way out of his chest. He couldn't break the gaze of the giant fox who was simply staring at him. He reached for his pistol but fumbled it. With a cry of dismay he bent down and picked it up, never taking his eyes off the fox.

It stared at him, then cocked it's head. Tom had no idea how to read the things intentions. It turned and pulled it's javelin out of the ground and Tom felt a stab of fear punch into his stomach.

It turned back and sat the javelin down then knelt in front of the crevasse, looking in. Tom backed way as far as he could, wishing there was another way out. His gun did nothing to the opossum. He doubted it would do any better verses the fox.

The fox considered him for a moment, then made a low clicking sound, startling Tom. It then sat back on it's rump, shaking the ground slightly, and watched him.

"Great. Now what the hell do I do?" Tom thought, trembling. He leaned back against the rock and felt a sharp pain in his leg. He looked down and suddenly realized that he was bleeding rather badly. The lacerations must have widened while he was running.

He looked back at the fox and wondered what would kill him first. The creature or the loss of blood.

****

Rence watched the little alien huddle back in the rock and wondered what he should do. He had already taken a forbidden step in saving its life, but was it wise to continue breaking the law?

As he watched the creature reached for some tool it had strapped to it's waist, hand shivering, and drop it. It cried out in it's tiny voice and scrambled to pick it up. Rence assumed it was some sort of a weapon but it didn't concern him much. If it were at all powerful it would have driven off the bara.

He watched for a moment more and turned to fetch his javelin, then sat it down in front of him, then knelt down to get a closer look at the alien, his curiosity running rampant.

It had backed up as far as it could and Rence found himself making the clicking sounds used to soothe kits before he knew what was happening. The alien flinched at the noise and Rence instantly felt sorry for it. He hadn't meant to scare it. He decided to sit back and try to appear non threatening. Perhaps if he were quiet the creature would come out and he could get a better look.

The little alien leaned back against the rock and made another soft cry. Rence watched as it looked down at its leg and rubbed it where the cloth that covered him was dark and wet. A quick sniff confirmed that he was bleeding.

Rence sighed softly. What was he do to? It was clearly wounded.

*****

Tom ripped part of his pants with a tearing sound and made a tourniquet as best he could, but he was loosing blood all too rapidly. The wound was puffy around the outside and hot to the touch and he feared the opossum thing was venomous or maybe some sort of bacterial infection. He had antibiotics and a broad spectrum antivenin on the ship, but how was he to get past the fox?

The giant fox hadn't moved, hadn't taken it's eyes off of the rock where he was hidden. Tom felt his head swim and he took a deep breath. What the hell now? How much longer could he last?

****

Rence watched as the alien made a bandage for itself, then wrapped it around its leg. He was impressed at how stoic the alien was as the wound was clearly painful.

The thought made him look at his own hand. There was a small spot where his fur no longer grew. A bara had gotten him when he was younger and hunting one with nothing more than a long knife. He shook his head slightly at the foolishness of youth.

It occurred to him that bara bites tended to infect rather easily. The treatment was fairly simple: just washing the wound and using the juice of red berries to make a poultice kept the infections down. He had simply been unlucky to get a deep wound. They later discovered that part of the bara's tooth had become lodged in it.

Would the same thing happen to the little alien? Those infections were worse for younger foxes and creatures. Would the same apply to the tiny little alien?

The red berries were easy enough to get; he could fetch some easily. He looked around and considered for a moment. There could be more bara or other things about. It wouldn't do to leave the little creature unguarded.

His ears went flat. What was he to do?

****

Tom shook his head, trying to clear it. He was loosing blood and it was pretty clear that there was some sort of nasty infection brewing. The wound was still hot to the touch and the pain was starting to spread. He wiped the sweat from his brow and looked towards the ship. There was no way he could run in his current condition and even if he could, the fox could easily outdistance him.

His head swam again and he shook it. He was going to die here.

He sighed and sat back against the rock. May as well be comfortable for the end he though grimly. If only he had some whiskey

*****

Rence watched as the little alien shook its head and then sat back against the rock, its back sliding down it. Rence's ears went flat again and he sighed. He couldn't do it. He couldn't just leave it to die.

He very carefully reached his hand into the crevasse to catch the alien.

*****

Tom looked up to see the fox's hand reaching for him. He screamed and tried to get his gun but it was too late. The fingers bumped him forward into its palm and it grasped him and drew him out.

And he couldn't stop screaming.

******

Rence felt his finger tips brush up against the little alien, heard it's shrieks of fear and winced. He flexed his fingers and nudged the little alien into his hand and drew him out.

It continued to scream, quite obviously in terror. Rence carefully opened his hand and looked down at it. It was laying back, chest rising and falling rapidly, water pouring down its cheeks and off its brow. Rence sighed softly and made that soft clicking sound again.

It stopped screaming and watched him, eyes wide.

******

He couldn't scream anymore; his throat was raw, nearly bleeding. The fox pulled him out and opened its hand and he just stared at it, wondering if he were about to be eaten.

It seemed to sigh softly and made that clicking noise again and all he could do was watch, and wonder.

******

Rence considered the little alien for a moment, then slowly started to walk towards the brush, being very careful of how he moved. It stared at him, never looking away. He felt its tiny hands clutch at his palms, presumably hard though he barely felt anything.

He sniffed the air a few times, trying to isolate the scent from some red berries he knew to be close by. The creature jerked hard in his hand and then cried out. Rence looked down quickly and saw that it was bleeding all the worse. With a grimace he hurried his pace, hoping that he wouldn't hurt it by all the jostling.

A short walk brought him to the red berry bush. He picked a couple with his left hand and popped them into his mouth, chewing them into a mash. He looked at the little alien who watched him in terror, then cried out again and tried to turn over and crawl away.

Rence carefully put a hand in front of it to stop him and it screamed again, trying to push away, bleeding all the harder.

The fox sat back and cupped his hand around the tiny creature, keeping it from trying to escape. With his other hand he pulled some of the pulp out of his mouth and considered how to do this. He was so much larger than any attempt to treat the alien could well hurt it even worse.

He sat the mash down next to it and nudged it over to the wounded leg, hoping that it would figure it out.

***

The next few moments were a blur. The fox suddenly chewing on berries, then looking at him as if he were next. The blood loss and light headedness tipped him right over the edge and he tired to crawl away, only to find the fox had cut off his escape route with one giant hand.

It pushed him back gently and cupped it's hand so he couldn't go anywhere. Then it pulled some of the berry pulp out of its mouth and set it down next to him. Tom looked at it in amazement and then back at the fox. It made the clicking sound in it's throat again and nudged the berry mash towards his wounded leg.

Could it possibly be medication?

With shaking hand he scooped up some of the mash and sniffed at it. Smelled fruity to him and he sighed. What the hell. He may be stuffing himself for dinner or poisoning himself, but what did it matter? He was dead anyway. Stifling a scream he applied the pulp to his wound, staunching the flow of blood. There was light tingling sensation but nothing more.

He looked up at the fox and finally stammered. "Thank you."

*****

Rence watched as the creature treated it's wound, feeling relieved that it had figured it out. After a moment it looked up at him and made some sound with its mouth, but no scream this time. How very odd.

He watched it for a moment and it seemed to be breathing better and more relaxed. The berries did have a slight narcotic effect. Some people would chew them for it though it was not a great effect. Still, it seemed to be reliving the creatures pain. He decided to take it back to its ship. Perhaps it would be able to finish repairing it and get away before the elder found out.

He carefully made his way back to the ship and looked down at the little alien for a long time. It was truly a pity he couldn't communicate with it. Perhaps with more time they would, but there was none left.

He sat it down next to the door of its ship and it stared up at him. Rence obviously had no idea what any of its expressions really meant, but he reasoned that it was probably surprise. It made some more of those odd little sounds at him.

Rence felt his ears perk up at them. How very odd that it was not noisy when not in pain.

It cocked it's head and considered him, then chittered, waving a hand at him. Tom shook his head. "I'm afraid I don't understand. I need...I need to get some medication, I'll be right back," he said. The fox's ears perked up and it watched with interest.

Tom laid his hand on the touch pad and the door to the ship slid open. He carefully walked inside and went to the little infirmary station to pick up the antibiotics and other drugs and salves he would need, then returned to sit down in the door way and started to apply the medication while the fox looked on.

He finished up and wrapped the injury with a bandage; it was already feeling much better with the antibiotics rapidly going to work. He looked up at the fox who was still watching him and nodded. "Thank you," he said again.

****

Rence watched the little alien as it bandaged the wounded leg, curiosity so great that his tail was nearly sticking straight up.

It certainly knew how to doctor itself, moving with efficiency. It finished and nodded to him; Rence was beginning to think the gesture was one of assent, and then made those noises again. Rence perked his ears, cocking his head slightly. He hoped that it wasn't in pain.

Rence considered the situation. He could leave now with a clear conscience. The alien was back on its craft, had doctored itself, and should be fine. He figured it would be far more careful being outside in the future

He thought about it and his ears started to droop. He really didn't want to leave it. He had so many questions to ask, if he could make it understand him. But the elders had said to leave it alone. He sighed softly, not wanting to startle it.

What to do about this quandary?

****

Tom watched the fox as it looked at him, tilting it's head slightly in different directions, it's ears twitching, whiskers moving, all things he assumed to be part of its communication. He had no idea how to break the barrier; he was no linguist. All of that was handled by people other than him.

He had absolutely no idea what to do. It had saved his life, obviously tried to help him, and he couldn't fathom that it would do so were it not friendly. He would characterize it's expression as curiosity, assuming that canine expressions fit.

Tom watched the fox for a moment and then stood. Fox or no, he still needed to get the engines working and get off the planet if he could. Darkness was coming and he needed to get some work in. Hopefully the fox wouldn't mind.

He went to the access panel and crawled in, looking over the engines, trying to sort out what was wrong with them.

****

Rence watched the little alien start to work on its craft with some interest. He had no idea what it was doing, but it was an industrious little thing no matter. As darkness fell he considered what to do. They were remote enough that it was unlikely that anyone would come upon them. He was the only scout that worked in this area most times. After a moments further consideration, he decided to camp out.

He stood and the alien stuck its head out from the craft and watched him with wide eyes. "I'm going to get firewood," he signed, knowing the alien would not understand but hoping that the attempt at communication would be soothing. He walked quickly into the brush to gather up sticks and branches from some of the nearby trees. It was warm enough out that he wouldn't need a large fire by any means.

He came back to where the little aliens craft lay and started to dig a fire pit fairly close to it. It stopped working and watched him as he dug. He lay the branches and sticks in and used his fire starter to get the fire going.

After a moment the fire was burning at a good rate and the fox smiled in the way of his people, ears perking forward. Fire was always comforting and would keep the bara and other animals away.

******

Tom watched the fox walk away feeling worried which surprise him. It was strange, he couldn't communicate with it, and yet it's presence had been rather comforting. He found himself hoping that it would return.

A bit later he got his wish. The fox strode over and started to dig a pit, placing branches and sticks that it had gather. Well, Tom thought wryly, more like whole trees to him.

It got the fire going with some sort of tinder and flint and after a moment it was burning cheerily. Tom watched it warily. What was a small fire to it was more like a raging bonfire to him. He could feel the heat coming from it, even as far away as he was. Still, the light was nice and there was a certain comfort to the fire.

****

Rence watched the little alien curiously, wondering how it would react to the fire. It seemed cautious at first, but seemed to relax after a short time. He fox made a low chittering sound of amusement and the alien quickly looked up at him.

Rence lifted a hand and made an "OK" gesture which did seem to relax him. He chittered again and reached into a pouch and drew out some dried meat. Placing it on a stick he had saved he started to roast it. It didn't take long to heat it up which softened it and give it a little more flavor. He gingerly pulled the pieces off and tore into one of them, leaving the smallest amount in his fingers.

Hoping it was not a mistake, he carefully, slowly lowered the meat to the little alien and placed it in front of him. The creature stepped back, then looked up at the fox.

******

Tom watched as the fox prepared the fire. It suddenly made a chittering sound and he looked up at in alarm. The fox gestured to him, seemingly reassuringly, so he relaxed a little though still held some caution. The fox chittered again and then reached into a pouch and pulled out a piece of jerky fit to feed the 5000. It skewered it and started to roast it over the fire.

The smell sent Tom's stomach rolling over in hunger and it was all he could do not to drool. Real meat was a major luxury. The fox picked up one of the pieces of meat and tore into it and Tom couldn't help but be fascinated at the way the creature ate.

It then took the remnants of the food and slowly placed it in front of him. He looked up in amazement and the fox simply looked back, ears perked forward. Tom pulled out the knife he wore at his belt and carefully cut a piece off. Hoping that there was not some strange toxin in it, he bit down.

Whatever it came from, it was delicious.

It was difficult for Rence not to laugh at the tiny alien as it ate. There was something humorous about such a small creature eating what was, to him, not even the smallest bite, and yet having enough food to feed four of them.

It seemed to enjoy the food, as it cut off another portion for itself. They both ate in silence, occasionally looking over at each other. They both finished and Rence stood, startling him, and went to a nearby creek to wash.

As he turned to go back, he heard a commotion and his sensitive ears picked up the sounds of the alien shouting in it's tiny voice. Rence put on a burst of speed to find the alien retreating into it's craft, pursued by yet another bara.

He snarled and reached into his pouch for one of the darts he carried, and threw it with a smooth overhand cast. The dart hit the bara in the side and it leapt in surprise, then turned to hiss at him, then started running. It only got a few steps before it fell over, the poison quickly paralyzing it

Rence walked swiftly to the craft and crouched down, worried about the tiny alien. He swore not to leave it unguarded again.

****

Tom enjoyed his meal. It was far better than the reconstituted food he was used to, that was for certain. The makers always swore that the food was no different from the real thing, that it was molecularly identical, but it still never tasted quite right to him.

The fox stood up, startling him, and he took a few involuntary steps backwards. The fox looked down at him and made that soft chirring sound that he was coming to associate with humor, and strode away. He assumed it was going to relieve itself or perhaps get some water from the river. Well, creek, Tom thought wryly.

It had only been gone a short amount of time when Tom heard the all too familiar sound of one of the opossum looking creatures bounding towards him. He scrambled back towards the ship and started to scream at it, waving his arms, trying to make it flee as he backed up.

He heard the pounding sound of the fox running towards them and the next thing he knew the opossum jolted upright, struck by a giant dart.

It turned and hissed at the fox, then took a few steps and collapsed with a colossal thump. Tom looked at it in amazement as the fox crouched down to look at him, concern obviously written in its features.

He gave himself a shake and looked up at the fox, unsure of how to tell it that he was fine. The fox reached out a hand with a single finger extended, slowly moving it down. Tom froze for a moment in shock, watching the huge digit descending towards him. Every nerve screamed at him to run, to flee, to get away from this creature before it grabbed him again.

He found that his legs wouldn't obey his commands as the finger lowered to him. He took in a deep breath to avoid screaming as the finger very gently ran along his side, then gently nudged him as if to turn him. He turned with it, not wanting to resist and give the fox any reason to attack, despite it's friendliness to this point.

After it nudged him around, it withdrew the hand and made another little chirping sound. Tom looked up at it, still shaking, adrenalin still pumping through his veins. Tom closed his eyes and took a deep breath and said "Thank you," in a horse voice.

******

Rence carefully nudged the creature around, amazed at how warm it felt to him. He felt it tremble under his touch and lowered his ears a little, feeling sorry for it, but he had to know if it had been wounded by his carelessness. Again he swore never to leave it unattended.

The thought occurred to him how impossible that was. While he could be away for days at a time with no one thinking anything of it, he couldn't just stay here. The elder would worry, as would the others in the village, and they would send out other scouts to go looking for him. If they discovered the tiny alien there was no telling how they would react or how it would end. Even in this short time Rence found himself fond of the tiny thing and wanting to protect it.

He didn't think he could bear to have it harmed.

He gave a soft sigh. What else could he do? He doubted it would respond well to being carried and where would he take it? To his hut? He supposed he could hide it in there, somewhere, but the risk of someone finding him or someones pet killing him was far to great in his mind.

He made a small clicking noise of frustration. If only he could communicate with it! Perhaps they could come up with some sort of solution that would work for the both of them.

Or find a way to fix his ship so he could leave. Rence wasn't sure what he thought of that either. One part wanted to see the creature out of danger. Another part wanted it to stay so he could learn more about it.

He huffed another small sigh. Normally he would bring his questions to the elder for his consideration, but that was hardly possible in this case. "Elder, you know that alien you told me to stay away from? Well, I didn't, and I wondered if you could give me some advice on how to keep it"

No, that would not do, not at all.

Rence sat down on his bottom and watched as the alien seemed to take inventory of himself, and then looked back up at the fox.

*******

Tom checked himself over, making sure he hadn't opened any of his wounds during his exertion, then looked up at the giant fox who was now sitting on it's bottom. This had to be the most bizarre situation he had ever found himself in, quite possibly the most unusual situation anyone had ever found themselves in. He laughed under his breath. Just leave it to old Tommy boy to figure out how to make something go amiss.

The fox watched him as he went about cleaning up after his meal. He stowed his eating utensils and walked back out of the ship. Darkness had fallen and he could see the fox's features lit up by the firelight. All in all, it was a peaceful setting if you didn't mind giant foxes, giant trees, and giant animals that were out to eat you. He switched on the exit lights and running lights to the ship for more illumination.

He considered what to do. The fox had no problems touching him, it seemed, but did he have the guts to walk up to the fox and touch it? Fear be damned, he thought. He'd never get another chance like this he was certain.

He carefully walked over to where the fox was sitting, just watching him, ears perked forward in interest. He approached the fox's bare foot and looked up to see what the fox thought of him getting that close. It simply tilted is head slightly in curiosity.

He carefully reached out and ran his hand over the fur that ran along the side of the foot. It was softer than he thought it would be and he found himself stroking it. He looked up to see the fox's reaction and it had cocked it's head the other way and made that small clicking sound once more.

Evidently, it didn't mind him petting his feet, at least. He walked a little further up the leg and ran his hand along the fur there. The muscles underneath were taut and strong.

He looked back up at the fox, looking it over, taking note of its clothing. The fox wore a vest of sorts and a belt that had various pouches attached to it. A bandolier slung over it's shoulder carried a larger pouch or bag and several smaller pouches hung from it.

It wore a loincloth as well and Tom quickly surmised that the fox was male. He looked back up at the fox's face and took a deep breath. He held up a hand and then pointed to himself. "Tom," he said in a loud voice. "My name is, Tom"

*****

Rence watched, amazed, as the tiny alien actually walked forward and touched his foot. He could feel it's tiny hand running along it, and even as small as it was he could feel the heat of it. He couldn't help but make the clicking noise he would have made for any of the fox kits back in the village to encourage them. It walked along his leg, stroking the fur there, pushing slightly against the muscles there, though he could barely feel it.

It pet his leg for awhile longer then stepped away and straightened up. It lifted out a hand, as if calling for attention and Rence felt his ears perking. It pointed to itself and made some sort of noise. Rence jerked his head back as it suddenly hit him.

All those little noises it made were how it communicated!

Rence stared down at the tiny creature in amazement. It used noise to communicate! He could hardly credit the notion. Noise was to alert people and express certain emotions, but for general communication? It somehow seemed vulgar to him.

Rence carefully sat up and looked the alien over again and it gestured to itself. It was all he could do not to read something into those gestures! It again made that noise and Rence was fairly sure there was no way he could mimic it. He clicked again in frustration.

Well, if not the creatures way, perhaps he could learn his.

He very carefully lifted his hands and held them out in a neutral position and observed the creature for a moment, then made the sign for identity. He slowly made it again and gestured to himself and made his name sign, then repeated the gesture again.

The alien watched him the whole time but did not make any noise, just looked on. Rence slowly gestured to it and flipped the fingers of one hand into the other. "Repeat" the sign meant.

****

Tom watched the fox go through a series of gestures and it suddenly dawned on him that the alien was using some form of sign language! He just stared as the fox slowly gestured and pointed to himself, then flipped his fingers into his palm and watched him.

It seemed to want him to mimic. He took a deep breath and held out his hands as he had seen the fox do and slowly went through the signs as best he could, concentrating hard the whole time.

He finished and looked up at the fox. It's tail was wagging and it made what sounded like a happy chirping noise. Tom couldn't help but grin back up at him.

*****

Ships Log

Of all of the things that have happened in my life, meeting a giant, anthropomorphic fox that communicates in sign language was not even a blip on my radar. Hell, it wasn't even a spot in the galaxy!

And yet here I am, Tom of all people, learning to speak with my hands to a giant alien. I tried several times to tell the fox my name and to talk to him, but he never tired to mimic me. I'm starting to think his vocal chords are simply not flexible enough to do so. His mouth is certainly the wrong shape.

He's currently sitting outside the ship, laying next to what to him is a small fire and to me is more of a five alarm blaze. He keeps his staff near him as if he's guarding me.

Can't say as though I mind.

Hopefully he is there in the morning. I want to try to learn more.

--Tom

*****

Rence laid back and looked up at the stars, going over the various constellations that lived in the great out. There was the bear, the fox, the dragon, the three sisters, and countless others. Various stories and tales told the history of them, their creation. Most were simply fables made to entertain kits but others had some wisdom to be found in them.

He rolled over and look at the craft that he assumed the little alien was resting in. He hoped it would be okay. It's wounds seemed to be healing well and it was active enough. That seemed good to him, though he was no healer.

He snorted softly. This had to be the most interesting thing that had ever happened to him. Greater than become the lead scout for the village even.

He looked back at the sky at the position of one of the moons and decided he could sleep for a bit. The bara would be heading to their dens this time of night and none of the other scavengers around here would bother a full grown fox.

He closed his eyes, a smile on his face, wondering what the next day would hold.

*****

Tom awoke and attended to his morning ablutions, then got himself a quick breakfast which he wolfed down like a kid eager to go watch Saturday morning cartoons. Reloading his pistol, he stepped out the door into the sunlight with a smile which quickly faded when he didn't see the fox anywhere.

Well damn. Perhaps it was all to good to be true. Typical Tom luck.

He sighed and sat down on the step. He should get back to work on the ship but honestly didn't have any real drive to do so. The fox not being there was more of a blow than he anticipated. He grunted and stood up angrily. So what, he thought. It left. Big deal. Wouldn't be the first time.

He stomped around to the back of the ship and stared at the access panel. With a near snarl he grabbed it and flung it open, only to have it bounce back and hit him in the head, hard. His vision went blurry and he sank down to one knee, then fell over, grasping at his head, groaning.

The next thing he knew he was laying back in the fox's hand with it's giant face looking down at him in concern. He reached for his head and groaned at the sudden dizziness and pain. The fox made a little gesture to him, but he had no idea what it meant.

He tried to lift his head and suddenly his breakfast came back up and he spewed all over the foxes hand. It made a surprised little sound, but otherwise took no action.

He finished emptying the contents of his stomach, laying on his belly, hanging his head over the side of the foxes hand. The fox carefully nudged him back towards the center and started to walk slowly towards the creek.

Once there, he dipped his fingers in the water and carefully dribbled it down onto Tom. The cold water felt good and he opened his mouth to clean it of the vomit and drink.

The fox watched him for awhile and then seemed satisfied that the danger was over and carefully shifted Tom to some soft grass and washed his hands clean.

It turned and made some gestures to him and all Tom could do was lift an arm and give him a thumbs up.

******

Oh by the winds it's hurt itself! Rence thought as he came upon the ship. The little alien was laid out behind the ship, not moving. For a moment Rence's heart pounded, thinking it had killed itself some how, but he heard the soft groaning noises.

With a sigh of relief he carefully picked up the tiny thing, hoping he wouldn't hurt it further. Looking it over, all he could see was a bruise on its head. He surmised that the door to the craft must have come undone and hit him.

He made a frustrated little bark. What was he to do? Even if he knew remedies for the alien, he was so large he would more likely hurt him. Fortunately, it opened its eyes and groaned.

Then turned in his hand and vomited all over it.

Rence watched over the tiny thing as it slept, hoping that it hadn't done any serious damage to itself. He wanted to wake it, to keep it up but it had fallen asleep anyway which worried him. Sometimes with head wounds people would fall asleep and simply not wake.

Several hours later he was nearly beside himself with worry. It was still breathing, but had not moved, had not woken. Rence was unsure of what to do. He couldn't very well take it to he healer, not when he had been ordered to stay away from it.

He would be damned if he was just going to let it die however.

He was just about to pick it up and take it to the healer, consequences be damned, when it woke up, groaning.

He got down on his knees and made the cooing sound his people made to call to their kits. It sat up and looked at him for a moment, then made some noise which Rence assumed was "Thank you."

Rence's tail started wagging and he signed, "You're welcome," in return.

The next morning Tom woke to find the fox cooking something on some sort of flat piece of metal. He assumed he must have been carrying it in it's pack. Whatever it was cooking smelled wonderful to Tom. He walked down the steps and over towards the fire and yelled "Fox!" to try to get his attention.

He flicked and ear and turn his head, then his ears perked seeing Tom. He sat down the utensil and turned to face him, then held up his hands and made a careful, slow series of gestures, then put the fingers of one hand into he palm of the other.

Tom nodded, figuring he wanted him to make those signs and did so. The fox gave a short bark and chitter, his tail wagging and Tom grinned at him. Whatever it meant he must have done it right.

The fox went back to cooking as Tom watched him. The fox had on some sort of breeches, tied about half way up his calves and digitigrade feet with no boots or covering on them. His fur was red, as one would expect, with white along his belly and a white ring around the end of his tail. His ears were tipped with white as well which Tom thought to be odd; he remembered the pictures of foxes he'd seen having black ear tips.

He wore a vest of sorts made of some kind of leather with an open front, tied loosely with strips of leather. Over his shoulder was slung a small pack and he had pouches surrounding his waist. There was another, larger pack laying on the ground a short distance away.

The fox looked over at him, watching him as he stared, an his ears perked forward and he chittered again. Tom guessed it was laughter. He finished cooking and placed the food onto a wooden plate, then turned to sit down in front of Tom.

He looked at Tom, then at the plate, then he tapped it with his fore finger and made the sign for "plate" then "repeat" Tom made the sign back and Rence clicked at him in approval.

The tiny human went back into his ship, then came out bearing a plate of his own. He gestured to it and made the sign and looked up at Rence for approval. Rence's ears perked forward and he chittered excitedly. The alien was understanding him!

After breakfast he set himself to teaching the human all sorts of signs for some of the various things. He could teach him how to put them together into phrases as they went, he reasoned. He watched as Tom would frown and concentrate, slowing making the signs and couldn't help but chitter at him again.

Tom looked up and sighed, shaking his head

Ships log:

I can't believe I'm learning sign language from a giant fox. I will probably be repeating that statement many times in these logs, it so utterly amazes me.

I'm not sure what his name really is; I have nothing to connect it to. Rence, is the sign that he gives me, whatever it may mean, so that is how I will refer to him. He gave me a name sign yesterday. He seemed amused by it so I'm suspicious really. I suspect it has something to do with being small.

Head is still hurting but the computer says there's no concussion, fortunately.

Off to sleep with me. Tomorrow is another day of fruitlessly trying to make this damned ship run. --Tom

****

Tom looked up at Rence, trying to puzzle out exactly what the fox was trying to say. He understood "walk" and "go" but was unsure of where it was he was going. The fox lowered his ears and signed a few more times, then gestured to his craft.

Tom looked at it and it dawned on him suddenly. The fox was going to leave.

He threw his hands up in the air, frustrated that he didn't have the language with which to communicate his frustrations. The fox made the little cooing sound and Tom angrily turned his back on him. Fine. Leave, he thought.

Rence carefully nudged him around and Tom simply relented, after all there was little else he could do. The fox carefully gestured to the ship again, then "walk/travel" then pointed and seemed to squint.

"Yeah, so leave"! Tom shouted

The foxed looked at him and nudged him again and signed "Walk back"

Tom just stared. "Walk here?"

"Yes."

"Long?"

A slight shrug.

Tom sighed and Rence cooed to him and nudged him. He gestured to the craft and made as if to put him inside, shaking his head and gesturing about

"Yeah, I'll stay put," Tom said, and signed "Stay."

The fox nodded, nudged him a few more times, and walked away. Tom watched him go, wondering if he really would return.

*****

Rence headed back to the village feeling agitated. It was clear that Tom thought him to be leaving and not returning and he did his best to reassure him with what language they had.

He had no desire to leave him behind. He fretted over what the large creatures and scavengers could do to such a tiny person. He put those thoughts out of his mind. He would be back as quick as possible.

He was pretty sure he would be back, anyway.

He walked on towards the village, a pit gnawing in his stomach. He knew there would be questions. He only hoped his answers would keep them away from Tom.

As Rence walked up the trail that lead to the village he heard the sounds of kits playing and laughing and smiled to himself. As he guessed the moment he was in sight a whole horde of young foxes, a few bears, and the odd lion or tiger mixed in descended on him.

"Did you find anything new?"

"Did you bring us anything?"

"Tell us a story!"

And other voices clambering for other things. He chittered a laugh and waved them all down, then pulled a sack of orange fruit he had collected just for this sort of emergency.

"Here," he signed. "Should be enough for all of you. I've paid my ransom so may I go and report?"

There were affirmative waves and grins and he bowed slightly and made his way around the horde of youngsters towards the elders tent. He pushed open the flap and stepped inside to find the old bear looking at him with half lidded eyes.

"Rence," he signed, "You have been away longer than expected. What have you found?"

Rence shrugged. "Nothing terribly interesting. Decided to scout up the upper ridge to get a look at the land and make sure the rock crawlers aren't packing up again. Better to stop them before it starts."

"Agreed," the bear said, still fixing him with his eyes. "You've not been watching the alien have you?"

Rence shook his head. "No, elder. I looked over the valley on my way back at a distance to see if the ship was still there but that was all."

The elder grunted. "Very well. Are you to be here long?"

Rence shrugged. "I will probably head out tomorrow afternoon some time and walk the eastern river or that area. It's been some time since I've been there."

The elder nodded. "You're always on top of things."

Rence grinned. "I try to be. Everything seems quiet for now, elder."

"Yes, but it's those quiet times when the others attack."

"Which is why you have me and the other scouts."

"Too true," the elder signed and waved him off. Rence left the tent relived that his dissembling had seemed to work

Rence sat down to a quiet dinner with one of his cousins. His parents had perished in an accident long ago when he was just a kit. It had nearly taken his life as well and he was fortunate that a dragon found him in time.

Both of his parents being scouts they enjoyed hiking and of course had great plans for him as well. It had been on a hiking expedition that something and gone terribly wrong.

They were climbing and easy slope when something triggered a large landslide, sending tons of dirt and rocks hurtling towards them. His parents covered him with their bodies, giving their lives for his own though he quite nearly perished as well.

If it weren't for Akharan happening by and seeing his arm sticking out he would have perished. The dragon took him into her home and nursed him back to health and her and the other dragons raised him for many years until they found his village.

It was then the elder took over his schooling and care. He had fought Rence on becoming a scout but learned quickly that the young fox was determined and stubborn so it was best to make sure he had the training to avoid getting himself killed.

It had worked, at least so far.

"So, cousin, anything interesting out?" Shera asked, pouring him some more tea.

He shook his head, grinning. "Nothing I can talk about."

"Oh mysterious! Or perhaps you just found some pretty vixen to court?"

His ears drooped. "Not a chance of that!"

She chittered. "Just teasing you."

Rence looked disgruntled for a moment then chittered with laughter. "Not going to be happy until I'm hitched are you?"

Shera laughed again. "Rence, I don't honestly think I would ever want to inflict you on someone."

Rence nodded sagely. "I think that to be most wise."

"So what is going on, Rence?"

"Nothing that I can talk about."

"The Elder is quite agitated. He tries to hide it but it's pretty clear, at least to me and some of the others."

Rence sighed and stared down at his tea. "It's nothing for you to worry about."

"That doesn't mean that it isn't being worried about elsewhere nor that it wouldn't affect us."

Rence's ears went flat. "There is no danger."

"You're sure of that?"

"Yes. Very."

"Alright, Rence. I trust you."

"Glad someone days," he signed mutedly. He went back to sipping at his tea while his cousin watched him sadly.

"It has you bothered, Rence."

He shrugged. "Lots of things bother me."

"Not like this."

He closed his eyes for a moment then looked at her. "I can't say anything, Shera. Please?"

She walked over and took both hands in hers, then kissed him on the forehead. "You know you can confide in someone. If it gets to be too much, Rence, I'm here."

"Thank you," Rence said, a slight gesture of the head and eyes.

She smiled and patted him, then went back to her own meal, leaving him to his thoughts.

Rence made walked into the valley where Tom's ship had landed, his heart pounding both in fear and in excitement. Fear that something may have happen to the tiny human and excitement in seeing him once more. He picked up his pace to a jog, ears perked forward as he went.

He arrived at the ship and looked around for Tom, scenting the air, but the human was no where to be seen. A stab of worry jabbed his stomach and he strode over to the ship and tapped on the roof of it a few times.

There was no answer at first and the fox began to fret, wondering if Tom had fallen or become ill. He started to look at the door to see if he could figure out how to open it when it slid open and Tom stepped out.

"Hello!" Tom signed, grinning

Rence chirped in reply. "Hello, Tom. You've been well?"

Tom frowned, concentrating for a moment. "Good," he finally signed and shrugged, frustrated with his lack of vocabulary

Rence walked along the foothills, heading back to the village by an indirect route, just in case someone was watching him and wondered where he was coming from. It bothered him that he was being deceptive, but he really didn't want any harm to befall Tom.

In all the years he had been a scout, he had never disobeyed orders; this had been the first time, he reflected. It bothered him that he felt he had to do it because of the elder's short sightedness

As he made he way into the outskirts of the village, he heard his name called, or rather heard the barking of a fox and turned to see if it was him they were alerting. His cousin ran up to him, ears up, tail bushy.

Rence smiled. "Hello Aren. How are you this fine day?" he said

The young fox grinned up at him, so excited he could barely keep his fingers straight. "I'm great, Rence! I was just waiting for you to come back so I could tell you that I've been accepted as a scout too! I get to start training next cycle!"

"Why that's wonderful Aren! I'm sure you'll make a great scout," Rence said, grinning in pride.

"I just hope I'm as good as you!"

"Well, wouldn't go that far!"

"HEY!"

Rence laughed and patted the young fox on the head, then continued into the village toward the elders hut to report in.

He approached the door and felt a twinge in his stomach. He'd never had to hide things from the elder before and the bears eyes missed very little. He once again worried for Tom, then slipped inside. The elder was sitting before his fireplace and turned to look at the fox as he walked in. "Rence. You have been away for some time. What have you seen?"

"Thing are clear, Elder. I saw no threats, no problems to report," Rence said, trying to appear cheerful.

The bear grunted. "You wouldn't have happened to see any more of the little aliens, have you?"

He almost flinched. "No, Elder, just the one."

The elder sighed. "You were told to stay away, Rence; it was an order."

"Elder, he was in danger and I wasn't about to let him die!" Rence protested.

The elder stared. "And I had hoped I was wrong."

"Sorry, elder," the fox said, looking down

The elder gestured to get his attention. "Rence, perhaps the worst of it is that your emotions have betrayed you. If you had merely gone to keep an eye on the creature, or even helped keep it from being killed, that would be one thing. You, however, are emotionally involved."

"Elder, I just helped keep him safe; that was all."

"Don't lie to me."

"That was it, elder! I chased the bara away from him. Nothing more."

The bear stared at the younger fox until the vulpine ears drooped. "No one saw you, Rence. No one was there, no one knew about this at all, not even myself."

The fox looked confused. "Then how did you know?"

"You told me."

"What are you talking about, I told you? You said I should have stayed away and yet you knew I had been there!"

"No," the bear said in muted tones. "I only said that you should stay away. I did not know that you had been there and it is all to clear by your reaction that you have done more than just save the creatures life."

Rence stared, ears going flat, then his whole body drooped. "You tricked me."

"I am sorry, Rence, but I had to know."

"What are you going to do to Tom?"

The elder drew back. "Tom. It has a name."

"Yes, it can communicate! It uses noise to do so, but Tom has learned real language from me over the last few days. It is amazing, Elder, just how fast he learns!"

"You're teaching this thing our language?"

"Yes, Elder, and he's learning so quickly, as I said," Rence said with some pride. "He picks up on things so rapidly, it's amazing to watch him learn and work."

The elder closed his eyes in thought long enough to make Rence even more nervous. "You are going-"

Rence cut him off, waving his hands. "Elder, I cannot stay away from him! He could die!"

The elder stared. "That is not what I was going to tell you."

Rence looked hopeful, daring not to believe his good fortune. "I can see him?"

His hope was dashed a moment later. "You will go get the creature and bring him here, so we can decide what is to be done."

******

The fox left this morning and seemed to indicate that he would return, though there is no promise of such. I hope that he does. I'm starting to learn their sign language and would like to be able to better communicate

Rence seems to be a cheerful sort. He seems amused by me most of the time, as if I'm some sort of pet. That's a little alarming, honestly

Will work on ship tomorrow, though I don't find myself very serious about it these days. -- Tom

It has been three days since Rence left and I'm starting to get worried. He owes me nothing, I guess, but I want to think that he meant what he said. I worry that maybe his people kept him away, or that something happened on his way back to wherever he was going. I got the impression he had to return home.

Perhaps he will be back tomorrow --Tom

I heard something moving outside the ship and a wild hope leaped up in my heart that it was Rence, but it was one of those blasted opossum things, bara, Rence called them. I hate those things! Fortunately it left. All I could have done was raise the shields to whatever power I could and possibly fire repulsers. I hope Rence returns soon --Tom

It's been a week and a half. The fox isn't coming back. Damn me for a fool for trusting some alien creature. I'll get back to work on the engines and get he hell off this planet as fast as I can. -- Tom

****

Tom awoke to the proximity alarms going off, followed by a faint tapping at the roof of the ship. He leapt out of bed and shrugged his way into his jumpsuit. The fox had returned; he was the only one who would knock that way.

He ran for the door of the ship, a huge grin on his face, and opened it to see Rence standing there, looking pensive. He stopped and looked up, frowning.

"What's wrong?" he signed.

"I'm sorry for this," Rence signed and his hand reached out and picked up the human, then started to walk away with him.

"What the hell!" Tom yelled as the fox's hand wrapped around him. Rence was being fairly careful but he was still getting jostled about. He pounded on the fox's finger. "Hey! Fox! What the hell is going on!"

The fox opened his fingers slightly and looked down at him, but didn't sign anything. He sighed and his ears, drooped, then he closed his hands and continued to walk.

Tom finally gave up trying to get an explanation, to get the fox's attention at all. He settled back in the crook of the fox's thumb and hand, and brooded. What the hell was Rence doing with him? Sorry for what? What the hell was going on?

The sounds of fox's yipping and other animal sounds mixed in caused him to start. Rence's hand opened a little and he looked down at him, an unhappy expression. The giant hesitated for a moment and flicked a "calm" gesture to him, then closed his hand and continued on

Tom huddled up close. Rence had taken him into his village and by his expression, wasn't happy about it. His stomach tied itself in nots as he held his legs close to his chest.

He felt the fox move into a building and his hand came down and landed on a table, then opened. It took Tom's eyes a moment to adjust and when he looked up he wish'd they hadn't.

There was a bear looking at him with a flat expression. He looked at Rence who was looking down, looking totally miserable. The bear grunted and Tom looked up in fear and it gestured. "So, Rence, this is the problem. How do you fix it?"

Rence looked down at Tom who was looking between him and the elder, looking terrified. Rence felt his stomach knot for the poor little alien that he had come to think of as friend. "What is your wish, elder?" he asked

"That is your choice, Rence. You created the problem, you solve it."

"I am not a problem!" Tom shouted, then signed it to them as best he could.

The bear stared at him, breathing deeply. Tom took several steps towards Rence who reached out a hand for him protectively until the elder glared.

"So, it does speak."

"Yes, elder, he's intelligent."

Tom looked towards Rence, then back at the elder. "I am intelligent!" he signed, struggling for the words. "I do not....know problem!"

The bear looked at him, grunted, and looked up at Rence. "At least it can somewhat communicate."

"Yes, Elder."

"So what are you going to do."

Rence's ears flattened. "Take him back to his ship and stay with him until he can go."

"No."

"You asked me what I wanted!"

The elder glared. "Within the limits you were supposed to have followed, Rence. You broke the rules. What should the price be?"

Rence tensed up. "If you expect me to harm him--"

"I expect you to do the right thing!"

Tom looked between them, frustrated, the signs flashing back and forth quicker than he could follow. Every time the bear looked down at him he wanted to wet himself. He took a few careful steps towards Rence, biting back the fear that he harbored after the fox grabbing him.

"Elder-"

"Rence, what is your solution?"

The fox hesitated. "You have always told me to follow my heart."

"When it does not put everyone else at risk!"

Rence looked at the elder, looked down at the tiny human, then back up. "Elder, you are right. I must not risk anyone else and I must follow my heart." He looked at the human. "Forgive me," he signed

Tom screamed and tried to scrabble away as the fox's had descended on him, open and flat, ready to crush him. At the last moment, the fox turned his hand, scooped him up, and held him to his chest. He then turned and hit the door to the hut, running as fast as he could, clutching the human tight to his chest.

The elder yelled and tried to get around the table to grab them but the fox was far too fleet of foot. Rence ran towards the out skirts of the village as fast as his legs would carry him. Fortunately for him, he knew he was one of the fastest in the village and countless scouting expeditions had given him great endurance.

Endurance that would soon be put to the test, judging by the cries and yelling behind him.

He ran along the road, then suddenly juked to the right, and hurtled down a set of hills that he had walked countless times as a cub, dodging his way through them expertly, then started running for the foothills that surrounded the valley the village lay in

He heard the sounds of a pursuit being gathered, but had such a head start he had little fear of being caught. His main concern was hurting Tom and hiding their scent. A little more distance, he thought, and he could check on the tiny alien.

He dodged his way through the foot hills, then ran along a creek, entering and exiting several times to throw off his scent and tracks. With great, gulping breaths he ran up a ravine and clambered over the edge with one arm, his precious cargo clutched to his chest. He banged a knee in the process but counted it a small cost if Tom was safe.

A little more running brought him on one of his little bolt holes that he had put together back in the early days. He carefully uncovered the entrance and stepped inside, then almost fearfully lowered his hand and opened it

Tom was laying there on his back, breathing rapidly, looking dazed but otherwise appeared unharmed.

"Tom?" He signed, after he got the humans attention

"I hate you," the alien signed back, and then waved letting him know it was not meant seriously.

Rence's tail started wagging hard. "Sorry!"

Tom nodded. "I understand, I think. But now what?"

Rence exhaled and his ears lay back. "I don't know, Tom. I don't know."

Rence stood near the door to the bolt hole, looking out nervously, ears flicking this way and that trying to catch sounds, tail switching nervously behind him.

Tom called out to get the fox's attention, and Rence looked over at him. "Stop looking out and worrying. It's been two days, they've given up I'm sure," he signed

The fox sighed. "No, they won't give up I'm afraid."

"Why not?"

"I was forbidden to go near you, much less interact with you. I broke the command of an elder, knowingly and deliberately, and it has to be set right. To them, I put us all at risk by rescuing you."

"That's stupid!" Tom signed and looked flustered, trying to figure out what to say. "I'm harmless. You're big"

"That ship of yours is powerful enough."

"And broken."

The fox laid his ears back for a moment. "Can you fix it?"

"I don't know. Maybe? Doesn't matter. Can't get to it."

"I can bring it to you."

Tom shook his head. "No. Far too heavy for you to lift. I know you're strong but those ships are heavy."

The fox's ears drooped. "I could try, or make a sledge or something to drag it back."

"You could break something worse and I'm sure they watch."

Rence exhaled heavily and turned to look out the door again. Tom sighed as well, feeling bad for upsetting his friend. He was growing worried for him. It seemed every day that passed the fox became more and more tense, more and more upset. Tom couldn't imagine what he was going through, having his whole village try to hunt him down.

And for him. All for some tiny little human.

Tom looked across the gap that separated him from Rence, from the table he stood on to the door and sighed a frustrated sigh. Until the fox was ready to come back to the table, there was nothing he could do, really

He started to pace, working out his sore muscles. Being grabbed by the fox and then being ran with had done quite a number on him. He was sure he had bruised ribs, if not cracked them, along with countless bruises and scrape marks. He was amazed he didn't have a concussion, or at least he hoped he didn't

He paced a few more times then went to sit down. As he sat, he felt an odd sensation in his rib cage, a dull popping sound, and a bolt of searing pain that shot around his ribs and up his back. He screamed before he could stop himself and fell over, groaning and panting

The fox turned and walked over to him so quickly the wind of his movement ruffled Tom's hair and clothing. Rence looked down at the tiny alien, eyes wide in panic. "What happened? What's wrong?"

Tom gestured to his rib cage and grit his teeth, letting out a muffled cry as the pain washed over him again. When he could finally breath again and the haze cleared from his eyes, he pointed and signed "Broke"

The giant fox chirped in alarm. "Broken ribs? That's dangerous! Ribs can go through your lungs."

Tom nodded, gritting his teeth. "Not much I can do," he signed, and laid back, groaning

"What about your ship? Something there help?"

"The quick healer on board could help fix it, but we cannot go"

"I'lll go get it," the fox said, determination on his face

Tom sat up and screamed again as the rib turned. He lay back, panting in shock as the fox hovered over him, panicked, uncertain as to what to do.

"No. They watch and get you," Tom finally signed

"You could die!"

"No. I will be fine. Just rest."

The fox shook his head. "We need to bind those ribs."

Tom shook his head, breathing shallow so as not to cause himself more pain. "Can't do it. Need another person."

"I'll do it."

Tom jerked in surprise and cried out again in pain. The fox put his hand around him. "Stop moving! You could hurt yourself badly!"

Tom shook his head, a cold sweat breaking out. "You can't bind up my ribs! You're far too big! You'll kill me!"

Rence's ears drooped. "I will be careful. I would never hurt you."

"Not on purpose."

"Never!" the fox signed empathetically

Tom lay back, still breathing shallow. "Don't have bandages."

"I'll make some."

Tom closed his eyes. "Out of what?"

"I have a sewing kit to mend my gear."

The human opened his eyes and stared at the fox. "Fine. Fine. Just be...careful. Have you ever done this?"

The fox nodded. "A few times. Part of scout training."

"On someone as small as me?"

Rence's ears went flat. "No. Bound up a birds wing?"

Tom closed his eyes. "Fine. Just get it over with."

Rence turned and went to one of the packs he had stashed and pulled out a sewing kit. He remove the needles and left them inside the pouch before Tom could see them, reasoning they would probably panic him.

He quickly cut one of the bits of cloth into a long strip to wrap around the humans torso. He closed his eyes and offered a prayer for steady hands and turned back to Tom, setting the bandages on the table

Tom looked at the bandages and back up at the fox, who was trying not to let his own nervousness show. "I need my shirt off."

Rence whined before he could help it. "Ok," he signed. Tom tried to work the shirt up a ways, but cried out in pain, unable to move his arms that way. He looked up at he fox and shook his head. "You"

Rence whined once more, then reached out and very, very carefully worked one of his claws around the tiny humans shirt, and started to lift up on it. Tom took a deep breath and put his arms over his head, making muffled cries of pain as he did so.

Rence carefully tugged the shirt up and over the humans head, and off his arms. Tom lowered his arms with another cry of pain, cold sweat breaking out on his head, breathing as shallow as he could

"Sorry! Sorry!" Rence said, looking as if he were about to break down

Tom nodded. "Fine. I'm fine. Just wrap the ribs, carefully."

The fox nodded and took up the strip off cloth. Tom again took a deep breath and held his arms up, grunting in pain.

Rence carefully wound the cloth around the human, making nervous little whines the whole time. He could not believe he was doing this! Wrapping the ribs of a tiny little alien, an alien that could fit in the very palm of his hand. He again prayed that he didn't hurt him and continued to wrap

Tom moved slightly, making room for the fox to wind the bandage, shuddering occasionally as the giant hand moved around him. He trusted Rence, but it was still unnerving to have that hand so close to him, more so that he was being wrapped up by it

"Going to pull tight. Tell me when," Rence warned

Tom nodded an grit his teeth. The fox lowered his ears, worried that he was going to seriously hurt Tom, and gently tugged the bandage tight. Tom grunted in pain and finally gestured for him to stop

"That will do," he gestured and lay back, breathing hard, sweat streaming down, looking pale and drawn

"I did not hurt you?" The fox signed anxiously

Tom shook his head. "Fine."

Rence watched him for a long while, as if reassuring himself that he was fine, then very, very carefully reached out a single digit and pet the tiny human along the side, then along the hair on his head. Tom looked at surprised for a moment, but then relaxed at the petting. Soon, he had fallen asleep under the gentle, soothing touch of the fox

Rence watched over and pet him for some time, before finally turning back to the door to keep watch

Rence looked down at the tiny alien, watching him as he slept, fretting over the humans broken ribs, wondering if he had done other damage that neither of them knew about. He had watched it happen before. People would fall, look as if they were going to recover only to get worse an die later due to some unseen injury.

And there was no one to go to for help.

Rence growled softly. If only the elders had listened to him in the first place! If only he hadn't ordered him away from the human! Why did everyone have to act so paranoid? He sighed and Tom stirred a little. He quickly ran a finger tip around Tom's head and the human quieted back to sleep

He watched him sleep for a while longer and yawned. He should get some sleep himself, he reasoned, but feared that Tom would worsen overnight or that someone would find them and they would need to get away quickly. With a frustrated chirp he sat down on the chair and leaned against the table, watching the human until he nodded off.

Sunlight shining across his muzzle woke him and he lifted his head with a start, then looked over to where Tom had been laying. The human wasn't there. He sat up quickly, his chair falling behind him with a great clattering sound. He softly made the low whistle that Tom had come to associate with him calling but there was no response. Fretting, he moved to the other side of the table to see Tom half huddled down, standing behind a small package of food, urinating between the slats in the table.

He couldn't help but laugh and Tom looked up, startled, making an ever larger mess over a wider area, then yelled as he pulled on his injured side. "Damn it give me some privacy!" he yelled. Rence had no idea what he had said, but the intent was pretty clear and he turned to go prepare food for them with a laugh.

After breakfast (and enduring glares from Tom) Rence tapped the table with one finger to get the human's attention. When Tom looked up he carefully signed. "I think I know a fix for the problem"

Tom looked curious. "Oh? And that is?"

Rence sighed. "We need to go talk to the dragons. If they are for something then it's very unlikely that any would stand against them or gainsay them."

Tom frowned, not quite understanding the new sign, the sign for dragons. "I don't understand. What are they?"

Rence considered, then made a soft chittering noise. He went to his pack and withdrew some sketching paper and a charcoal stick, and quickly sketched out an image of one of the dragons

Tom took one look at it and backed away. "No!" he signed

Rence looked confused. "No? Why? What's wrong?"

"Dragons eat people!"

Rence looked at Tom, eyes wide, then burst into chittering laughter, grabbing at his sides as he was overwhelmed with mirth. Tom glared. "What's so funny?"

Rence shook his head. "Dragons do not eat people! The would never!"

Tom glared. "And how do you know they wouldn't eat me?"

Rence laughed again. "One, you're too small, Two, they don't eat people"

Tom glared then sighed. "Fine. And what are they going to do?"

Rence sobered. "I'm not sure. I'm hoping they will hear me out and tell the others to back off"

"And if they don't?"

The fox sighed. "Then I'm not sure what to do. The only other action I can see us taking is getting to your ship but as you've said they'd expect that so I'm sure it's guarded. I suppose we could run off deep into the woods and live there for the rest of our lives, but I don't think you'd be interested"

"Why not?"

Rence cocked his head. "Well, you want to get back to your people, don't you?"

Tom shrugged. "Doesn't really matter. I have no one waiting for me."

"Oh," Rence said, ears drooping, and a sudden protectiveness welled up within him once more. He reached out and carefully tousled Tom's hair with a finger tip and Tom looked up at him in surprise. "You don't have to go if you don't like it"

Tom shrugged again. "Thought that was up to the dragons."

"They'll see reason."

"I think you're trying to convince yourself"

Rence grunted. "If you have a better idea then lets hear it"

Tom shook his head. "No. You know this world. I trust you."

Rence grinned. "Thanks. Glad to know someone does."

Tom just laughed.

Rence gestured "Get some rest, then. I'll see about getting you some of the red berries for pain and we can set out tomorrow before dawn."

Tom shuddered. "I hate early mornings."

"Then you're with the wrong fox!" Rence said with a laugh.

The morning came far too early for Tom, not aided by the fact that he didn't sleep well for one and there was not even a bit of light out for two.

He staggered from his makeshift bed and glared the the fox who was busying about, getting things ready. To Tom it looked like he was clearing out this bolt hole of his, which worried him. "Why are you taking everything?"

Rence shrugged. "Not coming back."

Tom started. "What about your home?"

"Not mine anymore. I'll never been allowed back in "

Tom watched Rence pack things up in dismay. This was too much, far too much to be sacrificed for him. Rence hardly knew him, he was an alien, and hardly significant to these people and yet he had thrown it all away over him

The fox finished his preparations and turned to smile at Tom. He bent down and showed the tiny human a room of sorts that he had made along his bandolier. It had a small place for him to sit, padding, handles, and it looked like a flap that he could close up for privacy. Tom looked at Rence and swallowed. "For me?"

Rence nodded. "Yes. I didn't think you would want to be carried the whole way there, so I made this for you last night. I hope you like it."

Tom nodded and stepped forward, allowing the fox to help him into place. He settled himself in where he was to sit and made sure he had a good grip. Glancing about, it was clear the fox had done everything he could to make the little carrier nice. Tom figured he could modify it a bit here and there if there was time. He yelled for Rence who opened the top flap and looked down. "How long?" he signed

"About four or five days, depending"

Tom sighed. "Well, let's get going then."

Rence grinned down at them and they both set out to find the dragons and hopefully, a resolution to the problem.

The pair set out from Rence's bolt hole several hours before the sun would come up over the mountains. The air was crisp, nearly cold, and Tom was grateful for the carrier that the fox had created for him. He was able to wrap himself up in the makeshift blankets Rence had evidently made from strips of his own clothing. It kept him warm and cushioned as the fox moved along the river.

Rence would pause every so often and scent the air, looking around carefully, which made Tom a little nervous. While he trusted the fox with his life, he really had little choice in the matter, he reflected, he still worried about being captured. It was clear to him that the bear back at Rence's village mean him no good at all.

The giant vulpine stopped for a moment and opened the lid to carrier, peering down at Tom who smiled up at him. "You doing okay?" he signed.

"Fine. The blankets are keeping me nice and warm and provide padding against your movement. It's quite cozy really. I should decorate," Tom signed back, grinning.

The fox chirped, a sound Tom knew was laughter, and continued to make his way down the river. At one point he turned off to head up into the foothills, moving cautiously along, stopping more often to listen and scent the air.

"Trouble?" Tom signed to him.

Rence shook his head. "Not yet, but it's wise to keep your eyes open here. It's a favorite ground to hunt in."

"Then why go this way?"

"Quickest way over the mountains. We won't follow it all the way up; I know of a side passage through a canyon that will get us to the dragons."

"Still not sure of these dragons."

"They're a good people. There's no reason to fear."

The pair set out from Rence's bolthole several hours before the sun would come up over the mountains. The air was crisp, nearly cold, and Tom was grateful for the carrier that the fox had created for him. He was able to wrap himself up in the makeshift blankets Rence had evidently made from strips of his own clothing. It kept him warm and cushioned as the fox moved along the river.

Rence would pause every so often and scent the air, looking around carefully, which made Tom a little nervous. While he trusted the fox with his life, he really had little choice in the matter, he reflected, he still worried about being captured. It was clear to him that the bear back at Rence's village mean him no good at all.

The giant vulpine stopped for a moment and opened the lid to carrier, peering down at Tom who smiled up at him. "You doing okay?" he signed.

"Fine. The blankets are keeping me nice and warm and provide padding against your movement. It's quite cozy really. I should decorate," Tom signed back, grinning.

The fox chirped, a sound Tom knew was laughter, and continued to make his way down the river. At one point he turned off to head up into the foothills, moving cautiously along, stopping more often to listen and scent the air.

"Trouble?" Tom signed to him.

Rence shook his head. "Not yet, but it's wise to keep your eyes open here. It's a favorite ground to hunt in."

"Then why go this way?"

"Quickest way over the mountains. We won't follow it all the way up; I know of a side passage through a canyon that will get us to the dragons."

"Still not sure of these dragons."

"They're a good people. There's no reason to fear."

Tom sighed. "I trust you."

Rence cocked his head as he looked down at Tom. "Thank you. That means a lot to me."

Tom looked a little flustered. "Well, I don't have much choice!"

Rence chirped again. "As you say, little one."

Rence continued up to the foothills still pausing to scent the air now and again, at one point motioning for Tom to climb into his hands so he could listen to the ground. Tom looked at him worriedly and Rence shook his head. "Just listening for goran footfalls."

Tom made the unfamiliar gesture and questioned. The fox considered for a moment. "They're a large animal that some villages use to ride on or to carry heavy loads. My village, my old village, has two. I would not wonder if they used them to track to track us down.

Tom blanched. "Are they dangerous?"

Rence shrugged. "Anything that big is, more so for you of course, but no they're rather docile."

"Gee thanks."

The fox grinned, ears perked "No problem!"

The fox made his way up a wash, scrabbling here and there at the loose gravel, which set Tom's heart to pounding even harder, but Rence never fell. At the top, Rence peeked up to look out into a small valley and then suddenly sprinted for a large rock and ducked down behind it. Tom yelled at the jostling. "What the hell!" he screamed, then signed it once the fox was looking

Rence flicked his ears. "Patrol. Can't tell from where."

"Would the other villages join in?"

Rence shrugged, a gesture he had learned from Tom. "They might. It's hard to say if my old village would want others to know what had happened. There again if it scares them badly enough..."

"Stop saying your old village!"

Rence shook his head. "It is no longer mine; I am dead to them."

"I'm sure you can go back!"

"No. I cannot."

"But you had good reason to help!"

"No, Tom."

Tom looked even more frustrated. "Your family! What of your parents! What of your brothers and sisters?"

The fox growled. "They are all gone. They died when I was a kit."

Tom looked stunned. "I...did not..."

Rence shook his head. "It is not important."

"I'm.... sorry...."

He shrugged again. "I was not really old enough to fully know what had happened. The dragons took me in and then I was fostered to the village itself. The elder helped raise me. It's one of the reasons he's so angry."

Tom looked stricken. "You did all this for me!"

The fox cocked his head and chittered an affirmative.

"I'm not worth this! I just cost you everything!"

The fox shook his head. "It's fine."

"Damn it no it's not! You have no idea who I am, what I am! I could be bent on bringing my people here to destroy and pillage your world! You can't just up and trust me!"

Rence cocked his head. "But I have."

"It's idiocy!"

Rence chittered his laughter. "An idiocy that has saved your life I would remind you."

Tom looked down, flustered once more. "Damn it, I'm not worth this. I'm not worth what it's cost you and don't you dare try to tell me it's nothing! I saw how it hurt you to leave, how hard it was!"

The fox looked at him for a long while. "Who are you to judge the cost? Who are you to tell me what I find to be worthwhile and not? Who are you to tell me what sacrifices are too great, the price too high to bear?"

Tom looked up at him, breathing hard. "I'm....but this involves me!"

"But it's my choice, Tom."

"Damn it you can't do this over me!"

Rence shook his head. "I have and I do not regret it. Yes, it was hard but I am sure of my choice."

"Rence!"

The fox sighed. "If I deem the cost to be worth it and think you're worth it then you really have nothing to say. It is my choice, my decision to bear whatever pain comes with it, whatever consequence it brings for helping you and I have chosen to bear it."

Tom stared, tears starting to stream down his cheeks. "I'll...I'll run," he signed with muted gestures. "I'll simply leave. You can say I died or you killed me or whatever, then you can go back! I'm not going to stay here and let you do this!"

Rence growled, actually looking angry. "How dare you! I put this time and effort into you, I helped you at, according to you, far too high a price! And then you choose to simply run away after all of that, make all that I have done truly worthless? Make the cost I have paid to this point a void chasing after ones tail? No. No I don't think so, Tom. You're not like that. You wouldn't be so self-centered as to flee just because you felt someone else was too burdened even if they willingly took that burden

"That's selfish, childish behavior and I won't hear any more of it. You are stuck with me, I have made my choice and you are not going to undo it by running off because things got hard. Do you see me?"

Tom sat down hard, tears streaming down his cheeks, sobbing. This was far more than he could bear, far more than he had ever expected. "Rence...I'm sorry...."

The fox crooned and gently pet the human. "It's fine, little one. You're just overwhelmed. It will seem better tomorrow."

Tom nodded and sat back as the fox watched over him. "Get some sleep, Tom. I will move carefully so as not to disturb you. I will wake you for dinner or if the situation changes."

Tom nodded, feeling exhausted. "Thank you, Rence."

"You are welcome, little one."

Tom awoke to a gentle swaying motion as Rence walked along. He carefully sat himself up and got his bearings as best he could, then yelled up at Rence to get his attention.

The swaying motion stopped and the roof of his little compartment opened. Rence was looking down, head cocked, and then signed. "Are you okay?"

Tom nodded and affirmative and the fox made a light clicking sound of approval. "Where are we?" Tom finally signed.

"About a half days walk," Rence replied. He considered. "We are beyond the patrols. They won't come to this area."

"Why?"

"Dragons." Tom sighed at the reminder and Rence made a soothing noise. "It will be fine, Tom. They are good."

"To you maybe, but to me?"

"They will treat you well."

"I hope you're right."

"I know that I am." Rence cocked his head. "Are you hungry?"

Tom as about to say no when his stomach growled. "Well, yes," he said, grinning. Rence chittered in laughter and carefully sat down on a nearby rock to prepare some food for the two of them.

He detached Tom's "room" and carefully set it down on the rock to allow Tom out if he wished. The human stretched and walked out onto the rock, looking about curiously.

"Where are we? Not that I would understand."

Rence chittered. "On the edge of the lands the dragons claim. We are safe from pursuit here; no one will risk upsetting the dragons."

"Except you bringing me in here."

Rence sighed. "Trust me?"

Tom hesitated. "Yes."

"It will be fine. The dragons will like you."

"Yes as a snack."

Rence stared then shook his head, chittering in laughter again. "You probably don't taste good."

"How would you know? I could be a delicacy!"

Rence cocked his head. "Would you like me to taste you?" he asked, then stuck out his tongue.

Tom blanched. "Ah, no, that's fine."

Rence made some sign that Tom didn't get and decided not to ask about.

Rence made his way around a rocky track that hugged close to to the walls of a rather narrow valley. Most people didn't know about the track and would make the long slough through the middle of the valley which was almost but not quite impassible. The dragons preferred it that way. After all, they could fly into their valley and didn't need foot access.

Rence of course knew about it, having lived for for many years as a youth. The dragons had in fact improved it for his usage. He grinned at the thought, chittering softly at the memory. He greatly missed his time here but realized the dragons were ultimately right, he did belong with his own kind.

There were days when he thought he was more dragon than fox however.

He heard Tom yell out "Fox!" which was evidently what he looked like from what he could gather. He wasn't exactly sure of it with Tom's limited vocabulary. Either way, it was the noise Tom used to call for his attention He reached down and flipped open the top to see what he wanted.

"How long?" Tom signed.

"We're here, actually."

Tom turned a little pale which concerned Rence as he had learned it was not a good sign. "Where are the dragons?" he signed, hands fumbling slightly.

Rence crooned, trying to sooth the human. "They'll be about soon I'm sure. They know we're here."

"How?"

"There's no way to get into their valley without them knowing."

"Sounds as if they are paranoid."

Rence chittered. "More that they don't care to be bothered."

Tom frowned. "Why would people bother them?"

"Dragons have collected a great deal of knowledge and others tend to treat them as if they are some sort of oracle. It gets on the dragons nerves so they make it hard to get to them and keep an eye on folks."

"Do you think they know about me?" Tom asked, looking worried.

Rence shrugged. "It's possible. It's hard to say what they may know."

Tom sighed and sat back in his little compartment and brooded over the situation. While he trusted Rence, most everything in human mythology said that dragons were ravenous beasts looking for places to pillage and loot. He only hoped that these dragons were different. He snorted. As if there were any standards for a mythological creature.

Rence continued on the path, humming to himself as he walked, happy to return to a place he had called home for many years. He still considered it his true home in many ways.

He emerged from the overgrowth and stepped into a small valley, looking around with his ears perked, his jaw hanging slightly open in an expression of pure joy. He had only stood there a moment when he heard the oh so familiar sound of dragons wings.

He looked up with a grin to see a blue dragoness land before him, her scales glittering in the sunlight. She folded her wings to her back and walked over to him, standing on two legs just as he did, and put her arms around him.

"My son. It has been too long."

Rence nodded and lay his head against her chest sighing in contentment. He lifted a hand "I know mother. Far too long."

As he followed the dragoness, Rence carefully opened he lid to Tom's compartment and motioned for him to be quiet and wait. Tom nodded, not that he wanted to attract any attention to himself, and went back to sitting, white knuckling the arms of the chair.

The dragoness lead him into a rather large house and gestured up the stairs. "Your room is still here, as always. Nothing has been moved around nor anyone in it save for myself to clean," she said fondly.

Rence chittered, then ducked away as she reached out to scratch behind his ears. "Mother!"

The dragoness laughed, a beautiful, melodic sound. "You will always be my little fox and never be old enough to so don't even try."

Rence sighed and shook his head, grinning, then made his way up to his room. He walked in and closed the door behind him, then hurriedly sat Tom's compartment down on the bed. He knelt down and opened it, whining a little though his nose in worry.

Tom staggered out, groaning and Rence looked ever more distressed. Tom saw it and shook his head. "I'm fine, just sore from sitting in one place for so long." He walked about to stretch his legs, groaning from time to time while Rence looked on, ears down.

"You're certain you're alright? I didn't hurt you?"

Tom sighed. "No, I'm fine, I promise. Now what do we do next? Who was that dragon you met? Do you know him?"

Rence chittered in laughter. "Yes I know her and she's my mother, or foster mother."

Tom blinked. "Oh. Well, what did she say?"

Rence shook his head, a gesture he had learned from Tom. "Nothing really, just welcomed me home."

"You didn't say anything about me?"

Rence shook his head again. "Not the right time. I need to feel out the situation first."

"You said they would have no problems with me!"

"And I'm sure they won't! I still need to make sure of what is going on. If there's something else happening that has their attention they may disregard you."

Tom sighed. "Alright. You know best I assume."

Rence flickered his fingers in laughter. "Always."

Tom glared then very purposefully turned his back on Rence, much to the fox's amusement.

Rence cleared out an area on one of his shelves and placed some knickknacks, books, and other things along the front of it to make a hiding place for Tom. He set the pouch he made for him back there and watched nervously as Tom looked around.

"I hope this is enough to keep you hidden and comfortable," Rence signed, fretting.

Tom shrugged. "It will do. I have a 'house' and a front yard now. What more could I want?"

Rence chittered nervously. "Alright. Stay put and don't go anywhere."

Tom snorted. "Nah, I had planned on growing wings and flying down to look about the place."

Rence shook his head. "I'll be back up as soon as I can with more food and water for you."

Tom nodded and yawned. "I'm going to nap for a bit. Sleep wasn't very restful with you moving around."

Rence nodded and watched the human walk into his little "house" and make himself comfortable. With one last nervous glance he walked out the door and down the stairs to talk to his mother.

She was writing something in a scroll when he walked into the living room and looked up and smiled at him as he entered. She set the quill down and signed. "Welcome home, Rence. Has something brought you here or are you merely here to visit?"

Rence sighed. "A little of both really." He hesitated. "Is father about?"

His mother's ears drooped a little. "No, Rence. I'm afraid not," she signed in muted tones.

Rence's ears drooped as well and he shook his head. "I was hoping to catch him but I guess it doesn't matter much."

She reached out and put a finger under his chin, lifting his head. "It matters to you, Rence, and to me. That's enough to make it an important matter. Your father is who he is and there's no point in trying to change him, son, and you know that. He will come back when he's ready to and not until then."

"You're right," Rence signed, hands barely making the signs. "I miss him."

"As do I, son," she signed, her face and body communicating sadness. She gave herself a shake, rustling her wings. "But enough of that sad business. What brings you home?"

Rence hesitated again and she patiently waited for him to start. "How are things here, mother? Quiet? Are there any major issues?"

She shook her head. "No, things are mostly quiet. The only thing that is of note is the disturbance down on the plains," she signed, then cocked her head. "I am now assuming you had something to do with it."

Rence nodded, ears down. "Yes, mother."

She laughed quietly. "So what have you got yourself mixed up in now?"

Rence sighed and walked over to the window, staring out at the valley. There were a few dragons out going about whatever business they had, shopping at the various shops, running errands, or just talking amongst one another. It was a peaceful scene and Rence wondered if discovering Tom was going to disrupt it all.

He brooded over it, starting out the window for longer than he intended, when he felt his mother's hand gently fall on his shoulder. "Rence? What troubles you?"

He turned and looked up into her eyes. She was easily taller than he was, at least a head and half, and peered down at him, concern writ large in her features. He lay his head against her chest once more with a sigh and she stroked his head as he rest it there, trying to avoid leaning on her rather impressive endowment.

"You're right," he signed, leaning back. "I am responsible for the disturbance. I...was forced to flee from my village for reasons I don't want to discuss right now. I'm....I'm outcast. They won't have me back after this."

The dragoness looked thoughtful. "You must have disobeyed a great law or a direct order." Rence nodded, closing his eyes and she gently pulled him closer. "I know you, my son. You would not have done so unless you had good reason."

Rence stood there with his head cradled for some time, allowing his foster mother to scratch behind his ears, listening to her croon softly, soothingly, bringing back memories of the countless times she had done this before when he had nightmares or simply had trouble sleeping.

He finally drew away. "I have something to show you, mother. But you must promise me that you will never tell anyone unless I give you permission."

She considered him. "As you wish, my son."

They entered Rence's room and Rence motioned for her to stay back from the shelf Tom was resting on. The dragoness watched curiously as Rence reached out and gently tapped on the edge of the shelf.

The fox peered around behind some books and lifted his hands, signing as if to someone behind the books. She cocked her head, puzzled at her son's behavior and started to worry a bit.

After a moment Rence stood back a short ways and then turned to her. "Mother, there is someone I wish for you to meet."

The dragoness shook her head. "Rence..."

"Mother, please trust me."

She sighed. "As you say my son. Who is this person who is able to sit on a shelf and hide behind books?"

Rence grinned and turned back to the shelf laying his hand behind it. After a moment he very carefully turned with his hand held close to his chest and smiled at his mother.

"This is Tom," he signed with is other hand.

The human looked up at the dragoness, pale and trembling. "Hello," he signed. "I am pleased to meet you."

She stood there staring wide eyed at the tiny human. She closed her eyes and shook her head as if to dispel the human's presence. "It...what is it?"

"His name is Tom. I'm not certain of what he calls his race; they use sound to communicate so there really is no way to translate it," Rence said, carefully petting Tom's back with his thumb. "He's very intelligent, mother! I taught him to sign and he has some rather amazing tools!" Rence said proudly

"I see," his mother signed slowly. "It's name is Tom?"

"I am male, and yes my name is Tom," Tom said, still shaking in fear but incensed that he was being called an it.

"I beg your pardon, Tom," the dragoness said. "I didn't mean to offend, it's just that your size caught me off guard." She took step forward to examine him more closely and Tom took an involuntary step back, running into Rence's thumb.

The dragoness stepped back. "I'm sorry; I didn't meant to scare you."

Tom took a deep breath. "It's okay. The only one of you I am used to is Rence and he still startles me sometimes.

She nodded slowly then looked up at her son. "I see now why everyone is riled up. I have many questions but they can wait until you both have rested and gotten some food." She hesitated. "What are you wanting the dragons to do about this Rence?"

His ears went flat. "I'm not sure, mother. I'm not at all sure."

Tom watched the two sign back and forth far more rapidly than he could keep up with and started to grow frustrated and not just a little nervous. He shifted about and and Rence drew his hand closer to his chest and lowered his thumb to stroke him, seemingly absently.

The dragoness nodded to her son, then leaned over to embrace him sending Tom's heart thudding a million miles an hour. She looked down at him and nodded. "It was interesting meeting you. I look forward to getting to know you in the coming days."

Tom signed shakily. "Thank you."

She nodded to him, scratched Rence behind the ears briefly, and left, her stride and movements graceful. Rence carefully laid his hand out on his bed and Tom stepped off.

"What was that all about?" Tom asked.

Rence cocked his head slightly. "She wants to get to know you and know about your people, what threat they may pose to the world."

Tom sighed. "I would like to say none but I know that's not the case"

Rence looked alarmed. "You never said that before!"

Tom looked down. "It never came up and I figured I would be gone... I don't know what I was going to tell them about this place. I don't know what they will do, Rence."

The fox carefully sat down on the bed. "Well, lets not borrow trouble.

Tom sighed and nodded. "I guess you're right. So what's next?"

"Mother wants to have breakfast together tomorrow so she can get to know you a bit better. After that she's probably going to call my uncle over to meet you as he's pretty high ranking and holds a good amount of sway."

"And he's going to be okay with me?"

Rence hesitated. "I think so, Tom, but there is no promise."

"And if he wants to kill me?"

Rence closed his eyes. "Then I grab you and we run. I doubt we would get away from the dragons but we would give it our best."