Stranded on a Tiny Planet

Commander Madala looked up at Merco, “When you’ve caught her sand dragon please bring it to our stables over there.” She pointed to a station outside the walls.

Merco nodded.

Then she said, “Keep close. Elder Felreh said she may have need of you in these proceedings.”

“Me?”

She nodded.

After the Rogashay Emissary was led away toward the gate Merco stood up glancing at the blood dot on his arm, “Guess that didn’t go so well. Kinda violent for an Emissary isn’t she?”

Traynar floated before him with a serious look, “That was actually a pretty typical response. Though...I’m surprised she came at you with that kind of reaction. We understand the Rogashay’s attachment for their sand dragons. They are integral in their lives and protect them as they would a member of their family.”

“Are you sure you’re ok?” Pixie asked, peering up at him.

Merco nodded, “I’m good.” He seemed to think a moment, “I wonder why the Elder wants me to be at this meeting?”

“She may want you to just listen in since you’re most likely the reason this meeting is occurring. Or she may want you there as extra assurance.” Traynar explained.

Merco frowned not feeling particularly good about being some sort of ‘enforcer’ or ‘intimidation factor’. Though, he couldn’t help it considering he was the biggest thing on their planet and it was inherent that he’d be intimidating.

Dismissing his misgivings, he peered across the land, “Now where did that sand dragon run off to?”

Luckily for him, Anu had flown after in pursuit and Traynar could see her uniform, “There!”

Merco followed a ways, minding the farm ground which the sand dragon had no qualms charging through and smashing a swath where it ran. At his height he found the animal easily but following it without causing more damage was the trouble. Anu was flying, trying to get it to veer away from destroying anything but it paid her no mind. Feeling and sensing Merco coming after it didn’t help slow its retreat any. The sand dragon barreled through the farms until at last it made it to the marshy river lands. When its splayed feet met the spongy, muddy ground it had to slow down. Though adept at rushing over sandy ground, their build made them ill-equipped in the wet ground. Traynar and Anu flew in behind it, cutting off its escape back into the farms. Merco was taking the long way around to avoid harming anyone’s property.

However, the sand dragon was having none of their meddling in its escape. Realizing it couldn’t easily go across the marshy river lands it whirled around facing the two Ansheetans guarding the dryer ground. It hissed menacingly, baring long sharp teeth and shaking its horned head in a display posture. Traynar cycled his spear into an energy staff which would deliver a shock if the sand dragon tried to escape before Merco arrived. The sand dragon seemed to focus on the light of crackling staff, side stepping and hissing as it squared up to Traynar.

“Anu. Get in the air.” He urged his mate, knowing she wasn’t armed.

But Anu held her hovered place, “Merco’s coming. You can’t hold it by yourself.”

“Anu! Get higher now.” He commanded.

Quite suddenly, the sand dragon’s long tail whipped around with blinding speed. Anu managed to fly up but her leg got clipped, spinning her through the air end over end. Traynar ducked to the ground as the tail swept over him and retracted. In pain, Anu couldn’t maintain her flight and had to land, holding her throbbing, cut leg. The sand dragon’s tongue flicked with excitement, scenting the fresh blood; its predatory instinct triggered. It wheeled away from Traynar and charged toward Anu.

Traynar saw its intention and flew like a shot over to grab Anu before the sand dragon could. He knew by instinct he wasn’t going to be fast enough. All he could hope to do was shove her out of the path of those ravenous jaws and take the attack himself. His hands contacted Anu, the sand dragon’s teeth and massive mouth menacing in his periphery. If it was going to get one of them, it was going to be him.

Suddenly the suns were darkened and the entire land shook as a blast of displaced air sent Traynar tumbling with Anu into the grasses bordering the marshes. Their bones almost hurt from the concussive impact. When the air and land calmed, Traynar lifted his head to see Merco’s towering boot placed between them and the sand dragon which was gnawing aggressively into the leather. From the way the ground was shattered and the depth of his boot sole in the ground, Traynar ascertained Merco had probably jumped between them, using his massive boot as a protective wall.

Merco’s colossal figure lowered and his mechanical hand grabbed the sand dragon behind its frill to pick it up. The lizard wasn’t keen on letting go of his boot and locked its jaw stubbornly. A bit of twisting and a sharp tap of his finger to the beast’s nose saw it release. Merco then grabbed it by the tail with his other hand and kept the lizard immobile.

“Thank you Merco.” Traynar said breathlessly holding Anu.

“Are you two all right?” he rumbled, staring down at them.

Traynar examined his mate’s cut leg before taking her in his arms and flying up, “She needs to see a medic.”

“I’m fine, Traynar. It’s just a cut.” Anu winced.

He shook his dark plumage adamantly, “Medic. Now.”

Merco frowned and chided, “You two shouldn’t have put yourself in harm’s way like that.”

Traynar began flying Anu back to Anashee with Merco following him, “We were helping you catch it.”

Holding the lizard firmly without harming it Merco shook his head, “Just don’t do that again. You could’ve been killed.”

From his shoulder, Pixie was looking at the sand dragon Merco held so effortlessly. The big lizard was wide eyed and mouth agape in a threat posture even though it couldn’t move.

“I don’t know why the Rogashay have such dangerous animals. It could’ve eaten them!”

Merco turned his head a bit, “Well, sometimes you have to really understand an animal in order to keep one. But you’re not wrong...seems a bit dangerous to me too.”

Still holding it behind the head, Merco flipped the sand dragon over upside down on its back along his arm. The lizard arched a bit, trying to right itself while it kicked its legs. Then, Merco gently ran his fingers up and down the lizard’s scaled belly.

“What are you doing?” Pixie asked.

Quite abruptly, the sand dragon’s legs stopped moving and it seemed to go limp.

Pixie was astonished, “Merco! Did you kill it?”

He laughed, “No. No. I was wondering if your lizards react like the ones from my planet when you put them on their back. They go catatonic.”

“Earth has sand dragons too?”

“Well...not really like this guy. This kinda looks like a reptile that went extinct on my world a very, very long time ago but with a few major differences.” He explained, still stroking the lizard’s belly.

As they drew near the gates of Anashee a messenger flew out to meet them saying, “The Elder has requested your presence at the Council Chamber.”

“Uh...right. Let me just drop this guy off.” Merco replied. He asked Pixie out of the corner of his mouth, “Do you know where the Council Chambers are?”

She stifled a laugh, “Yes, Merco. I can show you.”

...

Meanwhile...

Kriees was led by a contingent of EFP members to the council chambers within Anashee. She stood quite a bit taller than all the Ansheetans surrounding her so she was easy to spot. The EFP led her up many stairs and bridge walkways that encircled the biggest black bark tree in the center of Anashee. When they were about midway up, they entered the Council Chambers. Kriees kept her head held high and proud with a stolid expression even though inwardly she was impressed with the Ansheetan architecture as well as nervous about what was to be discussed. The very future of her people, not to mention her family, rested on her scaled shoulders.

The gathered Council was mostly silent, with a few murmurs to be heard as few had seen a Rogashay so close. Kriees lowered her hood and unfastened her cloak which she draped over the seat presented to her before sitting down before the Elder of the Ansheetans. She stared at the Elder emotionless.

After a moment the old Ansheetan made a gesture with her white plume as she lowered her head a bit, “I am Elder Felreh. To my right is Commander Madala. This is the Anashee Council. We welcome you Emissary Kriees of the Rogashay.”

Kriees made a Rogashay salute that raised her hand over her face and dropped along with her chin to her chest, “Gratitude for agreeing to this meeting.”

“And we are grateful for your people wanting to speak peaceably. What brings you to call for this meeting after such a long period of silence from your people?” Elder Felreh asked.

“Our scouts have reported that you Ansheetans have a new weapon. We wish to know your intentions for this weapon.” She stated bluntly.

There were a few murmurs until the Elder asked, “Do you mean Merco?”

“Yes.”

“Merco is not our ‘weapon’. He is a guest of Anashee.”

“Ah. I guest...who does what you ask of him?” she almost asked in a challenging air.

Elder Felreh said evenly, “Merco is a peaceable being. He has rarely acted violently, even when provoked.”

"Rarely.” Kriees stated.

“Rarely.” the Elder confirmed.

“That is good to know but forgive me for being skeptical, Elder. Our scouts have left little to the imagination with their reports of his power. We the Rogashay do not wish to be on the receiving end of one of these “rare” violent attacks.” Kriees replied with direct honesty. “My people believe you will use him to push us further into the Wasteland.”

The Elder remained stoic, “We have no such intention, Emissary Kriees.”

It was then the walls began to rhythmically shake signaling the inevitable arrival of Merco.

“In fact, Emissary Kriees, you may ask him yourself.” Elder Felreh added whilst standing from her seat, “Won’t you accompany me outside?”

Elder Felreh decided since Merco was a free entity that it wouldn’t be right to speak for him should such questions arise. So, she had sent a messenger to get him shortly after the emissary had been led into the city. There were no windows in the council chambers, adding to the privacy of such meetings, so outside was the only manner in which Merco could “attend”. Kriees nodded and rose, walking beside the Elder whilst the Council followed them, flanked by the Elder’s guard. They exited the council chambers which was situated in the largest black bark tree in the center of Anashee. Out onto the large wooden and stone balcony that extended out from the tree, the group exited.

The suns darkened with Merco’s shadow as he appeared around the corner with gentile steps. Pixie, whom was riding on Merco’s shoulder, pointed to the balcony and he slowly approached until he was close enough to see and hear the gathered group without looming menacingly over them.

He dipped his head in greeting, “You asked for me Elder Felreh?”

She nodded her old head, “So glad you could join us Merco. Were you able to retrieve our guest’s sand dragon?”

“Yes. Tied in the stables. Safe and sound.” He assured.

She gestured to Kriees, “Our guest has some questions for you regarding your intentions.”

“Intentions for...?”

Kriees looked up at him, arms behind her back, “I’ll be direct then. If Elder Felreh commands you to ‘defend’ Anashee from my people, will you?”

Merco blinked a couple times quickly, not really anticipating such a question, “Direct indeed, Emissary Kriees.” He thought a moment, trying to find the words that would be truthful yet diplomatic, “I do not wish any harm to come to Anashee, nor to the friends and allies that have treated me so well. I was marooned on this planet injured and there are those whom I owe my life for helping me. Should their safety be jeopardized I will act as a friend and keep them safe. BUT...I am not looking to fight anyone’s war. I have fought in war on my own world...and I hope it’s something both your peoples will avoid at all costs.”

Kriees tipped her bony crested head, her green eyes serious, “Then you would not fight?”

Merco set his jaw firmly, “I think the better question is: why would you want to fight? What motivates you to seek this?”

“I seek no fight. But know that my people are prepared to fight and die to defend ourselves should you darken our encampment.”

The man shook his head, “I do not want to hurt any of you. Like I said, I don’t want to fight a war.”

Kriees nodded but her eyes still held skepticism, “That is good to hear. My people grow weary of the hardship on the fringes of Ansheetan territory. For several generations we have been pushed further and further into the Wasteland. I fear the hardships will lead to...less than peaceful actions if they grow more desperate.”

Merco asked gently, “I understand from...sources...that your people raid and pillage Ansheetan settlements and travelers?”

The green eyes of the Emissary narrowed slightly but returned calm, “It is because of said hardships we resort to such...unscrupulous actions. Just traveling here through Anashee’s borders, I have seen more bounty of food than we can plant and harvest in a rotation. The soils on the fringes are not crop friendly. If you do not intend to push us further into the Wasteland, then we want to negotiate an agreement for farmable land.”

Murmurs amongst the Council filled the balcony.

Merco made a face that said he empathized with the entreaty, “I...hope I don’t overstep by saying this but, that seems like a reasonable request and a strong motivator, Elder Felreh. Why can’t the Rogashay have fertile land to call their own?”

Emissary Kriees betrayed a brief look of disbelief that this Merco alien would side with her.

“What land specifically?” Commander Madala asked, “You do understand we cannot simply take away farmland from our own people. What about the farmers and their livelihoods?”

Merco thought a moment then asked, “Who owns the forested area?”

Elder Felreh turned to a male Councilman dressed in a gray uniform and a strange hat, “The forested areas, save for the Trits on Anashee Lake and those that live spread out through the forest, are owned by Anashee.”

“So...government owned?”

“Basically.”

“Why not allot the Rogashay a portion of that forest?” Merco asked honestly. “Even by my standards it is very big.”

Emissary Kriees looked at him doubtingly, “The forest isn’t suitable for farming...only hunting. Even with our sand dragons and every able body we have, it would take us rotations to clear enough land for suitable farming. By then we’d starve ourselves.”

Merco nodded, “Perhaps. But what if I removed those trees for you?”

The Rogashay female blinked her green eyes.

“If such an agreement is made and it will bring peace between the Rogashay and the Ansheetans, I will gladly volunteer my help to make that land farmable.” The man stated genuinely.

Elder Felreh let a small smile creep along her wrinkled mouth but then remained serious when facing Kriees, “Would your people agree to such terms?”

Kriees was stolid in expression but inwardly she was baffled and almost elated. She came into Anashee expecting to be turned away with an ultimatum of “leave or be destroyed by our giant monster” as her mate had dreaded. But now they wanted to talk of offers of land...farmable land...to call their own? Her mate Boroxle had often privately voiced such desires, wishing for land to own and raise sand dragons. However, the borders of the forest offered little in the way of achieving the dream.

For generations it was understood by the Rogashay that they would have to wait patiently until the time was right and take what they wanted when Anashee weakened. But now, Anashee had grown stronger and instead of offering their banishment and eminent demise in the Wasteland they had extended hope. Hope for her people...and for her first son.

Kriees placed an open hand before her face and lowered it, bowing her head in the same motion, “I would need to confer with the tribal leaders ...but I would be... eager to hear your proposals and have them written out officially.”

Elder Felreh returned the Rogashay gesture in the Anasheetan manner. Peace with the Rogashay was something she had hoped for since she first became the Elder. Wounds from the last war were still too tender back then but as time passed it seems the wounds had scarred over. No doubt there would still be sore trusts, given the raids the Rogashay had carried out and most likely there would be those who would protest this proposal. But it was an excellent first step.

The Elder bowed her crest to Merco, “Thank you Merco. We will retire back to the Council Chambers to confer.”

Once Elder Felreh made her way toward the doors, the other Council members followed. Kriees paused before she followed and faced Merco. Then she gave him the same bowing hand gesture she gave the Elder and then turned to follow the others.

Merco glanced at Pixie, “What did that mean?”

Pixie squinted, trying to remember that lesson from her education feeds, “I think...it is a show of thanks or respect.”

A small smile graced Merco’s mouth, “I see.”

“You make a good mediator.”

He shrugged sheepishly, “I...guess...I really hope I didn’t overstep my bounds there. I mean...this isn’t my planet and I don’t know how things work here completely.”

Pixie patted the swath of his huge shoulder with a tiny hand, “No. You did good.” She squinted with a smile, “You always do good.”

Merco gingerly turned and tread back the way he came to exit Anashee, “Well...not always. But I’m trying.”