In Situ Read Free

from the caves that rose high above the thick forest canopy and had a large flat top. It was sheer on all sides and had been used for eons as the Arzat’s primary lookout. At night, it was the very place the Astrologers used to count the stars and forecast the seasons. Mot knew he would be able to get a completely clear view of the sky from there.
    With only a few more strides down the dark forest path he reached it and quickly crawled up one of its faces, using the sharp tips of his fingers and the toes of his feet to hold fast to the stone; his hunting stick safely back in its scabbard as he climbed.
    Mot remained in a crouched position as he reached the top, stopping again to feel for vibrations in the stone and to taste the air for danger, his sharp eyes scanning the dense forest below. Though the moon was only at half, its light cast a hundred degrees of shadow and color over the land. The scales of Mot’s skin became translucent blue and green under the glow. He had rarely seen such a sight, having almost never been out of the caves after dark. Mot unconsciously stood up, completely in awe, and looked deep into the night. Below, the dark canopy of the forest surrounded him, as if he were the only creature on earth.
    Despite the partial moon, the stars shone brightly , but one in particular lit the sky. It was not nearly as big as the moon, nor as friendly in color, for it glowed white-hot and angry like a coal from the Great Fire, and trailed white dust. Mot studied the fire rock for some time, completely mesmerized by the circle of flame that seemed to grow larger under his gaze. He held one hand over one eye and then switched, attempting to focus on the object. He watched for some time, trying to discern any movement across the sky, but could detect none. Still, while he had no way of knowing for sure, it did seem as if the rock was bearing down, heading directly toward him. Perhaps the Elders are right this time, he thought to himself uncomfortably. Mot sensed the truth of it to his bones, and it caused him to shiver despite the warm night. He needed to get back. He had promised El that he would only be gone one torch, and he realized that he had probably been out for two or three.
    As he turned and prepared to head back to the caves , Mot sensed movement in the forest below. He immediately froze, darted his tongue, tasted the air, and listened. For a moment, he could hear or feel nothing but own his heart beating, and he could detect no unusual scent, but he continued to hold himself as motionless as the rock he stood on. Nothing. Then two, maybe three… yes, three animals, hunting as a group. He could feel the scales on the back of his neck rising. Three animals, but Mot could discern only six feet among them as they tromped through the forest, and they were definitely not Arzats. There was only one other kind of animal that Mot knew of that stood on two legs and hunted in a pack; distant relatives perhaps, but he wanted no part of them. They were nasty and they were deadly and they were relatively intelligent which made them superb predators.
    Even the bravest of the Hunters feared them. The Arzats referred to the beasts as the Evil Ones. No one, as far as Mot knew, had ever even killed one. If they got wind of him he would be their dinner. Of that he had no doubt.
    Mot again tested the air, but could still not detect their scent. He considered that if he could not smell them, perhaps the creatures had missed his scent and would pass by. He could hear them clearly now, snarling and gnashing their teeth, engaging in their incomprehensible and high-pitched chatter as they tore through the forest floor. Their obvious lack of concern for stealth was testimony to their confidence as predators.
    Soon , the beasts were directly below Mot, two of them passing on one side of the rock, the third passing on the other. He held his breath and remained perfectly still, his heart beating so hard that he felt it was about to