Arc 2, Ch 2
Sun setting...have travelled since sunpeak. Big eater too strong; have struggled to get free, and failed. Venom doesn't stop it, sticky doesn't stop it...
...doesn't try to eat me. Maybe wishes to take me to eater-den?
Flyer and water-eater have followed big-eater since capture. They not try to eat either.
...confusing...
Do not understand...why don't they eat? Why don't they fight?
Do they not collect essence? Thought all did that.
Thought...kill or be killed...?
...
Wait...we stop. Big eater makes noises to eater-followers. They noise back, and leave.
...communicate through noises?
Big eater takes me through branches and green-stuffs. Takes me to big pond, surrounded by tallgreens...
...can tell it goes deep. Can hide much below.
Finally am let go! Tossed me to ground. Get to feet, and spin round to face!
Big eater...very strong. Big, muscly arms with claws.
Armored head, big fangs. Has two eyes, seem to glow. Spikes on back...like fins?
Can see tail behind, long. Doesn't look like swimmer, but maybe...?
Make noise to it. It glance down, then...looks behind me...
...something behind me...
...slowly turn around...ready for attack...
...
...see teeth...
...all can see is teeth. Big, tooth-filled mouth. Covered in thick scales and fleshy whiskers.
See four yellow eyes above mouth, staring.
...giant...
Trying to keep watch on both eater behind and Giant mouth in front. Hard to watch both...
Giant mouth makes noises to eater...they noise at one another. Cannot understand...
"Where did this beast come from?"
"Killed Crass. Collected his essence."
"Is it a scout? From the other side?"
"Don't think so. Didn't come from river."
...don't understand them. What they doing?
Giant looks to me. Makes noise at me.
"Who are you?"
...what say?! Can't understand!
Spin round! Big eater nudged me...the Giant repeats the noises.
...they want me to noise back, yes? Shall give them noise!
Shall scare them away!
"SKREEEEE!"
...
...didn't work. They still there.
Big-Mouth and Eater noise again.
"Grond, teach this creature. It shall join us."
"Yes, my King."
NO! Am picked up again! GRAH!
Big-eater carries me away from the Giant. Takes me to big rock, sets me down.
Scramble...can't jump to tallgreens, too far away. Can't leave rock...too much water around.
Big eater sits across me, and grabs something from bush. Looks...like food.
It holds food out, within my reach...and speaks.
"This...meat..."
...seeks to give food?
...why?
...
Time passes. Eater doesn't try to attack...just holds the food to me.
...but why?
...slowly reach for it. Eater speaks again.
"Meat...meat good..."
Quickly, grab it and pull away before it can react!
...Big Eater doesn't react. Why?!
Sniff...food smells fresh. Not bad...
Finish my food, watching Eater cautiously. Brace! It raises its clawed hand...
...and holds its claws to its chest. It makes a noise...
"Grond...me Grond."
...Grond? What does Grond mean?
...
End Ch 2