A New Beginning

Chapter 60

Tessa's POV:

I lifted my head to examine the huge cargo ship we were approaching. One this size would take most of the afternoon for us to clear. I kind of hoped I would find something. It had been four days since I found my second crawler.

My ear tufts perked up when I spotted the person waiting for us. It wasn't a race I had seen before; its skin was brown and oddly shiny. Its four legs and two arms had more in common with an insect than with the Kymari or dragonets.

My Blood Memories identified it as a Brult. Not exactly the smartest race around, but they were highly cooperative and avid traders. Their fighting skills were rather lacking, and they didn't like conflict. The Kymari's refusal to take advantage of their lesser intelligence made the Brult prefer to trade in their cities and go to great lengths to find things the Kymari liked.

Two huge compound eyes watched us come within speaking distance. Its voice was oddly squeaky and heavily accented in a higher pitch. "Welcome! Welcome! Good day to you! You checking flyer for bad bugs?"

"Yes. We check your ship for crawler bugs," Soranto replied slowly and clearly, enunciating his words. "Tour, please."

"Yes! Yes! Happy to have flyer checked for bad crawler bug! This way! This way!"

I wasn't able to tell if it was male or female, but it was clearly enthusiastic and happy to have us on board. Its four feet clicked on the floor as it scuttled over to open the door for us. 'Walk' was not a word I could ever use for how its three-jointed legs bent and swivelled. It was both fascinating and creepy at the same time.

It guided us onto some sort of moving box with wheels that drove down the corridors. The sides were about waist-high on the Kymari. There were no seats, so Soranto and the guards stood with one hand holding onto the top of the sides for extra balance. I gripped Soranto's shoulder pad as we started moving.

Our guide chattered happily as it steered the bizarre vehicle, trying to figure out what its guests wanted to talk about.

"Lots of shiny stones from Jbar planet! Good metal cloth, too! You look for anything?"

"Do you have fruit or power tools?"

"Some fruit! Not much. All very good fruit, though. No tools this trip. Taking many metal boxes to Klet planet past next four stars."

"Just a quick stop, then?"

"Short time stop! Some trade. Will get lists for next trip – then come back with lots!"

It was actually hard to keep from grinning at the creature's excited outlook. I sniffed the air again, but didn't smell any crawlers or sicora. We weren't moving that swiftly, but it was still much faster than the Kymari usually walked.

We occasionally passed a Brult, and most were... jogging? at a rather fast pace. Their speed on foot emphasized that this vehicle was for moving cargo or as a courteous ride for visitors.

This trader was definitely aiming for the latter reason, readily discussing any subject Soranto brought up.

"Is this your first trip here?"

"Yes! New flyer! Strong enough to fly this far! Happy to be here! Hope to return soon!"

"Where did you come from? Before Jbar?"

"Very far! Tohr! Carry metal boxes long way! Fruit from Jbar – very fresh! Almost done first trip! Then come back!"

"That is a long trip. Your new ship work well?"

"Very well! Very well! Can ride star wind! Save power! Carries lots!"

They continued talking, although the conversation got a bit stilted at times due to the language barrier.