The srix clambered up the ridge of ice and saw a dim flicker in the distance. It gave a cold snort and shook its silver coat. Raising its broad nose, the srix licked its pronounced chops and moved slowly in the direction of the light.
#
Qar sat by the flame’s edge, it flickered orange and green. The progeny sat across from her with worried, luminous eyes. Two small moons waxed on the nighttime horizon rising towards another very long phase. Darkness would soon pass, Qar could now see the dawning brightness on the bleak horizon that would encompass the entire moonside when it once again faced the gas-giant, Sorkius. But for now, the quiet gloaming held its perils. Their food was nearly depleted, the oceanic iceflow drew ever closer to their shoreline cavern, and there lurked terrors out on the plains before them as well as on the jagged ice behind them.
The flame winked off again, but after only a few moments the small geyser came to life as always before. The blue star, Tarm, burning hostile, was but a speck in the nighttime sky. Qar gave the system’s far-flung sun no thought, for it was the nearby planet which brought light and life to this little moon. Within hours of planetrise, the flower-lichen would spring forth anew giving them a bounty to eat. The sea ice would withdraw and they would scavenge the beach, combing for whatever they might find in the safety of daylight; for the srix would be hiding from the bright and swirling face of that magical planet. Qar rose and entered the cavern. After a moment, the younger followed.
Out some distance on the iceflow, the large-eyed srix drew a thick tongue across its finger-length teeth. The smaller target had held its gaze and it delighted in the fact the larger left the smaller in its wake without any apparent thought. Yes—a chance to strike would come. And the srix would stand ready to take advantage.
The little moon did not spin, only circled the gas giant. Full light came at regular, long intervals, as did the flower-lichen, the iceflows, and, too, the darkness. During times of light was when Qar felt carefree, never worried about the srix, or worse. But this time of twilight, especially dawning twilight, was the most dangerous; for the srix must strike soon if it were to gain a full meal before it had needs to hibernate for the long day.
The gas-giant, Sorkius nearly filled the sky at mid day and was worshipped for its size and also the protection it gave from the srix. The small village beside the icy ocean where Qar and her people dwelt was but one of many like primitive settlements on the tiny moon. The long nights and days passed; the population of Qar’s village ever-threatened and ever-shrinking.
#
The progeny was now as tall as its elder. In the light of day she’d strut about feeling safe and secure. She’d lost more than a few of her kind to the appetite of the srix, but so was life; for even in the daylight there were dangers and pitfalls, the packs of small and ferocious gobbins just one. That she’d gained maturity was a satisfaction. That her elder still combed the beach and sat by the gas-fueled flame after so many days was a wonder to her maturing mind.
The long day was finally waning and Qar was disheartened at the thought of the approaching night. She was growing old, had seen many, many days, and didn’t want to burden the progeny–would never accept needing her protection—never that!
Nighttime came and they steeled themselves for the long night of cold and danger. The srix prowled, but they stood against it, safety in numbers and vigilance against distractions, their protector. The small geyser winked off. Qar sighed in the blackness as she nibbled some flower lichen still remaining from day, as the iceflow moaned, creaking ever closer. In the distance came a piercing scream that hurtled toward the small encampment from the ice. Qar jumped up and hurried into the cavern just as another scream, louder, closer, preceded the snarling hiss of a srix. A few large and sharp rocks stood ready in the cave to cast if the srix drew any closer.
#
The Dawning had returned. That she had lived through the long, dreaded night seemed like a beautiful dream. The progeny strutted again, now that it was daylight. Would it always be this way? Day after long day. Night after fearful night?
Qar sat and watched the wonder of Sorkius, its whirling face a mystery, its size beyond imagining. She suddenly turned at the sound of a sharp cry. It was the progeny!–a pack of six or seven gobbins were trailing her close. Qar grabbed a few rocks and ran after, hurling one before she was even near. The progeny bolted toward the shoreline, the small gobbins at her heels. The nearest jumped but missed. Approaching, Qar flung another rock at that one and it cried out in pain and fled the other way.
The progeny jumped to a high dune, whirled around, and jumped back towards Qar, sailing cleanly over the gobbins. They turned to pursue, but when they noticed there were now two, they hesitated then backed slowly away.
The progeny smiled weakly as Qar dropped the remaining rocks she held and they embraced. It was only then they heard the familiar deep hiss!–a srix, driven by a raging hunger, no doubt, to be out in full daylight. But there it was on the high ice flow above them! A gurgling snarl escaped its wide, toothy mouth as it leapt—they grimaced in shock, tears falling, gripping one another tightly, awaiting the impact of the large, ravenous beast.
—
©2009 DJ Barber
DJ Barber lives in Oregon with his wife and two dogs. He writes by a window and watches the wildlife, sometimes sipping a beer as he waits on the muse.
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
Tags: DJ Barber
June 16th, 2009 at 6:10 am
A most unusual tale - kind of an other-worldly, prehistoric feel to it. I liked it!
June 16th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Thanks, Bob.
–dj
June 16th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
That was a well descibed tale. What a hostile environment they live in!
June 16th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Wow, this is sort of like Clark Asthon Smith’s version of National Geographic. Great stuff.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Thanks, Brian and Alan.
–dj
June 17th, 2009 at 5:48 am
I enjoyed this tale DJ. Very vivid descriptions that brought me right into the world you created
June 17th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Thanks, Graeme, and everyone else who read and commented.
–dj