The Raykonians

     They were human like, for the most part, the main thing reflecting their bestial origin was their matching hair. Some had the brown and white or black and white brindle pattern, while others had solid grey of varying shades, some almost white, some like slate. The others were all wheat to golden yellow. All their eyes were human and brown, as that would be effective in this area. However, each of the previous races left slightly different features, yet all handsome. They were of average height, with average builds.  Most were a healthy  brown, however, a few had an orange cast, and Van wondered if F'raykon had added elements of Oolah and himself to these people. Looking, he didn't see any signs of his presence in them.

     Somehow, despite having hazy half memories of their time as animals, they had basic skills of survival and building they could improve on. Still, there were no raw materials here, other then the rocks. Oolah, being a forester, had a great deal she could teach. With Vans skills being limited, he set out to collect resources for them, starting with several large grazer corpses. It took little time to actually down them, but transporting them wasn't as easy as he'd thought it would be. Using the trick he'd used that allowed Oolah to ride one of his platforms, he summoned carrying discs a foot below the ground. Between the weight of the earth and the carcasses, even one by one, it took intense concentration and even then the going was slow. It took him all day. 

     That evening he discussed ideas with Oolah. They wanted to continue on their mission, but couldn't in good conscious leave the Raykonians helpless. There was an idea, but with one reservation. Oolah would have to ride one of Vans discs. She reminded him, even in battle the hard version didn't immediately kill. It had to penetrate to inflict its poison. Still, Van didn't like it. He insisted it would slowly drain vitality even in it's hard form. He finally conceded, but would use a thick layer of both dirt and rock. 

     The next morning Oolah and Van backtracked to the point they left the trail, and marked it with stones. From there they moved North to the dwelling city of the lion elves. They left with a half dozen of them with a half  ton of supplies. A caravan would be following them there via the mark they'd left. The lion elves were excited to have new neighbors, and possibly another future trading partner. With Oolah and Vans special status being the ones to introduce them, the Raykonians started off well disposed towards the lion elves, while the lion elves' affable and gregarious manner cemented their friendship. Oolah and Van were satisfied.

     In the morning they bid adieu to their new friends who, didn't want them to go. They would be welcome back any time as honorary Raykonians. Oollah and Van made their way back to the trail.

     Several days passed uneventfully, and the terrain changed back to the savage plains of before, and it became a requirement once more to hitch rides on giant grazers. The Erlokas preferred it, getting well rested and well fed. They were growing slowly, but like most of the animals in this world, didn't stop growing. Size is limited only by old age, or, very rarely, they simply start having difficulty moving and become prey. 

     After starting to pass small patches of trees, a line eventually appeared on the horizon, and their journey found them camping outside another forest as night was imminent. This was what a person from our world would consider a more standard old growth forest. The treetops weren't nearly as, high, nor the canopy as closed as the great forest they'd just traveled through on this journey. Something about it seemed just as dark, however. Perhaps it was because there was less space between the trees, it gave that impression. Oolah and Van consoled themselves by imagining giant monsters wouldn't fit between these great thick hardwood trees, such as Bodgies, Redroot and Spikenut. Also, Maffy and Coffy didn't seem particularly on edge, a rarity of late. Oolah and Van were getting along well, but with an underlying sadness. Oolah, with her empathic ability knew how he felt, but was of little consequence if his actions were contradictory. Van thought she must hate him by now, and was being polite for the good of the mission. This line of thought made it easier for him to keep her at arms length despite his great admiration and respect for her. 

      Although they could see sky between the treetops, It somehow didn't seem to reach them. Van constantly tossed light ensorcelled spikenuts to Oolah who slung them in all directions, prioritizing their path ahead. They'd both been collecting them, looking forward to a grand spikenut roast when it was time to camp. The were both hoping they'd be on the other side of this forest by then.

     Game was conspicuously sparce, Even birds being few in number here. The forest began darkening, way too soon, and looking up saw a hazy, ill lit sky. rain finally? However, when they began seeing ghostly white specks in the distance, then curtains of grey, they came to a grim realization. Spiders. But where were they? The cobwebs thickened and clusters of broken eggs kept increasing until entire sections of the wood were made up of spider nests. 

     Van, pondering the situation, finally voiced what he was thinking. "I don't mind the thought of giant spiders so much. Not really much different then any other giant thing, except maybe poison."

     Oolah shook her head, "Spiders do not get big, Is what makes them so bad. You kill a 20 pound spider, it dies. Would be nice. Instead you kill 20 half pound spiders for ten more to jump all over you."

     Van shuddered, "figures. All this way just to get turned into spider fo...." He froze in his tracks, prompting the others to do the same. "Do you see that?"

     Oolah looked where he was looking and just saw forest and darkness and webs and shadows. The Erlokas, however, their fur bristling, started rumbling a low stern warning, but were backing up, their eyes wild.