Rebellion and New Life

Chapter 21

There were some Podlings passing by a forest clearing, and they heard a baby crying. They couldn't resist caring for innocent creatures out there in the wilds. The passersby looked and found a little lizard-like creature that was lost and alone.

The Podlings were at a loss of what to do with it. It seemed to be just a baby. The ones who had found the small creature were one male and one female Podling. They spoke in their own language, of course, discussing where the small one's mother could be, and deciding that there was no sign of any parent. Then they saw tracks of blood and a scuffle, and assumed the mother had been killed by Rakkida when they saw the gory paw prints in the mud.

They knew someone who could help take care of the baby, or might know, so they took SkekDar to them.

It was a small family of Gelflings who had escaped the wrath of the Skeksis so far. They were rogues from the Stonewood clan, but had a happy life away from the main clan. They grew their own food and raised their animals to assist in their family and food. They were dark haired too, which made them look much like Keg had. However, they were very different persons.

The mother's name was Mivoda. She had long flowing hair and was middle aged. Her mate, Chet, was taller than her, and worked as a farmer. The couple had a few kids: Kinama was the oldest daughter at 13. Mati was their middle son at age 6, and Julli was the family's baby. Julli was only a few months older than Dar at 3 months.

They were all having their breakfast when they heard a knock at their door.

"Who could that be?" Mivoda asked.

"Stay here." Chet said. He went to see who it was and then spotted their Podling friends. "Hi there, friends. What brings you by?" he asked.

The female said something in her language and held out a bundle. Chet took it and unwound it. In it, was a little beaked lizard. "Honey, we have something here..."

Mivoda came over to her mate to see. "What is it?" she asked. The kids were curious too when their father had said that.

The Podlings explained what they had seen. Mivoda understood. "They said the mother is dead, attacked by Rakkida, and they heard the little one crying." she explained. "It needs someone to take care of it."

"We already have our hands full with our own kids." Chet said.

"Chet, we can't let an innocent baby be left out there to die. Look at him... well, assuming it's a him. He's so cute." Mivoda was falling for Dar's innocence. He was sucking on one of his own hands right now.

"Oh, alright. As long as he's not any trouble." Chet said. "What do you think we should call him?"

The two of them let their Podling friends go on their way and brought Dar back to the table. The two older kids were fascinated by him.

"We could call him Kasim." Kinama said.

"I like Smur." Mati said.

"How about Ryuu?" Chet said.

"Considering it means 'fiery lizard,' it may be okay. Ryuu he is, then." Mivoda agreed.

The baby had calmed down enough to see his new caretakers, but his hunger began to get the better of him again. He began to stridently cry.

"What do we feed him?" Chet asked.

"He has no teeth. Looks like he may need milk. Let's try it: to not take chances, go get some milk out of the jug." Mivoda said. The thing had come from their pet Nebrie.

Chet did and put it in a bottle. It was still warm. The bottle was offered to Dar/Ryuu and he gladly took his second meal, but his first to be from Nebrie milk. It would become his main food for the next long while.