Otherworld

Part 13

Bridged was a little worried by how old Chief Nakiki looked. It appeared that she had aged several decades since Bridged and Arnold had last spoken to her. Arnold reached over and squeezed her hand. Bridged looked at Arnold and she could see the same worry in his eyes.

Chief Nakiki greeted the four of them in the traditional way. Once she greeted them she waved for them to sit on the smooth moss covered stones that always seemed to multiply or disappear according to how many people the Chief was formally seeing. The council of elders sat on stones that formed a backdrop behind the clear space where the Chief could stand and pace.

"I have received word from the other villages and it is not good." Chief Nakiki paced slowly over the ground as she struggled to effectively communicate the news she'd received. "More and more of your kind are appearing here. It seems that more and more are appearing every day. They bring strange objects with them that we have never seen before."

Bridged shared a look with Arnold. "They will keep coming. Our people are very numerous and we produce at a remarkable rate."

The Chief nodded. "That is not what I wanted to hear. My people live longer than yours do, but we also reproduce at a slower rate."

Arnold straightened on his boulder. "What would you have us do?"

Chief Nakiki gave a weary shrug of her shoulders. "Help us survive. The runners are still here for you speak with. Maybe with your help we will survive this invasion."

Arnold stood up abruptly causing Bridged to stand as well. "We will do the best that we can."

"That is all I expect you to do." Chief Nakiki motioned to one of her elders. "Take them to the runners."