Page 14 of Alien Barbarian's Little Human

We both turn toward Gog as he strides forward and bows his horned head.

“You gave one of our most precious gifts to this stranger?”

“I needed to understand her, my Chief. I had to know if she or her kind presented a threat to our village.”

Chief Ral frowns. I sense a deep, long held hostility emanating from Ral toward Gog.

“And what did you decide? Is she a threat to us?”

“No, my Chief. I do not believe she is a threat to anyone. I have not met her people, but they are explorers.”

He licks his lips and clears his throat before he continues.

“Chief Ral, they came in a ship that sails across the sky rather than the water. They hail from a different Sun.”

Chief Ral stares at him for a long time. Then he looks at me.

“You will tell your story to the Elder Council.”

“Um, okay,” I reply. “Sure.”

Ral strokes his chin, then retreats to the back wall. He pulls a cord and a curtain draws back to reveal seven seats. He takes the one in the center. Soon he’s joined by other Drokan, most of them with the same ash gray cast to their skin. Is that their version of gray hair and wrinkles? I have so many questions about their culture as a professional. But on a personal level, I’m scared shitless.

I tell the story to the council, with Gog adding in bits here and there. It soon becomes obvious that eerie time he speaks, they grow impatient.

When I finish my story, the council breaks down into an argument. Most of them don’t believe a word I said. No one’s calling for my execution yet. Yet. But I’m quite concerned.

“Enough,” Chief Ral says. “It is clear we will not reach a consensus. We must put her to the test of the Tree.”

“I’m surprised to hear you say that, Chief,” snaps one of the Elders. “Considering we all know you disagreed with the results of the last test the Tree made.”

His eyes roll over to Gog, who looks deeply ashamed.

“See? Even he knows that the Tree’s judgment was lax.”

Chief Ral crosses the floor and towers over the other elder.

“The Life Tree is connected to the very essence of Kro. It does not lie. It is never wrong when judging what is in a manor woman’s heart. We will put her to the test, and the Tree will decide…and we will all abide by that decision.”

Just as Ral begins to relax, Gog steps forward.

“My Chief, we cannot let her take the test. It might be dangerous for one of her kind.”

Chief Ral glares at him.

“I have spoken, Gog.”

“It is not right. She is no danger, I swear it. It might kill her to be tested.”

“If so, it is a tragedy, but the safety of this village must come first,” Ral says.

Gog’s jaw sets hard.

“I will not permit this.”

“Will you fight the entire village?” Ral asks softly.

“Yes. Every single one of you, and you know that I quite possibly will win.”

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