They weren’t the play-by-the-rules For males of the tribes who liked regimen and valued fellowship of their people. These were the Hobans times ten, ruthless, selfish, and without conscience. They would show no mercy.
One of the men grabbed the For holding Addie by the shoulder.
“You can’t claim her. You don’t have first rights.”
The For snarled at the touch. He rotated his head and said, “I’m not. I’m taking her to the others. You,” he pointed at a guy with the bloodied club, the owner of the most grizzled appearance on Planet Zero, “deal with the cripple.”
???
“Why is it always me?” The man’s tone was whiny, at odds with his massive warrior appearance. He stomped his foot and pouted, his behavior hinting that the grizzled club owner likely wasn’t the brains behind this ambush operation.
“You’re strong,” the other warrior placated.
“So? He’s a cripple. Why does it have to be me?”
“Make it quick. We can all take turns with her at the camp.”
Addie erupted in a storm of renewed resistance. She clawed, hit, and kicked her assailant. She bit his forearm. She pushed and pulled, and twisted her body in a desperate attempt to break free. She didn't think logically about what she’d do once released. Outrunning these men was impossible. Overpowering them - even less so.
The men cackled and hooted at her attempts, finding her resistance hilarious. Amused, they weren’t watching her hands and she managed to pull out her knife and made a blind slashing motion, catching the man who came closer to help subdue her. She nicked him and he yelped in surprise.
Ihr’s high-pitched, ear-splitting screech broke from above their heads, adding to the overall sense of mayhem. The ball of gray fur lunged at the For holding Addie, and his cat-like little talons left bloody grooves on the man’s upturned face.
He cursed in a long string of creative words Addie had only a vague understanding of. One of his hands let go of Addie and made a lightning-quick grab for Ihr, but the Yuux’s speed was superior even to the wild instincts of the For. The animal streaked through air, out of reach, only to lunge again, aiming for the eyes.
Slow as the events unfolded in Addie’s mind, they took all but seconds. Ihr’s surprise attack proved more effective than expected, and the For holding Addie had to let her go or lose an eye. Ehr joined the fray, darting between the men and sweeping down on the grizzly dude with his talons extended. He spun in a circle yelling obscenities and brandishing his club.
All of them hopped and swung their arms trying to swat at the Yuux like some demented butterfly catchers.
“Run!” Zoark yelled.
“What about you…”
“Run!” Using the commotion, he slammed into the club guy with all his might, crashing them both down and wrestling the club away. Light as a cat, he was on his feet before Addie blinked, and now he had a weapon.
Addie took off.
She dashed behind the first boulder, dropped, slithered under a small natural bridge formed by the twining Qoms, feeling the twigs tear her garments. Jumping to her feet, she sprinted sideways, circling the clearing where Zoark remained instead of running away.
Her Yuux followed her; she could hear their frantic cries from high above.
“Please, please, my friends, you did so well down there. Please, go away,” Addie chanted soundlessly, throwing glances at the skies where the small gray fur balls unerringly tracked her. She got now why scouts and warriors didn’t have Yuux of their own. Ihr and Ehr might as well have been shining a searchlight down on her.
Reaching a large outcropping that rose opposite to where she’d disappeared, Addie carefully peeked at the clearing.
Zoark was surrounded by three marauders. The former club owner stayed down after Zoark’s powerful tackle.
The one with the black axe, a leader of sorts, spat a string of highly offensive curses at him, clearly annoyed at his causing Addie’s getaway.
If she could throw a rock, or cause some other distraction, Zoark would have a chance to break free and run.
She leaned down to pick up a rock, but her hand never made contact with it. Addie was roughly grabbed from behind, a hand covering her mouth, and yanked into the bushes.
Screaming into the offending palm, she flailed her arms. Ihr and Ehr screeched louder and descended.
“Ouch! Cursed beasts. Call them off!”
Addie stopped flailing just as the hand covering her mouth let go to ward off the Yuux.
