Above the village of Dunee, below the Thing in the Sky, lower more than the airships, amongst the branches of the grand nuua trees were a series of dangling platforms and bridges, built by the rangers of the land as a faster means of navigating and observing the forest.

Here they were mingled with the militia to help secure the surrounding area. Both groups equally out of their respective depths having never dealt with such a situation before.

Sergeant Dakka of the militia stood beside Head Ranger Zigs, a local tribal fellow. While the ranger dangled his hooves over the platform's edge to watch the sky, the soldier had his eyes on the forest.

Close spaces were perfect places for things to hide. Obviously, and he had a constant feeling of being watched. Though everyone was reporting that sensation.

But something in his instincts pulled his eyes into the great shadows of the botanical giants.

"Hey, sergeant," called an annoyingly familiar voice, "did you hear that the thing apparently ate a bird?"

That distracted Dakka from his musings.he turned to look at the young soldier, who had an equally young jest hovering close by.

"I did not," he snorted. "That sounds made up. You shouldn't listen to rumors, private."

Private Haci laughed. "It's no rumor. Those science guys have chatting about it. It supposedly sprouted tentacles and pulled it inside."

Dakka stared at the young soldier a moment. Private Haci was very inexperienced, but very bright and a fast learner. He also wasn't one to make stuff up.

Though he had a habit of randomly blurting stuff out. Much to the older board's annoyance.

"Anything else?" He inquired.

The private shook his head. "No, just thought you'd want to know, sergeant."

Dakka sighed. "Thanks, I'll remember that when I sprout wings and decide to go for a flight around it. Why don't you go patrol the deep woods with your friend. Take food and stay in contact, only if you come across something important."

Deflated, Haci moved to obey, the jest swift to follow, or lead as she knew the woods better. Dakka was mildly amused by her.

He turned back to Zigs, who wore an equallyy amused expression.

"My niece seems infatuated by him," he chuckled.

"Niece?" Dakka gaped. "Great. I practically sent them on a date together."

"She can handle herself," Zigs reasurred him. "They are both adults and ought be ready to accept consequences of their actions."

Dakka was surprised by the laid back attitude of the bard. But chalked it up to long life experience. After all, many tribes and families were greatly reduced when the moon fell centuries ago, and were still on the road to recovery. Being swift to trust or encourage outside relationships was simply survival.

He sat beside the ranger and watched the sky as well. Besides, this was a view he should take in and remember. How often did such an event occur?

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Now we meet the rangers and grunts. Trying new angles and uniform designs, hope I did well enough.

And i hope you've enjoyed!