Neverwylde (The Rim of the World Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Kyber, is it possible Hoov, or those of his species, carved those words into the rock?” Kelen whispered.
                Kyber shook his head. “I do not see how. But Adajuss would know these words. They might have inscribed them.”
                “In a language that is not their own?” Jules inquired.
                Mellori scratched his beard. “If you were wanting to leave warnings in case another species made it to this planet, you’d want to use a language you’d hope it would be familiar with.”
                Kyber grunted. “These are all the pictures you have?” He looked to Jules for confirmation.
                “Yeah. So far.”
                “Did you find any more of those Corucian words?” Kelen asked.
                He nodded. “Just one.” He pointed to the wall behind where Dox and Mellori were sitting. “There. Between you. It says ‘beware’.”

Chapter 6
    Descent
     
     
                They were staring at the odd symbol when a scuffling sound alerted them that someone was entering the tunnel. Kyber got to his feet and placed himself in front of her as Fullgrath and Massapa came into view. Directly behind them was Hoov.
                As Kelen had expected, the thing had six legs. If it walked upright, it would indeed exceed four meters as Cooter had predicted. Instead, it walked horizontally like the insect on Earth it resembled. A large praying mantis horse, she mentally told herself.
                Behind Hoov came Gaveer and Tojun, with Cooter taking the rear. Even though the creature walked in what appeared to be a crouched position, the top of its head barely missed grazing the roof of the tunnel. It paused when it came upon them, dropping onto its haunches as it studied them with its myriad eyes.
                “All.”
                “Yes. This is all of us,” Fullgrath answered.
                The thing lifted its head. “Injured.” The translator around its neck pulsed with a pale blue light.
                “Yes. Several of us are injured. That’s why we need you to guide us down the tunnel to a place where we can be safe.”
                “Hoov, this is Dr. Sandow. He is our physician.” Kelen did the introductions. It was then she noticed the wide-eyed stare Dox gave the creature. The young man’s face had also grown unusually pale. Of all the creatures they had seen since they’d crashed here, Dox had never shown any kind of fearful reaction. Not like the one he was having as he focused on Hoov.
                “Do-cur San-do.” Hoov tested each syllable. Apparently there were too many, and it decided to abbreviate. “Docur.”
                Sandow smiled. “That’ll do. I’ve been called worse.”
                Hoov tilted its head nearly one hundred eighty degrees clockwise as it leaned forward. Dox reacted, pressing his back against the wall. The little man trembled noticeably. If he could, Kelen had no doubt he would have jumped to his feet and ran off.
                “You,” Hoov requested.
                When Dox refused to reply, Mellori supplied his name. “He is Dox. I am Mellori.”
                Hoov bounced its head up and down several times. “Blood,” it finally stated. Whirling suddenly around, the creature stared down Kelen. “Blood,” it repeated, then gave Kyber a long look. “Blood,” it said a third time.
                Kelen saw Kyber silently snarl at the creature, revealing his fangs. He made no other threatening gesture.
                She glanced over at Sandow, who was studying the thing. All of them had suffered bruises and assorted wounds these past few weeks, but the three of them whom Hoov had singled out were in the worst shape.
                Kyber turned slightly to glance down at her. By