Darkness came slowly but completely that night. Starlight was not strong enough to penetrate the forest leaves and there was no moon. Atal lit no fire that night only holding the child close in his arms and recalling in his mind what had taken place long ago and far away. Morning came reluctantly.

There were three of them. Dark metal encrusted creatures dragging their captive behind them with great strength for their small bony bodies. Atal sat waiting for them in a small clearing. He had heard their approach for hours. The birds had told him first, then the fleeing squirrels, and finally even the ants spoke of their approach.
They stopped when they saw him. He thought briefly of how stupid they seemed and remembered sluggishly to not underestimate them no matter how much more the world spoke to him. They spoke the tongue was gutteral and arrogant. One pointed at where Atal sat and the other paired moved towards him. The Fox growled. Atal said nothing. They hesitated but at a word from their commander hurried forward. The bear stopped them. Where he had come from even Atal had not heard. He was not given to being social, but Atal was such that he came out for him. There was silence in the for a long minute as the black creatures noticed the many animals gathered about the clearing.
Atal pointed at the captive. "Let him go." He knew the words would not be understood, but they comprehended well enough.
The leader shook his head, "Heg sercund," he pointed at the man, "barogunar."
Atal pointed at the bear, "barogunar," he pointed all around the forest, "barogunar," he pointed at an anthill, "barogunar." Crouching to the crowd he spoke softly and blew on the anthill, their black bodies crawling surely across the ground for what seemed like forever they did not understand. The itching, then the biting. It only reached the two subordinates. The leader watched with horror.
Atal rose from the ground holding out a giant spider. "I will send them to hunt you in the night." The threat was not as real as it seemed but the spider's venom was and with a quick word all three fled leaving the man behind. Atal gently set the spider down with a word of thanks.