Galeb heard the noise again. He stood up from examing an odd shaped footprint lying in the snow and listened closely. Galeb could best describe the noise as the sound of falling snow when a leafless tree was shook by the trunk in the winter. At first it seemed like nothing of concern to him but after the second time the noise received his full attention.

Galeb R'ef was a Lorinthian, an Aelo-Lorinthian, a humanoid race limited to only a small colony on the Diamond Falls in the Western Lands. Aelo-Lorinthians had furry squirrel-like bodies with large, thick, hair extensions which formed a natural helmet called a C'dowe, the most significant feature of a Lorinthian. It began at the nose and grew up the head where it split into two pieces which hung out to the sides.

The young Aelo-Lorinthian slowly began to move away from the unusual footprints and trudged carefully through the snow trying his best not to make any noise of his own, an easy task for the Lorinthian's light feet. Galeb peered through two tall trees covered with ice which reflected light from the afternoon sun to bounce off other crystalic trees creating a marvelous lighting effect on the Tashmine forest in this time of year.

Galeb's large, round, dark eyes which were sunk back into his face behind his C'dowe, scanned the forest clearing. Moments before the Aelo-Lorinthian dismissed his investigation a deer-like Waylez pranced into view. Galeb, impatient with the turnout of his investigation and looking forward to a toasty fire back at the colony and out of this chilling weather, then partially concluded, however unlikely, the waylez to be responsible for the noises and unusual footprints. Still something kept the curious Lorinthian there for a few more seconds staring at the carefree waylez.

At this time, the waylez suddenly looked up and seemed to be listening for something unheard as Galeb had just minutes ago. What happened next took place so quickly and unexpectedly that it startled Galeb so much that he fell backwards into a snow bank; a long grey creature, which appeared at first to be a snake, dropped down from a tree directly above the waylez and quickly wrapped around its prey. The waylez shrieked and struggled as the creature swirled around it slashing it with claws so rapidly it kept the waylez from fleeing.

The waylez threw itself on the ground as a desperate attempt to free itself from the beast. It did work for a second, the silent predator stood in its natural position and Galeb was now able to get a good look at it. Gaunt and hideous, the creature stood on two spider-like legs, from there its back arched up so much that it formed an almost complete circle with its head floating just above its legs. The creature seemed entirely made of long grey hairs which covered its thin lanky body, only claws, a couple of fangs, and two large red eyes shown passed the hair. The hair was darker and thicker on its arching back like a mane, and also above its eyes which made huge eyebrows which gave the lanky critter a sinister gaze. Galeb had not seen anything like this beast before. Bizzare and ghastly it seemed almost like some kind of demon or ghost. Before Galeb could determine anything the monster leaped back onto the waylez biting and clawing.

By now Galeb R'ef had taken in the reality of the situation and realized the danger he was in if this malevolent beast saw him. He slowly and silently began to back away from the two combatants and turned in the direction of the Aelo colony. The terrified Lorinthian could hear the blood curdling screams of the waylez as he began to run faster and faster, no longer concerned with how much noise he was making. His thoughts raced as did he through the snow, what was this creature? How did it get here? What will I tell the colony? Galeb's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of nothing, the sounds of battle between the waylez and the grey monster had stopped abruptly. The only sound that remained was the consistent crunching of snow under his feet as he ran even faster. As more panic slowly settled within Galeb he began to wish he had the speed of the older Tideme-Lorinthians in the Southern Lands. He pursued the thought as a way of distracting himself so that he would not become afraid by thinking about the danger he was currently presented with. It did not work as well as he planned, he soon spotted something sweep past the trees to his left. Trying to assure himself it was due to his imagination, Galeb listened closely as he ran for any sounds of pursuit. Nothing, only the sound of a whisper as wind blew through the icey trees of the forest. Galeb soon approuched the base of the Diamond Falls, here he could use his sure-footed Lorinthian feet to quickly spring up the mountain and to the safety of the colony. As he made a leap for a rock he heard the sound of a whisper again and felt something hairy wrap around his leg.

The Aelo-Lorinthians were descendents of the Tideme-Lorinthian race. The segment of the Tideme migrated to the Western Lands due to conflicts with religions and way of life with the other Tideme. Aelo was the Lorinthian word for "moon" or "lunar", the Aelo-Lorinthians had a strong attachment to the forces of gravity, more specifically the powerful forces of the gravitational pull of the moon against the earth. The forces that alternated day and night and washed tides onto land and drew them away. They shared a unique interpretation and understanding of gravity which they used not only as a way to build inventions and enhance agriculture, but as a belief of spiritual life which guided the way of thinking of Aelo-Lorinthians.

A "Galome" was the term of a Lorinthian mayor or chief, in other words the leader of the colony. The Galome of the Aelo-Lorinthian colony of Diamond Falls was awoken from his bed chamber by a series of bells linked together so that the ringing of one started a chain reaction to the others thus creating a very loud and annoying alarm system. The Galome slowly sat up from his bed annoyed with disturbance of his winter hibernation.

"Wh-what is it?" the Galome called out.

A voice from outside called out, "Foreign affairs Grell, here to see you sir."

"Gildur? Back already? Tell him I'll be with him in a moment"

"Yes sir," a female Aelo-Lorinthian answered as she walked over to a tall Lorinthian with a very large C'dowe sitting in a chair waiting.

"The Galome will meet with you shortly, Mr. Etrask."

The patient Lorinthian nodded and continued to sit quietly in his chair. Minutes later the Galome entered the room still rather sleepily and approached his guest.

"Welcome back Gildur. How goes your visit to Malgaria?"

The other Aelo-Lorinthian stood up and shook his C'dowe, a greeting sign of the Aelo, "Besides the freezing weather, uninformative and uneventful, Isba Galome. Humans can be so arrogant and oblivious."

"As can Lorinthians Gildur, that is why you must make these routine visits. We need the Malgarians for trade and protection, race relations are very important to the safety of this colony."

"Indeed you are right Galome, I would never question the necessity of your assignments," Gildur said as he rubbed his long pointed beard.

The Galome and the Grell of Foreign Affairs left the Administration Tower and entered the the hibernating village of the Aelo-Lorinthians just next to the Diamond Falls.

The Diamond Falls colony of the Aelo-Lorinthians was centered above, below, around, and in the Diamond Falls. Aelo-Lorinthians used their unique comprehension of gravity to sue the flow of water advantageously in many ways. A complex series of pulleys transported goods and even could be used as an elevator for Lorinthians to easily travel up and down the Falls. Pipes were used to connect water from the Falls to all homes and crop fields in the colony, this system also worked backwards in another series of piplines as a system of sewers. Transporting water could also be used as heating and cooling, which was very benneficial in this time of year. The survival of the Aelo-Lorinthians was entirely dependent on a large device in the Diamond Falls they built called a Hibernation Apparatus. This immensely complex invention carried out many tasks required to survive the harsh winter with the flow of water, despite the slow flow during the winter it used the colder water as a source of power. Obviously, this machine was advanced far beyond the rest of civilization, most non-Aelo witnesses of the workings of it claimed it to be run by magic as an explanation of the impossible feats it carries out. But the Hibernation Apparatus was entirely mechanical, only the Aelo-Lorinthians with there immeasurable knowledge of physics and astronomy understood how this machine works.

The residency of the colony was a variety of different homes. Some Lorinthians lived in mountain caves while others lived in small huts made of rocks, mud, sticks and just about anything else found in the Western Lands. Many of the Aelo lived in a combination of cave and hut, whatever seemed to fit in the crowded space of homes struggling to reach as close as possible toward the Diamond Falls where the best living conditions were. Roads and bridges alternated along the mountain side at seemingly impossible angles.

The entire colony was silent the only noise was from the icy water which cascaded down the Diamond Falls crashing on many rocks on the way down. The normal noises of Aelo-Lorinthians carrying out their daily activities was no longer present, it faded away when winter began and the residents of Diamond Falls entered hibernation. Only a few Lorinthians were outside their homes now, maybe getting a warm drink from the Hibernation Apparuatus or getting other storage supplies.

"How goes the hibernation, Isba?" Gildur Etrask asked as tehy crossed over a bridge over the Falls.

"Splendid, Gildur. Only a brief encounter with a lost Moska Tiger and a few Rotangas, but no one was hurt. Other than that, sleep has been as peaceful and harmonious as the waning Moon."

"Has the Hibernation Apparatus needed any repairs?" Gildur asked pessimistically staring directly in front of the Falls.

"Not at all, this seems to be the most successful hibernation in years," the Galome answered as he stopped to look at the Falls with the Grell. "So, it appears the Grell meeting tonight will run as planned."

"If I can get the other Grell out of bed," joked Gildur without laughing.

Lorinthians in general were not a friendly race. The old Basanthar-Lorinthians were cruel, barbaric warriors who were powerful combatants. Aelo-Lorinthians told stories of their ancestor's amazing feats but that was the way of the past. Aelo-Lorinthians now were not warriors at all, they could barely defend themselves physically. But, they still had some of the discipline of the old Basanthar in them. They were not friendly and were not concerned with entertainment or recreation. There main priority was to get work done, efficiently, productively, and effectively. When presented with a challenge, such as surviving the winter, they worked together and strategically solved the problem, without hesitation or laziness like the Moon orbiting around the earth. This was the greatest asset of the Aelo-Lorinthians which far makes up for their physical stature. Gildur Etrask, the Grell of Foreign Affairs, stood silent and grim as he watched the freezing water plummet down the mountain in front of him.

"Is something discomforting you, Gildur?" the Galome expressed his concern.

"No, Isba. I"m just tired. I should continue my hibernation now," he said wearily rubbing his C'dowe.

"You don't need to worry so much Gildur, everything is going as well as possible. Certainly nothing could disturb this year's hibernation."

"I guess you're right, Isba," Gildur said and then began to laugh a little.

Meanwhile, another awakening was taking place. Galeb R'ef pounded against the guard house door with both paws and c'dowe.

"Come on! Open up! Sombody please!" his shouting was interrupted by a groggy Aelo-guard opening the door.

Before the guard could say anything Galeb spoke first, "Where is the Grell of Security?! I must speak with him immediately!"

"Calm down young Aelo," the guard said rubbing sleep fron his eyes, "Mr. Ka'bal is on a security routine in the Tashmine right at this present time."

"When will he be back? I must speak with him!"

"He should return to the colony shortly for the Grell meeting. What is the problem anyway young Aelo?"

"No time to explain to you now, Isba. I must quickly get to the Administration Tower and warn the Grell," Galeb Ref's voice trailed off as he ran up the mountain.

The Aelo-guard yelled after him, "Wait! What is going on?!"

Night descended upon the Aelo-Lorinthian colony at diamond Falls in the Western Lands. The Gibbus in the sky shown dark orange, nearly red, a mysterious event that occured in the winter which not even an Aelo could explain. In a large observatory at the summit of the Falls a model of this section of the galaxy turned and rotated. Moons revolved around planets, planets revolved around the sun, heavenly bodies shifted as celestial life continued. The Grell of Astronomy recorded these events as he had done every night before.

A similar yet much smaller model also shifted which was kept in the Administration Tower where the Gibbus-Aelo Meeting of Grell was taking place. Around it sat the attended Grell. Ismet, Grell of Aelo-Religion, sat with his arms crossed fumbling with his ceremonial beads he wore on his neck. Bulmer, Grell of Finances, watched the orbiting model impatiently. Gildur Etrask, Grell of Foreign Affairs, sat perfectly still with a grim expression. The ancient Lorinthian known as Old Tideme, Grell of History, sat wearily stroking his beard. Empty seats for Kelamak, Grell of Astronomy, and Hamaer Ka'bal, Grell of Security, remianed inanimate. The Galome sat at the end of the table.

"Hyrma Weed is up three points, but the Argai Crystals are down several and on a surplus," Bulmer, Grell of Finances, stated.

"That's the third drop this lunar year," Ismet, Grell of Aelo-Religion, commented, "It seems that particular diamond has lost value to the humans."

"Perhaps. What did the Malgarians say of the Argai Crystals, Gildur?" asked Bulmer.

"Hmm? Oh, yes that's right. They claim the merchant sales of that item have not been good enough on exports," Gildur Etrask, Grell of Foreign Affairs, replied.

"Has there been a similar occurance with the Lucia Diamonds?" Bulmer said as a young Aelo entered the meeting with a female Lorinthian following after, "Those diamonds seem to be..."

Bulmer was interrupted by the female Lorinthian, "I'm sorry Isba! I could not stop this young one!"

"What do you want young Aelo?" asked the Galome expressing a bit of frustration.

"Isba! There is a terrible monster in the Tashmine! You must warn the colony!" shouted Galeb R'ef.

"A monster? Impossible, Hamaer cleansed the surrounding areas of Moska Tigers, Rotangas, and even rare Etraecians," Gildur Etrask stated.

"No, Isba. None of those! A hideous monster I have never seen or heard of before! It was hairy and grey with a back arched like the pouncing snake..."

Galeb was interrupted by Ismet, "I assure you young Aelo, such a creature does not exist. Mr. Ka'bal makes extensive searches on all life forms in this Aelo environment and your description is not familiar with any of his recordings."

"It is possible you have mistaken this illusion for a lighting effect of the sunlight reflection on the ice crystal trees in the Tashmine," Gildur added.

"No, Isba! I saw this beast conquer a waylez in moments! Indeed it was no illusion!"

"Wait!" Old Tideme spoke up finally, "Did this monster have large red eyes? Did it move like the wind or a whisper?"

Old Tideme was the oldest Lorinthian living in the colony. He was the only surviving Lorinthian of the Tideme-Lorinthians that migrated to the Western Lands almost 2400 lunar years (200 years) ago. He was the first Galome and was greatly respected by all of the Aelo, but after time passed and the younger Lorinthians came to power they put him to work as the Grell of History and out of their way. Now he spends his time silently filing books and files in the library while the new Grell maintain order and protection.

"Yes Old Tideme! Have you also witnessed the carnage of this atrocity?"

"Yes, I believe so. But it was a long time ago, when I was a young Tideme. I scarcely remember such a creature terrorizing the Tideme-Lorinthians in the Southern Lands, but the memory is so vague."

"And thus, hardly reliable," Gildur Etrask skepticized, "I have more faith in ecosystem records of the Aelo-Library than the mistaken testimony of a young Aelo and an unpredictable memory of an old Tideme."

Suddenly the door flung open and the female Lorinthian secretary was almost knocked over by a group of armored Aelo-Lorinthians. The group huddled around the Grell sitting confused around the table and Hamaer Ka'bal, Grell of Security, stepped forward.

"Isba Galome! There are vicious monsters in the Tashmine!" Hamaer shouted.

All of the Grell stood up from their seats and all the Aelo-Lorinthians in the room began speaking at once.

"See Isbas!" Galeb R'ef said, "There is something evil in the forest!" His voice was hardly heard amongst all the chatter.

"What did it look like Hamaer?" the Galome questioned, "Are you saying there are many of them?"

"Yes, at least a dozen! Hideous guant creatures with gray, furry bodies. They ambushed us while we were returning from security routine. A few of my Aelo were lost as we tried to escape!"

"How could this have happened?!" Ismet shouted desperately, "We made such accurate and inpenetrable scans of the environment, how could we have missed a monster horde?!"

"Dread Whispers," Old Tideme said solemnly, "That's what the Tideme- Lorinthians called them. Completely vile ghost-like vermin that make no noise louder than a whisper."

"Now let's all calm down, it seems to be just a simple pest problem. Let's try to find a way to neutralize it instead of panicing," Gildur said.

"Gildur is right," Hamaer agreed, "Now, what do you know about these Dread Whispers, Old Tideme. What do they want?"

"I'm sorry Mr. Ka'bal," Old Tideme apologized, "I can't remember much of anything specific. All I know is that they are a territorial species that conquers as much territory as they can. They only have animal intelligence, in fact, I believe the Tideme- Lorinthians defeated them by outsmarting them."

"Something Aelo-Lorinthians should have no trouble with," added Bulmer.

"Indeed, Bulmer," said Ismet, "I motion a plan of neutralization begin construction immediately. It seems this problem will get worse the longer we wait."

"I second the motion," Bulmer added.

Then each Grell nodded his C'dowe which was the Aelo-Lorinthian way of agreement and a plan began to manifest from the cooperative mines of the Grell. And so the Aelo-Gibbus meeting of Grell turned into a Defense Priority strategic plan meeting. The Aelo-Lorinthians took what knowledge they knew and soon came up with the best course of action. Unfortunately, due to the limited information, their was little room for any innovative actions. They soon came up with the only actions optional, simply to have a team scout and spy on the enemy so that more information could be obtained of the Dread Whispers and an effective means of extermination could be devised. Two teams would be composed. One would report to the place of encounter with the Dread Whispers which attacked Hamaer Ka'bal and his party, find the enemy and study its motives, or even better, exterminate it then and there. The other would do the same with the area where Galeb R'ef witnessed the lone Whisper. Also, those Grell that remained behind would fortify the colony in the event of an attack. That was about all that could be done at this time. By midnight, each party was already preparing to leave on their missions.

"Oh please be careful," was the last thing Razma R'ef said before her son Galeb left to join with his task group. He petted his sisters little C'dowe and waved goodbye, then was gone. Of course, Galeb R'ef had to go with the group in order to show the precise location he encountered the Dread Whisper, all the other Aelo-Lorinthians of his age stayed at home with their families.

A few more actions were taken before the departure; the Galome gave a small speech of the current crisis so that the Lorinthians could best prepare themselves, Hamaer Ka'bal fortified the city mostly by closing the main gate and posting as many guards as possible, and proper apparell was equipped for the two small armies. After that was done, the two groups left immediatley on their elusive missions.

By this time during the night the dark orange of the moon grew to a reddish color. Kelemak, Grell of Astronomy, pondered the cause of this effect while following Hamaer Ka'bal and the Aelo-Protection Bureau through the Tashmine. The Aelo-Lorinthians did not have any knights or soldiers like other races, a strong defense was unnecessary. In the event of a war these Lorinthians were to be protected by the humans in neighboring villages by signed treaties. Wildlife on the other hand, was the concern of the Aelo- Lorinthians and not of the humans. They were forced to provide protection in that category, which was not a problem until now.