Ice Planet Barbarians

Georgie stares in alarm at a dozen furry, bipedal creatures, which remind her of Wookiees from Star Wars. Vektal, above her, frantically tries to widen the crevasse so that he can climb down. Georgie cautiously extends a hand to a slowly approaching creature, thinking that it might sniff her. Instead, the creatures attack her, striking her and yanking at her hair. Vektal drops into the crevasse, roaring at the creatures until they retreat. He throws Georgie over his shoulder and carries her out of the cavern, fighting off any creatures that boldly pursue them. He returns them to the cave near where Georgie fell. She obeys his command to stay this time, crying in her unhappiness and pain. Even so, she feels safe with Vektal.

Vektal trembles with horror over how the creatures, whom he calls “metlaks,” could have killed Georgie. He is frustrated at her helplessness and insistence on going to the mountains. He finds her mysterious and dislikes that she is injured, something he notes his people’s healer could fix “with a touch” (71). When Georgie cries, he comforts her and promises that he will take better care of her, despite knowing that she can’t understand him.