The crowd parted, and a creature with eight legs--two big, stump-like legs that he walked on--emerged. His skin was saggy, and the color of grass. Age had weathered deep lines into his face. Relda managed a stiff smile. She'd never seen a Progor up close before.
"They're even uglier in person," Relda muttered, attracting glares from Ty and Raylay.
"Who?" Ty demanded.
"Progors."
"Aks!" Raylay hollered again.
Lowering his voice, he added. "Try to keep your comments to yourself, Princess."
A huge, radiant grin broke over Aks' face. He held his arms toward Raylay, and greeted him with an embrace.
"How are you, my boy?" Aks questioned. "How's your parents? Ozla? Klea?"
Raylay used his foot to trace a pattern into the floor.
"Mom and Klea are gone. So's Ozla," he said in a soft tone. "Dad is...Dad."
"Sorry to hear that, my boy," said the old Aks.
Raylay blinked multiple times. Aks tipped Raylay's chin up with his roly-poly fingers.
"What have you come to see me about, Raylay?" He asked.
While Raylay paused and sputtered for words, Relda snatched the viewing screen from under Raylay's arm.
"This," she spoke for him. "These Dialorians stole a medallion I needed to pay a businessman. But these stars--they are yellow. Not crimson."