The Cindorayi, Population: 93, Year 8 IL (Inland), Age of the New Moon

[b][u]Intelligence Comes In Small Packages[/u][/b]

A few Cindorayi males at the edge of the forest were cutting down trees with their stone axes, when suddenly they heard strange noises coming from behind them. They looked around, and saw small reptilian creatures, lead by one with an interesting piece of clothing. It was clear that they were requesting something, but the two had no idea what.

One, named Alyx, turned to the other Cindorayi, named Anton, and said, "Do you think they're intelligent? They don't seem like any of the other creatures we've met."

"I don't know, but maybe we should give them something so they go away," Anton replied.

"Do you still have your moon crystal necklace?"

With evident reluctance, Anton pulled the small turquoise crystal out of the string where it was tied around his neck, and gave it to the creature with the shawl. He then gestured that someone should probably tell Ekatyrina, so Alyx went off to cross the makeshift bridge over the river and up the hill to Ekatyrina's cave.

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Work on the path between Zemlyarod and Lunysvet continued nicely, as the Cindorayi increasingly became adept at the art of crafting stone tools. A few more had been created, such as one with a flat head to knock things together, and one with a pointed head on top of a stick to catch fish, though it could just as easily be used against other creatures.

The population of the Cindorayi continued to expand, and more and more of the area upon the hill-surrounded-by-river was covered by houses and the occasional workshop. Some chose to migrate to the other village, which was less densely inhabited.