The Girl: Chalcedon Paz (Chalcie)
Eleven years old. Thin. Pale. Lanky hair that is often in her eyes. About 4 feet, 10 inches tall. Her parents, Melchor and Sprita Paz, are botanists at the beginning of the story, and they have decided to begin cataloguing species on the uncharted continent of Misurio.
Her Beast: Aekherril'n (Kerrie)
Adolescent drone. Russet fur with yellow undercoat. Silvery eyes. About 6 feet tall. Most of her village, home of the Rhetsyngigg (the only tribe in the Northern Forest), died of a strange plague (brought on by humans' arrival on their planet). A group of survivors, including Aekherril'n, traveled to the eastern edge of the continent humans call Zarahemla, to where the Northern Forest gives way to a rocky shore. Guided by ancient lore, the troop attempted to build a boat and cross to an island visible on the horizon. The ship was not seaworthy, however, and most of the group perished. Aekherril'n managed to stay alive for two weeks, adrift on a few logs lashed together. Strong ocean currents deposited her on an island continent about the size of Texas, called by the human Teregans Misurio.