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Post by thundertail on Aug 23, 2007 19:45:13 GMT -5
TWENTY-FIVE: "Skybax." (Continued.)
"It seems obvious to us that we need to discuss this with them personally if we are to live here.", Thundertail said. "Is there a way we could do this, Stinger?"
"We must arrange an expedition to the high council at Waterfall City.", I said. "But we must first organize our presentation to them that would be agreeable to all. We must sit down and agree all the things we need here, and compose it into an acceptible document to present to them. We must try to convince them to let us stay here - and do it in a diplomatic way."
"We have a lot to prepare for." Deathflower commented.
"And not a lot of time to do it!", Grond added.
"We still have to tell these humans something.", Thundertail reminded.
"I'll tell them.", I said and walked back to where the Skybax riders waited.
"Well?", Romana dennison asked. "What is your decision?"
"We wish to seek an audience with the high council.", I told them. "We believe this edict is unfair, and wish to negotiate our right to live here. If you would, please tell them that. And also tell them this: We did not know that this place meant that much to them; however, we do need a place to live. If they can not see this, then we are forced to remain here anyway and face whatever becomes of it.", my demeanor became softer. "I guess that's about it. If you wish, you may stay for a meal or to rest a little more."
"We must be off.", Romana said.
"Yes, the sun is already sinking low in the sky.", David Scott said. "It's over a two hour flight to Canyon City!"
"Very well then.", I said as they mounted thier flying steeds and prepared to take to the sky. "Take care of yourself, Freefall!", I called after them, and Talon cawed farewell too. It had seemed that she had gotten quite acquainted with freefall!
As the pair of flyers shrank from sight carrying thier human passengers, Our thoughts returned to the ominous news they had brought with them. It was decided we discuss this matter in a most special place: the newly reconditioned ampetheatre down in the depths of Halcyon. Holding meetings was evidentally the amprtheatre's purpose of long ago, and no better place than this would be discussed here.
The corpse of Sharptooth had long ago been removed and given an honorable burial; and from there the Kirkys came in to catalogue and renovate the space. All the gold and jeweled reliefs had been polished to shining, and new sconces and main braiser had been replaced with like new ones. Klamath's horde of weapons had been brought to the storerooms in the pyramid of Teeklan, and his throne had been removed and placed in the rooms there designated for Mayday and I. The table used in the signing of the treaty between us and LaSage had been brought down and placed where the throne once stood, and cushions were fashioned for every important clan member along the front of the dias.
By late afternoon all the most important clan members were gathered in the amprtheatre, and representitives of all the carnivore species were present. Spaces up on the dias was made for Thundertail, Rex and myself near the table. As everyone got settled down in thier places in that vast chamber made small by thier presence, the first official meeting held there in centuries was about to take place.
"This meeting will now commence.", Thundertail said after he tapped on the table with his claws. "The issue at hand is as follows: What is to be done about the writ given to ud from the Dinotopian council prohibiting us from living here, in this place and in these cities. has anybody a comment on this matter; or can give suggestions on how to remedy this problem?"
In very little time at all, comments flew around the ampetheatre, and many suggestions were also voiced. However, the quick disoredr in which the meeting disintegrated into made Thundertailroar within the first few moments!
"We shall have order here!", he announced. "Only one may speak at a time, and only those with useful suggestions are allowed to speak!"
Quite a few hours later, many decisions were made; and plans slowly began to form on how to carry them out. The primary issue prompting them to go to the high council in the first place was easy enough to fathom. They were to go to protest the council's ruling denying us from living here. we came up with many reasons why we needed these places, and hopefully they would be convinced by that, and allow us to live here. Whitehead wrote down everything mentioned then, and that proposal was soonwritten and finalized.
On the event of them NOT complying to our wishes, a much more drastic measure had to be implemented. If they refused, we would declare that the Rainy Basin would become its' own cohntry, free and immune to any other laws on Dinotopia. This being the case, many other things would have to be implemented, like a list of our laws, proposals for trade, treaties designated for the high council as well as treaties for all the other surrounding communities. Many hours later Whitetail, aided by many others, had written all this up; and all the others voted that it was agreeable. At my suffestion, these documents were written up not unlike the Declaration of Independance of the United States of America and many other documents of the United States.
Other documents were suggested, like the domain of airspace over the Rainy Basin, the security of caravans crossing the rainy Basin, the inclusion of the treaty we had with Torres LaSage and many other points the council was likely to bring up.
Over the next few days other considerations were being made for this budding community, and for its' identity. we had noticed that other sects in the Dinotopian society had flags and banners depivting thier professions. We chose for our insignia a silhouette of a Tyranosaur head along side the silhouette of a human hand. We could not decide on the exact color to make our insignia, so we chose the four basic colors present in the Sunstones in our Amulets of Protection. The flags and banners would be either, red, green, blue or yellow; and the silhouettes would be either white or black, whichever would show up best on the colored background. These color combinations would denote rank among members of the clan. The green colors were for species leaders and other higher ranking individuals, Yellow would denote those who guarded or protected, blue would signify teachers or those skilled in the ackedemic arts like Archaeology and other such skills and reds would denote warriors and hunters. White silhouettes would be for adults of each group and black silhouettes would senote ones in training.
Many new members were skilled in leatherworking and blacksmithing, and they all got together to make wonderful saurian saddles to fit the Tyranosaur steeds and anyone else who wanted one; and the blacksnmiths made muzzles and other items of protection that were made mostly for show to be worn on our diplomatic mission. We all prepared for our trip to Waterfall city when everything was all set a little over a week later.
During this timw word had reached our ears that the Pteranodons were acting up again, attacking many of the carnivores in the rainy Basin and raiding thier encampments; destroying a few clans of allied but seperate Tyranosaurs in an area west of us. Some similar news brought by several disbanded Veloceraptor tribes told of the same thing happening to them. In every case, these creatures begged us if we could help, us being the best organized group of carnivores in the rainy Basin.
Saddened and outraged by the mayhem they had caused, Thundertail promised these creatures we'd do something about it. Talon suggested we could negotiate a treaty with various flocks of the winged carnivores; and she even volunteered to be the translator of the group despite her anger at them for destroing her own flock. A smiling Thundertail praised her for her brilliant suggestion, and commended her for her bravery in volunteering herself for such a dangerous task.
But since these creatures were so dangerous to have dealings with, he decreed that only the strongest of us would go on that mission. To save time and diversify our efforts, the delegates going to the Pteranodons would go at the same time as the delegation going to the high council atWaterfall City.
"Now my clan.", Thundertail spoke at out next meeting once all was prepared for. "The time has come to decide on who is to go to these negotiations. Since the dealings with the Pteranodons is going to be the most dangerous as well as the most important to our immediate security, I will lead this mission. Since the dealings with the high council would be more important in our long standing status, Rex will go in my stead.", Rex looked at him questioningly. "It will give you experience in dealing with humans and thier laws."
"I will not fail you, my father.", Rex said.
"Grond, Deathflower, Thistlesnarl, Waterkill, Pincushion and five others will go with me.", Thundertail told them. "Talon shall go as translator, Diego and triphus will go to represent humans and I will need as many Veloceraptor guards as can be spared.", Thundertail told them all.
"I will do my best.", Diego told him.
"I will not fail you, sir.", Triphus said.
"And those who will go with Rex are as follows:", Thundertail said, nodding at what Triphus and Diego said. "Fly With A Stinger, you will go as translator and main negotiator. Your intellegence and insight in matters human will attain for us all that we require. mayday will also go along; for her, like you, know our ways and needs."
"Thank you, sir.", I said. "I will get our clan everything it deserves."
"Me do best.", Mayday added.
"Whitetail should go and assist in organizational matters.", Thundertail continued, and she bowed. "Even though this is a mission of peace, guards should go along to protect our delegation.", at Ripper and Snapper's attentive look, thundertail smiled. "Ripper and Snapper will do this duty."
"And since there would not be a peaceful way to procure food and provisions we are accustomed to along the way to Waterfall City and other towns we pass through, such supplies should be brought along too.", our leader said. "A cart with said provisions will be prepared, and sauron and Chillet will pull it. To represent him and his group, Harold Kirky will go along as the cart driver."
"You got it, boss!", harold squeaked, and Sauron and Chillet nodded compliance.
"Then if there is nothing further, I think we should prepare to leave.", Thundertail then announced.
"My king.", I said just then. "We have sent our message with the Skybax riders many days ago. I think we should send a more expedient message, telling them we are now prepared to leave."
"A good idea, Stinger!", Thundertail said. "But what shall we send, and who shall send it?"
"I can deliver the message. "Mark Sereno spoke up. "Prosperine is the closest settlement with Postal Bird service, and to get there fairly fast, I could ride one of you kind saurians."
"But Prosperine will not let carnivores to enter there, Amulets of Protection or no!", Grond stated.
"I'll go.", Pincushion spoke up. "I know the way, and I can always wait by the stream like last time. I'm sure mister Sereno wouldn't mind walking from there..."
"What a wonderful suggestion, mister Sereno - and so gratious of you for volunteering, Pincushion!", Thundertail complemented. "That sounds like the best course of action to me. Does everyone agree?"
Everybody voted affirmative, and soon we prepared to go to our first true formal negotiations since king thundertail first founded our combined clan. The next day Pincushion and Mark Sereno went off to Prosperine to deliver our message to the high council. They had brought a small supply of provisions in a pack, along with some of our miniscule supply of money: Drachs and jewels that were found among the ruins, and this was in case they had to pay the Postal Bird to deliver the message. Mark Sereno climbed to the saddle on Pincushion's back and both set out on thier way.
The trip there was uneventful, or so they told us; and speed was of the essence, so no Veloceraptor guards were dispatched with them. they flew down the paths and out past the outskirts of the Rainy Basin without being hindered. Who in thier right mind would try to stop a determined Tyranosaur running through the rainy basin?!
They got to the rapidly rushing stream, and the fallen log that had been dropped there so long ago; and Pincushion smiled at the memory of that place as he ran over it without losing a beat in his gait. At the rise not long after that, Pincushion let Mark down when he noticed his Amulet of Protection glowing slightly. they parted company then, giving the Tyranosaur an embrace before he made his way down the path to Prosperine.
By mid-afternoon mark made it to within sight of the city of Prosperine; and he flagged down a passing fodder cart with a Monoclonius pulling it by the name of Stomper. He quickly dismounted as he got to the city gate, and asked several residents where thier Post Office was. After many wrong turns thanks to many people giving him wrong directions, he finally made it to the open-air avenue, where the aerie that the Post Office was stood at its' end.
"Hello. I am Postal Bird Five-Twelve.", squawked the parrot-like creature that hopped up onto the counter at Mark's ringing of the bell. "Please state your destination and message in that order.", her feathers ruffled.
"Destination: Waterfall City, Council Chambers.", Mark told her. "Message as follows: 'The creatures of the rainy basin humbly request an audience to discuss the writ delivered a few weeks ago. Our delegation will leave for Waterfall City at approximately the time you receive this message.' End of message."
"The rainy Basin?!...", Five-Twelve balked. "I will not send a message from THEM!"
"But you MUST!", mark pleaded with believable desparation. "You don't know what they will do to my family if I fail!!"
"How, human?", Five-Twelve scuttled over and asked. "Do tell..."
"You see, we were traveling through the Rainy Basin toward Poktook.", mark began the lie. "We began hearing strange sounds, then we were ambushed by a horde of them in a gorge! They ate our Partners and captured us - they're holding my wife and two children hostage! They said that if I didn't deliver thier message, they would eat my family!", mark was near to tears!
"You poor thing!", Five-Twelve said. "Of course I'll deliver the message!"
"I have money to pay...", Mark offered meekly.
"Nonsense!", Five-Twelve said soothingly. "If it will help free your family, I will do it free of charge!", she cocked her head. "They WILL free your family, won't they?"
"I don't know, but i hope so.", Mark sighed. "I must go back to a spot near the rainy basin, where one of them is waiting for news of my success."
"I could have some guards dispatched...", Five-Twelve offered.
"By all means! No!", Mark looked worried. "If they see that I have betrayed them, my family will be dead for sure!"
"My stars, human! You Do have a problem!", Five-Twelve said as she prepared to take off. "I guess I should be on my way.", she turned. "Good luck, human!", she flew away.
Mark Sereno smiled as he watched her fly out of sight, then turned from the aviary. It ended up taking more time to get to the outskirts of Prosperine thanks to his inadvertant sightseeing along the way. he inspected vendor's wares and viewing all the brightly costumed human and saurian performers having another of thier many celebrations. He was so turned around by all he saw that he nearly got lost before he asked directions from a juggling passer by. With regret he at last left Prosperine. It seemed he missed civilization terribly!
By late evening he had traveled to where he left Pincushion. Once again the Tyranosaur had to hide in the underbrush near the stream as the path was well traveled. After a brief affectionate greeting, mark got back on Pincushion, and they began thier rather long trip back to camp. The sun had just left the sky when they got back, and they presently related to us what happened during thier trip.
After hearing about what mark said trying to convince the Postal Bird to deliver thier message, we had decided to write up a deposition concerning the incodent. We wrote that what was said was merely a ruse, and mark Sereno and his family were honored members of clan Thundertail, and the best of friends.
Once this was done, it was decided that we should all turn in for the night. Tomorrow would mark the beginning of many great changes in clan Thundertail...
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Post by thundertail on Sept 15, 2007 20:08:11 GMT -5
TWENTY SIX: "Waterfall City."
Activities in clan Thundertail started earlier than usual the next morning; for things were changing, and everyone decided to get an early start. I had tossed and turned all night, thinking about what I was going to say in front of the high council when we got there; but I woke up at tha crack of dawn nevewr the less, just like it was my turn to be on the hunting party. I roused mayday with a kiss and went to see how hamilton was doing, and he was still sound asleep! We both donned our armors of Othgar, now burnished to a glowing shine, and went out into the corridor of the pyramid to see that the rest of its' occupants were stirring as well. I asked Selma the Ovaraptor last night if she would look after my son while we were gone. Needless to say that she agreed whole heartedly; for it is tough to beat an Ovaraptor's motherly instinct!
Mayday and I went to where Sauron and Chillet were housed, and saw they were already getting ready; helping each other to put on thier harnesses, slipping them over thier domed heads. each harness was decked out in gleamingly polished brass hardware, and thier saddle balnkets now sported the clan thundertail insignia. The freshly cleaned Copro cart was in the process of being loaded with more than a one week supply of food and provisions for us all. We had , baskets of dried and preserved meats, fruits, vegetables, nuts and all the other things we would need on the trip to Waterfall City. It was hoped that this time around, the Dinotopians would take the Copro cart off our hands! Mayday handed me a satchel and I placed it behind the seat of the cart; and that satchel containedf all the paperwork we would need to present our case to the high council. After this I looked around at all the bustling activity bout the camp.
Kirkys ran about getting things the other delegates would need for thier own diplomatic mission. Ripper and Snapper, adorned in polished guard finery and already muzzled - a thing that may dim trepidations about us in Waterfall City might be our ability to bite them! They stood at attention in front of their leader, Mosquito while thier mother, Whitetail, was busy straightening thier uniforms. She was decked out in her own finery of a green sash and highly polished Amulet of Protection around her neck. Harold swaggered over to the cart and inspected his clan as they finished up loading the cart, spouting orders like he was some kind of dictator before finally climbing aboard and testing the comfort of the seat.
Rex was over by his father getting the rest of his saddle on and being adorned with finery denoting him as the prince of the Rainy Basin, and balked repeatedly at the scratchy muzzle the Kirkys had fashioned for him. It was a halterlike device with chain straps and chainmail facepiece that draped down to cover his carniverous teeth. I walked over and inspected him from head to foot before speaking.
"Looking good, Rex!", I said as he looked at me with sad eyes. "I feel ridiculous!", he said through the dangling facepiece.
"No you do not!", I told him. "You look dignifyed..., regal!"
"He'll do fine.", Thundertail said as he observed the procedure. "Now stop fidjiting or the Kirkys will never finish!"
More than an hour later everything and everyone was ready. The delegation that was going to confront the Pteranodons, led by king thundertail gathered at his side on the far end of the boomerang shaped clearing, and thundertail began to brief them on what they might expect. Me and my group were all set as well, and we waited near by for them to finish. As the morning sun finally made it over the trees in our little corner of Dinotopia, both groups turned to each otherand nodded silently in departure. Without another word, both groups turned toward the paths that would take them to thier destinations, and we marched out of the clansite as one. Since i wasn't on king thundertail's team this time, I'll tell you how it went with our team first.
We headed down the path that led south first, trying to avoid Deep Swamp; which was flooded due to the rainy season. The going was slowed as we slogged through many a puddle and washed out road. We veered west as soon as we made it past that vast, boggy expanse; and the road soon became drier and gradually turned rocky. I had insisted we rest frequently, and we stopped just at the western border of the Rainy Basin by nightfall.
We set out early the next morning, and came across the first outpost by mid morning. The place was called Gorgonia, and the people there were extremely frightened of us at first; but with some extensive explanation as to our mission by me, they let us pass with little further complaint other than terrifyed looks! The same thing happened as we passed through Horsetail Grove, as well as Carnassus. However, the people at the outpost of Sweetwater Lake treated us with slightly better hospitality, and actually let us have some of thier water before hurriedly shooing us away!
Before long we were nearing the outskirts of Waterfall City, and the sight from the bluff of all the gleaming buildings nestled between hundreds of water cascades both large and small enthralled us all! Mayday pointed as she described each building she remembered, and thier importance to all Dinotopians. There was the tower where the Prime Sunstone shone, its' lighthouse-like glint shone brightly despite the sun. There was the One-World globe of a world of sixty-five million years ago, and under that the Earthclock that told the tempo of the earth. There was the giant library complex in the distance that housed all the knowledge of Dinotopia. She even pointed to the colossal Bridge of the Winds, where we would cross into the city proper.
Many Skybax flew here and there above the city, and if you looked really close below them you could see the activity of thousands of the city's residents, from the antlike goings on of the human population to the gargantuan wanderings of the multi-ton Brachs and the flitting forms of smaller dinosaurs scampering to thier tasks. Truely, Waterfall City was the shining jewel in the crown of Dinotopia!
"Well, we might as well get on with it.", I commented as the awe I was feeling wore off some. I noticed that the Amulets of Protection the carnivores were wearing were glowing and pulsing in accordance to the Prime Sunstone in the distance.
"Yeah, I guess.", Rex gulped. "C'mon, fellas..."
"What's the matter, big guy?", I asked from atop his saddle. "Nervous?"
"Maybe a little.", he said. "Well, don't worry about anything. "I told him as we continued down the road. "I'll do most of the talking."
Within the hour we were within sight of the gigantic bridge that crossed a gorge with a spectacular waterfall cascading into it - the bridge was clearly a hundred yards wide! We gazed down this avenue it created and saw the massivly tall city gate beyond. Many pedestrians and saurian driven carts passed us coming and going on the bridge too, and all of them gave us curious stares as well as wide berths as we passed. I just smiled and waved, urging my companions to do the same. Thusly we all tried to make nice as we entered Waterfall City. However, at the gates two saurian guards in impeccable uniforms rushed out to block our way with crossed spears!
It was at this point where we halted.
"State your business.", barked one of them as the other backed up a step when he noticed we were carnivores.
"A delegation from the Rainy Basin to address the high council.", I told them.
"We were not informed.", the guard stated. "Your credentials, please."
"Uh..., we have no credentials,", I told the dinosaur. "But we have the writ they delivered by Skybax a short time ago.", I looked back to our cart. "Harold, could you get it, please?", he reached back and rummaged through the satchel there, then he hopped off the cart and handed it to him.
"There you go, boss!", Harold stretched to hand the scroll to him, then returned to the Copro cart.
"I don't know...", the guard said after reading the scroll slowly. "We really weren't notifyed. We will have to send someone to confirm this.", he turned to his companion. "Please go see.", the other guard rushed off as he handed the scroll back to me. "Now, if you would move yourselves and your belongings over by that building...", he pointed with his spear. "We will see about this."
We loitered around at the base of the massive building for a full twenty minutes as the guard waited for his cohort to return. In the mean time many passers by looked at us sideways and murmured worriedly like we had some sort of disease! All we did was shift our footing and basically kept silent as gasps and muted callings of others swirled all around us. If Rex wasn't nervous before, he would certainly be by now - I sure was! I looked this way and that, seeing all the people and dinosaurs staring at us; and hoped that darn guard would hurry up!
All of a sudden a disturbance in an upper level caught Klamath's eye. Several human boys and young dinosaurs were playing, walking along the stone railing up there; when all of a sudden one of the little dinosaurs lost his balance and began teetering over the edge! Klamath's actions suddenly went into overdrive and catapulted me over where the lad was falling - totally against my will, I assure you! I quickly halted below him as he finally lost his battle with gravity, and I caught him before he hit the cobbles at my feet. The suit collapsed slightly to absorb the momentum and quickly righted itself. I set the stunned dinosaur down on his feet as he finally realized what happened; then he looked up at me with strange fear in his eyes!
"You ok? Nothing broken?", I asked in the creature's language. he nodded and ran away. "Maybe you should leave the flying to the Skybax!", I called after him.
It was then that I heard reluctant applause coming from all around me. I looked at the crowd, then noticed the guard had materialized at my side, spear pointing at my stomach! I bowed at the crowd and wisely slunk back to my group. Rex was smiling toothily at my heroics, but nobody could see due to his chain mail veil. It was at about this time that the other guard returned. He spoke a few hushed words to his companion, and both guards turned to us.
"If you would follow us, please.", the first guard instructed.
We presently complied, and followed the twion saurian guards deeper into the city. The going was slow due to all the foot and cart traffic, but they quickly got out of the way once they saw us coming. In only a few short minutes we approached a sweeping building with wide steps leading up to the biggest set of doors I had ever seen. The guards halted us at these steps and told us to wait while one of them rushed inside. It was only a moment or so later when a lanky older man with ornate robes over an old fashioned business suit and a dark felt hat with an ornate tassle on it shuffled out and trundled down the steps, our guard directly behind him. As he looked up from concentrating on his steps, he took a step back and gasped!
"Well! When Doppo said there were carnivores at the front gate, he was not kidding!", the man exclaimed, flustering. "Ah,... I am mayor Waldo Seville, at your service.", he bowed.
"A pleasure, your honor.", I said and we all bowed, human and saurian alike. "I am called Stinger, speaker for this group. We are on a diplomatic mission from the Rainy Basin, seeking audience to discuss a writ we had received.", I said after I rose.
"Yes, yes. We had received a message concerning such.", mayor Seville said. "To tell the truth, we hadn't expected you here so soon!"
"I suppose the outposts we passed through, once we explained, saw that expedience was of the essence.", I said.
"I see...", mayor Seville said, looking around. "You may unhitch your pullers and put your cart over there so we can get started.", he pointed.
Sauron and Chillet were unhitched by Harold and Whitetail near a small alley, and I led the twin Pachycephalosauruses back into our group. The cart shouldn't be disturbed there as I saw the saurian guards were going to guard it. Seeing that all was in readiness, mayor Waldo Seville turned to us and spoke.
"Now, if you would follow me...", he turned and proceeded up the steps as we followed.
The whole group made thier way up the stone steps and through the giant doors, Ripper and Snapper in our wake. Through a long, wide and tall arched hallway we walked; and all of us felt humbled at the vastness of this space. Human and saurian assistants, along with thier delegate superiors, milled about on thier own seperate errands all around us; but none of them would come within twenty feet of us, knowing we were on a diplomatic mission of our own but not wishing to confront us. As all these creatures disappeared around corners and into alcoves, the giant antechamber became vacant save for us and the mayor. Mayor Waldo Seville stopped us at another set of giant doors at the far end of the antechamber and turned to us.
"Now, if you would please wait here, I will introduce you.", the mayor said as he turned to the door, then turned back to us. "What are your names, by the way?", this he whispered.
"I am called Stinger, translator and speaker for this group.", I said. "This is Rex, son of king Thundertail, king of the Rainy Basin. This is Mayday, a friend, helper and my mate. Whitetail is my administrative assistant and matriarch of her pack; and Ripper and Snapper, our bodyguards and her sons. This is Harold Kirky, ringmaster of the Kirky Circus; and these are sauron and Chillet, good friends and strong helpers.", each bowed in turn and he returned them as he turned to open the great hall doors, disappearing inside.
Even though the doors were thick and strong looking, muffled sounds could be heard from them. I turned up Klamath's hearing and heard clearly what was going on. mayor Waldo Seville presently announced that delegates from the Rainy Basin had arrived. He informed them that we were carnivores, and not to act afraid when we entered. A moment later, in a louder voice, he made the official announcement. The twin doors swung outward to reveal to us a courtroom full of saurian and human delegates of every gender, species and form of dress. Tenatively at first, but with growing enthusiasm, applause both saurian and human rang out from the room - all in our honor!
With as much regality as i could muster, I led our delegation into the room. Rex was next with Mayday and Whitetail to either side of him. Sauron and Chillet were next, followed by Harold; and Ripper and Snapper took up the rear. Mayor Waldo Seville was up on his dias, which looked like he was behind the bow of a ship; and he indicarted that we step up to the table that was before him at the center of the main aisle. When we got there amid our cheering, we bowed as one; and Ripper and Snapper took thier places in back by the courtroom guards. Mayday and i decided to stand behind the table, but Whitetail and Harold took seats provided there. The former placed our satchel of paperwork on the table and began arranging the documents while the latter first sat at his seat, then hopped onto the table for a better view. Sauron and Chillet merely stood behind the nervous Rex and looked around at all the delegates. We all bowed once again at everyone in the room as thier applause died down, and once the mayor saw that all was in readiness, spoke at last.
"Creatures of the court of the high council of Dinotopia!", mayor Waldo Seville announced, raising both hands. "A monumental day has indeed risen on our land; for this is the first time in nearly three hundred years that emossaries of the Rainy Basin have graced this court with thier presence!", a sea of cheering rose up, and we bowed again.
"Now, it said through correspondance that you have an issue you wish to address us with.", the mayor continued after the fanfare died down somewhat. "What, pray tell, would that be?"
"Your eminence, illustrious members of this court,", I began. "We are the delegates from the Rainy Basin, from clan Thundertail. I present to you Rex, son of king Thundertail and heir to the kingdom his father now rules!", Rex bowed and more applaud erupted. "I am Stinger, speaker and translator for this delegation and trusted clan member.", then came my applause. "This is mayday, trusted clan member and my mate.", so did hers. "I present Whitetail, matriarch of her tribe and administrative assistant.", so did hers. "Harold Kirky is ringmaster of the Kirky Circus and also trusted clan member. Sauron and Chillet Pachycephalosaurus are strong workers, good friends and loyal clan members. Ripper and Snapper, our guards, are Whitetail's sons and brave clan members.", once all thier applause died down, Waldo Seville raised a hand and spoke.
"You mean to say that you have different species in your group - and some of them are not even meat eaters?", he asked.
"We find that the skills of many species are greater than the skills of any one group.", I said. "While some are known for thier strength or thier intellegence, others are skilled in other ways. If these skills are combined, it is beneficial for the whole group. All creatures you see represented here today have eaten meat from time to time.", Sauron nodded.
"One more question and you may continue.", the mayor asked. "I do not recognize you. Who are you, and where do you come from?"
"Though Stinger is my shortened clan name, my real name is colonel Charles Decker, of the United States Air Force.", the whole chamber gasped at this news. "A little over two years ago, my jet plane crashed in the Rainy Basin...", I went on to tell them the whole story, and when I was done the whole courtroom fell silent. After a moment it was the mayor who was next to speak.
"Then you haven't been formslly indoctrinated as a Dinotopian citizen!", he said triumphantly. "You must regester yourself with us before you can become a full citizen. We will arrange some papers for you to sign; and since you already have a fine partner, we could dispense with that. Your education is adequate, if not a bit outdated. Perhaps we could teach you..."
"Please! Your honor.", I cut in. There is no real need to go into that on my account! Besides, we need to solve this issue quickly, as we had only brought enough provisions for a short stay.", I looked at Rex, smiling. "You don't want us to run out of food, do you?"
Waldo gulped. "I see your point!... Very well. We will dispense with those procedures and continue with the meeting.", he waved for me to continue.
"Many weeks ago, a pair of Skybax entered the territory of our clan.", I continued after clearing my throat. "They bore a writ, and that writ stated that we were forbidden to live in the temples and ruins of the ancient cities that abound in our land. We are a clan who have decided to become more civilized; and through many endeavors, have become so to a certain degree. It was decided that, if we are to grow further, we must renovate and occupy such areas. We saw that nobody was using those places, so we decided to live there."
"The writ you speak of is perfectly legal.", the mayor commented. "Those sites are considered holy ground, and nobody may live there."
"The reason we have come to you today is to petition that this writ is unfair, and protest it most vigorousely!", I said. "We need to use these places because, as we grow toward civilization, we are slowly depleting our lands' rescources. Our people must live there so we can better utilize the land we currently live on. Is it possible for you to understand this?"
"We realize that you may think you need places to live, and these ruins may seem like the ideal places."Waldo seville said. "But these structures are our most holy places, and it would be a crime if you defile them with your presence. We are an extremely traditional people, mister Decker; and our history means a lot to us. These ruins are a part of our history - a history best left the way it was!"
"We are not exactly without historical sentimentalities ourselves.", I told them. "With the work done on them so far, we have catalogued and preserved records of everything as the way we found it before measures were taken at restoration or renovation. We have amassed a small library of notes and observations, and recorded everything exactly as it was. We have restored every area as exactly as we could make it, and faithfully reproduced everything as it was when it was new. We never intended to destroy anything there. We just wanted to make it like it was, and to render those places livable once again."
"That may be true.", the mayor said. "And you should be commended for your efforts. But this decree was made by the ancients; that no one set foot in those places again.", he bent to continue conspiratorially. "I'm all for you making a place for yourselves there, and I agree that you may need those places to live; but the fact is that those are the laws, and there is nothing that can be done about it."
"I am certain there can be another way to attain the goals your people seek.", a female human spoke out. "You say you have a viable community right there in the forest. Perhaps you can start fresh from there..."
"The council has final say, Rosemary!", waldo said to her. "They can not stay there!"
"But Waldo! This could be the breakthrough we have been looking for!", Rosemary seville told him. "We have been hoping for a way to make peace with the carnivores of the Rainy Basin. What they are doing is a well thought out plan, by the sound.", she turned to the other delegates. "Perhaps the council could be more lenient in this case?"
"What the council has decided must be obeyed!", a bedecorated Ankylosaur said to her from an upper tier. "These places are sacred!"
"Dear, Almasaur is right.", the mayor told her. "The old laws must be obeyed! The writ stays in good standing, and your complaint is denied!", he rapped his gavel. "Case dismissed!"
There were hushed murmurings in the courtroom as the rest of the delegates prepared themselves for the next case. We refused to budge; and I turned up Klamath's volume so all could hear.
"I'M AFRAID THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH!", I said, which gave everyone there pause. "Whitetail, the scroll, please?"
"You are out of line!", Waldo accused. "This case is dismissed! You can not speak further on this matter!", he was rapping his gavel vigorousely.
"For this injustice, I feel I must!", I shot back as I looked over the scroll and cleared my throat. "We, the carnivores of the Rainy Basin this day decree that all properties and holdings in the Rainy Basin are the sole property of the creatures of the Rainy Basin, to be usurped by no other. We secede from any laws or edicts decreed by the council of Dinotopia, and claim the Rainy Basin as a sovern land ruled only by us.", I looked at all the stricken faces around me, as well as the determined faces of my comrades before continuing.
"Said claimed lands include all lands not currently under the influence of the Sunstones, temples and cities immediately within the Rainy Basin and all accessible areas of the World Beneath.", I read on. "Travel through the Rainy Basin by well known roads will not be effected, but we require that we will provide guarded escorts. The Skybax may fly over our land, but not fly beloew treetop level or land without prior permission. In future we will establish trade treaties as seen fit, as with other types of treaties...", I looked up. "Need I go on?... As you can see, we are quite determined to live there!"
"I can see that, stinger!", mayor Waldo Seville said. "And since you seem most determined to live in those places, I see no point in hindering you further!", he looked at the other delegates. "What is your verdict, given the circumstances?"
"For the fact thay will do this reguardless, I decide that they may continue thier activities in these places.", Almasaur said. "And they may do this with my total contempt!"
"They do seem determined.", Rosemary seville said. "Let's let them continue, and see what happens."
"Very well.", the mayor said. "Council members, what are your votes?"
It turned out that only a small handful of the council members agreed wholeheartedly with the idea of us living in thier holy places, and fewer still agreed that we should govern ourselves. All the rest voted for us too, with various levels of trepidation - from mild wariness to full-blown protest! but all in all, it was agreed that we could continue living there and keep on restoring the temples and cities in the Rainy Basin. All who voted gave thier reasons both pro and con; and finally mayor Waldo Seville tapped his gavel, slowly regaining order.
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(Continued in the next post.)
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Post by thundertail on Sept 16, 2007 19:43:21 GMT -5
TWENTY-SIX: "Waterfall City." (Continued.)
"Now then, are there any further words you would like to say to the court?", this mayor Seville addressed to me.
"First off,", I began. "It was never our intention to disrupt your way of life, let alone appear to make a mockery of your beliefs. The reason why we are doing this at all is the simple fact that we need these places in order to grow toward civilization. We need the chance to create our own civilization our own way, as you did with yours.", the rest I said more meekly. "All we ask is to be given the chance."
"Thank you, mister Decker.", the mayor said. "And now, there are a few points concerning your new civilization we need to discuss with you."
"We would be pleased to tell you all you want to know. Only, please call me Stinger.", I told him. "The life I once knew is dead to me; therefore, so should my name be."
"As you wish..., Stinger.", Waldo said. "Now, there is a question as to the type of government you plan to rule by. What type of government is currently in place?"
"The government we have right now could be called a kingdom.", I told them all. "It is ruled by king Thundertail, and all major decisions are decided by him. Everyone in the clan make suggestions and give advice to him, and he bases his decisions on them."
"And do you make the majority of these suggestions?", the mayor asked.
"I have made my share of them.", I admitted.
"And do you think you have had a hand in the changes clan Thundertail is now undergoing?", he continued.
"Perhaps.", I told him. "But as I say, king Thundertail makes the final decisions, and only he says how his clan is run. Even though some of my ideas have been implemented in the past, Thundertail must have thought they were good ideas or else they would have never been put into effect."
"Do you eat meat?", asked a Parasolophus delegate.
"I consider myself an Omnivore.", I told her. "I eat vegetables as well as meat; and I preferr my meat cooked, not raw."
"Of course you realize that we consider eating meat extremely offensive, don't you?", she asked.
"I feel that it is a person's right to choose what he or she eats.", I told her. "I could choose either vegetables or meat, but I chose both. Herbivores can biologically only eat plant matter while carnivores can only eat meat. Humans and other creatures can eat both."
"My mate and I eat meat occasionally as a delicacy.", Sauron stated.
"But that is against all the laws of Dinotopia!", she said.
"We are aware of that. That is why we have been taking steps to remedy this.", I told her. "We tend small gardens, and I have been introducing plant material into the carnivores' diets. The problem is they can not digest a lot of it. They can only metabolize about one percent of thier daily intake as plants. Thier digestive systems just can't handle it!"
"I can get along eating about fifty/fifty, boss!", Harold blurted.
"Of course, with the smaller carnivores, this ratio is different!", I chuckled, eyeing Harold to silence. "The thing is, it might take many generations for this ratio to change; but at least you can say we are trying!", I turned to my Partner. "Why, prince Rex just loves bananas, except he can't stomach too many of them!"
"I see... Thank you sir.", the Parasolophus stood down.
"I've noticed that you and Mayday are wearing armor.", Rosemary Seville stated. "Those are weapons; and weapons are enemies, even to thier owners. Where did you get them?"
"They came from the World Beneath.", I said. "They are the armor of Othgar.", all the delegates gasped!
"They are only the most powerful and magical devices known to Dinotopia!", mayor Waldo Seville nearly shouted. "And you posess them!"
"They have been proven to come in handy in the Rainy Basin, sir!", I smiled. "They have saved our lives countless times."
"They were built for war!", Rosemary spat. "Terrible wars eons ago! You do not realize what you posess!"
"On the contrary, distinguished ma'am.", I said. "We know full well what the armor of Othgar are and what they were made for! They were built to serve Othgar to restore order that once was before Dinotopians were forced underground. Klamath has told me so, just like Zandra has told Mayday."
"How is that? Are they magical?", a Corythosaur delegate asked.
"They are not really magical.", I said. "They are mechanical constructs that are so sophisticated they needed artificial intellegence to help control them. They have instilled within them an entity that once was a living creature. Klamath and Zandra were once Ankylosaurs that volunteered to serve Othgar this way."
"Oh! So they are haunted!", the delegate lowered his head.
"That could be a way to put it...", I told him. "We each share a symbiotic relationship with our armor, and control the armor as one.", I changed the subject as he sat back down. "The armor of Othgar now realize that they can not achieve thier goals through war, and have agreed to help us to achieve civilization and restore order through peace."
"How so?", Waldo asked. "By instigating such trouble as you have now?"
"Well sir, I really wouldn't call what we are doing trouble!", I told him modestly. "We are merely here to right a wrong and to negotiate a treaty with you. We have had many successful treaties with others in the past.'
"Such as?", he asked.
"The first treaty I had a hand in was with the Veloceraptors currently in our clan.", I told him. "The same went with every other carnivore in our clan. Before I arrived there, clan Thundertail established an unwritten treaty of sorts with the Mosasaurs that live in the Polongo river near the clan; We stay on our side of the river and they stay on thier side in thier swamp and we both leave the other alone."
"Yes, such treaties are necesary in order to have peace in your territory.", Rosemary said. "Please go on."
"Our first experience in negotiating treaties with humans, besides this illustrious court, is the treaty we currently have with Torres LaSage...", I said, but couldn't go on due to all the commotion going on!
"LaSage!", the mayor shouted. "How in the world did that come about?"
"A short time after I was admitted into the clan, we discovered that someone was hunting in the Rainy Basin.', I began. "They set cruel traps, and many other carnivores were injured by them. One time I was accosted by LaSage and her men, but they backed down because we would not. Pretty soon her raids got out of control, and the other carnivores asked if we could do something about it. We made a plan and carried it out...", I went on to describe how we trapped LaSage, using Sauron and Chillet for bait - and the unpleasant time she must have had in Halcyon. "So, at length, she signed the treaty; and we have brought with us today a copy of it for your records.", I eyed Whitetail and she produced the document for thier baliff, who handed it off to the mayor.
"I must say!", mayor Waldo Seville said after reading the document slowly. "This treaty is masterfully penned!", Rosemary went to the podium to study it herself. "And has she honored this treaty?"
"She has tresspassed into the Rainy Basin a few times, and we have caught them setting their traps; but other than that, we have honored our side of the contract.', I told them.
"The treaty says that you are authorized to use what ever force necesary to enforce this treaty.", Rosemary said. "What exactly does that entail?"
"Basically, what it says.", I said. "It means we can use force from stern suggestion to all out battle. But so far all we needed to do was a little visual intimidation."
"Meaning?", Waldo asked.
"Well sir, what would YOU do if you saw a full grown Tyranosaur looking at you?", I told him as the court erupted in modest laughter!
"I see...", Waldo gulped. "Well, so long as it doesn't get any more severe; I would say you have a grand contract with them. And I can tell you are not afraid to see it carried out!", he rolled the scroll back up. "I'm sure we can endorse this treaty - provided things don't get too far out of control!"
"We'll make sure of that, noble mayor.", I said, then turned to my comrades. "Of course, there are other events of note."
"Do tell!", Almasaur said from the balcony, still chuckling at his mayors' trepidation of my last comment.
"We have helped others who were traveling through the Rainy Basin.", I told them all. "Shawn Branko, the Copro cart driver, was lost and injured; and we took care of him until he was well before taking him back home.", then added. "We have brought his Copro cart with us in case the Copro guild needs it back."
"Shawn Branko?", Rosemary asked. "I thought he made up that story to save face for losing his cart and his Partner! Thusly, I banned him from ever having a Partner. Oh! The injustice I've given him!"
"He recently visited us after that.", I told her. "He has found another profession in the transportation guild, I hear."
"I should remedy things with him right away!", Rosemary continued. "And of course you can keep the cart. Pathos knows it is useful!"
"Indeed it is, ma'am!", I chuckled and continued. "We saved Ruby Mattock from the Pteranodons when she fell into a ravine. We found out that LaSage was behind that one. She robbed thier cart and killed thier Partner, and Ruby's husband was killed in the incident."
"She made a full protest about the whole affair.", Rosemary said. "She is heading a petition to have a squad of saurian guards storm LaSage's castle."
"We won't do it no matter how many signatures she gets!", Waldo cut in. "That's simply not our way!"
"Well,... We used a little force with them, and we now enjoy a treaty with them...", I said suggestively.
"That may be your way, but it is not OUR way!", Seville said.
"Ok, ok!", I gave in. "I suppose it is prudent to have differing policies.", I cleared my throat. "Now. To continue. We have recently formed a treaty with the Mammoths of tentpole of the Sky. We trade mineral salt, fresh produce and other items for Mammoth milk, Mammoth wool and other goods they and thier Hindu monk Partners need.", I told them. "They applaud our attempt at civilization."
"I thought Tentpole of the Sky was abandoned.", mayor Waldo Seville said.
"Thier population is a mere eighty individuals.", I told them. "We heard that they still adhere to the old ways."
"I see.", the mayor said. "It is good to hear they still fare well."
After that the delegates were told they could freely ask questions about the Rainy Basin; and at first they asked thier questions in an orderly fashion. It seemed they had questions about every point in our proposal to make the Rainy Basin a seperate nation - many delegates had questions concerning this point. The questions came randomly and at one point came all at once, so I asked that they ask thier questions one at a time; and not to burst out like that until the whole proposal was heard.
I read on, and by the end of another hour I was finished. They ended up voting on the points discussed; and when they were through, I had Whitetail give a copy of our governmental charter to thier baliff.
"I must say, sir!", mayor Waldo Seville said after reading the documents for a full fifteen minutes "You sure seem to have left no stone unturned! I honestly hope you all know what you are doing!"
"We believe the cornerstone of any action is a lot of planning.", I said. "If you read further, you'll see we thought of nearly every contingency."
"Yes, and I see in here that you plan to eventually never hunt again?", Waldo asked.
"That plan is in its' infancy stage.", I said. "We know that the major reason why you are afraid of us is because we hunt you for food. We have always believed that it is much easier to be fed than to hunt; so we came up with a few suggewstions to at least lessen our hunting over time.", I turned to Rex. "In old texts we have unearthed, dinosaurs used to go on 'death marches'; where dying dinosaurs go into the Rainy Basin alone, die and become food for the carnivores. It said that there is a ceremony for the dying one before the march begins, and they are dressed up in ribbons and finery - and get a big send-off from thier loved ones before they leave for the last time."
"We no longer do that.", Rosemary said. "We find it better if the loved ones bury or dispose of the deceased in other ways."
"Well, one suggestion would be if you would resurrect that tradition.", I said. "Another method suggested by the Mammoths at Tentpole of the Sky is the 'death caravan'. A group of sick or dying creatures are led into a carnivore infested area and left there to die. The Mammoths said it was common practice a few hundred years ago."
"The advances in our herbal medicines reduces the chances of anyone becoming terminally sick.", Rosemary told me. "Besides, it would be suicide for the ones leading the caravan."
"Not when you would be dealing with civilized carnivores, who would know the difference between the sick ones and the ones leading them.", I said. "I also hear you bring loads of fish along with your caravans through the Rainy Basin as tribute for safe passage. King Thundertail remembers those well! We would like to see that practice continue."
"We use that method to preserve our lives!", Waldo said.
"Well, now it can be used as payment for the guards we will send to protect the caravan!", I said. "There are a few more suggestions; but they come from the outside world, and I am not sure how well received they will be."
"What are they?", Rosemary asked.
"Back where I come from, they have farms known as 'ranches'; which are places where people keep livestock.", I told them. "We usually keep creatures known as cows, pigs, goats, chickens and other animals. We utilize the products they produce; and when they become too old to produce or when it is time to thin out the herd, we slaughter a number of them for food. The livestock can not leave the property, but they are well protected and taken care of by the farmer."
"That sounds like slavery!", a Stenoychosaurus spoke up.
"I don't think any creature would go along with that!", the Parasolophus delegate added.
"Yes, it even sounded bad to the carnivores.", I told them. "They don't know a thing about taking care of others yet; and yes, they think it sounds like slavery too!"
"So that was a bad idea.", Waldo stated. "Please go on."
"Another thing we have in the outside world is an institution called a 'retirement home'." I told them. "When a person gets too old to be a useful part of society, becomes too mentally feeble to take care of themself or becomes too sick due to thier age; they are placed into these institutions. There they are taken care of by doctors, nurses and assistants, fed and clothed and any medical ailment is treated by professional healers. There they can live out the remainder of thier lives doing anything they want within the constraints of thier age-enhanced limitations. When they die, loved ones come and make arrangements for thier funerals."
"That sounds like a wonderful arrangement!". Rosemary said.
"Only in our version of it, when the old one dies thier body becomes the property of the clan, to be utilized as we see fit.", I said. "We reason that thier bodies would be payment for us taking care of them."
"I see...", mayor Waldo seville said, demeanor getting sour. "Mister Decker, I am sure that being a newcomer here, you may feel that such talk is an everyday event. The very thought of one creature eating another creature is unthinkable to us! I am sure I speak for everyone here when I say that such talk is most unpleasant to hear, and would appreciate it if you stop."
"Very well. I am truely sorry if I offended this illustrious court by stating what carnivores do.", I said. "Your love of life and passive philosophy is a most commendable concept. Unfortunately, this philosophy is not so every other place on earth - no less the Rainy Basin. Just because we are striving for peace and civilization doesn't mean we can immediately grasp your philosophy on life. We will try to be more civil in our speech, but you must also make allowances for what we lack."
"We will try.", mayor Seville said. "But let it be known that we have already allowed leniency thus far! If you look at the faces of these fine delegates, you will see for yourself the offenses they have suffered."
"Then perhaps we BOTH must make changes.", I conceeded.
"Agreed.", the mayor said. "Now, we will review all the documents you have given us and consider the testimony we have heard. We must discuss these things in private, and give you our decision by tomorrow afternoon."
"Thank you, sir.", I said.
"Now, on to the matter of your accomodations! I will have the bailiff make the arrangements.", the mayor turned to the older man who had been handing him our paperwork. He had a skullcap and robe and tiny spectacles - and a most disheveled look about him! "Minch! Please see to it."
"Yes, sir.", Minch bowed, turning with a jerk, then turning back. "Right away, sir.", he scurried out of the council chambers.
"Now then!", Waldo said with a renewed smile. "Would you care to sit in on the rest of the meeting? Guards, please show them to an upper alcove."
The guards collected us and led us out the main doors to a stairwell that was wide and designed for large saurians. This led down a short corridor and in through an arch, which contained a pair of couches designed for medium sized dinosaurs like Hadrosaurs and the like; which fit rex perfectly. Several human seats and smaller saurian seats were in this booth as well, and it took only a few moments for us all to get situated. We peered out over the courtroom, staring down at the delegates as they murmured and talked; preparing themselves for the next orders of business. Presently mayor Waldo Seville tapped his gavel and the whole council chamber lapsed into silence once again.
There were only three other orders of business that session, and all of them were extremely minor, if you ask me. One issue dealt with a vegetable vendor who was accused of selling inferior crop. The plaintiff said that his maise and barley had some kind of mold all over it, and demanded compensation. the accused offered her free lentils and wheat for a month, but she would not be satisfyed, and demanded they pull his vendor's licence. the mayor strongly suggested that she accept his offer or obtain her groceries at another vendor!
Another case dealt with a Stenoychosaurus who entered someone's home without permission. She said that she heard a hatchling crying and just had to see if the child was all right. The owner of the home was outraged, and wanted her banned from the block because of it. Furthermore, the plaintiff said she had no children, and the cries must have come from down the block, and that her home echoed the sounds coming off the street, and the hatchling could have been anywhere. Waldo asked if she would forgive her as it was a common mistake; and requested that she get her home soundproofed!
Next an older looking, bespectacled Stenoychosaurus stepped up to the podium once he was recognized and studied his noted before speaking.
"Members of the council.", he began. "I am sure you are well aware of the ancient texts contained in the library. These texts are so ancient thier scrolls are deteriorating at an alarming rate! Though my staff's efforts are gallant, they are hard pressed to keep up.", he referred to his notes again, clearing his throat. "What we need is more staff members so these scrolls can be preserved before it is too late!"
"Zippeau. You mean to tell me that you do not have an adequate staff to handle the job?", the mayor asked. "Those records have lasted for hundreds of years, and they should last long enough for them to tend to them. I suggest you put those records in a more protected place until your staff can get around to tending to them.", he tapped his gavel.
"But your honor!", Zippeau protested, then deflated. "Very well, your honor..."
Just then Minch snuck into the chamber and made his way up to the mayor's podium. He whispered in his ear a moment and then backed away out of sight. He showed up a moment later at his bailiff's desk on the main floor.
"Delegates of the Rainy Basin!", mayor Waldo Seville announced. "I have just been informed that your accomodations have now been arranged for. If you would follow mister Minch at the end of this session, he will show you the way."
"At your service.", Minch turned to us and added.
"That's very kind of you, honored mayor.", I said. "But shouldn't we be giong after the meeting?"
"Nonsense!", Waldo said. "It is very rarely that we have our hospitality put to the test by carnivores!", he chuckled.
"Then I'm sure that I speak for my entire group when I say we would be honored to stay the night!", I told them all. "But since there's no doubt that this would put a crimp on our supplies, Mayday and myself will refrain from eating meat our entire stay.", Mayday nodded.
"Me too, boss!", Harold announced.
"As will we.", Sauron spoke for himself and his mate.
"Very well then!", mayor Seville said. "Then if there is no other items on the agenda, I decree that this meeting is adjourned."
"Ah..., lord mayor!", Zippeau spoke up. "May I have a word with mister Stinger, if it please the court?"
"Certainly, Zippeau.", Waldo said. "Please make it brief, sir."
"Yes, your honor.", Zippeau cleared his throat. "Er..., the things you have discovered in the Rainy Basin is most intrigueing! The information alone on such places would be a tremendous boon for all! I wish to ask if you are willing to share such information? It would prove to be quite exciting to explore such places as well!"
"Of course we would share everything we found there.", I told this fidjiting creature. "Right now we haven't as yet made copies of our notes and observations; but we will make it top priority once we get back. I'm sure as time goes on and negotiations mature, we will allow everyone tours of such places. Why, mister Zippeau, you may even be one of the first to see such places for yourself!"
"Excellent! I can hardly wait!", Zippeau sat down smiling.
"Wonderful! Now without any further adeau, I pronounce this meeting adjourned.", mayor Waldo Seville tapped his gavel.
Presently everyone on the lower level began to rise and head for the exit. We decided to wait until the traffic in the upper hallway thinned out somewhat. The larger saurians up here would need plenty of room to maneuver past - and they would not appreciate being spooked by us! As the last of the delegates passed our alcove, I looked out and saw the fidjiting form of Minch hovering by the doorway.
"If you would follow me...", said he, then he noticed Rex preparing to head for the exit! "Oh!... Dear!..."
"Have no fear, Minch!", I told him. "We are on a peaceful mission, and these saurians wish you no harm."
"It's quite a thing to get used to, is all...", Minch divulged. "Ah..., well. This way, if you please...", he led the way to the wide stairway.
As we descended, we noticed that many of the delegates were in the huge foyer; waiting for us, it seemed. We could all tell they were somewhat terrifyed of us, but were all hiding it under an air of friendly greeting. Nods of welcome and good wishes abounded among a sea of verbal greetings. Waldo Seville rushed over to us, Rosemary close in his wake; and both shook Mayday's and my hand.
"Well done on your presentation, my friends!", he gushed. And best wishes in your future endeavors!"
"Thank you, sir.", I said. "From all of us!"
"I know you, don't I?", Rosemary said as she got a closer look. "Why! it's Majinta, isn't it? Good to see you! Where have you been?"
"I sorry...", Mayday bowed her head. "I get lost in Rainy Basin. Carnivores eat Trika, then Stinger find me. I stay and help. i end up liking him, and now he my mate."
"Well, it's good to see you're all right. You had us worried!", Rosemary smiled, which made Mayday do likewise. "I'm glad to see you are satisfied with your new life."
"Oh, yes!", mayday said in a cheerier way. "Have new Partner, too. Grond is Tyranosaur!"
"Well, that's just wonderful!", Rosemary told her.
"I have never met a Tyranosaur... Formally, that is!", Waldo turned to Rex and bowed. "Sir rex, we are well met!", he raised his hand tenatively towards Rex's muzzle, and rex completed the gesture.
"Welll... Mettt...", Rex growled in English, and I was taken aback!
"Well! I see my English lessons are paying off!", I exclaimed. "I knew he understood English, but I never knew he could actually speak it!"
"You teach?", Rosemary asked.
"Yes, among many other things.", I explained. "We all do a variety of other things, but it's usually what is assigned for the day. So far we all have been everything from teacher to Copro cart driver!"
"A Jack of all trades.", Waldo commented.
"We feel it's better for all if we know a little bit about everything than everything about just one thing.", I told him. "It makes us more versitile that way."
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(continued in the next post.)
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Post by thundertail on Sept 17, 2007 20:33:50 GMT -5
TWENTY-SIX: "Waterfall City." (Continued again.)
"Many of us have various jobs, but they are mostly related to each other.", Waldo said. "How do you like your new job as diplomat?"
"Well, I did have some courtroom experience before I came to Dinotopia.", I told him. "See, a sergent went against the orders of his superior; and even though this action won the day for the whole platoon, the colonel wanted him to be put in military prison for going against orders. I was a student lawyer at the time for the military, and defended him. He only got three years for the offense."
"And because of this, king Thundertail thought you were the best man for the task!", Waldo concluded.
"Actually, he knows nothing of that!", I told him.
"Ah, sir...", Minch interrupted. "It is getting late..."
"Indeed.", mayor Seville said as he noticed the delegates' numbers were dwindling. "Vety well. If you would follow minch here, he will show you to your domiciles. He will also show you a few sights along the way."
"Yes, sir.", Minch acknowledged. "Right this way, sirs and ma'ams..."
Minch led us out the huge front doors of the council chambers, and went to where we left our Copro cart. We found out that someone had moved the cart to a secluded alcove a short distance away from the main thouroughfare; saying the contents of the cart smelled too offensive to keep it out in the open like that. What did they know about good cured meat?!
As soon as we hitched Sauron and Chillet to the cart, Minch ordered the guards to accompany us to our domiciles for the night. The larger ones in our group were to be housed in the warehouse district near Ichthyosaur Canal, in a warehouse that served the fishing fleet that fished Hadrosaur Bay to the north. The fleet was out for the month, and that building stood vacant, or so Minch told us as we traveled down the Grande Promenade.
It seemed that by now everyone in the city was aware of our presence, and knew we were there on a mission of peace. Many of the passers by crossed our paths with little reguard save for their favorite saying: 'Breathe deep, Seek peace.'! We either nodded or echoed thier greetings as we walked by; and everyone of our group marveled at the archetecture of the dwellings as we walked by. Minch told us of the nature of these buildings as we walked by in the dimming light of day - amid the thundering rushes of the myriad of waterfalls surrounding us.
There was the Museum of Clocks and Sundials which also doubled as a school. Troodon Hall stood behind that building and was the mayor's quarters. We passed Fountain Avenue with its' namesake of a huge fountain in the form of a Misaurus at its' middle. The Boroza Cafe' was next, where all the elite citizens of Waterfall City meet to eat. We finally turned down Seedpod Street where the Painting Gallery stood on its' corner.
In the distance down this street, to our left, was a giant greenhouse complex; and Minch told us that it was where they grew many rare plants for transplant elsewhere as needed. We passed that structure and saw a building where artisans were still busy hammering away at stone sculptures, brushing at thier paintings and modeling thier clay; which Minch told us was the Academy of Sculpture and Art. There were many nondescript buildings beyond that; and a little further up there was a massive, squat building with tall bay doors all around the base. Near the center set of doors he had us stop.
"These are your accomodations, fine saurians.", Minch announced as he began working a large metal ring on the bay door in front of us. "Please follow me.", he reached in and turned on the Sunstone lighting, illuminating this space.
Along a long, wide corridor were many large stone bays that had 'V' grooves down the middle of each; which were probably used to store small boats, and all were currently vacant. At an intersection several hundred yards in was a wider area, and Minch indicated we could unhitch Sauron and Chillet there, and store the Copro cart in a near by side bay to our left. As we did so, Whitetail and her sons helped Rex take off his uncomfortable halter; he licking moisture into his mouth after the bit was removed. The bays next to this one had piles of straw and other bedding, and Minch said that they could sleep there. Soon Ripper and Snapper were without thier muzzles, working out the stiffness in thier jaws; and soon Whitetail was at the cart, readying some food and supplies to dole out among us.
"I think you guys are all set.", I said a few moments after I saw them all settling in for the night. "We'll see you in the morning, ok?", I bowed at the two Pachycephalosauruses and hugged the rest of the carnivores.
"Uncivilized...", Minch whispered as he turned away.
"Carnivores are very affectionate folks.", I said, overhearing his comment and smiling. "Well, I guess we can be on our way!", I finished stroking Rex's chin and got up. "Sweet dreams, guys!"
"Right this way.", Minch indicated the way out. One of the saurian guards met us half way to the doors. "Has the other guard arrived yet?", the guard nodded.
"Others?", I asked as Mayday halted at my side, Harold on her shoulder.
"Yes, we have two saurian guards outside this building, and this one will be escorting you.", Minch told us. "For your protection, I assure you!"
"Well folks, looks like we're busted!", Harold blurted.
"Hush!", Mayday scolded.
"Can't beat Dinotopian security!", I smiled at Minch in an awkward way.
"Right this way...", Minch said as he walked past the guards outside.
The light had left the sky, and Sunstone streetlamps shone like jewels all up and down the street. Only a few citizens were milling about, and all of them seemed too preoccupied with getting home to notice us. The guard escorting us went north up the block and turned down another side street, where empty kiosks stood all along it. Minch explained this street was called Marketplace Plaza, a fine spot to obtain wares when open for business; and a place where all sorts of things from all over Dinotopia were bought and sold. At a Kiosk near a corner intersection, Minch stopped and looked into an open doorway of the building directly behind it.
"Oh Rhudolph!", he called into it. "Are you here?", presently a nondescript human of middle age came down the steps of his home and into our midst. "Your new guests are here."
"I see.", Rhudolph said. He went to shake my hand. "I'm so pleased to meet you all!", he went to shake Mayday's hand. "When I heard that emissaries from the Rainy Basin were in town, I volunteered right away!"
"Nice to meet ya'!", Harold extended his miniscule hand.
"And the same to you, little sir!", Rhudolph replied, not knowing whether to shake the tiny appendage or not. He bowed instead. "Er..., my apartment is just upstairs. If you would follow me..."
"Do you mind saurian guards outside your apartment, Rhudolph?", Minch stopped him. "Court orders, you know."
"I would be delighted!", Rhudolph nodded at the guard behind us. "I will have Lenore set out extra bedding!", he rushed up the steps. We smiled at minch and the guard and began following him.
"Uh, Stinger.", Minch stopped me. "You and your group are due to be at the council building two hours before Eveningmeal tomorrow. We have arranged a small tour of the city until then, starting at sunrise. I will send someone to rouse you."
"Thanks, Minch.", I told him. "You do a good job organizing things!"
"Thank you, sir.", he bowed. "Have a pleasant night.", he scurried off.
We proceeded up the steps to the second floor of this apartment building, saurian guard on our heels. At the first level we turned right and came directly to a door that Rhudolph opened. His wife stepped out of a miniscule kitchen area, nodded at her new company and touched her husband's hand lovingly before retreating back to the kitchen. Screeching was heard down a short hallway beyond a spartain living area, and three small streaks jagged out and around that space, narrowly missing the myriad of furnature it contained.
"Kids!... Not while company's here!", Rhudolph said as he attempted to halt them, but only caught the pint sized Stenoychosaurus bringing up the rear. "What's going on, Wany?"
"Jack spilled water on me!", Wany complained in a child's voice.
"Did not!", Jack said from behind a saurian couch. "Mimi did!"
"I did NOT!", Mimi said from behind a curtain framing an oval bay window.
"ENOUGH!", Lenore called from the kitchen. "We have guests; and we would appreciate it if you act civil!"
"Sorry about this...", Rhudolph apologized, ushering us to the living area and offering us chairs. "I guess they're a bit excited."
"Kids will be kids.", I said. "No harm done."
"Mister, do you eat meat?", Jack asked as he came out of hiding.
"Sometimes.", I Told him. "But I promised the mayor I wouldn't while I'm here."
"Aw! I wanted to see it!", he whined.
"He'd probably eat YOU!", Wany told him.
"I don'rt eat friends.", I said. "I think eating friends is rude!"
"You're silly!", Mimi said, revealing herself and coming over to look at mayday more closely.
"Hey kids!, Harold hopped off Mayday's shoulder and onto the couch where he could be seen better. "Know what I am?"
"A Compsagnathus?", Mimi guessed.
"Naw! With these teeth?", he smiled, showing his recurved, needlelike teeth. "I'm what you call a 'Skartopus Kirkus'. Better known as 'Kirky'!"
"Oh! A little sawtooth!", Wani said. "I heard they're rare."
"I'm special in another way. Wanna see?", Harold asked as he grabbed a small vase, a ball of yarn and a hairbrush off the end table, then presently began to juggle them! "I can do all sorts of tricks! Back home I am the ringmaster of a circus!"
"A circus!", Mimi exclaimed.
"Wow!", Jack echoed.
Harold continued entertaining the children, telling them tales about all the circus acts, while mayday and I began talking with thier parents. The decor' of the apartment was spartain, but had a unique style depicting a Roman style mixed with a rounded naturalist style. Everything in the apartment was as beautiful as it was useful looking. However, after only a few moments of smalltalk, Lenore rushed back into the kitchen; and then announced that dinner was ready many moments later. The dining area was in a corner of the living space, just within sight of the kitchen doorway; and lenore soon came out to place steaming cauldrons on the table, straightening out everyones' place settings as she passed.
"Please come to Eveningmeal.", Lenore announced when she was done. "I am sorry, but there will be no meat."
"No meat is no problem!", I said as we all got up, thier furniture groaning from relief of the weight of the armor we wore. "Everything smells wonderful!"
"Yeah! I'm starved!", Harold got up from the floor, where he was demonstrating some tumbling moves for Wani, Jack and Mimi. "C'mon kids! Let's eat!"
We all went over and seated ourselves, savoring the exotic aromas and onderful sights of the evening meal. The children sat and were amazingly silent as thier mother passed them thier plates; and then the three of us were served, and we waited for Rhudolph and Lenore to serve themselves before preparing to eat. The whole family silently looked at thier plates a moment before proceeding, and I figured it was one of thier traditions so I eyed Mayday and harold to do the same.
The meal was simple but elegant; consisting of a seaweed pasta in an ocra and lentil sauce with mystery spices blended in, two-tone bread with a garlicy oleo drizzle, two types of squash and wild rice on the side. Dessert was simple fruit wedges of various types, to be served later if we wished. We ate in silence throughout the whole meal; but near the end, Jack spoke up.
"So mister. Is that real armor?", he asked between orange bites.
"Yes it is.", I said. "It is a very special kind of armor. Know why?"
"No. Why?", Wani asked.
"It is very, very old.", I said. "It is called the armor of Othgar; made for wars thousands of years ago."
"My children should not hear of wars.", Rhudolph said.
"Ah, but the armor is now used for peace.", I told him. "Klamath now realizes that war is futile."
"Klamath?", Mimi asked.
"That's the suit's name.", I explained. "Klamath is also special because he has a spirit in him."
"Zandra too.", mayday added.
"By Pathos! They're haunted!", Wani exclaimed.
"Not really. They are just there to guide the suit and the wearer.", I said. "Like a symbiotic relationship."
"Perhaps you better let us explain, Stinger.", Zandra's voice came from Mayday's suit as her Miasaurus mask encircled Mayday's face, and her eyes glowed amber. "We were originally a herd of Ankylosaurs who sought favor with Othgar the great. We had our essences instilled in this armor to better serve him."
"Upon our master's defeat, we were ordered dismantled.", Klamath's Tyranosaur mask formed over my face as his eyes glowed green. "During the long eons we were found, restored and served our wearers; but thier ambitions wer not the way of Othgar. We gradually saw that the only way to serve Othgar was to serve his children."
"We now seek peace, as your saying states.", Zandra completed. Both masks retracted back into our collars.
"Well, I think that's a wonderful purpose.", Lenore said as sha got up to collect the dishes.
"Yes! To help the carnivores to become more civilized is a fantastic goal.", Rhudolph got up to help her. "We have been waiting for this for centuries!"
"Can carnivores really be nice?", Wani asked. "My papa says they're nothing but mean!"
"They are very nice to us.", I said as we all retreated to the living area. "They treat us very well, we have a nice home with them, and everyone in the clan are our friends. They want everyone on Dinotopia to be thier friends too!"
"That's why we volunteered to be your host.", Rhudolph said as he came into the living area. "We look forward to trade with you, and to travel into the Rainy Basin unfettered.", he sat in an armchair beside us. "You know, I run a kiosk downstairs, serving all sorts of drinks and potions. I rely on travelers to get the ingredients I need, and most of those ingredients only grows in the Rainy Basin."
"Well, if all goes right with the negotiations, you may soon have all the herbs you need!", I said, opening my armor slightly to remove a flask. "Try this. We make it where we come from.", Lenore saw this and rushed to the kitchen for some small glasses.
"What is it?", Rhudolph asked, taking a sniff and recoiling. "Smells foul!"
"We call it 'Tyranosaur Breath'.", I said. "It's mostly grain alchohol, mixed with Jinka and other herbs - plus a secret ingredient or two!", I poured an amount into each of the four glasses.
"Let's have some!", Harold requested, and I put some into the flask cap, a perfect fit for his miniscule hand.
"I want some!", Jack said.
"No, son!", I told him. "This is only for grownups."
"Uncle harold's having some.", Mimi said. "He don't look old!"
"I'm forty-five, missy!", Harold said, then took his sip. "Mmmm! That MacDougal's done it again!"
"My goodness!", Rhudolph gasped. "That's strong!"
"Absolutely horrid!", Lenore only took a sip.
"Hmmm... Cranberry this time!", I downed my entire portion.
"More like Jakka berry.", Mayday corrected after she downed hers.
"You know, I think some of my customers might like this...", Rhudolph said, thinking. "Can you bring more?"
"Well, if our negotiation goes well, pretty soon we could import it to you.", I told him. "We really wish to establish trade with the rest of Dinotopia, and I'm sure we could include it as part of our goods. Did you know we already have a trade agreement with the residents of Tentpole of the Sky?"
"I've heard of them.", Lenore said. "But I heard they dispersed and went elsewhere."
"Thier community is small, but they still thrive.", Mayday told her. "We help them by trading supplies they need."
"That's just wonderful!", Lenore replied.
"What intrigues me the most is what I hear you're doing with the temple ruins in the Rainy Basin.", Rhudolph continued. "Imagine all the historical knowledge you have unearthed!"
"We have been keeping very good records on what we found so far.", I told him. "We'll be glad to share that knowledge with the rest of Dinotopia as soon as we make copies of it."
The conversation went on like that for an hour or so as we told them of the more mundane goings on in the Rainy Basin. Let me tell you, they were really curious about us! During this time Harold kept the children busy, teaching them how to juggle. They were all having a great time, but only Wani seemed to have the manual dexterity to begin getting the hang of it. All too soon lenore called thier bedtime, and the children reluctantly marched to thier bedrooms. Lenore followed after them so she could tuck them in.
Presently we all decided to turn in for the night as well. Rhudolph escorted us to Wani's parents room, where a nestlike bed favored by nearly all saurians stood. There is a trick humans learn when sleeping in those: you crawl in and curl up into a fetal position. Mayday and I knew this from the many times we spent in our Partners' nests! Lenore had prepared Harold's nest on a chair in the bedroom with ramped up bedding, and he hopped in and stretched.
They explained that Wani's parents pulled rickshaw taxis in the city, but were visiting a sick friend in Volcanium and asked if they would look after Wani for the week; which was why thier bed stood vacant. Rhudolph and lenore then wished us all a good night and closed the door behind them. We stood in the center of the room and had Klamath and Zandra seperate so we could sleep on the bed with more comfort. We got in bed after that, kissed good night and were both off to sleep within twenty minutes...
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Post by thundertail on Sept 22, 2007 19:48:35 GMT -5
TWENTY-SEVEN: "Bad Blood."
King Thundertail knew what he had to do as he led his delegation deep into the rainy Basin jungle. he had a plan forming in his mind, courses of action to deal with the creatures they were about to meet. He knew he had to negotiate a treaty with the pteranodons that were wreaking havoc in the area, and somehow had to make peace with these headstrong and highly dangerous Pterosaurs.
They had been self appointed by the other carnivores in the rainy basin because thundertail felt that they were the only clan organized enough to effectively do this job. he was hoping that things would go smoothly with these unpredictable creatures; but secretly fearing the outcome if things went horribly wrong!
All this was on his mind as he led the group, which consisted of nearly all the tyranosaurs in his clan, nearly all the veloceraptors, the two remaining suits of Othgar's armor and talon; who would translate our proposal to these black skinned flyers. grond had strong misgivings about the outcome of this meeting, saying that no one could reason with these creatures; and that thier adherence to the ways of thier ancesters were even stronger than clan Thundertail's once was.
All the adult tyranosaurs in the clan, including the ones recently joined to us, had to agree with this thinking; but all of us secretly held hopes that these beaked terrors would listen to reason. the juveniles with us did not know what to expect, but hoped any show of violence would never happen. The more than twenty Veloceraptors, led by Mosquito, scoured the paths ahead; and dutifully reported back that they were still on the right track.
Thundertail led the way toward the only spot where he had last encountered them: the ravines where they rescued Ruby Mattock so many months ago. This was also the area where Talon's flock had thier territory; but since her flock had been exterminated by this larger flock of black Pteranodons, our scouts said that they had established one of thier rookeries there. By noontime the delegation passed by the rotting wagon wheels that was the remains of the cart Ruby mattock and her family once owned, and thundertail had the Veloceraptors scout ahead to find the best way to the area.
The Veloceraptors scoured the entire forest ahead, and soon found a pass to the ravines; which started out as a wide, grassy gully and sloped down into a widening, rocky expanse. the gully turned ever steeper, but proved not to be a real problem as the who;e contingency presently followed in the Veloceraptors' wake. Soon the sparse shrubbery evident along the downward moving trail disappeared as they entered the floor of the ravine field, to be replaced by splotches of pteranodon guano splattered all over the rocks ahead. Diego sidled up to Thundertail and placed a hand on his flank to get his attention.
"Sir.", he whispered. "Triphus tells me there are hundreds of life forms directly ahead. We're very close!"
"I agree.", Flit said, looking around nervousely by his side.
"I don't see anything...", Thundertail whispered. "Can't tell through this smell, though!", this he said a bit too loudly, and suddenly there was slight movements all around them!
The black Pteranodons were camouflaged nearly perfectly for this terrain; for they occupied every crevace knoll and crag. They blended into the rocky scenery like they were a part of it. Many turned thier heads to watch us pass; and that was when Thundertail and company knew they were there, and they were completely surrounded!
The Pteranodons did not take wing, but hopped about, displaying wings as they squawked and rasped at this intrusion. Many soon hopped about and blocked the path behind them; and a slightly larger one jumped up and leapt into the sky, only to land in the path many feet ahead of Thundertail. This one squawked and catterwauled as Talon craned her neck, trying to make out the dialect.
"I think he's asking what we are doing in thier territory.", Talon squawked and Triphus translated into Tyranosaur. "And that such blundering intrusions end in the death of the blunderer."
"Tell him we are on a diplomatic mission to the new owners of Crevice aerie, and wish to talk peace.", Thundertail said and all translated.
"So, you wish to talk peace!", this one, evidentally the leader of the flock, said; then let out a peal of Pteranodon laughter. "You who weaken your race with those of others? Don't waste our time!"
"We have been asked by the other carnivores of the Rainy Basin to petition a treaty with you.", Thundertail explained. "We wish to seek peace, for them as well as us."
"And you come to us to speak it with your whole clan?", the creature asked. "You look more prepared for battle than to talk peace!"
"It is for our own protection; for word has it that you would most likely attack us.", Thundertail replied. "Our purpose is a benign one, I assure you!", he bowed. "I am king Thundertail, of clan Thundertail. May I ask your name?"
"The doomed deserves no less than that.", this creature said. "I am Strafewing, leader of Crevice aerie and ruler of all the sky. My flock is many thousands strong, and our fear spreads throughout Dinotopia!"
"Well met, noble flyers all.", Thundertail bowed. "Would you agree to talk peace?"
"And why would we wish to talk peace with the weak?", Strafewing cawed. "Those who are strong keeps thier groups pure. Those who combine thier species prove thier weakness by relying on others."
"We find that the strengths of many species far outweighs the strength of any one kind.", Thundertail said. "We Tyranosaurs are strong and mighty, but we lack the stealthy skills present in Veloceraptors. We are very intellegent, but we lack the insight present in humans. With the skills of our three kinds, we share a success like no other single species can achieve."
"And I suppose you are friends.", Strafewing groused. "Let it be known that we have no room for such emotional prattle! We have no friends, we do not owe any creature anything; and we take what we want and do what we want, and woe to any creature who gets in our way!", he silently eyed the rest of his flock, who were secretly rallying all around us. "We live by instinct. Any other way of life goes against the laws of nature, and is an abomination to every species in your clan! My advice to you, king Thundertail, is to adhere to the old ways; for you dishonor your clan with this practice!"
"We have seen nothing but prosperity since we started working together.", Thundertail defended. "It may not go according to tradition; but it is a new and wonderful way of life, and makes life well worth living."
"It will NEVER work with us!", Strafewing scoffed. "We will never stoop to illiciting the help of others!"
"We are not asking you to join us and live as we do!", Thundertail said. "We are merely asking if you would join in a treaty to secure peace in the Rainy Basin! You may live your lives any way you want otherwise. We would never ask you to live your life our way!"
"As if you can tell us to do anything!", Strafewing chuckled. "Never the less, you are still tresspassing on our land. Our females are currently roosting, and they will tolerate no interference. The rest of us honor thier wishes, and demand you leave here IMMEDIATELY!"
"Will you not at least consider our peace treaty proposal?", Thundertail asked meekly.
"No!", Strafewing cried, wings flapping defiantly. "Now begone!... BEGONE!!... GO-O-O-O-O!!!...", he took off into the sky.
Strafewing lifted up and circled the area, buzzing the group and calling out orders even Talon couldn't translate. As if on cue and by ones and in groups, all the members of his flock took to the wing and circled the area; blackening the sky with thier number and deafening the air with thier cries!
"Everyone!... Away!...", Thundertail ordered, but it was far too late!
Suddenly, and seemingly out of nowhere Pteranodons flew down low, clipping dozens of Veloceraptors off thier feet and sending them tumbling among the rocks. Many Tyranosaurs in the group was being strafed by groups of them, and very soon a multitude of cuts and scratches grew on thier hides.
Triphus turned on his forcefield, deflecting many that swooped down on him; and his stunners knocked dozens out of the sky. Flit, in the suit named Proboke, simply jumped behind a boulder and hid from the onslaught; but sooner or later the flapping wings found him, and he was forced to fight nearly as fiercely as Triphus.
"This way!...", Diego hollered. "Into the trees!..."
"They will not be able to follow!", Flit confirned and ran past the armored human.
It was every creature for themselves as they all attempted to escape from the system of ravines. Each and every one of them were injured and harassed every step of the way. The attackers thinned out somewhat as they all eventually made it to the sanctuary of the trees, but many Pteranodons continued to follow as space between the tree trunks allowed. Many more of the flyers rose up above treetop level and spied thier movement through the canopy.
After many miles, the screeches over thier heads dwindled, and eventually lapsed into silence; but Thundertail and his party continued to run for thier lives anyway. At a small clearing they stopped to catch thier breaths, and to access the damage inflicted upon them.
"How is everyone?", Thundertail pantingly rumbled. "Can we go on?"
"All members have multiple contusions and lacerations.", Triphus reported after scanning the group. "None have any fatal wounds, but may soon require attention to prevent infection."
"Thank you, Triphus.", Thundertail said. "Now we rest a few moments. Have someone find some water, and see about some food.", he licked at a nasty cut by his heelspike a moment. "What do you suppose went wrong?", he asked nobody in particular.
"There are some creatures that just can't be reasoned with.", Grond said, licking at a nasty cut at the base of his tail. "But I never saw creatures so unreasonable!"
"We should strike back.", Diego commented.
"Are you daft?!", Flit said as he walked over and unfurled his mask, revealing his robotic face. "There are too many of them!... Millions and millions and millions of them!"
"Well,... They creamed us this time.", Pincushion snuffled at a bloody nose. "Whose to say they won't do it again?"
"Whatever the situation, we will NOT attack them.", Thundertail told them. "We will figure out another way to deal with them.", he winced as he turned around. "But we can't do anything right now but go home and tend to our wounds..."
Presently the negotiation group gathered and continued along the path that led to thier home.Thundertail still couldn't figure out why the negotiation went so poorly! By midday they all trudged back into camp, being received like heroes until the rest saw thier condition and immediately ran to get the healers. Selma came first, and she screeched in dismay and immediately ran to get Ursula; and when Ursula saw how bad they all were, immediately took action!
"Ok everyone! We got a first class emergency here!", Ursula yelled to everyone helping out as well as her tribe. "You and you and you and you, go make bandages and get my salves and other medicines!", they scurried to thier tasks. "Now, you and you and you and you, set up a triage area by the feeding area.", they rushed to set it up. "Now you injured ones, form a line over there and i'll see to you. The most injured ones first and the least injured last..."
For a little under an hour the camp was pure mayhem as the negotiation party was treated for the majority of thier wounds. Everyone was too engrossed on this task to care about how the negotiations went!
"Our negotiation ended in failure!", Thundertail moaned as it became his turn to be treated. "How could creatures be so unreasonable?!"
"Holy smokes!" You're a mess!", Ursula fingered a cut and he winced. One of a literal roadmap of them all over his body. She tisked. "Now just lie still and never mind those buzzards! Let me take care of you first!... Say! I'll need some bandages over here!...", she called suddenly.
"I tell you, I'm all right!", Diego protested as Selma insisted to look him over. "Triphus protected me.", he looked around. "Why don't you go see Pincushion! I think he has a broken nose. One of them landed right on his face!", she gave up and nodded, then sought out the Tyranosaur in question.
"Ma'am, please! I am still functionsl!", Flit said as Wen attempted to examine him. "May I be of assistance?"
"Naw..., I don't think so.", Wen said as she turned to a battered Veloceraptor named dragonfly. "Maybe you can help in triage..."
By the end of the day all the injured diplomats were taken care of, and they all looked like a sea of wartorn ships. All during this time they still mulled over the incodent, and tried to figure out what went wrong, and tried to figure it out by themselves. Thundertail wished that Stinger was here to give a logical solution to this problem - he was always good at that! Too bad he was at Waterfall City; but his job was probably more difficult as humans were far craftier than any other creature. And even though most Dinotopian humans were benign in thier intents, he still figured Stinger had his work cut out for him!
After a silent evening meal, where even the antics of the Kirky Circus could not bolster moods around the campfires, thundertail decided to hold a small meeting afterwards between the negotiation party and the rest of the clan to see what else could be done about the Pteranodon problem. The evening campfires illuminated a beaten and gloomy bunch of saurians as everyone sat in silence listening to this or that one add thier comments to the discussion or voiced thier opinions of the comments spoken earlier. Diego and Triphus, who had remained silent until this point; indicated they wanted to speak, and did so when Thundertail gave them permission.
"Uh, sir. We were thinking it over, and we believe that we have a way of getting the Pteranodons to accept the treaty.", Diego said.
"How so?", Thundertail asked.
"There was a battle I was in a long time ago.", Triphus said. "One where we did not attack, and yet we won ourselves an outpost. The goods in this outpost was too valuable to us to go there and risk destroying it, so we devised a plan to take the town and render the residents there our friends."
"They illicited the help of rogue humans - pirates, by the sound.", Diego continued. "They had them ransack the town, and part of the spoils would be theirs. In the middle of this attack, triphus's forces came and rescued the outpost."
"The citizens there were so grateful we saved thier town they let us have anything we wanted.", Triphus continued. "Of course, we took those valuable goods!"
"It reminds me of an incodent I participated in when I was with LaSage...", Diego said. "Only with us, we took everything and left no prisoners!"
"So, we must do something like this to win a treaty with the Pteranodons?", Thundertail guessed.
"We knoe this ruse may seem underhanded,", Triphus told him. "But it seems the only realistic way to attain a treaty."
"As much as I dislike such trechery, I think the Pteranodons deserve it!", Grond said, to everyones' suprise. "I mean, look what they did to us!"
"Tell us what to do.", Thundertail exhaled, looking sidelong at Grond.
"Well, first thing, we'll need the help of all the adult Kirkys...", Diego began; and between he and Triphus, they laid out the whole plan to the clan.
After this and many long moments of consideration, Thundertail smiled for the first time since the botched negotiation and said: "You know, I think this plan could work after all!", he turned to Diego. "Who says that stinger is the only one here with the good ideas?!", he gave him a lick.
At length they decided to start the plan in the morning; and at dawn all the Kirkys secretly went to the Crevace aerie to spy on the Pteranodons. They had to find out what they do all day so they could figure thier movements and hunting patterns. They found that the times when the flock was thinnest due to hunting was early in the morning and just before dusk, which was the best time to strike.
The Kirkys proved to be so small that thier movements through the surrounding foliage went unnoticed by the flyers; and thier greyish color made them all but invisible against the rocks - provided they remained perfectly still as the Pteranodons passed by overhead! With all the information gathered by them over the nexy two days, it was decided that they spring thier attack early the next morning.
As the last of the Pteranodons took to the sky and shrank in the distance, stealthy lines of Kirkys descended into the crevaces, hugging the crags and moving as unseen as possible. They tried to stay downwind of the ten or so females remaining, who were lightly dozing as they sat on thier nests. Each Kirky would slink up on the leeward side of the unoccupied nests and remove the eggs contained within, slithering off with thier prizes and covering any traces of thier presence as they left.
They did this for a while, making several trips, and soon sported a collection of well over a hundred pteranodon eggs. These they hid in some tiny caves in a low rise less than a mile away from Crevace aerie. When they met there later to regroup, they began to transport the eggs back to the clan by a circumventing route and hid the eggs in the Incan pyramid.
The Kirkys also hid there, and that was when clan Thundertail waited for the second phase of the plan to come about. They didn't have long to wait; as before noontime of the same day, a cloud of Pteranodons converged on the clansite, nearly filling the clansite with thier number.
During this time, Thundertail, all his tyranosaurs and all his Veloceraptors were waiting, nursing thier wounds and moping around as the plan called for. Others were milling about, replacing bandages and administering to the wounded saurians. Thundertail looked up and saw them arriving; and soon saw Srtrafewing swoop down in front of him and screech in his face!
"What did you do with them?!", Strafewing cried. "Give them back to us!!"
"What are you talking about?", Thundertail asked like he thought the flyer was crazy.
"You know what I mean, landwalker!", Strafewing squawked, nipping at Thundertail's face. "Where are they?!"
"No! I don't!", Thundertail said, pretending to get angry. "Please explain yourself; for now you arte on OUR territory!"
Strafewing beaclm only a little bit calm and complied, sighing. "This morning most of our eggs were stolen!", his eyes flared. "Who would be so foolish to take them other than those who we so recently defeated?!"
"You're crazy! We been here the whole time!", Diego said in passing, applying more gause to Pincushion's nostrils. "We're still trying to heal the wounds you gave us!"
"We were still trying to figure out how to convince you to talk about our treaty...", Thundertail was cut off.
"ENOUGH!!", screeched Strafewing. "WHERE ARE OUR EGGS?!"
"Now, listen closely to me:", Thundertail got close to his beak and rumbled. "We do NOT have your eggs! We do not know what happened to your eggs. We are very sorry to hear about your loss, but we had nothing to do with it! Do I make mysrlf clear?"
"Have they got our eggs, dear?", another Pteranodon landed next to Strafewing and asked in a female tone. he just looked at her, eyes lost in confusion.
"Wait!", Diego said, just finishing with Pincushion. "Did anyone see who took the eggs?"
"Why, no...", Strafewing said in thought. "We saw nothing!"
"Then why you blamin' us fer it!", MacDougal came by with a bucket of salve, handing it to Selma. "You dunna even know who done it!"
"We merely assumed...", Strafewing was unsure.
"It's all right.", Thundertail soothed. "No harm done. Now, it seems to me that you might need some help..."
"We'll find the culprits ourselves!", but he was still proud.
"But how?", the female Pteranodon asked him. "If anything happened to my eggs, I don't know what I'd do!", she wailed.
"Let's help them.", thistlesnarl said, getting salved applied to her strafed chest. "The little ones' lives are at stake!"
"Sounds like a good idea...", Diego put in.
"It IS the right thing to do.", Flit added.
"Plus it's our honor that's at stake!", Grond said. "You accused us of this, and we need to prove ourselves otherwise!"
Strafewing let go with a high, mournful sigh before speaking. "I see that there is no other choice but to ask for help.", he said, bowing in defeat. "We would certainly appreciate it..."
"All is well, my friend...", Thundertail told him soothingly. "Everyone needs help from time to time.", he turned and called his clan together.
Presently the least injured of the clan began forming around thier leader; but the Kirkys, now hidden in the Incan pyramid, snuck out to secretly watch this exchange from a distance. Soon fifty of the clan stood around waiting for words from Thundertail. Out of the many dozens of tyranosaurs in the clan, only about half that number were able enough to participate. About the same ratio was true with the veloceraptors; and since the Ovaraptors and Dilophosaurs were safe at camp and didn't get injured, they were recruited to fill the ranks.
As soon as Strafewing saw all was in readiness, he had his flock take wing and head for the crevice aerie. They led the way for the ragtag group that was clan Thundertail, who were quickly tryiong to follow in thier wake.
Once everyone got there, Strafewing quickly told the rest of his flock about this; and asked them not to be alarmed about having other carnivores in thier rookery. He explained to them that we were there to gather evidence on just who stole thier eggs. So with great trepidation on the female Pteranodons' part, they let the Veloceraptors and Ovaraptors get close to them and sniff around.
Not long after that Dragonfly found a scent with his Veloceraptor nose which led him to one tiny footprint. he gave off a shrill cry, and many of the others rushed over to see what was found, many Pteranodons shadowing them as well.
"Kirrrkyyy!", Dragonfly announced.
"Many!", Mosquito confirmed. "Thisss way!"
The rest of the little carnivores sniffed around the spot and detected the direction these thieving Kirkys went. Kirkys were cunning scavengers, Strafewing knew; and they were very difficult to detect from the air. No wonder they snuck into the rookery without being detected!
Suddenly the Veloceraptors and Ovaraptors headed east, loping through the underbrush and sweeping back and forth to keep on the scent trail they had detected. The larger carnivores followed them through the forest close in thier wake. Soon the trees became too thick for the tyranosaurs to follow easily, and pretty soon the Pteranodons flying along with them had to turn back for the thick foliage.
The only two that really kept up was Thundertail and Strafewing; the other Pteranodons keeping an eye on the progress from high above the treetops. Soon the pursuers founf themselves in a rocky area, slowly rising to form a rocky knoll in the middle of the jungle. They followed the scent into these rocks and halted at a series of small openings among the rocks.
"They go here!", Dragonfly said, pointing. "Follow me!", he dashed down the hole.
Many of the others followed, some choosing thier own hole to enter; and soon a gigantic scuffle could be heard deep underground! Veloceraptors wails mixed with kirky screeches was heard, with many bangings and scrapings for good measure met the earslits of the Tyranosaurs and the Dilophosaurs that had at last locaced where thier comrades had gone. The dark mass of Strafewing swooped through the trees to land by Thundertail, squawking questioningly.
"They have them cornered underground!", Thundertail turned to tell him as Talon landed to translate.
"There is a maze down there!", Mosquito crawled back out to say, his hide showing many more abrasions. "There are thousands down there! They're putting up a fight, but they are retreating further into the caves.", Talon translated this too.
"Continue pursuit.", Thundertail ordered.
"Better search the entire area.", Mosquito replied. "There may be more cave entrances around here that they could escape from!", he ducked back down.
"Make it so.", Thundertail turned to Bross Dilophosaur.
"Yes, my king!", Bross sauntered off, grumbling for the others in his command to follow.
"I think we have things under control for now.", Thundertail told Strafewing. "If you want, you can go back home and rest. We'll take over from here."
"I see you do...", Strafewing watched these diverse carnivores work together. "Just let me know the second you find them!", he flapped off, the rest of hids kin following.
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(Continued in the next post.)
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Post by thundertail on Sept 23, 2007 13:06:18 GMT -5
TWENTY-SEVEN: "Bad Blood." (Continued.)
Not long after that those of clan Thundertail were left alone, so thundertail asked Waterlilly the Veloceraptor to go into the caves and tell the rest inside to desist thier activities - they were all just acting anyway! He told her to tell them to get back to camp as soon as possible so they could prepare for the next steps in thier little ruse.
Soon the jungles around the area quivered with the movements of many stealthy carnivores as they made thier way back home. By nightfall everyone was back at camp, planning the next steps in the plan and preparing things for the events that would begin tomorrow.
By morning the Kriegers' cart was prepared with fresh bedding of hay and moss, and a little more than a hundred Pteranodon eggs were gently placed in it. Several dozen female Veloceraptors hopped aboard to keep the eggs warm during the trip; and finally Bross and Leeter was hitched up to it. Mildred, along with many more of her kirky kin were tied together in chain-gang fashion, knowing full well thier lines to say when they got to Crevice aerie, for they were all first class actresses!
Talon, Diego, Triphus and Flit helped everyone else get ready; and waited by Thundertail for the rest to join them. Thundertail, many of the other tyranosaurs and a large handful of Veloceraptors also prepared to leave; and once they were all ready, they all began thier trek to crevice aerie. Everyone in clan Thundertail hoped that this would work!
The trip there was extremely uneventful, and took longer due to the Kirkys' shorter gait as they marched; but once they drew near they saw many Pteranodons inspecitng them from high above. As they entered the Pteranodons' territory, many of them followed at lower and lower altitudes; and as they approached the ravines, Thundertail let out a peal of roaring to get the whole flock's attention.
At this a small mob of them took wing, circling our group; and once they saw what we were bringing with us, Strafewing came out of that group and landed directly in our path. He eyed the whole contingency with scorn, which slowly turned to that of wonder; for the cargo our cart held was the hope of thier entire flock!
"We have retrieved your eggs!", Thundertail confirmed. "The Kirkys will never again pilage your nests!"
"By the Prime Sunstone!", Strafewing crowed. "You came through...!"
"The battle was intense, and thier number was in the thousands.", Thundertail told him. "We killed and ate all but a few hundred. Once they realized they were defeated, they surrendered. They promised never to do it again if we spared thier lives."
"It's true, boss!", mildred said from her bound peers. We had no ideer you had such powerful friends! We're sorry... Please spare us, boss!"
"For what you did, you expect to live?", Strafewing told her. "No creature insults us thusly and lives!"
"No boss!... Please!...", Mildred begged.
"We promised we would spare thier lives if they promised to never do that again.", Thundertail repeated. "We made that bargain with them, and will honor that bargain. besides, it would serve no purpose to completely wipe them out, and it would also dishonor your flock."
"My king...!", Spiderweb called from her spot in the cart. "The eggs are growing cold! We must get them to thier nests quickly!", she got into a better position on the eggs she was tending.
"Very well! I will spare your lives - for now!", Strafewingg said at last. he squawked for some of his flock to approach the cart of eggs. "Bring the cart into the rookery. The females will choose thier eggs from there."
Bross and Leeter drew the cart deeper into the ravine and stopped right in the midst of the many dozens of cliffside nests. By ones and in groups, the female Pteranodons came over to view the eggs and claim the ones that were thiers. The female Veloceraptors complied when they were asked to carry the eggs to thier nests, getting thanked with squawks in the process.
It took quite a long time to get the right eggs in the right nests, but once this was done the females quickly grew less and less agitated; and soon they all settled onto thier nests in the contentment of motherly bliss. Strafewing looked out on all this activity for many moments; and then took on a look of happiness Thundertail never knew he posessed!
"Ah! happiness now reigns!", Thundertail commented as he looked at the sight.
"And it was all due to you and your unusual clan - even after all we had done to you!", Strafewing said, turning back to look again. "It is truely a sight to behold!", he turned back to see the smirking Tyranosaur. "It is becoming clear to me now that other species can live in peace, despite the differences!"
"When co-operation reigns, all benefits.", Thundertail agreed.
"I will tell you this: when these eggs hatch, I would be willing to discuss a treaty with you.", the flyer told the theropod, then turned to Talon. "And I would be delighted if this lovely creature officiate at that meeting!", he cackled at her with a wink!
"I would be honored, your eminence.", Talon replied as soon as she regained her composure.
"It would be a wonderous day, that day!", Thundertail bowed. Strafewing bowed as well, and they touched beak to muzzle in a nuzzle of newfound friendship.
Fairly soon after that all the eggs were home and all the Pteranodons began getting down to thier daily lives. It was about this time that Thundertail decided they were wearing out thier welcome, and bid his goodbye to the flock after he had gathered all in his clan for the long journey home. Before he left he praised his clan for the good deed they had done to thier former enemies; saying that they were enemies no more, but allies of the rainy Basin and good friends.
Roaring the command, Thundertail led the way out of Crevice aerie and the territory the Pteranodons claimed. Many Pteranodons escorted them from the air as they made it out of the ravines and into the dense jungle, and onto the path that led home.
As they entered the clansite they had a great but subdued celebration; and if it weren't for thier recent injuries, this celebration would be a more joyous one indeed! Diego and triphus were praised for thier brilliant plan to win the treaty, and both were given higher rank in the clan as a result. Surely they would be called upon for thier opinions more often in the future!
A few days later the delegation that went to Waterfall City returned home, and by the looks on the faces of both parties; each knew that they would have thier tales to tell!...
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Post by thundertail on Sept 29, 2007 20:48:03 GMT -5
TWENTY-EIGHT: "Council of Reason."
Soon the nighttime was over, but the mofrning sunshine did not wake me up this time. It was the pattering of little feet coming from the hall just outside the door! I cracked my eyes open and saw Mayday smiling at me in her dreams, and i lovingly stroked her cheek to wake her; but it was then that I finally realized that we were not in clan Thundertail! I jerked to a sitting position in this strange nest I found myself in, wondering where Rex and the others were when I heard a knock on the door and a strange voice calling us to breakfast. Mayday woke up in a flash, looking just as confused as I was, and scrabbled out of the nest. I followed, and we both silently slid into our armors of Othgar.
I nearly tripped over the Stenoychosaurus child that ploughed into my legs, and dodged the human boy that followed in his wake. mayday toussled the hair of the sleepy girl that padded after the other two. I turned and walked out toward the living area of our host, realizing at last that we were in Waterfall City, in the home of mister Rhudolph and family - and that we were in the middle of a diplomatic mission!
"Sleep well?", enore asked as we passed the door to her miniscule kitchen. "We're having seaweed pancakes this morning!" "Like a hatchling. like a hatchling!", I said.
"Top notch digs!", Harold said as he scampered bast my feet and hopped onto a dining room chair. "Bring on the grub!"
"Harold! Manners!", Mayday scolded as she sat down next to him, me holding her chair.
"Rhudolph went down to set up shop.", Lenore informed us. "A Postal Bird came by. Said you were to be met by a mister Zippeau Stenochysaurus, and be taken on a tour of the city. Later you will be escorted to the council chambers.", she set out two large plates of greenish pancakes before us, then went back to get the condiments.
"Thanks for the information, this lovely breakfast and your impeccable hospitality - in that order!", I smiled as I eyed our breakfast.
Little Jack, Mimi and Wani scooted to the table, sitting and poking each other; making the type of morning ruckus all children thier age usually make. lenore rolled her eyes and apologized as we ate. We simply commented that it was great to be kids, and to enjoy it while it lasts. pretty soon thier carcophany grew, indicating that the children were done eating, and wanted to play.
"If you're done, you can get ready for school!", Lenore scolded, wiping her mouth. "I hear miss Marion has a test on agriculture today."
"Awwww...!", was thier mutual reply.
"A good education is the cornerstone to having a good life.", I told them, turning to Lenore. "You know, I'm a part time teacher for our own young ones."
"That so?", Lenore began to get up, taking her childrens' dishes as they left. "What do you teach?"
"Oh, just the basic acedemics.", I told her. "My specialty is teaching the young saurians English. Mayday teaches things like weaving and thatching. Mosquito the Veloceraptor leader, teaches hunting skills. We all pitch in and teach classes on subjects we're good at."
"I think it is so wonderful to hear that the whole community takes part in your childrens' education.", Lenore said as she took our plates. "But that hunting business...! Makes me jittery just to think!"
"We teach them the things they need to know to survive.", I said. "Carnivores need to eat, and hunting skills are necesary to know."
"yeah, like my kind teaches the youngsters balance and flexability and stuff while making learning fun!", Harold cut in. "Never thought us circus folk could teach anybody anything!"
Just about then there was a knock on the door, and Lenore rushed over to answer it. it was a saurian guard, saying that there was someone to see mister Stinger and party from the Rainy Basin. Harold, Mayday and I rushed to finish up, and followed the guard down to the street. Standing there was an older looking Stenoychosaurus, bespectacled and carrying a clipboard made for a scroll; and he was eyeing the scroll it contained before looking up and noticing us.
"Ah...! Mister Stinger, miss Mayday..., and your name, sir?", he blurted.
"Name's Harold, Mack.", Harold said as he leapt to my shoulder.
"And Harold! A Skartopus Kirkus, if I'm not mistaken!", he looked at his notes, writing the name with a stylus. "Ahem,... Well then. My name is Zippeau Stenoychosaurus, and I will be escorting you on a tour of the city. But first we will gather the rest of your group.", he consulted his notes again. "Now it says they are at the fishing fleet's warehouse. Nasty place, that! You would think they would put them in someplace better!"
"The Rhudolphs were excellent hosts.", I contributed. "We were never treated better!"
"Yes, they are some of our finest citizens.", Zippeau said, "Now if you'll follow me..."
Zippeau led us down the lane of Commerce Square, where shopowners were just setting up thier wares. We saw textiles, hardgoods, fruits, vegetables and all sorts of other things coming from the buildings behind booths and kiosks; and all these booths sported signage in both human and saurian banners announcing thier wares. A few paces up the street we saw Rhudolph unfurling a tarp, which covered a bar of sorts. His back was turned while he was bringing out flasks and jugs and glassware to serve them all in; but he lat out a yelp as he turned and saw us watching him work!
"Mister Stingr! Miss Mayday!", he set the items in his hands down. "I see mister Zippeau has found you with no problem."
"We are on our way to collect the rest of our group.", I told him, then turned to Zippeau. "Perhaps we could double back so mister Rhudolph could meet them?"
"Certainly! But I was planning to show you the other side of the city first.", Zippeau said. "Of course, we could arrange a brief visit."
"That should be fine, I guess.", Rhudolph said. "Perhaps I could interestyou in a cranberry mamossa to start your day?...", he began to mix.
"That won't be necesary, Rhudolph my friend; but thank you anyway.", Zippeau said. "We are on a tight schedule!"
"We be back shortly.", Mayday said as Harold hopped onto her shoulder and we began to follow the Stenoychosaurus.
"Later, Mack!", Harold called in our wake.
We followed Zippeau through the market, which was starting to fill up with patrons as well as the noise of barter; and we all passed through the invisible barrier that marked the end of that sector. Quickly we passed many buildings, some of which had human and saurian foot traffic emerging from them, on thier way to thier daily tasks and errands.
In the dimness of evening, the grandeur of these buildings were obscured; but the early morning light revealed the washed and well worn charm these rustic styled neolithic buildings contained. Each set of buildings sported thier own style, and thier roofs were tiled with either red or blue terra cotta tiles arranged in thier own style and flavor. No building seemed to be more than five stories tall by my count of the rows of windows; but many of them towered hundreds of feet above our heads, suggesting they were also designed for saurians.
In very little time at all, we approached the fisherman's warehouse, where our companions were housed for the night; and the guards there let us get closer, nodding at our guide as they recognized him. they opened the door and led us to the center of the building where we had left our friends.
We rounded the corner and saw Rex just getting up from his nest of hay. Sauron and Chillet were helping him get his acoutriments on before getting into position to be hitched up to the Copro cart. Ripper and Snapper were helping each other straighten thier guard uniforms, and Whitetail was doing the same to her green sash.
"Oh, my goodness!", Zippeau gasped and quickly tried to stifle it.
"Hi guys!", I chuckled and addressed Zippeau. "Zippeau, I would like to introduce to you Rex, prince of the Rainy Basin and heir to clan Thundertail.", I introduced and Rex bowed.
"Pleased to meet you (gulp), sir.", said Zippeau, nodding.
"Please meet Ripper and Snapper, our bodyguards.", I continued as the two chirped hello.
"Charmed...", Zippeau nodded. "They are safe, right?"
"Sure!", I nodded and continued. "Sauron and Chillet are good friends and strong helpers.", they nodded thier domed heads.
"Well, I think it's wonderful that non-carnivores can work with carnivores...", our guide commented.
"And last but not least, meet Whitetail. A good friend and helper.", I introduced and che chirped sweetly.
"Well met, ma'am.", Zippeau said, not daring to get too close.
"Please Zippeau! I assure you they are very friendly.", I tried to assure him, noticing his fear. "You may come closer if you wish. They won't bite - I promise!"
"Please excuse my trepidation.", Zippeau told us. "I have recently had a bad run-in with carnivores. They were Mosasaurs!", he displayed his scarred tail.
"They are an unpredictable lot.", I admitted. "We have a treaty of sorts with a group of them back home ourselves."
"Aw! I can take any old Mosasaur any day!", harold cut in. "Word of advice, Zip. You can beat anybody if you can outsmart 'em; and Mosasaurs is as dumb as they come!"
"Eh..., have you guys had breakfast yet?", I asked my group to change the subject.
"Yes.", Sauron answered for them all.
"Stinger, my nest was too lumpy last night!", Rex said.
"I'm sure they tried thier best.", I told him as he cracked his tail.
"I guess so...", he stretched.
"Is there any other thing?", I asked. Everyone shook thier heads. "Then I think we should get going. Right Zippeau?"
"Er..., yes!", Zippeau replied with a start. "Now, I have planned a tour this morning that should be most informative.", he consulted his notebook. "Now, everyone in Waterfall City is aware of your presence, and were told not to become too alarmed of you.", he gasped as Ripper and Snapper came close to him, preparing to leave the warehouse. "Ooh..., I wish I could be calm...", he breathed.
We all filed out of the bay that served as thier bedroom for the night, and out into the enclosed corridor as Zippeau watched us pass with extreme trepidation. As we came out to the entrance to the fishing fleet warehouse, Harold scurried up to Zippeau and smiled as he passed by and waved for the others to follow. Once there the guards opened the bay doors and everybody presently stepped outside, into the street and squinted at the early morning sunshine.
We immediately noticed all the people and saurians passing by us in all directions. They seemed to go about thier business like they evidentally do everty day, and paid us little reguard save for a few that greeted us. They gave rather tenative greetings, for they still gave us a wide berth!
We made our way toward Commerce Square once again, where business was bustling with buying and selling; and though the noise this time wasn't so chaotic, it was just as loud! Though the vendors' patrons stayed far enough out of range of a potential bite, the sellers here proved just as insistent with us as if we were thier regular customers!
Zippeau went on about the prosperity of Waterfall City, as it was the hub of all civilized endeavors; but his words fell on deaf ears as we took in all the colors and smells coming at us from everywhere at once. All of a sudden Rex halted and turned to a large kiosk sporting all types of fruits; and his gaze fell on a large yellow mass of fruit hung on a pole that supported its' awning.
"Baaa... Naaa... Naaa...!!", Rex rumbled in English nearly as loud as he could; and that brought the attention of everyone in the area to him!
"Oh, no you don't!", I scolded as soon as I saw what he was looking at. "You remember what happened the last time you had bananas!"
"Sir?", Zippeau questioned.
"He just loves bananas, but they don't like him.", I explained to him, then turned to the fruit stand's owner. "One day he got ahold of this big bunch of bananas... Well, let's just say I had to follow him around for a week!"
"I..., I see...", the owner stammered.
"Hey, boss!... Casabas!", Harold got down to look at a baskets of the melons at the foot of the kiosk. "Say, can we do some shopping while we're here?"
"Er..., I don't see why not...", Zippeau said, seeing no other choice.
While all this was going on, Rex was looking at me with pleading eyes, bobbing up and down and begging; quietly mewling all the while. Seeing this, I turned my gaze downward in contemplation, then I looked at his pathetic display; then I took a deep breath and spoke.
"OH!... Ok.", I told him. "But only two bananas, and that's it!", I went and pulled two down from the bunch. "How much do I owe you for these things?", I asked the fruit owner.
"Uh..., two bananas and three melons...", he added in his head quickly. "F-four Drachs, please...", he backed away.
I tossed the bananas into Rex's mouth one at a time and watched him eat them gleefully. I then pulled out a tiny sack that contained all the money we brought with us: about a dozen Drachs, many small colorful jewels with several small Sunstones thrown in for good measure. I dumped most of the contents into my palm as I leaned toeard the counter. the owner of the kiosk gazed at was in my hand, marveling especially at the Sunstones there!
"Say! Aren't those Sunstones?", the fruit vendor exclaimed as some of his patrons drew closer. "Those belong to everyone, you know."
"Yeah, we trade them for stuff we need sometimes. We find them all over the Rainy Basin.", I told him conversationally. "That wss four Drachs, right?", he nodded as I counted the ancient coins. I handed him the money, then smiled as I placed a marble-sized Sunstone in his hand as well.
He shook as he drew his hands away, eyes amazed at the very valuable stone in his hands. the fruit stand owner withdrew into his kiosk, excitedly showing the Sunstone to his wife. In the mean time harold was showing off in front of the crowd that had gathered; juggling the three melons he had chosen for several minutes. After this he gave one each to Sauron and Chillet, who thanked him for this unexpected treat; then he sliced the third one up and began devouring it. I was too busy with the kiosk owner to see this, but Mayday and Zippeau witnessed the whole thing and rolled thier eyes at the silliness!
Show over, most of the people and saurians that had gathered turned and went about thier previous business as the uniqueness of our presence wore off. We passed by many more kiosks and booths of people and saurians trading thier wares, and stopped by the kiosk owned by mister Rhudolph. I called and waved as I drew my group over to him - and he shrunk back instinctively at the sight of Rex! I smiled as I went to shake his hand, and he smiled back as he recognized me; and it was only then he became less apprehensive.
"Ah! Mister Rhudolph!", I said. "I would like you to meet the rest of my party."
"Pleased to meet you...", Rhudolph mumbled, still eyeing Rex.
"Allow me to introduce Rex, prince of the Rainy Basin and heir to the throne of king Thundertail.", I announced as Rex bowed, sniffing him from afar. "Sauron and Chillet Pachycephalosauruses, who are good friends as well as good helpers.", they bowed. "Whitetail Veloceraptor, my assistant; and Ripper and Snapper, our bodyguards.", they all bowed. "And of course you've met Harold Kirky and Mayday - and of course you know Zippeau Stenoychosaurus..."
"That I do - and I'm sure we are all well met!", Rhudolph said. "Er,... could I interest you in a drink of something? Some Jinka tea maybe...?"
"Excuse me, everyone!", Zippeau announced. "Our next stop is the Waterfall City library; but first there are many sights to see along the way. I suggest that we get a move on if we are to complete the tour and be on time for your meeting."
"A good idea.", I said as soon as I was finished speaking quietly with rhudolph, then whispered: "I think we're beginning to draw a crowd!"
We presently moved on, and came to the other end of Commerce Square; where Zippeau described as Fountain Street. The intersection sported a two story tall obelisk at the center of a huge fountain, on all four sides were Parasolophus heads spewing water; and above them on the obelisk was footprint writing describing many storys of caring between saurians and humans. Further up the street and to our right was a building dedicated to dance and fitness, and Zippeau described it as a gymnasium of sorts. to our left stood an even larger building which was some housing for Ceratopsians and Hadrosaurs, and met many of them exiting that building on the way by.
We turned left down Fountain street, and made it to the waterfront of Inner Mosasaur Harbor. Across this two hundred yard wide channel we saw dozens of boats that hauled cargo as well as many that carried human and saurian passengers, and Zippeau steered us right to walk along its' length. Zippeau described many famous landmarks in the distance, no less the famous vessels that still plied the harbor that were moored all along the far shore.
He said that the crowning glory of Waterfall City was the gigantic massif in the distance that was the waterfall City library, rival in height to the Prime Sunstone tower itself. Nearly a mile later, at the end of the avenue was a massive stone bridge that spanned Pliosaur Canal; and he steered us for it. Across this bridge were the Academies of Masks and Puppets, which he described as one would a theatre district of any city; which was evident by the many mimes and actors performed thier acts right out there in the street. Harold could not help jumping down off our cart and witness this entertainment more closely, but one of our saurian guard escorts had to convince him to rejoin our group!
We turned our heads and went on our way, and a lanky lady dressed predominantly in red strolled into view with a clipboard and stylus, handing out sheets of paper and chatting with human and saurian alike. A tiny dinosaur strolled at her side, and it was carrying a thick stack of papers, passing them out too. the thing that made me know who this female was turned out to be the bright red busby hat on her head!
It was Ruby Mattock, and the little dinosaur could be none other than Elinore! I shouted and waved to get thier attention, and both thier eyes lit up as they rushed over.
"Ruby Mattock! I'm so glad to see you!", I said as she came within feet of my group. "And Elinore! How you've been?"
"Stinger!", Ruby shook my hand, ending in a mild hug. "It's been so long!... What brings you here?"
"Stinger! Stinger! Stinger!", Elinore exclaimed and leapt into my crouching embrace, nuzzling my face before I could answer Ruby. "Oh! It's been an age!", then she leapt into Mayday's arms. "So, how's everything, my friend?", a nuzzling kiss.
"We are on a diplomatic mission.", I explained at last. "Mister Zippeau here is taking us on a tour of sorts..."
"Yes, and we're lagging behind!", Zippeau said. "I thought you were told not to solicit people, Ruby!"
"Well, I figure that if enough people agree, the council will have no choice but to have a garrison of saurian guards storm LaSage's castle!", Ruby maintained. "LaSage must be stopped at all costs! I'm sure you've heard of what they are doing to the outposts!"
"Maybe I should tell you what WE have done about LaSage.", I said.
"What did you do?", Ruby was curious, and Elinore nodded as she greeted Whitetail.
"Whitetail, could you get our copy of LaSage's treaty?", I asked, and she went to comply. "You see, we negotiated a treaty with LaSage and her pirates.", I said as I took the document and handed it to Ruby. "It basically says that they can no longer tresspass in the Rainy Basin or we will drive them out. If they stay out, we give them provisuions on a monthly basis as compensation."
"And they obey this treaty?", Ruby asked as she read it, Elinore hopping onto her shoulder to do the same.
"Most of the time.", I said. "When they break the contract, we send them packing!"
"Serves them right! Maybe the council should do the same thing...", Ruby said. "That way they won't hurt anybody. Perhaps I should rewrite my petition!"
"Sounds like a good idea!... Let's see your pamphlet.", I said as Elinore handed me one and I read it. "Hmmm...! If it will help, we'll sign it."
"Sure!", Elinore grabbed Ruby's clipboard and stylus and handed it to me.
We each signed - minus Zioppeau of course - and I handed it back to Ruby. Whitetail took back the copy of the treaty and returned it to the satchel in the Copro cart. After that we said our goodbyes, Ruby ansd Elinorekissing, hugging or handshaking where apropriate; and getting introduced to sauron and Chillet in the process. One last nuzzle from Elinore, ending with Rex, who had to stoop low so the little creature could; and we all parted company, looking back fondly at the reunion.
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(I will continue this chapter in the next entry.)
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Post by thundertail on Oct 2, 2007 6:30:11 GMT -5
TWENTY-EIGHT: "Council of Reason." (Continued.)
Zippeau steered us left after that, and we came out onto this massive plaza of concrete and grass, where many citizens both human and saurian sat or stood in groups; Obviousely content in enjoying the day, and thier children played in thier midst. After brief scrutiny from the nearer groups, they all went back to thier peaceful business. We walked along until we came to a smaller bridge that spanned a narrow cargo chute, or so Zippeau explained; and crossed to an expanse known as Juggler's Plaza, right along the way to the Waterfall City library.
Showing off from where he sat on the Copro cart, Harold began juggling objects in the cart as we passed by several groups of costumed and facepainted jugglers of human and saurian lineage; of which some of them stopped to applaud his skill! Harrumphing, Zippeau led us on, and we eventually made it to the vast steps of the massive building. We unhitched Sauron and Chillet at the foot of these saurian built steps, and as a group we mounted them, which led to the thirty foot tall doorway.
"Behold! The Waterfall City library!", Zippeau announced. "My pride and joy!"
He produced an impossibly large key and wrenched it into the keyhole, twisting with seemingly all his strength until the massive workings of the lock clanked home. He pushed and strained until it was plain to see that he needed help. mayday and I rushed in to lend a hand; and with the strength of Klamath and Zandra, the door finally gave way and creaked to the open position.
Beyond lay row upon row of shelving containing thousands of scrolls and well made tomes - shelves that seemed to extend as far as the eye could see. Windows set high in the structure and skylights in the ceiling illuminated the majority of the space, and lower down Sunstone powered scones in walls and lamps on study tables lit the more intimate areas for private reading. I turned and stared at all the volumes lining the space, and noticed everyone else in my group doing the same. Zippeau watched us all doing this with a look of extreme pride.
"All of Dinotopia's knowledge is contained in this space.", he told us all. "You may disperse and browse if you wish, for this knowledge is meant for all!", the rest did, but Mayday, Rex and I followed Zippeau further into the complex.
"Like I said in yesterday's meeting,", I told him as we walked along. "We would be glad to donate copies of our findings from the ruins to the library.", he turned to me. "As you say, knowledge is meant for all!"
"Ah yes, and we would certainly appreciate it.", he said. "But as you can see, a lot of the older volumes are in need of restoration.", he showed us an alcove where eastles were set up, and each contained half rotted away scrolls and tomes, many with restorers hard at work at them. "I'm afraid many of them will disintegrate before they're tended to."
"Kirkys good at fixing scrolls. Tablets too!", Mayday said. "Maybe send to us and they can restore thdem."
"A grand idea, miss Mayday; but the council is still undecided about your kind.", Zippeau said. "I, for one, would be extremely nervous having carnivores trapsing about the place!... No offense, of course!"
"We understand your discomfort. After all, carnivores have been your enemies since the beginning of time!", I told him. "After all that, Trusting us is a hard comodity to come up with. Perhaps over time your kind will get used to us, then trust might come eventually."
"True.", Zippeau said. "Since I have been in thier presence today, I've seen that they are just as nice as anybody else. I'm sure that, given time, we will become very good friends indeed!", he gulped as Rex drew in close to snuffle at him.
"About how many scrolls of information do you think we have back home, Mayday?", I asked her as I turned to look at a large glass cabinet that held many ancient books.
"Three rooms in pyramid full.", Mayday said. "Many thousands in each room."
"My word!", Zippeau said. "That's nearly a tenth of what is contained here! And I'm sure that most of it we do not have!"
"Where do you suppose to store it all?", I asked. "The library looks about full."
"I have no idea.", Zippeau paused in thought.
"Well, there are other buildings in the area.", I suggested. "Perhaps you could have one of them annexed off for storage or Something."
"A grand idea!", Zippeau exclaimed, jotting the note down on the border of the page in his clipboard. "I have always wanted to expand the library. Now, with all those new volumes, they'll have to allow me! I shall suggest that at council as soon as you start transporting the scrolls!"
"Zippeau, do you know a Sperry Stenoychosaurus - or Merry Stenoychosaurus?", I asked suddenly.
"I believe they work for the Cultural Anthropology guild.", he replied. "They were the ones sent to investigate your clan, if I'm not mistaken."
"That's them!", I said. "They were model guests. Anyway, Sperry suggested that I write down everything in my life, before I found myself here as well as after. He said that you would be very interested in reading it."
"Yes, that would be interesting indeed!", Zippeau said. "I would like to see it."
"I have been very busy on it; but other things come up from time to time.", I told him. "I have only written up to the point where he suggested I do it... I'm not nearly finished yet!"
"Well, I'd be glad to see whatever you have.", he said. "Perhaps you could send it to me in installments!"
"A great idea!", I said. "I'll send the first part along with the first load of Archaeological texts."
"A fine idea.", Zippeau said, offering his saurian hand, which I shook.
"I think it getting late.", Mayday said as she noticed a beam of light coming in from a skylight stream down near our feet.
"Yes, indeed!", Zippeau said. "Ah,...if you'd excuse me, I must go get something for you, and I'll be right back. If you would, please collect the rest of your group and meet me back at the entry hall. I'll meet you there in a moment...", he trotted off.
Mayday and I began searching the library with Rex on our heels. Rex spotted Sauron and Chillet down a row of scrolls; and chillet was using a strange treadmill device which advanced the scroll she was reading, Sauron listening to her recite. Rex huffed and nodded for them to come along, and they presently followed as soon as sauron removed the scroll and placed it back in its' recepticle.
I found harold atop a table in a study area looking into some archives on the ways ancient dinotopians entertained themselves, or so he said after I whistled to get his attention. He also said he was looking up anything on the Kirky Circus. mayday found Whitetail, Ripper and Snapper down another aisle, looking at the titles of old human books as they passed; and they fell in line behind her as soon as Snapper noticed Mayday waving. All the aisles in the library had arrows showing the way out, and we all soon converged on where we first entered the library.
Many moments passed as we all began telling each other what we had discovered in the library. At long last Zippeau returned, emerging from another direction; and he was pushing a smallish cart containing a few dozen volumes and scrolls with a small satchel to put them all in. He huffed as he stopped to remove his spectacles.
"There! This should help you out a lot.", he told us as he displayed the tomes. "I took the liberty to lend you several subjects that would help in your childrens' education. There are books on mathematics, history, footprint language, mechanics, Dinotopian lore and several other entertaining stories. You may take your time copying these texts for yourselves, as these are copies of the original texts anyway."
"You shouldn't have...", Chillet said.
"That's right nice!", said Harold.
"Children need to learn like Dinotopians.", Mayday said.
"Well, thanks a lot, Zippeau!", I told him. "This is just what we need!"
"Just doing my part.", Zippeau told us. "Actually, I asked the council if I could do this, and they agreed."
"Zip...po... niiice...!", Rex rumbled and tried to give him a lick, but Zippeau recoiled!
"N... no need for affection..., please!", he bowed away. "Er..., now we need to proceed with my tour.", he began to reload the literature into the satchel.
Sauron reached over and grabbed the satchel, and we all him out the great doors and down the huge steps outside. Zippeau locked the doors behind him and we all went to the Copro cart, where Sauron placed the satchel into it and we all helped hitch him and his mate to it. Instead of Zippeau leading us back the way we had come, the timid and bespectacled Stenoychosaurus took us down a short lane where another gigantic fountain sprayed its' water a hundred feet in the air.
On the other side of the fountain stood a low, spanning building with a two hundred foot tall flat roof; and many Skybax took off and landed from that height. Zippeau said that this was the main Skybax aerie for Waterfall City, and news from all over Dinotopia was dispatched from there.
Beyond that building, Zippeau told of a facility known as Aqua Stadium, where all sorts of aquatic species used to participate in all sorts of sports and other aquatic activities; but these days the place was used simply as a swimming facility. After many moments describing the activities that used to go on there, Zippeau steered us south, near the other side of Juggler's Plaza, and the small bridge we crossed previousely.
A left turn at the far end of the hall of Masks and Puppets, his next destination for us would be the Guest Regestry; so Zippeau said. he told us that anybody visiting Waterfall City had to regester there; just to keep the books straight, he jokingly told us! We unhitched sauron and Chillet and we entered the comparitively small building as a group and waited in the foyer; much to the dismay of the people, dinosaurs and clerks inside.
Zippeau excused himself and went deeper into the building while we stood there in the foyer enduring the whispered words and mistrustful stares from the people near us. Many moments later Zippeau returned to us with an older human trailing him clutching a rather thick handwritten tome. As the elderly gentileman turned and looked at us all, I recognized the man as none other than Minch!
"Ah, you're here.", Minch stated. "How is your tour going?"
"Very well indeed!", I told him. "Such a magnificent city!"
"Of course you realize why you're all here.", Minch stated.
"Zippeau indicated that we had to regester with the city.", I offerd.
"Quite so.", Minch said as he began requesting forms from a passing clerk. "Mister Stinger, since you are a newcomer to Dinotopia, we have some special forms for you to fill out; and also a copy of the Citizen's Compact. The rest of you have just regular visitors' paperwork to fill out. I'll explain everything as needed."
He began to hand out some papers to us, along with some writing supplies as he saw none of us had any except whitetail. He hurriedly ushered us into an alcove near by, eyeing us with trepidation all the way. Minch then left us and Zippeau to fill out our forms.
My paperwork contained a series of your basic questions present on any type of form in the outside world. They asked my previous name and address, my current name and address, both former and current occupation and a battery of many other questions. I examined the copy of the Citizen's Compact, which was basically a list of rules citizens were expected to live by.
Once I was done, I helped Rex fill out his papers since his stumpy, two fingered hands weren't dexterous enough to hold a stylus; then I turned to see how the others were doing. Zippeau was helping Whitetail, Ripper and Snapper fill thiers out; giving them pointers and commenting on how bad thier handwriting was. Sauron and Chillet were doing fine on thier own, as was Mayday; and once we were all done, we handed all this paperwork to Zippeau and had him summon Minch back.
"Ah! You're done. Excellent!", Minch said as he returned, collecting our papers. "Now, one more formality and you may go on your way.", he led us out into the main foyer, where volumes of thick books stood on pedistals.
"Now, if you would sign your names on these books, you will be considered full Dinotopians and welcome in Waterfall City forever.", Minch handed me the golden stylus first. "It's been a busy time lately, so there won't be a ceremony this time...", he stepped back.
I didn't know whether they wanted my original name or my clan name, so I signed both names. Mayday did likewise, even though she was a natural born Dinotopian and was probably not necesary for her to. Rex was next, but he fumbled with the stylus so much that I had to guide his hand. Sauron and Chillet probably didn't have to sign either, but they did so anyway. Next were Ripper, Snapper and Whitetail; and they just scrawled thier names as best they could. Harold sauntered up and signed his name with flair, then walked away with smug pride. This done, Minch looked at us all before addressing us and Zippeau.
"Excellent! Now I will let you get back to your business.", he smiled. "Uh..., Zippeau. The council session will start in two hours. I suggest you cut your tour short and proceed right over there."
"Oh yes! You're right, Minch!", Zippeau said, eyeing his clipboard with regret. "And there was so much more I wanted you to see...! Oh well. Maybe next time, then."
"Don't worry, Zip!, Harold said.
"Yes, if the rest of the city is half as glorious as what we saw so far, then we all look forward to the next time!", I told him.
Zippeau nodded farewell to Minch, as we all did; and he led us out of the Guest Regestry building. Turning right, we walked along the cargo chute with Aqua Stadium in the near distance to our left; then at the end of this lane we crossed another large stone bridge that spanned Plesiosaur Canal. We were now on Rosy Morning Promenade, and water rushed past us on both sides of us. We headed south, and the canal was on our right; on our left we saw the rising mist of White Curtain falls. Rex looked over the edge at Cloudbottom Gorge below us and moaned at either the height or all that water careening over the cliffs above; so I pulled him away from the sight and we all continued on.
Soon we passed another bridge about a mile later that spanned Plesiosaur Canal; and beyond that Zippeau stated were buildings that housed the Tunnel Arcade and the Dining Commons. A short distance after that the One World globe came into view, sitting atop buildings that Zippeau said contained the Waterfall City Observatory and the Museum of Clocks and Sundials. Rounding a corner to our right we came into view of the Council Chamber building; and once there we unhitched Sauron and Chillet from the Copro cart after parking it near a side alley, and Zippeau escorted us to the door. Many of the citizens who once feared us actually cheered us as we walked up the wide steps; and the huge doors swung open at our presence.
We were not greeted by the mayor this time, but rather allowed to enter the main foyer of our own accord; and Zippeau said he had other business, and begged his leave. Many of the council members and thier aides nodded greetings, and many of them tenatively walked up to us to do so in person. Fairly soon the meeting was called, but we were asked by a valet to remain behind a moment. After all the delegates left the foyer for the council chamber, the valet told us that we could now enter. As before we were escorted up the center aisle and told to stand before the table at its' end. Whitetail took her place at it, as did all of our group to thier places; and then the meeting began as mayor Waldo Seville took his plac at his podium.
"This meeting shall now come to order.", he tapped his gavel, and after several moments the council members' murmurings died down. "Now, I see we're all here, so this meeting shall now commence."
The mayor shuffled some papers before him whils some higher ranking council members handed him more. Once he was finished reading these, he spoke at last.
"Delegates of clan Thundertail and citizens of the Rainy Basin.", mayor seville began. "We of the high council of Waterfall City have come to a decision about your proposals about your becoming a seperate society; and have come to some conclusions about your protest of the writ banning you from the restorations of the ruins in your domain.", he then looked up from his papers. "But before we divulge our decisions, there are several points of question reguarding certain things we would like to ask."
"Please go on, your honor.", I said.
"The Prime Sunstone and others around Dinotopia protects us from attacks by carnivores.", he continued. "How is it possible that you are with us today, unfettered by the Sunstones?"
"A while back, while exploring Halcyon; and with the help of the Armor of Othgar, we discovered these...", I turned to Rex and displayed his amulet. "These are called the Amulet of Protection, or 'Thak-Allon' in the old tongue.", I displayed it so nearly everyone could see. "It protects carnivores from the effect of the Sunstones. We believe that the colored Sunstones, powered by the white or clear one in the middle, produces frequencies that nullifies the other sunstones' effects around the creature wearing it.", I lowered the amulet and looked at Waldo. "Sunstones give carnivores a terrible headache!", some delegates chuckled.
"I will show them!", Snapper said in Veloceraptor from his place by the saurian guards
"No, Snapper!...", I replied in Veloceraptor. "You don't have to...", but it was too late!
Snapper reached and pulled his amulet over his head and tossed it to Ripper. The effect was almost instantaneous due to our proximity to the Prime Sunstone - less than a mile away! First he mewled in pain, then his next breath came out as a uluating scream! His clawed hands went to his head, and he hobbled around with a strange look on his face, screeching in agony! Seeing what was happening to his brother, Ripper wasted no time and grasped his brother to still him. He forced his hands away so he could replace the amulet around his neck; and once it was done, he held onto him until the intense pain subsided. just then Whitetail was at thier side, offering him water as he still cooed in pain.
"Next time I do something stupid...", Snapper gasped in Veloceraptor. "Remind me of this!", I translated, but there were more words of concern that laughter at his comment.
"We did not know that Sunstones causes carnivores pain!", Waldo said, shocked. "...And these amulets. They do nothing to effect a carnivores' disposition?"
"No.", I said. "The carnivores of the Rainy Basin truely want to negotiate peace with you. They realize that thier reputations are not exactly to your liking; so our delegation wanted to show you we mean no harm by being as civil and non-threatening as possible."
"Oh yes! They were perfect gentilebeings all through the tour!", Zippeau spoke up from his seat behind us. Mayor Waldo shushed him with a stare. "Sorry, your honor...", Zippeau sat back down.
"Yes, we had received reports stating as such.", Waldo said while Whitetail returned to the table. "And you all should be commended for your behaviour!", we all bowed at the compliment. "Quite frankly, we did not know what to expect! We are so glad it turned out the way it did, though.", he consulted his paperwork again.
"Our wish to negotiate peace is an ernest one.", I reconfirmed.
"Now we realize that, and we encourage you to continue to do so.", Waldo said. "And now onto another matter.", he shuffled papers in front of him. "We are most concerned about the things you have found in the places you have discovered. The armor you now wear has been forged for war thousands of years ago, wvwn though they are currently used for peaceful purposes.", he looked at us sternly. "We would like to know what else you have found in the city of Halcyon, the pyramid of Teeklan and the temple of Orous; and what you plan to do with them."
"First of all, the records we have found so far is very vague on the purposes of the artifacts we have already found.", I told them. "Our main objective for right now is to render those places livable first; and then try to utilize the things we found there. In Halcyon there is not much there except for the buildings and reliefs; and the only pieces of useful things there besides pottery and the like and the odd weapon or two was Klamath, the armor of othgar."
"In the pyramid of Teeklan, we found it full of scrolls, tablets and other literature; and reliefs on the walls suggested that it may have been a library of sorts. The temple on top of the structure may have once held a Sunstone.", I continued. Deep in the bowels of the pyramid, we found Zandra, armor of Othgar; and Mayday is wearing her right now. below her chamber she showed us a passageway to a place that reliefs on the walls showed to be the city of 'Kinan Van', which was one of the cities that Halcyon was protecting.", I looked around at all the delegates, who were fixed to my every word. "Kinan Van was once a hub of commerce and technology. There are streets filled with the remnants of shops, businesses, pubs and domiciles; and many facilities there containing workshops with many interesting and mysterious machines in them. It was in those places where we found many Amulets of Protection, and instructions on how to construct more. On the other side of this complex we found a set of entrances to the World Beneath."
Shouts of dread as well as cries of exclamation followed my revelation, drowning out any chance for me to continue. Mayor Waldo Seville had to rap his gavel for many minutes to regain any semblance of order!
"Please! No more outbursts!", he shouted, then addressed me. "So you have found the entrance to the World Beneath. Have you explored those passages?"
"To some degree, yes.", I said. "The passage that held these entrances fanned out into three other passages. One was caved in about a mile further in, and the same was evident in the second passage. The third passage took us to the Chamber of the Strutters."
Everyone wanted to balk at this news as well, but the mayor's stern look gave everyone pause. They knew not to make a disturbance by how he had his gavel poised, too!
"So, you have found the Strutters too?", he seemed livid enough for everyone there! "Tell us. What was the condition of the Strutters..."
"We found the massive underground chamber full of them. Rather thier parts.", i told them. "They were nearly completely taken apart. SWhen we went to examine them, we found that all thier parts seemed to be intact and accounted for; but all the Sunstones that control them appear to be missing.", they breathed a sigh of relief at this news. "We are trying to figure out what to do with them; but I'm sure they could be put to good use given time."
"The ancient texts say that the Strutters were built solely for war!", Zippeau blurted out, not caring if he was out of place. "What good can possibly come of them?"
"Well, the first one we will try to put back together is one of the Bracheosaurus Strutters.", I said. "If you strip all the weaponry off it, there is plenty of room in the torso of the machine. That one could be useful in hauling cargo or passengers.", I looked at him, and he appeared to be appeased somewhat. "We found many other types of Strutters down there, and they can be just as useful. There are crablike ones that can be used for undersea exploration. Chasmosaur and Triceratops Strutters that can be used to pull carts or used in construction."
"I think there is a lot of good we can do with them, provided we find the Sunstones that powers them.", I continued. "For example, the Sunstone for the Bracheosaur Strutter is fairly large. About the same size as the mayor's hat!", I told them, and received murmuring giggles. "We're not sure of the color or configuration of the stones neede for them; but we hope to find them soon so we can begin using them."
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(Continued in the next section.)
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Post by thundertail on Oct 3, 2007 20:03:55 GMT -5
TWENTY-EIGHT: "Council of Reason." (Continued again.)
"This is unheard of!", Waldo said after many moments of sputtering. "Not only did you find the Chamber of the Strutters, yet another one of our most holy places; but you also plan to REACTIVATE them?!", he stood and glared at me. "Mister Stinger, starting your own civilization is one thing; but if you set those monsters loose on the land, who knows what might happen!"
"Your honor, did the original treaty with the carnivores include guarding all the holy places?", I countered. "As far as we are concerned, that part of the old treaty still stands.", I looked at my group. "We will still protect those places against intruders, and never let anyone take anything dangerous. You have always trusted us with this task; so why can't you trust us still? As for us, we intend to proceed with extreme caution and wisdom in our actions concerning the Strutters."
"Well, first thing is we trusted you when you were merely guarding the holy places. Quite frankly, we don't know what to think about you actually living in those places!", the mayor said. "The old ways were all well and good, but this new proposal is a hard thing to accept."
"I realize that trust is a hard comodity to come by, considering what we were to you in the past.", I said. "But certainly you must know that we care about you, and we are all on the same side. Dinotopia is a very small island, and it is up to all of us to make things work smoothly."
"Perhaps we must reconsider a few things before we make any rash decisions.", the mayor said after a few moments of thought. "Though we agree that you may need those places to live in, we urge you to take extreme care in the instrumentality you discover. We prompt you to make sure to know exactly what it is you're dealing with before you set it in motion."
"We will be extra careful.", I promised.
"Then we of the council hereby rescind the writ given to clan Thundertail many weeks ago.", he turned to his cohorts. "They may rebuild the pyramid of Teeklan, the temple of Orous and the cities of Halcyon and Kinan Van. They may use those places for habitation purposes ONLY; and any unknown artifact must be regestered with the Archaeological Guild of Waterfall City before activation.", he looked up. "Cklerk. Make it so!", he rapped his gavel.
"Your honor.", I said. "On behalf of the creatures of the Rainy Basin, I thank you and the high council for your wise decision."
"On the contrary, Stinger.", mayor Seville said. "It goes against everything we stand for that we give you the chance at all!", he looked at me, the looed slightly down. "However, we are a trusting council; and we will take your word for it that you will not go off and muck things up for the rest of us!", this he said with a smile.
"We expect regular reports from you of your progress; both how you are faring as well as what artifacts you unearth.", he continued. "I will have dispatched with you a Postal Bird; and you will be appointed to establish a Post Office in your domain. Furthermore, we require progress reports on a monthly basis, and full copies of your findings will be sent to us as soon as possible. Advisors and scientists will be dispatched from time to time to personally oversee your progress; and any detromental decisions will be brought to the high council at Waterfall City for consideration.", he looked up from where he had been reading. "Are these terms and conditions satisfactory to you?"
"For me personally, I would say yes.", I replied innocently. "But I can not make such decisions without consent of king Thundertail. We will have to discuss this with him before any such conditions are agreed upon. If it is acceptable with the court, we can discuss this further on our next visit to your fair city."
"We understand, Stinger.", mayor Waldo Seville said. "You were sent here with only limited authority to make decisions. We will be able to receive you again in four months' time, as we need time to discuss the import of your presence among us as well as the scope of the things you have discovered."
"I was thinking that one month should be sufficient.", I countered. "That should allow time enough to come to at least a few conclusions.", I smiled. "Besides, king Thundertail would love to see Waterfall City - it will blow him away!"
"Now wait a minute!", Rex roared in Tyranosaur. "We came here to become our own country! You can't just sit there and dictate what we can and can't do! We are carnivores, proud and strong! We broke away from Dinotopian tyrany in the first place because of this! My father will NOT stand for this!"
I did not bother to translate. Instead, I turned to him and placed a hand on his muzzle and told him in English: "Rex, my friend! You can not expect them to understand our need for independance this quickly! It is good enough that they have rescinded thier writ! Now please calm down!", then I told him in a softer tone. "This is merely the first step in many toward peace with these people. We will achieve what we are trying to get given time, so don't worry if we didn't get everything we want the first time around!"
"Buttt...nott... fairrr...!", Rex rumbled in English.
"Prince Rex.", Waldo said softly, like a father talking to a son. "Do you know the Dinotopian sayings 'Survival of all or none', or 'Others first, self last'?"
Rex nodded.
"They mean that the good of the whole is more importasnt than the good of any one group.", Waldo explained. "What you do in the Rainy Basin could have harmful effects on the rest of Dinotopia. Things need to be thought over very carefully in order to wisely decide what is best for the ENTIRE island. What may be good for the denizens of the Rainy Basin may not be good for the rest of the island. That is why we must proceed very carefully. I promise you that you will have your own civilization, but it may take a long time for you to accomplish it. Do you understand now?"
"I... under... stand...", Rex rumbled.
"That a boy!", I said. "See? things will work for the best.", I turned to the mayor. "What do you think, mister mayor? He'll make a fine diplomat one day!"
"Yes he will!", the mayor smiled at Rex, and he returned it. he looked at his notes. "Well, my friends. I guess this session is over.", he rapped his gavel.
All the other delegates prepared to leave.
"Ah..., mister Stinger?", Waldo said , suddenly at thier side. "Would you all care to join us in Noonday Feast? It will be in the Dining Pavillion down the street..."
"Unfortunately, no.", I said. "We must be going soon, for I fear our supplies are all but depleted by now."
"Stinger is correct.", Sauron announced. "There is only enough meat to last about two meals, and it is a long way back to the Rainy Basin..."
"Very well then.", Waldo scooted past us and began to walk down the center aisle, eyeing Rex the whole way. "I will escort you outside.
The mayor of Waterfall City led us down the aisle and opened the grand doors at the end. We followed him out into the main foyer and across it to the main doors of the council chamber building as the other delegates gave us plenty of room. They refrained from following us too close as we emerged from the building, down the wide stone steps and into the plaza beyond. Waldo looked around as we retrieved the Copro cart and hitched Sauron and chillet up to it.
All of a sudden mayor Waldo Sevill produced a tiny whistle from his robes and blew several times. The shrill sound was just a few decebels within human hearing, and made the saurians in our group wince at the sound. Many moments later a Postal Bird flapped into the area, circled and came to a rest atop a stone railing near the mayor, The bird fluttered, postulated and cleared its' throat before speaking.
"Please state your destination, your name and the message in that order.", he recited from memory.
"No, not that!", Waldo told him. "An edict has been decided in the high council. The delegation from the Rainy Basin is to establish a Post Office in thier domain. We wish one of you to go with them and oversee the establishmant of such facility."
"Oh, I see!", the Postal Bird said, stroking a wing under his beak in thought. "This sounds like a big job! If you would excuse me, I will tell the others. My superviser isn't going to like this!", he flapped off, circling low and making everyone near to duck and dodge; then he flew back the way he came.
"I wish they wouldn't do that!", Waldo said as soon as he recovered, smiling cheesily. "I haven't even told him everything we require!"
"I'm sure they'll know what to do...", I told him.
We spent the next few minutes adjusting halter straps and rearranging things in the Copro cart; adjusting things for comfort for the long trip home. Within ten minutes the Postal Bird returned, accompanied by another, and another one still. They all landed with a flourish atop walls and statues in the area; and the one that appeared to be the older of the trio spoke next.
"We haven't established a new Post Office in over a hundred years!", this one croaked. "Revered mayor, are you sure of this?"
"Most definitely, Sixty-Three.", Waldo told him. "The creatures of the Rainy Basin want to establish a civilized society on thier own. We deemed it prudent that they should have a way of communication with us to keep us informed of thier progress."
"I see.", Sixty-Three said. "Then to have the proper Post Office, one must have a proper aerie to house us in, eh?"
"We could build one of those in no time.", I offered.
"We will take care of the construction, human.", Sixty-Three told me. "All you have to do is install it in your realm; and then there is a ceremony to christen it into service...", he hopped higher on his ststue to get a better look around. "Where is McGuire?"
"He's hurrying as fast as he can!", the male Postal Bird that the mayor summoned said. "His old legs aren't what they used to be, you know!"
"Hold your place, Four-Seventeen!", Sixty-Three said sternnly, hopping down to his side. "Just for that, you can accompany your mate and help oversee this mission!"
"Yes, your honor...", Four- Seventeen bowed.
"You mean you wouldn't want to join me, my mate?", the female asked, flitting to his side.
"Oh, Six-Ninty-Nine! Of course I would go where you go!", Four-Seventeen said, then whispered to her. "It's just that...", he cringed as he looked our way. "There are carnivores there!"
"Correction, Four-Seventeen!", I said. "There are CIVILIZED carnivores there! I guarantee you won't be eaten."
Just then a withered old human struggled into view pushing a fairly large pushcart, zigzagging along toward us as the uneven cobblestones would let him. On this pushcart was a massive looking piece of furniture, or so it seemed; for it looked fully five feet long and boxlike. It was painted gala colors and resembled a multi-compartmented birdhouse of sorts. As he slowly meandered closer, the wording above both large pigeonholes said 'Post Office' in both Footprint language and human script. The old man plopped the cart down with a thud as he noticed he had arrived. Then the poor man sprung back aghast as he noticed all the carnivores about!
"Ah! There you are, McGuire!", Sixty-Three said. "It took you long enough! Now if you would, please load it onto thier cart."
"Mercy!", panted McGuire. "When Four-Seventeen said there were... carnivores in the city,... I should've believed him!..."
He got busy with the task; but no matter how hard he strained, he could not even lift the aerie out of the pushcart!
"No need! We'll do it!", I offered.
"Maybe it's for the best.", Sixty-Three told us and I got to work. "It looks like McGuire hasn't the strength!", he turned to the human. "Can that aerie be spared?"
"Well sir,", McGuire panted still. "That aerie was going to Volcaneum... It was to replace the aerie that was destroyed... in the earthquake last month... It was the only other one in the shop!"
"Then I guess you must make another!", Sixty-Three told him. "How are you coming along, human?"
I finally got a grip on the bulky aerie, but it was much heavier than it looked; and I had Mayday lend a hand. Together we jostled it around and maneuvered it over to the Copro cart. We hiked it up and got it onto the lip of the cart, and Snapper jumped up to guide it in and rearrange our supplies so it would fit.
McGuire then took a small satchel out of his pushcart and brought it over. Whitetail offered to take it from his hands, and he gave it up with extreme trepidation - despite Whitetail's innocent intentions! When I was done with the aerie, I took the satchel and placed it behind the Copro cart's seat; then I turned to mayor waldo Seville and spoke.
"This cart belongs to the Copro Guild.", I told him. "Are you sure they can spare it?"
"It will be all right, I assure you.", he said. "You get a lot of use out of it, so I hear! Consider it the Copro Guild's contribution to your society!"
"Thank you, from all of us.", I said.
I mounted Rex, Mayday hopped onto the Copro cart and the two Postal Birds landed on her shoulders. We followed mayor Seville to the end of the street, never looking back until we reached its' end. When we did, we noticed many of Waterfall City's residents following us; and didn't know we were leading a parade until a band near the back of the group following us began to play!Mayor Waldo Seville smiled back at us as he led us down the lane toward the Rainbow Bridge.
There were jugglers galore and tumblers of human and saurian descent and many larger saurians becostumed and painted; bellowing and trumpeting in celebration as we made our exodus of thier city. The fanfare was overwhelming as we got to the foot of the Rainbow Bridge; and as we began to cross we heard nearly every one of the citizens cheer, call and shout from rooftops and window openings. Dozens of Skybax filled the sky over head, darting and pirouetting in the air; putting on an aerial show in our honor!
The mayor saw us to the other side of the bridge and waved his goodbye as we passed. Many more people and saurians followed us, still cheering and singing; but gave up the chase as they reached the guardhouses at the main gates. Onward we traveled, and the noise diminished the further on we went. Frankly, we were kind of glad to be away from the hustle and bustle of that grand city; and glad to be on our way home at long last!
"Well,", I said as the first mile of our journey home ended. "I think that meeting went very well. King thundertail will surely be proud of us!"
"But we no get everything we want.", Mayday commented.
"It's a start.", I told her simply. "And a great one at that. Now the rest of Dinotopia will know of us, and our desire to seek peace."
"Uh..., sir...", Six-Ninty-Nine squawked on Mayday's shoulder. "What are we to expect in your realm? Will we be safe?"
"You will be all right.", I said. "You certainly won't be eaten!", I smiled. "We have children, and they can be somewhat overzealous sometimes; but they would be only playing! We will just have to explain to them that you are not to be played with. Perhaps you should stay away from them until we do.", she flew to my shoulder. "I guess that all you have to do is get used to being around carnivores, and become accustomed to seeing us eat. Other than that, we are just like any other community."
"I heard that carnivores are very voracious eaters.", Four-Seventeen said.
"Well, don't worry about that! I have been teaching them table manners!", I chuckled.
Just before we got to Sweetwater Lake, we stopped and had dinner; and the Postal Birds got a taste of how our table manners were. Next we pressed on and made it to the trading post less than an hour later. the birds explained to the residents about us, and that soon carniverous caravans like this would be commonplace in thier lands. The leader of the place didn't like the idea, but he said that he would go along with whatever the council decided.
We left after a brief good bye and headed ever eastward. We entered Carnassus, and the same thing happened there; also for Horsetail Grove. We made it to the outskirts of Gorgonia and decided to bed down there for the night.
We entered that small outpost by early morning and passed through with little fanfare at all; and again the Postal Birds explained about us. The people there were dead set against having carnivores trapsing through thier land, court order or no - I guess that in some places, things never change!
By noontime we at last entered the Rainy Basin, and the familiar smells of home soon filled our nostrils. Here we could freely hunt, and by nightfall we had several Struthies to add to our larder. The fresh meat was a welcome change to the salted and stale meat we left with, and made for a very memorable meal. The Postal Birds commented that though it looked too gruesome for thir tastes, at least we freely share the food.
By midmorning the next day we returned to the territory of clan Thundertail, and by early noontime we entered our campsite. We wondered why we weren't greeted with the same enthusiasm as we would normally get, as was our way; but we wouldn't find out why until later on that afternoon, and what went on in our absence!...
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Post by thundertail on Oct 8, 2007 20:33:57 GMT -5
TWENTY-NINE: "Reconciliation."
The carnivores around us were covered with healing cuts, scratches and abrasions; but even though they all seemed glad to meet us, there was an air of sadness in thier faces. That's when we knew something bad had happened, and none of them seemed willing to be the first to tell us about it. After the banter of general smalltalk, we resolved to go and take off our trappings from our trip to Waterfall City. Twenty minutes later we were finished, and king Thundertail called us all to an impromptu meeting by the feeding area.
"Fly With a Stinger, how did your negotiations at Waterfall City go?", Thundertail asked once order was achieved.
"As well as could be expected, my king.", I said. "But from the condition of your delegation, I would say that your negotiations would be a much more prudent tale to tell."
"Very well.", Thundertail said.
He told us the whole story, from the time they had entered Crevice Aerie to the botched negotiation to thier painful and humiliating retreat. he said that they were at a loss on how to salvage the attempt; and how Diego's and Triphus's idea of the ruse to get them to negotiate. He described the ruse in great detail, and then the success of it; but I remained silent throughout the whole story, thumbing my chin. Before I got the chance to speak my mind on it, the Postal Birds spoke up, voicing my opinion of thier escapades perfectly!
"How vulgar!", Four-Seventeen squawked. He hopped up onto my shoulder. "No true Dinotopian would conceive of such deception!"
"And you claim to be civilized!", Six-Ninty-Nine chirped, flying to my other shoulder. "For shame!"
"And who are these?", Thundertail rumbled.
"Oh! Pardon me, your highness!", I said. "These two are Postal Birds Four-Seventeen and Six-Ninty-Nine.", I indicated both in turn. "One stipulation of many in our treaty with the high council of Waterfall City is that we establish a Post Office here."
"A pleasure...", Four-Seventeen bowed.
"Charmed...", Six-Ninty-Nine mimicked.
"I see...", Thundertail said. "And I agree: what we did seemed a little underhanded...", he looked at the little ones on my shoulders. "But if you saw the demeanor of these Pteranodons, you would see that we were more than justifyed to do this! In my experience, there are times when it is prudent to slap a forelimb than to hold it."
"But still, my king.", I put in. "Did you take into considertaion that, if they ever find out about what really happened, they would be more than justifyed to destroy us all?!"
"Why..., No!", Thundertail said, suddenly realizing this. "I never thoght of that!", he looked at his cohorts. "Perhaps we should have been more honest..."
"That is an understatement, my king...", I told him. "But the one thing I know is we MUST apologize right away.", I looked at his cohorts. "It is the only way to save face, no matter the consequences."
"Strafewing, thier leader, said they would return after thier eggs hatched.", Thundertail informed us. "Perhaps we could tell them then..."
"Maybe so.", I said. "Time may soften things up a bit with them.", then I turned my attention to Diego. "And now you!... What's the big idea, making up a plan like that?!"
"It wasn't all my fault!", Diego defended. "Triphus thought of it too!"
"Triphus then!", Klamath cut in. "How could you devise such a devious and underhanded plan?!"
"I got the idea friom the battle of Veronia...", Triphus replied, but Klamath remembered and cut him off.
"The battle where we lost face?", he snapped. "The battle that branded us as undesirables?"
"I'm sorry...", Triphus said, making he and Diego bow.
"We were All to blame...", Pincushion added as Mildred Kirky and several of her kin entered the area. "We all participated in the deception."
"Mildred! There you are!", Harold said, drawing up to her and scowling. "Of all the stupid females...! What's the big ideer, going along with that?! Now the Pteranodons're gonna be our enemies - and kill us all!"
"Aw, stick a tail in it!", Mildred shot back. "It seemed like a good ideer at th' time!"
"OY!!!... No wonder I'm the leader and you're not!", he shot back as she shot her tongue out at him and stormed out of the area.
"PLEASE! Stop, I command!", Thundertail roared to us all. "I'll admit a mistake was made, but we must not go on blaming each other for it!", he looked at me. "Stinger, wouldn't it be more prudent to move on?"
"I agree.", I said. "We will deal with it the next time it comes up. That way we will have time to figure out a solution.", the rest present began to calm down somewhat.
"So, Stinger,", Thundertail eventually said after he, too, grew calm. "How was your visit to Waterfall City?"
"It was the most wonderful experience we all ever had!", I told them, and everyone in my group nodded. "We were treated exceptionally well, and the court seemed most reasonable once they understood how serious we were about living here..."
I went on to describe the sights, sounds and smells of waterfall City. I described the people there and thier unsurpassed hospitality; along with the very advanced civilization evident in all we saw. Whitetail, Snapper, Ripper, Chillet and Sauron each told them of thier tales there; and Rex laughingly told them about the episode about the bananas! I made detailed descriptions of the personalities of mayor seville, Minch and our guide, Zippeau Stenoychosaurus; and when I told them of how things went in court, I became more serious.
"So you see, they are quite alarmed about us living in Halcyon and Kinan Van.", I told them. "They seem sfraid of the things we find there, and what we would use those things for. They hold these cities and ancient temples in the highest reverence; but they understand our needs, that we need to find ourselves a place to let our own civilization grow."
"They do not really trust us to make the right decisions about what we unearth, and fear we'd use those things to destroy the island.", I smiled. "Disrupt the way things are, at any rate."
"We would never do a thing like that!", Thundertail said. "We have always proceeded with things slowly, carefully and placed a lot of thought behind each action."
"WE know that, but they don't.", i said. They are under the premise that we would act like those carnivores that came before us. They still think that we are uncivilized, carniverous brutes that would eat a person so much as talk with them. before they are able to trust us, we must prove to them that we are not like they think."
"But aren't we doing enough?", Rex asked. "I mean, we didn't even growl once at anybody at Waterfall City!"
"And yet, they were still quite afraid of us. Notice that?", I told him. "We can be as nice as can be to them, but it will take a lot of time for them to learn not to be afraid of us.", I turned to the others. "This would no doubt be the stumbling block that will inhibit us from truely interacting with them for quite a long time to come.", I looked at Thundertail. "I guess the only thing we can do is to continue to be nice to them, and maybe over time thier fears of us will eventually go away."
"Ahem!...", Four-Seventeen fluttered on my shoulder.
"Oh yes! The rest of the treaty.", I said. "Whitetail, could you get the treaty counter-proposal?"
"Ok...", Whitetail scurried off, returning many moments later with the satchel we carried all our paperwork to Waterfall City in. "Here you go...", she handed me the parchment scroll that had the council's decision on it.
"To the creatures of the rainy Basin, from the high council of waterfall City...", I read it to them. "We of the council hereby rescind the previous writ prohibiting you from inhabiting the temples and cities in your realm. This rescindation is in effect only if the following stipulations are observed:", I heard shuffling and glanced up a moment, then continued. "The cities in the Rainy Basin must be capable of the support of a population; and if not may not be inhabited."
"We plan on making them livable first!", Thundertail said. "Go on."
"Artifacts of unknown origins or purposes are not to be tampered with unless the councilis informed. Copies of current Archaeological findings must be submitted to proper authorities for verification before further documentation continues. Ancient machinery currently in use must be documented, and may be used with extreme disgression. Current restoration projects will be supervised from this day forward, and all these projects must be documented. Supervisers will be dispatched from apropriate agencies for personal observations, and no restoration procedures wil take place without thier authorization.", I paused because i saw thier concern. "My! They don't leave much out, don't they?"
"It seems to me that they wish to control every aspect of our lives!", Rex said. "They can't do that!"
"Relax. This is merely thier counter proposal.", I said. "We don't have to accept all this stuff, you know. We'll have to give them a counter offer the next time we go there."
"When do they want us to return?", Thundertail asked.
"I suggested that we could return in another month or so.", I told him. "I also indicated that you would like to come along too."
"But I...", Thundertail stumbled.
"Don't worry, dad!", Rex told him. "You'll just love it!"
"Anyway, another stipulation is that we establish a Post Office here.", I continued, looking at each bird on my shoulders. "And I guess that's where you two come in, my fine-feathred friends!"
"Yes..., well!", Four-Seventeen fluttered and hopped down to the log before us. "We of the Postal Guild request that a Post Office be established in your lands. A prefabricated Post Office has been provided for you, and must be set up in a place conspicuous from the air."
"It must be placed no less than three feet off the ground, and no more than a half stride, or twenty feet off the ground."Six-Ninty-Nine hopped down to her mate's side and continued. "Please remember, to address a Postal Bird when sending a message, one must state your destination first, your message next and finally your name. Fees are based on the care and cleaning of Post Office facilities, food and provision afforded the Postal Birds that will be visiting and general demeanor of patrons toward said Postal Birds.", She got confidential. "I hear that your children are...overzealous at times. I suggest you keep the young ones away from the Post Office, and we will try to stay out of thier reach."
"We will do that.", I said. "And it will also be helpful if we teach the children to treat you nice."
"Excellent!", Four-Seventeen said, ruffling his feathers. "Now, does anybody know of a place to put the Post Office?", nearly everyone shrugged. "No?... Oh well, I will go see...", he flapped, took off and flew low around the boomerang shaped clearing.
Four-Seventeen flew over our heads and circled up over the treetops and was temporarilly out of view as he passed down the Polongo River. He was just seen towards the west for a second before he was once again swallowed by the trees, then he meandered back over to us. His eyes looked towards the temple of Orous and the pyramid of Teeklan, then made a beeline for that area.
He swooped over each monument, then gained altitude above them until he was merely a speck in the sky. He circled back down before heading for the temple of Orous, then he landed on it's narrow domed roof; then ruffling, he took off once again. He flew over the pyramid of Teeklan and circled it before landing on its' terra cotta roof high above. He then spread his wings and flew off toward the south before arcing back around to look back at us. Then he seesawed and pinwheeled in midair before heading back toward us, where he flopped to a landing on the log he had started off from.
"That pyramid looks as though it could be seen for miles!", he panted. "If I may suggest..., you could place the Post Office at its' foot."
"We could set it up right next to the entrance, if you like.", I suggested.
"Ooh! Could I go see, dear?", Six-Ninty-Nine asked her mate.
He nodded and she flapped off the log. She soon swooped above the pyramid, circling to look from all angles; then she gained altitude until she too was a tiny speck in the sky. Soon she returned, landing without stumbling, nodding and ruffling.
"It looks so pretty, painted that way!", Six-Ninty-Nine told us. "Like a lovely flower in a field of greenery!"
"Then it's settled!", Four-Seventeen said. "You may put it there."
"Very well, then.", Thundertail told everyone. "Let's begin setting it up. Bring the aerie over there and we'll place it in the apropriate spot."
Sauron and Chillet proceeded to where we left the still loaded cart, and i went with them to help hitch them back up to it. We trundled over to the base of the pyramid of teeklan, where many of the clan had congregated. The Postal Birds preferred us to place the new Post Office to the left of the main entrance, but they said it would have to ba lifted up off the ground to meet thier specifications.
A giant pedistal block, found in the jungle near by whose statue it once supported lay broken into hundreds of shards and was considered to be unrepairable, was found and dragged out to be used as a pedistal for the aerie as soon as the centuries worth of overgrowth and dirt was removed. This block was about five feet on a side, and weighed many tons.
The ornate carvings on its' sides we revealed could be restored and painted later; but first it would have to be positioned correctly, and we all toiled to get that block just right. It was set about three feet out from the base of the Pyramid to allow access to the hatches in back that allowed for cleaning of the aerie; and a latter or steps could be rigged up so Kirkys and other smaller dinosaurs could climb up there and service the tiny facility.
Between Sauron, Chillet and I - and constant direction by the two Postal Birds, the aerie now stood on the direct center of the pedistal until the four foot tall mini building was facing out; but many more things would have to be included to make it fully functional. Since the rains in the Rainy basin poured strong from time to time, a more watertight structure would have to be erected over it.
Mayday and several others got to work on this project, and soon long poles were rammed into the ground at each corner of the pedistal. Then supports for a roof was erected over these. Mayday thatched the roof until it was strong, and side panels were fashioned to make the shelter even stronger and more watertight. Pitch was used to seal off any leaks, and the roof was extended to the edge of the pyramid to shelter the ones servicing the aerie. After all this work was completed many days later, the Postal Birds at last deemed the Rainy Basin Post Office fit for use.
The Postal Birds also suggested that the Kirkys get to work fashioning a plaque to commemorate the Post Office, and within a few days the task was done. At my design suggestion, I asked that it be painted in reds, whites and blues like what the United States Post Office often uses; and a carved centerpiece of the likeness of a Skybax in flight.
The carved lettering was painted in gold in both human and saurian script, and our Post Office would be called the "Rainy Basin Central' Post office. Many of us wanted to call the Post Office 'Teeklan', for the pyramid it was next to; but the Postal Birds were most insistant. At a later thought, they said it would be possible to change the name in a year or two, once proper Postal flight routes through the region were established.
"Now then...", Four-Seventeen said after we all gathered around the newly completed Post Office. "We are gathered here today to officially open the Rainy Basin Post Office. This Post Office will serve as a central nexxus in Postal service throughout the Rainy Basin, and a way station for Postal Birds to rest while on long flights across Dinotopia."
"From here Postal service will be available to all clans in the Rainy Basin, and from here the majority of communication between you and the rest of the island will take place.", Six-Ninty-Nine continued. "Truely a great day has begun for all Dinotopians!"
We all clapped and cheered for a moment until Four-Seventeen lifted a wing to silence us. "So with the power vested in us by the Postal Guild of Dinotopia and the high council of Waterfall City, we declare the Rainy Basin Central Post Office open!"
We really erupted in cheer this time as Four-Seventeen pulled the string that was attached to the cloth that hid the plaque next to the Post Office proper. I saw, at the same time that the Postal Birds, what was revealed; and it wasn't the plaque at all! Someone had replaced the plaque with the skull of a Pteranodon, and the sight made me gasp, four-Seventeen squawk and flap away and nearly made Six-Ninty-Nine faint! I stepped forward from my place in the crowd and looked up at it disgustedly; then I looked at the rest of the crowd without changing that expression.
"OK! Who's the wise guy?!", I accused as quiet tittering laughter erupted in the crowd. "What do you think you jokers are doing?!"
"Why! I never saw the like...!", Six-Ninty-Nine exclaimed.
When no one came forward to admit it, I reached up and took down the skull. "Come on, guys! This is supposed to be serious!", I handed the skull to the nearest one, Bross. "Now, where is that plaque?"
After a moment, two Kirkys slunk around the back of the stone pedistal and came back with the plaque. They set it at my feet and withdrew, bowing in shame. I turned to glare at the rest of them because I suspected they had a hand in it too, then turned to the two Postal Birds and smiled nervousely.
"I'm sorry... Just a little carnivore humor, I guess!", I tried to explain. "Guess we're not as civilized as I thought..."
"Have no fear, Stinger!", Four-Seventeen hopped onto my shoulder. "We are not without humor ourselves. It was rather comical at that! Startling at first, but funny never the less!", he cackled slightly. "In many places where Post Offices are set up, people often put statues of flying creatures or paintings and things like that. If you want to, you could set that skull up near by...", he turned to his mate, then turned back. "Only paint it so it doesn't look so frightening, maybe..."
"Maybe we can do that one of these days...", I said as I hung the plaque up and draped the cloth over it. "But we should finish this ceremony first. Don't you think?"
"Absolutely!", Four-Seventeen said as he flew back to his cohort's side. "Ahem!... By the power vested in us by the Postal Guild of Dinotopia and the high council of Waterfall City, we now pronounce the Rainy Basin Central Post Office open!", he pulled the string and revealed the plaque.
The whole clan erupted in cheering once more, and presently many Kirkys were seen parading around in costume; dancing, tumbling and juggling to the tune that thier small band was playing. The Postal Birds shook thier beaks at all the fanfare, but became suddenly caught up as Mildred and Harold took them on an unexpected dance around the base of the new Post Office!
The celebration lasted for most of the day; and by the light of the dying campfire that night, the birds told us about all the useful services that Postal Birds have performed in the past. We laughed and joked with our new friends, and at length we all settled down for the night. Four-Seventeen and Six-Ninty-Nine flew off to the Post Office and retired in the lower aerie for the night.
I woke up the next morning with little Hamilton crawling up my chest, for to him it was time to eat. The little tyke had gotten more active of late and was starting to walk a little on his own, but I hadn't noticed since I was so busy all the time! I picked him up and brought him over to our changing station in our chambers in the pyramid of Teeklan. I tended to his needs there while his nippled flask of Mammoth milk became warm enough; and once fed, I handed him off to the just wakening Mayday after a hug and a kiss for both.
I ventured outside and checked with Wen, who was in charge of handing out the clan assignments today, and I found that I had no real duties to perform today; so I went back inside and collected my son, planning to spend some quality time with him today. I tried carrying him outside, but he insisted to hobble there on his own with the assistance of me holding his hands. I led him out to the new Post Office, where Four-Seventeen bent and stretched in birdlike calesthentics.
"Good morning, human.", he squawked as he noticed me. "I was just getting ready to start establishing flight routes and... Say! Isn't he cute!"
"I would like you to meet my son, Hamilton Somala Decker.", I introduced as my son lost balance and squatted into the dirt with a grunt. "Sorry, he's just learning to walk..."
"What a fine hatchling!", he swooped to the child's feet. "What? About six months old?", he looked up at me. "I'm good at guessing humans' ages!"
"I guess so.", I said. "I get so busy these days I lose track!"
"So I'll cover the northern sections and you take the western sections...", Six-Ninty-Nine squawked as she hopped out of the aerie; but seeing Four-Seventeen not there looked around. She then saw her mate on the ground and the human hatchling near him, so she flapped to the ground beside him. "Ooh! Would you look at that cutie!"
I reintroduced my son to her; and after a brief touch of a feather in farewell, I lifted my son as the two Postal Birds flew off to thier previousely appointed rounds. I headed for the clearing, and on the way Rex caught up with us. I hiked Hamilton up and let Rex carry him the rest of the way in his two fingered forelimbs. Little Hamilton hugged and nuzzled his massive arm, being so comforted in the grasp of this potentially dangerous creature. I looked in awe at this; but I knew Rex loved Hamilton as much as the boy loved him - he was sort of his uncle, after all!
We entered the boomerang shaped clearing and headed downslope to the river. When we got there we saw Zeeka, one of the many Kirky females, teaching a collection of hatchlings of various lineage how to hunt for bugs. Rex and I drank as we listened to her instruction; and hamilton crawled to the waters' edge to try a little bug hunting on his own.
The rest of the morning went just as routinely as i took my son to many areas of the camp. We visited many of the dwellings and chatted with many of thier occupants before moving to our next stop. I had Ursula give Hamilton a full medical checkup as we passed near her gypsy wagon. Through her chatting I could see that she was really getting on in years as her fait was slower than usual. It was no secret to me that life here wasn't too flattering for her age - no wonder she had that rickshaw to get around these days!
Her glazed over eye seemed more prominent lately, and it seemed her other eye was failing as well. Never the less, she got around proudly, insisting she was all right like those of her age have want to do. After a hug from Hamilton we bid our goodbyes and headed back to the pyramid as we smelled that midday meals were beginning to be prepared.
As we arrived in the area, two Postal Birds came fluttering into view from the north, and they landed in ragged unison at the base of the Post Office. One I knew as Six-Ninty-Nine, but the other was a slightly darker blue and sported aviation goggles with a big sky blue scarf that seemed way too big for flight. this one hopped about, taking in all the scenery before finally settling into a comfortable resting stance.
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(Continued in the next entry.)
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Post by thundertail on Oct 10, 2007 6:36:13 GMT -5
TWENTY-NINE: "Reconciliation." (Continued.)
"So, this is it.", this Postal Bird said. "Not much for decor', but one can't be too choosey when one is roughing it!",
"Oh, they did the best that they could, Seven -Eleven!", Six-Ninty-Nine scolded. "No need to insult them right off, you know!"
"I suppose you're right.", Seven-Eleven gave in. "They did the best they could,... For carnivores!, this part he whispered.
"Pleased to meet you!", I said, hiking Hamilton to my shoulder. "My name is Stinger. Welcome to the Rainy Basin!"
"Pleasure...", Seven-Eleven squawked. "Are you in charge here?"
"Why no.", I said as hamilton gurgled. "King Thundertail runs things around here. I am sort of the leader of the humans here, though..."
"I see.", Seven-Eleven sniffed. "Well, I'd say you've done an exceptional job here. This facility should prove a grand addition to the Postal Guild - provided things remain civil around here..."
"Please! It doesn't help if you insult them!", Six-Ninty-Nine warned. "There's no telling what they might do if they're angered!"
"Oh, please don't worry, ma'am!", I told her. "We realize that most folks around here think carnivores are less than desirable people. It is no insult if he wishes to think thusly. Perhaps all he needs is to stay a while and observe how we live. He'll soon see that we are as nise as anybody else!"
"I don't intend to stay that long.", Seven-Eleven fluttered. "But I see that all is ready, and now I must be off. My secondary duty is to lead more Postal Birds here so they may update thier maps and flight patterns to include stops here.", he turned to me and said confidentially: "Truth be told, all of you did a smashing job here; and you will surely be commended by the Postal Guild for this!", with that he swooped off and headed back the way he came.
"Er,... Wait for me!", Six-Ninty-Nine screeched and took wing, seesawing after him.
"Silly birds! Right, Hammy?", I said as I turned and entered the pyramid. Hamilton gurgled and waved at the Postal birds as his view was blocked by the pyramids' interior.
Later on that day Four-Seventeen returned with another Postal Bird from Canyon City named Two-Forty-One. She commented that she liked the place in a rustic kind of way; but added that the new Post Office would be quite beneficial to the Guild. She scanned the whole area by air, landed again to collect Four-Seventeen and they both took off the way they came. An hour later Six-Ninty-Nine returned with another Postal Bird from Bent Root named Four-Seventy. She praised the place after great scrutiny of the Post Offices' interior, then took off the way she had come with Six-Ninty-Nine in tow.
In thier absence, I snuck a look inside the Post Office aeries for myself, peering through the back access hatches. the two cubic foot spaces were done up like an apartment with all the amenities considered necesary for Postal Birds. Each space had two nestlike beds of thier scale, trays for food and water, paintings on the walls, walls painted bright pastel colors and even commode facilities seen in the best hotels! Those lucky birds had all the comforts of home in there! I left the area shortly after that and went about my business for the rest of the day; and by nightfall two exhausted Postal Birds returned tired and hungry, and decided to turn in for the night without any fanfare at all.
Life went on for the next few days as the two Postal Birds flew off many times, bring back dozens of other Postal Birds to see the new Post Office. I got the chance to meet many of them, as did many in our clan. On one of those days i was absent because i was assigned to lead the hunting party that day. We gathered the children in small groups to see the Post Office and to talk with the Postal Birds, and explain the importance they are to us; and tell them not to play with these birds in case they may hurt them in play.
During this time I drew Copro duty, I was in charge of harrowing the garden furthest from camp with Striff and Riven Dilophosaurs and I get the duty of helping to copy many of the older scroll catalogues meant to be sent to the high council. I was assigned many more mundane domestic tasks, like repairing a few of the mud huts by the river and helping to dispose of some of the restoration waste being taken out of Kinan Van. the most favorite thing i got to do during this time was having time to take care of little Hamilton and do things with him and Mayday!
We finally got around to examining the material Zippeau donated to us for our children. The acedemic material was pretty basic, and seemed advanced enough to be called high school level in the outside world. the volumes of instruction contained many details that could definitely be added to our childrens' cirriculum, and would help them deal with adult life. The tomes of stories and histories included in Zippeau's package were most entertaining to me, and would no doubt prove likewise for our young ones. After looking over all this material, we had some of the Kirkys begin copying it all; provided it didn't interfere with the reproduction of our Archaeological notes for the high council!
At the end of over a week the Postal Birds had us all gather at the base of the new Post Office. They both looked haggared and tired, Six-Ninty-Nine looking even more so. However, thier overall demeanor was cheery despite what they had gathered us together for. As soon as everyone settled down enough, four-Seventeen cleared his throat to get our attention before speaking.
"Members of clan Thundertail and citizens of the Rainy Basin.", he called loudly. "It has been a grand pleasure to have been among you at this time. Word from the Postal Guild states that this facility is now a fully functional Post Office; an intergral part of the Dinotopian Post Office network, and will see much use over the years to come."
"We have had a wonderful time being among you, and we will miss you all...Ooh...!", Six-Ninty-Nine hitched. "Since we have been here, you have shown us nothing but unsurpassed hospitality,... Uhhh!... And you are truely creatures of ourtstanding merit...", she frowned, then looked at us.
"Therefore it is with great regret that we must bid you adeau'.", Four-Seventeen continued, giving his mate a worried sidelong glance. "There will be many Postal Birds using this roost, and over time we may also return for a visit - and hopefully not visits entirely of the official nature!"
"And so, I as well bid you goodbye,...Awk!... And we... Awwwwwk!!", Six-Ninty-Nine hitched again, got a strange look and grasped her middle. "Uh..., Something's wrong...!"
"What is it, dear?", Four-Seventeen asked, supporting her back. "Are you sick?"
"Nnnn..., I don't know..., OWWW!", she screeched. "I think..., I think..., AWK!!!", she bent over, flopping to the pedistal. "My EGGS!... Ooooh!... I think..., I'm ready..., to lay them...!"
"You mean now?", he asked dumbly. "So soon?!"
"YESSS!...Aaarrgh!", she bellowed and fainted slightly.
Selma saw this from the crowd and squawked excitedly.
"Yes! Get Ursula - and hurry!", I told her. She and several others ran to get her.
"Now rest...", Four-Seventeen cood as he cradled her nearly unconcious form before him.
"We should get her to bed...", I said as I gently lifted her off the pedistal.
One of the Veloceraptors present scurried around the back of the Post Office ahead of me and opened the rear hatch of the lower aerie. I rushed after her, climbed up and placed the Postal Bird on one of the nests inside. I gently let her head down as it lolled back in the nest. Four-Seventeen hopped onto the front entrance and rushed to his mate's side, stroking her panting beak with a feathered wing. Another hitching noise and she woke up moaning. Just about then Ursula arrived in the area, and Mayday lifted her and her bag to the front of the aerie and took a peek inside once Ursula scampered inside.
"Ok, ok! Give a person room!", Ursula scooted. "Birdie-boy, scat! You too, Stinger!", she turned to examine the Postal Bird in the nest.
"Will she be all right?", Four-Seventeen hovered. "Oh! Please say yes!"
"I delivered hundreds of hatchlings in my day. If I can't handle this, it can't be done!", she lifted her stethoscope and turned to him. "I thought I told you to scram!... Go on! GET!!..."
"Come on, Four-Seventeen.", I said softly, gently grasping him around the middle and drawing him out of the aerie through the back door. "Birthing hatchlings is women's work."
"But I MUST stay!", he balked as he struggled, but I held him firmly. "What if something goes wrong?"
"Just relax! She's in capable hands.", I physically drew him out of the aerie and quickly took him into the pyramid, him protesting all the way. "Say! You ever been in here?", I changed the subject.
"No, but I heard stories...", he began.
"Good! Then I'll give you a little tour!", I said cheerily as I briskly walked him deeper down the corridors.
Four-Seventeen didn't really like being carried like I was doing, but his worry over his mate soon melted in the fascination of all the glyphs and other sights he saw along the way. I sensed his tension lessen, so I loosened my grip on him so he could move to my shoulder. I soon turned into a portal and entered my quarters, which was empty save for mine and Mayday's belongings along with the necesities needed to raise Hamilton. I placed him onto our bedframe as I rummaged around for what I came here for. He just hopped around the railing, glancing at the room's decor'.
"You lnow, I never thought someone could actually live in a temple.", Four-Seventeen commented. "Everything is so marvelous!"
"The Kirkys did a great job fixing up the place.", I said offhandedly. "I can't wait until they fix up the other areas so we can live there...", I found what I was looking for. "There's a building in Kinan Van with an old clothing shop in it, and above it there's a great apartment I wouldn't mind living in..."
"You know, you people are just about the best on the island!", he said as I returned to him. "I would never know what to do if you people weren't here helping my mate!"
"Aw! We'd do that to anyone!", I joked as I sat on my bed, flask of Tyranosaur Breath and glass in my hands. "And now I think it's time for a little celebration!... A toast to commemorate your new family - and to congratulate the new father!", I poured a portion for myself and offered the filled cap to him. "Cheers!"
"What is it?", Four-Seventeen asked. "Is it anything harmful?"
"Just a little bracer.", I said, miming to toast. "It should relax you."
"Well, I could use a little relaxing...", he sniffed the concoction and recoiled. "Mercy!"
"To your health, and that of your family!", I saluted with my glass and sipped.
He dipped his bill, sputtered and squawked. "Ohhh! how terrible!", he took another dip. "What's this stuff called?"
"Tyranosaur Breath.", I answered. "Bottoms up!"
He sipped too. "Horrible stuff!...", he sipped again. "I bet I'll have Tyranosaur breath before long!...", he hitched. "You know, I was just thinking something..."
"What's that?", I asked, filling the cap again.
"I'm going to be a FATHER!", Four-Seventeen announced. "Isn't that just glorious?", he dipped his bill again.
"Fatherhood is a wonderful thing!", I raised my glass, and we both sipped. "I felt the same way when my son Hamilton was born."
"Ain't it the truth!", Four-Seventeen slurred and shifted a bit. "Say, what are you supposed to do as a daddy? It's my first time!"
"Well, the first thing to do is stay calm.", I told him. "Folks have been having children since the beginning of time. Nearly everything has been thought of, so all you have to do is ask..."
"Oh, good! I was so worried...", Four-Seventeen staggered on the bedrail, then he stumbled clean off. He was out like a light before he hit the bed!
I looked at the tiny, prone form lying there; then I looked at my glass, smiling. I shook my head and gently lifted the the limp bird, trying not to injure his dangling head. I carefully made my way out of the temple of Teeklan; and when I reached the Post Office, I climbed up and opened the back hatch to the upper aerie. I reached in and gently placed him in one of the nests there, closing the door gently on my way out. I peeked into the lower aerie, where I saw Ursula still tending to Six-Ninty-Nine. She turned to me with a start as she heard me, then crept to me to whisper.
"She finished about ten minutes ago. Seven eggs - and so quickly, too!", she glanced at me with her bad eye. "How's your patient?"
"The bird can't seem to hold his Tyranosaur Breath!", I whispered. "He should be awake by morning."
"How much you give him?", Ursula wanted to know.
"Two capfuls - a bird's portion.", I said. "Need a lift home?"
"Naw, I think I better stay to make sure the both of them are ok.", she said. "Besides, these nests look nice and comfy! Hee, hee!"
"Ok, I guess you'll be all right here.", I said. "Good night, Ursula!"
"Later, sweetie.", Ursula rushed up to give me a nuzzle before I closed the tiny door.
In the morning Four-Seventeen hitched and woke up slowly, head throbbing. He wiped his face with a wing and jerked awake, not knowing exactly where he was. He sprungout of the nest he was in, and hoped McGuire had changed the water in the birdbath! He hopped to the door and stepped out - plunging four feet to the stone pedistal below with a loud thud and a squawk! As his vision cleared, he looked around; and it was only then did he begin to realize where he was. A moment later he began to remember last night, and the fact that Six-Ninty-Nine was in the middle of having thier eggs!
"Dear, where are you!", Four-Seventeen called. He poked his head in the lower aerie opening next to him. "Hello?"
"Shush!", Ursula whispered as she stirred from the other nest and sprung to the entrance, startling him. "Your mate's still sleeping!"
"I must see!", he insisted, hopping through the entrance. "Out of my way!", she backed up to let him inside.
"Now hush!", Ursula backed away, allowing him view of Si-Ninty-Nine's sleeping form.
"Ummm...", he slowly approached her nest and stroked her beak with a feather, and ahe roused slifhtly with the touch.
"Ooh... Mmmmorning... dear...", she stretched. "What happened?"
"My mate, are yoyu better?", Four-Seventeen asked.
"What?...", she looked unsure, then recognition hit. "I had my eggs, right?"
"Yes! Let's see.", he cooed, helping her turn.
"Ooh! Look at them!", she saw the seven almost yellow eggs that were slightly larger than Robin eggs. "They're so sweet!"
"You know what this means?", he croaked. "We're parents!"
"I think you're right!", she giggled, giving him an avian hug. As one they looked at Ursula. "Thanks for helping us, ma'am."
"Oh, Hadro-feathers!", Ursula drawled. "It's nothing at all, really!"
"But it is!", Four-Seventeen said. "You do not know what service you have done for the Postal Guild!", then a stricken look swept across his face. "The Postal Guild!!!... What are we going to do, love?"
"You are going to have to continue without me.", Six-Ninty-Nine told him weakly. "I must stay until the children are ready to travel!"
"I'll stay too...", he said with resolve.
"NO! You must do our duty for both of us!", she stroked his wing with hers. "You have to do it, love! Don't worry about me."
"I suppose she's right.", Ursula added. "We'll take good care of her and your eggs, so don't worry."
"Well,... I guess I must.", he said. "But you must tell me your schedule, dear. I'll have to tell the nearest dispatcher at my next stop. They'll have to rearrange the schedules to cover for you!"
"You're right.", Six-Ninty-Nine said, then spent ten minutes or so telling him her flight schedule.
"My next stop this morning is Bent Root.", Four-Seventeen told her. "I'll tell the dispatcher there!", He exited the aerie and flew off, circled the pyramid and returned. "Bye, love!", he nuzzled her and took off for good this time.
Four-Seventeen returned many times over the next few days, constantly worrying over his mate and unhatched children. One of the most recent times he announced that Six-Ninty-Nine had been granted an indefinite leave of absence from the Postal Guild in order to tend her hatchlings, and that he had gotten restricted duty consisting of flights in and around the Rainy Basin - including the towns surrounding it. Sixty-Three relayed to them his best wishes, and said that taking care of thier young was more important than getting messages to thier destination on time!
All during that time scores of Postal Birds visited the aerie in the middle of the Rainy Basin on an almost daily basis, and we all got to know some of them - briefly as thier stays permitted. We sent messages to the outposts of Treetown, Prosperine, Bent Root and many more smaller outposts; relating to them the goods we had to offer in trade for the things we were lacking in the Rainy Basin, and trying to make trade deals with them as the treaty with the high council of Waterfall City would allow. The Postal Birds also related that the trails through the Rainy Basin were open, and the carnivores there were becoming less savage - plus many more personal messages from one and all. All in all, the Rainy Basin Central Post Office was doing a booming business!
Oneday the Kriegers were preparing to leave on another trading expedition to Tentpole of the Sky. They had packed the usual load of fruits, vegetables, various grains, rock salt and many reams of parchment containing news they rarely got due to thier seclusion from the rest of the island. The frigid climate of mountains in which the Mammoths and thier Hindu monk Partners lived in prompted them to bring along some winter gear that the residents gave to them thier first visit there. Soon they were all packed and ready to go; however, they were many days late with this due to them being so busy helping the rest of us with other things around camp while we were away tending to our negotiations.
That was why it came as a complete suprise when thundering footfalls could be heard coming from the southeastern road! With instincts born of thier carniverous ancestery, almost all of us scampered into the trees out of sight and waited; but the Kriegers and the Pachycephalosauruses were unaware of this and continued packing. Presently they too heard the footfalls, but it was too late and they were too far out in the open to run away in time; so they just stood helplessly as they witnessed the gigantic creatures enter the clansite!
They were nearly thirty feet tall, walked on four massive feet and sported heavy, tufty hair all over thier bodies. Each had twin tusks eight feet in length, curving back from hidden maws that sported a long appendage that waved around like a furry snake testing for scent. Many were adorned with chain headgear, halters with streamers dyed in a kelidescope of colors or head dresses of silver, gold and jewels. All of them were pulling some kind of cart or contrivance dragged atop wheeled skids. Almond skinned humans also rode thier necks, or could be seen on the carts or riding in boxlike saddles upon thier massive backs.
The Kriegers recognized these bohemoths instatly, and each raised an arm in the air and bring it down again repeatedly; and the Mammoths returned this gesture in kind. As the humans riding by nodded at them, they placed thier hands together in a praying gesture and bowed reverently. We all saw this occurring, and slowly walked out into the clearing and into thier presence. The herd of Mammoths continued this silent greeting, as did thier human Partners; then they all turned to see all the carnivores that were suddenly in thier midst.
"I see you told no lie, Miles Krieger.", the largest andmost bejeweled Mammoth rumbled in English. "The sophistication of this campsite is most impressive."
"My matriarch!", Miles replied. "It is quite a suprise that you chose to come here! We were just on our way to your realm as we speak!", he indicated the cart.
"With the tales you told at your last few visits, I just had to travel here and see for myself!", she replied, then turned to Thundertail and the rest of the Tyranosaurs. "I am Buttercup, matriarch of Tentpole of the Sky.", she bowed, then indicated with her trunk the human riding on her neck. "This is Sia Kinnerman, my Partner and Sensay Monk leader of Tentpole of the Sky.", he bowed from his perch, then Buttercup scanned all the saurian faces. "Which of you noble creatures is one named king Thundertail?"
"I am, your eminence.", Thundertail bowed and I translated.
"No need for explanation, little one!", Buttercup chuffed laughter. "In my ninty years, I have learned many dialects! What is your name, little one?"
"I am Stinger, ma'am.", I said.
"Well met; but acquaintences may come later, eh?", she huffed laughter, then Buttercup turned her attention to Thundertail. "Now, my king. We have traveled many miles in this unbelievable heat to witness your fair realm. There is no doubt that you have as many tales to tell us as we have for you to hear; but first, may we make a request?"
"Anything is yours, my matriarch.", Thundertail replied, bowing.
"May we drink from yonder river?", she pointed with her trunk. "The long journey and this horrendous climate has made us parched!"
"Of course!", he smiled. "This way, if you please..."
Thundertail, with a small group of Tyranosaurs and other clan members, led the matriarch of Tentpole of the Sky and her Partner downslope to the Polongo river. None of us noticed during the brief greeting, but many of the robed monks and thier females had discreetly unhitched the rest of the mammoths from thier carts, and had begun to set up thier camp. The wooden dwellings that set on sledges, called 'Dogons' in thier native Mongolian tongue, were quickly drawn into a circle while others began to set up thier tents. The drab looking round tents were called 'Gurs', we soon found out; and the square colorful ones were called 'Yurts'. After this practiced procedure was done, many of thier females prepared fires and began making thier males' meals.
Thier other wheeled carts were set in a line, and fodder and other delicacies fit for Mammoths were rapidly prepared. The other Mammoths presently joined thier matriarch, and not long after that the great Pachyderms drank. They siphoned up great quantities of water with thier trunks, drinking much and spraying up great gysers of the liquid - creating a miniature rainstorm all around them! Soon the herd of Mammoths turned and returned to thier makeshhift campsite within our own. It was just about then that we discovered three baby Mammoths among the legs of the rest of the herd; all about the size of a Shetland pony, tuskless and weighing a mere few hundred pounds each.
"Ah! Such refreshment!", Buttercup said as she returned to us. "And such hospitality you show!"
"It is the least we can do for our most valued allies.", Thundertail said as Miles Krieger got the help of one of the monks to help transferring his load of supplies into one of thier wagons. "Would there be any other thing you may need?"
"Not ay all for the moment; but maybe a tour later.", she said, probing Thundertail's muzzle with her trunk as she spoke. "Truely you are friends of the highest order. And to think we were too afraid to come down from the mountains!"
"Your highness, it is so wonderful that you are here!", I said all of a sudden, finding myself near her. "For it has been many thousands of years since our two species met in the outside world."
"Ah, yes little one. The last age of ice killed all of my kind out there.", Buttercup said. "But is it not true that your kind hunted our kind?"
"Yes. Your kind gave us everything our kind needed to survive.", i said. "You gave us food and shelter. We prayed for your arrival so we would live. e even worshiped you!"
"Worship, you say!", she chuffed laughter. "That's a twist!", I laughed too.
All of a sudden my legs were nearly knocked out from uder me and I turned to look at the disturbance. "Well! Hello, friend!", it was one of the Mammoth youngsters!
"Buorrow! remember your manners!", Buttercup scolded and he backed up a pace.
"No harm done, ma'am!", I said as my hand met the calf's probing proboscus. "Children will be children!"
"Go play someplace else!", Buttercup said.
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(Continused in the next post.)
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Post by thundertail on Oct 12, 2007 6:36:17 GMT -5
TWENTY-NINE: "Reconciliation." (Continued again.)
"Wait! Maybe he would like to meet my son!...", I turned to him. "Would you like that?", his trumpet sounded like a yes to me!
I scanned the crowd around the caravan and soon spotted Mayday inspecting a Dogon while a monk female was explaining things to her. I saw she had Hamilton in her arms, and called many times until she turned. I waved her over, and took my son from her to place him on the ground beside this furry little child.
"Hi, Hammy! Want to meet a new friend?", he cooed confusion.
"Ooh! What a sweet calf!", Buttercup said.
"Matriarch Buttercup, I would like you to meet my son, Hamilton Somala Decker.", I said as she curled her trunk around the lad. He melted in the embrace!
"A wonderful child!", she looked at Mayday. "And you are the mother?"
"Yes.", Mayday said, unsure of the huge beast before her. "Me Mayday. Stinger mate, Hamilton son."
"Say, Hammy...", I whispered to him in the mean time. "This is Buorrow. Want to play with him?"
Hamilton turned to face Buorrow, then waddled from Buttercup's grasp to stumble into the smaller Pachyderm's snout; who grunted unsurely, then trumpeted in joy! After a mutual hug, the young Mammoth then led Hamilton off with his trunk a short distance to get to know one another.
Ah, such is youth!" Buttercup said. "But now to business.", she snaked her trunk over her head and coiled it around Sia Kinnerman's middle. She drew him down and he bowed first at his matriarch and then to Thundertail. "Sia has with him a manifest of the goods we have brought. If you would, dear?"
"Yes, my materiarch!", His gravelly voice quivered with a touch of Mongolian as he spoke.
His features were not unlike weathered driftwood, gnarled and old in places, yet with a youthful strength blended into hid chiseled face. His whisp of white beard wagged as he turned to his robe, revealing a hand resembling a tree root. This one reached into the sleeve of on the other side and drew out a scroll with golden ends and sealed with a lilac colored ribbon.
"Ah!", he said as he unfurled it. "We have twenty gallons of Mammoth milk. We have fifty skiens each of wollen thread; dyed blue, red white and brown. Our females have knitted twenty pair of leggings, and one dozen hats of various designs and colors. We have four carpets of various shape and design.", he looked up with a twinkle in his sky blue eyes. "Also a special gift for your clan."
"Well?, Buttercup prompted. "Tell them what it is!"
He bowed and continued. "Miles Krieger tells us that you have uncovered many wonderful things in the World Beneath.", he looked directly at Thundertail. "We have been entrusted since the founding of Tentpole of the Sky to hold many ancient artifacts said to have come from the Ancients.", he smiled at his elephantine Partner. "We feel that, for your earnestness and integrity you show toward the advancement of your civilization; those artifacts can now be safely returned to the spot where they originated at this time."
"What he means is we have something that is rightfully yours...", she scowled at him. "Tell them what it is!"
"We were intrusted to hold several large Sunstones that are rumored to have magical properties.", he said. "They are of various sizes, geodesic shapes and colors; and had been rumored to give life to magical creatures from the World Beneath.", he turned and yelled a few words in Mongolian.
Many other monks scurried out of thier camp and bowed at thier Sensay, then scuttled off to one of thier Dogons after a few more words from thier Master. Soon a lot of banging around was briefly heard before they emerged from there. They carried a long, ironclad crate with ancient ornate carvings on it, and it looked suspiciousely like a coffin to me!
They brought it over, straining from the weight, and set it down a few feet from us with a soft thud. As they bowed and moved aside, Sia Kinnerman knealt and bowed and prayed at the box as the other monks donned dark goggles. Sia waved his hands in a gesture before working the latch; but before he actually opened it, he was handed a pair of goggles and put them on.
The lid opened under his hand, and a blinding light of rainbow luminescence shone out; staggering everyone back who did not have goggles or Amulets of Protection, the latter began glowing and scintellating in accordance to the Sunstones. After a few moments we all began to get used to the intense brightness coming from the box. I shielded my eyes from the glare and peered inside the box; and saw three very large Sunstones, amber, green and blue. The amber one was the larger of the three, and was the same shape and size as a watermelon, looking like it must weigh at least twenty pounds. The green one on the left side resembled a squarish diamond ready to be cut and nearly twice the size of my head. The blue one was about the same size as the green one, but it was shaped like a football with sharpened ends. All three oscillated with power, and all three were extremely beautiful to me.
"These stones, entrusted to us, were enshrined in our most holy places.", Sia Kinnerman continued. "The amber Sunstone was guarded in our Buddha shrine. The blue Sunstone was placed in our Shiva shrine, and the green Sunstone resided in our Ganesha shrine."
"What wonderful things!", Thundertail squinted. "I know they will be extremely useful. We are forever in your debt!", he turned away to clear his vision and winked at Buttercup. "Thank you!"
"Wen? Could you come here, please?",I called and she came shambling over. "What do you make of these?", I asked one of the monks for his goggles, and another offered his to Wen. "Do you think these could be used in the Strutters?"
"I don't know...", Wen looked through one lens. "Perhaps! One looks too big, though..."
"Let's see...", MacDougal came from behinf. "Can I borrow that, laddy?", he asked another monk and squinted through the goggles he received. "The yeller one looks like the indent in the pedistal atop th' pyramid!", he looked at me. "Maybe it go thar!"
"May I examine them?", Flit drew near, and was allowed. "Yes! Most definitely! The amber Sunstone goes in the pyramid of Teeklan. It is a power source that runs the Strutter Chamber and other areas."
"What of the others, Flit?", I asked him.
"They definitely belong to Strutters.", Flit informed us. "Though I am at a loss as to which Strutters they go to. All Control Sunstones to Strutters were carved differently from one another, and one can not be used in any other than the one it was carved for."
"I guess that's a puzzle best saved for later!", I said as Sia closed the box. "Thank you, Flit."
"Any time, Stinger.", he said as we returned the goggles to thier owners. "Er,... I have not had the pleasure...?"
"Very well.", Buttercup said. "I am Buttercup, matriarch of Tentpole of the Sky; and this is my Partner, Sia Kinnerman, Sensay Master of Tentpole of the Sky."
"The honor is mine, Ma'am and sir!", Flit said, eyelights sparkling. "I am Flit, mobile artificial life construct. I was the Partner of Shetsetskafti, chief scientist to Othgar the Great."
"Well met, Flit dear!", Buttercup rumbled. "I feel honored myself, meeting an entity from deep in Dinotopia's past!"
"And I always feel jittery meeting royalty!", Flit said as he bowed his electronic head and backed away.
After a brief chuckle at Flit's comment, we all turned our attention to the sight of Buorrow charging back into view with little Hamilton riding on top of him. How my son got all the way up there was a mystery to me until I saw several Kirky and Veloceraptor children chasing after them, laughing and shouting! Buorrow bolted into the monk's encampment and the whole group was lost to view for many moments. When they emerged, the other two Mammoth children had joined Buorrow, and were chasing the others as Hamilton rode, being jostled about and loving every minute of it!
We watched this for many moments, laughing vigorousely at thier antics. Presently some adult Veloceraptors came by to lift the wooden crate at my request and carry it with great effort to the pyramid of Teeklan. At about this time Miles Krieger came by and told us all that the supplies were aboard thier carts, and the cargo they brought with them had been stored in one of the buildings in the forest. It was at this time that king Thundertail spoke up.
"Well Ma'am. I see things are well under way.", he announced. "Perhaps you would enjoy a tour of my realm as time permits?"
"I would be delighted!", Buttercup said. "But first we all could do with some more water!", she swayed her trunk. "It's just awful, this heat!"
"Yes, I would assume so.", Thundertail said. "You must feel just as uncomfortable here as we might visiting your harsh climate."
During the exchange we had with her, many of her herd were alternately visiting the river or tending thier duties as thier tolerance for the climate allowed. Also during this time many of our clan milled about thier encampment, helping out with thier chores or otherwise trying to get to know these strange creatures from the mountains. Children being children, both ours and thiers had no other concern on thier minds other than how much fun they could have with thier new friends!
King Thundertail led the matriarch of Tentpole of the Sky toward our gardens, explaining to her that we were experimenting on eating plants as well; a practice of which she nodded in approval as we passed that area. He led us into the near by forest where many of the permanent dwellings of our clan were, where she met many more of our kind. Out in the clearing again, he led us across to where the kirkys still had some of thier tents and circus wagons still set up; and he said that many of them chose to be housed in the pyramid of Teeklan. As he mentioned this, he began to lead us down the path that led to it.
"Yes, we have done a lot with the temples up ahead.", Thundertail was explaining. "The yonder pyramid has been totally refurbished inside, and looks about as pristine as the day it was constructed!", he turned to her. "Many of our smaller clan members now reside in it!"
"On our recent diplomatic mission to Waterfall City,", I stepped beside them and said. "They had asked us to establish a Post Office here. The Postal Birds deemed that thier aerie be established next to the pyramid."
"It is now a communication center for the whole Rainy Basin.", Rex added behind us. "The Postal Birds also use it as a way station so they can rest on long flights."
"What a wonderful idea!", Buttercup said. "That means it is possible to reestablish Postal communication for Tentpole of the Sky! You know, we have been keeping our Post Office in pristine condition - just for the hope of them returning."
"Well, now that's a definite possibility!", I said as we neared the Post Office proper. "Maybe Four-Seventeen could relay a message to his superiors concerning it!"
As we stepped up near the entrance to the pyramid and the Post Office kiosk, muffled activity could be heard inside the makeshift shelter. Wen the kirky emerged from around back and picked up a wicker basket on the ground next to the stone pedistal, disappearing up the ladder in back. I took a peek inside the front and saw Ursula take the basket handed to her and place it in a corner, standing aside to viewwhat was going on near the nest.
Around the nest stood Six-Ninty-Nine and Four-Seventeen, both agitated into a nervous twitter and staring down at thier nest of seven yellowish eggs. Cracks were evident on many of them, and they wiggled and shook with the struggles of life within; and many tiny squeaks eminated from them. Ursula went over just then and inspected each with her stethoscope for a moment, then backed away.
"Any moment now!", she announced.
"I can't sit still!", Four-eventeen chirped to his mate, clutching her wings with his.
"I'm so happy!", Six-Ninty-Nine replied.
"What's going on?", Thundertail asked me a little too loudly.
"The eggs are hatching!", I told him in a whisper. "Shhh!"
"Hatchlings?", Buttercup asked, and I drew the group away to explain.
"See, two Postal Birds came with the Post Office to officiate installation and to christen the structure.", I told her in a hushed voice. "It turns out that Six-Ninty-Nine was pregnant; and had to lay her eggs here. They were waiting for them to hatch, and it looks like today's the day!"
"How wonderful!", she huffed. "It would be proper to congratulate the new parents!", then she heard the squeaking increase. "But perhaps later, eh? They need thier privacy!"
"Perhaps we should postpone the tour of this area as well.", Thundertail suggested. "It might disturb them!"
"That would be the courteous thing to do!", Buttercup stated.
All of us turned and walked away at that moment; but inside the kiosk, a small miracle was taking place. The eggs' shaking grew more intense in the nest, and the cracks in the shells widened markedly. moments later the eggs were showing signs of distortion, and finally the one in the middle lost a small shell fragment! The two parents gasped at this, but Ursula merely smiled from a short distance away. At last enough of that shell was broken enough for a little pale beak to peek out, and soon a little bald head followed; and seconds later, all the other eggs began to follow suit. The first one began to chirrup, and soon so did the rest; and nearly as one they began to stagger out of thier eggs. The parent Postal birds gently began removing the broken shells, handing them back to Ursula who placed them in the basket behind her.
"Amazing!...", Six-Ninty-Nine breathed fondly, stroking the whold brood with a feather. "My little ones..."
"For once in my life, I'm speechless!...", there were tears in Four-Seventeen's eyes.
"Congrats! the both of you!", Ursula said as she lifted the basket out the back door.
"What are you going to do with the shells?", Six-Ninty-Nine croaked with emotion.
"Don't worry about that, sweetie! We'll take care of it.", Ursula said. "You have enough on your mind as it is!... What are you going to name them?"
"Well, the Postal Guils has authorized us to use designations beginning at One-Thousand.", Four-Seventeen smiled. "They will be named One-Thousand- One through One-Thousand- Seven!..."
"But which one will be which?", Six-Ninty-Nine asked, turning to him.
"Oh, I don't know dear!", his voice cracked. "We'll figure it out!...", he hugged her and they both began to clean off the new chicks.
In the mean time, we continued our tour for Buttercup and Sia Kinnerman; showing them the temple of Orous and describing the cities of Halcyon and Kinan Van. It seemed they had heard the legends of such places, and said they had once sported huge entrances above ground at one time. I told them of the cave ins we had discovered while exploring the underground cities, and they had hard stories of such; and perhaps these entryways were under such landslides.
As we reached the boomerang shaped clearing once more, we met a sight strange yet wonderful - and extremely funny besides! It seemed that the Mammoth children had discovered the Kirky Circus, or the other way around; and many of the Kirkys were there, instructing the youngsters some circus tricks! They each sported a colorful hat on ther craniums, and were walking in a line with thier tails in one anothers' trunks. I could not help but laugh out loud at these antics as we drew near!
"Harold!...", I called, still chuckling. "What are you guys doing, corrupting these innocent children?!"
"Sorry boss. They were curious!", Harold scampered over to say. He saw the massive form of Buttercup, and waved with a cheesy grin. "Er,... We were showing them some of our acts, and they wanted to join in."
"Oh! It's all right, little one!", Buttercup said. "What have you shown them so far?"
"Thought you'd never ask!", Harold said, then turned to the rest of those present and announced: "Ladies, gentilebeings and species of all kind! Allow me to introduce the 'Meandering Mammoths'!..."
Amid polite applause, the three furry children bowed as a tiny Kirky band piped up in the background, playing a circus tune. They took ahold of each others' tails and marched in a loose circle, legs in tune with the music. After a few revolutions around the area they were in, harold made a few hand gestures and the baby Mammoths closed ranks; and formed a tight circle with thier bodies as the band played on. They marched in tighter and tighter circles for a while, and Harold made another gesture.
With this the children spun in place, ending up going in the opposite direction; then they marched like this for a few more revolutions. Harold raised both hands and the children faced outward in thier circle, rearing up onto thier hind legs and trumpeting as loud as thier lungs would allow. Tghis was followed by a cresendo from the band, and the three Mammoths took thier bows. This was followed by cheering from all the grownups, and Harold gathered his new performers and walked over to us.
"Well, that's all we could teach them on such short notice.", Harold said. "I tell you, they're naturals!"
"Yeah, but won't that make them want to run away and join the circus?", I asked, only half joking.
"Well Stinger, you got to remember that the circus ran away and joined YOU!", Harold said, and we all laughed.
"We won't, honest!", Buorrow blurted. "But it was fun!"
"Yes child, but remember what the mighty Ganesha teaches?", Buttercup said.
"He says: 'Greatness comes from humble deeds.'...", Buorrow recited, and so did the other children.
"That is correct!", she said. "And do you know what I teach?"
"What is that, my matriarch?", he asked.
"I say that, when visitilng friends, anything goes!", she pulled his hat down over his eyes with her trunk, and he couldn't help but laugh!
We all joined in with that, and soon the Kirky Circus prepared to do some acts of thier own. Some of the rest of our clan participated in these acts, and I take part in a few of them! Soon the various meals were beginning to be prepared by the women monks as well as our own females It turned out that Buttercup didn't seem to be around our carniverous eating as she munched her fodder. She simply said that one had to accept the ways of others; and if that was the way her friends ate, then so be it.
Fairly soon the meal was over, and not long after that many small groups of mixed species formed around the various fires springing up around camp. Before long muted conversations of a myriad of subjects began to be spoken around them, and each group really got to know the other as the hours passed into early evening. The one that Buttercup ended up having with me proved most revealing to me about the personality of the matriarch of Tentpole of the Sky.
"You seem quite comfortable around my kind, child.", Buttercup turned to me to say. "How so?"
"That is because creatures of your general kind still exist in the outside world.", I said. "Though Mammoths no longer exist out there, there is the African bull elephant and the Indian elephant. Both kinds are somewhat smaller then you, and neither are as hairy!"
"And how are you familiar with them?", she asked.
"I have seen and touched them in zoos.", I said. "Those are places where they are kept where humans may view them. There are ones in the wild; but they are subject to the laws of survival, and hunted by predators. The ones in zoos are not free to do as they please, but they are well protected and taken care of."
"These ones in zoos are not free.", she sounded offended. "How barbaric, imprisioning them!"
"The ones in captivity survive a lot better than the ones in the wild.", I told her.
"And what life can they have if they are not free?...", she said.
"Then I guess that such places are not in thier best interests after all!", I told her, stroking her furry trunk.
Just about then a tiny figure flew through the darkening air and flapped around the area. He stopped and turned in midair, trying to find a place to land near us. Four-Seventeen could not find a convenient place to land, so he spiraled in and perched on Buttercup's left tusk!
"Pardon me, ma'am.", he squawked and turned to us. "King thundertail! I have come to make a joyous announcement! Today the eggs of my mate and i have hatched!", he made a nervous gesture as everyone in our group applauded, and continued as it ended. "If you wish, you may all come and see them!"
"We already know, little one! A grand congratulations to you and your mate!", Buttercup said. "We peeked, but thought you might need your privacy."
"That was very considerate, ma'am!", he said. "Er,... Who are you?"
"Postal Bird Four-Seventeen, I would like for you to meet Buttercup, matriarch of Tentpole of the Sky.", i introduced. "Miss Buttercup, please meet Postal Bird Four-Seventeen. Him and his mate, Six-Ninty-Nine, are visiting us to comemmorate our new Post Office.", I looked at him. "Unfortunately, circumstances beyond thier control has forced them to stay longer than intended!"
"Ohhh!... My goodness!...", Four-Seventeen hopped off her tusk and bowed profusely at her feet. "I am so sorry! I did not know...! I did not mean to land on your person!"
"Not to worry, little one!", Buttercup chuckled. "I haven't been used as a perch since your great grandfather was hatched!"
"Er,... I see, your highness.", Four-Seventeen said, then regained composure, ruffling. "Well then, would anyone like to see my children?"
"Perhaps a little later, if you don't mind. The little ones have had a big day already!", Thundertail told him. "But since you are here, we would like to ask a question and see if it is all right with the Postal Guild."
"Yes, go ahead.", he squawked.
"As you know, Tentpole of the Sky has not had Postal service in a good many years.", Buttercup began. "I'd wager it's because our home has been assumed deserted. We wish to request that our Postal service be reinstated. Not to worry, as we have kept our Post Office aerie in pristine condition."
"KI see...", the Postal Bird said, thinking. "Well, I don't think it would be toom much problem to reinstate your service - pending Postal Guild approval, of course!", he then got conversational. "I once read that your service was suspended because of your remote location; but from what I had heard, it was suspended beacuse it was too cold there!"
"We would be glad to relay any Postal messages, if you wish.", I offered. "It would be no problem to include it in our cargo shipments there. Provided my king agrees, that is!"
"We'd be honored to.", Thundertail confirmed.
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(Continued in the next post.)
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Post by thundertail on Oct 13, 2007 20:03:41 GMT -5
TWENTY-NINE: "Reconciliation." (Continued again.)
"That would be nice. Thank you!", Buttercup said. "But first we should see what the Postal Guild has to say. We can always use your offer as an alternate plan!"
"A wise course of action, your highness!", Four-Seventeen said, and we all nodded.
"So, now that business is over for now, would you care to join us, Four-Seventeen?", I offered as he took to my shoulder. "We are just dying to hear what you have named your bood!"
"Well, the Postal Guild has grown so much in number, we are beginning to designate ourselves in the thousands!...", the Postal Bird began.
He went on to tell us of all the important messages they had to deliver over the years, and all the dangerous situations they found themselves in. Nearly an hour later, the hoarse Postal Bird bid his adeau and flew off, back to the Post Office by the base of the pyramid of Teeklan. After he left we watched as the Mammoth children pranced and played with our own children, little Hamilton finding Buorrow for another ride!
many of the adult Mammoths were seen frequenting the river's edge for dips or drinks, our Mosasaur neighbors eyeing the activity from thier side with shining eyes. After watching this, we began trading jokes with our elephantine guests; but they met our jokes with much trepidation. I guess most herbivores do not understand carnivore humor!
We were having such a grand time with our friends from the mountains we never noticed the light had disappeared from the sky. At long last Buttercup rose to her feet and began calling her herd to attention. She said something in Mongolian, and the monks and thier families quickly and expertly started dismantling thier Yurts and Gurs, stowing all thier gear into the carts and Dogons and sledges. Thundertail was at a loss at all this activity, and begged that she tell what was wrong. Had we offended them somehow?
"Of course you did not!", Buttercup replied. "You are perfect and most gratious hosts.", she paused so Sia Kinnerman began putting her halter harness on her. "It's just that it is a lot easier and cooler if we travel by night.", she made a tusky smile.
"Ooh! I thought we goofed somehow!", thundertail stammered.
"Nonsense!", she chuffed. "You were exceptional!", she embraced his snout with her trunk."Never have we had better allies and partners - friends forever!", sha gave him a lick, and he would have blushed if he could!
"Dad? Did you know the Mammoths are leaving?", Rex asked suddenly, startling them both.
"I know, son.", Thundertail said as they both suddenly disengaged. "It is better for them if they travel by night. Miss Buttercup says it's cooler that way."
"Oh, ok. I'll go help them pack.", Rex said. "See you later, matriarch Buttercup!"
"Same here, child!", Buttercup called after him. "Such a sweet yearling!...", then she looked at him, whispering. "You are doing a wonderful job here. This i will tell the high council when we meet.", she blinked as she looked him straight in the eye. "Remember this, king Thundertail: What ever goes on in your realm, you will always have our total support."
"Thank you, my matriarch...", Thundertail whispered back as she turned to oversee her herd.
The whole clansite soon became a controlled whirlwind of activity as we helped our neighbors and friends from tentpole of the Sky prepare themselves for thier long journey home. It was so busy that we had to say our good byes as we went along.ittle hamilton said his byebyes to Buorrow, and cried long after the Mammoth's mom collected him. The Kirkys sang many farewell songs done in Barbershop Quartet style as some of the monks passed out Hindu literature as well as word of how Tentpole of the Sky worked. A place of peace and contemplation, where religons of every kind were welcome and observed.
Fairly soon all the carts, sledges and Dogons were packed and hitched up to thefurry bohemoths. Thier carts were stuffed with food for the trip and trinkets many of us gave as gifts to them and many skins of river water was loaded, for it was going to be a thirsty trip home for them. When all this was done, we all stood before our friends and looked fondly upon them for the longest time. It was then when Thundertail next spoke.
"Have a safe and pleasant journey back to your home, friends from Tentpole of the Sky!", he called. "Your friendship will be treasured forever!"
"Farewell, denizens of clan Thundertail!, Buttercup trumpeted back. "May your realm see nothing but prosperity!"
The two groups shouted thier mutual farewells nearly all at once; and at a wink from Buttercup, both she and Thundertail roared and trumpeted in unison. They held that note as first the Mammoths joined in, and then the rest of the carnivores; and lastly, we humans added to the chorous! it was a primal cry of unity between species; and for the life of us, we had no idea why we did it!
Once the air from this yell subsided, both parties bowed, waved or gestured in silent goodbyes. then without any further fanfare, the entire herd of Mammoths turned for the path that would eventually lead them home...
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Post by thundertail on Oct 14, 2007 14:37:21 GMT -5
THIRTY: "Reprive."
It turned out that there was another matter of business that we had been ignoring lately. that was our committment to deliver supplies on a monthly basis to Torres LaSage and her band of cutthroats. It turned out we were a few days late with that task too; so the morning after the Mammoths returned to thier home in Tentpole of the Sky, we hurriedly prepared a cart and prepared to go to king Adolpho's castle on the Crackshell coast.
LaSage would no doubt be angry at us being late, so I volunteered to take the load there to prevent any suprises. I recruited the usual contingency of Veloceraptor guards, and I asked Bross and Leeter Dilophosaurs to help by pulling the cart; and deathflower seemed to be in a less than cheery mood, so I asked her too. I wondered what was bothering her all of a sudden!
As I drove the cart down the all too familiar path towards LaSage's castle hideout on the Crackshell coast, Deathflower grumbled at every misstep and obstacvle in our course. From the whispered grumblings between Leeter and Bross, I gathered that something was w definitely wrong with her; and it wasn't just the gastronomic distress so common among the clan members lately. Slimepool, who was the Veloceraptor guard that took thepoint at the moment, looked worriedly at her for a moment until she scowled at him; and he quickly backed away into his ranks. Finally, I could not styand her demeanor any more, and whistled to get her attention.
"So, what's eating you?", I asked, but she didn't answer for the longest time. "Upset stomach?"
"Yes.", she said simply, but her eyes told me more.
"You been taking Longevus, like Ursula perscribed?", I gave her a sidelong stare.
"It's not doing its' job.", she said.
"Then don't eat so many veggies!", I smiled, but she didn't return it.
"Hmmmph!", she grunted.
"Ok...", I breathed, then spoke so everyone could hear. "We're very close now. Everyone, look sharp!"
"I should not be here...", Deathflower mumbled after a moment, but I heard her.
"Why is that?", I asked. "You nervous?"
"NO!", she nearly roared, then lowered her head slightly. "I mean, it's something else."
"Then what IS it, for crying out loud!", I asked softly. "You can tell us, we're family! We'll understand, right fellas?", they all nodded.
"The thing is...", she hung her head lower. "The thing is I'm late...", she closed her eyes.
"What do you mean?", I asked.
Leeter's eyes lit up after a moment and he said: "I think I know.", he said. "My mate was like this before she had our last egg."
"You mean your pregnant?!", I asked and she nodded. "That's wonderful, girl!", all of us wished her congratulations.
"Grond doesn't even know...", Deathflower said. "I knew when my time did not come. I didn't want it to effect my work, so I kept it secret. I hate keeping secrets, and that makes me testy!"
"Yes. Well, see...", I explained. "I chose you for this task because you were so cranky. LaSage might do something unpredictable, and we need someone fierce like that. I had no idea..."
"It's ok.", Deathflower said. "The time won't come for many months yet. I will do this task in the mean time. LaSage better not try any tricks, let me tell you!", she smiled evilly!
"That's a girl!", I said, then whisered: "Mommy!..."
She chuckled at this comment, and we all joined in as we at last made it to the scrub littered clearing that surrounded LaSage's hideout, As usual, the veloceraptor guards crept out and surrounded the area, keeping to the rocks and bushes for cover as we continued on to the main entrance. Bross and Leeter pulled the cart down the path as the casstle turrets came into view.
What told us that there was something wrong with this picture was hoe the main doors stood wide open, and LaSage's men were just inside, yelling, and capering with each other and armed to the teeth! the Veloceraptors saw this and snuck around closer in case there was trouble. What ever LaSage had planned, it was evident that we caught her right in the middle of it!As soon as our wagon came into view, the men halted thier jostling, name calling and bragging and let out mean sounding human roars. They immediately brandished thier weapons and advanced on the entrance, keeping well out of reach of the carniverous monsters beyond.
Soon an all too familiar figure in a ragged haedband and long hair stepped out among them and began swatting them back, calling them unspeakable names and shoving them before coming to the front of the group to view our group. A couple of thosde huligans broke from the rest and scampered off somewhere before Quint spoke.
"What do YOU want?", he barked. "Can't you see we're busy?"
"We're here with your supplies!", I yelled from the cart. "Sorry we're late...", I looked around. "Is LaSage here?"
"Move it, oaf!", LaSage presentlly appeared, elbowing Quint out of the way. She stepped out three paces and halted for all the carnivores. " Ah!... Stinger!... As I live and breathe!...", she looked. "And I see you brought company..."
"Yeah, sorry we're a little late with your supplies.", I said. "A few things came up all of a sudden. Hope you're not too angry!"
"Actually, you caught us in the middle of something; but supplies are always good!", she said as I approached her. "You were late, so we were thinking on taking it out on your hides. Good thing you came! Now we can do it right here!", she pulled out a sword and swung it at me! Klamath caught the swing, and forced her to sheath the weapon.
"Oh, you wouldn't want to do that!...", I said as I took her hand.
Instead of retaliating, I took her hand as if to kiss it; but instead I grasped the ruby ring on her middle finger with my teeth and slipped it off her finger. The look of shock and anger all at once nearly made me smile as I held a finger up to stifle any comment she may have had. I reached under my armor, ring still in my teeth:and brought out a tiny leather bag, then fumbled with the knotted opening for a second.
I pulled out a ring, silver with a shiny glowing stone; and it was fashioned like a clenched saurian fist. It was not the Sunstone ring Ursula used for her crystal ball routine; but onr we found in Kinan Van, in an old jeweler's shop down there. I grasped her hand again and slipped this ring on her vacant finger. I put the ruby ring in the leather pouch, and smiled as I nearly pocketed it; then handed that to her as well. The combined looks on her face was more than worth the trouble of my theatrics!
"...But maybe you'd like this!", I finished.
"What's this for?", she asked, looking at the glowing thing on her hand. "Trying to bribe me?!"
"No. I just thought you might like it.", I said. "Call it a birthday present!"
"It ain't my birthday!", she said.
"Well, I didn't know when it was!", I told her. "I might be early or I might be late; but there's your gift never the less!"
"How nice!...", LaSage said in mock appreciation. "Say fellas! Nobody told me it was my birthday! Where's my presents?!"
"We didn't know either.", Quint said.
"Shut up!", she stomped and he backed away. "Idiots!", she whispered to me.
"You get what you pay for...", I whispered back, then changed the subject, speaking louder. "Yeah, that ring there is made of Sunstone. I thought it could be useful to you."
"How?", LaSage asked.
"Well, you hate scalys, as you call them.", I told her, and she nodded. "All you do is hold it high. It will glow brighter and they'll run away!"
"Again: how thoughtful!", she repeated. "WELL?! Are you slugs gonna unpack the cart, or what?", when none of her men responded, she stormed over and began stripping weapons from them and kicking them into action. "MOVE it, idiots!"
"Yeah, we had a lot going on recently...", I told her conversationally as she returned to my side. I watched the comedy unfold before us as her men began unloading the cart, dodging growls and snaps from Deathflower, Bross and Leeter! "That was why we're a few days late."
"Like what?", she asked.
"Well, we were formally summoned by the high council. We had to go to Waterfall City and account for ourselves.", I said. "They had a lot to tell us, and we had a lot to tell them."
"Such as?", LaSage was really interested now!
"Well, for one, we petitioned that we become our own nation.", I said. "They didn't really like that, but they are going to let us."
"So, now you legally OWN the Rainy Basin!", her eyes twinkled. "You can do anything you want there, and there's nothing they can do about it!"
"Pretty much...", I said. They still want to have a hand in things; but we're still working on things. You see, we want to maintain good relations with them, too.", I looked back at a small arguement between one of her men and a Veloceraptor handing hjim a crate. "We agreed to do them a few favors; and one of them was that we make a new Postal Bird aerie where we live."
"Tell them anything about us?", she asked.
"Oh, we told them about our little arrangement all right; and gave them their copy of the treaty.", I told her. "They commend us both for reaching an agreement. They might even do likewise with you, too!"
"They wouldn't dare do it like you did!", LaSage said, primping. "They're too nicey-nice!"
"Aw, they're just easy going!", I said. "So, how you guys been doing? Do any marauding and mayhem lately?"
"Oh,... you know! Same old, same old!", she chuckled and drew me away from the cart a way. "Say Stinger. You know, with my brains and your brawn, we could really go places! What do you say we make a different contract. We could really take over Dinotopia big-time!"
"Oh, get real, LaSage!", I turned to her. "I'm sure you know that wouldn't work out!
"Why do you say that?", she returned. "You and I both know we both have the same ambitions around here. The only trouble is I'm doing it the right way and you're doing it the wrong way!
"Why do YOU say that?", I countered. "You want to rule the island by tyranny, and that would certainly destroy everything you're trying to achieve. I'm using justice, which will preserve everything for everyone for many generations to come."
"How noble! But let's just hope you learn your lesson before it's too late!", LaSage looked sternly at me. "Noble people are weak people! Soon you'll begin to realize there ARE no real friends here, and nobody is loyal to anybody else but themselves!", she turned away. "Of course, you being a newcomer here, you don't know this!"
"You're crazy, LaSage!", I yelled, dismayed at what she said, but not suprised. "You've been here all your life, and still you don't know how things are done around here! You think everyone owes you a living, and you think you don't have to work to get what you want out of life! I used to think that, when I talk to you, I'm talking to an equal - an adult!", my eyes flared, really wishing I could get back to the cart and get out of there, but she made me too mad, so I continued! "But I was all wrong! All I''m talking to is a spoiled little child! A brat that can't handle a lick of responsability for her life!", I trudged back to the cart with her on my heels.
"You know, Stinger.", LaSage said to my back as I walked. "I don't think you are very much like me at all! You'll never make it big on Dinotopia at all! Want to know why? You surround yourself with losers and bleeding hearts!", she looked at the cart. "Now unload those supplies and get the heck out of here!", she turned away, then turned back and spat. "Before I send my boys after you!!"
"That's the best idea you had all day, LaSage!", I reached the cart.
The Veloceraptor guards leapt out of hiding and drew close to the cart, one shoving a pirate aside and another Veloceraptor pushing another pirate off the cart as they boarded it. The last two crates of supplies they tossed out in thier general direction as I roughly led Bross and Leeter into a U-turn. I whistled for deathflower to stop harassing the pirates and come along with us; and she gave them a final roar which sent them all scurrying back into the castle before she did so.
I was eyeing Lasage with acid the whole time, and I saw she was doing the same to me as well. We left the area under a full saurian gallop, leaving the castle for the last time - we hoped. We were well out of sight before they dared open the castle door again; and several pirates were told to retrieve the crates of supplies outside. Quint stepped out to shout his instructions to him, and LaSage came out to stand at his side.
"You know, I really hate that man!", she said to no one, looking down the path. "He'll have his day!"
"But what can we possibly do?", Quint asked. "We can do nothing when he has all those scalys on his side!"
"Oh, I think I can think of something!", LaSage smiled.
"What do you have in mind?", asked Quint.
"Stinger claims to be an honorable man, right?", she told him; but when no reply came, she prompted. "AND?"
"And what?", Quint asked.
"And we will come up with a plan to discredit his honor, that's what!", She said with clenched teeth. "We got to soil his honor somehow! Get it, dope?"
"Yes, but how do we do that?", asked Quint again.
"First we wait for the perfect opportunity...", she looked away, smiling. "I'm sure the average Dinotopian would believe anything we tell them! Let's get started thinking up some juicy tidbits!", she drew him back into the castle.
Many miles later, i still hadn't calmed down enough to speak. I was so angry at Lasage that even deathflower tried to cheer me up by making silly Tyranosaur faces as she capered by the cart! I remained silent, not really wishing to show how much LaSage ahd ticked me off.
We all traveled in silence allthe way home; but through the silence i began to see a terrible flaw in the way we run things in clan Thundertail. If all of us are so wrapped up in just one aspect of our society, then the other things that make it up would suffer. this little affair with Lasage was proof of that! We needed a way to delegate seperate jobs in seperate departments; but I was still too mad to think this idea all the way through.
We were greeted with the usual fanfare as we entered the boomerang shaped clearing that was our clansite; then we presently went to unhitch Bross and Leeter and let them go thier seperate ways. Rex knew there was something wrong with me the moment he greeted me, and Thundertail found out when it was his turn.
Neither of them voiced thier concern as we walked and I made my report of how my visit to Lasage's castlewent; but they showed great concern as they heard what went on, more so from the sound of my voice. When Deathflower confirmed many of the events there, they knew that LaSage had upset me more than I would admit to them; but i hid from them that this wasn't the only reason why I was upset!
Later on that day I requested a meeting in the bowels of Halcyon, in the ampetheatre where I had found Klamath. Thundertail eventually granted it, and soon many of the clan began to congregate down there. By then ihad finally figured out what I was going to say, but many could not guess why they were there.
"Well, stinger...", Thundertail said as soon as order was achieved in the subterranean hall. "You called this meeting. What's on your mind?"
"My friends, sorry for calling this meeting on such short notice.", i said. "But there is a matter that I have just discovered, and it could seriousely effect the way our growing civilization is run."
During this time Flit was doing a complete routine diagnostic on Klamath, checking his systems and repairing any tiny malfunction found. That was why i stood there in regular clothes, feeling naked not wearing him! Flit tisked and whirred at his task in the corner, and I was at the podium doing the human equivelant as I stood looking out on all my peers.
"As you may have noticed, we were late in the delivery of supplies going to Tentpole of the Sky. As a result, they had to travel all the way here to collect it. Though it was true that they didn't mind coming here, save for the heat that they were not really used to; but they needn't have gone through the trouble if we weren't so preoccupied with matters of other kinds."< I went on. "The same thing happened with our committment with Torres LaSage. because we were late, they were about to invade the Rainy Basin and cause havock all over again!", I saw the concern on the faces of everyone present, so i continued. "The problem I see is that we get so caught up in only one aspect of our society that our previous committments suffer."
"We see that,Stinger.", Thundertail said, and nearly all the rest nodded. "What do you think should be done?"
"I think it would be wise if we set aside departments specifically tailored for one task or another.", I told them. "Ones for the negotiations with the high council, for example. Ones for the delivery of goods to LaSage and tentpole of the Sky. Ones for the Archaeological aspects of our restoration, and many other tasks."
"That would go well with our diplomatic endeavors.", grond put in as quite a few voices of agreement were also heard in the ampetheatre. "But would this work with the more mundane aspects of our society?"
"Yes, I think it would work in those areas as well.", I told them. "It would work for our hunting parties all the way down to Copro collection. We should appoint supervisers for each department, and assign these jobs on a more permanent basis. Many governments on the outside world has this kind of infastructure, and I'm sure the Dinotopian government uses this method as well. "
"This would mean completely restructuring the way our society is run.", Thundertail commented. "Do you really think we should do this?"
"Well, my king. You have the final say in this, of course.", I said. "But this society is becoming too complex to run it the way we've been doing. We have a lot more responsabiklities now, and that will only increase. we need a more organized way of running this society. It may sound complicated, but it will make every other thing run more smoothly. Many governments use this method around the world, and it is well known that it woerks!"
"Very well, then.", Thundertail said after many moments' thought. "We will do this; but to be fair, we'll put it to a vote.", he looked to the group before the dias. "Opposed?", only a handful voted this way. "Approved?", nearly all the rest voted this way, the children did not vote at all.
"Does this mean I have to pull the Copro cart all the time?", Pincushion, who votes yes, blurted out; and sent the chamber awash in laughter!
"No...!", Thundertail chuckled. "That might not be so! However, there will be the matter of deciding who gets what. I suggest we discuss this at this time. Stinger, it was your suggestion. Do you have any ideas on these assignments?"
"Well, for one thing. Since you are the king, you should oversee all aspects of the government.", i said. "All species leaders should remain species leaders. All those who are on diplomatic assignments should continue with them until they are concluded.", I told them. "The Kriegers should continue working with Tentpole of the Sky, for example. King thundertail and company are working with the Pterasnodons, and that should ciontinue too. My group, working with the high council should also keep doing that as well."
"Sound policies.", grond commented as deathflower came to his side.
"And what of Lasage?", rex asked.
"She is a tricky one, I'll admit.", I told him. "But she will have to be appeased as well. Perhaps i or someone else could handle procurement of supplies to her."
"And what of the other jobs, lad?", MacDougal asked. Flit was finished with Klamath, and was now at his side.
"Well, I think we should all get the jobs we're best at.", I said. "You're good at fixing things, and you make that hooch and you make medicine for the healers. Perhaps you should stick with those things. Work with Flit in the World Beneath, coraborate with Ursula on the medicines and such. We will soon be opening trade with the rest of Dinotopia, and the hooch could be made for trade and things."
"And speakin' of healers.", Ursula put in atop Pincushion's head. "I'm getting on in years, see; and i may need apprentices to carry on the traditions. Selma knows all i know, but the place needs more than one healer."
"That's a good idea.", I said. "Maybe you could recruit a few of us as apprentices and teach them the healing arts."
"I know one right off!", Ursula cackled. "Wen was real helpful after Thundertail's diplomatic mission! Plus i been teachin' her all my fortune telling tricks!", she got chuckles.
"I'm nothing, really!", Wen commented.
The meeting went on like this for just under two hours, discussing back and forth as to who was better qualifyed for each specific job. all of us contributed suggestions as whitetail took notes on all the goings on of the meeting. To make it official, whitetail was appointed clan secretary along with her other matriarchal duties. She would be in charge with the initial assignment of duties of all departments, officiate at all nonconflicting negotiations and organize any other special clan event.
Her mate, Mosquito, would be assigned to lead the hunting party escorts, the camp guards and any other security assignments the clan might need. he assigned Ripper and Snapper to guard the delegates traveling to other lands and to head our honor guard. Snapdragon was assigned to co-lead the hunting parties, Slimepool was in charge of the camp guards and Pondscum was to co-lead the other security assignments. The rest of the Veloceraptors, both male and female, would be doled out to these security departments as seen fit; and trhis was over and above thier personal domestic duties.
Many others in the clan got comparable duties in things they were good at. The Sereno family was in charge of all agrocultural endeavors around camp, delegating the seperate chores among many of the clan members. There were four other human families recently enrolled in the clan, and they were all farmers; and the fifteen extra humans and thier seven saurian Partners would make a great workforce in that area.
The Kirkys had three major tasks around camp; and since they were already good at them anyway, there was no need to change thier sassignments. It was plain that the whole community benefitted from thier cleanup tasks, thier Archaeological skills and thier strange forms of entertainment!
Near the end of the meeting, and as all the clans' new assignments began to dwindle, the clan's attention once again turned to me; but it wasn't of my accord that they turned to me. Thundertail waslooking at me, deep in thought; and it wasn't until many moments before he looked at his clan and spoke on my behalf.
"So we have all decided what everyone is to do.", Thundertail rumbled. "There is only one personleft, and it is you, Fly with a Stinger!", he grinned with all his teeth. "What assignment shall we appoint you, stinger?"
"What ever you wish, I will do.", I said.
"Stinger, my most important human. You are good at making suggestions. Good suggestions that has helped this community in so many ways and so many times. What better task for you that for you to continue to do so?", Thundertail told me. "I say that you should be clan advisor, and privy to all aspects of my clan!"
"My king!", I said. "Does not Grond advise enough?"
"Stinger, it is often wise to have more than one advisor!", he grinned. "It is well to have more than one point of view so one may make as honest a decision as possible. You may be Grond's second, if you wish!"
"As you command, my king.", I said.
Not long after that the meeting began to break up, and many of the clan members gathered around thier new task leaders to see what thier specific jobs would be. As the day wore on, we made it out of the city of Halcyon and out to do our daily chores around camp. later on I was near the pyramid of Teeklan, showing my son the new hatchling Postal birds and leading him around as he continued to learn how to walk. About then Ursula came by in her tiny rickshaw, being pulled back home by Moe Kirky; and she suddenly shouted for him to stop. Little Hamilton reached out and grasped her in a hug before she could say what she stopped to say!
"Hi, sweetie!", she stroked the boy's hair, then looked at me. "Well, Stinger!", she winked with her bad eye. "Looks like you're practically the boss of the entire Rainy Basin!"
"I know!... Wow!", I said, then paused in thought. "Ursula, remember the time you told my fortune?"
"Now how could I remember that?", she said. "I can't remember the time of day, let alone way back then!"
"Well, you said that one day I'll have the power of Klamath in my hand, wielding the might of the Tyranosaurs.", I said, then recanted. "Or words to that effect."
"Now how in the world did you remember that?", Ursula asked.
"Well, I just wanted you to know...", I bent to hug her. "It came true!", I pulled away. "I swear you're a true psychic!"
"And you're a true psychotic!", she pushed me away. "Now leave me go!", she laughingly retreated to her rickshaw. "Move it, Moe!", they trundled out of sight.
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(Continued in the next post.)
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Post by thundertail on Oct 15, 2007 20:22:42 GMT -5
THIRTY: "Reprive." (Continued.)
So at length the day ended, and many of the clan members went home to different areas of the campsite for thier evening meals. Nearly everyone were talking about thier new assignments as they ate. it seemed obvious to everyone that pretty soon things were going to be run a lot differently around here!
As we all ate and talked, the Kirkys traveled around to each campfire, performing the new acts they were practicing at; and this was the only thing that brightened the spirits of the clan that night! Pretty soon the campfires went out one by one, and we all went to our beds and nests for the night.
In the morning things started out the way it normally does. Many of the clan members woke early to begin thier new assignments, but a few were still unsure of what to do since it was only thier first day at it. The morning did not continue to be normal, for pretty soon a darkness began to fall over the boomerang shaped clearing!
We all looked up and saw six batlike Pteranodons circling high above, in search of a place to land. Thundertail reminded us that thier leader, Strafewuing, said that they would return to continue negotiations as soon as thier 'stolen' eggs were hatched. We could think nothing other than those eggs had indeed hatch; and today was the day to resume negotiations with them. The only thing I could think was I had to remind myself that I had to accompany my king and tell Strafewing the truth about thier previous encounters!
As a few clan membersscurried out of the way to make room for these creatures to land, four of them swooped down and formed a small area on the ground for the other two to land in. Then the fifth one landed quickly followed by the sixth, who shambled over to stand directly in front of king Thundertail.
This one was Strafewing, and he had a large pine bough clamped in his beak. He bowed and placed the bough on the ground before the Tyranosaur. Talon indicated that this was a gesture of a paceful meeting, and the receiver was to grasp the bough and pull it to him. Thundertail did as indicated and looked up into the shining eyes of Strafewing.
"Greetings, noble hunters.", Strafewing crowed. "As I have said less than a month ago, I have returned to discuss a treaty with your clan."
"Welcome, esteemed flyer.", Thundertail returned. "You are most welcome in this clan."
"Thank you, king Thundertail. And much has happened since last we met!", Strafewing cackled.
"Too true! And I assume your eggs hatched satisfactorally...", said Thundertail.
"That they did! And I'm proud to announce that more survived than usually do!", he would have smiled if his beak would have let him! "Usually, less than two thirds survive. With this brood, only a small handful perished!"
"Perhaps it was the extra jostling of being stolen that helped!", Thundertail offered, which made the Pteranodon crow laughter.
"Maybe so, my friend! Maybe so!", he chortled some more, and so did Thundertail. "But there are other things that happened than just that."
"What else happened, my friend?", asked Thundertail.
"Well, we have been employing your philosophy of joining other species for the good of all.", Strafewing told him. "There is a local pack of veloceraptors living near Crevice aerie. We approached them a few days after you left, and made a small truce with them. They would help us hunt, flushing prey out into the open; and we would both share in the kills.", he smiled. "Both chief Floptail and I agree that our two hunts together so far were more successful than either species could achieve alone!"
"This is just wonderful, friend!", Thundertail congratulated.
"And we have you and your clan to thank for the wisdom!", Strafewing cooed as he looked at me at last. "And now I believe there is an introduction to be made. I don't think I've met this human!"
"Hello, sir.", I said, bowing as I stepped forward. "My name is Stinger."
"Greetings, human named Stinger.", Strafewing bowed as well. "My name is Strafewing, aerial ruler of the Rainy Basin.", he took a step back. "You wear skin like the other human!"
"They are the armor of Othgar, ancient devices of Dinotopian lore.", i said. "My king Thundertail has told me a lot about you and his negotiations with you."
"Yes, and his assistance in finding our stolen eggs was most helpful!", Strafewing said, not being able to notice the guilt on my face. "Without that, this negotiation would not have taken place!"
"Actually...", Thundertail almost whispered and wished he hadn't.
"What was that, noble king?", Strafewing heard!
"Strafewing, noble flyer...", I stepped in, choosing my words carefully. "Allow me to tell you a story. It's a story from long ago, a story about a battle won without a fight."
"Please go on.", the Pteranodon was confused.
"It is about a battle fought by the armor of Othgar; so i think it is best if he tells you himself.", I said as Klamath's mask formed over my face.
"More than nine hundred years ago,", Klamath began, eyes pulsing green with each syllable. "We were on a campaign, and had been bidden to take and hold a settlement of humans and thier saurian Partners. In this settlement there was cargo considered valuable to us. We dared not come and do battle lest the fragile cargo was destroyed; so we employed the assistance of a small band of rogue humans, and they attacked the settlement. We came in and dispatched these human raiders, ansd won the friendship of the people of the settlement. As a reward, we obtained the cargo we sought."
"That was a noble thing!", Strafewing said.
"You mss the point!", Klamath said. "The raiders' attack was a ruse, for we planned it that way.", he bowed his head. "We wanted no harm to come to any one, and all we wanted was the cargo. However, the ruse was discovered, and as a result our kind were branded as undesirable, and we lost face with the people of Dinotopia. This was the beginning that led to our downfall."
"I still don't understand.", the Pteranodon cawed, look of sympathy for Klamath in his eye. "What has this to do with us?"
"What itr means is we were the ones who really took your eggs.", Thundertail admitted at last, head bowed. "We are very sorry..."
"The Kirkys who stole your eggs are full clan members, and they were told to steal your eggs so we would help find them.", I said. "It was figured that you would be so grateful of thier recovery, you would gladly talk of a treaty. The other human, hearing this tale, used it to form a plan to this end."
"Yeah, boss! And if I was here at the time, I would have never let my kind participate!", Harold said at my feet, and we all looked at him. "Sorry everyone!... I am Harold Kirky, leader of the Kirkys", he shuffled. "And once again, I'm sorry my group had a hand in this! Honest!"
"After i heard of this, I strongly advised them that this could be a disaster. I also advised them it was prudent to right this injustice.", I said. "Once you found out, I knew you would be extremely angry!"
Noble flyer, once again we are extremely sorry...", Thundertail didn't have the courage to look the Pteranodon in the eye. "I should have never listened to that human..."
"Please! Do not fret, king Thundertail.", strafewing told the grieving Tyranosaur. "That human merely sought advantage from his devious plan; and I must say it worked to some degree!", he bent to meet Thundertail's gaze. "You know, there is a saying that goes something like this: 'Fair is an advantage to those who posess it.". Your human saw that this would possibly work, and he bested us!"
"But it was dishonest...", Thundertail said.
"Yes, but it taught us flyers a lesson.", Strafewing said. "It taught us the lesson that everyone needs help once in a while; and that pride in oneself can lead to disaster."
"And it teaches us that honesty is the best policy!", I said. "Right, my king?"
"Oh, absolutely!", Thundertail replied, and we all chuckled. "So, because we have done this haenous deed to you; ask of anything and it is yours."
"Perhaps just one thing.", Strafewing said.
"What is it?", Thundertail asked.
"NEVER do that again!", he said, then took a cheerier mood. "Now let's get back to business! What was your outline for our treaty?..."
"And perhaps later you won't mind having a little tour of our encampment.", I offered.
"We would be delighted, human!", Strafewing said, then turned to Thundertail to get down to some serious negotiation...
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(Continued in Empire of the Carnivores, part 2.)
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