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Post by thundertail on Jul 12, 2007 6:03:15 GMT -5
TWELVE: "Exploration."
With the memory of the Skybax rider still fresh in our minds, we continued to prepare for our excursion to halcyon. A worried Thundertail asked what that human meant by him saying that the high council would surely hear of our group. I told him that Mayday said that the high council was the main authority on Dinotopia, and they had a say in everything. He didn't like this one bit, but I told him that Mayday said that thier jurisdiction did not exactly include the Rainy Basin, as it was left for the carnivores. I was privately worried that we hadn't seen the last of that Skybax rider and his ilk!
With little more delay than that, we finished gathering our supplies and planned our journey. Practically the same group that went into the Incan-style pyramid had volunteered to go with us to Halcyon. The next day mayday, myself, Rex, Whitetail, three of her clan, Pincushion and Thistlesnarl set out for halcyon. We had with us everything we would need for a subterranean journey: torches, extra food and water and the like - and i also carried my Colt 45 for good measure along with the remaining thirty rounds of ammo. We headed south, and bagged us two adult Ankylosaurs along the way for lunch.
At the entrance to Halcyon, we lit our torches in the decaying courtyard and entered the overgrown portal beyond the knoll of rock. Down the spiraling staircase we went, the Tyranosaur yearlings fumbling with thier torches due to thier inadequate forelimbs. At the bottom they all wanted to split up for the size of the facility below, but i told them to stick together; that it was a big city, and was easy to get lost. I led them through the lanes and passageways thanks to Klamath's knowledge of the tlyout of the place. We went past many dwellings, where Mayday stopped to collect pottery urns and other useful things; like iron cookware or other utensils.
We reached the entrance to Klamath's ampetheatre many hours later, and I lit the braiser just inside the door. The group marveled at the sloping, golden place; but they gasped in mild horror at the mummifyed corpse of Sharptooth, who still guarded Klamath's throne. Klamath paused to stroke Sharptooth's putrefyed head and moved on the stand on the dias his throne was on.
"This is my place.", Klamath said through me. "Long have I waited for someone worthy to wear me; and through colonel Decker, I have found him! The amulet we seek is hiden here. Observe!"
Klamath moved us to his throne, examined the intricately carved skeletal patterns all over it for a moment, then turned to witness the others drawing near. The others halted at the base of the dias and watched as we walked around the back of the throne. We grasped the two hornlike projections at the corners as before, and the whole throne slif forward more than three feet. Our guests witnessed this event with much trepidation; but soon lost it as two of the Veloceraptors approached and looked down into the hole in the floor that was now exposed. I halted them with a hand gesture as I descended the ladder and into the darkened space beyond.
Klamath went directly to the iron box on the shelf inside and opened it. The amber amulet was there, still on top, undisturbed after all this time. I saw other small objects inside the box as well. jewels of priceless worth, Sunstones of various sixes, shapes, colors and purposes - and there were small devices in there too, of whose function I would have to ask Klamath about later. Klalamth closed the box quickly and put it under his arm before ascending the ladder once more.
"I have what we came here for.", Klamath told them. "My private armory has many weapons inside. If you wish, you can have all you want."
"Weapons enemies, even to owners.", Mayday quoted the Dinotopian rule.
"But in an area as dangerous as the Rainy Basin, it would prove prudent to arm oneself!", I told her before Klamath could. "Please indulge yourself in Klamath's generosity! He seems to feel that it is his contribution to the clan's survival..."
"Me no like this, but ok.", Mayday descended into the hole, and came up many moments later with a staff of unusual design. "This do. I good with sticks!"
"Ah! The staff of 'Thesa-Zule'!", Klamath stated. "The bladed end is invulnerable, so is the shaft - and the jeweled end shoots a beam that can collapse a building! You made an excellent choice! Allow me to show you how to use it one day."
"Thank you.", Mayday bowingly said.
"Go on, my tribe!", I said to the Veloceraptors seeing as how they marveled at Mayday's new weapon. "You may choose your own weapons too, if you wish!"
Whitetail and the rest scampered down the ladder and emerged many moments later after much grumbling as they chose thier weapons. Whitetail emerged with a sword of sorts - or rather the hilt of one. Klamath told her that it was the energy sword of 'Ax-Filnt', a blade that could cut through anything when activated. He showed her, and the blade glowed crimson in front of her sneering face!
Mosquito had chosen the spear of 'Ich-saza', whose tip vibrated at such a frequency that it was able to impale stone. Many of the other veloceraptors had chosen swords, tridents and bows of regular manufacture and made for conventional soldiers - taken by Klamath after ancient victories as spoils of war.
While the rest marveled among each other at these wonderful gifts that were given them, Klamath went over to the corpse of Sharptooth and felt around the dead creatures' neck for something. The rusted chain around the neck had sunken into the rarifyed flesh, and he had to work it loose; but once it was free, he undid the clasp and removed the chain. On this chain was a large amulet done in gold; and it was centered with five dimly glowing stones of various colors: blue, red, green, amber and the center one was white. As he grasped the amulet, the stones glowed more intensely.
"Rex, son of Thundertail, descendant of Stinktooth the great; I present you with a gift as well.", Klamath told the juvenile Tyranosaur, who stepped forward a bit. "This amulet is called 'Thak-Allon', protector of carnivores. This amulet was worn by my last Partner. Sharptooth yonder wore it when we made trips outside the Rainy Basin. It has magical powers that allows the wearer to go anywhere on Dinotopia unfettered by the painful effects of the Sunstones.", I smiled behind the mask, and Klamath let me use my own vioce. "It is yours. Use it well!", I placed the chain around Rex's neck as he bowed, and I rumpled his neck hide for good measure!
"What that do?", Mayday asked, and I paused to let Klamath explain.
"klamath says that it counteracts the Sunstones that ward off the carnivores.", I said. "It creates a field around the wearer that nullifys thier effect. Sunstones gives Tyranosaurs a tremendous headache, and that's why they stay away."
"Oh! me always thought they stay away because of treaty!", mayday said in her low, throaty way.
"For wild Tyranosaurs, I don't think treatys would concern them much.", Rex told her through me, for she only knew limited Tyranosaur so far. "Fences, Sunstones and other deterrents would!"
Whitetail hissed at me, and I saw her torch spuutering; and she was heading for the exit, the hilt of 'Ax-Falnt' in her other saurian hand. I saw it was time to go, and nodded for the others to follow the Velocerapto matriarch's lead. they slowly drew thier attention from thier new prizes and followed suit. I went to the head of the group and led the way into the darkened streets of downtown Halcyon - now reduced to a mere ghost town. I wondered how this place would look in its' heyday, and considered a possibility that the place could be restored to that glory. We made it out to the spiraling stairway less than an hour later.
On the surface we squinted at the late noontime sun, got our bearings and headed back to our clansite many miles to the north. On the way we downed two Parasolophus that converged on our trail - so much for lunch! We continued onward with our booty until we made it to within sight of the boomerang shaped clearing.
The roars of greeting we received were getting pretty routine by now, and we responded to them in kind as everyone meandered out to greet us properly. many marveled at the deep brown box i carried while some wondered at the new weapons everyone carried. Many more still marveled at the medallion that encircled Rex's neck!
"Fly With A Stinger, what wonders did you bring from halcyon?", Thundertail got through the crowd around us to ask. Then he saw what everyone was carrying! "What have we need of weapons?"
"My king, I bring the key needed to unlock the pyramid chambers.", I told him. "Klamath, in his generosity, has given us gifts from his horde of weapons and treasures. He thinks these things will be helpful to the clan."
"He has given my son a gift as well.", Thundertail squinted at the sheen coming from the multicolored stones that adorned Rex's medallion. "Klamath is generous indeed!"
"Klamath said it will allow me to travel outside the Rainy Basin without fear of pain.", Rex said. "It must be magical!"
"Thak-Allon protects carnivores from Sunstone exposure.", Klamath explained. "It uses the different frequencies the colored stones create to counteract the effects of the white Sunstones."
"Staff magical too.", Mayday told him, hefting it.
"Sword is too!", Whitetail said, holding the hilt so all could see.
"Some sword!", Thundertail chuckled. "It has no blade!"
"Ax-Falnt is a powerful weapon. Observe:", Klamath had me take the device from Whitetail's hands. Grasping it, I palmed a stud on the grip and a crimson beam shot out of it three feet long. I swung it around in an arc, then a figure eight pattern. The air buzzed with its' energy and the blade blurred around crazily. I shut it off and handed it back to Whitetail. "It can slice through anything!"
"My spear buzzes too!", Mosquito said.
"Ich-Saza can punch through any material.", Klamath hefted it and drove it deep into a rock by the river's edge. The rock glowed almost molten before shattering in two! "On prey it is invincible!"
"How you work staff?", mayday wanted to know.
"Thesa-Zule fires an energy pulse, much like my stunner weapon and my pusher weapon combined - only much more powerful. Observe:", Klamath took it, spun it around in an arc and clasped the middle protrusion with both hands. The nonbladed end had a yellowish jewel inset into the tip, and it glowed a sick orange before a thin yellow beam fired into a boulder across the river. The boulder fractured into a thousand pieces, showering that side of the river with rock debris! "I will train all of you on the use of your weapons later."
"And now, before you finish your tale,", Thundertail cut in just then. "Would you all join us in today's feast? The hunt was most successful today!"
All cheered at the news, and most of the clan sauntered off to the area where the kills were dragged. A few lingered by me and the rest of the explorers; namely Thundertail and most of the Veloceraptor pack. We went over as a group, commenting on the conventional weapons the others were displaying; and telling of how much better hunting would be with them.
Rex had paused as he showed off his medallion to Pincushion and Thistlesnarl, displaying how shiny the jewels were. Thistlesnarl mooned over the sparkling thing, and teasingly tried to coax it away from him! As I sat in the feeding area next to them, I told Pincushion and thistlesnarl that the medallion was a gift given to Rex by Klamath, and only he may have it. they were so adamant about having it that I promised them each a jewel from the metal box later if they were good!
While all this was going on, Mayday lit the fire, and many of the clan members began doling out the meat. Several Veloceraptors dragged branches for her to use in the fire, and sha began to boil tubers; which were the only plants besides certain fruits that Tyranosaurs could digest with minimal difficulty provided little enough was served. As the clan ate, we all swapped our stories and heard many tales. A lot of them I had heard already, but never seemed to tire of them!
All too soon the feast died down like the sparks emerging from the dying campfire. Most of the younger ones and those who had to be up early for tomorrow morning's hunt had retired for the night. Only the heartiest of us decided to stay up; and i ended up being the second to last that fell asleep that night, but neither I nor Klamath could get much sleep...
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Post by thundertail on Jul 12, 2007 20:47:54 GMT -5
THIRTEEN: "Zandra, armor of Othgar."
Klamath wouldn't even let me take him off that night, he was so excited, I guessed; and I didn't even blame him a bit! What ever lay beyond the doors under the Incan pyramid must have been extremely special to him, and he knew it. I was excited as well, for he sparked my curiosity about the place; and this made my night time slumber escape me for most of the night! I lay there in my makeshift cabin, arm over my forehead and ignoring the rather uncomfortable sensations lying around with Klamath on my body as the hours passed. I finally did get some sleep, but it was ragged at best and I tossed and turned all night.
Maybe that was why I heard the shuffling noises outside, which was punctuated by snufflings and scrapings that no creature in the clan would be making at this hour! I slowly lifted my head to make out the dimness coming from the half closed doorway; and Klamath complied as he woke to the noises too. I quietly rose and crept to the door, ever mindful of mayday sleeping on the other side of the cabin next to Whitetail and her brood in thier nest next to her. Rex had crawled in during the night, and he was sound asleep in the middle of the now cramped space.
The half moon illuminated the forest and clearing beyond with an eerie sheen as I scanned the area with my eyes. Klamath's mask formed around my face and i saw the area with the crystal clarity that his thermal optics could give me; but no sign of trouble presented itself. Soon I saw dim shapes move among the trees in the distance and slink into the gloomy clearing. these three creatures were a little bigger than me, yet substantially smaller than Tyranosaurs. thier wierd heads sported twin frills, and thier forward-swooped gaits betrayed thier extra stealthy abilities. They were in a clan of Tyranosaurs and knew it - and they dared not rouse anybody!
I crept out of the cabin, Klamath turning on his shields and rendering me invisible. They could no doubt smell me, but wouldn't know where the smell was coming from! I crept up on them as they went over to inspect the remainder of last night's kills; alternately feeding and keeping a lookout.
These were Dilophosaurs, or so klamath told me. They were nocturnal hunters, and not put off in the least on scavenging instead of hunting. I crept closer, using Klamath's speed and stealth; and soon I was within many yards of the beasts as they rent one of the leftover carcasses with extra wary caution.
Invisible, I stood and took a bead on the closest Dilophosaur with my stunner. When it raised its' head to look in my direction, I fired. It went down in a wet heap as the other two first looked, and then began to bolt for the woods! Two stunner blasts later and they lay there near thier fallen comrade.
"TO ARMS! TO ARMS!", I yelled at the top of Klamath's volume. "INTRUDERS ARE IN CAMP!"
This brought the closest clan members in less than a moment, followed by all the rest over only a span of three! The noise this disturbance made echoed throughout the clearing as well as the camp; and soon Thundertail was in our midst. rex spotted the three striped beasts on the ground, who were just now starting to come to, and snarled at them; and they groggily snarled back at him! Whitetail scurried around and coralled her babies behind the crowd as many of the others surrounded the Dilophosaurs by filling any avenue of escape left by thier larger friends.
"What goes on here, Fly With A Stinger?!", Thundertail roared. "Who are these interlopers?!"
"My king, I could not sleep; and then I heard noises in the clearing.", I explained. "I looked around and found these three feeding off our kills. I stunned them, then gave a distress call."
"I see! Excellent work!", Thundertail said as he eyed the three quivering carnivores, who were just now almost fully aware they had been captured! "I also see that we need not hunt this morning. Our prey has delivered themselves to us!"
"Is that what you would to us?", the larger male Dilophosaur spoke up just then. "We had heard that Tyranosaurs of this area were civilized!"
"Only partially so, but clan law still stands:", Thundertail glared at him. "Death to intruders!"
"We were intruders, and yet you didn't kill us.", I pointed out just to be fair; speaking for myself, Mayday and the Veloceraptors.
"That was because you have proven your worth many times over.", Thundertail told me, eyeing me to stand down, which I did immediately. "These creatures dare sneak in here and steal our hard-won kills!"
"Well, maybe they can show you thier worth as well.", I nearly mumbled.
"How so?", Thundertail asked, expecting an answer from either me or our captives.
"Klamath informs me that Dilophosaurs are night hunters.", I began. "They are stealthy and quick with an ambush. Perhaps as a service in repayment of letting them live, they could scout out kills for us at night and direct us to where they are in the morning."
"You would do this for your lives?", Thundertail asked these frilled creatures. "Speak!"
"Since you have caught us red-clawed, we have no choice but to do as you say in exchange for our lives.", stated the male. "I speak for my pack on this."
"More strangers?", Grond hissed softly as he came into the group. "Say it is not true, clan brother!"
"We have let creatures not of our kind into our clan before; and the results proved better than could be imagined.", Thundertail told him. "With these creatures scouting the hunting grounds at night, it would give us an added edge on our hunting. Would this no be true, Fly With A Stinger?"
"I believe so.", I told him.
"Father, should we really trust them?", Rex asked. "These guys give me the creeps!"
"True, they are rather strange looking.", Thundertail told him. "But all creatures have thier worth, no matter what they look like!"
"I think they look very interesting!", Thistlesnarl commented, and was promptly hushed by Deathflower.
"Well, anyway...", Thundertail broke in. "What are your names, if I may ask?"
"I am pack leader, Bross.", the male said as he rose, beckoning the other two to do likewise. "This is Chizpa, my mate.", she bowed. "This is Leeter, my second.", he bowed. "The rest of my pack are elsewhere, hunting other prey. They should be back at our camp by now."
"Then all I can say is well met - no matter the circumstances!", Thundertail approached them and bowed. "I'll see you are provided with quarters and food. If possible, the others in your tribe should be reunited with you. We need to locate them soon!"
"Never fear, my king!", Bross said. "If we are detained, the others will come looking for us! they will track us down, and should be here before a fortnight is past."
"Then I should say your new duty is to inform them of your new obligation when they get here.", Thundertail told him. "We shall welcome them as well! I would say that my clan is civilized as well as hospitable after all, eh?", Thundertail leaned into Bross and chuckled. "Welcome to the clan, carnivore brother!", he offered a two-fingered hand.
Thundertail led Bross over to the remains of yesterday's kills as Grond and Rex led Chizra and Leeter there as well. The whole clan watched as they ate the scraps that still clung to the carcasses - a little too closely for these generally solitary creatures' tastes!
I sauntered by to say hello, along with Mayday and the rest; and once both thier meals were completed and all the introductions were made, I got busy readying everything for the excursion back into the Incan pyramid - which was at the insistence of Klamath! By this time the Veloceraptor scouts left the clansite; for the sun was just about to rise, and soon the Tyranosaurs going on the hunt gathered around. All of them were groggy and irritable due to thier aborted slumber last night!
More delays barred our progress of exploring the Incan pyramid, and it ended up taking nearly a week to actually go there. The main reason was that the rest of Bross's pack showed up three days later; and the whole clan had to take the time to get these new members acclimated to this new way of life - which no doubt seemed strange to them. the new ones were named Striff, Leeter's mate, Goerlatch and his mate, Riven and Rellas, Bross and Chizpa's yearling son. Within a few days all seven Dilophosaurs began to get used to things as well as what they were supposed to do. They insisted to make thier own dwellings, but their skill in construction was nonexistent; and they ended up making crude mud huts down near the river in the trees. With all this done, only then was it considered prudent to go exploring the Incan pyramid!
As before, Rex wanted to come, and so did Mayday. Mosquito took four of his best tribemembers: Stinkweed, Treesap, Spiderweb and Rockslide. This was at Whitetail's insistence, of course; for she was beginning to gain rspect in her pack, and trusted in making leader's decisions. As a treat, we let Pincushion come along - he begged us so badly that we just had to! Truth was that he was to come along to guard Leeter because Thundertail wanted the Dilophosaurs to know what else we do besides hunting and tending camp.
We set out down the now familiar path once everyone was all set, and made it to the Incan pyramid by mid morning. We only paused a short spell to down a small bevy of Struthies that crossed our path. We dragged them to the foot of the pyramid and left them there for our lunch once we re-emerged. We lit the torches and went in as a group, going slowly this time because Klamath said there might be hyroglyphs on the walls that could provide more clues on what else might be here.
As Klamath translated, I told them what Klamath said. the walls told of tales of long ago: of the struggles of humans as they made Dinotopia thier home, harrowing battles between titans and thier bloody outcomes, thier struggles with the forces of nature and how they coped with them and the eventual peace they achieved through cooperation with the dinosaurs. As I told the stories carved in the walls for them, my group reveled in awe at all the things they were hearing - they were learning pieces of thier history that not even the library at Waterfall City contained - or so Mayday told us!
We traveled along the passageways until we came across the chamber where all the locked doors were located. This hallway was as it was when we left it, with a few exceptions. Since I had that box with me I had gotten from Halcyon that contained the amulet and all the other Sunstoines and other trinkets, the recepticles on all the doors were softly glowing in response to the presence of these things. each recepticle was glowing in thier own hue: red, blue, amber, green and white; and as everyone fanned out to inspect this, Klamath gave me a feeling of satisfaction - his hunch seemed right to him.
We set all the things aside we had been carrying and studied each door that we were next to. I took out the amber amulet and tried it on a door to my right that was glowing green, and that door refused to open when I placed the amulet onto the spot. Pincushion saw what I was doing and tried the blue sunstne I had given him into a recepticle glowing red, with the same results!
It wasn't until I tried my amber amulet in a recepticle that was glowing amber did the key work, and the door hissed open like it was airtight. As I pushed the heavy door open and peered inside, torch leading the way, it illuminated rows and rows of slabs against the walls; and on them were glyphs of a most primative script - looked like Sumerian or Cuneaform writing to me. That was when Klamath concluded that this was some kind of ancient library or a storehouse for ancient records.
Seeing what I had done, Pincushion took his blue Sunstone and tried it on a door glowing blue, and it opened for him as well. leeter peered inside unaided due to his advanced night vision, and told us the room contained many strange devices and parts of machinery; magical devices, he said. seeing how successful we were so far, I took many more colored sunstones out of the box and handed them to the others in our group. Soon a creature was at all the other doors with a sunstone that glowed with the color their doors were glowing. I joined in and placed the amber amulet on the amber glowing door exactly halfway down the chamber and to the left. I nodded, and everyone used thier Sunstones all at once.
Whitetail's green Sunstone opened her chamber, and she found it filled with large Sunstones in many shapes and colors; which were carved in many non-jewled configurations. These I later explained might go into recepticles that controlled machinery. The magical devices in Pincushion and Leeter's chamber held small devices, clockwork mechanisms and spare parts, like a workshop to repair small machinery. The red door Mayday had opened contained weapons both arcane and modern; and a futuristic forge of sorts that sat inert, dominating a corner of that space - an armorer's shop, I concluded. Spiderweb and Rockslide's green door revealed racks and racks of decaying scrolls, and on these scrolls were written Footprint language in a most ancient dialect. the least decayed scroll I looked at told of how Troodonts that had once occupied Halcyon so long ago - and these creatures seemed to follow the ways of Othgar!
The other chambers of similar color contained more of the same as the previous colored chamber of the same hue previousely explored; but the most amazing thing we found there lay in the last chamber I opened with my amber amulet. It lay on a bier in the center of the room, golden etchings covered the walls telling the deeds of this ancient warrior. As soon as the amber amulet entered the room, the room seemed to glow with a yellowish tinge. The eyes of the body on the bier began to glow, and from that I could see it wasn't a body at all! Had it been standing, it would have been taller than me; for this suit of armor was made for someone extremely tall indeed!
As I straed at this yellow and tan creation laying there, Klamath sent me a string of emotions I never knew he was capable of: absolute love and extreme passion! I was so overwhelmed by these emotions washing over me that I didn't notice the others in my group coming in and standing behind me. That was also the reason I didn't notice my feet moving toward the dias, ascending the steps to the side of it and laying a gauntletted hand on the cheek of the Miasaurus shaped mask.
"Oh, my beloved! At last I have found you after all these millennia!", Klamath used his own spakers. I was still too speechless! "My dearest Zandra! How I have longed to be with you again!"
"What going on?", Mayday nearly shouted, breaking us out of it slightly.
"Uh..., Klamath has found another suit of armor, like him.", I said. "And it seems to me that he knows her!"
"Her?", Rex asked. "How do you know that?"
"Never mind! Just give me your Sunstones - all of you! And get the box with the others - hurry! Klamath has a plan!", I didn't know this until it was out of my nouth!
Everyone quickly complied as i placed the amber amulet onto the slightly feminine chestplate where a slight recess was. The amber eyes of the Miasaurus mask, which up until now were inert, glowed softly as i heard a voice in my head: 'What's going on...', it asked weakly in a feminine tone.
"Remain calm.", Klamath told the suit before him. "I am Klamath, my love..."
Soon the eyes began to pulsate slightly, as if the suit were breathing. Mayday opened the box she had gone to retrieve, and I took out the largest white Sunstone in there. It was about the same size and shape of a chicken egg, and as I lifted it, the glare from its' intense shine was blinding everyone! Leeter, Pincushion and all the Veloceraptors screamed and hid from the blinding glare, mewling in pain. The only ones that weren't effected were mayday, myself and Rex; who wore the amulet of protection.
"Zandra, can you hear me?", Klamath said loudly to the armor. "Please answer me, my love!"
"I feel so weak...", came the voice of the suit lying there. The proximity of the Sunstone was helping! "Klamath, is that you?"
"It is me, beloved!", Klamath said as he opened the panel on her chest below the amber amulet. "You are weak. Your Sunstones are nearly dead! This will help...", He placed the white Sunstone into the cavity after removing the graphite-like husk of the former Sunstone in there. "There dear. Let this sunstone re-energize you!"
After many moments, her eyes stopped pulsating and began to glow steady with increasinbg intensity; then at last she spoke:
"I am Zandra, armor of Othgar!", Zandra's voice echoed in the rather cramped space. "For eons I have waited to be summoned; and the one who summoned me was none other than my former mate!", her head turned to Klamath. "Oh Klamath! How I have wanted to be with you!", then she noticed our group. "But who are these other creatures, and who is it that currently wears you?"
"Ma'am, I spoke. I introduced myself and who I was; then I went to introduced her to all present.
"But you must have had some great purpose in mind or else my services would not be needed.', Zandra addressed us all. "It could not have been out of simple curiosity!"
"No Ma'am.", I said. "Klamath wants to restore the ways of Othgar. y guess is he thinks the job could be done better with two suits of armor."
"He is correct, my love.", Klamath said, then his voice held a tinge of emotion. "When I saw you there, it brought me back to the time when we were alive!", Klamath looked into her eyes. "Our Ankylosaur herd was well favored by Othgar!"
"Indeed, my love!", Zandra chuckled. "So much so that he had our essences melded with these suits of armor!"
"It gave us all another chance to serve him before our herd was destroyed.", Klamath said somberly. "Curse the comet!"
"Wait!", Mayday broke in. "You mean you originally Ankylosaur?"
"Yes, child.", Zandra told her. "But to survive, we had to go with othgar and be embellished into his plan."
"As I needed so many months ago, Zandra needs a wearer.", Klamath said. "Mayday, do you wish to be her host?"
"Me don't know!, Mayday said uncertain. "Stinger suit scare me; and this suit scare me even more!"
"The glory to be had wearing me would outshine anything you could imagine!", Zandra told her. "You would be all but invincible!"
"Come on, Mayday... Please?..." I begged. "This obviousely means a lot to them. Why don't you give it a try?"
"Ohhh!...", Mayday posed in indecision. "Will it hurt?"
"Not too much.", I said, then added: "It's a little disorienting at first, but that only lasts a second or two. That's not too much of a problem. Right?"
"Ok...", Mayday said a full minute later. She drew forward and stood at the foot of the steps. "What I do?"
"Just go up these steps and wait for Zandra to poen up for you.", Klamath instructed as he led her up to Zandra's prone form.
The amber and tan armor began to split down the middle along each appendage. The Miasaurus helmet retracted back behind the collar, and that flattened out onto the stone slab it was laying on. A nervous mayday was instructed to lay into the armor as Klamath guided her limbs into thier proper recesses.
"Now wait until she closes up again...", Klamath nodded. "And that is it!"
The suit slowly complied as the armor reformed over her arms and legs. The chestpiece reformed; and the Misasurus mask scrolled back up into position, which obscured Mayday's extremely alarmed eyes! Zandra, the armor of Othgar, began to glow a soft yellow, then to a bright amber that approached an almost blinding intensity. Everyone staggered back except me, and then the armor dimmed to almost a normal hue. Zandra rose to a sitting position and turned toward the steps. Klamath led her to a standing position on the top of the steps, then led her down them to shakily stand on the stone floor before us.
"My love, I thought I had died!", Zandra said as she drew Klamath - and myself along with Mayday - in an armourous embrace. "It is so good to see you!"
"I would wait until time itself ran out for this moment!", Klamath redoubled the embrace.
For some strange reason, Mayday's voice was coming through the emotion of this moment, and spoke to me: "Stinger..., I so-o-o scares!", sha said desperately. "What I do?!"
"Just relax!", I told her through Klamath's intense emotions. "It has been a long time for them. Let's let them enjoy thier reunion."
"But I feel... I feel her love for him and his love for her!", Mayday's bewildered voice had a strange lilt. "It like i love you too, but I not sure...!"
"Same here...", I told her, voice strange as well. "You feel what the suit feels. It's the nature of the suit."
"But I not sure!", she said with extreme desparation. "Is love I feel because of Zandra, or do I really feel love for you?"
"Well, do you like me?", I asked with an impish grin. "I've liked you since you first showed up."
"Me too, I guess.", mayday was finally calming down a bit. "I stay first for duty to Dinotopia; but continue because you noble."
"Then why are you complaining for?!", I said and smiled, but she couldn't see due to Klamath's mask. "Just go along with it, and we'll talk more about this later, ok?"
"Yes... this kind of nice anyway!", Mayday said, smiling; but I couldn't see due to Zandra's mask. "One thing for sure: it nice of them to share!", Mayday redoubled the embrace.
Just then both masks retracted, and mayday smiled at me. then she drew my head in for an ardent kiss.
"You know, you no need be so noble.", mayday whispered when done. "You could have been more forward. I would have liked that!", she resumed the kiss.
"Always the last to know!", I said when she was done. "So, how do you like your new suit so far?", I asked as we drew away a bit.
Klamath and Zandra were finished about then too; and they turned as one to the rest of the group, armored hand in armored hand.
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(Continued in next thread.)
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Post by thundertail on Jul 13, 2007 20:23:35 GMT -5
THIRTEEN: "Zandra, armor of Othgar." (Continued.)
"It seem strange, but it seem Zandra made for me.", Mayday said. "I think we be good for each other."
"This is good to hear, Mayday.", Zandra said. "Because I will certainly serve you well."
"You look real special in there, Mayday.", Rex said, looking the armor over. "Now you look like Stinger!"
"And who is this strapping young theropod?", Zandra addressed Rex. "Such a stout dinosaur!", she seemed to giggle!
"Awww!", Rex shied away.
"And toy have a Thak-Allon, too!", she added. "Who gave it to you?"
"Klamath, ma'am.", Rex said. "Yeah, and when that big Sunstone showed up, I didn't feel a thing!"
"Sunstone hurt!", Treesap said.
"Give headache!", Rockslide said.
"I dive for cover!", Stinkweed said. "Too bright!"
"That nature of Sunstones.", Mayday said using Zandra's knowledge. "They make pain for carnivores, so they protect plant eaters."
"Too bad there aren't more amulets of protection around.", I commented. That way more than just Rexy is protected!"
"I know where more such amulets are hidden.", Zandra said. "I could lead you there if you wish. There is a passageway in this room that leads to a chamber that has many such devices."
"You know, we may need them at that.", I said, then Klamath took over. "They might be useful in negotiating with the other Dinotopians."
"What we got to lose?", Mayday put in.
"Very well.", zandra said. "Klamath my love; if you would...?", she pointed where he was to go.
She led them to the foot of the stone dias while she went to the foot of it. She indicated to him to press the flowerlike carvings at the corners. All of a sudden the whole dias slid to the far side of the room. The stione steps descended into the floor and a spiral staircase sank deeper into the depths below farther than our torches could reach. zandra stepped around this opening while Klamath did the same. As one they turned to face Rex and the rest.
"The chamber I told you of is many hundreds of strides down.", Zandra told them. "There are many Sunstones all along the way, so I suggest you unprotected carnivores remain here until we get back."
"I always liked it when she takes charge!", Klamath said out of the blue. I could not help but laugh!
Everyone joined me for a moment, and then Rex led the way down the wide stone spiral; which was only just safe enough for him to use without stumbling. As soon as the steps made two full turns around itself, the walls along the sides became emblazoned with brightly painted and gilt reliefs; which looked to me more like pictures or paintings than the hyroglyphs and cartuches present in the upper levels of the Incan temple. They depicted scenes from life long ago: humans and dinosaurs first erecting great stone monoliths and buildings of many cities. Then they changed into scenes of people and dinosaurs partaking in life together: play, war, work and other things of everyday life.
The stairs descended for what I thought to be about a tenth of a mile straight down before ending at an intersection of sorts. Rather, like the intersection of a city block; for this was really a large chamber with four gigantic buildings forming the intersection. These buildings sported many a portal, looming in darkness beyond our torchlight.
Here the way was lined with many glowing niches along the walls; and with our sunstone-laced suits of armor, they glowed more brightly as we passed. Wall carvings and statuary were everywhere, and I thought this was yet another section of Halcyon. But how could this section of Halcyon be here, which was many dozens of miles to the south of this location?
We traveled this avenue until the next block, then we turned left. The next block down took a steeper slope, and Rex looked around with growing confusion on his boxy face.
"Where are we?", Rex's voice echoed as he looked around at all the strange sights.
"We are nearing the passageway to the Strutter complex.", Zandra informed him. "Where the main technology of Dinotopia was created."
"Also where we were created.", Klamath said. "I remember this place now! A great library of pre-Dinotopian knowledge is near."
"Main library of Waterfall City should know of this!", Mayday said.
"But for now, let us continue our original mission.", Zandra told us all. "The Thak-Allon are close by."
"Yeah, and we shouldn't leave the others alone up there for too long.", I cut in. "They might get nervous!"
"There's so much stuff down here!", Rex said as we turned down another avenue. "My father has GOT to know about this!
"We'll tell him, kid!", I said as Zandra stopped at a building with a heavy iron and oak door.
Pulling the iron ring at the center, the door slowly opened with an ear-splitting shriek. The darkness inside was stifling, but as we entered, the Sunstones lining the ceiling of the space went on and glowed to an almost neon-white intensity. The stone benches and niches along the walls were piled high with intricate looking machinery, what I took to be golden jewelry and gems of unimaginable worth. Some of these jewels were carved into shapes of geometric design or of dinosaurs and other animals, and quite a lot of them glowed.
At a niche in the far wall of this chamber lay a large obsidianlike chest, much larger than the one obtained in the weapons cache under Klamath's throne in Halcyon; and Zandra went over to place her hand on its' top. The box sprung open in an instant, and multicolored glowing eminated from it. She reached in and removed an amulet on a chain made of gold; which was much the same design as the one around Rex's neck, and she lifted it up for all to see.
"These are the Thak-Allon.", Zandra told us. "There are fifty pair in here. That should be enough for many carnivores to travel outside the Rainy Basin. Yonder lay many still needing completion, and thier construction are fairly simple. The instructions on thier construction are recorded on the walls of this space; along with instructions to make many other devices."
"Right, but all we need now is amulets.", Mayday added.
"Yeah, we can come back later for anything else we need.", I said. "King Thundertail is definitely going to want to know about THIS place!"
"Can we leave soon?", Rex cut in. "I'm getting hungry."
"Sure thing, son.", I told him. "Let's go everyone."
Zandra and Mayday led the way back out, and soon we were climbing the spiraling stone stairs back up to her crypt. The four Veloceraptors, one Tyranosaur and one Dilophosaur were still there, exploring all the other chambers on this level and all the pretty things inside them. Rex called them all together, and told them what was found. To them it was just more of what they found up here, so they paid the tale little mind. Zandra called them up one by one and gave them each a Thak-Allon in the size and shape of their forms, for there were amulets of many sizes and strengths inside the box. Smaller carnivores got the small ones while larger carnivores got the larger ones. There were still many anulets left over, which would be handed out at Thundertail's disgression, Rex told them. So, without much further delay, they all prepared to leave Zandra's sanctorum.
Not much of note hapopened on the way out of the Incan pyramid. being the second time through the passageways for most of them, it was a snap! As they got back on the trail outside and headed down the path back to camp, a lone bull Triceratops crossed thier path, and naturally they gave chase. Zandra had the honor of downing the beast with her stunner weapon - her first victory in almost ten thousand years! After dinner they continued on thier way, and made it to the boomerang shaped clearing amid cheers of greeting!
It turned out there was a lot of things everyone wanted to know; and there was a lot of things we wanted to tell. Everyone was curious about this strange yellow armor that Mayday now wore; and zandra was glad to tell everyone about herself. The explorers of the Incan temple certainly had thier tales to tell, and everyone listened well into the night...
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Post by thundertail on Jul 14, 2007 15:18:27 GMT -5
FORTEEN: "Kirkys!"
That night was a most memorable evening indeed!
Rex, Leeter, Stinkweed, Treesap, Rockslide, Dirtpile mayday and myself all sat down to a feast; and since neither Klamath nor Zandra ate, they just enjoyed the company. It had seemed that the rest of the Triceratops herd had been brought down by the hunting party that day, for eight of them littered our feeding area. Our feast was disturbed many times by questions put to us about what we had discovered in the World beneath.
"So you see...", I continued, still chewing. "We went in and found rooms full of scrolls, strange devices and all sorts of other things from Dinotopia's past. I think there must be part of an ancient library down there too."
"So Protecting Petal,", Grond asked Mayday, who crouched at her side. "To what honors do you now wear the armor of Othgar?"
"Zandra needed wearer.", Mayday said simply, tossing a small bone away. "I only human female available!"
"I will serve her well, noble beast.", Zandra spoke for herself. "In my day, I was the protector of Dinotopian secrets. Now my new mission can be to protect carnivore childred!"
"Then you may gain lesson from Mayday!", Grond chuckled, giving Mayday a nuzzle. "Of that she is well experienced!"
"And so these amulets you have given us, Zandra.", Thundertail said. "To what function will they serve?"
"They will provide protection from the Sunstones in every town and outpost on Dinotopia.", Zandra told him, and Klamath added: "You would be able to travel anywhere on the island with impunity."
"Yes, and they could come in handy in other ways.", I put in.
"How so, Fly With A Stinger?", Thundertail inquired.
"Well, since the high council of Dinotopia would no doubt find out about us pretty soon, ", I began. "We could use them to go to thier council and petition for a treaty beneficial to us."
"But we already have a treaty!", Grond said.
"A treaty where you are imprisoned in the Rainy Basin!", I said. "One where you are not free to go where you please and do what you want!"
"Our only wants are to eat, rear our children and live out our lives; and that is about it.", Thundertail told me. "These wants can be achieved just as well here as any other place. The treaty we have now suffices both parties, and with it, peace prevails. It had been in effect for centuries, and works very well. It is a tried and true way to maintain peace and order; but what you suggest may very well disrupt all that!"
"Father, we don't have to negotiate a peace treaty if we don't want to.", Rex stepped in. "I think what Stinger means is now we have the option to do so if we feel the need."
"Was this your meaning?", Thundertail asked me.
"Yes, your honor.", I said, bowing where I sat. "It was merely a suggestion to demonstrate the usefullness of the Thak-Allon. It was never meant that we actually do it!"
"Then if this was your meaning, I will forgive your brashness if you would forgive mine!, Thundertail offered.
"Of course, my king!", I said.
"Besides, that might be a good idea for the future!", Thundertail thought out loud. "You never know when we may become sick of the current state of affairs!"
We all got a laugh out of that and went back to our feast. Along with all the trales we were telling, we heard the tales the hunters told of thier hunt today. Soon the sun escaped us, and we all considered it prudent to turn in for the night. It was my turn to lead the scouts in finding tomorrow's game! Soon Whitetail, joined me, Klamath, Mayday and Zandra with Whitetail's children, Ripper, Snapper and Whitenose in our little cabin and we all soon fell asleep.
Whitetail was frazzled enough for keeping track of her three children for the past few days, let alone participating in nearly every hunt along with every other duty she was asked to to. Even after all this, she still couldn't sleep. It seemed that little Ripper had come down with a little cold, and her worry of his condition cancelled out any chance for sleep tonight! She tossed and moaned, then finally got up and quietly left the cabin.
At this hour nobody was stirring, and nobody should have been - especially her! But she trapsed around the nearly dark clansite in a daze, looking this way and that and not knowing why she was doing this. As she milled around, she began hearing rustling sounds coming from the bushes by the river's edge. She instinctively crept over to investigate.
The bushes rustled again at her approach, and a squeak was heard, then disappeared entirely. Behind her she heard another rustling, and she turned quickly; but all she could see was a dim blur streaking off toward the trees. More minute squeaks to her left and right and more barely seen creatures scampered out of hiding and streaked by. Many more were seen skulking off toward the remains of the Triceratops kills. She rushed off after them and many more of the miniscule things crisscrossed her path!
That was IT!
She halted and let off with a Veloceraptor war cry, and soon every carnivore in camp was up and rushing around to see what was the matter! The reason was evident before Whitetail had a chance to explain, for everyone could see that there was hundreds of little dinosaurs infesting thier territory!
As Mayday and I bounded out into the fray, Klamath and Zandra began peppering the tiny beasts with stunner fire. Thundertail and Rex bounded out into the clearing to regain order, but the little monsters would not stopp scurrying around, and the clan chased them willy nilly all over the place!
The quick little carnivores fell one by one, and when enough of these chicken-sized creatures were corralled, the rest began to slow and raise thier saurian arms in surrender. One that acted like the leader of these tiny creatures stepped out of the fray and stood face to face with Thundertail.
"What's the big idea, bub?!", this one said in a miniature voice. "Here I am, trying to get my clan some grub; and here you guys are blasting the daylights out of them! What gives?"
"You DARE to ask me what I'm doing in MY territory?!", Thundertail roared in his face. The little creature was not impressed! "You are too little a creature to have such a big adititude!!"
"Look mack. We're hungry!", the little creature said. "You seem done with the Trikes, so let us have them."
"You want me to stun him?", I whispered to Thundertail, taking a bead on him.
"No. Don't waste your energy.", Thundertail whispered to me then looked down on the creature. "I'll kill the scrawny bugger myself!"
Just then another of the little creatures walked out of the captured group, skinny arms in the air; making her way toward the one before Thundertail. a sleepy Tyranosaur hatchling stumbled out from his mother's feet and bowled both of them over. The little creature got up and righted the hatchling.
"There you go big fella.", she scooted him on. "Go see mama!"
She at last made it to the first ones' side and lowered her arms. Then she hauled off and gave the first one a smack on the back of the head! "Got us in trouble again, eh Harold?"
"Aw! Put a vine in it, Mildred!", Harold said. "They're light sleepers, what can I say?"
"Uh, sirs.", Mildred took a step and said. "Please forgive my mate. He's a male, and you know how THEY are!", Harold glared.
"What are you doing here?", Thundertail asked in a somewhat calmer tone.
"We're hungry.", Mildred said. "We usually scavenge for food when there's nothing small to hunt. This bonehead thought it was going to be easy scavenging from you. We should've never done it. We're sorry, ok?"
"There's still the tresspassing.", Grond reminded.
"But they don't look too dangerous.", Deathflower said. "They didn't harm our children."
"We got kids of our own, sweetie.", Mildred explained.
"They're kind of cute!", Thistlesnarl commented.
"Yeah, but what do we do with them?", I asked, standing down a little myself.
By this time many of these interlopers were coming to. They slowly raised thier saurian hands as soon as they realized they were captured.
"Well, maybe if they can do us a service, we could be more lenient with them?", Rex suggested. "That is, if it's ok by you, dad."
"What can they do?", Thundertail asked the air. "Besides scavenging and being bothersome, that is?"
"Glad you asked, kind saurian!", Harold piped up. "We are a pack of Skartopus Kirkus..., Kirkys to you. we had an act, and ran a circus of sorts. The Dinotopian council banned such forms of entertainment, saying it was too suggestive and dangerous. We're very talented, and we used to be very famous. We could put on a show for you, and you'll be entertained beyond measure! If you spare our lives, we could entertain you with our group. Let me introduce you to the 'KIRKY CIRCUS'!!!"
"Oh brother!... Now I heard everything!", I said out loud.
"Mr too!", Thundertail whispered back.
"Anything to spare thier lives...!", Grond rolled his eyes.
"Well, I think it's a swell idea!", Rex said at last.
"Son, I was thinking more along the lines of what kind of WORK they can do around here.", Thundertail turned to his son. "Not that they should 'sing for thier supper'!"
"We can do that too, if you like.", Harold said. "If you let us stay a bit, we could..., oh, I don't know. Clean the place up and stuff like that. From the looks of the place, you don't exactly keep things tidy!"
"HAROLD!", Mildred warned. "Now don't go angering these folks further! It looks like they can each eat a dozen of us without a second thought!"
"Not to worry, ma'am.", Thundertail said, looking down on this chicken sized creature. "He is right. We DO tend to be messy creatures!", then in a whisper to her face. "Besides, you're so small it's not worth the effort to catch you!...", then so all could hear. "Anyway, this clan always gives others a second chance. So all is forgiven; and now let's see what you can do!"
"But first, my king.", I said. "Let's let them first do what they came here for. They must be really hungry by now!"
"Oh yes!", Thundertail said suddenly. "By all means, go ahead. We will discuss other arrangements in the morning. You can all bed down in the clearing, and we'll find better sleeping arrangements later."
"Gee chief!", Harold said. "You're all right for a Tyranosaur!", he scurried off with everyone else in his group to the Triceratops kills.
There must have been well over two hundred of them!
As most of the clan members dispersed for the rest of the night to comntinue the dreams they were in the middle of, I went with Whitetail and Mayday to our cabin. Little Ripper was in his mother's nest while his brother and sister lay in Mayday's bed. I tried to soothe whitetail's anxiety over her sick son, and volunteered she sleep in my bedroll for the night. She preened at the offer, but decided to tend her boy instead.
I went to her nest and cuddled beside it until morning, when I was roused by bross. We quietly left the cabin and went to the clearing, where the rest of the Veloceraptor scouts waited for us. I saw, off to one side, many knots of sleeping Kirkys; and Grond joked in my ear that we needn't hunt today, for there was plenty of game waiting to be hunted in our midst! Thundertail overheard us, and berated Grond for thinking such of guests, and reminded him that there was no hunting in the clansite.
After this Bross informed us there were many Hadrosaur to the north, very close to the edge of the Rainy Basin, just west of the outpost of Prosperine. The Veloceraptors told us that this was on the edge of thier old territory, and they knew the area well. Just then Harold and five of his Kirky cousins rose and came to to ask to join us in the hunt. Since they would have to pull thier own weight around here anyway, Thundertail gave them permission to come along and observe how our combined clans hunt.
At length Bross and two of his Dilophosaur cousins led us to the area in question as the sun had finally risen in the area. As advertized, the herd of Hadrosaur numbered in the multi-dozens! After a surrounding maneuver from every hunter present, we all converged on the herd in the swampy area they were situated in. The carnage was tremendous as many Hadrosaurs fell under carniverous claws. When everything was over, there were eighteen carcasses to be brought back to the clan. By the time the first load had been dragged to the camp, the hunting party was met with quite a sight indeed!
The clearing was full of small carts the size of children's wagons - the perfect size for Kirkys to use. All were decked out in festive array, brightly painted and having a gypsey-like feel to each. Many Kirkys were scurrying about, pushing or pulling carts and generally getting thier things in order; and trying to get thier massive campsite set up. The chaos was total as the hunting party saw many of thier clan helping these little creatures, and not really knowing what they were doing! The Veloceraptors, Tyranosaurs and Dilophosaurs were constantly being berated for doing something wrong; like putting up a tentpole in the wrong place or stepping on a tent under construction - and many other such mishaps. Rex was busy pulling one of the larger carts into the clearing, and Thundertail stopped him with a roar!
"Rex my son!",Thundertail called. "What in the name of the council of reason is going on here?!"
"Oh, hi father!", Rex said as soon as he stopped helping the Kirkys. "Just helping them get settled in."
"Where did all this come from?", Thundertail said as he looked at all this frenzied activity about him. "I thought it would be only them!"
"Hello sir.", Mildred said as she stopped in front of them abruptly. "Hope you don't mind us getting our stuff. We had it hidden about a mile west."
"But I thought Kirkys travel light...", Thundertail groused.
"Not the 'Kirky Circus'!", Mildred said. "We travel from place to place and entertain people. We need all this stuff to put on shows!"
"Nobody told me any of this!", Thundertail was quite a bit miffed! "Since there's nothing to be done about it now, I guess it's all right... But please don't set anything up here!", he looked around. "Could you set everything up down by the river, in the southern end of the clearing? Most of my clan lives over here, you know."
"Right away, boss!", Mildred scampered off, yelling instructions in thier own tongue. Many of her kin groaned at the news, and began pulling up stakes once again.
"Say boss...", Harold was suddenly at his side. "I didn't tell her she could tell them to bring our stuff."
"You should have told us you don't travel light!", Thundertail scolded. "But what's done is done. Here, let's finish bringing back the kills; and we'll talk about this later."
"Right, boss!", Harold saluted and once again put all his effort into the carcass he was helping to drag - which wasn't much considering his size!
By midmorning all the Hadrosaur carcasses were in the feeding area; and when the clan's hunger was sated, they all observed the Kirkys as they finished setting up thier camp. The miniature caravan-like wagons were clustered off to one corner of the clearing in a line, and small campfires wer lit around many. Around these carts sprouted many tents, which were about the size of a two man tent for creatures of my scale; but I noticed that large families of these little creatures could comfortably live in each.
One large wagon stood off to one side of the rest, painted in bright patterns and sporting an advertisement of the Kirky Circus in saurian footprint language. Inside this wagon Harold and Mildred called thier home. They were the ringmaster and ringmistress, after all! Another smaller wagon covered in wood had the word 'gypsy' written all over it; and inside was the most ancient looking dinosaur I had ever seen! her shawl and trinkets she was adorned with told me that her profession was a fortune teller.
I watched as the Kirkys bean to unroll the largest tent they had and prepared to set it up in front of the rest of thier camp. It was only the size of your standard army bivouack tent, but to the Kirkys, it was thier 'Big Top'!
Many more Kirkys had other jobs around the circus besides being roustabouts. Some began to practice juggling after thier work was done while others practiced on the trampoline, trapeese or other acrobatic stunt as were thier profession. Some began to paint thier faces in clownlike array and dress in outrageous costumes and feathery, flowery array. Many took out musical instruments and began tuning them before playing them; soon thier whole area was a sea of music of many tunes! Our hatchlings saw this preparation and wandered over by ones and groups. One of the kirkys - Wen, I think her name was - said that they were going to put on a parade of sorts to thank us for taking them in, and she scurried off juggling her clubs to announce this to the rest of our clan!
Trunks of costumes and paraphanalia littered the area around thier tents and wagons, waiting for use. Everywhere Kirkys were setting things up and sneaking in some practice while our clan milled about observing all this frantic activity. To say that the carnivore clan was busy before they arrived would be a gross understatement!
Soon it was the Kirky's turn to feed, and they went over to the hadrosaur carcasses in groups of no less than a dozen at a turn. The busiest ones, or those who couldn't traverse the distsance from thier Lilliputian camp to the feeding area, were also being served. Some of thier group would carve out small gobbets of meat, place them on leaves and run them over to thier comrades, and many of the veloceraptors spent the next few hours as waiters as they milled around thier much smaller cousins, tending to thier hunger.
I volunteered to bring over Harold and Mildred's dinners, along with that ancient looking fortune teller dinosaur's as well - certainly SHE wouldn't be able to make it all the way over there! I ambled over with three leaves of meat, weaving my way through the shin-high traffic of busy Kirkys at my feet. I made it to the large cart first and knocked on the bedtray-sized door at the rear of the cart.
"Well, well!", Harold said as he opened the door. "I heard there were humans in the clan; and they deliver takeout food too!", he turned his head to yell. "Hey Mildred! Come see who's visiting us! The guy who nearly shot me!"
"Well, you were annoying Thundertail.", I defended weakly.
"That's just my style, boss!", he smiled. "Are you coming or what?", he yelled into the doorway.
"Keep your tail still. I'm coming!", Mildred said as she came into view. "Ah! Mister Stinger! I heard all about you. To what do we owe this honor?"
"Just thought you guys might be hungry.", I said as I passed two of the three servings toward her.
"That we are!", harold said, eyeing the meat. "We were just planning what we were going to do around here. It's a lot of hungry work planning out a show!"
"How thoughtful!", Mildred said as she nudged Herold aside so she could accept the meat. "Such a sweet boy!"
"Well, around here we help each other.", I told them. "You're our guests, and we got to treat you proper!"
"Yeah, I'd ask you to step inside and stay a while, but you'd never get through the door!", Harold half offered.
"That's all right. I got to deliver this other food anyway.", I told them. "You know that old fortune teller lady over there? I was thinking to give her this.", I hefted the other leaf.
"Oh! Ursula is her name.", Mildred said. "She'll really appreciate that!"
"Yeah, she's almost seventy now, and can't get around like she used to.", Harold told me. "She usually just stays around her wagon all day. They say she's a genuine psychic; but I haven't really met her. Fortune tellers give me the creeps!"
"I'll tell her hello for you, then.", I said as I turned. "Bye now!"
I turned and left them to thier dinner, and walked down the narrow lane between thier other carts and tents that sported many of thier tiny children running about or inexpertly trying to practice the stunts thier parents did in thier acts. Past these, i saw the caravan wagon; and the door was open to reveal this really old specimen in a gold-laced red tunic and a miniature black fess on her head. she was dragging a round table from the doorway to her cart, trying to get it down the steps; but it tipped and spilled out of her scrawny hands - right into my waiting arms! I righted the quarter humansize table and looked up to see her glaring at me with one glazed eye.
"Can you put it in front of the steps, lad? That's a boy.", she croaked hoarsely. "That thing gets heavier every year!", she disapeared back inside the wagon, and came out moments later with a green silk tablecloth. "Since everyone around here is so big, I got to see 'em outside the rig!", then she gave me a bewildered look. "What are you doin' here? Scat!"
"Uh, miss Ursula?", I said as i put the meat-laden leaf onto the table. "We thought you might be hungry."
"That I am, lad; but GET THE FOOL THING OFF'N THE TABLE!!!", Ursula yelled. "You could corrupt the spirits or something!"
"Sorry.", I said, quickly picking it back up. "This is where you do your fortunne telling, I assume..."
"That it is, sonny!", Ursula gave me another queer look. "So, why are you here?"
"I brought you your dinner, like I said!", I repeated. I didn't know that dinosaurs got Altzheimers disease!
"No...! Not that!", Ursula said as I handed her the meal. "I mean why are you here instead of in Treetown or some other place where humans like to be?"
"Well, my jet crashed about a dozen miles south of here about a year ago and...", I began.
"You're a Dolphinback?!", she cut in. "Goodness! We hadn't had one of those since the Scott boys showed up!", then she gave me another queer look. "So, what were you saying?"
I repeated what I told her, then continued my tale up to the point where I found Klamath.
"You have the armor of Othgar?!", she broke in again. "Those things are bad luck!"
"He's been pretty good to me so far.", I said. Then I continued my tale. I made it up to the part where I found Rex, then to where I found Mayday and then to the point where we met up with Thundertail's clan. All without interruption until that point.
"So now you are a full clan member, and you do your best for them.", Ursula concluded. I sense in you a destiny that i can't quite place. If you would, could you please give me your hand?"
I complied, but Ursula tisked at my hand, which was incased in armored mesh. Seeing this i spoke to the suit: "Gauntlet please, Klamath."
"All right.", Klamath said, and the metallic webbing retreated into the foresleeve.
"It talks too? Amazing!" Ursula said as she grasped my hand. She examined it from wrist to fingernail, face just inches from it. Her clammy hands turned ice cold as she switched grips and turned my hand over. "Nice long, strong hands. You got a long life ahead of you...", she inspected further. "Your life will be unexpectedly rich..., OH! There's lots of stuff here!", she let my hand go and backed up. "Are you Partners with Rex?"
I nodded.
"Rex is the son of the clan leader.", she licked her rubbery lips. "Thundertail will soon be no more, and Rex will take his place. This means you will be second in command of thier clan."
"I kind of figured things like that might happen.", I said to her. "But I don't want to be very powerful in this clan. All I want to do is live here in peace. I am no more important than the least among us!"
"Never the less, these things will happen whether you want it to or not.", Ursula said. "I sense you already insight changes in the clan. Even though you go along with every edict the clan makes, you influence them by your suggestions.", she stared at me with her glazed eye. "They already do things they would not naturally do - and it is all because of you!"
"But I never actually made them do what I suggested!", I protested. "It is always the will of Thundertail that makes them do what they do in the first place!"
"You saved his son from certain death, did you not?", Ursula said softer this time. "If the situation were reversed, would you not do what he suggested?"
"I guess so...", I said.
"Then with the will of this clan at your side and the strength of Klamath in your hand, you will become greater that you can possibly imagine - and in ways you could hardly dream of!", Ursula clutched the edge of the table for emphasis. "Does your spirit have the fortitude to withstand such a position?"
_____
(Continued in the next segment.)
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Post by thundertail on Jul 15, 2007 12:31:34 GMT -5
FORTEEN: "Kirkys!" (Continued)
"I don't know...", I said, staring at the darkening sky a moment."You're the fortune teller. You tell me!"
"Well then, for this delicious meal, you deserve no less than my telling you!", Ursula turned to the meat and began to gum it down her throat, When she was done sha spoke again. "My answer is yes! You will definitely have the inner strength to withstand anything your destiny gives you. But be warned! It will be a monumental task indeed!"
She turned to her cart, then back to me. " Now, be a dear and help me with this chair...", she slowly climbed the caravan steps.
She came out a moment later dragging this throunelik chair made of wood carved in intricate patterns. I went over, lifted it for her and placed it on the ground beside the table.
"Have the chair face toward the east.", she called as she went back inside. "That's my best exposure!"
She came back out many moments later. She was carrying an orb that glowed slightly on a base made of obsidian. She set it down at the center of the tablecloth, of which I hadn't noticed until now had a golden pentagram of sorts woven into it. She sat and stared into the orb.
"That crystal ball. It's a Sunstone, right?", I said as I stared into it as well.
"They don't make 'em like that any more!", Ursula cackled as she stroked the ball. The glowing intensifyed at her touch, then dimmed as she drew her hand away. "Neat trick, huh?" she showed me a ring on her arthritic finger, which also glowed. "When two Sunstones are near, they draw energy from each other and make them glow brighter.", she cackled again. "Oldest trick on Dinotopia! Hee, hee!"
"My suit's made of Sunstones! Watch:", I passed my hands over the orb and it glowed for me as well. "Ooh! I'm magical!"
Ursula laughed, clearly enjoying the company as well as the mild entertainment. i was also having a good time with this acnient dinosaur, despite her decrepid looks!
While I was visiting her, many things were going on all over the camp. tyhe Kirkys had decided to put on a little show to thank thier hosts; and many of thier group were practicing thier acts in preparation. A small band struvck up to accompany a band of ball-juggling clowns, and the whole carnivore camp laugfhed and capered about with joy as they watched thier antics! Another group of clowns formed a pyramid tower with thier bodies, and everyone watched its' comical construction. Tyhe clowns all stuck out thier hands at the end of the performance, but one at the bottom stuck out a foot instead, and sent the whole group tumbling to the ground! As they righted themselves, the others berated and swatted at the errant clown as they scurried out of sight under a hail of applaud.
While all this was going on, a lone female Veloceraptor was seen among the circus tents. She was looking around franticly, among the tiny crowd, desperately seeking someone. She followed her nose through all of the strange smells of the Kirky camp. She continued to track a smell until she at last came to the caravan cart and found me!
"Stinger! Come quick!", Whitetail shrieked, breaking me out of my laughter to look at her with concern. "It's Ripper! he's gotten much worse! I think he now has a fever!"
"Oh God!", I said as I got up.
"Dearie, how long has he had this?", Ursula asked.
"About two days.", Whitetail told her. "He got sick to the stomach, then complained he was tired. I had him lay in the nest all day, and now he's burning up!"
"Sounds like some sort of flu.", Ursula said. "Well, don't worry, sweetie! Besides the fortune teller, I'm also the healer! I've seen this hundreds of times before, and I got just the thing to fix him up!", she quickly disappeared into her wagon. She came out a moment later with an extra shawl on and carrying a large sack. "Got my instruments and medicine! Let's go!"
Whitetail took off like a shot, and i ran after her. Ursula's smaller legs made her lag behind, so she gave off a shrill whistle.
"Hey! wait up!", she yelled. "I'm not as young as you, you know!"
"Here, see if this helps.", I said as I turned and returned to her. I offered my hands. "Here, climb on.", She got up and shakily nestled into my arms.
"You'll take me there, but who'll take me back?", she asked as I urned.
"I'll do it. Now let's hurry!", I said as i ran to catch up withy Whitetail; but i had to take it slow for all the smaller creatures milling about, Once in open ground, I turned to my little passenger and said; "Hang on!", then I had Klamath pour on more speed.
"Whee!!", Ursula shrieked, smiling. "You're sure a speedy one!"
"It's the suit...", I panted as i slowed for the trees ahead. I maneuvered to my cabin, entered with my passenger and set her down by the nest Ripper was in. Whitetail was already there, cradliung his little head while it lolled in fever. "Aw! Poor kid!", I crouched.
"It's the flu virus, all right!", Ursula said at a glance as she slung her bag on the floor. "Was he always that light a complexion?"
"No, he's usually a deeper green.", Whitetail informed her as Ursula took out a strange looking stethoscope.
Ursula tisked a few moments as she listened. "Hmmm... Got fluid in the lungs.", she moved the stethoscope. "Heart's a little irregular too.", she put the device away. "A Jinka and Beloma infusion should fix him right up! Can someone boil some water?"
"I'll do it.", Whitetail volunteered and left the cabin.
"dad. Me and Whitenose want to help too!", Snapper said for himself and his sister, who nodded vigerousely.
"Why don't you go see uncle Rex or aunty Mayday for a while.", I told them. "Better yet, why don't you go say hello to our new guests! that will help out a lot!"
"Well..., ok.", Snapper said. "Is Ripper gonna be ok?"
"He'll be fine!", Ursula told them as she gave them a look with her glassy eye, and thier moughs dropped! "Now shoo, like your papa said!"
"Yessum...", Whitenose said as both scurried out the door.
"Cute kids.", Ursula said as she began to measure out the right amounts of Jimka and Beloma. "But now it's time to fix up the other cute kid!"
"M..., mama?", Ripper was waking up.
"It's me, son.", I said as I got near. "This lady is going to make you all better. Isn't she nice for doing that?", he raised his head slightly.
"She look..., scary!", he passed out again.
"Got one sick boy there.", Ursula moaned. "Where's that hot water!"
"Here it is!", Whitetail rushed through the door with a steaming jug.
Ursula got busy getting a small gourd and pouring the ground leaves into it. Sh then added the water until it was about half full and swirled the mixture around until the ingredients were liquifyed, then she blew on it until it was cooler. She had me lift Ripper's head so he could swallow and dribbled some of the concoction into his little mouth. Ripper sputtered and thrashed a little, but he eventually got two mouthfuls down. Ursula had me lower his head and tuck him back in.
"That should do it for now.", Ursula told us. "Here's more of the mixture.", she handed Whitetail the sack. "When he wakes up again, give him some more. keep on giving himn it every few hours until there's no more or he's well. If he needs more, come and get me.", she began to gather her things and put them into her bag. "Don't worry folks! That stuff works every time!"
"How can we ever thank you?", Whitetail asked, nuzzling her.
"Don't forget to see the show, that's all!", Ursula said, then looked out the door. "Uh..., Stinger. if you would?..."
"Oh yeah!", I said as i crouched. "I promised to give her a ride home!", ursula boarded me and i stepped out the door.
I trapsed around the trees, ever mindful of the smaller dinosaurs that might still be present, I ran across the clearing at a slower pace and with more care in the ever increasing twilight. Ursula looked around from this unique height, taking it all in. I made it to the Kirky encampment as my eyes adjusted to the sporadic campfires. many of them were dying as thier makers had turned in for the night while others were still occupied them , strumming miniature guitars, tiny instruments of unkn9own manufacture or telling stories to thier sleepy offspring. Many would wave or nod at me or Ursula as I walked by; and we made it to her caravan a few moments later. I set her down and she began to ascend the steps as I turned to leave.
"You are good with hatchlings.", Ursula said out of the blue, turning to me as I turned as well. "Have you any back where you come from?"
"I have two.", I told her. "Both are pretty much all grown up.", I returned and sat on the ground at her table. "Maggie is about twenty-one. She's in college getting her doctorate in psychology. Fred is about eighteen. He's going to be an engineer as soon as he goes through college."
"It is often lonesome when the chick leaves the nest.", ursula said as she sat on her chair. "I noticed the other female human here. What is her name?"
"Mayday.", I blurted. "She is twenty-one mothers Kenyan, or so she tells me. Said her great grandmother was on the island safety patrol. Her husband was killed in a typhoon, and after that her Partner was killed by a carnivore; and now she's all alone. I offered to take her to civilization, but for some reason she wants to stay with me."
"And how do you feel about all this?", Ursula asked.
"Well, I like the kid and all...", I began. "It's just that I'm too busy all the time to do much about it."
"The suit she wears is my mate.", Klamath cut in. "Zandra and I were Ankylosaurs when we were alive."
"Then it is true that Othgar used to harness living creatures for his use!", Ursula said triumphantly.
"We volunteered of our own free will!", Klamath shot back. "But as for me and Zandra, our love has survived throughout the millennia."
"Then should it be so with the wearers?", this ursula asked me.
"I guess so.", I said. "I guess i should devote some time and at least talk to her about it."
"I could make you a potion...", Ursula offered smilingly.
"Don't you dare!", I said jokingly as i reached for the crystal ball, waving my havds over it. "Oh spitits past! What will be her answer?", I called the fates.
"STOP THAT!", Ursula patted my hands away and pulled the orb out of my reach. "You're going to spoil it for everyone else!"
"Ok, my friend!", I chuckled, leaning in to give her a nuzzle. "Thanks for everything you done. Guess i'll see you in the morning.", I rose.
I walked back through the now relatively quiet kirky camp, then decided to check up on Whitenose and Snapper. I told them to go see Rex or Mayday, and I hoped they were behaving themselves! I went around the 'big Top' and walked across the extra dim clearing toward where the majority of the Tyranosaurs slept. I had Klamath turn on his night vision so I wouldn't trip on anything unexpected along the way. It was by this method that I first located the Tyranosaurs in the darkness, and then Thundertail and Rex. They were quietly discussing something among themselves, and I didn't want to disturb them just yet.
"My son, the clan is becoming too overcrowded these days.", Thundertail rumbled softly. "That is why I must give you part of the responsability of overseeing the clan."
"Sir, I know that some day i must rule in your stead.", Rex rumbled in kind. "This is why I am nearly constantly at your side, so I may gain your wisdom. I wish to rule as you would have me, but I do not think I'm ready to even assist leading the clan!"
"You have the ability in you already.", Thundertail told him. "You are my son, therefore a part of me is in you. This is why i know you can do this."
"I will, of course, do as you wish; but i would lack the experience!", Rex replied.
"You will still have me to guide you, if needed.", Thundertail nuzzled him. "You will have grond and Fly With A Stinger. Every other clan member is eager to help you too. Don't worry! You will have a lot of help!"
"Wait father! I smell something!", Rex tested the air. "It is Stinger, coming from the clearing!"
having been found out, I stepped into thier midst. "Uh..., sorry for disturbing you two.", I ahuffled. "I was wondering if you have seen Whitenose and Snapper."
"Here they are, Stinger.", rex whispered, scooting aside so they were seen sound asleep in his nest. "Mayday went to see grond, so I brought them here."
"Thanks!", I said quietly. "Say, I'd like to keep them away from Ripper for a while. Whatever he has might be contageous!", then I looked at Thundertail a moment. "Is it ok if they stay the night?"
"Of course, Fly With A Stinger!", Thundertail replied quietly. "It is a joy to have hatchlings in the nest again. We will take good care of then until you come for them!"
"Thank you, my king.", I bowed. "Whitetail is a nervous werck, and this will take some of the strain off so she can get some sleep."
"Then you can bid your leave to and get some sleep yourself!", Thundertail reccommended.
"Uh..., I overheard some of the things you were talking about before.", I said all of a sudden. "If need be, i will help Rex with that."
"You do so much already.", Thundertail said. "You have a family and a sick hatchling to worry about at this time. If you think you are able, you may help; but it is not wise to overdo things!"
"I'll do my best, sir.", I told him. "Good night everyone - and thanks!", I turned.
"Night Stinger!", Rex called softly.
I made it back to my cabin many moments later and found Whitetail cradling Ripper's head. She looked up at me with a concerned but happier face.
"He woke up, so I just gave him more medicine.", she told me.
"That's good.", I said, removing him from her reluctant arms and tucking him into his nest. "Nothing much else can be done about it at this hour anyway. Might as well get some sleep ourselves!", I led Whitetail to her nest beside ripper's nest and gave her a nuzzle. "Worrying is hard work!", I cooed.
"That's a fact!", Whitetail yawned toothily. I should sleep like a hatchling...; but what happens if he wakes up again?"
"Then he'll see us asleep and go back to sleep himself!", I said slightly sarcastically. "Now go to sleep already! You need some too, you know!"
"You right. no sense in making ME sick!", Whitetail curled up on her hay. Instead of getting into my bedroll, i sidled up next to her and drifted off many moments later.
The early morning light did not wake me up the following morning; but rather, the tiny creature making noise right outside it!
"Huzza!... Huzza!", it squeaked as it rose above the windowframe, then fell just as quickly.
the Kirky did it again and again, whooping and spinning in acrobatic circles. When the little creature didn't come down again, I went to the window to see what happened. Looking up, I found the little critter perched on a tree branch high above, preparing to leap back down again. The trampoline set up directly below the window was draped with many of his peers, and a stack of three other Kirkys stood balanced at the far end of it, waiting for him to make his leap.
The one up in the tree poised and leapt in a high dive, spinning and straightening out as his feet landed on the springy trampoline. He bounced high, tucked and rolled; and landed on the shoulders of the uppermost stacked Kirky with a flourish. I almost joined in with the miniature cheering outside, but my concentration was broken by the weak mewling coming from the other side of the cabin.
"M..., mama?", came Ripper's weak voice.
"Dad's here, sweetie.", I said as I went to tend to him. "How you feeling?"
"I'm h... hungry...", he weakly lifted his head. "Thirsty too..."
"I'll fix you up.", I told him, feeling his little head. He seemed much cooler this morning! "Maybe more medicine, too."
"No!...", Ripper said and tried to rise to a crouch, but failed.
"Now yes, you got to!", I said as I grabbed a few scraps of leftover meat. "That nice Kirky lady said so last night."
Whitetail rose her head from her crouch and stretched. "Unnn..., How is Ripper?", she peeked through one eye.
"Better, I think.", I said, placing tiny bits of meat into his mouth. he gagged on the first one and merely mouthed the rest. "Tha little guy seems hungry."
"Better give him more medicine, too.", Whitetail took over feeding him. "Go boil water."
"Yup!", I piped. "He's thirsty too.", I said as I left the cabin.
I went to the campfire near by and started it once more. As the tinder caught I took a waterskin to the river to get water to boil; and noticed nearly all the Kirkys busily going abpout thier morning chores. Most were cleaning up thier campsites or policing twigs and other debris from the more traveled areas. Some were tending thier children or practicing thier acts.
I set the water on the fire and waited for it to boil, still watching the activity all around the clansite. Many kirkys waltzed about, tumbled about or sauntered about as if they were drunk; and music from many different instruments in many different styles eminated from many different area of the clansite.
Soon a performer in baggy clown's attire marched by, juggling six clublike sticks; and she paused to watch me boil water. I smiled at her, picked up two small rocks and did a little juggling trick of my own that I learned in high school. I flicked each one in midair and juggled them one-handedly really fast. I looked away and pretended to yawn while I showed off. After a few moments of this I caught one in each hand and smiled as I placed them in front of my eyes. the Kirky smiled as I put the rocks down, gave a thumbs-up sign and continued her own juggling as she marched away.
By this time the water was boiling, so i removed the pan, poured the water into a large gourd and brought it back into the cabin. My son was sitting up in the nest with the aid of ramped up bedding as i entered. Whitetail had the medicine in another, smaller gourd, waiting for the hot water. she prepared the medicine and came near ripper with the gourd. Ripper tried to edge away, but he was still too weak to put up much of a fight! he ended up downing almost all of it before he was done, and Whitetail made him lie back down. I was just about ready to see to my duties for the day when there came a sharp rap on the door, followed by a hard thud that rattled the door in its' frame!
"Stinger! Come quick!", Thistlesnarl's face loomed in the doorway as I opened it. "Something's happened!"
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(I will continue this chapter in the next installment.)
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Post by thundertail on Jul 15, 2007 15:46:59 GMT -5
FORTEEN: "Kirkys!" (Continued again!)
"What is it?", I asked her.
"It's Whitenose...!", Thistlesnarl ran off just then, leaving us both to wonder.
"I'll go see what it is.", I told Whitetail. "You tend to ripper.", I bolted out the door and went in the general direction that Thistlesnarl had gone.
It was easy to find out where the disturbance was located, for nearly every carnivore was converging on the scene. When I got past the 'Big Top', I saw Rex standing over Pincushion, snaerling in anger as pincushion cowered. there were many Kirky musicians there as well, and they looked like they had abruptly stopped playing due to some horrible event. As I got nearer, hampered by the crowd, I saw Snapper bent over the prone form of Whitenose, who was writhing in agony, her pitiful wails accentuating every twitch. I pushed my way through and slid to a knealing position next to the fallen child.
"What happened?!", I yelled at no one and everyone. "Oh my god! Whitenose!..."
"Dad, we were dancing, and Pincushion stepped on Whitenose.", came Snapper's shocked reply. "Is she going to be all right?"
"I don't know...", I said as I had Klamath scan her.
"Crushed legs, hips and spine.", Klamath said in my mind. "Ruptured spleen, ruptured kidneys, punctured lungs.", I began to weep before he finished. "Internal bleeding whole lower quadrant."
"God, no!...", I wailed.
"Boss, we saw the whole thing.", a Kirky with a saxophone-like instrument with a saurian head horn bell. "We wuz playin' music an' th' young ones were dancin'. Both wasn't watchin' what they wuz doin' an' the little one got stepped on."
"Thank you,... uh?", I whispered.
"Name's Vinny.", Vinny said, then turned to his band. "I guess th' jam session's over, boys."'
Just then Whitetail scrambled into the area and wormed her way through the crowd. "WHITENOSE!!...", she wailed at the sight. She tried to lift her head and it caused the child to scream. "What happened?!", she asked me, so I told her.
"Momma...? Poppa...?", Whitenose opened her eyes slightly. "I hurt bad... Please make it go away..."
"There child.", Whitetail cooed. "It will be all better in a minute..."
"Good...", Whitetail sighed, and then went limp.
"NO!...", I yelled and bent to listen; nothing!
"Whitenose ceases to function.", Klamath said so all could hear.
We both choked in our sorrow; and a few moments later a tiny rickshaw rolled into the area with a young Kirky pedaling like crazy. Obviousely Ursula had been told of the accident, and she hopped out with her medical bag and scampered over to the stricken child. She took her stethescope and played it all over the child's body.
"Too young...", Ursula tisked and backed away. "Much too young!", she turned to me. "What happened?", I repeated what happened.
Just then Thundertail thundered into the area. he muscled his way through to see, but did nothing just yet.
"Such a bad blow...", Ursula said as she took my hands. "Take courage, my child."
Just then Mayday, riding Grond, came into the crowd. they did nothing but witness this exchange.
"I'm so sorry for this, dear.", Ursula took Whitetail's hands. "There was nothing I could do.", she reluctantly let go, stowed her gear and climbed back aboard the rickshaw.
"Now, what in the name of reason happened here?", thundertail took this as his cue. "Why is that little one dead?"
"Father, the musicians were playing music and we were dancing.', Rex told him. "All of a sudden PINCUSHION stepped on Whitenose!", he gave the accused a snarling glare.
"It was an accident!!", Pincushion defended, and got snapped at by Rex as a reward.
"It's true, boss!", Vinnie stepped up and told him. "Th' kids just got a little carried away, is all. They just didn't see each other."
"Never the less, hunting is not permitted in camp.", Thundertail decreed. "This also includes accidental murder!"
"Whitetail, what is the punishment of your clan for such an act?", grond asked.
"The accused must DIE!", she spat. "The eldest male in the family must do it."
"Similar punishment exists in Tyranosaur law.", Thundertail confirmed. "Fly With A stinger, it is your right to kill Pincushion in any manner you wish. You may begin now, if it pleases you."
With uncontrolable anger and sorrow welling in my soul, I slowly rose from my slain daughter and stared at Pincushion, who cringed under that stare. The deep emotions burning inside me were such it was like he murdered my true human daughter back home! The audacity and clumsiness he had showed enraged me to no end! It was an accident - I was certain of that - because they were friends, and neither wished to do the other harm. And yet she was there, dead, while that big oaf lived! But was killing him what Whitenose would have wanted? After all, they were merely dancing and having fun like two friends should do. He didn't intentionally crush her with her many ton weight. Accidents DO happen, after all...
My anger slowly deflated so I could see again. I noticed that I had moved to within feet of Pincushion, who was cringed flat on the grass - waiting for what I might do next. I also noticed that every eye in the clan was on me, watching my every move. The most unnerving thing I noticed was the fact that I had unfurled Klamath's twin daggers, and they were pressed against Pincushion's throat!
"NO!!!...", my voice echoed around the area! "I..., I can't kill you!, I stepped away and sheathed Klamath's daggers. "It was an accident...! Killing you will not bring Whitenose back to life!"
"Then what can be done?', Thundertail saked meekly.
"I demand restitution!", Whitetail yelled through her sorrow.
"True, he needs to be punished.", I said. "But isn't there another way besides killing him? If you're dead you learn nothing!"
"My lord, there is one such punishment of the clan.", Grond spoke up. "It is called 'The path of shame"."
"The path of shame!... Of course!", Thundertail exclaimed. "It is a punishment where the accused must become the lowest in the clan. Where he must do anything everyone in the clan says. He would be a virtual slave. His rights as clan member are suspended, and he can not leave the clansite. The duration of this punishment is at the disgression of the offended party."
"Is this acceptable to you, Whitetail?", I asked her softly.
"Yes.", she replied after a moment of hissing debate with herself.
"Then what is the duration of Pincushion's 'Path of shame'?", Thundertail asked me.
"I would say that about two months should do it.", I said after a few moments thought. I walked up to Pincushion. "Think you can handle that?', I stepped around and removed his amulet of protection, handing it off to Thundertail.
"Yes sir!", Pincushion sounded relieved. "And thanks for not killing me!"
As I went back around the front of him, I hauled off and slugged him hard with my fist! The blow was merely enough to snap his head to the side, but he knew enough not to protest! "Next time watch it!", I yelled at him and went to help Whitetail tend to our dead daughter. Pincushion just slunk back toward the trees.
"Uh..., boss?", a female Kirky named lacy came to say. "I think we could help Pincushion watch his step. My troop does a highwire act; and if there's one thing we're good at is watching where we're going!"
"That may be a good idea at that.", I said without enthusiasm. "But that's not my decision to make. You could go ask king Thundertail about it. Maybe he'll think it's a good idea too."
"Sure boss!", the Kirky spun to go. "And sorry about your loss."
"Don't mention it.", I said as Whitetail collected her dead daughter. I turned to Snapper and said: "Come on, son. Let's go home."
"No more play?", Snapper asked at my heels.
"Not today, I'm afraid.", I told him.
Mayday, seeing how Pincushion was being roughly led away by Rex, followed by Thundertail and Grond; decided to go see me in my time of sorrow. By this time everyone had decided that the excitement was over, and went back to what they were doing. She weaved her way through the thinning crowds of carnivores and sought me out as I somberly trudged back to my cabin. Mayday had recently decided to take up residence with Grond, as they had recently became Partners. As she caught up with me, she spun me around to face her; and that drew me out of my reverie rather abruptly with a light kiss on the cheek.
"Me sorry what happened.", she told me. "Whitenose too young to die like that."
"It's a shame, it's true.", I said woodenly. "But what's done is done."
"I mourn your loss.", Mayday ended with a kiss. "Maybe you be happy soon, ok?"
"Sure thing.", I said as I saw my retreating family. "I think I got some family business to attend to. If you'd excuse me?..."
"Of course. See you in a while.", Mayday turned as I waved.
I trotted to catch up, and made it there as Whitetail opened the door with her burden. Snapper slowly made it to his nest as his mother lay his deceased sister down in her own nest. A female Kirky was there named Wen, tending Ripper; and she looked up at the returning family, then scurried out as soon as she sensed what was going on. Ripper lay in his own nest, twitching in fevered dreams.
Then Whitenose turned to me and motioned for me and Snapper to draw near Whitenose's nest we all joined hands at her instruction as Ripper woke up, not knowing what was going on.
"Hi mama.", Ripper said, then noticed his sister. "Is Whitenose sleepy?"
"Ripper, Whitenose is dead.", Whitetail told him flatly. "She was accidentally crushed by Pincushion."
"Ooh! That's really bad!", he sniffed in the direction of the corpse. "Well, I guess I'll just have to get used to not seeing her around!"
"I think Ripper might still be a little sick!", I said. "He doesn't seem to know how to mourn the death of his sister!"
"No, Stinger.", Whitetail told me. "Ripper has made a proper statement. We Veloceraptors treat our deaths in a much different manner than humans."
"I see.", I said.
"See, a death in the family means there are less mouths to feed.", Whitetail told me. "This means that hunting for food would be easier. this gives death a more joyous occasion, and grieving for the dead would only last a little while."
"That sounds too practical for me.", I said.
"It is even more practical for the ceremony that goes along with it.", Whitetail said. "Not only would there be less mouths to feed, the fallen family member also provides a meal for the family."
"You eat your dead?", I asked.
"Correct.", she said. "It is not done out of barbarism, but out of dietary practicality. Food comes first, you know!"
"And I thought humans had srtrange funeral customs!", I said. "So, we are going to eat Whitenose now, I presume."
"In a moment. We should first say a few words in her memory.", Whitetail looked at me. "Is this done when one of your kind dies?"
"Yes it is.", I told her. "But our tradition is that we bury our dead afterwards!"
"Such a waste..., but to each thier own!", Whitetail nodded. "You are the father. You may start the words."
"Ok.", I said as I cleared my mind and throat in that order. "Whitenose, my pretty saurian daughter. Fate has taken you away from me before you could shine. You were witty and wise, just like my human daughter; and you herdly ever got into trouble - more so, you always vied for my praise. You would have been your clan matriarch had you lived just a little while longer!", my eyes got watery. "May you be borne to paradise, my sweet angel!"
"My turn.", Whitetail said. "My daughter and image, you left us too soon. You would have hunted and provided for your clan and family. You would have borne many offspring and nurtured the next generation of our kind. Alas! The winds of change has changed your fate; and now you travel the path of our ancesters. Allow the ancesters to lead you to the abundant hunting grounds, which is at the end of your trail!"
Snapper raised his hand and was allowed to speak. "Whitenose, my sister. You were funny and great to play with! I will miss our games of hide and seek we used to play. i will miss your funny laugh and your inquisitiveness - and your personality, which outshined the sun. May you find the place of good things - and mark the path so I can follow you!"
Ripper raised his weak head. "My best friend Whitenose. You were always there for me, understanding whan I had a problem. Your wisdom when things went wrong was like if momma was there telling me. I will always remember your charm and your humor - and your pretty white snout! I will meet you on the other side."
"very good, my family!", Whitetail said, smiling at us all. "Now her death will certainly enrich us all!"
Whitetail took the nest that Whitenose rested in and drew it near her. She then began to disembowel her with her talons, and doled the meat out to all of us. I got the first piece, but guiltily chewed and forced it down. She fed Ripper, then Snapper before having some herself. As the body diminished, I suddenly didn't feel so hungry...
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Post by thundertail on Jul 15, 2007 20:19:24 GMT -5
FIFTEEN: "Discovered."
It was about two weeks later that my sadness over Whitenose's death went away completely. It was high time to get on with things once again, and I was really raring to go once my grief finally left me. Humans take death way too hard!
As for my Veloceraptor family, they had seemed to have forgotten about the whole incodent completely; for life for continued for them almost the very next day. Whitetail led a couple of scouting expeditions, my two boys bagan thier training as hunters at the instruction of Mosquito. Thier prowess in hunting hadn't been brought out yet because they couldn't even catch a dragonfly!
After the terrible accident, the Kirky Circus decided to tone down thier entertainment they had planned around here. They were planning to take down the'Big Top' tent, figuring we would appreciate only small shows. They would only hold performances for special occasions, and only practice discreetly. Too bad they considered nearly every other hunt a special occasion!
Pincushion was doing well with his Path Of Shame punishment. I saw him many times hauling things and performing menial tasks for the highest ranking members of the clan to the lowest. He had been making extra special effort to please me, and gladly did anything I wanted him to - whether I wanted it done then or not!
The Kirkys who did the highwire act kept to thier word and helped Pincushion out making him fleet of foot and careful in his movements. First they had him drag a fallen log out into the clearing, then they made him walk across it repeatedly; and many days later he could walk across it with his eyes closed!
Just the other day Whitetail pulled me aside and told me something serious about my agreement with her, and thier laws on surrigate parenthood and the breaking of that contract.
"Stinger, the time has nearly come.", Whitetail told me in private. "Pretty soon Ripper and Snapper will leave the nest. I predict no more than two months."
"That soon?", I said. "I thought Veloceraptor hatchlings stay for a year or more."
"No. It is when they amass the skills to hunt.", Whitetail told me. "They are just beginning to learn, and our kind learns these skills very quickly."
"I see.", I said. "And then there is the matter of what happens after that."
"Yes, and as you know, your obligation to me will be over.", she looked at me with dismay. "This also means that my obligation with you will be over as well. You would be free to mate, and so would I."
"And have you chosen a mate yet?", I asked with a cockeyed sneer.
"I am not sure, but I think it would be Mosquito.", Whitetail said and gave a toothy grin. "I can guess who your mate will be!"
"Well, Mayday is the only human female here!", I beat her to the punch! "I like her a lot, and I'm pretty sure she likes me. I don't know if there is love or not; but I haven't had the time to talk to her about it yet."
"You need to go and start a new life, Stinger.", Whitetail gave me a nuzzle. "And so do I."
"Say, do you think we could still be friends afterwards?", I asked hopefully.
"Most certainly so, my nestmate!", she cooed. "You are my favorite human, and always will be!"
"And about the treaty with the Tyranosaurs.", I asked. "Do you think your clan will still be affiliated with them?"
"I will see what the new alpha has to say.", Whitetail promised me. "But I am sure the answer will be that we stay. The success of our combined hunts is a thing my clan has never seen before! We share a special bond with our larger cousins unequalled in all of history. I think it would be foolish to walk away from all of this!"
"Yeah, and I think the rest of the clan would miss you all!", I told her. "Especially me!", we nuzzled again.
That same night, while we were guarding the camp, I told Mayday what was going on between Whitetail and I. We held hands as we talked about this, saying it would soon not be so busy that we could at least have a talk about our friendship. We knew that, because of the past relationship Klamath had with Zanda, there was a strong romance that was about to bud between us; but we didn't voice this because it seemed inevitable to us. After all this was discussed, our conversation turned to the more mundane for the rest of our shift; where Striff and Riven took over until dawn.
Five hours later, as dawn shone its' feeble light through the jungle, a large cart trundled down the path, right toward the camp and seemingly out of control! Striff and riven sprung out of hiding and ran to intercept this juggernaut bearing down on some near by Kirky tents. They finally intimidated the Monoclonius pulling the cart enough to stop. the beast reared and tried to turn the cart around but couldn't!
"HELP!", he bellowed and reared, trying to flee these twin carniverous monsters before him! "ARRRRGH!!!"
He gurgled, fell on his knees, slumped to the ground and moved no more. When no further movement was evident, Striff and Riven leaned over the horned creature and tisked hissingly.
"This is no good!", Riven said to her fellow guard.
"Call the others!, Striff told her. "And hurry!"
Her rasping bellows brought every head in the camp up from thier nests, and brought everyones' body up a second later. There was chaos in the camp until they saw the scene in front of them. Some of the Kirkys came over first, jabbering at the cart and its' obviousely dead owner. Many of the veloceraptors came by sniffing the corpse, hoping for a meal while many of the closest Tyranosaurs were the next to arrive. I arrived with Whitetail and her sons while Rex followed on the spiked heels of his father; and Mayday came by running along side Grond. As soon as Thundertail could achieve a semblance of order, he growled the question that was on everyone's tongues.
"What happened?", Thundertail asked the two guards. "Why is there a dead Monoclonius in our camp?"
"Well sir,", Riven said. "This cart was barreling into camp, and the Monoclonius would not stop."
"We stopped him sir.", Striff continued. "Then he got all excited for some reason and just keeled over, dead!"
"Myocardial Infarction.", Klamath informed me.
"I think the beast had a heart attack.", I said. "I wouldn't know if it was from the exertion of pulling the cart, or the sight of the two guards!", I turned to them. "No offense, guys!"
"Maybe both.", Mayday said.
"Never the less, we MUST find out why he's here.", Thundertail told us.
"I'll search the cart.", I Volunteered.
"Ok, but you have stinky search!", Mayday giggled. "That Copro cart! See emblem on side?", there was a blue shield with a gold crown at its' center. I was baffled until the odor hit me!
"You mean a manure wagon?", I could almost taste the stench! "Oh! Just wonderful!", the rest of the clan began to chuckle as I waved my hand in front of my face!
"The Copro guild is a very noble profession.", Mayday said. "Copro important part of farming. It help fertilize the fields and make crop grow better."
"Say! I found a small satchel.", I said, hoisting it up from behind the seat, where it was wedged between a board. I opened it up, and the parchment inside was scrawled with saurian writing in a framework much like that of an order form. "What's all this?", I handed them to Mayday. There were many such forms in there.
"Bill of sale for shipment from Pteros to Poktook...", Mayday read. "Shipment pickup, Treetown to Felugia - that where he going.", She shuffled through some pages. "Cart bill of sale! This Monoclonius name Hazzer. Hazzer Partner is Shawn Branko, a human."
"Wait!", I said. "How fast would you say he was going?"
"Oh! Very fast!", Striff informed.
"He was going so fast he nearly ran into some tents.", Riven said.
"Ok, so that means that he was either running away from carnivores in a panic;", I concluded. "Or his Partner is hurt, and he was running for help!"
"You think that's the reason?", Thundertail asked, liking my deductive reasoning.
"Well, there is only one way to find out for sure.", I said. "We should go and see. Wagon tracks should be easy to follow."
"Yes, and these wagon wheels are made of pine!", Rex said. "No pines grow around here, and the scent should be really easy for us carnivores to follow!
"Brilliant son!", Thundertail praised.
"That's the ticket!", I said. "Now, who wants to go?"
Just then Ursula's rickshaw trundled to the back of the crowd. She and her Kirky driver wove thier way through the carnivores to the fallen Monoclonius with her instruments, and she began to examine the beast.
"Yup! dead as a doornail!", Ursula said after many moments. "My! he's a big one! Old too! I'd say seventy or eighty."
"I think he died of a heart attack.", I informed her.
"Yeah, the older you get the weaker your heart becomes.", Ursula said, then leaned to me. "Please leave the diagnosing to us professionals, sonny!", this she whispered! She patted the beast's hide and said: "Oh well. So it shouldn't be a total loss, they make for fine eatin'!"
"Now wait a minute!", Thundertail broke in. "We can't eat him until we're sure of what happened, and why he's here! Fly With A Stinger, assemble a search party and find this creature's human!"
"Right away, my king!", I said, then turned to some others. "Rex, want to come?"
"Sure thing, Stinger!", Rex barked with enthusiasm.
"Then you can sniff for wagon tracks!", I chuckled. "Now, I think Grond should come, and Deathflower too. We need some Veloceraptor trackers. Mayday and Zandra should be there.", I thought. "This human might be injured. Ursula, would you like to come?"
"I'm too old to be trapsing around the jungle!", she protested.
"I'll have someone carry you.", I offered. "Rex, would you carry auntie Ursula?"
"Of course, ma'am!", Rex said. "Climb up my tail!"
"Could I come?", Pincushion asked.
"NO!", Thundertail barked.
"Maybe he could guard the Monoclonius.", I suggested. "Make sure no one eats him until we get back - and don't eat any yourself!"
"Yes sir...", Pincushion said, dejected.
Once all the volunteers were chosen, we all went and made preparations to search for the human Shawn Branko. We rallied around the Copro cart, well down wind, and saw the thin tracks as it disappeared back up the path it was pulled in on. The Veloceraptors went first for thier better sense of smell, fanning out along the trail. Me, running along side Rex with Ursula perched on his shoulders with her bag high above, enjoying the view, followed by Mayday riding Grond taking up the rear.
We rode roughly south for many miles until the tracks took a westerly direction down another path. The cart had come from deeper into the Rainy Basin, following the road that would eventually take them to Waterfall City via the Hadro Swamp and points west. As the wagon tracks veered down the path that would skirt Deep Swamp, they vanished through rocky terrain. However, true to Rex's word, the pine wheels gave off a distinctive odor that even I could just barely make out!
At a ravine that the road skirted, the tracks appeared to have slid over for a second, then right itself. I looked over the side and saw the slightly broken branches that betrayed the fact that something had fallen here recently. I could see no body or injured man down there, but I worked on a hunch and descended into the ravine. Three of the veloceraptors followed me, and confirned that a human had indeed been here recently. They fanned out and presently scoured the area for his scent and the direction he had gone.
"HELLO!", I yelled as the rest of the group started picking safe routes down the embankment. "SHAWN BRANKO! CAN YOU HEAR ME?"
"SHAWN BRANKO!, Mayday echoed once she reached my side. "WE MEAN NO HARM! WE RESCUE YOU!"
"Well fellas, know wich way?", I asked the Veloceraptors.
"He travels southwest.", Fernfrond told us. "The fall has injured him. I smell blood."
"I no see it, but I smell it!", Slimepool confirmed.
"Let's go then.", I said as I shoved branches and shrubs out of my way. "We may need your services soon, Ursula!"
"Don't worry, hon!", Ursula said, still atop Rex. "I'm still here - unless I fall off!"
I unfurled my twin daggers and began to clear a trail through the dense jungle. Mayday did the same with her triple daggers, which were shorter, but more curved. We beat the bush for about a quarter of a mile, yelling out Shawn Branko's name at irregular intervals. All of a sudden I stopped and turned to the rest of the group. I had finally realized why we hadn't found him yet!
"Say guys.", I told the group. "You don't suppose this guy might be trying to evade us? He probably knows carnivores are on his trail!"
"What mean?", Mayday asked.
"Tyranosaurs..., Veloceraptors..., carnivores! You know what I mean...!", I pointed at each creature in turn and indicated us all. "He would definitely be afraid of carnivores; but I don't think he'll be afraid of just Mayday and me!"
"And what about me if he's injured?", Ursula said from above.
"I'll carry you! Just get on my shoulders so I can keep my hands free.", I told her as she tossed her bag down to me, and I handed it off to Mayday.
"What about tracking him?", Rex asked.
"Klamath and Zandra have tracking abilities.", I said as Ursula jumped into my arms. "You guys stay by the ravine. Don't worry. We'll be ok!", I continued as Ursula scampered onto my left shoulder. "But if we yell for help, come running!"
Everyone staying behind nodded and turned toward the ravine face. Me, Mayday, Klalath,Zandra and Ursula turned and continued southwest; where there were many broken branches. It was if the man was trying to either hide from us carnivores or evading our rescue efforts!
At a fast rushing stream, behind a stand of boulders many miles further; Klamath had informed us that the human had stopped, and was quietly hiding behind them. We crept up further and stood in a tiny clearing between trees several yards away from the boulders, and made no effort to rush in and find him. We crouched and began calling him again.
"Shawn Branko! We have come to rescue you!", I called. "Your Partner came into our camp, and we followed your cart tracks. can you hear me?"
"Please come out!", Mayday added when nothing happened. "We no hurt you, we friends!"
"Who are you?", Branko called from hiding.
"I am called Stinger, and my friend is Mayday.", I called. "We have brought a healer. We know you are injured."
"How did you evade the carnivores?", Branko asked. "They're all over the place!"
"That would take a lot of explaining.", I admitted. "But if you would please come out, we can take care of your injuries."
"You could be Outsiders!", Branko accused.
"If we Outsiders, how we know your name?", Mayday asked.
Shawn Branko sighed and called out again: "Very well..."
Branko presently stepped out from behind the boulder, leaning on it with his hand as he shakilly traversed onto the space in between the other boulders. His almost orange hair scraggled down from his head as he gasped in the pain of each wobbly step. His blue uniform with thick yellow stripes down each pantleg and sleeve swayed in tatters as he moved. From his hobbling gait and stiffness in his right leg, we knew he had injured it in his fall. He leaned into the nearest tree, keeping himself upright, panting until he could make another step.
That's when we came out of our crouch and approached him cautiousely. I had asked Klamath to retract the helmet to make me less formidable looking, and asked zandra to do the same; and Ursula balked slightly at being unseated from the top of Klamath's head!
Mayday rushed over and held him up before he took another step, but he collapsed in her arms before she could reach him. She lay him down in the leaft undergrowth as I let Ursula down. She grabbed her bag and rushed over to examine the human.
"Now relax son.", I told him as I crouched to his side. "You had a bad time."
"How's Hazzer?", Branko asked as he gasped at Ursula's proddings. "Is he all right?"
"That's a long story.", I told him, turning to Ursula. "How is he?"
"Well, as far as I can tell, there's nothing broken.", Ursula said as she continued her examination. "But there may be some torn cartilage at the kneecap. He needs to be brought to where I can treat him proper."
"Should he be moved?", Mayday asked.
"We got to get him ready to travel.", Ursula said. "Stinger, be a dear and find some strong sticks and some vinees. I'll wrap the leg in the mean time.", she turned to her patient. "We'll have you fixed up in no time, sonny!"
"Are you a Compsagnathus?", Branko asked her.
"Oh, no dearie!", Ursula replied, busy at her task. "I'm what you call a Skartopus Kirkus. A Kirky for short!", she grinned, showing the few carniverous teeth she had left. "We're meat eating scavengers. I'm with the 'Kirky Circus' - ever hear of it? I'm thier healer and fortune teller!"
"You're a carnivore?!", Branko looked a little frightened!
"Yup! But you can't say you're scared of little old me, can you!", she winked her glassy eye as she bound the next bandage.
"Guess not...", Branko laid his head back down, not from relief, but from pain.
I returned a short time later with the asked for materials, and ursula told mayday to hold the leg straight. I placed the sticks along the sides of Branko's injured leg as per Ursula's instruction, and she tied them to his leg with the vines I had cut to length with Klamth's daggers. With the extra several feet of vine, she had me wrap the whole leg with it to immobilize it for travel. Once this was done, we lifted branko to his feet, and that brought him considerable pain. We began to half drag him back the way we came, and slowed to a stop as we came within sight of the ravine wall.
"Branko, now I think it's time to explain to you how we evaded the carnivores.", I told him as we rested. "See, we didn't actually evade them. We are WITH them!", he didn't understand. "Mayday, Ursula and I actually live with a clan of Tyranosaurs! We are a combined clan; and there are a number of Veloceraptors, Dilophosaurs, Kirkys and humans included in the Tyranosaur clan. We have a pact of agreement, and combine our efforts in order to survive."
"But how?", Branko asked. "Thangs like that aren't done on Dinotopia! It goes against the natural order of things!"
"Arrangement work good.", Mayday told him. "We all hunt, we all live in hermony. Nobody fight and nobody go hungry."
"We have been doing this for about a year now, and everything is going great.", I added.
"I would have to see this to believe it!", Branko looked like he thought we were crazy! "Now. What about Hazzer?"
"Um..., well...", I thought hard of how to put it to him gently. "When he came into camp this morning, he was all in a panic.", I explained. "When our guards stopped him and asked what he was doing there, he fell down dead of a heart attack."
"He didn't suffer much.", Ursula said from Mayday's shoulder.
"Hazzer is dead?...", Branko's eyes went wide. "NO...!"
"Courage, child.", Ursula tried to soothe him. "He looked pretty old anyway. His heart just couldn't stand the strain!"
"Curse it! I TOLD him not to make this run!", Branko wailed. "But would he listen to me? No sir! Now look what happened!", his head bowed in sorrow.
"We told the others at camp not to touch him until we got back.", I said in a consoling way. "Maybe there's some words you'd like to say to him..."
"I appreciate that...", Branko said through sobs. "Maybe I should...", he couldn't go on.
"How we get him up slope?", Mayday asked all of a sudden.
"We might need help.", I said and turned to Branko. "I am going to call the rest of the search party now. Please don't be afraid of them, ok Branko?"
"I'll try.", Branko braced himself.
I whistled three times, and soon a pair of veloceraptors came into view. Fernfrond and Slimepool knew not to act too frightening, and crouched on the ground many yards away. Rex and Deathflower came up behind them, and did pretty much likewise until I motioned for the whole group to come closer. I turned to branko and smiled.
"See? These carnivores won't hurt you.", I told him. "They are friendly.", I patted Rex's offered muzzle. "We were all sent by our king, Thundertail, to find you. Let us take you back to our camp so we can get you fixed up properly. Then we'll see about getting you to an outpost so you can get on with your life."
I introduced everyone in the search party in turn; but Branko was extremely reluctant to have any of them get too near. His blue tophat with a gold grown painted on it was given back to him by Slimepool, who said he found it in the bushes along the ravine wall. Branko took it from his clawed hands and placed it on his head as we prepared to take him back to camp.
The journey up the ravine was really grueling and painful for the injured Copro cart driver, and everyone did thier part to either push or pull him up it. Once on top it was relatively easy to retrace our steps through the thick jungle and onto some familiar paths. We needed to stop many times so Ursula could check on Branko and make sure the improvized splint hadn't slipped. By the end of the morning, the search party and the person we had been searching for entered the boomerang clearing that marked the site of clan Thundertail; and everyone near cried thier greetings for thier wayward comrades and thier still reluctant guest.
"This is where we live.", I told Branko as I took over from Fernfrond carrying him by the shoulder. "It's not much, but we call it home!"
"These creatures seem almost civilized!, Branko looked around at all the controlled chaos present, and all the presumabily wild carnivores participating in it. "Things like this is just not done!"
"I guess around here, it is!", I laughed as I set him down on a log by an unlit campfire we used to cook our food, which was near my cabin. "Now, let's get your injury taken care of. Ursula?"
"I think what he needs right now is rest.", Ursula told us. Of course, food and water is important too; but first things first!"
"I get water!", Mayday volunteered and rushed off.
"Stinger, be a dear and see about some food.", Ursula said as she began to unwrap Branko's wounded knee.
"I do not eat meat.", Branko said.
"Not to worry, sonny! We got a garden down by the river.", Ursula told him as she finally exposed the bandage. "Mayday and Stinger enjoy an omniverous diet, actually.", she looked at him with her glassy eye. "Some of us Kirkys like a little vegetables sometimes too!"
Not especially impressed, Shawn Branko looked around the area, seeing all these dangerous creatures tending to everyday life like any other Dinotopian would do - and as suprised as he was relieved that he hadn't been eaten yet! A band of hatchling Tyranosaurs scurried past, nipping and yowling at each other; and these were being chased by a pack of hatchling Veloceraptors, doing likewise to eachother while trying to catch up with the first group to do likewise to them. A large group of adult Kirkys scurried by next, yelling at the children and trying to corral them and looking after them so they didn't get in trouble!
Looking the other way, he saw many adult tyranosaurs go by, dragging a carcass up the sloping surface of the clearing and out of sight. A group of Kirkys marched by, and they were all dressed in cossack-like attire; humming in thier mouselike voices while juggling many kinds of fruit while they performed a tumbling performance. Just then Mayday Popped by and deposited a waterskin next to him, smiling as she left. I arrived many moments later with a bowl of boiled vegetables and a few fruit wedges. I had boiled the vegetables in meat drippings, and i hoped he wouldn't notice!
"There you go!", I said as I crouched at his side. "What do you think so far?"
"Amazing! that's all I can say!", Shawn Branko said as he tested the food, but hesitated because it was too hot. "And you did this all by yourself?"
"Well, it wasn't exactly my idea to have them give up thier wild ways.", I told him. "That was thier king's doing. I contributed a few suggestions, though..."
"And this king, Thundertail, right?", I confirmed with a nod. "he's a rational creature?"
"I guess you would call him 'agreeable'.", I said. "He's the direct descendant of Stinktooth the great, you know."
"I heard he was very benevolent for a Tyranosaur.", Branko said. "The great Arthur Dennison befriended him, so the story is told."
"I guess it must run in the family!", I chuckled. "I think the reason why he has spared me is because I rescued his son, and raised him from a hatchling..."
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(I will continue this in the next reply.)
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Post by thundertail on Jul 17, 2007 20:28:12 GMT -5
FIFTEEN: "Discovered." (Continued)
"Nonsense!...", Thundertail roared from behind us, startling Shawn Branko so badly he nearly slid off the log! "I spared his life because humans give me indigestion!...", he roared a chuckle. "Just kidding!... My name is king thundertail, leader of this clan. I trust you are feeling all right after your unfortunate ordeal, and I would enjoy hearing of it later, if you don't mind!", he extended his dual clawed hand, but Branko didn't dare to shake it!
"Charmed, I'm sure.", Branko said instead. "But I was wondering when I could see Hazzar."
"Oh yes! The Monoclonius.", Thundertail said. "Poor chap. we had him moved. In the way and all!... But shouldn't you recover a little first?"
"He's as good as I can make him for the moment.", Ursula said as she got up. "But if he wants to see his Partner so badly, we could rig up a crutch or something..."
"I'll manage.", Branko said. "Oh! And thank you for your hospitality so far!"
"Don't even think of it!", Thundertail told him. "You're the most excitement we've had around here since the Kirkys showed up!", another chuckle. "Fly With A Stinger, could you arrange in making a crutch for this fine human?"
"Right away, my king!", I said and went to do as asked.
In the mean time, Branko finished his meal after taking off his tophat and shifting to a more comfortable position; but there wasn't many of those options open to him due to his condition. By this time the hunting party came back with thier booty, and many other clan members went over to help. Fortunately for Branko, the feeding area was somewhat out of his line of view; so he wouldn't get to see too much of the carnage he feared he'd witness.
Word had gotten around of the hunting party's success, and many of the carnivores walked or ran past Branko's position on thier way to the feast. Suprisingly enough to him, there wasn't very much of the noisy gusto he had heard carnivores make while eating. These were civilized carnivores, or so it seemed to him! I had just come back from the near by forest with a longish pole of strong cycad wood, and I was fashioning it into a crutch shape, whittling on the branch with Klath's twin daggers, when I came up beside the injured Copro cart driver and sat down beside him.
"Almost finished with your crutch.", I told him as I saw him looking toward the feeding area. "How was the chow?"
"Not bad.", he replied. "It's just amazing what's going on here! Never in the history of Dinotopia has carnivores organized themselves in this manner! The high council at Waterfall City should know about this!"
"Well, a few months ago a Skybax rider flew into the area for a visit.", i told him. "he thought we were lost, and asked if we needed help. I told him what you now know, and he said the same thing. The guy's name was David Scott, I believe; and I think his Skybax's name was Freefall or something."
"Yes! The newcomers!", Branko said. "I heard of them. They say he was the quickest out of cadet school, and quickly rose to become assistant commander of the skybax squadrons."
"You know, I'm a newcomer too - a Dolphinback, if the term is correct.", I divulged. "My jet plane crah landed in the Rainy Basin about a year ago; and I've been living here ever since."
"We don't use that term any more...", Shawn Branko looked at me as if for the first time. "But how did you assimilate yourself to the ways of Dinotopia so fast? The scotts have been here for over two years now, and they still haven't fully gotten used to things!"
"Let's just say that I'm a quick learner!", I laughingly said. "No, actually I had a lot of help...", I told him my whole story from the point where he ejected to the day Branko's partner showed up at camp. "So you see, with all this going on, my life before this doesn't compare to this; but since there is almost no chance for me to be rescued from here, I figured to make the most of things.", I handed him the now finished crutch.
"A sound course of action.", Branko told me. "And now there is my own course of action. If you would help me up, I would like to see Hazzar now."
"Of course.", I said as I got up and stood him up as he winced. "Now, I think they put him over there..."
I got the crutch under his arm and helped him around the log. We went across the clearing, slightly downslope, where the copro cart sat; and went around it to where the body of Branko's Partner lay. Pincushion was still there, guarding him; and he roared defiantly as we approached. Branko looked upon the juvenile Tyranosaur like it would be the last thing he would ever see!
"Halt! Who goes there?", Pincushion bellowed.
"Pincushion, this is Shawn Branko. He was Hazzar's Partner.", I introduced. "Shawn, this is Pincushion, hunter in training.", i turned to the beast and said: "Good job guarding, son. You can go now, I guess."
"Sure thing, Stinger.", Pincushion said and turned to Branko. "Uh sir, sorry about your Partner.", he bowed and left the area.
"Polite, isn't he?", I said for conversation as I let him stand on his own beside Hazzar. "I guess I should leave you alone with him. I'll be over there if you need me.", I indicated a small tent with a campfire many dozens of yards away, where many Kirkys were practicing thier juggling act.
Branko climbed down the crutch to crouch at his Partner's head as I went to sit by the Kirky's fire and watched them practice. I wasn't too far away, so I could overhear what was going on between Branko and hazzar. As I watched the performance before me and heard the conversation behind me, the jugglers would occasionally send some of the things they were juggling my way. I would catch and flip them back to whichever performer I chose, and that performer would juggle what I sent without missing a beat. In the mean time, my ears picked up a far more somber conversation that made my entertainment that much less enjoyable.
"Oh..., Hazzar...!", Branko wept, clinging to his dead partner's head horn. "You were always there for me!", he snuggled. "And in your hour of need, I was nowhere to be found!"
Branko rose slightly and stroked under a closed leathery eye. "I remember you taking care of me as a child...", more tears rose. "remember the mudhole?... All the fun we had in my youth; and all of it you shared!", he sniffed. "I remember we even tried out for the Dinotopia Olympics!... Yeah, there wasn't an event specifiaclly for your kind, so we were disqualifyed..."
He shifted nack on his crutch. "I'm sorry I can't have you buried in your family plot, my friend; but i know a way to have your death benefit someone. you don't mind if these nice carnivores eat you, do you?", Branko wiped his face on his sleeve and rose with the aid of his crutch and his partner's horn. bracing himself this way, he called" "Uh...! Mister Stinger...?"
"All set?", I said when I got near. He nodded as I hiked him up by an arm.
"I guess so.", he winced as I helped him across the clearing. "I'm sure going to miss him..."
"I sympathize with you.", I said as we passed the campfire on the way to my cabin. "I'd be the same way if Rex passed away."
"He's your partner?", Branko said, then noticed we were going some place different. "Where are we going?"
"It rains here at night.", I answered his second question first. "I figured you might want some shelter. Yup, he's my partner. He's also the leader's son, and likes to be with him."
I took him into the woods, careful of the roots and scrub under the trees. A little further in he saw my cabin, and noticed the glow coming from under the door. He noticed the Veloceraptors I lived with as I opened the door, and was really taken aback. Whitetail had just put Ripper and Snapper to bed, and she had just gotten into her nest herself. I set him down on my pallet and I turned to get my spare bedroll.
"Shawn Branko, I would like you to meet my family.", I told him.
"You also live with Veloceraptors?", he asked.
"Yes. I have a contract with Whitetail, the matriarch of her tribe.", I said to him. Then I gave him an account of my agreement with her. "So I opted to take her as my mate, and raise her hatchlings like my own children."
"And your Partnership with Rex?", he asked.
"This has nothing to do with that.", I said. "With this union, and the fact that I am a clan member of clan Thundertail; it forms a bond with both species, creating peace and harmony."
"Do Veloceraptors mate for life?", he asked again.
"They do; but with this agreement, it will end when the children leave the nest.", I told him.
Just then Whitetail got up and came to me for a nuzzle. I looked at Branko after returning her gesture. "This is Whitetail. Over there is Ripper and Snapper - both boys.", I addressed her. "Whitetail, this is Shawn Branko, owner of that Copro cart out there."
"Hello, ma'am.", Branko nodded.
"Hello human.", Whitetail bowed. "I trust you are well. I am sorry for your loss."
"Thank you for your concern.", Branko said and turned to me. "Speaking about loss, I have decided to donate Hazzar to the carnivores around here. It is the duty of every Dinotopian to help others. I'm sure Hazzar would have wanted to help you folks out after all you have done for us!"
"Well, I think that's a wonderful gesture!", I said as I lay down again. "I'm sure everyone will appreciate it! Good night, Shawn - and everyone else!", I blew out the lantern.
I woke up very early the next morning; but it wasn't because I knew I had to help out with the hunt this morning. It was because of Shawn Branko's screaming all of a sudden! I sprung to a sitting position, and the cause for his screaming was abundantly evident. Ripper and Snapper had gotten it onto thier heads to wake me up this morning; but they ended up waking poor Shawn instead with thier pouncing! His injury, combined with his aversion of carnivores mixed with him forgetting where he was made him shriek uncontrollably at these junior monsters jumping on him!
"BOYS!!!... KNOCK IT OFF!!...", I yelled at them; and they eventually stopped, heads hung low. "That's real nice! Waking our guest like that!", I turned to the stricken man. "Sorry about that... Did they hurt you?"
"No... I don't... think so...", Branko panted, still trying to regain his composure. "Whew!... I was dreaming I was being chased by Tyranosaurs!", he turned to the boys. "And all of a sudden they were jumping on me!... I thought the Tyranosaur got me...!"
"Oof...!", I rubbed my face in sympathy. "I think they were trying to wake ME up. I usually sleep there.", I told him, then glared at Ripper and Snapper. "Shame on you!", they cringed. "What do you have to say for yourselves?"
"Sorry...", they droned in unison.
"Now, don't you two have training or something to do today?", I asked, knowing thier training schedule.
"Yes, sir.", they both said.
"So why aren't you getting ready for it?!", I asked sternly.
"We're waiting for everyone to get up"", Ripper replied.
"We couldn't wait any longer, so we were waking everyone up!", Snapper said and Ripper nodded.
"And I think you succeeded!", I said.
"No we didn't! Mom's not up!", Ripper said.
"Yes I was!", Whitetail turned to glare at them. "Who can sleep with all this racket?!"
"Like I said, you succeeded!", I said triumphantly. "Now! Off to training!... Go ahead, scoot!", Snapper and Ripper bolted out the door.
Both Whitetail and I shrugged and we prepared to get up. I gave her a nuzzle and then walked over to where Shawn Branko was laying.
"So, how are you feeling?", I asked. "Besides getting pounced on, that is!"
"Not too bad, considering!", he chuckled. "The leg feels a lot better. I think I can bend it a bit, but it kind of feels swollen."
"I'll have Ursula take a look at it in a little while.", I said as I headed for the door. "Want breakfast?"
"I'm pretty hungry at that...", Branko stretched. "Thanks!"
"I'll be right back.", I said as I turned for the door. "If you need anything in the mean time, ask Whitetail, ok?"
"Sure.", he said.
I left the cabin as Whitetail began tidying up the nests. Shawn Branko kept a pleasant face, but stared at her with mistrusting eyes while her back was turned the whole time.
The first thing I did was start ther fire by the cabion; and then went to the garden to harvest fresh vegetables for boiling. Once Branko's meal was ready, I delivered it and told him I would have another clan member help him out this morning; explaining I had to help with the hunt. This unnerved him that I would actually hunt and kill living animals; but I explained it was as necesary to Carnivores as a harvest was to herbivores.
The next thing I did was to go and see about Hazzar; and to tell Pincushion, who had once again been told to guard him, that Branko decided to donate his body to the clan. This news overjoyed the adolescent beast because he was eager for another round of training with the Kirkys! I next located Rex and Thundertail and told them about Branko's donation; bowing at the latter and receiving a lick from the former.
They both seemed overjoyed at the prospect since hunting had been becoming pretty lean around here lately; but also because the meat would be extra tasty since it had been laying around a while to cure! I bid my leave, telling them that I was in charge of the scouting party; but Thundertail said the scouting party had already left, and Thistlesnarl decided to lead the pack this morning! I was a bit miffed, but said that it would give the Tyranosaur experience in leadinbg a group - and Thundertail said that was a good idea as well.
Instead, I decided to visit the Kirky camp; and help Ursula to my cabin so she could tend to Shawn Branko's injured knee. I saw the hundreds of industrious little creatures busy sprucing up thier camp and venturing out into the rest of clan Thundertail to offer thier services to the rest. I wove my way through the tents, carts and miniature foot traffic until I made it to the boxy wagon of Ursula the fortune teller. I knocked on the side a couple of times, making the whole rig bounce on its' undercarrage, and waited a bit for her to bound out into the morning sunshine with a less than cheery look on her face!
"Why don't you tip the cart over while you're at it!", Ursula scolded until her eyes could focus on me. "Oh! Stinger dear! What brings you here - and so early!"
"It's mister Branko...", I said, but didn't get a chance to continue.
"He's bad?", she worried. "Oh dear! I guess I better get over there right away!... THEODORE!... My richshaw!..."
"Oh, it's not that!", I chuckled. "He's feeling much better after his rest. He thinks he can move his knee, and I believe it's only bruised."
"That so? You're a healer now?", Ursula rushed in and got her bag. "He's not well until I say he's well!... THEODORE!... You take slow medicine today?!"
"Coming!", came Theodore's tiny voice a few tents over.
"Just thought I'd let you know...", I chuckled, and presently Ursula's rickshaw came into view, Theodore pedaling like crazy until he stopped by Ursula and she got in. "He's in my cabin!...", I yelled in thier wake.
Shrugging, I went to the clearing by the western path near the river and asked a Kirky there if she had seen any Veloceraptor trainees about. Barb said that she saw them go farther down the path,which was toward where the Tyranosaur and Veloceraptor clans shared thier first kill; so I thanked her for the informeation and went in that direction.
It was a good thing that thier trainer, Mosquito, didn't dare let them practice on the other side of the river from here; for that was the territory of the Mosasaurs. We had a truce of sorts with them, even they weren't exactly the sociable sort. We would stay on our side of the river and they stay on thier side, where there was a giant marsh beyond that was thier home. There was one sweet old Mosasaur there, though. Soo was her name (Heavy on the 'Ssss' sound!), and she was so old she didn't have teeth, but her bite was extremely strong. One day a Tyranosaur chick slipped off a rock and landed in deep water. Soo came over and pushed the chick into safer water. We sometimes help out the old beast by tossing some of our leavings into the water for her so she could eat too...
My mind was so preoccupied with this reminiscing as I walked the path that I didn't notice the twin miniature juggernauts come up from behind and tackle me!
"Gotcha!", Ripper snarled in my ear.
"Fresh meat!", Snapper snapped in the other one.
"Ooh! Help! you got me!", I laughed as I toppled to the ground. The force of thier mock attack was merely enough to stagger me; but I fell like it was a real attack. I rolled on my back in the middle of the path and started a tickle counterattack of my own!
"BOYS! Stop that!", Mosquito yelled at them as he came out of hiding down along the path. He saw the whole thing! "You're supposed to be practicing how to stalk, not attacking people!
"Aw...!", Snapper said as he rolled off me.
"We were just having fun...", Ripper groaned, getting off my legs.
"Hunting is serious work, and you must go about it with a serious aditude!", Mosquito said sternly. "Now, back to the bushes, the both of you!... Get!!"
"Yes sir...!", Ripper said as they both scampered down the path and leapt into the bushes.
"Sorry about that, Stinger.", Mosquito said, helping me up. "Did they hurt you?"
"Naw!", I said. "We wrestle like that all the time! how are they doing, by the way?"
"They're learning fast, but they lack discipline. I'm having trouble stopping them doing stuff like you saw.", Mosquito told me. "So, how is that new human doing?"
"Better.", I said. "He thinks he's almost healed; but Ursula wants to be the judge of THAT!"
"That she would!", Mosquito told me. "I sat in a thornbush the other day, and look what she did to me!", the base of his tail was wrapped up like a mummy!
"Yeah, she's kind of demanding when it comes to medicine.", I said as another of Mosquito's students came out of the underbrush. She whooped for joy as she carryed a rather dismayed Kirky.
"Looky what I caught!", Dungbeetle said proudly. "Caught him sneaking around, I did!"
"Hey!... Put me down, missy...!", the little one squealed. This one I remembered was named Jerry.
"Dungbeetle!! Do as the nice Kirky says!", Mosquito ordered, and Dungbeetle immediately complied. She backed up and leapt into the underbrush.
"Sorry about that, fine saurian.", Mosquito apologized.
"Don't mention it.", Jerry said. "Say Stinger! I been looking all over for you! The boss wants you to go to the feeding area right away - not my boss, your boss!"
"Oh..., you mean Thundertail?", I asked and he nodded. "Yeah, sure.", I quickly walked back up toward the Tyranosaur camp.
Both saurians shrugged and went back to what they were doing as I came out into the kirky camp. I wove my way around the foot traffic until I made it to the clearing proper. As I made it up the rise where the feeding area was, I saw Shawn Branko sitting on a log surrounded by many of my carnivore clanmembers; and he was there alone and seemingly unafraid!
"Fly With A Stinger, come over here, if you please!", Thundertail called as soon as I was within sight. I sat down on the log beside Shawn. "Mister Branko here has donated the body of his beloved Partner for today's feast. Wasn't that generous of him?"
"Yes, it was!", I said as Rex sidled near me, grasping my shoulder with a dual fingered hand. "That was really Dinotopian of you, Shawn!"
"Yes, and this act also makes him an honorary clan member.", Thundertail said so all could hear. "Those who would provide us with food deserves no less. He is welcome here for as long as he likes; and would be welcome here again if he should find himself once again in these parts!"
"Please..., you shouldn't.", Branko said. "It was simply for the fact that I wouldn't be able to transport Hazzar all the way back home!", he smiled slightly. "And the fact that he wouldn't be too presentable if I could!"
As the chuckles for that comment died down around the feeding area, Whitetail came over with Shawn's food and sat down beside him with her own food. The smalltalk resumed as more food was served to the rest of the clan in that group. I absently stroked Rex's side as he rubbed my shoulder with the two fingered hand of his smallish forelimb. We had been so busy lately with our own seperate business that we rarely had time to see each other. Partners form a strong bond over time, and we both missed each other immensely!
Once the meal ended we all sat there and whiled away most of the afternoon, talking about things that were mostly clan business. I eventually commented on how civilized this clan was becoming, and that it was becoming more civilized every day. Thundertail, not knowing what being truely civilized meant, asked me how the society I used to live in outside Dinotopia worked. I told him about democracies and a few other types of governments, or at least the way i understood them; and stressed that those were only my opinions on how thay worked! He was intrigued at how smoothly some of them seemed to work, and how each person had a say in what goes on. He seemed to grasp more quickly how a kingdom was run, saying that it was much like how he ran the clan.
Shawn Branko told all he knew on how the government on Dinotopia worked: the Dinotopian council metering out decrees based on what the people say should be. It reminded me of the parlaimentary type of government seen in Great Britain and other places, I told them; and once I knew this, I began to figure out ways to deal with them if the situation called for it.
The conversations turned from this and the inevitable suggestions to create our own form of government to the more mundane talk of the events of the next few days. Ursula had conceeded that Shawn Branko's leg was much better than she had first diagnosed, and he would be walking unaided in as little as a few days. After that, he said, he would have to leave; for his superiors would certainly be worried about him! Thundertail repeated that he could stay much longer if he wished!
As the evening began to manifest itself, the Kirky circus put on a performance right there in front of the massive bonfire that was erected in the feeding area. A juggling act featuring a dozen jugglers dressed up in a mixture of clown and gypsy attire. They were throwing around a myriad of jugglable objects; from clubs to balls and many other unusual things - including extra sharp-looking knives! A band accompanied them, playing tunes both circuslike and folkish all at once. They danced to this tune as they juggled; and every time a juggler would receive a knife, they would scream and toss it away theatrically!
Shawn Branko thought it one fine evening of entertainment!
That day ended and so did the next. Mister Branko steadily got better, and was soon able to get up on his own and walk by himself with the aid of the crutch. He was finally able to take a small tour of the clansite, and his leg quickly got better with the exertion. At night he would tell us tales of his life, and the regions he had traveled through for his job as Copro cart driver.
There were times he was in mortal danger, both from carnivores as well as those of the natural kind. He had been confronted several times by Outsiders, who were more like land pirates; who did not adhere to the ethics of Dinotopia at all, and they would rob you or beat you up or both! The most notorious band of Outsiders these days was the group led by the infamous Torres LaSage; whom told her victims that she was a long time descendant of a pirate that washed up on these shores - or so she claimed! Branko told us she was sly and cunning, and took no quarter from anyone, especially the authorities.
Sounded like a sweet girl to me!
The day soon came when Shawn Branko was deemed well enouth to travel; and though he became quite attatched to everyone here, he felt it his duty to return to his duties as soon as possible. Since Treetown, his original destination, was so far away, and the Rainy Basin was frought with dangers; Thundertail insisted that he have an escort to take him the majority of the way. He picked himself, Grond, Rex and Pincushion - the latter to see how he was behaving - and wanted Mayday and myself to come along as well. Though Mayday no doubt knew a lot of Dinotopia, all I knew of was the area of the Rainy Basin the clan was centered in!
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(Continued in the next reply.)
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Post by thundertail on Jul 20, 2007 20:12:42 GMT -5
FIFTEEN: "Discovered." (Continued, again!)
"Pincushion, you will let mister Branko ride you.", Thundertail told him. "Guard him well and your Path Of Shame may be shortened."
"Yes sir!", Pincushion dared not refuse!
Since grond and Mayday have been close as of late, she may ride him.", he continued. "Fly With A Stinger, you will ride me."
"But I do not deserve the honor!", I protested.
"On the contrary!", Thundertail said. "With the weight of your armor, Rex would not be able to carry you!"
"But I'm strong enough!", Rex said.
"Do not refuse the wishes of your father, the king!", Thundertail roared, then his voice became softer. "Besides, I would need a riderless one for speed in case we are attacked!"
We all readied ourselves and mounted the Tyranosaur chosen for us. We left the clansite, choosing the northward path that skirted near the river. This path led by the clearing that the combined clan shared thier first kill, and back out into stifling jungle. These paths would eventually lead to Treetown via the Backbone Bridge; but Mayday informed us that that bridge had seen years of neglect, and was no longer safe to use. That meant we would have to skirt the foothills of the Backbone mountains and find a pass that would let us get to our destination. We took the northeast path at the next crossroads.
We traveled ever northeast, into lands none of had ever seen before. This was the territory of unknown carnivores. Thundertail whispered to Rex to keep an extra vigilant guard on our group as we all grew more nervous with every step our Tyranosaur steeds took. The jungle sounds, so prominent that it was barely noticed, all of a sudden became hushed. This sign made us travel with extra wary caution; and we only traveled another half mile before we found out the reason why.
"HALT!", roared a wild eyed Tyranosaur that sprung out of a side path in front of them. "Go no further or be destroyed!", his emaciated form told otherwise!
"Do not hinder us, fellow hunter!", Thundertail roared back, Rex standing at his side. "We are on a mission of peace!"
"Go no further!!", the challenger repeated. "My nesting grounds are ahead!"
"We do not wish to disturb your nest, kind saurian.", Thundertail told him. "I am king Thundertail, of clan Thundertail. I am delivering this human...", he indicated Branko on Pincushion's back. "To his destination in Treetown.", then he took a calmer tone. "What is your name, kind sir?"
"I am Snaptail. My mate has lain her eggs near by, and wishes seclusion.", Snaptail said. "I have heard of clan Thundertail. they are the ones who take in strangers - and humans!"
"That we do!", Thundertail chuckled. "We find symbiosis beneficial to all. We find that hunters of different species can combine thier talents, and yhis increases thier chances for success."
"My clan thinks that such a practice is unnatural and an abomination!", Snaptail told us. "But as my mate and I are secluded in birth, we are too few in number to argue! You may pass with your group; but please veer to the east for the next three miles.", he bowed with mistrusting eyes. "Beware of the Sunstones near Treetown, for they are most powerful today."
"We will comply, noble hunter, for your eggs and for the advice!", Thundertail said as he bowed. "My advice to you is to go hunting today. You look famished!"
"That I will, fine king saurian.", Snaptail backed off the path. "But my mate comes first...", he turned and the jungle swallowed him up.
"Good luck with your eggs!", Branko waved to the quivering branches.
Thundertail and I continued down the path we were on, Grond and Mayday next in line and pincushion with Branko next and Rex taking up the rear. We traveled past Snaptail's territory, onward and upward into the foothills of the Backbone mountains. The going was getting tough and trecherous as there were many skinny ravines we had to go through or travel down; and the streams at the bottom of many made travel most difficult to ford. At an extra wide and strong stream we stopped; for it looked deep, and there seemed like there were no safe places to cross.
"Now what?", Grond complained.
"We go on." Thundertail told him. "Perhaps there is an easier way downstream..."
"Wait! I have an idea, my king!", Pincushion said, rushing up to his side, Branko clinging to his hide. "We can make a bridge and walk across!"
"How?", Thundertail asked.
"See those trees?", Pincushion indicated with his snout; where a stand of many trees of various suzes grew by the water's edge. "Just push one or two over and we can walk across!", to demonstrate, he went and pushed a smaller one over, much to Branko's dismay; but the tree did not fall across the stream. It was too skinny to support a Tyranosaur's weight anyway!
"Good idea, son!", Thundertail marveled at Pincushion's injenuity. "Grond, Rex, help us push over that largest one!"
We all dismounted, and all four Tyranosaurs got to work on the largest tree in the grove. It was clearly twelve feet across, and easily strong enough tosupport at least one adult Tyranosaur at a time. Using thier combined strength plus a little direction from me, the tree fell across the stream dozens of moments later; landing with a splash with plenty of length to spare, but ending up precariousely on two unstable boulders on the other side. Thundertail tested it with a foot as the rest of us rested from the labor, and found the log a little unstable at his pressure; and a few moments later we remounted our rides and prepared to cross.
"Careful everyone.", Thundertail instructed.
"Naw! This looks easy!", Pincushion stepped to the log and hopped on.
"Woah! Watch it, son!", Branko balked as his steed rocked on the log.
Pincushion gracefully crossed the log, pirouetted at the end and deftly crossed back. he addressed the others. "See? Just like I practiced! it's easy!"
Pincushion pranced across the log again, hopped off and turned to watch the others try. Thundertail stepped onto the log as I held on tight; and he tested his footing warily. The log wobbled under his feet, and he made great efforts to steady himself.
"Clench your toes into the wood!", Pincushion coached from the far bank. "Let your ankles pivot, and let your sense of balance compensate for the wobble!"
With slow, determined effort, Thundertail got to the other side and hopped off with an earth shaking thud.
"Come on everyone!", Thundertail yelled, then turned to Pincushion. "Well done, son."
"Show-off!", I lightly scolded passing.
Grond was next to pass across. His slow, sure steps were punctuated by the look of total concentration on his face. Mayday gasped at a slight misstep, but both made it across two minutes later. Rex hopped onto the log when he was done and tried to match Pincushion's finesse at stepping across. His foot slipped off and sent him spraddling the log painfully - and I gasped in sympathetic pain myself! He pushed himself up with his forelimbs, wheezing with the effort and loss of wind; and slowly got his feet under him. Rex naturally redoubled his caution for the rest of the trip across the log!
"You hurt, son?", Thundertail asked softly as he passed us.
"I don't think so.", rex panted slightly.
"I'll have Ursula take a look at it when we get back, just in case.", Thundertail told him.
We all gathered around on the other side and got our bearings. Once we decided the direction, we headed north again and excecuted a slight uphill slope in the path we had found. The path sloped up for a good half hour's march, and then began to gradually level off. Pretty soon Pincushion slowed for no aparent reason; then he began to moan mournfully and shake his boxy head violently.
"What's wrong, boy?", Branko asked atop his back, then got our attention. "Uh..., sirs!... I think something is wrong with Pincushion!"
"What is it, son?", Thundertail asked as soon as he got near.
"I don't know...", Pincushion was wincing and gasping. "There's a buzzing in my head... Like bees...", he moaned. "Growing louder...! HURTS!!..."
"Wait, where are we exactly?", Branko asked.
"Just over foothills, other side of Backbone mountains.", Mayday guessed.
"I see! We are coming out of the Rainy Basin, and getting into the range of the Sunstones.", Branko said. "They ward off all carnivores, you know."
"Of course!", I said. "The amulets I gave you will guys will prevent any discomfort from the rest of you; but we took Pincushion's away from him, remember? That other Tyranosaur said the Sunstones were strong today. He will feel the Sunstones' full effect if he goes any further!"
"This is bad!", Thundertail said, making a decision. "Pincushion, wait by the log bridge and guard it. Mister Branko, you will ride Rex the rest of the way."
"You needn't bother, sirs!", Branko said as he got down. "I could walk the rest of the way."
"We are in territory I have never seen before.", Thundertail told him. "There may be unseen dangers here. You might need our protection."
"I never seen this area, either.", I added. "I'd like to see it."
"I guess it is unwise to refuse a Tyranosaur!", Branko smiled, turniong to Pincushion. "Thank you for your help, little hunter.", he stroked his muzzle. "Good bye, my friend - and have a good life."
"Bye, mister Branko!", Pincushion gave him a nuzzle. "It was fun having you - but not for dinner!", Branko chuckled as he turned to Rex after Pincushion started back down the path.
"Here, sir.", Rex smiled. "Climb up on my back!"
Branko complied, receiving some help by Rex; and soon our group continued on our way along the ever widening path. Our goal of Treetown was still many miles away, or so Mayday informed us as we exited the foothills of the Backbone mountains. We noticed the amulets the Tyranosaurs were wearing had begun to glow softly, increasing in intensity with every step we took.
At a promentory near a curve in the path, a view came upon us that gave us all pause. In the slight distance through the trees lay a city of red brick and shiny marble, mixed with the wooden buildings of more utilitarian design. This was not Treetown, like where we wished to go; but it was in fact Bent Root, formerly a major trading outpost along the banks of Deep Lake. these days it was but a shanty town that was still steeped in the traditions of thier ancesters.
Treetown looked nothing like Bent Root, Shawn Branko said; for most of thier wooden buildings were built up in the massive trees growing in that area, and only the wooden barns and homes for thier Brach residents resided on the ground. Branko said that he could easily get transportation to Treetown from Bent Root as it was only a few extra miles southeast. that sounded agreeable to everyone present, so they turned back to the path and pressed on. As the path delved back into the forest for a spell, it came out upon a clearing that seemed more than twice the area as the one used by clan thundertail, and was roughly square in shape with a bulging rige up its' center.
At the crest of this plain we encountered a crossroads, and we paused in decision on which way to go. While we were doing this, a cart being pulled by a triceratops emerged into the for end of the clearing from the west, followed by two armor-clad Brachs with massive multi-passenger saddles on thie backs. Four armored saurian guards flanked this convoy; but none of them saw us until the Triceratops gave out a massive warning bellow! Upon seeing us, the guards consulted each other on what to do, and a moment later rushed over to confront us!
"Proceed no further, carnivore scum!", the first guard yelled, hefting his staff as the others followed suit behind him. "Go back the way you came!"
"We mean you no harm!...", thundertail announced, but the roaring language made the guards take more defensable stances!
"Let me handle this, my king.", I whispered. "We mean you no harm! We are on a mission of kindness!"
"State your mission, human that rides Tyranosaurs!", the first guard ordered.
"A Copro cart entered our territory, and we found the driver lost and injured.", I began. "We tended to his wounds, and now are retuning him to where he came."
"Who is this Copro cart driver?", the first guard asked sternly.
"I am!", Shawn Branko slid off Rex after he tossed his sachel to the ground and picked it up. "My name is Shawn Branko, of the Copro Guild. My Partner and I were lost in the Rainy Basin when we had an accident, and I was injured. Hazzar went to get help, and brought these kind creatures to rescue me."
"Then where is your Partner," the guard asked. "And where is your cart?"
"Hazzar died of a failed heart.", Branko explained. "He was old, and should not have gone on this trip. It was impossible for me to recover the Copro cart, so it now resides at these creatures' camp."
"And what became of your Partner?", the guard asked.
"They ate him.", Branko said simply.
"We ARE carnivores, after all!", I added.
"Humans who eat meat are abominations!", a second guard commented. "But this other human wears the Copro Guild uniform."
"I say we take them to Bent Root and let thier council decide thier fate!", said the third guard.
"I say we run off the Tyranosaurs and arrest the humans!", said a fourth.
"I am in command of this convoy!", the first guard told them. "I say we take the Copro cart driver and send off the rest!"
"I say that you had better make up your minds quick!", the Triceratops told them from the convoy. "It is getting late, and the Tyranosaurs look like they are getting hungry!"
"Sirs!... Please!...", Branko shouted. "All I wish is to obtain transportation to Treetown at Bent Root! I do not think it is very Dinotopian to give my friends a hard time like this!"
"It is true! We meant no harm, I assure you!", I confirmed. "All we wishewd to do was to see mister Branko gets back to where he belongs; and now that this is done, I think we should be on our way."
"But what will the authorities at Bent Root have to say about this?", the first guard asked.
"Once you explain it to them, they will understand.", I said. "Nothing more should be said on the matter... But the triceratops is right! It is indeed getting late; and I do not know about my comrades, but i am getting mighty hungry!", Rex lowered his snout in amuisement while grond just rolled his eyes. "Laughing, I said: "So we bid you all a fond adeau, and a fruitful life. Breathe deep, seek peace!", I quoted thier saying.
Branko turned and gave us a mutual nod. "Good bye, everyone! Good fortune to you all!", he walked to the cart being pulled by the triceratops and threw his satchel into it.
Thundertail turned around and began to slowly walk back the way we came, and the rest of us followed suit. Watching them go, Branko sat in the cart as it too pulled away and got into line in front of the convoy; and he waved until our group disapeared from view. Our group eventually made it to the area where Thundertail told Pincushion to wait for us.
Along the way a miffed thundertail went on about the way the guards treated us. was that the way all Dinotopians thought of us? That we were nothing but murderous monsters?! Did thier mistrust of us spark so much hatred that they would actually engage us on sight? He admitted that he couldn't vouch for every carnivore in the Rainy Basin, but Thundertail knew that everyone in his clan were as peaceful as can be! During his ranting, I tried to assure him that some of them didn't think of us that way; and we could take more decisive measures to convince the rest of them not to be so afraid of us. Thundertail asked me to elaborate, so i gave him a few small suggestions to conmsider that would demonstrate our good will.
Within the hour we had made it to the rushing stream that we had toppled the log that forded it. At first we could see no sign of Pincushion, but he soon came calling for us moments later. He introduced us to a pleasant suprise once he led us a short distance!
"Look here, fellow clan members!", Pincushion said with a toothy grin on his face. "I waited like you told me. I was so quiet that this Ankylosaur didn't see me until it was too late!"
"Well done, Pincushion!", Grond rumbled. "It usually takes two or more to handle one of these!"
The corpse in front of us was indeed an Ankylosaur. It suffered a gored neck, and it didn't die without putting up a fight; for it's clubbed tail was wedged between two close growing trees.
"Yeah, as soon as he saw me, he swung the tail like mad!", Pincushion explained. "I dodged him until he got his tail stuck,... then I struck!"
"Well, how ever you did it, well done!", Thundertail said, smiling.
"We were getting pretty hungry at that!", Rex licked his chops.
We all had our fill, but tried to keep it short never the less. Then we dragged the remains off the path as it was a well traveled path, and continued on our way home. Crossing the log bridge we made was less of a feat of acrobatics since we had done it before, and we retraced our steps the way we had come. Night had set by the time we had gotten back to our expanded territory, and we bedded down for the night two miles short of the clearing where the first joint kills were made.
In the morning we continued on, and joined up with one of our hunting parties, who were stioll out hunting in that area. Waterkill led this group of several lesser Tyranosaurs and a large troop of Veloceraptors; and they greeted us most profusely. Waterkill told us they were just out replentishing thier larder, and only a small herd of parasolophus were taken.
With our help, the hunting party dragged thier kills into camp; and even though it looked like any other day around here, some things were definitely different. For one thing, the Kirkys 'Big Top' tent had been taken down. Thundertail went over to Harold and Mildred, thier leaders and begged for them to stay.
"Heck no, boss!", Harold said as he let go a rope. "We're just makin' room around here. We wouldn't up and leave like that - unless you want us to!"
"That's a relief!", Thundertail told him. "We'd miss the entertainment!"
"Yeah, we thought it was gettin a bit crowded around here!", Harold told him. "You guys like small shows anyway!"
"Well, you know you never have to leave if you don't want to.", said thundetail. "You would be missed!"
"Ah! My fans!", Harold sighed and grabbed another rope.
The other strange thing was the fact that Shawn Branko's Copro cart was missing from where we left it. I asked around since I thought I was responsable for its' well being. It turned out the Kirkys took it too; and they hauled it over where they had parked thier own miniscule carts. Dozens of the little carnivores were all over it, pouring into every aspect of the cart and measuring and generally tying to repair it.
"There it is!", I said to kirky with his nose in a set of blueprints. his head jerked up and eyed me strangely.
"Huh?, he said, stylus raised. "Oh! The Copro cart. Yeah, it was becoming an eyesore over there in the middle of things. We're trying to figure out a way to use it around here. Stupid thing is designed for four-foots, not Tyranos!"
"I guess that's a useful idea.", i said, absently looking at what the other kirkys were doing. they were repainting the Copro emblem on the side of the cart: bright blue shield with a gold crown at the center, now painted with real gold paint and done to look almost real! "I was wondering where it went. I suspect that mister branko would want us to take good care of it."
"Well, don't worry about that! We got plans for it!", he squeaked. "Uh..., name's gavin, by the way. Have we met?"
"I'm not sure. You Kirkys all look the same to me.", i said. "You all got slightly different voices, though, Gavin's had a slightly Austrailian lilt.
"Anyway, see these yokes? I got to design them so they'll fit Tyranos.", Gavin said. "I got others searchin' the woods for proper lumber. The rest are paintin' her up and fixin' squeaks. We're taking apart the original yokes, and we're gonna carve new ones when they get back."
I see.", I said as I walked around the back of the cart. They had hung a plank at the back of the cart proper. It was a mudguard, but it had saurian writing on it. "A mudguard?"
"No need to kick mud into someone's eye, right?", gavin smiled. "Now, that sayin'. it tells how we see things in life."
""Copro Happens!'.", I read and chuckled. "I love it! Funny and profound at the same time - and a perfect place to put it, too!", I chuckled some more
"Glad you like it, lad!", Gavin chuckled too. "Now, if only the boss will go for it..."
"I'm sure he'll like it too!", I told him. "He'll probably think it's typical for your bunch!, I nodded and walked away, still chuckling.
Those Kirkys crack me up!!!... _____
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Post by thundertail on Jul 21, 2007 20:30:01 GMT -5
SIXTEEN: "Expansion."
Two nights later I was once again on guard duty. I shared the morning shift with Bross Dilophosaur, who wasn't very much of a conversationalist! After the usual smalltalk between us died down, we both git busy guarding the perimeter of the camp. The morning sun rose slowly like it usually did, bringing its' special brand of cheer to ward off the gloominess of night; and I smiled as I watched it wash over our camp. Bross passed my position right on time, and we went to the main path to the camp for a break.
"Our shift should be over soon.", I said offhandedly.
"And when we are finished, I must go instruct the young ones.", Bross said woodenly.
"I taught them languages yesterday.", I told him. "I don't think carnivores will ever get the hang of speaking English!"
"You seem to grasp our languages well.", Bross observed.
"That is due to the armor I wear.", I told him. "Klamath can translate any language almost instantly!"
Bross's stomach rumbled. "Can he translate that?", he snickered.
"Oh, I don't need him for that!, I laughed. "You're hungry!"
"And the hunting party left moments ago, too.", Bross said dejectedly. "They will not be back for hours."
Before I could make a comment, we both heard at the same time a loud rustling coming from down the path in the forest. We snapped into action, taking defensive stances and creeping onto the path. We saw the bushes move of thier own accord to eather side of the path, and darkened shapes move among them. A form was seen directly on the path, followed by two more; and they seemed to know we were there, but didn't seem to care. these three shapes walked toward us and came out from the shadows of the trees, to the edge of the clearing as we backed up to allow them to do so. As all three crouched on the ground and hissed mewlingly, I noticed the ungainly looks of these mansize creatures; tan beaks on misshapenm heads, multicolored feathers and all!
"Rise and identify yourselves!", Bross ordered. "Why are you tresspassing into clan Thundertail?"
The creature in front rose and made a series of of deafening screeches mixed with discordant chortlings and other types of catterwaulings that made Bross wince and cover his earslits. These terrible sounds would be in the same irritating category as scraping fingernails across a blackboard and many other unpleasant sounds all rolled into one! I winced too until Klamath could get a fix on the language, then he translated it into something that I could understand, so I translated for Bross.
"He says that they have traveled far and wide.", I told him. "They seek a place where they heard that carnivores of different species live as one."
"Tell them to shut up!", Bross said, covering his earslits harder.
"Travelers, my comrade says that your language is most disturbing to hear.", I said as Klamath translated. "Is there another way you can communicate?"
"We can dance the Footprint dance, if it pleases you.", The creature said. "We realize the Ovaraptor language is disturbing for others to hear."
"I can't stand it any more!", Bross backed away. "YOU talk to them! I will get our king!", he scampered away as fast as he could.
"Fine saurians, I am Stinger, member of clan Thundertail.", I told them as I bowed, Klamath translating my greeting. "Here is a clan where carnivores of different lineage hunt and live well. You have indeed found the place you seek; but I am a loss as to why you would seek this place."
"Word has traveled around the Rainy Basin of a clan of Tyranosaurs that is trying to live with other clans in peace.", The lead Ovaraptor said. "We few are the only ones left of my pack. We seek a place that we can live in peace, and we sought this place for the kind creatures that are said to rule it."
"So, I take it you came to ask if you can stay here!", I concluded. "I must confess that I do not have authority to make those decisions. King thundertail will decide whether you stay or leave.", I finished as Bross brought Thundertail and a number of others.
While thier leader was talking to me, the reas had decided to stand; but they bowed as the rest of the group approached. They squawked nervousely as many clan members scrutinized them from a short distance. I translated thier greetings and wishes to thundertail, then he looked them over with an eye of suspicion.
"Never before have I seen such strange dinosaurs.", Thundertail looked down at these almost deformed things before him. "What services could they perform for thier stay here?"
"We are hunters that employ stealth and teamwork to obtain our meals.", the leader, bearing deep blue head plumage, said as I translated. most of the others present cringed slightly at this most hideous language, but thundertail did not. "We are loving and caring to our offspring; and our female, Selma, knows the healing techniques.", the leader of the Ovaraptors indicated a bright green plumed individual that took a step back at the gesture.
"Well, I think these creatures look neat!", Rex smiled, giving these newcomers an extra nasal scrutiny. "They seem harmless enough, and thier skills could prove useful around here.", he looked at his father. "They sought us out because they heard of our kind; and this proves that word of us is getting around! I really think we should take them in..., with your permission, of course!"
"Then with my son's endorsement, my answer is yes!", Thundertail chuckled. "You may join us, fine saurians!", he turned to his son. "They look rather unusual at that, son!...", then beack down to these creatures, who were waist high on him. "Welcome to your new home, my friends!"
"We thank you for your wise decision, my king!", the leader of the Ovaraptor trio screeched, and i continued translating. "My name is Greach, leader of my pack. Selma is my mate and Dulock is my second.", The green plumed female bowed while the lighter blus plumed male shuffled as his yellow slitted eyes danced around the creatures around him with mirth.
"Indeed! However, your language will have to be gotten used to!", Thundertail chuckled. "Come! We will provide shelter; and food, once our hunting party arrives.", He led the trio further into camp as these strange creatures craned thier hideous red necks to spy every aspect of the camp.
"I shall allow you the day to get used to everyone and be introduced; then tomorrow I will decide your tasks.", Thundertail went on as they walked bside them. Even though the trio could barely understand regular carnivore language, the Ovaraptors nodded at the instruction as I continued translating. "We generally rotate the work assignments to allow the various talents of all to proliferate at the same time. First we will see a demonstration of your natural talents, then later train you on other tasks."
The Ovaraptors nodded as they jerkily walked beside thier new leader, then sat at his instruction by a log near our feeding area. I translated as Thundertail told them the lore of the clan up to the point where they accepted me as one of them. Then it was my turn to relate to them who I was and the events that brought me here today. They told me that these events would naturally need to occur for a clan such as this to form in the way it had. I told them of the temples and pyramid in the distance, and the lost city of Halcyon hidden in the mountains beyond.
By the time I was done telling my tale, and thier subsequent comments from all of them concerning this; many of our clan had come over to greet these newcomers in our midst. The hatchlings and younger members were frightened at first at these strangely colored and shaped creatures; but the Ovaraptors either treated them with mild indifference or gently responded to thier curious proddings. The female, Selma, cooed and chortled at thier youthful antics; but squawked slightly when she felt a touch on her shoulder - and the squinting face of ursula looking up at her.
"So, you're a healer too, I hear.", Ursula asked after they were introduced. "Well sweetie, we'll just see if your skill matches my fifty years of treating people!"
"I would be honored to share as well as learn.", was Selma's translated reply.
"Oh! There's no need to translate for me, Stinger honey!", Ursula told me. "I know many different dialects."
"That's swell!", I said. "I'll just leave you tewo girls to yourselves, then!"
I went around the other side of the small group of newcomers, noticing the Kirkys congregating around them; introducing themselves singly and in groups. Some of them could actually understand the extremely discordant language somewhat, and both species attempted animated conversations with each other. mayday looked the little creatures over, offering a hand of friendship; but the Ovaraptors are instinctively wary of physycal contact, and shied away from her attempts. Grond was no more successful as he drew in for a closeup scrutiny!
By the time all the carnivores present had gotten used to the new creatures in thier midst, the hunting party began to arrive with thier quarry. Deathflower and Thistlesnarl were dragging thier joint Styraccosaur kill into the area, not knowing the new Ovaraptors were only trying to help them as they passed. Both tyranosaurs nearly attacked them before things were explained to them - after which both Tyranosaurs apologized profusely!
The Ovaraptors merely nodded and shuffled back to thier seats. Moments later the rest of the hunting party returned, the subsequent feast commenced and the hunting party was introduced to Greach, Selkma and Dulock. The newcomers refrained from using thier natural language when asked to express how they felt at the moment; so they instead performed a Footprint dance to show thier gratitude for the hospitality they were receiving.
A Footprint dance is a way the saurian Footprint language is pressed onto the ground for all to hear, the dancer swings and twisrts to place thier footptints in the exact spots for reading in the dirt. The Ovaraptors' messages were danced in a sandy spot near the feeding area, and told us all what they wished to tell us.
'Thank you for taking us in', Dulock danced.
'Your hospitality is most appreciated.', Selma danced.
'What you wish we will do.', Greach danced.
The Kirkys, seeing this graceful spectacle, ran to bring over some musical interuments; and they began to compose a tune on the spur of the moment in rithym of this hopping performance. Hearing this musuc, the Ovaraptors nodded in approval and redoubled thier dancing pace. Pretty soon many other Kirkys joined in on this dance, and many found partners to dance with, and soon they were having a really good time of it! This dancing was contageous, and pretty soon the hatchling tyranosaurs and other members joined the dance; and on the spur of the moment, I joined in as well!
As I spun around, all of a sudden I found my hands in Selma's clawed ones; and she bounced us higher with every step, much higher than I could unaided by Klamath. I was laughing and swinging her around like it were an old-fashioned square dance! Mayday had joined the fray with the aid of Greach, and all of a sudden she was in my arms instead as greach switched dancing partners. Many moments later, as weariness took over me, I begged out and sat down at the edge of the crowd that had former around this dancing As the Ovaraptors ended thier dance and the musicians took thier cue to end as well, a peal of cheer and clapping as was the want of everyone present rang out in appreciation of the performance!
"A wonderful event, my friends!", Thundertail said for all to hear. "That was a much better form of communication than before! It proves that you are creatures of worth; and there is no doubt that you are most welcome here!"
"Thank you.", Selma squawked softly, and I translated since I was closest. "From al of us!"
It ended up taking almost a week for the clan to fully get used to seeing the Ovaraptors in our campsite; but it took much longer for us to get used to thier ghastly voices! We spent most of that time going about our business, such as hunting, revisiting the Incan pyramid, making sure all the roads and trails in our territory were safe as well as patrolling for any traveler that was in distress. We felt it our duty to do the latter since we wished to have good repport with our neighbors and anyone else that would wander into our territory.
It was around that time when we had found yet some more visitors in our midst. Like last time, they were looking specifically for us; but actually joining us was not what they had in mind!
I was away at the time, helping to catalogue some of the hyroglyphics on the walls in the Incan pyramid interior, and many nof the Kirkys were with me. Those tiny creatures were extremely smart as well as being extremely funny, and many had genious level intellegence, and knew a lot of history and other scholorly activities. They were helping me decipher these glyphs, drawing them up on parchment and making notes on remnants of paint that still remained in the crevices of the carved reliefs.
Anyway, we were returning from our day in the pyramid with many a satchel of parchment in our loads, and noticed a large pushcart in camp with four non-carniverous dinosaurs nervousely huddled around it with many of our clan near them. They were all in a state of panic to extreme alarm as they jabbered away trying to exoplain themselves. I gave my satchels to Theodore kirky and ran over to see what was the matter.
Two of the new dinosaurs were Stenoychosauruses, or so Klamath informed me; and they seemed to be the brains of the group as they tried to explain themselves. The other two were saurian guards, Corythosaurs, I guessed; and they were dressed in identical semi-armored uniforms. These wielded staffs that were poised, ready for defense while one of the latter two frantically searched thier cart for something among thier cargo of scrolls and parchment.
"What did you catch today, Rex?", I asked as I got into the group.
"Just these guys.", Rex said. He was in charge of the camp while his father was leading today's hunt. "They came into camp, and Mayday said they are on a mission from the high council at Waterfall City!"
"Hello strangers.", I addressed them. "What brings you into clan Thundretail?"
"Oh! Another human!", one of the Stenoychosauruses said, who was situated between the two guards. "Ahem!... We were sent by the cultural study guild at Waterfall City to study your group and report back.", he turned to his cohort peering into the cart. "Did you find the notice, Merry?"
"Not yet.", Merry answered in a feminine voice. "You brought it along, didn't you?"
"Of course I did! I'm very thourough, you know!", then he turned to me. "Yes, we did bring that notice - I'm sure of it!... Now. Are you in charge here?"
"No, not really.", I said. "This is clan Thundertail, and he runs the place. I am Stinger. I help out around here and translate and stuff like that. What is your name, by the way?"
"I am Sperry Stenoychosaurus, assistant curator of records at the cultural study guild.", Sperry said. "My counterpart, Merry here, is my assistant."
"Pleased to meet you both.", I said. "And these other two?..."
"They are our saurian guard escorts.", Sperry explained. "You can't expect us to be trapsing about the Rainy Basin unprotected, don't you?"
"I guess not...", I said. "But they won't be necesary here. We are a friendly group, and hunting is not allowed in our camp - one of our rules, you know!"
"Ooh! Merry! Make a note of that!", Sperry said. "And now, that Thundertail person you spoke of. Could we speak to him now?"
"He is on a hunting expedition this morning.", Rex told him, but his barking roars unnerved the newcomers to no end! "He left me in charge until he returns.", I translated.
"Uh..., I see.", Sperry said, eyeing the large carnivore before him warily. "And your name is...? For the record, of course."
"I am Rex, son of king Thundertail.", I said for Rex., then added a bit of information on my own. "Thundertail is the direct descendant of Stinktooth the Great, friend of the infamous Arthur Dennison."
"Yes, I read about Stinktooth.", Merry said as she drew herself out of the cart with the needed document. "He was one of the first Tyranosaurs to see benefit in interacting with other creatures - outside of eating them, of course!"
"Yes, and we hear that king Thundertail is attempting to actually live with others.", Sperry broke in as he grasped the document in Merry's saurian hands. "That was why we were assigned to come study this group. Here is the notice...", he made to hand the document to Rex, but the Tyranosaur's carniverous looks gave him pause. He handed it to me instead.
"A Declaration...", I read the saurian script on the parchment. "Upon discovery of your group of carnivores, and the promise you show toward the advancement of civilization, we of the high council of Dinotopia deem it prudent to observe your progress in this matter. We have sent personages of obvious esteem and talents to expedite this excercise, and so equip them in order to perform this task. We beg your cooperation in this matter and allow them all due courtesy and accomodation in order for them to carry out thier assignment. Successful completion of this matter will bring higher noteriety for yourself and your group."
"We congratulate you on your progress toward the Dinotopian edicts of peace and harmony you have achieved thus far,", I read on. "And wish you resounding success in your future endeavors. Breathe deep, seek peace... Signed: Waldo Seville, mayor of Waterfall City and speaker of the high council.", I looked up from the scroll to the faces listening to me intently and smiled. "Well now! It looks like we made the big-time, everyone!"
There was a mixture of roared cheers, excited jabbering and general hubbub as many more of us congregated around these newcomers. Thier two-wheeled cart was loaded with provisions, and contained a literary library of botanical manuels and nature publivations in book and scroll form. They also had a healthy supply of blank parchment and empty scrolls for recording what they came here to record. The two gurads looked at each other for a second, then burbled something to sperry in thier own baritone language.
"Yes, you may stand down if you wish.", Sperry replied. "I don't think we'll be attacked here."
"What are thier names, if you don't mind me asking.", I asked. "We like being on a first-name basis with everyone here."
"It doesn't matter.", Sperry said. "They're just guards, and I don't know thier names."
"Well, it might matter to them!", I shot back. "We don't play favorites here, either!"
"Very well then...", Sperry said, turning to his protectors. "Guards, you may tell them your names."
"I am Tebo.", Tebo rumbled.
"I am Raffa.", Raffa echoed.
"Well! Welcome to clan Thundertail, Tebo and Raffa!", I greeted. "I hope your stay here is most enjoyable."
"Perhaps.", Tebo said, laying his staff on the cart, and Raffa did the same.
"Well now!", Rex broke in to say. "The letter said to accomodate you, so I think we should get started! We got to find you a place to stay. You need food and water and stuff like that..."
"But what your father say?", Mayday broke in.
"He's trusting me to make good decisions while he's away.", Rex replied. "I think having Dinotopia knowing more about us is just what he would want. I think he would be more than happy to have these folks stay with us, and i'm sure he would do the same thing if he were here!"
"If you're sure, Rex...", I added.
"Oh, I'm positive!", Rex said, shaking his head affirmative. "Now, about those accomodations..."
"I got just the ticket, boss!", Harold Kirky scurried in front of him to say. "You know that 'Big Top' tent we got? That'll fit all four of 'em in it easy!"
"Great idea!", Rex said. "You go set it up and we'll have our new guests move thier stuff over there."
"Right boss!", Harold scurried off toward the other Kirky tents. "Follow me, everyone!"
Sperry and Merry went to thier cart and began to push it toward where the tiny dinosaur had gone, Raffa and Tebo helping from behind. Some of us offered to help, but our guests were still apprehensive on having us near and insisted they do it themselves. A little under a hundred yards later and all four of them were sudenly surrounded by well over a hundred Kirkys!
"Ok, boys! Listen up!", Harold yelled to get his peoples' attention. "We got some guests around now, and they need a place to stay. I want you all to go and set up the 'Big Top' tent,... And make it snappy!"
"AW!!!", many groaned. "We just tore it down!", more said. "No way, man!!", some balked - along with many more unprintable replies!
"I SAID SET UP THAT TENT!!", Harold screamed at them! He chased many around to rouse them into action! "Hurry up, you walking meatballs!", he turned to many still sitting. "Hut!...Two!... Three... Four!... HEEYAH!!!", the rest scattered to thier chore!
After he was sure they were all out of the area, Harold turned to the newcomers and said sweetly: "Your tent will be up in a jiffy, boss!", he smiled and went to oversee the operation.
"Why, I never saw the like!", Merry whispered to Sterry as soon as Harold left.
"What did we ever do to get this assignment?", Sperry whispered back agreeingly.
Raffa and Tebo merely stood there as they witnessed this exchange. I looked at them and smiled nervousely. The only thing that showed they saw humor in the exchange was a slight quivering of thier lips. After staring at the progress beginningon thier tent for a few moments, Sterry and merry began unloading thier supplies and stacking it on the ground; and by the time they were done with that, the dinosaur skin canvas was ready to be lifted onto the tentpoles.
An hour or so later the hunting party was returning with thier kills, and Rex rushed over to greet his father and quickly explain to him what happened this morning. After he saw that the kills were properly situated, Thundertail purposefully went over to where the 'Big Top' tent was once again erected to greet his new guests personally.
"Well, well!", Thundertail roared in greeting, bringing Raffa and Tebo on alert. "I see my son has gone over my head again and invited more strangers!", he chuckled.
"Uh,... Greetings to you...", sperry turned from handing some supplies to Merry, who was in the tent. "You are king Thundertail, I presume."
"Correct!", he rumbled. "And my son made no error in acomodating you. I've been waiting a long time for a visit from officials of the government!"
"Oh, we're nobody, really!", Sperry said, fidjiting from one foot to the other. "We were merely sent to investigats a strange phenomona occuring on Dinotopia. You must admit, after all, that civilized carnivores are an uncalled for thing!"
"True. A thing like this has never happened before...", Thundertail said. "But as my ancester, Stinktooth the great once observed: 'The talents of many species, once combined, becomes far greater than the talents of any individual species.'.", Thundertail gave Tebo and Raffa a toothy grein. "If such a thing can work with herbivores, why can it not work with carnivores?"
"A logical assumption, great one.", Sperry said. "It's our hopes that observations of how this civilization develops can give us insight on how our own civilization developed."
"If you wish to know of that, perhaps we should let you tour yonder temples and cities in the jungle.", Thundertail offered. "The carnivores' sworn duty is to guard such sites; but we have recently taken the liberty of exploring them to find out just what it is we are guarding."
"Another logical course of action.", Sperry said. "We have often wondered what was in them ourselves."
"I'm having Fly With A Stinger and others deciphering the writing; and soon they said they had plans to restore those places.", Thundertail said, then cocked an earslit at the sounds of eating coming from the feeding area over the rise. "This is wonderful food for thought; but now it may be time for food of other varieties! Would you all care to join us in todays' feast?"
"We WERE getting famished at that!", Sperry said for his group. "However, we do not eat meat. We find such practice most offensive!", he saw Thundertail's dismayed look. "We brought plenty of provisions for ourselves, though; and we planned on eating once we were finished unpacking."
"Nonsense! We have a garden down by the river where the humans and some of the others eat from!", Thundertail turned to seek me out. "I will have Fly With A Stinger prepare you all a meal!... STINGER! Would you come here a moment?"
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(Continued in the next entry.)
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Post by thundertail on Jul 22, 2007 20:01:47 GMT -5
SIXTEEN: "Expansion." (Continued)
"Yes sir.", I said after I came over at a trot.
"Would you please prepare a meal for our guests?", Thundertail asked me.
"I've already had mayday harvest fresh vegetables; and Selma is cooking it as we spaek.", I told them. "It should be done in a few moments."
"That is why I like you, Stinger!", Thundertail complimented. "Always thinking ahead!"
"What can I say? It's that bussboy job I had in college!", I chuckled and motioned for them all to come.
"You may eat over with us, if you would.", Thundertail made it official.
"If it is all the same to you, kind sirs.", Merry said as she stepped out of the tent. I think we would be more comfortable eating over here. Being around carnivores makes us a little nervous; and watching them eat would make us more so!"
"Think it's ok if they eat here?", I asked Thundertail and he nodded. "All right then, I also deliver takeout food! I'll be right back..."
"Uh,... Excuse me, Stinger...", Sperry called. "You speak very strangely. Where do you come from, exactly?"
I told him. "You are a newcomer?!", Sperry exclaimed.
"Amazing!", Merry added. "The things you could tell...!"
"Well, if you stay long enough, I'll tell you all about it!", I told her and walked away.
Selma arrived with thier food a short time later, and a couple of Veloceraptors came to help her. Creatures of duty, Sperry and Merry interviewed them as they ate. I watched them from the distance of the feeding area, laughing inwardly at the almost schitzophrenic way they conveyed themselves. if they weren't so serious all the time, one could swear they were funnier than the Kirkys!
After dinner they took turns interviewing everyone that passed by, and they must have talked to two dozen clan membere before nightfall. The guards, Tebo and Raffa, just looked around at our camp impassively; merely nodding at an occasional predator passing by - or gently scooting a hatchling from under foot. Pallets consisting of skins stuffed with leaves were provided for them to sleep on, and this combined with the bedding they had brought with them; Thier sleep was most comfortable indeed, or so they told us in the morning.
In the morning they strated thier work in ernest.
Both Sperry and Merry went thier seperate ways throughout camp, clipboards designed to hold the narrow scrolls they brought with them in hand. these were designed with curls at each end, and the scroll would automatically roll up as it was used; and a clip that held an inkwell was attatched to the side, where they would use thier claws for writing instead of a stylus.
They got busy interviewing everyone in camp, from the youngest hatchling to the most important among us; and even though they tried to keep thier interviews as brief as possible, it still took many days to talk to everyone! The guards were employed to make notes as well, and they got tours of the camp and saw every aspect of it. they saw where everyones' homes were, they visited the garden areas, they had tours of the pyramid; and Raffa even requested to go on a hunt as an observer! They even got the chance to visit Ursula to witness her healing techniques - and even got thier fortunes told against thier wills!
Now that Merry and Sperry had talked to everyone in camp and found out how things work in clan Thundertail, they began to compile the data they had collected. I showed them the notes we had taken from reliefs from the pyramid, and they were most impressed at the detail we had made our notes with. they diligently copied all our notes and told us they would give them to the proper authorities as soon as they could.
This was in leiu of us offering to give them tours of the temples. They explained to us that they were not Archaeologists, and a proper expedition would need to be organized in order to catalogue the information in them. On lighter observation, they had wondered why there was a circus, of all things, here. harold explained to them that entertainment such as they provide was all but outlawed everywhere else on Dinotopia, and they were grateful for Thundertail's hospitality.
Merry and Sperry were curious about the ancient technology we currently employ. The amulets of protection were a mystery until it was explained to them that they had almost magical powers that allowed carnivores to venture out of the Rainy Basin uneffected by the Sunstones. With this news they feared that we would go attack others. We had to assure them that we would only use them for peaceful purposes. Another enigma to them was the fact of the armor Mayday and I wore. I told them they were ancient pieces of armor with special abilities; and we use them for the good of the clan, and never for agressive purposes.
As the weeks went by with these visitors in our clan, they gradually began to fit in around here, and see that this community was very similar to any other community on Dinotopia. Sperry and Merry, being the most intellegent of creatures, began to get the gist of carnivore language, and required Mayday's and my help in translation less often. Even thier two guards began to get used to the place. One time I saw them down by the river, where they saw Thistlesnarl trolling for fish; but she sidestepped into a mud hut made by the Ovaraptors, and a dispute insued between her and Selma over the damage. Tebo and raffa thought that a court of inquiry should be conviened to mete out sentance; but before they had a chance to voice thier opinion, Thistlesnarl and Selma had already made up and began to repair the dwelling.
In the mean time, we had a few rather important events planned. And of course, Merry Sperry, Raffa and Tebo were invited to attend. One of these events was the Veloceraptor hatchlings were ready to take thier places in thier pack since they had passed thier training as hunter/.trackers. Since Ripper and Snapper was included in the ceremony to come, my obligation to Whitetail would be ended as well.
It looked like I would soon be out of a job!
Whitetail and I had talked about this at length, and we practiced the ceremony involved with Nestmate seperation, practicing the moves necesary for days so no mistakes would be made and nobody got injured. We had to get everything practiced right, for the ceremony would only be in a few days!
The other thing on everyone's mind, especially Pincushion's, was the fact that his Path Of Shame punishment would be ended as well. He was confident that he had learned his lesson, and I saw that he would be a better creature because of it! He had proven to everyone in the mean time that he had grown as a carnivore, and was becoming one wise dinosaur. Thundertail wouldn't admit it, of course; but he was extremely proud of Pincushion!
The day of these events finally came, and everyone got ready for the ceremonies to commence at sundown.
"I've never been to a carnivore ceremony, actually.", Sperry commented as I went to collect them and bring them to the feeding area, now converted into a meeting place. "What usually happens at them?"
"I'm not too sure myself.", I admitted. "This is the very first one of its' kind!"
"Oh...,", Sperry said, looking at Merry. "I hope it isn't too barbaric!"
Logs were rolled in a circle and a huge bonfire shone at the center of the extremely large circle of wood. Already the Kirkys were milling about in full circus attire, finding seats for themselves and ushering others to thier places; entertaining the children and generally adding to the controlled mayhem growing in the area. As the Stenoychosauruses sat and the Corythosaurs did likewise behind them, Thundertail and all the rest of the Tyranosaurs filed into the area and took thier places. The whole pack of Veloceraptors came into the area next, and sat as a group in thier area by the bonfire, and then came the Ovaraptors, sitting off by themselves next to them.
The only ones not present were the persons this ceremony was arranged for. Mosqito led the graduating children in and sat them down in front of thier clan. Pincushion bowed and entered the firelight to sit beside them. Once everyone was present, Thundertail roared loudly to get everyone's attention.
"Saurians! Carnivores! Friends!", Thundertail said loudly. "Tonight marks the first year we have all been as one clan! Let there be a thousand more!"
Everyone roared, cheered or did what was apropriate for the event; then the subjects for this cheering took thier places in front of Thundertail at Mosquito's instruction.
"Friends! As with everyone and everything since time began, one is born and one grows up.", Thundertail continued. "With this combined clan, there is no exception. Tonight marks the time where these hatchlings must leave the nest and begin life as adults. Have they all passed the instructions given to them, Mosquito?"
"Yes, my king!", Mosquito replied. "They will make fine additions to the clan!"
"Young ones, are you sure you are ready to leave the home you have known as hatchlings and venture a name of your own?", Thundertail asked the children before him.
"Yes!", was the ragged reply from all of them.
"Dungbeetle, please step forward.", Thundertail commanded, and she nervousely complied. "Go tell your parents you are ready to leave the nest."
"Yes, sir.", Dungbeetle did as was told.
"Snapdragon, please step forward.", he did so. "Go tell your parents that you are ready to leave the nest."
No words, but a nod and he went to his parents.
"Mantis, step forward please.", the boy complied. "Go tell your parents that you are ready to leave the nest."
"As you command.", Mantis said and went to do as was told.
"When the next two hatchlings come of age, many things will happen.", Thundertail announced after a pause. "Is everyone involved certain they wish it to happen?"
I nodded and so did Whitetail. Ripper and snapper just shuffled thier feet nervousely.
"Then let it be so.", he continued. "Snapper, Ripper. Please step forward.", the two boys did as was told, but dared not look into the eyes of thier leader. "Then go tell your parents that you are ready to leave the nest."
They both walked over to Whitetail and me, nodded and began.
"Mother, father. We are ready to leave the nest.", Ripper said solemnly.
"We will miss you.", Snapper said.
Both of them gave us a hug and walked to where the other children sat, in front of the other adult Veloceraptors. Whitetail took my hands as I turned to her; then Whitetail began her lines.
"Fly With A Stinger, you have fulfilled your contract with me.", she said sternly.
"Whitetail Veloceraptor, I have fulfilled my contract with you.", I told her in the same manner.
"I hereby expell you from service to my clan.", with that, Whitetail lashed out at me with her right hand, claws extended! There were many gasps from the crowd.
I scooted back just in time, releasing my hold on her other hand; then I quickly backed off a few paces and bowed to the dirt. I heard the confused murmurings from the non-Veloceraptor personages around the campfire.
"My vows with Fly With A Stinger are now at an end.", Whitetail announced for all to hear. "I now choose another to be my alpha and my mate!"
She scanned the group of Veloceraptor faces as if choosing. She knew that she could choose any male there, even though they might already have a mate; but even a wedded Veloceraptor knew not to argue with thier matriarch! Her eyes passed over the group many times until they locked onto the eyes of Mosquito, who blinked in suprise.
"Mosquito Veloceraptor, I choose you as my alpha and my mate!", Whitetail said at last. "Do you accept my offer?"
He pursed his lips, then rose. "Yes I do, my matriarch!", Mosquito said, slowly coming over.
He crouched in front of her and grasped her hands. They nuzzled and cooed; then Mosquito saw me there cowering in the dirt. His eyes flared and he turned, leaping on my back in a bound! The crowd gasped once again.
"I am now the alpha!", Mosquito sneered close to my face. "Begone! And never see my mate again!"
Mosquito punctuated this by stomping on my neck three times, sending my face in the dirt! More gasps! He then leapt off and held Whitetail's hands again. They nuzzled, cooed and howled into the night sky. Only then was I supposed to get up; so I slowly skulked away and sat near Rex for the rest of the ceremonies.
The rest of clan Thundertail then realized that it was only part of the ceremony, and began to tenatively cheer and clap for the wedlock of Whitetail and Mosquito. I got stares and consoling looks as Rex rubbed my shoulders as if to comfort me. After the newlyweds finished thier union rituals, Thundertail asked them the question that was on everyones' minds at the moment.
"Mosquito Veloceraptor, new alpha male of the Veloceraptors of clan Thundertail. I have a question for you.", Thundertail began. "Now that you are the alpha, what is the fate of your pack? Will you move on, or will you stay here with us?"
"My king, my pack has never known such prosperity before we were accepted into your clan.", Mosquito told him. "It would go against my new oath to seek benefit for my pack if I were to have them leave! With your permission, I would like to have my pack stay with your clan."
"Mosquito my boy!", Thundertail chuckled. "That's just the response I was hoping for! My clan hasn't seen such prosperity since your pack arrived either! And every time we add new members, it just keeps getting better and better!", chuckles were heard.
"However sir,", Mosquito added. "I am new at being pack leader. I may need instruction on how to lead my pack for the benefit of all."
"If I may...", I held up a hand. "I would be more than happy to give advice as needed."
"Advice would not be necesary, Stinger.", Whitetail said. "Mosquito has already had leadership training. You have had him leading scouting parties, training our young ones and leading many other pack activities. There is also the fact that he led the half of the pack that stayed with him the time we were first accepted into clan Thundertail as well. With these experiences, he would be more than qualifyed to lead my pack."
"That would seem true!", Mosquito realized. "But I would appreciate input from time to time!"
"I'm sure we are all capable of giving you advice!", Thundertail offered for everyone.
"I'd be more than happy to help.", many offered.
After mild applause, Thundertail spoke again. "Well said, my friends!", then he took a more serious tone. "Two months ago, an affront to members of this clan occurred. This resulted not in the death of the offendee, like our law said it should have; but death was stayed by just punishment all the same. For the death of Whitenose Veloceraptor, Pincushion Tyranosaur was bidden to walk the Path Of Shame. Today marks the end of that path.", he looked at Pincushion, and he dipped his head. "Pincushion Tyranosaur, please step forward.", he did. "Would the offended party please step forward and face the accused?"
I got up and joined Whitetail, Ripper and Snapper as they did likewise. I had in my hand Pincushion's amulet of protection, given to me by Rex while I sat with him. All of us nodded somberly at Pincushion, and Pincushion nodded back.
"Pincushion Tyranosaur, are you truely repentant of your misdeed done to these creatures, and vow never to let it happen again?", Thundertail asked formally.
"Yes sir!", Pincushion said eagerly. "And with the training the Kirkys have had me do, I will never again make the same misdeed again!"
"Good.", Thundertail said with finality. "Fly With A Stinger, Whitetail Veloceraptor, Ripper Veloceraptor and Snapper Veloceraptor.", he addressed us. "Pincushion apologizes for murdering your daughter and your sister. Do you accept his apology?"
"Yes, we do.", Whitetail said after asking us with her eyes.
"Very well, then.", Thundertail said and looked at Pincushion. "Pincushion Tyranosaur, with the power vested in me as leader of this clan, I pronounce that your Path Of Shame is at an end! Stinger, the amulet?..."
I stepped forward with the amulet chain stretched out as Pincushion lowered his boxy head. I slipped the amulet over his head and it slipped down around his neck. Before he could raise his head, I grabbed his muzzle in a hug.
"Next time watch it!", I whispered in his earslit.
The rest of my former family came forward and grabbed the closest part of him they could and embraced him as well. Pincushion nearly melted under this affection, matching thier cooing with his pleasurable rumbles. We all disengaged the hug at the same time and faced our king.
"It is done, my king.", I said for us all.
"Very well then!", Thundertail turned to Pincushion. "Pincushion Tyranosaur, you are hereby reinstated into my clan. All rank, rights and privelages you had lost are restored to you.", He smiled, but only for a moment. "However, you must be warned that any more affronts to me or my clan will result in your banishment from my clan! For the next offense, banishment will be for one year. The next one after that will bring five years banishment. The next one after that will result in permanent banishment.", an extra stare. "Do you understand this?"
"Yes, my king.", Pincushion lowered his head. "I will make no more trouble."
"Go to your family.", this Thundertail spoke with a soft smile, which was returned.
Pincushion backed out of his king's presence in a hail of his own applause and sat with some relatives on the other side of the fire. He was immensely relieved to be out of his king's scrutiny! As this died down, Thundertail spoke again.
"Members of my clan, friends and esteemed guests. Under thoughtful consideration, I have decided to make a new edict concerning how this clan is run.", he announced. "I have heard of the many ways governments here and around the world are run, and wish to run an experiment of sorts concerning this one. I will hear comments and suggestions concerning the details of this clan, and base any further decision on the results. This policy is, to me, very similar to that 'Democracy' government Stinger has described to me; and would seem to be on par with the 'Parlaimentary' government I understand currently exists all over Dinotopia."
"But what about clan rules? Our traditions?", Grond asked, Mayday at his side.
"Those will be observed as well.", Thundertail told us. "I think it should be possible to mingle the old ways with the new. Even those who visit the clan may make suggestions, as new and different ideas bring new and different hope!", he turned his gaze to Sperry and company. "I would now ask your opinions on my clan, Sperry Stenoychosaurus."
"Er..., well sir...", Sperry stammered. "It's a bit to early to make a viable assessment on your clan; but from what we have observed so far, this clan looks like it is well on its' way to civilization. This clan meeting is proof of that!", Sperry looked troubled. "There IS one thing, though...", this was barely heard.
"And what is that?", Thundertail heard him!
"Well sir..., it was the order and protocol of this meeting...", Sperry cleared his throat. "See, the separation of bonds between Stinger and Whitetail should have come AFTER the reinstatement of Pincushion into your clan. This resulted in Mosquito's request that Stinger no longer be near Whitetail to be violated.", he looked over his notes.
"I see your point.", Thundertail said after considering this. "But you must realize that this is our very first meeting! I think we should make it a point to choriograph future meetings so they happen smoother next time. Does everyone agree?", most of the clan members' heads nodded.
"There's another thing.", Sperry went on. "I realize that you are still a bit barbaric, at least by our standards. The seperation ceremony between Whitetail and Stinger seemed to be a bit too brutal for normal Dinotopian tastes."
"Thousands of generations ago, we Veloceraptors fought over mates and leadership.", Whitetail told him. "Events like this often resulted in bloodshed and death - banishment at least for the loser of the fight. We eventually developed this ceremony because death and banishment would weaken the pack, and reduce survival for all. The ceremony you witnessed is the refinement of actions made to bind the pack and eliminate the loss more archaic procedures produced.", she smiled at him. "I assure you that this ceremony was most civilized indeed."
"I see.", Sperry said to her. "I never meant to tout Veloceraptor tradition. I am humbly sorry."
"No offense was taken.", Whitetail nodded. "You were unaware."
"Besides, what's a little humiliation among friends?", I laughed at my own comment, and nearly all of us joined me!
"Very witty!", Thundertail roared, but more to regain order. "Now, is there any other suggestions or courses of action that might be considered for discussion?"
"Boss, it's about the Copro problem.", Monty the Kirky spoke up, but nobody was aware of a Copro problem until now."We got that cart, you see; and we were having Pincushion haul it for us. Now that he is no longer bein' punished, who's gonna pull it?"
"Perhaps we could assign other Tyranosaurs to pull the Copro cart on a rotating schedule or something.", Thundertail said. "Does everyone agree?", everyone fopund this agreeable, but no one wanted to be the first to pull the Copro cart!
"Oh, and another thing, boss!", Monty continued. "We been haulin' the Copro as far as we can, but the smell still gets to camp when the wind's just right! We use some for the garden, but it takes a long time to sweeten it with ground-up bone. Think we should pile it further off?"
"Maybe we could make several sites to dump it.", I suggested. "Where I come from in the outside world, we dump our garbage in many places far away from where we live."
"I think we should first locate other areas to dump it; and then expand the garden so we can use up more of it.", Thundertail expanded on both ideas. "Perhaps we could make more gardens Too. that way we would use up more of it!"
"But if we produce too much food, it would rot before we eat it!", Jerry Kirky said. "That would make more of a smell!"
"Not if we offer it to herbivores in the Rainy Basin.", Mayday suggested as she sidled against grond. "It help them survive, and will attract more game!"
"Or you could offer some to travelers that pass through your realm?", Sperry suggested. "You could accomodate more guests, and forge new friendships in the process!"
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(Continued in next installment.)
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Post by thundertail on Jul 24, 2007 19:03:34 GMT -5
SIXTEEN: "Expansion." (Continued sgain.)
"All good suggestions! I am proud of this clans' willingness to help in this issue!", Thundertail said. "With more suggestions and further planning, we will have this problem all but solved!", he rose. "I decree, therefore, thast turns will be taken by all Tyranosaurs - including myself - to pull the Copro cart. We will select many different sites to pile the Copro in areas farther away than we have been. The garden will be expanded, and new gardens will be created. The excess produce will be used to feed the creatures of the jungle, and to offer visitors to our territory. Said produce could also be traded for ideas, medecines and other comodities we do not get around here."
"My king!", I said for all to hear. "You are beginning to sound like a truely diplomatic leader!"
"Things are changing, Fly With A Stinger.", Thundertail told me. "Perhaps i will see my clan achieve a true civilization before I leave this world!"
"Aw! You won't die, dad!", Rex told him. "You're going to live a long, long time!"
"That's a sweet sentiment, son.", Thundertail leaned into him. "But all creatures die sooner or later. That is why I'm having you learn all there is to know about being king."
"Including our lore and traditions, my king?", grond said.
"Those too, my clan brother!", Thundertail chuckled. "Now, if there is any other issue that should be addressed, please voice them."
For the next hour or two, many subjects were touched upon, and many good ideas were formulated. One issue concerned our housing, for there were many complaints concerning those. The cabind and sheds were built adequately enough, but required frequent maintenence in this rainforest environment. The tents the Kirkys used were functional as well, but the older ones showed signs of wear and a lot of them leaked when it rained. It was decided that new types of housing should be devised pretty soon. Many types of sheltered were mentioned, from the skyscrapers that I mentioned that were plentiful in the cities of the outside world to simple mud huts.
The Stenoychosauruses suggested, and I agreed that it could be possible to make our shelters out of stone or brick, but none of us knew how to make them. I had told of my only bricklaying experience, building a brick backyard barbecue one summer long ago; but it ended uo looking nothing like the plans said it should! The only bricklayers on Dinotopia lived in the cities and towns that were outside the Rainy Basin; but they would not dare travel here to help!
Looking at the Incan pyramid in the near distance, I got an idea, and decided to voice it.
"These temples have been around for a long time, right?", I said, looking at everyone. "They have withstood the ravages of time, and seem to be as sturdy as the day they were made. Perhaps we could renovate them and make them livable; then we could live there!"
"But Stinger! We were sworn to guard the holy places.", Grond told me. "It would go against all we stand for if we actually LIVE in them! Thundertail, my king! I think Stinger goes too far!"
"It's a logical idea, Grond.", Thundertail told him. "But it is unknown if we actually could refurbish them for habitation. It would probably take YEARS to accomplish!"
"We have enough workers here.", I told them. "If we put enough effort in it, we could start moving in within a month. We need not restore the whole pyramid, for example, to have some of us move in."
At this point many of the others added to the debate, making our civilized discussion nearly go out of control! It was at this point that Thundertail roared loudly, and we all presently fell silent.
"My clan!", he said. "It is obvious that you all feel strongly about this. We need not decide one way or another tonight; but we should change the subject before this debate gets out of control! We will discuss this later in greater detail.", then he looked at the rest. "Anything else to discuss?"
The next subject that came up concerned the education of our children. Though training for the hunt and other domestic skills were necesary for life around camp, a higher form of education would be needed if they were ever to interact with other Dinotopians. Sperry suggested they be taught reading, mathematics, other languages and the ethics of Dinotopia and thier codes. he said there were fine teachers all over Dinotopia, and the library at Waterfall City contained even material for even higher learning. Most of the clan members commented that it would be useless to so educate the children that way since all we do is hunt and other domestic tasks; but conceeded that it would seem necesary for the future.
Thundertail thought it was a good idea, and charged the smartest of the clan to set up a simple cirriculum and instruct the youngsters in the finer points of education. I volunteered, of course; and so did Mayday. Since many of the Kirkys had genius level intellegence, and were well schooled in many professional arts; they said they would help out too because many of them had taught thier own hatchlings. This was agreed upon with many more votes for it than against it, and Thundertail decreed that this take place.
Not long after that, the suggestions andproblems of the clan shrank to pockets of smalltalk. Many of the hatchlings had grown tired by this time too, and thier parents escorted them to thier nests. this prompted the Veloceraptors that were going on tomorrow mornings' scouting excursion to turn in as well. The kirkys took this as thier cue to do some performances. They dragged over thier trampoline and took tumbling leaps off it; and Pincushion volunteered to be thier landing pad! During this performance, Mayday had moved from Grond's side to sit on the log i was sitting on, inching her way over to my side. Before i knew it her hand was in mine: and when I did, I looked at her sheepishly.
"So Stinger.", Thundertail noticed the gesture. "What of you and Mayday?"
"Well, my king.", I began, looking sidelong at Mayday. "We had been talking about our relationship recently.", I smiled. "But nothing conclusive had been agreed upon.", then I looked at her directly in the eye. "I guess that since my Nestparent duties are over, there will be more time to talk..., maybe tomorrow or something?"
Just then Mayday sprung up to a standing position. She reached and drew me up painfully by the ear and turned me to face her! "No Stinger! We talk NOW!", she led me by the ear out of the firelight. I could hear much saurian snickering fading behind me!
We walked west in the darkened clearing, toward the left hand rise in the boomerang shaped clearing. In the dimness I could just barely make out some of the tents the Kirkys use, as well as the mich larger 'Big Top' tent that loomed out of the darkness. By this time her hold on my ear was let go, and that hand dropped to clasp my own. We skirted around the tents as quietly as possible and made it to the log Pincushion used to practice his balance. We sat on this log as our eyes adjusted to the starlight, then we looked at each other.
"So, where do we begin?...", I said absently.
"Shut up...", Mayday said as she drew me into a kiss. When she pulled away for a breath, she continued. "You talk too much!"
"We've known each other for a long time, and now the time has come.", I said, smiling in her embrace and stroking a hand. "There are a lot of things to talk about, to plan..."
She covered my mouth with hers, squelching any further speech from me. By this time I had forgotten what I wanted to say anyway! Another small break and she said. "Plenty time to talk. We talk tomorrow. Then we see how we feel..."
Feel I did; and the next kiss contained more passion for this strong, wonderful woman than I ever knew I had in me. For the longest time we sat there doing this; and before things got too far, we stopped. We drew away, both looking like we were caught doing something really bad, but liked it. The look on our faces produced peals of nervous laughter out of both of us!
"Wow!", was all I could say.
"You talk too much!", Mayday said and drew me into another kiss...
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Post by thundertail on Jul 25, 2007 6:22:28 GMT -5
SEVENTEEN: "Scouting party."
That night marked many changes for clan Thundertail, both small and large. Mayday, at length, chose to sleep with Grond like she had been doing since Whitetail and her family were staying with me; but she promised great changes in this arrangement very soon! We kissed good night and went our seperate ways.
When I got back to my cabin that night I found Ripper and Snapper just going to sleep in thier old nests, and I asked why they were there. They had said that they couldn't find any sleeping nests among thier pack, so what was one more night? I agreed, nuzzling them, and promised to help them find them some in the morning. Whitetail naturally wasn't there; for she had gone off with Mosquito to sleep with him.
When I emerged from my cabin in the morning I found many of the Kirkys directing some of the clan members with thier duties. They said that the clan needed more organization if they were to perform the tasks we discussed last night. I helped them out by recruiting Thistlesnarl to pull the Copro cart for them. Then I surveyed an area to build a second garden, and asked the Ovaraptors to move thier mud huts because they were going to be in the way of the new garden. Next I chased down Sperry to ask him if we could borrow some of his unused parchment and writing paraphanalia so I could begin logging some of the assignments that needed to be doled out among clan members. My morning was so busy that I didn't notice that Rex was nowhere to be found. He had gone with the hunting party this morning, I was told; and he was in charge of it!
I caught up with Mayday much later as she began instruction to the newest hatchlings by the river. She was teaching the dangers of the water, and Soo was there showing them the dangers of Moasaurs - though extremely gently! After the lesson, and we walked to her next task, I asked her when she was going to move in with me; and the fact that Grond might want to move close by because he might be her Partner. Mayday said that if I didn't know by now that Grond was her Partner, then I was as blind as a cave lizard!
I concluded that, since we were now officially together, I should make an effort to get on friendlier terms with that gruff old Tyranosaur. Later on that day, Mayday began to move her belongings inside my cabin; and Grond decided to move his nest to just outside the window above my bed; and let me tell you, that beast can snore! But we'll leave that for another time. It turned out that the events of the next few days increased my feeling that Dinotopia wasn't the peaceful paradise I once thought!
"We're back!", Rex announced as the hunting party began arriving with our daily meal. They had caught many Struthies today; and each of the Tyranosaurs were carrying two each while the dozen Veloceraptors came dragging thiers. "We went to an new section of territory today! Never guess what we found!"
"What is it today?", I asked, stroking his muzzle. "Several sleepwalking Strutheomimus, by the look!"
"Naw! Something neater!", he gave me a lick. "That new area had new paths. There was an old cart off of one of them. It was all broken up, and there was nothing useful left but the cart hardware, so we took that."
"Carts break down all the time, son.", I told him. "It's probably years old!"
"But this one had scorch marks, and there were slice marks made by swords all over it!", Rex told me. "There were footprints all around it. They were human footprints, and no dinosaur prints were around!"
"Maybe it broke down and the people salvaged what they could, then left.", I suggested.
"We found this rigged to a tree near by.", Rex said as two Veloceraptors dragged a log over. It had ropes tied to each end, and there were dozens of sharpened wooden pegs imbedded all along its' length. "We found it and tripped it. It could have very well killed one of us!"
"Hmmm...", I examined the cruel looking weapon. "Not good!"
"What do you suppose it means, Stinger?", Rex asked.
"It means that there are other humans in the Rainy Basin.", I said. "Ones that hunt meat; and use underhanded means to get it. They like to rob others of thier stuff too."
"What do we do?", Rex asked. It was his first time dealing with unknown dangers.
"First, tell your father. He's at the pyramid right now, so we'll tell him when he gets back.", I told him. "Next, we need to have a meeting, then after that we might have to put extra guards out to protect the camp and put out extra patrols. We'll put it to your father and see if these are good suggestions. We need to keep everybody safe!"
"Right, Stinger!", Rex said proudly. "Boy! You sure know how to take charge!"
"It's all that military training!", I shrugged. "Now, the next order of business is food! Then we'll deal with this problem a little later."
When Thundertail heard of what Rex and company discovered while out hunting, he pondered it over for many moments. I repeated my suggestions of added security, and he found them sound measures. The guard was doubled at night, and our hunting parties had armed escorts added to them. No one was allowed out of sight of camp without guards following, and no unescorted excursions to the temples were allowed.
On another hunting expedition a week later in the same general area as the last, another cart was found. This one had bloodstains where the puller of the cart would be, and from this we knew it was a fresh attack. Like the last cart, nothing useful was left behind; and human footprints were all around, but there were no dinosaur footprints except tiny ones that appeared to be running away into the woods.
These the trackers followed until they came upon a little dinosaur with a purple sash and a small shoulder bag. This creature had fallen down a slide of rocks, and lay at the bottom of it unconcious. From the disheveled look of her, she had been running for her life. There were many tiny cuts all over her body done by quickly crashing through the rough underbrush. Mayday said this species was called Compsagnathus, a favorite species for human girls of all ages. We brought her back to camp and let Ursula and Selma take care of her.
Nearly two days later the little Compsagnathus began to come to; and when she sensed all the carnivores around her, she panicked and tried to get away! She nearly broke out of Ursula's Gypsy cart many times, and it took many forced feedings of sleeping medicine to keep her calm enough to accept food and Ursula's administerings. Eventually the little dinosaur accepted her fate and calmed down enough to talk to.
"Where am I?", she squeaked, bedclothes hiding all but her widened eyes. "Please don't eat me!"
"Now just calm down, child!", Ursula was there, and was about to give her another dose of sleep medicine! "You're nice and safe here. We found you in the woods, and brought you back to our camp. What's your name, by the way?"
"Elinore.", she squeaked. "Where's Ruby? Have you seen Jeff? Is Rufus ok?"
"Who're they?", Ursula asked.
"You haven't seen them!", Elinore's voice cracked. "Oh, no...!"
"Now relax!", Ursula told the quivering creature. "I know some people, and they'll get to the bottom of this! If you rest easy I'll get them."
"Well..., ok.", Elinore said and laid her head back down. A moment later there was a knock on the door, and her head sprung back up with a jerk!
"Relax!", Ursula whispered smilingly and turned to get the door. "Oh! Mildred, it's you!", a listen to Mildred's whisper. "Yeah, she's awake now. Frightened as all get-out, though!"
"Well, she won't be once she sees what I have!", Mildred came in holding a heaping bowl of fruits and greens. She slowly walked beside the bed. "Hello sweetie! My name is Mildred Kirky. Me and my mate run the 'Kirky Circus'. Ever heard of us?"
"Hello ma'am.", Elinore greeted leerily. "I'm Elinore. I don't think I've heard of the 'Kirky Circus'."
"Well, we've been out of the mainstream for a while, so to speak!", Mildred chuckled. "Now, look what I brought! You hungry?"
"Absolutely starved!", Elinore turned and sat up in bed. "Thank you!", she immediately began to taste and chew.
"You know, I heard they found you all alone out there.", Mildred made for conversation. "What were you doing out there in the Rainy Basin all alone?"
"Oh, I wasn't alone!", Elinore said between bites. "I was traveling with my Partner and her husband to Earthfarm. They were summoned there by the Matriarch to help with the harvest; and Rufus was going to pull a grain cart.", she then looked around. "What IS this place, by the way?"
"Now that would take a lot of explaining.", Mildred said, sizing her up to see if the news she was going to tell would upset her. "See, the truth is your still in the middle of the Rainy Basin. You are a guest to a clan of very special Tyranosaurs. Ones who have negotiated the help of other carnivores, and they made themselves into a real civilized society.", she saw her confusion. "I know things like this just don't happen on Dinotopia, but it has! We're a really friendly clan, and like to help folks. Especially ones as pretty as you!", Elinore blushed.
"I'll go get Stinger and the others.", Ursula said and stepped out the door. She could be heard outside calling for Sylvester, her new rickshaw driver.
"So you are...?", Elinore asked as soon as the healer was gone.
"Carnivores?', Mildred finished for her. "Oh yeah; but we're too small to do much!", she amiled. "Just wait until you meet king Thundertail! Biggest Tyranosaur you ever saw!"
"Is he vicious?", Elinore asked.
"He's as nice as can be!", Mildred told her liltingly. "He's the one that joined all our clans!"
"What other carnivores are here?", Elinore asked.
"Lots!", Mildred said. "There's us Kirkys, of course; and Tyranosaurs too. We got Veloceraptors, Dilophosaurs and Ovaraptors. We even got some humans!"
"Humans! No!", Elinore nearly screeched. "They attacked us! Hundreds of them!", she hid her head.
"Relax, sweetie.", Mildred tried to calm her, rubbing a shoulder. "I guarantee it wasn't any of them!"
Another knock and the Compsagnathus jumped again! "I'm back.", Ursula said, then came in. "How's she doin'?"
"Better, I think.", Mildred told her. "Everyone ready?"
"Ready when she is!", Ursula took a look at her as well.
"Hon, do you feel up to coming outside?", Mildred asked softly.
"Uh, huh...", Elinor mumbled and allowed them to help her up.
Elinore was slightly taller than the Kirkys. She had a slightly longer neck and tail and tended to be more of a quadruped than a biped. She was somewhat skinnier than a Kirky, but that was probably due to lack of eating these few days. Ursula opened the door, and Elinore winced at the sudden brightness. She stumbled down the steps before Ursula and Mildred could right her. Her feet touched the grass outside at the same time she saw all the other creatures before - all or most of them many times bigger than she! A human male was sitting on the grass before a table just about her scale; and he crouched low to not seem too formidable. The rest either stood or sat bahind him in a semicircle, and most of those were mountainsize to her! Her little heart raced, but she willed up all the courage she posessed not to run away!
"Hey guys!", Ursula said. "The little lady's scared enough as it is! Anyone that has no business being here should leave!", she looked at each. "Go on! SCAT!", many turned to leave, followed by many more. Soon all that were there was Thundertail, Rex Mayday, Harold, Mosquito, Whitetail, Grond, Sperry Stenoychosaurus and me.
"Better honey?", Mildred asked. Elinore nodded. "Good!"
"Why don't you sit over there, on the chair?", Ursula offered. "It's more comfy then standing!"
Uh huh...", Elinore gulped as she complied.
"Hello, little one.", I said softly as I leaned in a bit. "You had us worried for a while there!"
"Hello human.", Elinore said after gulping again. "My name is Elinore. I would like to thank you all for finding me - and for not eating me yet."
"They call me Stinger, and we won't eat you!", I chuckled. "But we WERE wondering why you were out there all alone."
Elinore retold us what she said to Mildred. She paused and asked: "Have you seen them?"
"No, but here is what we found:", I said. "We found a cart in the forest, and many human footprints were around it. We found your tracks and followed them to you."
"I've been thinking this over.", Sperry said. "This sounds like the work of Torres LaSage."
"Are we going to tell her about the blood?", Rex asked. Good thing Elinore didn't understand Tyranosaur!
"What did the Tyranosaur say?", Elinore asked.
"May as well tell her now!", I glared at Rex as I said this in Tyranosaur. "Um..., well.", I stammered so she could understand. "At the cart, where the puller would be, we found some blood. We think the puller was killed by those humans."
"Rufus?... NO!...", Elinore wept.
"Shhh, now!", I soothed. "I take it that Rufus was your puller. Who else was with you?"
"My Partner is Ruby. Ruby Mattock.", Elinore said through tears. "Her husband is Jeff Mattock. His Partner was Rufus Monoclonius..! Poor rufus!!", she cried some more. "What do you suppose happened to them?"
"There was no blood near the drivers' seat.", I said. "We think they escaped. We didn't find any other footprints besides the ones around the cart. Those ended up heading for the Crackshell Coast."
"They could have been carried away.", Thundertail suggested.
The footprints seemed deeper than normal for humans.", Mosquito confirmed.
"Yes, they might have been captured and carried away.", I said so Elinore could understand. "But we don't know anything for sure! Let's not jump to conclusions."
"What Partner wearing?", Mayday croiuched to ask her. "Maybe find clothes in woods."
"Let's see... Ruby was wearing her black leggings, an orange tunic and a bright red vest.", Elinore told her. Her favorite red busby hat, too! Jeff wore his brown pants, a black vest..., and I think he was wearing his green tunic too. He wears a deep blue shoreman's cap too. I always hated that hat!"
"I suggest we go back to the cart and trace every footprint in the area.", I said. "Maybe we can pick up thier trail - and catch the culprits that did this!"
"Trail cold by now!", Mayday said.
"Nothing's too cold for MY nose!", Grond gave her a nuzzle, sending her sprawling on the ground. Elinore squeaked laughter despite herself!
"Yes! let's do this!", Thundertail told us. "Everyone meet me by the feeding area, and we'll go from there."
"Yes, my king!", I said, then turned to Elinore. "Don't worry. We'll find them!", I stood up, revealing my comparative height. "You should stay with Ursula and Mildred to be safe, ok?"
"Ok, Stinger.", Elinore said and rose to meet her two caregivers. "He's such a sweet human!..."
We all went over and discussed how we were to search for those two humans, and what we would do if we caught the other humans. The first thing to do was to get to the pilaged cart and start from there. We would follow the known human footprints there and try to find any other clues in the area. We would scour the woods in every direction, and signal back and forth by using Kirky runners; who could scamper through the undergrowth undetected by most creatures, especially unaided humans like these land pirates obviousely were!
If we found Ruby and Jeff, we would perform any help necesary, even rescue them from those pirates if necesary. If we found the pirates but not Ruby and Jeff, we would run them out of the Rainy Basin. If we found Ruby and Jeff alone, we would halp them back to camp. If we found them dead, we were goIng to bring them back; and try to break the news to Elinore as gently as possible!
With that plan in mind, we set off towards where Rex said the cart was. It was in new territory indeed, and for some reason it seemed familiar to me. The forest was matted with old, broken tree branches; and what convinced me I knew where I was was the fact that I saw the rusted-out remains of my F-17 fighter jet! I commented this to Mayday in passing as we moved on. Even though the wreckage looked useless, I mentioned I might want to come back here one day and try to salvage pieces from the downed aircraft - like for nuts and bolts and things like that.
After several more miles of hiking we entered the area where the battered cart still sat. I looked into and all around the cart for any kind of clue, but it seemed that everything useful had been taken except the straps and harness that once held Rufus to the cart. The area where Rufus would have been was now devoid of blood, and many smaller dinosaur prints were now evident. As the Veloceraptors fanned out to find more tracks, everyone else scanned the forest floor for clothing and any other bits of evidence from the cart or its' owners. We found no less than twenty seperate sets of human footprints, and two of them appeared to have been dragged several hundred yards before melding with the rest of the grouping; and soon the footprints were all heading in a southwesterly direction, deeper into the forest.
We fanned out and covered a swath at least two hundred yards wide through the undergrowth, looking for any other clues that would lead us to Elinore's friends. Four miles later we came across a path, where wagon tracks had made tracks in the compacted dirt surface. Here the footprints disappeared, and the cart tracks seemed to lead more west than north. Up that was was a pass that led to the sea, or so Grond told us.
Before we had left the area, the Veloceraptors found new human footprints many hundreds of yards south of the path. Whomever they were had seemed to broken free of thier captors, and took to the trees for a while before descending to complete thier escape. What convinced us that the people that made these tracks were the ones we were looking for was the fact that we found a red busby hat in the bushes not too far away from these footprints!
It was at about that time that we decided to split up: One group of us would continue searching for Ruby and Jeff while the rest would go and track down whoever had done this. Grond, Thundertail half the Veloceraptors and half the Kirkys went to follow that wagon tracks while the rest of us went to continue following the footprints that were taking a more northerly direction. Our going was slow due to the thick underbrush; but the Veloceraptors and Kirkys in our group kept on the trail with little variance.
The group led by Thundertail had a slightly easier job of tracking thier objective, for it was a lot easier to track wagonprints on a smooth path than through rough jungle. Thier group trundled down the path as fast as they could go, which left most of the Kirkys who couldn't get a ride from thier larger cousins in the dust! Almost an hour later the group came out onto a wall of seaside cliffs. Off in the distance to the east they saw a structure of stone perched on a cliff like a suicide victim waiting to jump. It looked well armored and defensable; but the parapets and gates showed many generations of disuse and neglect. Thundertail's group hid in the treeline and watched the castle for any sign of activity; then they decided to turn back and hook up with us once they saw nothing was going on at the pirates' stronghold.
Our more northern route took us deeper into the jungle than I thought possible. Rex, Thistlesnarl and Pincushion led the way while Whitetail, me, Selma, Mayday, the rest of the Veloceraptors and the rest of the Kirkys took up the rear; scouring a fifty yard wide swath across the underbrush. Pretty soon the terrain under our feet became rocky, which soon obliterated any sign of visible footprints. The dinosaurs' sense of smell would just have to take over, and I would just have to take thier word for it! About a mile later the trees thinned out to nothing but scraggly brush and narrow, trecherous ravines and small steep valleys.
One of the Veloceraptors next to me said that he could smell something strange, like birds or something. I could catch a whiff of it too, and had Klamath turn on his scanners. I made out hundreds of Pteranodons nesting in the crags ahead - and many more hidden in the rocks all around us! I gave word to excecute extreme caution from here on because Mayday told me that Pteranodons were fierce hunters and wasn't too picky on the prey they picked on; but the three juvenile Tyranosaurs were too far ahead to get word! They were too preoccupied with thier task, for they had found something we were looking for!
"Say Rex.", Pincushion said as he stooped to pick something up with his teeth. "What's this?", he held a deep blue cap with a thin visor in front
"I think that's what Elinore said her Partner's mate was wearing!", Rex said. "Let's look some more."
The three Tyranosaurs scoured the entire area, then began scanning the ravine below them with thier eyes. As they peered over, they saw a glint of red pretty far below and about seventy yards down the ravine. Thistlesnarl thought it was a bush of flowers until they rounded a knoll of snarled old trees and saw the forms of two human bodies laying on a narrow ledge about fifty yards below them. The one wearing red was sprawled over a low bush; and the only thing that indicated she was alive was she moved a foot. The male in green and brown didn't move at all; and his head, srms and legs were all bent at impossible directions. All three looked down helplessly until Rex turned to his two friends and looked at them.
"Go for help!", Rex ordered. "I'll stay here.", neither needed to be told twice, and they turened and bolter back the way they had come.
As the twin carnivores left, Rex looked back over the side and whimpered helplessly. Thistlesnarl and Pincushion ran through the forest and made it back to us a handful of moments later. They told us what they found and to hurry. After thet were done, Thistlesnarl began to lead us to Rex; but Pincushion had another idea and ran back in the direction of the cart we found!
"Pincushion! What are you doing?!", I yelled. "Come back here!"
"I got an idea!", he roared in his own wake. "I'll be right back!", the Tyranosaur bolted through the trees and was lost from sight.
We had no choice but to go without him! When the rest of us got to where Rex was, he was looking down into a ravine; and as soon as I got to his side, I looked too.
"Ok guys!", I said. "We're going to have to get them up the ravine somehow..."
"We have no ropes!", Mayday said.
"Where's Pincushion?", Thistlesnarl asked.
"He ran off.", I said. "Said he had an idea."
"Bonehead!", Thistlesnarl groused.
"I hope ha brings back ropes...", one of the Kirkys complained.
"No time for that...", I said, then my eyes flashed with inspiration - I knew what to do! "Rex, you hold my legs while I go over the side."
"I'll hurt you!", Rex protested.
"No you won't! The suit can take it, right Klamath?", I said as i gotr into position.
"Stress pressure on lower torso sixteen tons per square inch.", Klamth droned, then took a more human tone. "Rex won't even dent me!"
"See? Go ahead, son.", I urged as Rex gently complied. "Good! Now, starting with the Veloceraptors, climb down and hold onto each other's ankles.", I winced as Whitetail climbed down and we both grasped wrists.
Slowly and carefully, the formation was built. The six Veloceraptors ended up only going about a third of the way down the cliff; so the Kirkys were soon employed. they had to go down in pairs for thier size, but soon the lowest kirky could barely touch the ledge. I had mayday climb down our living ladder, and then Selma took her turn with her madicine bag. They both reached the bottom, and immediately went to check both humans for life signs.
"Human male dead.", Mayday announced sadly.
Just then the Pteranodon sentinel took to the wing. He saw the humans fall many hours ago due to his flocks' attack; and now these other tresspassers were in his realm. he decided to wheel around the other side of the ravine area for a while; and warn the others in his flock if these newcomers tried to escape!
"The female lives!", I translated for Selma and her hideous screeches. "Cuts all over. No broken bones. Maybe a concussion...", Selma backed away as the stricken female groaned and wriggled.
"Ohhh...!", Ruby responded for a second. She moved her head and immediately fell unconcious.
"What we do?", mayday asked up to us. "We no move her up cliff like this!"
"Can we stop this now?", one of the Kirkys complained. "I think I'm getting taller!"
"Please, Malcolm!", I scolded. "This is an emergency! We're all going to feel taller once this is through!...", I gasped. "We're all just going to have to try harder, is all!"
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(Continued in the next entry.)
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Post by thundertail on Jul 27, 2007 6:35:09 GMT -5
SEVENTEEN: "Scouting party." (Continued)
"Wait boss!", Larry the Kirky said, straining from three spots above Malcolm. "We got an act like this, or at least we did. We'd be on the high wire, and curl our bodies up to reach the platform as one. Then we'd form an upside down pyramid on the highwire platform.", he winced. "Everyone remember?"
"No way, man!", Malcolm balked. "You ain't gettin' me to try THAT again!"
"Well, we got to do something!", I told them all. "My arms are coming out of the sockets!"
"QUIET!", Rex roared from above. "What Larry said is our only option! Let's just do it, OK?"
Rex's roar brought the rest of the Pteranodons to notice us, but we didn't notice them. The sentinel Pteranodon returned to his flock and squawked his findings to the rest. This made the whole flock get ready to take wing , preparing thier attack.
"Tell us what to do.", I said to Larry, and he did.
The human female was taken up by Mayday and got maneuvered to a standing position by the cliff wall and the living ladder. The bottom two kirkys drew her arms up and transferred her to the next set of Kirkys, and then the next. The Veloceraptors had to let go of one hand to transferr her up to thier next comrades, sending her slowly and carefully upwards. When she was up high enough Thistlesnarl gently grasped her by the scruff of her tunic with her teeth and dragged her a safe distance away. Once the human was up and secure, Selma and Mayday climbed the living ladder; and both immediately went to tend to her.
Like an undulating mass, the Kirkys rolled up onto themselves, rolling up in a living mass to draw the Veloceraptors up with them when it was thier turn. Whitetail let me go and Rex removed his foot from my butt. I sat there, shaking feeling back into my arms before I went to see about the female named Ruby.
"How is she?", I asked.
"She comes and goes.", Selma screeched as I translated. "We need to take her back to camp. I can not treat her properly out here."
"Here I am!", Pincushion panted as ran into the area. "I thought you'd need these!", He held the harnesses and strapping from the cart!
"So, that's where you went off to!", I said as I noticed. "Good thinking!", he noticed the rescue already completed then. "A little late, but a good effort!"
"Darn!...", he hung his head. "But what about the male?"
"Dead.", I said.
"We can't just leave him there...", Rex said.
"You're right!", I said. "Well Pincushion, I guess that harness will come in handy after all!"
The Kirkys hurriedly rigged a sling from the harness, and tied the reign ropes to it and cut them to length. With the rest thay made a piece of rope long enough to reach the ledge. It was my turn to descend to the ledge, and to retrieve the poor chap that died in his horrible fall. I rappelled down the face of the cliff on the rope, then dragged the corpse closer to the cliff face. As I tied the sling rig to him, I heard screeching cries coming from high above. From every direction of the compass I saw clouds of Pteranodons, heading right for us! I stepped back from the cliff so those above could see, then yelled!
"HEY GUYS! WE GOT COMPANY!", I said as I pointed to the sky. Immediately everyone knew a threat from the sky was imenent! "Everybody be on alert!... Mayday, use your stunner and I'll do the same. Everybody take cover..., and protect that human!"
Seconds later the first wave of Pteranodons strafed those at the top of the cliff. Selma was clipped off her feet, and Rex snatched that one out of the air. All the Kirkys dove for the buushes while the Veloceraptors formed a defensive phalanx around the stricken human female. Pincushion snapped at one as it flew by his face, but Thistlesnarl batted it with her head into a tree.
Mayday peppered the sky with stunner blasts and missed all but one. That one cartwheeled out of the sky to land in the ravine far below me. I, being a crack shot in aerial combat, knew enough to fire my stunner slightly ahead of these flying monsters; and my aim downed six while only missing one. As soon as the Pteranodons redoubled thier effort above me, I yelled instruction to the rest.
"Aim ahead of them, Mayday!", I yelled at her through the Pteranodon screeches and the roarings of my own group. "Let Zandra take over if you can!", I looked. "Here comes some more!"
As I peppered at them, a Kirky and a Veloceraptor were swept off the cliff. Klamath took over and changed the polarity of his pusher beam; pulling them both out of thier fall and setting them back up where they were. Four Pteranodons landed on Rex, and he shook off all but one; who dug his talons deep into his neck. He roared in pain as he stomped the ones he had shook off to paste. Pincushion was having the same problem, and the Veloceraptor's defense of Ruby was weakening; but Thistlesnarl battled on, taking out any that would dare come near her!
Just then there were many more carnivores in thier midst, and then Rex found the Pteranodon on his neck violently ripped off and squashed to dust at his feet. As we all realized that reinfoircements had arrived, Rex turned to his saviour and smiled.
"Dad!", he exclaimed. He also saw Grond and the rest already joining the fight. "Where did you guys come from?!"
"Silence!", Thundertail roared seriousely. "There's battle afoot!", he turned and dove into the fray, lashing at any Pteranodon that got near.
Before the hour was long, there were many dead Pteranodons about; both on top of the ravine and down below on the rocks. The area was red with battle; and once the surviving Pteranodons saw there was no chance for a free meal, reformed over our heads and wheeled back to thier aeries. The creatures below them were battered and bloody themselves; but fortunately they only suffered minor wounds. We stared as a group as the Pteranodon swarm shrank in the distance to land nearly a mile away. Panting, everyone gathered to survey the scene, muttering in disbelief at what just happened.
"The Pteranodons are bold!", Thundertail said. "They dare attack us?"
"We are in thier territory.", Grond stated. "They had the right."
"Dad, we found the humans.", Rex said. "One of them is dead."
"Yeah,", Pincushion said. "Stinger went down to get him."
"Stinger!", Mayday realized as she peered over the edge to see me smiling up at her with my hands on my hips.
"We all set up there?", I asked meekly but with sarcasm. "Ready to get me outa here?"
"Ooh! Right!", Rex went to grab the rope.
I finished harnessing the corpse of Jeff Mattock as many of the Veloceraptors topside helped Rex; and many of the Kirkys pitched in as soon as they came out of hiding. He was drawn up the cliff in short order; and then it was my turn, Rex taking the harness off me as soon as I was up. In the mean time, the rest of our group scanned the skies for any more Pteranodon threats.
"Ok, now let's load up and get out of here.", Thundertail told everyone. "There's no telling when the Pteranodons will return!"
We mounted up in preparation for our long journey back. Atop Thundertail, I reached down and hauled the limp form of Ruby Mattock up in the saddle with me with the aid of Mayday and Thistlesnarl. She moaned in pain as she was lifted up and a Kirky tossed a rope down to his kin to tie her onto Thundertail; then I braced her up with my arms around her waist. Jeff mattock was lashed to Pincushion's back so he wouldn't fall off; and the rest of the Veloceraptors and Kirkys gathered a few Pteranodon corpses to eat on the way back. Mayday mounted Grond and Selma got on Thistlesnarl; and a few of the Kirkys hitched rides on all of the Tyranosaurs.
The going was slow, mainly for the sake of the injured Ruby; who was jostled about like a rag doll as she lifelessly rode with me on Thundertail's back. The group also had to take it slow for the shorter legged Veloceraptors and Kirkys who were dragging our lunch. All along the way we related our parts in the rescue as Thundertail told us about thier exploits at LaSage's hideout.
"You did well, my son, for finding these people.", Thundertail praised Rex after a few moments of marching silence. "I believe my training is paying off; for you led this group and helped to find these creatures in distress."
"We all did our part, father.", Rex stated. "We all pitched in and everything worked out well for the most part. If it weren't for our friends' combined effort, we might have failed."
"My search went well too.", Thundertail said. "We found the stronghold of Torres LaSage, and can track her activities if we need to. She lives in a castle on the Crackshell Coast."
"That king Adolpho's castle!", Mayday said. "Me hear it haunted!"
"Sounds like it's haunted all right!", I added. "Haunted with lowlifes!", our groiup chuckled.
By mid-afternoon we had only gotten as far as the destroyed cart; and by late afternoon we eventually made it back to our clansite. Before we could even dismount we were greeted most profusely; but then they saw our condition of our group and immediately helped us out as well as help out with our burdens.
Ruby was lowered to the waiting arms of those below, and was immediately rushed to my cabin; where Ursula waited with all her instruments, and Selma went along to assist. The corpse of Jeff was taken down and dragged over near the 'Big Top' tent; much to the dismay of Merry, Sperry and the two guards! We had to assure them that this was only a temporary arrangement!
While all of this was being organized, I went to Ursula's gypsy wagon to see on our other visitor. Elinore was a very skittish creature, and news of our expedition would have to be told to her gently! I crouched and knocked on the tiny door, and after a moment Elinore's head poked out and looked up at me.
"Oh! Hello Stinger!", Elinore squeaked. She scurried down the steps as I crouched to the ground. "You're back! Please tell me how it went."
"Please have a seat.', I indicated Ursula's chair before the tiny table. "Woah! What a time!...", I began, wiping my brow.
"You're a mess! And all bloody!", Elinore noticed. "What happened?!"
"Well Elinore, it was like this:", I said as I began to tell her of the ordeal. "We went to your cart in the woods. We found many human footprints, and found out that Ruby and Jeff had been captured. We followed the tracks to another path in the woods; and from there it seemed like they escaped."
"Good!", she smiled. "And then you found them?"
"Well, Thundertail and some of the others followed the other tracks, and it led to some cart tracks.", I continued. "The cart tracks led to a castle by the coast. We think that's the pirates' hideout."
"But what about Ruby and Jeff?", Elinore asked.
"We found thier tracks and followed them to a craggy place.", I said. "The place was loaded with Pteranodons, and I think they were responsible for making them fall off the cliff. Rex found them, and they were hurt badly. So we pulled them up and that's when the Pteranodons attacked us!", I paused in concern. "The rest might be too painful for you. Do you want me to continue?"
"Please! I need to know!", she begged.
"Ok, here goes:", I cleared my throat. "Jeff didn't make it. In his fall, his neck and nearly every bone in his body was broken.", I looked at her srtricken face before she shed attentive tears. "Ruby is still alive, but she is hurt bad. Ursula and Selma are looking over her as we speak."
"Oh no!", Elinore wailed as soon as she could find voice. "I must see her! I got to let her know I'm safe!"
"Ruby is still unconcious.", I told her. "We think she has a concussion and other injuries. The bush she landed in may have saved her life, but she has cuts from head to toe - and God knows what else. I think you should wait until she wakes up before you go see her."
"NO! I must see her now!", Elinore would not be denied! "Take me to her RIGHT NOW, human!"
"Ok, ok!", I said. "I just wanted to save you the shock!", I reached for her. "Here. Let me carry you there."
I picked Elinore up and held her like one would a cat, which she said was a most comfortable mode of transportation. We made our way around the 'Big Top' tent, and I reluctantly asked her if she wanted to see Jeff's body. Elinore consented just as reluctantly as I slowed in front of a tarp that he was covered with. I put her on the ground and lifted off a corner of the tarp so she could view the upper torso.
She slowly crept forward, tears welling, and grasped the man's huge hand. Bowing in sorrow, she ran the hand on her face in a nuzzle. Then she broke down and wept uncomntrollably. After many moments of this, she backed away guiltily, turned to me and mimed for me to pick her back up.
"He was so kind.", Elinore sniffed. "Ruby is going to be heartbroken!"
"It's a bad time...", I said lamely. "I'm so sorry for you all."
I took her across the clearing and into the woods, the little Compsagnathus noticing all these huge, civilized carnivores going about thier business. Her look of fear for these monsters was masked by her sorrow and determination to see the one she most loved. We made it to my cabin a few moments later; and I knocked only once before the door was opened. Selma's eyes saw me and my passenger as I walked in, Elinore looking at her a moment with mistrusting eyes. I set her down on the floor beside my bed, which was being used as Ruby's examination table; and Elinore rushed over to the form on the bed and climbed up to see better.
"Now child!", Ursula said. "Let a body work! I'll let you know when she wakes up!
Instead of replying, Elinore climbed up on the bed and nuzzled her Partner's cut up face. A moment of weeping and she got up, wiping her tiny face.
"Let me know the second she wakes up!", Elinore ordered. "I'd like to sleep here tonight, if you don't mind."
"All right, child.", Ursula said. "But where will Stinger and Mayday sleep?"
"Don't worry, Ursula.", I told her. "I'll be fine! Mayday might be able to sleep here; but maybe I can sleep with Rex tonight. That would give him a thrill!"
"Gee whiz!", Elinore said. "Am I that much of a pain?"
"No you're not!", I crouched to say. "You're a guest, and guests are always right!
After more than three days later, and with the concern of everyone in the clan, Ruby slowly began to wake up. In the mean time she had been cleaned up and her clothes laundered and put back on her; and even though the smaller scratches were well on thier way to healing, the larger cuts and bruises remained.
This did nothing to mask her strawberry blonde hair and obvious beauty, which couldn't be halted by this ordeal; and she moaned as she fought her way through the nausea and pain and into the realm of conciousness. Ursula saw this and came over to the human female still struggling to wake and nursed some water into her. Coughing, Ruby struggled to a half sitting position before she had to surrender to gravity once more.
"What happened?... Ohhh!...", Ruby croaked as her eyes tried to make out the light. "Where am... I?..."
"Just relax, child.", Ursula said as she was handed a bowl of greens and fruits from Selma. "You're with friends."
"I ache... all over.", Ruby turned her head and squinted at the miniscule dinosaur by her head. "Elinore...? That you...?"
"No. I'm Ursula, a healer.", she turned to Selma. "Go get Elinore.", Selma squawked, nodded and left the cabin.
"Where am I?", Ruby asked as she turned her head to look at her surroundings, her administrator and the food in that order. "Last thing I know we were running for our lives after being attacked by humans! Why would humans do that to us?"
"Now don't worry about that! We got that business under control.", Ursula indicated the food. "You been out for about three days. You must be starved!"
"I'll say!", Ruby took the bowl and the implement and tasted experimentally. She practically devoured the bowl before she looked up at Ursula guiltily. "Want some?"
"Naw, I'll eat later.", Ursula said as a knock was heard at the door. "I bet I know who this is!", she barely had time to turn the knob when in sprung Elinore.
"Ruby!... , Ruby!..., Ruby!...", Elinore leapt on the bed and engulfed the human in a miniature hug. "Oh!... I'm sooo glad you're all right", then she nuzzled her lovingly.
"Elinore!... You're alive!...", Ruby returned all the affection and then some. After many moments, she drew away. "But where are we?"
"Ooh! We're still in the Rainy Basin.", Elinore told her. "We're in a place called clan Thundertail. We're in a community of friendly Tyranosaurs!"
"Tyranosaurs?!", Ruby looked around warily, then whispered. "We're in trouble!"
"No, silly! These Tyranosaurs are really nice!", Elinore giggled. "They have formed a clan of all sorts of carnivores, and live like it were a community. They like to help people!"
"I never heard the like!", Ruby told her, giving her an extra lookover. "Elinore, are you sure you're all right?"
"She's not lying, sweetie.", Ursula said as she took Ruby's bowl. "I'm what you call a Skartopus Kirkus - a Kirky for short. Selma over there is an Ovaraptor. We're carnivores! We got Tyranosaurs, Dilophosaurs and Veloceraptors - humans too!"
"Those dreadful humans attacked us!", Ruby said fearfully. "Not them!"
"Oh no, my Partner!", Elinore tried to reassure her. "There's only two of them here and they're both as nice as can be! Stinger is really gallant, and Mayday is real sweet too. This is thier house, which they gave to you until you recover."
"Well, that's very Dinotopian of them!", Ruby said as she gave Elinore an extra hug.
"Now child, I think that's enough excitement for your first day among the living.", Ursula said as Selma squawked and gave her a bowl. "It's time for you to take another dose of medicine. Are you getting a headahce, dear?"
"A little.", Ruby said. "I'm feeling a little nauseous, too."
"That's that concussion you got..., but at least you got food into you - and that's good!", Ursula turned to Elinore. "Maybe you can see her a little later, ok?"
"Sure thing, auntie Ursula!", Elinore gave Ruby an extra nuzzle and leapt down off the bed. She turned back twice before reluctantly shutting the cabin door behind her.
"I like it wen she calls me that!", Ursula chuckled as she brought the bowl over to Ruby's lips.
At evenings' beginning, Ruby seemed to feel a lot better; and most of us began our turns visiting her. She was quite alarmed when Thundertail poked his head into the window for his brief visit; but her trepidations soon diminished when he conveyed all our wishes for a speedy recovery, which was translated by Mayday. As the evening wore on, nearly every carnivore in camp made thier greetings; but Ursula deemed she needed rest, and made her sleep for the rest of the night.
She was suprised when Sperry, Merry, Raffa and Tebo came in for thier visit the next morning; for she thought that only carnivores lived here. Sperry explained that they were only there on assignment from the high council to study this community, and would be leaving when they were done. She was amazed and amused at the small troupe of juggling Kirky clowns that pranced into the cabin next; and thanked them all for thier fine and talented performance. Up until then she didn't know of the fate of her husband; but once Elinore told her on her next visit, she wept for the longest time.
"So, how you doing?", I asked when it was my turn. I made like I was getting some gear from my footlocker chest as an excuse for my visit. "I see you're enjoying our first-class accomodations!"
"Much better, thanks!", Ruby said. "Do you know what's to become of us?"
"Well, you still need to recover a bit more first.", I told her. "But once you do, we'll let you and Elinore go back to your lives."
"And what life can I have without my husband?", she was near to tears.
"I know it's a tough blow, losing all that.", I told her. "But things always have a way of working out. You two will make it, I'm sure of it!"
"It will never be the same, though...", Ruby turned her head toward the door as Elinore came in; and I took that as my cue to leave.
Soon she had more water and food, and by noon time the next day, Ruby was feeling a lot better. By then Ursula and Selma allowed her to get out of bed, walk about the cabin and meet more clan members that walked by the doorway. She was slowly getting used to being in the midst of our clan of carnivores; but the sight of them all milling about doing thier duties still innerved her to no end!
Just before the evening meal, Mayday led her out of the cabin and began a small tour of the campsite near the cabin; and many of the clan members greeted her in passing. mayday described just about everything going on at the camp, from gardening and the hunt and even the Copro cart; but she could guess the reason for that! She grew amazed at how these creatures had adapted to living in shelters; and gazed in awe at the rows of tiny tents at the far end of the clearing, the cabins and smaller domiciles made of wood and thatch nestled between the trees and even the mud huts and lean-tos all about. Ruby maintained that such communal behaviour among carnivores was uncalled for; but Mayday stated simply that they get along very well together.
"Ah! There you are, miss Ruby!", Sperry Stenoychosaurus said as he caught up with them. Merry was at his side, busy compiling notes and didn't see him pause. She bumped into him and broke his concintration. "Uh,... We are nearly done with our task here. We were wondering, do you and your Partner need a lift home?"
"We live in Pteros, but were reassigned to Earthfarm.", Ruby told him. "Are you going to Earthfarm?"
"Well no. Not really.", Sperry said. "We must regester our findings with the high council at Waterfall City first. Then our next assignment is Volcaneum, not too far away from there. We could see you that far."
"That's most gratious of you, kind saurian.", Ruby said as Elinore caught up with them and scurried into her arms. "But we really shouldn't impose like that..."
"Nonsense child!", Sperry said with a tisk. "it's the least we can do! Insist!"
"Then if that's the case,", Ruby said with a grin as Elinore took a more comfortable position on her shoulder. "It looks like you have some traveling companions!"
"Yipee!", Elinore chirped.
"Er..., how are you coming along, Merry?", Sperry asked, turning.
"Almost finished.", Merry said, not looking up. "Just got to go over two more pages, then we got to proof read everything and make any other changes. Then it should be right as rain!"
"Excellent!", Sperry said. "Now we must be off! We should go and pack things up. We could be ready to leave as soon as sometime tomorrow!"
"Right!", Merry followed him as I came near the group.
"Hi guys!", I said as I gave Mayday a kiss. "We're almost ready to present a feast to celebrate your recovery. Want to join us?"
"We've never been to a carnivore feast.", Ruby said.
"I bet it's messy!", Elinore added.
"Don't worry!", I smiled. "I've been teaching them table manners!"
The group laughed as they followed us to the feeding area. A makeshift table and seating was set up off to one side so they wouldn't be in direct sight of any potential gore. soon the carcasses were brought in from the other side of the clearing and the carnivores began to congregate around the bonfire made to light the darkening day. The plant eaters' meals were served, and the feast commenced without much fanfare save for Thundertail proclaiming that we begin.
Soon many threads of loose conversation began around the fire as well as our table; along with other smalltalk and joking like what usually happened within the comeraderie of the clan. Ruby and Elinore observed all of this as they ate with an air of polite amusement until some of the conversation wafted her way. They turned questioningly to the speaker: me!
"I said, did we tell you what we're doing at those temples over there?", I repeated, pointing.
"N..., no, you didn't", Ruby said. "What are you doing?"
"We are exploring them and catalogueing what is there.", I began. "If all goes well, we will be fixing them up and living there before long."
"Those temples look dangerous!", Ruby replied. "You shouldn't be in there."
"Well, we figure that since we have to guard them anyway; we might as well see what it is we're guarding!", I said. "We found that the temples aren't as dangerous as rumored; and there are things in them that can be useful to all Dinotopians. That is once we figure out how to use them!"
"But still, it's against the laws of Dinotopia!", Ruby told us. "The things in them, if placed into the wrong hands, could very well destroy Dinotopia! That is why those places are taboo!"
_____
(Continued in the next entry.)
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Post by thundertail on Jul 29, 2007 7:08:42 GMT -5
SEVENTEEN: "Scouting party." (Continued again.)
This silenced most conversation around the table as most of us continues our feast. By the end of the feast the conversations commenced once more. Sperry Stenoychosaurus commented that they were almost ready to leave as they had collected enough information to complete thier report on us; and said they would probably leave as soon as tomorrow noon time. We were all saddened to hear this news, and wished them a safe journey home. Ruby and Elinore said that they wished to leave with them, and the farewells for them were redoubled. Upon thinking of thier eminent departure, Ruby got a worried look, which turned into one of angry determination; and finally she could wait no longer to speak.
"You know, I'm glad of all the help we have been given by you people; but what of those dispickable pirates?", Ruby demanded. "Those people MUST attone for this!"
"What can be done?", Elinore asked.
"I won't stand them running rampant like this!", Ruby continued. "What if they do this to others and someone gets hurt or killed again?
"Well, they won't hurt anyone in the Rainy Basin if WE have anything to say about that!", I said. "Right, my king?"
"Tresspassing of thier caliber will not be tolerated!", Thundertail confirmed.
"Well, When Iget to Waterfall City, I'm going to file a formal protest against them!", Ruby continued. "I DEMAND restitution!"
"Miss Ruby...?", Sperry said. "When we get to Waterfall City, Merry and I will help you fill out the proper forms. We're good at paperwork!", Merry nodded.
"And we can do things on our end as well.", I said. "We found out that the culprits live in king Adolpho's castle on the Crackshell coast. We can keep an eye on them and monitor thier activities. We can at least see to it that they cause no trouble in the Rainy Basin. See, now that we know who's doing these things, we can do something about it!"
"You won't be able to get saurian guards out here.", Ruby said. "Nobody in thier right mind would enter the Rainy Basin unprotected!"
"We're well capable of handling them ourselves.", I told her. "We can do it Rainy Basin style! If LaSage uses trechery and other underhanded means, then we can use our own means to stop her!"
"Using violence to solve problems is against Dinotopian law, you know.", she warned.
"In the rainy basin, carnivores use violence to obtain meals.", I said. "It is not against thier law to fight if thier territory is violated. Don't worry, we will see that justice is served!"
Fairly soon after that the conversation around the bonfire and our table dwindled to a few pockets of small talk and the few who were planning to go on tomorrow's hunt and the like. By this time most of the children had gone to bed, led by thier parents; and most of tomorrow's hunters decided it was a good idea as well. The Kirkys and Veloceraptor females got up and began cleaning up from the feast and we all decided just then to turn in ourselves.
Ruby collecterd the dozing Ekinore and shuffled off to my cabin while i sidled up to rex, begging to sleep with him with my eyes. he smilingly gave me a wet lick and we sauntered off to his sleeping nest. Not long after that Sperry and company left for the 'Big Top' tent, and before long the whole camp was abuzz with the sounds of sleeping saurians. Ripper and Snapper got ready and went to thier shift at guarding the camp.
In the morning i woke up and rumpled rex's neck to wake him up too; then I went to the clearing to witness the hunting party leave, led by Grond and Bross today. I then walked over to the 'Big top' tent and saw there was activity in that area as well. the saurian guards, Tebo and Raffa, were loading thier small push cart, and Sperry and Merry were packing thier things and stacking them outside for the guards to load.
I poked my head inside the tent and saw Merry rolling up bedrolls; and didn't notice Sterry swing around lifting loaded bags of parchment. He bumped into me, and I decided to wait outside to watch the procedure.
"Big day today!", Sperry chirped as he got the bag outside to the waiting arms of Raffa. "We spent the rest of the evening proofreading the notes, and we composed a strong paper on the place! I think we got all we came here for. As soon as we pack up, we'll be leaving!"
"Well, I'm really sorry to see you go.", I said as i helped him hand off the bedroll that Merry had handed him. "Your presence here the past few weeks has been a real shot in the aem for all of us!"
"Yes, but duty has its' own schedule.", Sperry said. "If we had our druthers, we would stay a whole lot longer! Truth be known, the council at Waterfall City wants this report as soon as possible. They're really curious about you, you know!"
"Well, it's a good thing they're taking an interest in us.", I said. Thundertail thinks that knowledge of us would really help out the clan and our cause."
"And what cause is that, ifIi may ask?", Sperry paused to ask.
"Well, you must admit, carnivores have a less than favorable reputation, if you know what i mean.", I told him. "Most Dinotopians think that they are just mindless eating machines that would devour you so much as give you the time of day. They are not like that at all, really! They are really nice folks; and sure they eat meat, but that's because it's the only thing they CAN eat."
"But all creatures can choose what they eat.", Sperry said. "You and mayday eat meat and plants. You could just choose one or the other. It's much more humane to eat only plants."
"True, we could; but as you say, we have a choice.", I told him. "We can eat plants or meat as we choose, and we choose to eat both. We have even tried to introduce plants into the diets of the carnivores, but they can't stomach very much - certainly not enough to survive!"
Sperry nodded the argument and changed the subject before it got too far out of hand. "Stinger, could you do me a favor in my absence?", I nodded. "The report we're submitting may need frequent followups as this is only a preliminary report. As soon as copies are made of this report, more people are no doubt going to want to learn more.", I nodded again. "I will give you the remainder of our writing paraphanalia if you would write down everything that goes on around here from now on. The chief librarian at waterfall City would no doubt be very interested on what you have to say. His name is Zippeau Stenoychosaurus, and he would olove to see your work!"
"Why, I'd be honored to help!", I said. "My penmanship isn't so great and I don't exactly write with flair; but I could easily describe in writing what goes on around here if that's what he might be looking for!"
"Excellent!", Sperry turned and pulled a small crate down from the cart and placed it at my feet. "I'll go tell Merry!"
(So Zippeau, this is why I'm writing all this stuff down for you. I hope I do a good job writing this, and do you peoud! As I enjoyed living these adventures and writing them down, I hope you enjoy reading it! One day I hope to travel to Waterfall City and meet you in person. Oh! The tales we could tell!...)
Anyway, by the time out visitors had finished packing, Ruby and Elinore walked over with thier few belongings and put it into the cart. by this time many of our clan had noticed the packing and had congregated around the cart to wish them good bye. During this time the hunting party returned, and came over to give thier reguards as well.
"Ah! I see that you're leaving without fully wearing out your welcome!", thundertail pushed through the crowd to say.
"Uh..., that we are, sir.", Sperry stammered, still not quite used to being around large carnivores. "We ah... Gathered all the information we need so far."
"And now we must be on our way.", merry finished for him, he hand found his and they clasped. "It has been an honor to be among you, truely!"
"Gee! And we were gonna give you a big sendoff!", Harold Kirky said by his kings' ankles.
"Aay Stinger!", Rex whispered in Tyranosaur. "It looks like Merry and Sperry are like you and Mayday!"
"Hush!", I whispered back, then explained so they could understand. "Ah..., Rex commented if you two were seeing each other socially..."
"Oh, that!", Sperry looked at his hand. "We're mates, actually. Didn't you know that?"
"We found out long ago that we work really well together.", Merry tightened her grip. "Both on the job and off!"
"Isn't that swell!", I said.
"Anyway miss Ruby. If you and Elinore are ready, i think we should be going soon.", Sperry said. "I'm sure that where you're going is right along the way to where we're going!"
"Yes, let's go hon...", Ruby said, then turned to us. "We both thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you have done for us!"
"Yeah!", Elinore echoed.
"Think nothing of it!", Thundertail told her. "It was a pleasure to be of service. Besides, your gratious contribution of your husbands' body is more than enough payment!"
At length all good byes were said, punctuated with nuzzles, kisses and the like; and te whole group prepared to leave. Thundertail suggested that an escort of guards go with themn, at least until they reached the borders of our territory; and Rockslide and Treesap volunteered for the task. As we all waved at thier retreating forms, Merry, Sterry, Raffa, Tebo, Ruby and Elinore turned as one and waved back. Pretty soon they were swallowed up by the forest and were seen no more...
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