Empire Of The Carnivores (Part 3)

[thundertail]

EMPIRE OF THE CARNIVORES (Part Three)

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By: Thundertail
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SIXTY: "At the polls."

I set out once again to Waterfall City on another diplomatic mission, taking on my usual contingent of helpers. Rex went with me along with his father, Thundertail; Ripper and Snapper came to guard us, and Flatbottom pulled our cart of supplies. We figured to use him this time to let him experience civilized life once again; a reward for enduring the indignities at the hands of LaSage and her group the last time! Sauron came with us, pulling the smaller cart with the gift we had for them; which was the giant Sunstone taken from the Sunstone Cavern deep in the bowels of the World Beneath, to be used as a replacement stone for the Prime Sunstone.

Our trip was uneventful as we traveled west through the Rainy Basin and all the towns between there and the capitol of Dinotopia, and when we got to Waterfall City we noticed many unusual things. For one thing, nobody but the gate guards took any notice of us as we crossed the Rainbow Bridge and into the city proper; for they were all preoccupied making banners and telling one another about this persons' or thats' qualities and attributes, and why they would be the best candidate for mayor. They seemed to be only talking about a handful of key people, and Waldo Seville seemed to be the subject for most of them. Not wanting to disturb thier banter, and being generally ignored in any case; we made our way to the council chambers and dismounted out front. What we saw there was a crowd of humans and saurians standing facing the wide stone steps and entrance, listening to the persons at the top of the steps behind podiums; and they were taking turns makiing speeches concerning thier running for mayor. Minch, standing to one side of the podiums, several officials of high office seated behind him, saw us come near; and immediately stopped the campaigning.

"Mister Stinger! King Thundertail!", Minch rose and said. "It is a pleasure to see you once again! However, we were not expecting you so soon."

"We were not expecting to come for another month or so.", I said for us all. "It is just that something monumental has happened in clan Thundertail, and we had to come and spread the good news.", I looked worried. "I assume you have received our Postal Bird about the matter?..."

"Why yes, I have!", mayor Waldo Seville said from his podium. "Such great news, finding the Sunstone Cavern and all.", he smirked wierdly. "Sorry for the lack of response, but something came up!"

"We were afraid the city was under seige or something!", I said and the crowd chuckled. "What IS going on, by the way?"

"Every so often it is decreed that Waterfall City have an election to see who will be the next mayor.", Minch explained. "It is quite an extensive operation, taking up all the time and effort of everyone in the city. This must be the reason for the lack of communication in your case."

"I see.", I said. "But anyway, in celebration of finding the Sunstone Cavern, clan Thundertail wishes to present to you a gift."

I turned to Sauron, who already had his goggles on. That was his cue to remove the tarp hiding our gift; and when he did the crowd before us gasped with both pain and delight at the giant bauble they saw glowing brightly in the cart! As the shock of the brightness wore off somewhat, the crowd of humans and saurians erupted with waves of cheering and applause at the sight. Minch rose once again, and all the others behind their podiums leaned to see better; and all in the crowd before us squinted to see the largest Sunstone thay had ever seen, nestled in the inapropriate place of our cart.

"Remarkable!...", Minch said.

"It's the Prime Sunstone's twin!", said the Stenoychosaurus at the podium to Waldo's far left. It was Yarra, and Zippeau stood in the crowd below directly in front of her.

"Stinger!... You have truely outdone yourself this time!", Waldo marveled.

"We figure the Prime Sunstone is..., how old?...", I shuffled, still aboard Rex. "Anyway, we figured that you might need a replacement if it should fail."

"Reguardless, it is a most profound gift!", Minch adjusted his spectacles. "We are forever in clan Thundertail's debt.", he looked around and his eyes locked on Sauron's. "These saurian guards will escort you to the Sunstone Repository, kind saurian; and there you may loosen your burden."

Sauron bowed as he replaced the tarp, filling the area with only natural sunlight, and removed his goggles. At this time two of the court guards came to him, one leading the way down the street while the other takng the rear. As soon as the cart disapeared around the corner of the courthouse, Minch looked up and remembered his duty once again. He drew a breath and spoke to the crowd.

"Now then, to resume...", he said. "I believe that Yarra has the floor..."

"Uh, sir...", I cut in. "Before this continues, may we ask a few questions?"

"Certainly.", Minch said.

"We did not know an election was to take place.", I began. "Would it be possible to ask of the rules? If it is permitted, we would like to participate."

"Of course you may ask.", Minch turned a lopsided grin. "All Dinotopians may vote in these elections. However, considerations have not been made for the carniverous citizens..."

"What he means is our electoral rules have not yet been changed.", Waldo said. "For hundreds of years, they have only acomodated true Dinotopians, so to speak."

"To change electoral policies, it would take an act of the senate.", Minch said. "And only officiated by the mayor of Waterfall City. With these elections going on, a mayor is not officially in office."

"I see...", I said. I thought a moment. "So it is not possible for us to vote."

"It is all right, Stinger.", Thundertail told me. "This is thier election, not ours..."

"But it would be a perfect learning experience for the clan!...", I piped up. "I could teach them all about free elections!... I come from America, and I know nearly all there is to know about elections!"

"That is a wonderful suggestion, Stinger!", Thundertail said. "I am always eager to hear of new ways to run the clan...!"

"Er,... Shall we continue?...", Minch nervousely said.

Yarra Stenoychosaurus cleared her throat as her cheering and applaud died down to murmurs. Then platform for her campaign dealt mostly with improvements in the schools and library systems, focusing on the children, which were the 'Backbone of our future.', as she put it. She said that proper teaching when a child would produce intellegent and reliant adults; and only this would make Dinotopia the resiliant culture it was always meant to be. I could tell that Zippeau wrote that speech for her because he was the one cheering more vigourousely for her than the rest, who either copied him somewhat or clapped out of courtesy.

The next one making a speech was mister Rhudolph, the seller I met my first visit to waterfall City. His platform consisted of the commerce present in Waterfall City; and he stressed the prosperity if greater considerations be given for the merchants. He also stressed the importance of trade routes, and scoffed at the general disrepair of the roads leading to Waterfall City, stressing thier danger to both life and property; and promising allocations to repair said roads once he was elected. He closed with a rousing tirade of how Dinotopia could be a shining glory if prosperity would prevail, and he would see that it become so. Even though his applause was somewhat more robust than Yarra's, there were fewer giving voice.

The next up was Ruby Mattock, and her platform dealt with justice, and the sanctioning of crimes prevailant; especially in the backwater areas of Dinotopia. She touted the laws of justice present, saying that they do little to quell the crimes that be; and stiffer punishments should be metered out. She said that when she is mayor, she would not stand for such injustice, and make new laws to punish these transgressors. Elinore was on her shoulder, and agreed most wholeheartedly; and led the cheering at the end of her Partner's speech.

Waldo Seville was next, and his platform went on about all the fine things he had already done for Dinotopia. He went on about how he always meted out justice, allocated funds for repairs and rebuilding, troubleshot bad situations and performed his administrative duties with all the determination at his disposal. He concluded that he would continue to do a good job at being mayor, and all the issues that concerned the other delegates would be dealt with in thier own time. His applause was more rousing than all the rest combined, but still the look on his face told me he thought it might not be enough to hold his title.

Once all the speeches were made and the cheering subsided somewhat, Minch closed this phase in the elections and disapeared with the election committee into the court building; but many of the people stayed with the contestants to chat with and congratulate thier favotites. I wove my way into the crowd so I could meet the contestants personally, and to perhaps get literature on thier seperate campaign platforms; which would be needed if I were to use this election as an example to show clan Thundertail. Everyone greeted me with cordial enthusiasm, and the four would-be mayors treated me like a valued voter even though we were not allowed to vote.

"Ah! Mister Stinger!", Ruby Mattock shook my hand. "Good job in finding the Sunstone Cavern. Certainly the Sunstones would be a great help to Dinotopia."

"My one regret is that it goes against Dinotopian tradition.", I said as Elinore scampered to my shoulder. "The World Beneath is supposed to be off-limits."

"True, but those Sunstones are badly needed.", Ruby told me. "I'm sure that tradition would not mind, seeing our need!"

"Where's Flit, Stinger?", Elinore asked. "I miss him!"

"I had to leave him at home.", I told her. "Who else can oversee the mining of the Sunstones?"

"He's real smart!", she replied.

"Oh yes, about your campaign platform...", I blurted.

"Say no more, kind sir!", Ruby went to her podium and grabbed a few sheafs of paper. "This should give your clan plenty of material to go over.", she smiled. "By the way, I admire what you're doing with LaSage."

"I'm only keeping an eye on her. Not much more.", I said. "I suppose I shouldn't tell you this, but signs indicate she is turning over a new leaf..."

"And you believe that?!", Ruby scoffed. "You know her!... If I were you, I'd drag her to court by her bootstraps!"

"Now there's no need for that!", I chuckled. "Because what I'm doing to her is far worse than locking her up. I'm letting her carry on so she'll learn how futile it is to do what she does."

"She's a slow learner, let me tell you!", Ruby Mattock said as Elinore leapt to her shoulder and both went to greet other people.

The next contestant I met in the crowd was mister Rhudolph. He shook my hand and handed me a sheaf of his own campaign platform material before speaking.

"Stinger!... I love what you're doing in the Rainy Basin!", he said. "The caravans can now go through safely, and that brings great profit to everyone on the island!"

"Well, it's everyones' job to keep the island safe.", I said. "Even if it means to keep things safe from US!"

"Too true! And those Rainy Basin Rangers are so helpful!", Rhudolph commented. "Last year we had four accidents there, and each time they came to give help."

"Just doing thier job...", I replied. "And how's business around here? Your stand doing well?"

"Never better!", he said. "And that stuff you make, Tyranosaur Breath?... That's one of my biggest sellers!", he paused to whisper conspiratorilly. "Is it possible to increase my allotment?"

"Certainly, my friend.", I said as he turned to greet Almasaur Ankylosaur.

I met up with Yarra Stenoychosaurus next; and she and Zippeau were animatedly talking with an older female human and a towering Brach at the same time. Yarra saw me first and paused her speaking to look at me; and a second later Zippeau noticed me, sputtering as he voiced his apologies both to me and thier small audience. As both the Brach and the old lady made thier way to other parts of the square, I walked over and pumped Yarra's saurian hand. I indicated my growing armload of papers, and she complied with a few more pages for me.

"When I saw you running for mayor, I was quite suprised.", I told her. "I wish you all the luck in the world!"

"Thanks!", Yarra said. "With Zippeau as my campaign manager, how can I lose!", I chuckled.

"Personally, I think her platform is top notch.", Zippeau said. "A good education is the key to a good society!"

"Yes, and there is a lot more than that to being mayor.", I told her. "Take my word for that one!"

"Oh Stinger, why didn't you run for mayor?", Yarra asked.

"Well, number one is I'm already a mayor.", I said. "I already do so much, I wouldn't be able to handle being mayor in two places. Besides, this is YOUR election, not mine."

"Maybe I should take pointers from you instead!", she teased.

"What about me?", Zippeau retorted. "I almost made mayor once before, you know!"

"I missed you the last time you visited the Rainy Basin.", I said to him. "I heard you really brought the house down!"

"Oh, it was nothing, really!", Zippeau said.

"Have no fear, Stinger.", Yarra said. "I know all about his little problem.", she grasped his saurian hand. "I got to accept my friend, good or bad!"

"I'd hang onto him, if I were you!", I said. "He's top-notch!"

"I'm not letting him out of my sight for a minute!", she smiled as she dragged Zippeau to another knot of potential voters.

I smiled as I watched the pair receed into the crowd, then I turned and stood staring right into the face of Waldo Seville. His grin overpowered my senses so much that I failed to notice his wife Rosemary bringing up the rear a few seconds later. He grabbed my unburdened hand and pumped it like I was a long lost cousin or something. Then he let go and backed up a pace.

"Well done on the Sunstone Cavern, my boy!", he said loudly. "Frankly, our supplies are beginning to dwindle!"

"There is no need to thank me.", I said. "You owe the thanks to the Kirky Circus! It was their kind that opened up the passage."

"Who ever found it, it was marvelous news!", Rosemary said. "Now Dinotopia can be protected forever!"

"Stinger, I have some material that could prove most helpful to your instructing the clan...", Waldo handed me a sheaf of papers. "And I would like to invite you and your group to Eveningmeal tonight. It will be in the mayoral dining hall."

"But with this election going on, are you not the mayor?", I asked.

"Rubbish! I am still acting mayor while the election is going on!", waldo said. "I don't care what that persnickety Minch says!"

"Now Waldo!", Rosemary scolded. "It is unbecoming to call people names!"

"Sorry, dear.", Waldo said. "It's just that with this election going on, everything is becoming unraveled!"

"Here as well as everywhere else.", I mumbled, hoping they wouldn't notice the comment.

"What do you mean, Stinger?", Rosemary noticed!

"It's kind of touchy, and it involves LaSage.", I said. "I shouldn't say much more in public, if that's Ok by you."

"That's all right, my boy.", Waldo said. "You can discuss this with us tonight during the feast!"

"At sundown sharp...", added Rosemary. "Bring your friends!"

They turned to greet more people, and I knew it was my turn to turn and do the same. I saw in my milling through the crowd that Sauron had returned to my group, and he was talking to Almasaur about something; Flatbottom giving him greetings as well as Rex, Thundertail, Ripper and Snapper looked on in thier group. I thought it funny that, even though the carnivores in my group were as docile as could be, not many people would come up and actually talk with them. Presently, and with my hand thouroughly shaken, the crowd began to disperse; and the contestants, with the help of several assistants, began taking down thier podiums and banners; and I knew it was our turn to disperse as well.

I aproached my group at last and found them all ready to receive me, and I told them of the chats I had with the others. Thundertail informed me about the accomodations they would have for the night, which was the usual ones they have had all the other times we were there. Rex, Thundertail, Ripper and Snapper would be housed in the hall of Hadrosaurs and Ceratopsians; and so would Sauron. Almasaur cordially invited Flatbottom to join him for the night at his private quarters across town, and I was informed that I would stay at mister Woolright's home on Steep Street once again, the famous home of sir Arthur Dennison. I told them of the dinner invitation from mayor Waldo Seville at the mayoral dining hall, of which they all indicated they would all love to attend.

Sauron informed us that one of the guards told him they could store thier carts near the warehouse district, near the Pliosaur canal; and we all agreed to go there to assist him and Flatbottom in unhitching thier carts. The people of the city that we passed nodded or said hello cordially, too wrapped up in thier own lives or the impending election to reguard us with anything more than that. As we turned a corner a bell began ringing, and many hatchling saurians and human children began scurrying out of a building; and following them out to see them off was Marion Seville, who was thier teacher. She shouted and they all paused, then turned to wait for any other stragglers in the schoolhouse; and that's when she noticed us.

"Oh, children!", she announced suddenly. "Can any of you tell me who these people are?"

"Look!... A Rainy Basin Ranger!...", a human boy shouted, pointing at me atop Rex.

"Those two are pulling a cart!", a Chasmosaur hatchling said, indicating sauron and Flatbottom. "My uncle pulls a cart!"

"I didn't know the saurian guards hire Veloceraptors...", a Stenoychosaur child pointed at Ripper and Snapper. "Maybe I can join too when I'm old enough!"

"No, no!", Marion chuckled. "These are delegates from the Rainy Basin, visiting the city. They are no doubt giong on a tour."

"Ah, actually; we came to give the mayor a gift...", Then I dismounted and crouched before them. "Hi, kids."

"Oh, yes! I heard of that gift!", Marion said. "Children, these people have given us a Sunstone as big as the Prime Sunstone itself! That is because they have rediscovered the Sunstone Cavern!"

"That means that everyone can have as many Sunstones as they want!", I smiled.

"Mister, is this a real Tyranosaur?", the Stenoychosaur asked, pointing at Rex. "He doesn't look so scary close up!"

"He's a friendly one.", I said. "Most of the ones back home are even more scary!"

"Ooh!... Then I better be nice!", she said.

"Yes, you better, Shinto!", Marion scolded.

"Yes, teacher...", Shinto bowed her head, then suddenly she remembered she had to be somewhere else. "Bye, bye!...", she scurried off.

"The rest of you can go as well, if you wish.", Marion instructed the other children, then called after them. "Remember the Footprint Language test tomorrow!", they were too busy running for home to acknowledge her.

"Ah! To be young again!", Thundertail commented rumblingly.

"Kind saurians, I apologise for making you part of my instruction.", Marion bowed after the children were out of sight. "I felt it wise to expose them to anything that comes up."

"That is all right, child.", Thundertail said, eyeing her. "Our young are often instructed so."

"Who'd've thought anyone could learn from little old us?!", I smiled, and so did she. "We were on our way to the warehouse district to store our carts..."

"I can show you the way!", Marion offered. "That might give us a chance to chat a bit!"

"We would be delighted with your company!", Rex bowed like a gentileman. "Lead on!"

Marion headed in the other direction, leading the way through streets and over bridges. Flatbottom and sauron taking the rear behind us. We talked about this and that, how things were going in the Rainy Basin and how far along the Halcyon Aqueduct system was and such. She mentioned Carl Scott, and the fact that she misses him so; but her duties here in the city prevented her from traveling there for a visit. I told her we were keeping him busy with Thistlesnarl his patrol partner, patrolling the southern roads in the Rainy Basin; and he was recently promoted to Squad Leader for his outstanding duty. She impishly commented that she would like to see him in his snazzy new uniform!

An hour later we arrived in the warehouse district, and parked the carts in our assigned berths. Marion volunteered to help unhitch Flatbottom; and after the task was done, I indicated that we would be joining her father and mother for a feast at the mayoral dining hall. She said that she would be there as well, and she would bring 26, Carl's infant Chasmosaur Partner, with her; whom she said she had been taking care of while Carl was away. So presently we all started off through the city, and made it to the dining hall just as the last rays of sun glimmered off the waterfalls that surrounded the city. The attendants there knew we were coming, and escorted us inside.

"Welcome, my guests!", Waldo, already seated at the main table, Rosemary to his left, rose and rushed to greet us all. "Please!... Come sit! The meal is just about to begin!"

"Every time I tour this city, I'm always amazed!", I said for conversation as I shook his hand. "I'm sure you've met king Thundertail and his son, Rex.", I introduced. "Our helpers, Flatbottom and Sauron; and of course Ripper and Snapper, our brave guards..."

"Yes, we are well met.", Waldo went to greet the rest, and when done turned to us all. "Please, be seated! My home is your home!"

Assistants helped seat everyone at both huge tables in the chamber. I sat to the right of Waldo across from Rosemary, and the rest were seated at the other table, where Almasaur sat at the head of. Flatbottom was seated next to him, and Sauron sat opposite Flatbottom. Thundertail was seated at the other end of that table and Rex was placed to his right while Ripper and Snapper sat opposite Rex. The assistants disapeared and returned moments later carrying out thier first plates of banquet fare. It was at this time that Marion came into the room, carrying 26 in her arms. She placed her down on the table near the foot of it where she was to sit, and began placing fruit in front of the hatchling so she could eat too.

"Ah! My lovely daughter!", Waldo rose, and I did likewise. "How was your class today?"

"Just wonderful, as usual, my father!", Marion said. "The children were a pure joy, and I introduced them to our esteemed dinner guests."

"We stopped by on the way to dispense with our carts.", I explained.

"I see...", Waldo eyed the first plate to come his way. "And how did they receive our guests?"

"Like true Dinotopians, my father.", Marion said, and Rosemary smiled.

Hearing this, I turned my attention to the other table. With my eyes I instructed Ripper, Snapper and Rex to eat with all the table ediquate they knew; for thier method of eating can be rather barbaric, let me tell you! I saw that Flatbottom and Almasaur were getting along like they knew each other all thier lives; and I later found out that Flatbottom's sister, who works in Mollusk town, was good friends with Almasaur's cousin, who was the Partner of the leader there. I saw the servants bring out the fare for my group, and the carnivores got huge plates of seasoned fish; which the servants told them were freshly caught in Mosasaur Harbor just this morning. I saw Rex ask one of the servants to bring down the small bunch of bananas from the fruit bowl in front of him, and cleared my throat.

"Rex! You know better than that!", I said, and turned to Waldo's questioning look. "Um, see. Rex just loves bananas; but the feeling is not mutual, if you take my meaning!"

"I see...", Waldo returned. "Best not eat what disagrees with you, my boy!", he called to Rex.

Almasaur voiced, and Waldo asked me something. "Almasaur tells me that Flatbottom has suffered great humiliation at the hands of Torres LaSage recently...."

"Yes, that was an unfortunate situation.", I said. "But recent reports show that she may be trying to change her ways."

"That will be the day!...", Marion mumbled as she fed 26 some greens.

"Marion!...", Rosemary scolded. "Let Stinger finish!"

"Yes, mother...", she concentrated on her task.

"Anyway, you are aware of the contract we have with her; where we give her a load of supplies every month if she doesn't enter the Rainy Basin?... Anyway, Mayday was in charge of the delivery last time, and she saw some pretty strange things..."

I told them all what Mayday saw and experienced there. I described all the new buildings and how the pirates were dressed. I related how they acted and how they treated Mayday and other visitors that were there. I told them that, even though they did not utilise dinosaurs for themselves; they made pains to accomodate the ones that were visiting them. I related Mayday's confusion at the situation, as well as the others in her group, and the fact that she felt this behavior was worth merit to tell us about. When I was done, all three Sevilles had differing looks on thier faces. Waldo had one of intense thought, Rosemary had a similar face mixed with amusement and marion had one of utter contempt and anger!

"This IS strange...", Waldo said at last. "What could posess her to act that civilized all of a sudden?"

"It's just a setup!", Marion stated. "Can't you see that?!"

"But what ever her motive, it's a wonderful thing!", Rosemary finished at last. "Just think, after all these years, she has finally turned honest...!"

"My take on this is to hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst.", I said. "Sure, it's a good thing she's like this now, but you must consider her track record.", I looked at them all. "Rosemary, you know more than all of this that LaSage would do something like this, only to gain an advantage of some kind. She's probably doing this to 'pull the wool over our eyes', as we outsiders say..."

"He's right, you know...", Marion said.

"It's just like LaSage!", Waldo said. "Doing good only to have some kind of chicanery behind it!"

"Well, I think that what ever the reason...", Rosemary said. "It is well worth looking into! I will go there personally after the elections and see this miraculous transformation for myself!"

"Mother! No!", Marion said. "It's too dangerous!"

"She's right!", Waldo said. "For all we know, this is just what she wants!... Lure the matriarch there, and ransom her for who knows what ransom!...", he wiped his mouth. "I just can't let you do it!"

"It must be done, my husband!", Rosemary told him. "Never fear. I know LaSage. She would not do anything too harmful to me."

"If you are set on doing that, I suggest you take along protection.", I said. "I could provide escort for you..."

"I don't like this,... I don't like it at all!", Waldo mumbled through more food; then swallowing, said. "But if you insist, I insist you take any protection Stinger can provide!..."

26, thouroughly done being fed, squeaked and leapt off the table; scampering to the other table to inspect the other dinosaurs eating with uncle Almasaur. Snapper looked down smiling, and waved at the little Chasmosaur; and Rex peeked over the table to get a look too. The rest of us ate our meals in silence save for comments on how good everything was; and near the end, all stretched and prepared to get up from the table. As we did, waldo straightened his clothes and exhaled in extacy.

"A wonderful repast!", Waldo said.

"If all goes wrong, it may be your last one here...", Marion mumbled.

"Marion!... Do not even THINK such things!", Rosemary scolded as her daughter went to gather the dozing 26. "Your father will win, just like he always does!..."

"All I'm saying is the other candidates have some pretty strong platforms.", she replied, checking her small charge. "They might have the key to winning, you know..."

"Oh,... but my record shows how good a job I've done!", Waldo defended. "I can do nothing less than what I have been doing!"

"Gee! Too bad they won't let us vote.", I commented as I went to collect my group. "We could make sure you clinch the election!"

"It does no good to win by underhanded deeds.", Rosemary said. "He will either win the election or not. The people will decide who they want as mayor."

The mayor, matriarch and thier daughter led us to the door; Almasaur escorting Flatbottom personally in our wake. 26 squirmed and mewled in Marion's arms, and from her crankiness I guessed she was tired. I checked all four carnivores before letting them pass, wiping some stain from Rex's jaw and likewise from Ripper's hand; and when they passed muster, I let them walk before me to the door. As a group we strolled in the cool night air to the street, Waldo leading the way north to Plesiosaur canal and the Morning Glory Promenade. The night was perfect for a stroll, and the waterfall sounds gave sound to the glimmering stars high above. As we walked down the avenue, each of us sighed in bliss at the peace all raound us; and we nodded at the sparse passer by as we went, no words were necesary for a night like this!

Marion begged her leave at a bridge and walked briskly over with the sleeping 26 in her arms just then, and it was then we realised that it was time for us to go to bed for the night as well. We also traversed the bridge and made out way across the city to the hall of Hadrosaurs and Ceratopsians to see Thundertail, Rex, Sauron, Snapper and Ripper to thier paddocks. Almasaur accompanied us all the way, then led Flatbottom down the other side of the avenue to his building. The guards at the hall let our group through and led us to where they would spend the night, Rex wishing me sweet dreams rather affectionately! After proper words of good night from all the rest, Rosemary and Waldo escorted me across the rest of the city to Steep Street.

"I will send word when I'm ready to see LaSage.", Rosemary reminded. "And may you have a pleasant rest tonight."

"I will be waiting for it, and thank you!", I said as I turned to see Adelade Pachycephalosaur, mister Woolright's helper, in the doorway at the top of the stairway leading to Arthur Dennisons famous home.

"Best of luck, old boy...", Waldo shook my hand as both turned to go home.

I waved at thier backs and turned to climb the steps, and Adelade waited for me to step inside before closing the door. I looked all around and saw no sign of mister Woolright, and questioned with my eyes on where he could be.

"Wooly is already in bed.", she said in a near whisper. "Please, this way...", she led me to Will Dennison's bedroom as quietly as possible, and then she spoke again. "Mister Woolright is feeling poorly lately, and needs rest."

"I see, poor guy...", I said just as quietly. "That's probably why he couldn't receive me tonight."

"There's no real problem, just old age, I guess...", Adelade drew down my bed. "But he told me to tell you he was honored to have you here once again."

"I will tell him hello in the morning, and thank you too.", I said. I remembered and reached into an inner pocket. "I have another gift for him..."

"Not those things again!", she scoffed at the cigars, just a small batch and home-grown; but all I was able to scrounge for him. "Those things are killing him, I know!", and with that she left the room.

I placed the cigars on the table next to the bed, unfurled Klamath from my body and slid into the bed. In the morning I greeted mister Woolright, who said he felt better; but his pallor told me different, and I handed him his gift as we ate breakfast. The sun was just rising as I left his home, and walked briskly through the city to the warehouse district, where Sauron and Flatbottom were already getting strapped into thier carts by some of the Citys' assistants. Sauron told me to meet the rest near the council chambers, for Almasaur said they had need of them this morning there. We all wove our way through the increasingly awakening streets, and walked into the square as we saw Thundertail, Ripper, Snapper and Rex before a growing crowd of human and saurian citizens.

Mayor Waldo Seville, all the other candidates as well as the election board was present at the top of the steps leading into the building, and when they saw us, Minch announced our arrival. He made a rather lengthy speech congratulating us on finding the Sunstone cavern, insuring the islands' supply of them forever. He raised his arms at the end of the speech and smiled. With that, and in unison, the crowd let off with cheers and a sea of thank you's, growing in volume and pitch until all of the nearly thousand citizens said it. Rex bowed and Thundertail followed suit, and so did all the other saurians in my group; so I had no other choice but to bow as well.

With that and much fanfare all along our route, we made our way out of the area, through the city and out across the Rainbow Bridge. Our trip home went as uneventfully as our journy to Waterfall City; and in a few days our feet felt the familiar soil of the Rainy Basin. When we got back, nothing in the clan seemed out of place; and king Thundertail ordered a meeting that very night. He told our clan all about what was going on at Waterfall City, the fact that they were undergoing an election to see who would become mayor; and that I would be using this election as an example to instruct them on another form of running the clan.

I told them the basics of the free election process, stressing that in the outside world the procedures were vastly more complicated; but despite this warning, they seemed to grasp the concept pretty well. I went over the election platforms the four candidates were using, answering any questions they might have had on certain points; and going over my take on thier Dinotopian laws. Pretty soon the entire clan knew what was going on, and what was expected of them when they voted; and that was why it didn't take long to form thier opinoins of the candidates and cast thier votes, for two weeks later I had all the results in. I was now ready to voice who would be mayor of waterfall City according to the opinoins of the creatures of the Rainy Basin!

Of course, the non-members of clan Thundertail were still in the process of casting thier votes, going to neighboring towns to cast thier minds. Workers from the Bondu construction company left to do this civil deed, and was the reason for the slight delay we experienced on the Halcyon Aqueduct. By the end of the month all our results were in, for carnivores have the ability to reach conclusions rather quickly; and I just had to return to Waterfall City to tell them all about it. I made plans and set out with Rex only, and made it there in a matter of a day. I saw that this time crossing the Rainbow Bridge that there was no one around save for the guards, the place seemed deserted; and I asked the guards what was going on, and they said that everyone was at the courthouse, casting thier votes. I thanked them and we made our way over there as fast as Rex could trot.

When we got there nearly every person in the city was there, patiently waiting for Minch, for the results of thier election was nigh. He drew a breath as he saw us, and placed the paper he was to read from onto the podium.

"Ah, mayor Stinger, prince Rex!", he said instead. "Have you come to witness the results of our election?"

"Well, we came to announce OUR results to your election, actually...", I said. "We are glad we are just in time to witness yours."

"And the results are?", Minch moved from the podium towards us. "Let's have a look..."

I met him halfway, weaving into the crowd; and passed him the paper I had removed from the valise I had slung around my shoulder. Minch read the paper as he returned to the podium, retrieving the paper he was about to read for comparason. He looked both over, pursing his lips as if doing some math, then his eyes widened and he turned to the members of the election board. He muimbled thier pardon as he showed them both papers, pointing at this or that figure on the sheets. As one they all drifted back towards the doors, nearly obscuring themselves from view. Multiple murmurings were heard for several moments, escalating into near shouts, then Minch's voice rose above the rest.

"The decision is made...", Minch told the others on the board as he returned to the podium.
"Ladies and gentilebeings of Waterfall City!", he announced. "By special edict from the Waterfall City election comittee, the votes of the denizens of the Rainy Basin will be counted in this election!"

Cheers rose up in the crowd, and Rex and I looked at each other in utter disbelief! Either they liked our results or there was something else Minch and the comitte knew about that they weren't telling. Anyway, we were too shocked to do anything but cheer right along with the rest of the crowd. Many handfuls of moments later the cheering died down enough for Minch to speak once again.

"There will be a short recess while the election comittee recounts the votes.", he said. "This gathering will reconveine in one hour..."

I handed over my satchel, which held all the vote ballots used in the Rainy Basin, to Minch when he came to retrieve it; and the whole election comittee turned and retired into the court house. The people in the crowd did not disperse, but stayed near the stone steps, milling about and chatting courteousely with one another. Acting totally out of character for this situation, I stepped through the crowd and situated myself behind the podium; and everyone in the crowd turned to see me there. I smiled and produced a copy of the Rainy Basin results I had stowed on my person.

"Ladies and gentilebeings, I originally came here to announce the results of a mock election.", I said. "But now it looks like the unreal has become real!", many chuckled.

"I was thinking, to pass the time while they recount the votes,", I continued. "Would you like to hear OUR results first?"

Amid murmured voices both negative and positive, Zippeau spoke up. "Well, I for one would just love to hear what the carnivores think!"

After a moment, Rosemary spoke. "I think that is a most constructive idea!", she smiled as the rest finally agreed to let me proceed. "Go ahead, Stinger!"

I cleared my throat, ruffling the paper, then began. "Miss Yarra Stenochysaurus...", I said. "You have seventy-four votes...", the crowd cheered and clapped politely. "Yarra, we of the clan love you dearly, and agree that education of the young is a very important goal. But you must remember that there is a myriad of other concerns when one becomes mayor. There are so many responsabilities that it tries even the most dynamic individual. We of the clan believe that you should focus your talents on what you are best at, like librarian or teacher. You're extremely good at those!"

"Thank you, Stinger!", Yarra clapped. "That was better than I hoped for!..."

I looked up after eye contact with her. "Miss Ruby Mattock...", I continued. "You have three-hundred and eighty-two votes...", even more intense polite clapping and cheering occured. "Ruby, my cohorts agree that justice is the key to a secure society, and laws must be adhered to; but tougher punishments are not the way to propegate a lawful society. A good course of action would be to perhaps restructure the rehabilitation protocols, and then laws would naturally be followed."

"Maybe that should have been my platform...", Ruby replied.

I smiled and continued. "Mister Rhudolph...", I said, picking him out of the crowd. "You have six hundred and forteen votes...", the cheering was twice as intense as that for Ruby. "Sir, we agree that the key to an opulent culture lies in its' financial prowess. But again, this is not the sole factor in being mayor. Likewise with the condition of a countrys' infrastructure; for one can have roads, but it would be a shame to not have a home at the end of that road. Dinotopia is becoming very prosporous at its' own pace; but many a country has fallen when its' finances outpace its' culture.", I eyed him conspiratorially. "Frankly, we were undecided between you and the next candidate!..."

"Thank you, Stinger.", mister Rhudolph said. "That gives me a lot to think on..."

I looked into the crowd until I spied Waldo Seville, then smiled my broadest. "Waldo Seville...", I announced. "You have one-thousand three hundred and forty-eight votes...", the crowd erupted in cheering to put thier previous performances to shame! "Waldo, what can I say?... Your past record speaks for itself! In our opinion, you are the best mayor that Waterfall City has ever known; and you deserve to run another term."

"Thank you, dear Stinger.", Waldo was near tears. "What a comfort your confidence in me is!"

The crowd continued to cheer, even through my long bow and departure from the podium. As it dwindled and finally died for good, Minch and the election comittee still hadn't emerged from the council chambers. All of us waited, talking and chatting smalltalk as we milled among each other; and Almasaur sidled up to Rex, both nodding acknowledgement to each other. Many handfuls of moments later the council chamber doors opened, and out spilled the election comittee, Minch leading the way; and as the rest hung back, he addressed the podium and prepared to speak.

"Ladies and gentilebeings of waterfall City.", Minch announced. "The votes for mayor of Waterfall City have been recounted. Before I announce the results, may I congratulate in advance the new mayor of Waterfall City!", more cheering erupted at this announcement, and all of the candidates were congratulated by thier neighbors.

"Friends...", Minch smiled. "This election represents the beginning of a new age of unity between all species on Dinotopia. For at no time in our history was it permitted for carnivores to to vote at our free elections!", another wave of cheers erupted, and I was promped to speak.

"On behalf of all the creatures of the Rainy Basin, I convey to you my most humble gratitude!", I said. "Today truely marks the beginning of an era of change!...", the cheering lasted for many moments before ebbing.

"Now then, where were we?...", Minch said, then read from the new paper before him. "Miss Yarra Stenoychosaurus... three hundred and seventy one votes!..."

Enthusiastic applause followed the announcement. "I think I'm going to cry!...", Yarra was so happy!

"There you go, dear.", Zippeau produced his handkerchief.

"Miss Ruby Mattock...", Minch continued. "One thousand two hundred and fifty four votes..."

Many more cheered for her, but she remained sullen. "You did good, hon!", Elinore told her from her shoulder.

"Mister Rhudolph...", continued Minch. "Three thousand three hundred and fifty seven votes..."

A sea of applause erupted for him, but he also remained sullen; even though he got an amourous kiss on the cheek by his wife.

"And lastly, I give you mister Waldo Seville...", Minch said more importantly then for the rest. "Three thousand six hundred and ninty four votes...", the crowd went insane at the news! "The new mayor of waterfall City, Waldo Seville!...", he motioned for Waldo to step to the podium.

As soon as the congratulating crowd allowed him, the new mayor walked up the steps, arms raised in victory. Waldo bowed at Minch, then at the councilmember that held the chain of leadership; and standing to face him, bowed as he received the chain around his neck. Mayor Waldo seville let out a sigh and apreciated the weight of the chains before stepping to the podium and facing the crowd.

"Ladies and gentilebeings... No wait!... My dearest friends!...", Waldo siad. "My first decree is I would like to express my deepest gratititude in your confidence in me this one more time. You are all my loving children, and my sole purpose in life. I will perservere to serve you to the best of my ability through the years, and give to you the same dedication as I have always done.", he wiped a tear. "Heavens! I do not seem to have any more words!..."

With this the wave of applause and cheers spread out throughout the crowd. It expanded and expanded to every street and building in Waterfall City. Even the guards at the gates could hear the growing din, and joined in as they realised that a new mayor had been chosen. All saurians added thier voice, even Rex with his stomping howl, and Almasaur celebrated by dancing from foot to foot beside him! I also cheered and consoled the other candidates; then I worked my way up to the podium to welcome Waldo back to office. When he turned to see me, he cut me to the quick and pumped my hand so vigourousely that I was afraid Klamath would think it was an attack!

The din ebbed and flowed around the square in waves, gradually ebbing as they all followed the new mayor to the reception area down the street. Soon the only ones left in front of the courthouse was Minch, Rex and me; Minch hastilly cleaning up near the podium. The paper he read from was still on the podium, but fell to the ground as a breeze picked up. I went to pick it up, and read it out of curiosity. I reached and read the copy of the Rainy Basin results I had earlier. I compared the two, and found out that, if they hadn't counted our votes, Waldo wouldn't be the mayor; and mister Rhudolph would have been! So that's what Minch and the council were doing! They were trying to keep Waldo in office! I rose from my crouch, a sheet of paper in each hand; and as Minch saw me with this evidence, he bowed his head in shame. I gave him a knowing smirk, shrugged, crumpled both into a ball and tossed them to the ground...

_____

[thundertail]

SIXTY-ONE: "A Little Reconnesence..."

Rex and I made it back home the next day, and pretty soon we were going about our daily duties. About two weeks later a Postal Bird came from Rosemary Seville, telling me to expect her shortly. I remembered my promise made to her and Waldo that I would escort her to LaSage's hideout and investigate rumors that she had at last turned honest, a concept I didn't buy for a minute! So in a few days Rosemary arrived in clan Thundertail aboard an Overlander, and six of her saurian guards were with her. One of the guards remembered our guards through several campaigns, so they already had a rapport with our Veloceraptors. I chose six of our own, led by Mosquito and featuring Ripper and Snapper; and we laid aside an amount of provisions for the day long trip to king Adolpho's castle.

"Word has gotten out about what LaSage has done, you know.", Rosemary told me. "Some think it's good news, and sometimes use the place as a weigh station.", she turned and smiled. "Of course many more still give the place a wide berth!"

"We've had spys go and see what's going on.", I told her. "They say things happen there just like any other trading post."

"Perhaps, but this is no other trading post.", she replied.

"Yeah! Look who's running the place!", I said.

"We shall soon see...", Rosemary replied and had her Overlander break into a trot.

Pretty soon the path broke through the forest and out near the formerly scraggly field that surrounded king Adolpho's castle. I requested that the guards hang back in the forest and wait for word; and Rosemary said the signal to come would be three short blasts on her whistle that summons Postal Birds, and gave a short report on it to demonstrate.

No longer was the meadow before them scruffy and overgrown, for there were many cultivated fields here now, full of various crop and tended by several human workers. They waved at us as they paused thier implements to do so and continued as we trod by. Near the end of the fields were the beginnings of wooden buildings set up not unlike the Boomtowns from the Old West, wooden sidewalks lined the now well used street and lanes radiated off the main road in a growing grid. The place was filled with at least twice as many people than I remembered LaSage having for pirates, and there was a fair smattering of saurians milling about hitched to carts or on other errands as well.

"Just look at the place!...", Rosemary commented. "Well done!"

"Yeah,...", I said not too enthusiastically. "Real nice..."

An arguement broke out between a merchant and customer on the other side of the street as we passed, but silenced itself as a person in an old style sea captain's uniform of deep blue and black trifold hat shuffled by; whom eyed the incodent suspiciousely before moving on. A Pachycephalosaur balked as another person loaded his two wheeled cart wrong, and it hiked up into his harness, and the guard in the blue uniform turned to stare at them as well. Before we could turn the other way, two more of the blue uniformed guards were standing right in our paths! Rex barked and the Overlander balked, and both of us steadied our mounts.

"You're new here, aren't you?", the one on the left stated. "Ain't that right?", he asked his companion.

"Never seen them before...", the other said. "Who are you guys?"

"I'm Stinger! Come on, Rodrigues!", I recognised one of them.

"And my name is Rosemary.", she announced. "You may call me Matriarch!"

"Hey, they're Ok!... They are expected.", the other guard said. "Quint said to let them through."

"I guess you're right...", Rodigues said. "No fun!"

"Right this way...", the other said as he turned.

We dismounted our steeds and followed these two through the streets, Rex and the Overlander following a few of thier paces behind, both looking this way and that at the aparent order in which everything was being run. Another guard walked the wooden sidewalk going the other way, and a Struthie pulling a rickshaw dodged out of our way. At a side street, where many carts were being loaded and people of all species, but mostly human; our guards turned and walked straight for this tall individual at a cart.

This man was dressed up almost like a Sultan, flowing robes over elaborate waistcote, turbanless with shortcropped yet stylish hair; and when he turned to inspect a basket being loaded into the cart in front of him, I noticed that this person was Quint! The guards stopped right in front of him and got his attention; but instead of scowling or making an inapropriate remark, Quint smiled and stepped away from what he was doing to greet us.

"Hello, mayor Stinger, matriarch Rosemary!", he shook our hands. "What a pleasure it is for you to visit us... And prince Rex!", he spied the Overlander. "Welcome all!"

"We heard rumors... We decided to see for ourselves...", I said. "By the way, Quint. Looking good!..."

"Is Torres LaSage around?", Rosemary asked. "We would like to speak to her..."

"Yes, my matriarch.", Quint bowed. "We were expecting you. Right this way..."

Quint paused a moment to tell another human there to continue what he had been doing and led us further up the street. We followed, still marveling at how organised everything seemed, even though we did hear a few of them grumbling and shouting while they performed thier aparently normal tasks. Entering a small alcove, which was a weigh station, we saw a woman in a plain brown worker's dress on a cart, wreath of flowers in her plaited hair, counting the contents of a cart and writing her results in a clipboard of sorts. Quint walked up behind her and tugged at her dress; and the woman turned with a start. Even though she wore little makeup, anyone could tell right away that it was LaSage!

"What do you want, Quint? I'm busy!", she said as she turned, then recognised us. "Oh!... Company!", she hopped from the cart and passed the clipboard to the driver of the cart, and speaking softer. "It's all here. You can go...", then she turned back to us, smiling sheepishly. "Well, well, well!... I see you made it."

"We were just commenting, Nice setup!", I said, offering a hand. This time she didn't expect me to kiss it, and I merely shook it.

"Torres!... What a wonderful thing you are doing!", Rosemary said at last. Her handshake almost turned into a hug, but she restrainrd herself. "Just think, all this in such a short time."

"It was a hard decision, you can bet.", LaSage said. "But I had to do something to survive. You see, bein' pirate ain't been what it's cracked up to be these days..."

"Have we been that hard on you guys?", I asked innocently.

"Kind of...", she said, a little ashamed. "Say, did you get the fifty Drach tour of the place?"

"We saw a little...", Rosemary said.

"Let me show you then!... Fifty Drachs, please.", she extended a hand, saw the joke was lost on us and retracted it. "Just kidding!... Follow me!"

She led us back up the street, Quint following us between Rex and the Overlander; and giving nervous stares at both as we walked. LaSage showed us the buildings and described the layout of the outpost as we climbed onto a wooden sidewalk in front of what apeared to be a hotel of sorts; but Rex and the Overlander had to walk beside us out on the street as they were so big. In front, in back, beside us and all around us were busy people and saurians taking care of business - acting too busy, if you asked me!

"WE had to import all kinds of workers to get this place built.", LaSage was saying. "My boys couldn't build anything!... They had to show us all sorts of things, like how to build things and do masonry and stuff. Even taking care of saurians and things like that."

"How did people find out about this place?", Rosemary wanted to know.

"I advertised to some of the towns that we had a weigh station here.", Torres told us. "We said the place would serve as a great stop on the way to other destinations of trade in the area."

"I bet not many trusted you...", I commented.

"That was the tough part!", Torrest told us. "I had to barter out most of my jewelry and nice clothes, not to mention hiring out many of my men to other places just to gain some credibility!", she hissed. "It took quite a while for them to trust us, but they eventually did."

"I see...", Rosemary said, and Torres just shrugged and continued.

"So, the livery was back there...", LaSage was saying as we walked with her. "The next street over is a hostel for both humans and sc..., I mean saurians.", she winced. "Up ahead is the tavern, and around the corner is the start of our vegetable gardens..."

Just then, as I leaned against a wooden railing as I listened; the rail gave way and sent me staggering back out into the street! The Overlander righted me, and I scampered back up onto the sidewalk, trying to right the broken railing as I entered LaSage's midst once again. Quint was on the verge of laughter, but Rex was close enough to him that he dared not to.

"You OK, Stinger?", LaSage asked. "Geez! I got to talk to the carpenters again! Those rails are dangerous!"

"That last step was a whopper!", I joked. "Guess I'm too strong for my own good!"

"Torres, if you wish, I could commission professional carpenters.", Rosemary told her. "They could easily build this town to professional standards."

"We can manage, thanks.", LaSage said. "Guess I didn't pay the last guys enough!", she turned. "Quint!..."

Instead of replying, Quint looked around until he found the owner of the shop we were in front of. With more angry gestures then actual words, Quint brought the owner out and pointed at the broken railing; indicating with his fingers that he was to fix it. The shop owner nodded and retreated inside, scurrying back out with tools and supplies to temporarilly repair the rail. We all turned away from the commotion, returning to LaSage's little tour.

"Come on! I'll buy you two a drink!...", she said, then turned to the Overlander and Rex. "Sorry, the door is too small to let you two in..."

"We manage...", Rex rumbled.

We continued on down the street, and as we had just gotten to the tavern, we heard a great commotion inside. Before we could enter, Klamath's senses went on alert and I instinctively pulled Rosemary out of the way; and just then two men were propelled through the batwing doors, flailing and swinging at each other! They landed with a thud in our midst, and continued thier brawl right there; which propelled them several feet into the street! Quint said nothing, but rushed into the fray. He seperated them with his great strength and held them apart like two ragdolls, then half dragged them toward LaSage. Leering with a sneer, he waited for her verdict.

"So!... Fighting hey?", Torres, fists on waist, walking around the pair, said. "Hey, are you drunk?... You know the rules!", she shook her head. "No fighting. No drinking before sundown."

"What do you want me to do with them?", Quint asked as a pair of blue uniformed guards apeared in the area.

"Maybe a day in the dungeon will help them think claerly...", she considered as Quint threw them to the guards. They fell at thier feet, and were forced to thier feet by them. "And this time feed them!", she called after the guards, then looked at us sheepishly.

"The perils of leadership...", she commented, sighing. "It used to be we flogged them in public; but that didn't go over well with the tourists...", she shrugged. "Anyway,... follow me!", we stepped inside.

The darkened area was not so dark that we could not see, but as we grew used to the dimness we saw all sorts of people lining the bar or sitting at a myriad of mismatched tables strewn around the room. Seated at nearly every one were men and women of every type of dress, from rags to almost kingly garb; and thier looks showed they had professions ranging from rich merchant to killer. The din heard around the space was diverse and maddening, for many animated discussions were in progress in many toungues and demeanors; which diminished only minimally as we entered the room and continued as they lost interest. Smaller saurians were there too, like Pachycephalosaurs and Stenoychosaurs and Harpymimus; and there were even a few Kirkys scurrying about, though none of these were from Harold's clan.

As we got near a table near the bar, the patrons there hurredly vacated, mostly due to Quint's shooing gestures. We sat in silence, and as LaSage sat and relaxed; only then did she snap her fingers. A fat mustachioed waitor of sorts scuffled over and leaned next to her.

"What'll you have?", he asked, order pad poised.

"A bottle of your best.", she said, then turned to us. "Has the matriarch ever tasted the Tyranosaur Breath you make?"

"I'm not sure,", I said. "But it's best not to break your rules. 'No drinking before sundown', you know!..."

"You know, you're right!", LaSage marveled at me. "Anything else, name it!"

"How about a hot Jinka infusion.", Rosemary said. "I feel a bit parched at that..."

"I feel like an orange juice - with a twist of lime.", I said, then smiled. "I feel spunky all of a sudden!"

"You heard 'em, Manny.", LaSage said. "I guess I'll have what the matriarch is having. Quint?"

"Same he's having...", he said.

Manny bowed and backed away, slithering back around the bar to prepare the drinks. The other patrons of the place noticed this exchange as they paused thier own conversations, but went back to them as soon as it was over. As Quint looked around the place where he sat and I scanned the area with my ears, Rosemary smiled politely at our guest as a few moments passed by. Not one for patience, LaSage drew breath and started conversations once again.

"So, we have a few more rules than ones about fighting and drinking...", she began.

"How so?", Rosemary replied.

"Well, there's no stealing anywhere in town.", LaSage said. "That includes armed robbery, pickpocketing, cheating on deals or any other kind of stuff like that.", she smirked. "Had a hard time teaching these guys that stuff!"

"I see.", Rosemary said.

"Of course, that also includes the visitors.", she continued. "If they try anything like that, they'll get thiers!"

"Any other rules?", I asked.

"Well, there is a toll for coming here.", she said. "Fifteen drachs a person, payable with money or an equal amount in trade or other valuables...", she smiled. "I need to keep up my overhead, you know!"

"What about the traders here?", I asked. "What kind of deals do they get?"

"Well, deals usually depend on the vendor.", she said. "Some offer better deals than others, but like I said; nobody cheats them here."

"Hmmm...", Rosemary considered in a prompting way.

"Hotels and other sleeping arrangements, food and other services are also available...", LaSage continued. "At a reasonable price, of course!"

"And you get a cut of all this...", I said.

"That's how we survive here.", she defended. "Supplies and such cost money, you know."

"Do people gamble here?", I asked because I noticed three of the patrons playing cards as I downed the drink that came my way.

"Sometimes.", she said. "It all depends on the persons involved, but we don't usually bother them if they do. If they cheat at it, they usually have to answer to me.", she finally said. "I was thinking on making a casino here, but maybe later..."

"Dinotopians aren't gamblers...", I said, remembering my first poker game here. "They don't know how."

"That's what would make it so easy...", LaSage said, downing her drink. "But who said life was supposed to be easy?... Like I said, it's only an idea."

"I would like to know, how are you getting on?", Rosemary asked her. "How is your food production? If it is exported, how are you getting it?"

"Good question!", LaSage laughed. "See, it's kind of a mix right now. Stinger's bunch gives us some. We make trades for more, and the rest we either grow or catch from the sea...", she pointed behind her.

"Commendable...", the matriarch said.

"Like to see our gardens?", LaSage asked. "We got a few acres being utilized right now."

"Speaking of that...", I cut in. "When we came here to show you how to grow food, why did you treat my people bad?"

"Oh, that?", she looked bashful. "Well, you know us. Back then we weren't used to handling guests, at least in a nice way.", she looked up at both of us. "We had to learn not to rough people up, and get used to dinosaurs and stuff. We learned a lot since then; and if your people have any resentments about the incident, please convey our sencerest apologies."

"I'll let them know...", I said. "But Flatbottom is still to afraid to come back here!"

"The threehorn?", she said. "Yeah, we treated him really bad. Tell him I'm sorry, and I hope he forgives me enough to come back. I promise his next visit will be really nice!"

"I'll tell him.", I said.

"I believe you are sencerely trying to make ammends, LaSage!", Rosemary told her.

"Aw! Nothing that I should have been doing anyway!", she shrugged. "Come on, let's see the gardens!...", she rose.

We all got up, Quint last; and we quickly left the tavern, much to the protest to the unpaid mustachioed barkeep. As the batwing doors closed on our backs, I noticed the clamor present before we entered returned; and I saw Rex and the Overlander waiting for us at the rail as we got near them. Quint moved to the Overlander and helped him unhitch himself, human trying to act friendly to the saurian; Rosemary began striding down the street abrest of LaSage, and I patted Rex on his offered snout before the rest of us followed them.

A caravan featuring Apeycamalus pullers was coming down the street the other way, and we went past single file to acomodate thier passage; and several dozen yards down the street a pair of guards stopped them, giving them directions to the weigh station a few streets back. After a last row of buildings, king Adolpho's castle could be seen in the distance; a backdrop for many acres of cultivated plots, many sheds and outbuildings lined the lanes next to them. The castle in the distance was whitewashed and repaired on the outside, and the debris formerly surrounding the now brightly painted and polished doors had been removed. If the inside was as clean as the outside, I figured that LaSage had finally seen the light indeed!

LaSage led us on, down lanes of fairly neatly rowed crop. I saw corn, beans, many types of squashes, what looked like tomato plants, garlic and cabbage or lettuce in one quarter acre plot; and we see large plots of other crop near the outskirts full of other growing grains and vegetables. There were a few of LaSage's men there, tending the fields along with a few saurians at carts ready to take thier loads away. As we passed some of them, the human workers there waved and went back to thier work. I smiled back at them as LaSage turned to us all.

"We've exported many types of plants to grow.", she explained. "When eating, I like to mix it up!", we walked on. "We still export fruits because they're hard to grow here; but there are certain kinds of berries that grow wild all through the forest."

"Looks like you have your food dilemma all but solved.", Rosemary observed.

"In a few years we might just be self sufficient.", she said, looking at me. "Pretty soon we might not need your monthly donation, Stinger."

"Well, that's a seperate issue.", I said. "That was an agreed upon deal so you won't go hunting in the Rainy Basin. There's no need to change our contract just because you're doing this..."

"We haven't hunted there for so long, we might get lost if we try!", she chuckled. "At least you let us through so we can do our other business."

"That's because you stopped causing trouble there.", I told her. "We try to be fair on things..."

"Always one of a kind!...", she smiled and quickened her pace. "Come on!... Let me show you my pride and joy!..."

As we came out of the rows of fields, the castle proper was revealed in its' full glory, a whitewashed marvel of the engineering of many centurys ago; and one that was in the process of being reborn. I saw scaffolding along the right side of the main gate, where the paint job was still going on; and around that side to a crennellated turret that was half completed, the hoarding being installed into the footings at the apex. Though the great doors were bolted, the postern gate near it, which would be a sally port in event of attack, was manned by another blue uniformed guard. He let us through after a strange type of salute prompted by Quint.

Inside the redoubt connected to the gatehouse, and through an inner ward; we came out through arches into the main baily or courtyard. Cobbles were polished to thier original marble-like texture, and there was no flotasm whatsoever to be seen. The glossy white inner walls had long banners hanging from the battlements, almost touching the capstones of the many portals leading from the courtyard; and the main theme for each of them was either a stylized skull and crossbones or crossed swords, common symbols of the pirate profession. The stone steps were polished to gleaming, and the balustrades around the railings gleamed as well. Since there was no soil in the courtyard to grow plants, we saw many potted trees and shrubs placed at strategic areas around the courtyard. We both looked around the place in awe as some of the guards opened up the low iron grate and the bolted gates beyond to allow our saurian companions in.

"Look what you done to the place!", I said as Rex came to my side, rumbling qiestioningly; and the Overlander looking about suspiciousely.

"Yeah, before the place was a dump!", LaSage said. "It still ain't finished yet, but I figure I can entertain special guests here when it's done..."

"You've done a marvelous job.", Rosemary said. "The castle is almost like the texts say it was in king Adolpho's day!"

"Yep! A castle fit for a queen!...", she gloated. "And I'm the queen!", then had a second thought. "Of course, even a queen has a responsability to her subjects as well as her guests...", she looked around for a place to start the tour. "Follow me!"

LaSage led us through the baily and to a tall and wide portico, where I remembered that no such archway this size being there. It opened up into a great hall where Rex hardly had to stoop at all, and gazed down at the long table before us and the brightly lit chandoliers above us. At the far end of the table was a huge hearth, with a pair of smaller hearths along either side of the room. This was not the only decor of the place, for smaller tapestries and paintings hung on walls in strategic places.

On the table spread a vast banquet of roasts of indiscriminate species and fish done in an array of ways, plates of fresh and cooked vegetables lay at every setting; and fruits sat in variety in many polished tourines in spaces at the center of each, dotted here and there with platters of breads of many makes. Laughing at the looks on our faces, LaSage spun around and skipped to the rear of the room to her thronelike seat at the head of the table. She motioned for us to sit, and we all complied; Rex crouching at one end and the Overlander finding place at that end, but not very close to Rex. As soon as Quint sat next to his leader after ushering us all to our places, LaSage tapped a fork against her goblet and made an announcement.

"First off, I would like to welcome all of you to my table.", LaSage began. "Second thing is I got to tell you all this quick; before the rest show up!", Quint smirked.

"To answer an unspoken question, I was kind of expecting you to show up sooner or later. When news of what I'm doing here started to spread, I was sure you would hear of it and come.", LaSage continued. "I have undergone many changes lately, both of me and my men. Not only of the things we are doing around here, but of the changes in thought we are somewhat forced to accept."

"But no one forced you to become this way...", Rosemary told her. "On Dinotopia there is always a choice."

"What we are doing here is merely for survivals' sake, or at least it was our original plan. Now that we have established this little town, and have our own form of government; we find that things are far better than when we were simple pirates.", she turned her head to every one of us.

"Just like what the Tyranosaurs felt when I introduced civilization to them.", I added.

"We like what we have done, and wish to continue doing so. However we know that from our past behavior, there are still unsure feelings about what we are doing. Everyone finds it hard to believe that we have suddenly turned into true Dinotopians.", she continued. "We haven't really gone as far as actually becoming true Dinotopians, but we are trying to live with the rest of you as peacefully as we can.", she smirked.

"We appreciate that.", Rosemary said.

"Some of my men still do not think as most of us do on this matter, and that is why we have some of the problems we have.", she looked at the food. "But,... that's just the way things are...", she looked back at us and spread her arms. "Well!... Let's eat!..."

No one noticed them, but silent servers had been around while we talked; and we suddenly found our plates full of fare, and we each had what the servers thought we would like there. Rex found a slab of the unnamed saurian on his massive plate, and the Overlander now had a platter of greens topped with various fruits and vegetables. Rosemary had a platter of various pastas and vegetable medelies, and I had the same plus a smattering of fish and meat. LaSage had her plate piled with nearly everything near her, and Quint had an even bigger platter piled even taller. Even though the fare wasn't exactly of gourmet quality, we were too preoccupied with chewing to make comments on the matter; and just about then more of LaSage's men came into the great hall by ones and in groups. Most of those men had the blue guard uniforms on, and sat after bowing politely at LaSage; and digging in, they ate with somewhat better table manners than I had remembered or had rumored to me.

Soon these men were served, and a mild reverie soon occurred with them; and the content of thier corousing was not of the mayhem they were known for, but the services they did in thier community that day. One group of guards told of how the Apeycamalus caravan was startled until they saw thier intent while another group tried to make nice with Rex by hand feeding him scraps of meat. One conversation was started by a uniformless man and the Overlander, telling him that he rode one of his kind once, but fell off; but the Overlander remained silent for lack of anything to say, then the man addressed his conversation to me.

"What's it like, riding a T-Rex?", he asked. "How fast can they run?"

"It's just like riding an Overlander.", I said. "Only it's about eight feet farther from the ground if you fall off!", all the men around him guffawed! "Yeah, they have bigger legs than an Overlander, but thier gait is slower. I'd say it would be an even match!", the man nodded.

More such comments were directed at us all throughout the meal, and when it was over; a couple of them produced crude musical instruments and began to play, disjointed and ragged, but tunes that could roughly be described as music. Pretty soon a few of them sang, shanties and simple Dinotopian songs and the like; and I began to describe the Kirky Circus, and offered to have them be booked here for a performance. Though most of the men had never seen a circus, and the few who did said it was when they were very young; all agreed that it would be an entertaining thing to see, and awaited LaSage's eventual positive reply. Quint just rolled his eyes as he rolled the drink around in his glass as he watched the former pirates for any sign of tricks.

Before the pirates could get out of control, LaSage rose and told them all to leave the great chamber; nicely at first, and with growing terseness to any stragglers. Once the chamber was completely devoid of men, the only ones remaining was my group, Quint and LaSage. Before she continued, wishing to say what was on her mind; Torres LaSage drained her wineglass and placed it before her.

"Wonderful meal, if I do say...", she said, getting up. "Care for anything else? More food?..."

"You have done more than enough...", Rosemary rose as well.

"I'm stuffed...", I rose too. "You Rex?"

Rex got up, nodding; and so did Rosemary's Overlander, and Quint was the last to rise. We motionlessly stretched and paced around into a group before LaSage spoke again.

"So, below are the dungeons and stables.", she said. "There's a path behind the castle to the beach, and we salvaged an old boat for fishing. I'd show them to you, but you might want to be getting back home before sundown..."

"It is getting late at that...", Rosemary considered.

"Yeah, we should get going.", I agreed, and the saurians agreed as well.

"Ok then!", LaSage wrung her hands. "I'll walk you to the end of town, and see you off?"

"Sure...", I said.

She walked past us and led us out of the great hall, looking up at the light waning from the sky before walking to the main gate. The guards there opened the gate, and we all walked out of king Adolpho's castle and down the road through the fields of growing crop. The workers there were just putting thier equipment away in sheds, but waved at us anyway as we walked by. As we entered the town proper, we noticed the traffic was markedly thinner; humans and saurians making arrangements to stay the night, and the tavern we passed by had the sounds of unbridled revelry eminating out into the street. As we made it to the city limits, we all paused to say our farewells.

"Well, how you like the place?", LaSage asked at last.

"Great...", I put in.

"I must say, Torres...!", Rosemary said as she mounted her Overlander. "You have come a long way in the past few months. Now, I realise that this place isn't up to Dinotopian standards yet; but it is many steps in that direction."

"Yeah, we don't follow all the rules either,", I added. "But like us, at least you're trying!"

"Just doing what we can to survive.", LaSage said. "Truth is, Stinger; you guys put us out of a job!"

"I will send a report to the high council stating the improvements you've made around here, and reccommend they forgive you the affronts you have done in the past.", continued Rosemary. "I will also ask if they could send you aid if needed to make your town in par to Dinotopian standards."

"You needn't do that...", she replied.

"Oh! It's the least I can do!", Rosemary told her. "Your demeanor and your hospitality have shown your ernestness that you truely are changing."

"I agree.", I said before mounting Rex. "Not bad, LaSage!", I took her offered hand; but instead of shaking it like she was expecting, I turned it so I could kiss it - and that shocked her more than what I said next! "Nothing personal, of course; but I hope you don't mind me still keeping an eye on you...", I let go and scrambled up Rex's flank to the saddle.

"No problem...!", LaSage said as both our steeds turned. "You do that...!"

Both Rex and the Overlander began padding down the road, and the two figures standing there shrank to almost nothingness before disapearing around a bend. LaSage went and turned to Quint, who was supressing a sneering chuckle.

"So, how long must we keep this up?", he asked.

"Shut up!" LaSage pounded him. "I know what I'm doing...!", she pulled his arm and led him back to town.

We traveled further down the road, and before long we entered the forest that surrounded LaSage's territory. We paused, listening; and before long our guards converged on us, who told us that nothing amiss had happened save for several caravans passing by. They had questions on just what happened, and we briefly tell them what went on; and this they just can't believe, and frankly, neither did we! Presently we regrouped and continued on our way.

"Tell me, Stinger.", Rosemary said after a while. "In all honesty, do you REALLY believe that LaSage has truely changed her ways?"

"Well, being from the outside world, the people out there teaches one to be skeptical about everything.", I told her. "If LaSage can keep this up for, say, a decade; only then will I believe it!"

"I agree. Her reputation betrays that this is just the thing she would do to profit at our expense.", she replied. "But what if she is truely trying to change her ways?"

"Then more power to her!", I said. "She should expect nobody to believe her, the track record she has. All I'm saying is we have to be careful."

"I agree.", she said and fell silent.

Just then another small caravan bearing fruit went by going the other way, and we went single file in order for them to pass. The occupants were unnerved at seeing a Tyranosaur on the path, but calmed down somewhat seeing that I was riding him; and for the fact that the matriarch of the island accompanied us. Soon they passed, and we spread out abrest of each other once again. The Overlander chose this moment to speak his opinion of the trip.

"There is a fish in the apple barrel for sure...", he said.
Rex looked at him, then looked around and sniffed experimentally toward the caravan we passed. Rosemary saw this and began to laugh, and so did I!

"It's only an expression, Rexy!", I chuckled, patting his shoulder just above the saddle. "He's saying he doesn't trust LaSage either!..."

At last Rex got it and bellowed laughter of his own, and so did the Overlander! The guards heard this too, and made laughter of thier own, Veloceraptor as well as saurian! Rex recovered before all of us, and looked at the Overlander with a playful look. The Overlander looked back, and looked like he agreed with thier silent scheme. All of a sudden both of them broke into a dead run, catching both of us off guard for a moment. They wanted to race to see who was faster, like what I mentioned at dinner, and the guards immediately took off after us.

Rex and the Overlander ran willy nilly down the road, sometimes Rex in the lead and sometimes the Overlander. They seemed to be having the time of thier lives, running down the path like they did; and I knew from a long time ago that it is best to let a Tyranosaur do what they want or else! I yelled for Rosemary to hang on at curves in the road; and to duck to avoid any low branches. Pretty soon they tired of the game, and slowly came to a stop a few dozen yards before a fork in the dirt road; panting and grumbling at the good competition, resting up for the remainder of the trip.

"Stinger, promise me one thing.", Rosemary said as we got down to give our rides some water. "Promise me you'll keep an eye on LaSage."

"Of course I will.", I said. "I was going to do that anyway!"

"I will inform the council of this as well.", she said as we finished.

She kissed me on the cheek before we remounted our steeds. The guards split up just then, and our Veloceraptors congregated around me as her saurian guards got next to her. We waved our goodbyes and slowly took our seperate forks in the road, Rosemary to earthfarm and me towards the Rainy Basin. I arrived at clan Thundertail at nearly midnight, and I had gotten word by Postal bird a few days later that she had arrived safely at Earthfarm at about the same time. When I told the clan what happened the next day, everyone in the clan knew exactly what to do...

[thundertail]

SIXTY-TWO: "The River Of Life!"

"Ajax Bondu now has the floor...", I said as the gavel dropped and the man rose to take the podium.

The creatures at the meeting in the Ampetheatre deep in the bowels of Halcyon knew this day would come, and prayed it would be sooner; but for the setbacks in the construction of the Halcyon Aqueduct project, they feared they wouldn't see it completed in thier lifetime. Through dillegence from all concerned, all setbacks were met and timetables were adjusted; and in a mere seven years the leader of the construction company involved stood behind the podium, waiting for his applause to die down enough for him to speak.

"Creatures of the Rainy Basin.", Ajax said. "I suppose you all have been noticing lately the increasing lack of my workers in your lands. It is because of a major event that happened here - or rather the completion of one..."

We all knew what he was going to divulge, and the cheering began before he got a chance to finish. Ajax Bondu lifted his hands and tried to yell us all into silence!

"What I'm trying to say is...", he yelled above the din as the cheering slowly ceased. "...The Bondu Construction company has done all they can for you and your aqueduct project. It stands as another in the line of great works done for Dinotopia by my family over the generations; and I hope you and your pedecessers find benefit in the work we have completed."

"A rousing success!...", I said as I stood, and so did the rest, and cheered. "And the last step is to run water through it, I presume?"

"Yes, the testing phase is now upon us.", Ajax said. "It will require the keenest coordination to see that it works; and that is why I will stay until that phase is completed.", he smirked. "Heavens forbid it should leak!...", this got chuckles. "Now, I will start coordinating plans with mister Flit at the end of this meeting, and will probably need many volunteers for tasks later. I guess that's it for now... Stinger...?"

"Yes...", I said, regaining the podium. "Any questions? Any new business?..."

Nobody seemed to have new business, but they were quite adament about the subject at hand. They asked many questions concerning the aqueduct, and had many suggestions on how to go about the plan to activate it. Ajax Bondu gave greater detail of all the constructs his people had created for us, and gave undetailed descriptions on how each pump, waterscrew, waterwheel and other water moving device worked; Flit providing a more detailed run down of thier function.

We all went over the procedures necesary to start the water flowing, and stressed the cruciality of having each water pumping system activated at the right time; which would obviousely mean to activate them as soon as the water got to each machine, too soon or too late would no doubt destroy the pump, overflow and cause flooding or other minor disaster. This would mean that we would need an elaborate communication system to coordinate activation at each step, but that would be a problem that we solved over the next few days. Nearly all of us volunteered our services to see the Aqueduct operational, but it was agreed that only the few specifically chosen and adequately qualified would be the ones to help out. Many were chosen to devise steps of this operation, and they got to work right after the meeting was over many moments after I tapped the gavel.

"We will need surveillence from the air.", Flit said. "Talon, would you and Strafewing be so kind as to be in charge of that department?", they both squawked and left to do it.

"What about communication?", I asked. "This island don't have cell phones, you know!"

"Relax, my boy!", engineer Waters said. "I have just what you're lookiong for!", he bid me to follow him.

An hour later we were in one of the store rooms near the chamber of the Strutters. Boxes and boxes of parts and equipment both from Dinotopia and the outside world were inside. Tables with devices in various stages of assembly or dismantlement lined the chamber. Several completed machines stood by themselves if large enough, or on other tables or shelves waiting for use.

"I scrounged around and got all the walkie talkies from the security section of the Millennium Queen.", he said as he pulled out crates of many industrial walkie talkies. "I figured out how to recharge them and everything!"

He tapped a Sunstone electrical generator with many devices from the outside world wired to it, convential wall outlet with plugs connected to the battery charger the walkie talkies were made for. I turned one on and he turned on another, and both machines worked perfectly! Waters put his away, and began to set the crates out in the center of the room, awaiting portage to the surface.

"What's the range on these things?", I asked as I helped him.

"Well, the specs on these things said about twelve miles.", Waters told me. "Possible interference with the Sunstones might make it less - I don't know..."

"We'll have to work them in relays, then.", I thought out loud. "We'll have to teach the others how to use them, too..."

"They're smart enough.", Waters said as our help arrived. "They should catch on in no time!..."

"Now my warriors. Do you understand what we are about to do?". Thundertail asked the whole compliment of Rainy Basin Rangers.

"We are to protect the pump stations!", Diego said.

"We are to keep all the jerks out!", Carl Scott said.

"Not only that, we are to maintain communication between them and the sentinels.", Grond told them. "The pumps must become active at split second timing!"

"Now go out!... Protect!... Assist!...", Thundertail told them, joining the troops. "ONWARD!..."

"Now Wen, you can do this...", Mayday told her as she forced the Kirky up onto upon the back of Talon. "You no fall off!"

"But I'm afraid of heights!", Wen protested, even though the harness strapped to the Pteranodon's back would keep her on even if the bird flew upside down. "I'm too little!..."

"Remember how use walkie talkie?", Mayday asked instead. "Use telescope, report on water..."

"I know that!", Wen said. "Ok, kid. You can take off, but my heart ain't in it!"

Talon took to the air, followed by dozens of others; each carrying a Kirky for a passenger and a walkie talkie and telescope for cargo, less than half the weight they could carry. Soon the carcophany of flapping wings faded as thier makers shrank in the deep blue sky.

"Ok, all the technicians are at the pumps.", Waters said. "The communication relay works good and all orders can be patched in through here...", he palmed his walkie talkie. "I can have the primary pump started at any time."

"You guys do almost as good a job as mine!", Ajax Bondu said after checking for himself. "Well, if all things are at the ready and everyone knows what they're doing; then I guess it's Ok to proceed..."

"I'm here!", I said as I ran into view. The preparations were days in the making, and I was away tying up loose ends. "Did I miss anything?"

"We were just about to order activation of the primary pump.", Flit said. "Since you are the highest ranking person present, I suppose it is up to you to give the order."

"Is everything all set?", I asked.

"All set on my end!", Flit replied.

"A - OK!", Waters echoed.

"We are ready, sir.", Ajax said.

"Then consider the order given!", I said.

Engineer Waters keyed the mike on his walkie talkie and gave the order to activate the primary pump at Deep Lake. That order was relayed to the next in line a few miles away, and then on down the line; where another clan member relayed it to the next person, and that person transmitted it to another person stationed in the Backbone Mountains. That person relayed the order to the the pumping station located in the foothills, and she relayed it to the technicians manning the primary pump. The one manning the walkie talkie nodded to two people at the controls of machinery, and they manipulated switches, dials and levers; and many moments after thier efforts started, the huge diesel engine now converted to utilise Sunstones, and put in use for a pump, began to whine and grind, slowly evening out to a thrum in the background.

Two hundred feet from shore on Deep Lake, a massive stone turret was constructed; hollow and pourous, it would filter the water before going through huge pipes and through the primary pumping station. Water began to churn in that turret, gradually flowing through the pipe and up the slope of the lakebed and up onto dry ground. The primary pump became nearly silent once the water reached it, and churning could be heard through the metal piping behind it. The technicians there let off with cheering before radioing that the primary pump was operational, and those all along the way joined in as soon as they relayed the news.

An hour and fifteen minutes later, and several miles away and several hundred feet higher, a cistern was dug and lined with concrete; the lower end of a Sunstone powered electric motor driven waterscrew residing at its' base, began seeing trickles of water. Before long this began to fill, and as soon as the water level reached optimum height there; that pumping station powered up at about that time, and the water began to move in an almost vertical way up some escarpments, reaching other waterscrew cisterns and having them activate as well. There were four such stations in this section of the aqueduct system, and after the water passed this point; continued via a short stretch of aqueduct proper to the foothills of the Backbone Mountains.

"Ok, boss...!", Wen screeched through the wind atop Talon. "The water's reached the first stretch...", this was relayed through several persons receiving it, and the answer got back several moments later.

"Follow it until you reach the peak.", Flit said via the relay. "Then turn and monitor flow through that stretch..."

"Gotcha, boss...!", Wen said and had Talon wheel around, telescope scanning the the artificial stone ridge pretty far below.

The aqueduct led the water to an even larger cistern in a wide valley many miles away, and it took at least an hour for the water to fill deep enough for the second Sunstone powered diesel pump to be activated. The technicians there monitored the water level, and hit the controls as soon as the time was right; then radioed the news all along the line, which was met with even more cheering! This pump was connected to a long pipe that sent the water out of the valley and over a gentle vale to another cistern at the foothills of the last peaks of the Backbones, and this one was connected to yet another large cistern and another series of four Sunstone powered electric motor driven waterscrews.

By the end of the first day of the initial activation of the primary water pump for the Halcyon Aqueduct system, the water reached this point; and from there gravity alone would carry it the rest of the way to halcyon, for as it reached the top of this station it would be at its' highest point in the while run. At nearly a mile in altitude, and nearly twenty seven miles to go before it delved underground for the last time; the water would be at it's softest grade, and the blueprints showed it would move its' slowest. That was why the three stone aqueduct runs, either perched precariousely to steep cliffsides or free standing atop thier own massive piers and arches, would need to be extra wide; for they had to hold the greatest volume of water so none of it would spill over the sides of the channel at their peaks.

As the early morning light shone above the far end of the backbone Mountains, Vinny the Kirky and Strafewing the Pteranodon were in it, the flyer enjoying the heat it brought him and the passenger complaining at the last little bit of turbulence! Vinny pulled out his telescope and scanned the narrow strip of stone below them, twisting in and around crags and cliff faces; seeing nothing for the fifth time they had been over this area, and snapping the telescope shut in exasperation.

"Look, maybe those guys made a miscalculation...", Vinny said to his steed.

"The Bondu Construction company does NOT make mistakes!", Strafewing said as he wheeled around once again.

"Ok,... But I'm tellin' ya'...", Vinny began as he scanned again. "Hold it, boss!... I think I see it!... Fly lower!..."

Indeed the water was there, just beginning to flow after coming out of a tunnel bored out of the cliff face and into the beginning of the aqueduct run. The silver stream was just beginning to move down the flume, much to both thier relief; and through further relay of this information, it was reasoned that the water must have flowed into a subterranean fissure before filling that up and continuing on its' way. The high aqueduct filled and flowed, through the high pass and out the other end to the very start of the Forbidden Mountains. From there it poured through a narrow channel between peaks and out through another short run of aqueduct.

Muriel Kirky atop another Pteranodon met the water at thier assigned flightpath, and careened low to fly under the aqueduct structure there; which had footings and arches hundreds of feet tall and just as many apart, gossamar structure looking so fragile in such a rugged countryside. She radioed the water's progress before her steed circled back around so she could scan the structure for any leaks. Once the water flowed past them down below, it entered another narrow channel through a mountain range; and was out on the longest stretch of aqueduct the Bondu Construction company had ever made, an arrow straight length of rock and mortar traveling for dozens of miles.

I was riding in Kiawa the flying Strutter at aboput this time, and it weas my job to see the water as it went from the high mountains and enter the area of Rocky Pass. I looked down and saw nothing for the longest time, Kiawa's magnifying optics as well as Klamath's confirming this fact. We flew down low, past the crossing in the pass that went under the aqueduct footings, great arches many hundreds of feet wide and tall each. I saw Bross Dilophosaur up on the top of the aqueduct, manning the valve system that would fill a pool below by gravity; which would give travelers going that way a well needed drink as well as a restbit in thier travels. He would turn the valve as the water passed by, and scamper down the footing to the pool below to open the floodgate so the pool wouldn't overflow. I keyed my walkie talkie and summoned him.

"Stand by down there!", I said. "The water just passed Muriel's position, and should be here within the hour!"

"Understood...", I heard grumbling before Bross remembered to take his clawed finger off the walkie talkie button!

Suddenly a silver ribbon of water began forming across the top of the aqueduct far below, so I flew Kiawa around and soared a hundred feet above the Dilophosaur's head. I transmitted to him to be ready, for the water was just flowing across the Rocky Pass stretch. As the water passed his position, he turned the valve; and narrower piping within the footing of the aqueduct diverted a stream of it down and down, to the pool several hundred feet below him. I flew over his position again as he scurried down the ladderway, and once more as his feet touched the ground below; then once more as he activated the gravity valve at the headwaters of the pool, which worked not unlike the inner workings of a commode in the outside world! Once he completed his task, I radioed ahead that the water was coming; then looked down as Rex arrived to take Bross home.

So far it had taken the water three days to reach that point, and it was another three days still before water began its' subterranean journey and into the cisterns deep beneath Halcyon. Days after that the water levels in those cisterns became deep enough to consider activating the ancient pumps that would supply the water to the city. In one of the cisterns we had marked a wall in increments painted on the inner wall, a mark denoting the optimum depth; and we had lowered a kirky on a rope down to monitor that level.

"Say boss,", Emma radioed from her perch deep in the well. "I think we got enough!"

"Ok, little lady...", engineer Waters radioed back. "Up you come, then!", he told the helpers to haul her up.

"Waters to Flit.", he continued after Emma was standing next to him. "You may activate the pump!..."

"Activating the pumps...", Flit radioed back, then went to activate the ancient machinery.

Up in the main square in Halcyon, many of the clan was there, hopefully awaiting this moment. I told everyone to get ready as several other Kirkys were swarming all over the fountain in the central square. They had cleaned and serviced the ancint waterwork, and were now polishing it to gleaming. A thrumming began trembling every building, and the Sunstone luminosity began to dim somewhat. In every building around the square, faint gurgling and rapping was heard by many that were near them; to be immediately followed by spurting and spraying sounds! It was everyone's fear that some of the plumbing in the city had burst, and they would soon have to contend with a multitude of leaks; but this would prove false as it soon ceased, for all plumbing dispells trapped air once water is pressurised into it.

Immediately after that the fountain itself began gurgling, trembling slightly as the water began getting near it as well. When the hissing began, all the Kirkys leapt off the fountain, startled and in horror; and cowered behind several Tyranosaurs who were standing off to one side. A moment later a fine spray welled up from the fountain, which flew several dozens of yards into the air; and as the pressure was equalised within the waterwork, began to spurt out like any other fountain in the civilised world. This brought on cheering like was never heard in Halcyon since the first day it was founded!

"My clan, my friends!...", Thundertail roared after many moments; which did nothing to lessen the reverie all aroiund him. "Please...! May I have your attention...!"

Nobody even listened to him. The cheers and roars turned in to chanting and singing, and many brought out thier musical instruments to play; but the many songs wafting through the celebration were as varied as the species present. With nothing more at his disposal to quell the abundant cheer, Thundertail located Grond; then Thistlesnarl, Deathflower, Pincushion, and all the rest. Rex was next to me, and he was nodding and shoving his joy at what they had done; and I was right next to the fountain at the time. The events that happened in the next few seconds quelled most of the partygoing almost instantly. Rex gave me one gigantic shove, right into the fountain where I fell face first in the pool at its' base; and at that moment a coordinated roar echoed throughout Halcyon, sliencing most of the clan right there.

"My clan!... A monumental day has arisen for us all!...", Thundertail said as Rex sheepishly helped me out of the fountain, I made sure Rex got as wet as possible in then process! "It is an event equal to the restoration and population of Kinan Van so many years ago!..." Thundertail looked around, making sure he had thier attention. "Today marks the restoration of Halcyon, ancient protector and sister city to Kinan Van. A place we will all soon call our home, and a place we will become the greatest generation that Dinotopia has ever known!..."

It was a mixture of Thundertail's applause, excitement of the new city opening up and a continuation of the reverie going on a few moments ago resumed after his speech. The celebration soon grew to such a pitch of excitement that Rex playfully nudges me into the fountain again, and I retailate by splashing him mercilessly with the newly arrived water! The partygoers return to thier play and the whole city unofficially agrees that today will be an annual holiday forever. Many hours later we all turn solemn, finally realising that Halcyon is now a city made vibrant and alive by thier own effort; and as the days pass we make decisions on who will be the ones to live there...

_

[thundertail]

SIXTY-THREE: "A New Legacy!"

Many months go by after we opened up Halcyon for population, and I grow busy assigning the human contingent that will live there; and I have to reassign some folks from Kinan Van as well, but mainly at thier request. Many young Dinotopian couples wish to live there, as well as newly acclimated passengers of the Millennium Queen that have found a life of thier own. It's not really a hard assignment, but the time spent interviewing candidates makes that job last for days on end! I take that all in stride as it keeps me close to home, close to my son and my lovely Mayday!

Hamilton went to Tentpole of the Sky for training with his recently new Partner Bourrow, his second trip there since they made thier vows so long ago. As he returned, I noticed many changes in his mindset; from arrogant and prideful to humble and complacent, from one idolising brave deeds to one choosing the peaceful approach. I saw that the Bhuddistic approach to life has softened his agression, and the wisdom he shows at advising others' problems very beneficial to his spiritual development. Though Hamilton will not be the kind of leader I am, I know he will be the leader he needs to be to be beneficial to clan Thundertail. I was dismayed the day he told me that being a leader may not be the kind of thing he would want to do in his life!

As other duties of family life became apparent to me, I saw in Mayday a glow and knowing posture that told me there was something happening to her too. I had utilised the knowledge the lesson of how Hamilton was born to prevent me from not knowing what was going on, for I had Klamath link with Zandra as we both wore the armor of Othgar; and had him monitor Mayday nearly ever since my tenderness with her had the chance to culminate. To put it short, I knew Mayday was pregnant again; for our preponderance of intamacy had increased dramatic in frequency many months ago for our suddenly synchronised schedules, and this time I intended to keep myself informed!

But as circumstances would have it, my schedule became increasingly more time consuming as the weeks passed; and more often than not I'd find myself far away from home. My duties included monitoring the new aqueduct system, going on the road to seal new trade agreements, follow up on our established trade agreements, represent the rainy Basin in the high council at Waterfall City, demonstrate Kiawa's flying abilitiesat bCanyon City, and train certain advanced cadets on her and basically going places where my mayoral duties bade me to go. Of course there were other duties close to home, like settle minor disputes between clan members, settle minor disputes between our kind and the rest of Dinotopia, perform certain diverse duties like teaching, other instruction, fill in for people working in the gardens or ones assigned to perform mechanical maintenence; and most importantly, keep an eye on LaSage and her now reformed goons. Many of these tasks were given by king Thundertail himself, or relayed by him through this or that messenger; and I soon began to reralise that he was giving me all these assignments to take my mind off the impending birth of my future offspring!

"Of course you may take a few days' leave, Stinger!", Thundertail told me one day when I pressed my suspicions about what was happening. "It would seem that I have been working you too hard of late..."

"It's not just that!...", I said. "I mean, I would do anything you say for the good of the clan...", I looked forlorn. "It's just that... Mayday is soon to become a mother again, and I really should be around for the event..."

"I know this, my friend...", he rumbled. "But you see, when Hamilton was born, you were not exactly yourself."

I followed as he led me out of the outskirts of Kinan Van. Along a path, making sure no one was around, he continued.

"You were so nervous that your duties to the clan suffered.", he got nose to snout with me. "I decided to keep you as busy as possible so you would not think of it until the right moment.", he smiled toothily. "That way you shant be so nervous!"

"I have made plans so I would not be caught off guard...", I told him what I was doing about it. "The last time was a complete suprise, but this time I wish to know when the time is close."

"I see... Is that why you do not seem so nervous?", he rumbled.

"I'm still a bit nervous...", I admitted. "But at least this time I'm prepared!"

"Well said!... And to this, I grant you leave so you may tend to your family.", he chortled. "All mayoral duties are suspended until further notice, or are reduced as you see fit."

"Thank you, my king!", I said as we turned back for the clan. "You really saved my skin!"

As the days and weeks passed, my duties became lessened somewhat; and though I allotted many of my duties to subordinates, many of the other duties closer to home I still handled myself. I was still so busy for the clan, but not so busy that I could not have a chat with my Partner from time to time as we worked together. The most recent time he had something so iomportant on his mind that he almost ran into a tree for his worrying! I looked at the sheepish look on his face and asked the obvious.

"What's eating you, son?", I asked, but he merely slowly paused his pace and shuffled. "What happened? The Kirkys ganged up on you and beat you up?"

"No, nothing like that...", he said. "It's just that... Me and Thistlesnarl..."

"You two haven't gotten into a fight, did you?", I accused.

"No...", he got close with his muzzle. "Truth is, I think we're about to become serious... Ummm... You know!..."

"Oh!... That!..", I rubbed his muzzle. "I knew this would happen sooner or later!..."

I had remembered my many talks with them on the subject, the years of indecision and the advice I gave them both. When they were young they played together along with Thistlesnarl's brother, Pincushion; and grew to become the best of friends. Thistlesnarl came to me first - or was it second? - And voiced her wishes on the matter. Rex always liked her, but as a friend and playmate; and I knew his duties as prince would make thier relationship spotty and difficult to pin down for them, but I always had hopes this day would come.

"I think she is very pretty, and I like her very much.", he stated. "She thinks I'm handsome, brave and wise; and has shown how much she loves me... More times than I care to tell you!"

"I think that's wonderful!", I told him. "And it's Ok that you don't tell all the details. Stuff like that is pretty private anyway!"

A small word on beauty and asthetics among Tyranosaurs.

Tyranosaurs, to other creatures, are a somewhat ugly species; but to them, thier appearance is nothing but a study in absolute beauty and functionality. Thier sleek forms and thier fluid movements for such large creatures make them the perfect hunting machines. To them thier form is the epitome of animal form, and thier opinions of other animals pale as they make comparasons.

For one thing, the overbite thier jaws often pronounce is a great beauty mark; the greater the overbite the better looking - to a certain degree. An example of ugliness in this aspect would be someone like a deformed individual, or one that has had an accident; like when a Pteranodon crashes into ones' snout, for example, like Pincushion. This would deviate the snout enough so the overbite is far less pronounced. The same opinion of ugliness goes for an individual whose snout is too broad or too narrow, but some deviation on snout thickness can denote distinguishments between individuals.

Another aspect of thier beauty lies in the eyes and environs. Eye color is important, brighter greens are far less desirable than deeper greens; and browns or other colors are less reguarded as well. The lines and wrinkles that surround them depict both age and demeanor of the creature. Most eyelines appear with age, but things like laugh and worry lines appear at any age; and can tell the others whether one is happy and outgiong or crabby and a boor!

Besides wrinkles around the eyes, the pigmentation surrounding them are also important. Tans or deep greens in spots or speckles depict certain desirable or nondesirable characteristics, and the amount and size of these spots become more or less desirable depending on personal preference.

Overall size and musculature plays a key role in desirability, for they depict the overall health of the individual. Skinny or smaller creatures are considered ugly, as well as overly fed or overly large creatures; and one should not be seen with ribs showing. The upper pelvis area should not be bony, and the neck should not appear too slender.

Tails can also denote a creature's beauty, for it is generally the last thing another of his or her kind sees in the jungles. Ones' tail should not be too stumpy or too whiplike, too thick at the base or too thin; and should have at least some color flowing through it, but not too much. Colors can range through natural camouflage colors to dull unnatural colors like purples, pinks and oranges; muted to look like flowers among mottled foliage. Ones' tail can be striped, mottled or patchy; but the colors should not stand out too much, and the patterns should not be too regular.

Creatures of function, form and style, Tyranosaurs think themselves as the most perfect and beautiful carnivores on earth! If I would compare Thistlesnarl and Rex with these perameters, I would say that she is quite beautiful and vibrant and Rex is very handsome and in the prime of his life!

"...Well, that isn't the only thing we've been talking about...", Rex was saying, for I had missed the first part of his speech. "We have also been talking about being mates!"

"That's just swell!", I said as we continued our walk. "You'll make a wonderful couple!"

"But our schedules... And what are you supposed to do?...", he flustered. "I hear there's a lot of responsability, too!..."

"It's all right! Just relax!...", I told him as we paused. "There will be plenty of time to think of that. When the time comes, you and her will know what to do..."

I know,... I guess...", he paused at an intersection of the road nestled in the woods near the clansite, then gave a sniff and smiled, looking left. "Oh, boy!..."

"What?", I asked, but a moment later my question was answered.

Rising from the path to our left in the distance was a lone Tyranosaur, Ranger on the creature's back; and the creature turned left and right, scanning the forest to either side. When she scanned ahead, she saw us; and immediately sped into a near gallop to converge on us. The rider was Carl Scott, and he looked like he was having the ride of his life!

"Woah, girl!", then he got off. "So, this was why the rush!..."

"Thistlesnarl!", Rex rumbled happily.

"Hi, Rex!", she rumbled back.

"Uh,... the southern roads are quiet, mayor Stinger...", Carl reported, saluting.

"That's fine, Carl.", I said, then continued after a moment as I watched Rex and Thistlesnarl nuzzling. "Did you hear? Thistlesnarl and Rex want to be mates!"

"Yes sir, I sure did!", Carl said. "It's all she seems to talk about!"

"I'm real excited about it.", I said. "They've known each other since they were hatchlings - and now look at them...!", the pair went off a bit to nuzzle some more.

"I think it's great too, sir...", then Carl turned to Rex. "I got one thing to say to you, buster!... You better take good care of her, or I'll be all over you!...", this was said with a smile!

"I'll be careful...", Rex told him and continued what he was doing.

We chuckled at this for a few moments, but then a warning signal started coming from my suit! "Mayday has gone into labor!", Klamath said, and my eyes went wide!

"I got to get home pronto!", I said, and scrambled to Rex, who turned to accept me.

As Rex stormed away toward Kinan Van, Carl mounted Thistlesnarl; and they were close at our heels a moment later. The forest whizzed past, and we sprinted out into the boomerang shaped clearing; dodging this or that cart, or this or that clan member. They knew something was up for our aparent rudeness, and just tried to stay out of our way. At the mouth of the subterranean city of Kinan Van, both Tyranosaurs bolted through the entrance; and down the passageway that led to the massive glowing chamber that held the city proper. We had set up a hospital of sorts several blocks in, and we made it for that building; and it was only then that we dismounted.

"I'll go see where she is...", I said in a rush. "Carl, could you go find Hamilton? I'm sure he'd want to see his new brother or sister!...", I rushed inside.

I stormed into the building, stopping at the desk; but since there were few cases that needed a healer's attention, the secretary knew just where I was to go. She pointed toward a corridor with many small rooms off it, and down that corridor I went. My ears led me to the correct room, for Mayday's labor screams were most prominent; but when I got there an assistant barred my way. All I could see was a curtain and the shadows of many attendants around something beyond, and Mayday letting off another wail!

"Please, mayor!", the strutheomimus said. "Everything is well in hand!... Please wait in the lounge, and we'll let you know when you can see her."

"Who's doing the birthing?", I asked her.

"Selma is away, but Milissa Krieger is performing the operation.", she said.

"Good... She was there when Hamilton was born.", I said. Melissa had trained under both Selma and Ursula. "I guess I got nothing to worry about!", but my look turned to concern at another of Mayday's screams.

"Please, wait down there...", the Strutheomimus pointed back the way I came.

I walked back down the corridor to the waiting area, ear turned behind me and hearing my Mayday again. I slumped into the first vacant human designed chair I got to and waited. A few nurses of both saurian and human lineages walked by, too engrossed in thier duties to look at me or the trio of other waiting people and saurians with me. What seemed like hours later, but was really only a handfull of moments; two humans walked into the hospital and walked over as soon as they noticed me, one head and shoulders taller than the other. Hamilton ran ahead of Carl and clasped me in an embrace, and I returned it where I sat.

"Is mom going to be all right?", Hamilton asked as soon as we disengaged.

"She'll be fine...", I said to him. "She was right as rain after you were born."

"How's she doing?", Carl asked, still standing.

"I don't know much yet, but she's in there.", I said, listening down the hall; but the thick stone walls in between prevented noise from traveling. "I guess I'll know when I know..."

"Sir, should I get back to my duties; or would you like me to wait with you?", asked Carl.

"Thank you for your concern, but I think you should go.", I told him. "Duty comes first, you know!... Besides, this is a family matter...!", I ruffled Hamilton's hair.

"Yes, sir...", Carl saluted and left the hospital.

We waited there in the waiting room for the longest time, and I propped Hamilton up on my knee; him fudjiting like all children do when forced to wait, and me doing likewise. As the time passed, more nurses and others passed by, each having thier own cares to concern themselves with. I tried to keep Hamilton entertained by telling him little stories, or recounting some of the clan history I was involved with. Soon his attention turned from me to the room around him, then to the sounds the place made; finally ending by turning to ask me a question.

"What do you think the new baby will be? A boy or a girl?", asked he.

"I don't know for sure...", I told him. "I like boys, but girls are nice too... I guess so long as he or she is healthy and happy, I can't go wrong!", I tickled him. "Look at what I got with you!...", he giggled and tried to tickle back.

"I wouldn't mind with either myself!", Hamilton said after I quit tickling him. "I'll be his or her older brother!..."

"That you will!", I smiled. "And just think of all the neat stuff you can teach him or her!..."

"Yeah!...", he hugged.

Just then, down the corridor, nurses and others began coming out of the room Mayday was in; one of them carrying a small bundle wrapped in a small blanket, but Hamilton and I were too engaged in one another to notice this. Some of the nurses and attendants rushed back in, and many more went out; the area was abuzz with activity, and it was only then that Melissa Krieger came down the corridor. She had just changed her clothes, but still was holding a towel; and she walked right up to us with a smile on her face.

"Mister mayor, consider your family grown by one!", Melissa said triumphantly.

"Is Mayday OK?", I asked, standing as I stood Hamilton on the floor. "How's my baby?"

"Both are fine...", she told me. "You had a fine, healthy girl!"

"Oh, boy! I got a sister!", Hamilton shouted, and she shushed him.
"Can we see them?", I asked.

"Well, they're resting now; but maybe you can see them in about an hour or so, OK?", Melissa said. "I'll let you know when they wake up..."

"Oh, well... What's a little longer? Right son?", I said.

"OK...", he said and sat where I had been sitting.

Melissa smiled and left to her other duties, and we both watched her leave. I crouched beside him and looked around, grasping his hand; and took it in a pretty powerful grip! Selma came into the hospital just then, conferred with the human male now manning the desk and went deeper into the bowels of the hospital. Hamilton watched her go, smiled and asked me another question.

"So, what is my new sister's name?", he asked.

"Well, the way we named you was that game I showed you, remember 'Paper, Rock, Scizzors'?", I asked and he nodded. "We named her the same way."

"She's going to be named Hamilton?", he asked.

"No...!", I chuckled. "But we chose the same way! See, last time I won, so my favorite boy name came first, then your mom's. This time she won, so her favorite girl's name will be first, then my favorite girl's name will be second."

"Oh, and what was the name you chose?", Hamilton asked. "What was Mom's favorite name?"

"We wanted to speak it when we all meet.", I said. "It might jinx the name if we don't!", this I said jokingly, and he laughed.

Melissa came out of the room containing my new daughter, but I failed to notice this for the sake of Hamilton. She was stopped by Selma, whom she told of the good news; then Selma chirruped and rushed into that room. A moment later she went into the room Mayday was in, and after that returned to the other room. She came out with my daughter and brought her into Mayday's room, then she had Melissa Krieger come fetch us.

"They're ready!", she chirped. "Right this way!"

We both rushed down the corridor after her, nearly running her down in our excitement. Hamilton took my hand and nearly dragged me to his mother's side, then he peered over and saw the bundle that was now in her hands. I just stood there dumbly and stared - I didn't want to spoil the moment! The little bronze head had an almost bald cinnamon tuft on top; and when she sneezed, I giggled despite myself! Mayday heard it and turned her furrowed head my way, and the smile she gave me was one of infinite longingness.

"Did I look like that?", Hamilton blurted.

"No,...", I said dreamilly. "You were much bigger...", then I leaned and gave Mayday a kiss, saving one for my daughter's forehead. "My little sweetie...!"

"How you feeling, mom?", Hamilton asked.

"Good, my son... Tired but good...", she leaned and gave him a kiss. "See new sister?..."

"Yup! She's so little...!", Hamilton reached to touch her, but pulled away as she mewled. "This is so neat!...", he smiled.

"He's right!", I said as I stroked my daughter's head. "And this is your new name, little one...", her eyes were still closed, but she lolled her head in my direction. "You are going to be called Havarra Eileen Decker, my sweet angel...!"

"She will be so called...", breathed Mayday, who was still exhausted.

"Can't beat 'Paper, Rock, Scizzors'...!", Hamilton blurted, and we all laughed!

We spent most of the afternoon there, getting to know the new member of our family; and Havarra seemed to begin to recognise our voices after a while. The day ended and both patients needed thier rest, so Hamilton and I went home. We visited every day, and by the end of a fortnight both were ready to go home. At home the nursery was set up, and we moved little Havarra in there; and Mayday made pains to keep constant watch over her. All during this time, word of my new arrival began to spread, and many messages, both in person and by Skybax courier and Postal bird, began arriving on almost a daily basis. The mayor of Waterfall City sent his congratulations, and wished to travel here soon to witness my new daughter - and give a few pointers on how to bring them up! I guess he wished to share his experiences as he had done a fine job on his daughter Marion!

It was about then that Hamilton had to return to Tentpole of the Sky for more training there; but when matriarch Buttercup heard of his new sister, she deemed that Buorrow could stay with us and could train there instead. Thier aged instructor also taught thier lessons for the young of our clan, and they all thought the lessons were an unusual change of pace. As Mayday and I got used to raising a baby once again, and nannies were assigned to us; many of my former duties as mayor were returned to me, and it was time to get back to work. As I went over my former duties and reacquainted myself to my title, I saw that many of the projects begun before were nearer to completion, and many new ones were under way.

For one thing, a trade agreement was waiting pending my approval with the town established with LaSage; where they would trade goods they needed for things the other traders bartered with them for and they did not need. Of course, this didn't interfere with the previous contract we had with them, just an added bargain between 'two peace loving towns', as was said in the body of the contract! I spent the three days necesary to work out this trade treaty, and dispatched it to LaSage's place as well as the proper channels here; then I had the treaty sent to the high council at Waterfall City to have it made official.

I was really getting back into my old routine about then, taking some time off to visit my family - especially my new addition, who was by now beginning to crawl around and explore her world; and after a short stay, went back to my duties. One of the duties I had been away from for a while was the Strutters, or rather the progress we were making on the others in the chamber of the Strutters. As I've said, we had reassembled all of them that we could, and were just waiting for the proper Sunstones to be found so we could activate them.

Christopho, in his travels around the island, had found one; and acquired it for us, buying it from a village at the mouth of the Polongo River, where the beachcomber there said he found it in a cave. It was a green Sunstone, about twenty inches tall and shaped like a crown with geodescic protrusions on top, a flat bottom and roughly hexagonal on general shape; but the thing did not fit any of the recepticles on the Strutters we had completed. Flit found the right one in a discard pile, fixed it and installed it onto the strutter it was most apt to fit. This Strutter looked exactly like a scorpion, large scooplike pincers in front and a whiplike tail with an auger bit for a stinger; and we deemed it might be useful for mining or some other such construction job.

Since the cab of the contraption could only hold one human or saurian of the same size, and Klamath claiming knowledge of such Strutters; I stepped into the cab and lowered the glass and metal faring over me. The controls looked not unlike the controls of a front end loader on the outside world, a multitude of knobs and levers to work the mechanical joints and other hydraulic apperatus, plus a steering column and gear shifters like in any car or truck. I had run a front end loader when I helped erect a new building on the Air Force base I was on before I got here.The metallic creature hummed as it was activated, and the eight spindly metallic legs clicked along the stone floor as soon as I got used to manipulating the controls.

To test it out, I was going to take it out of the Chamber and into a near by offshoot tunnel, where excavation had been going on by hand for many months; and if this scorpion Strutter tested out well, it would make the excavation of these tunnels easy as anything! I got to the end of this tunnel, where debris had been piled up from the last time the workers were here, and surveyed where the tunnel would have been had it not collapsed. I then activated the Strutter's tail, auger spinning like a dervish as I figured out how to thrust the tail ahead of me and bore into solid rock. When I eventually found out it suprised me, for the tail whipped forward, stabbing at the rock face before the cab like its' natural counterpart would its' prey and raining a shower of debris all over the Strutter. Another stab and more rock, and pretty soon many feet of cleared tunned became apparent. I paused that phase of the operation to scoop up the debris I had created, taking double pincerfulls of the stuff to trundle it into a side shaft for later removal.

I dumped the debris and went to back the metallic arachnid out of the tunnel, but the legs seemed to be frozen for some reason; and I couldn't turn the thing around in such a tight passageway. I grunted as I opened the canopy and hopped down, then I inspected every leg joint and hydraulic line for damage; then came to the rear legs, which had clods of dust and debris lodged into a faring under the base of the leg assemblies. This I began cleaning out with Klamath's retractible double daggers, thinking of making a note to Flit so he could redesign this area of the Strutter; when I heard pounding and chiseling sounds coming from the rock around me! In caves, echoes can travel for miles; and I thought the noise was of my own efforts, bouncing and distorting off the walls and back to me.

When I stopped, however; the sounds came to me of thier own accord, and I listened to this to try to determine its' source. My knack for echo location is practically nonexistent, so I had Klamath and his senses determine where these hammering noises were coming from. I had him turn on his advanced hearing so I could listen too, and what I heard among the hammering was the distant muffled voices of several Kirkys in thier mouselike babblings! Klamath located the source, and he led me back up the passageway to other ones that crisscrossed this one at various angles. About fifteen minutes later we were in a stone chamber, which was one of the chamber rooms in the area of the chamber of the Strutters, and the passage we were just in must have been a freshly carved tunnel. We left this room and came ouyt into a corridor off the main chamber, which was lined with other portals and other rooms.

A hammer struck a chisel badly, and made clanking noises as it cut loose and skittered on the floor; and this was immediately followed by Kirky curses, letting us know which room they all were in. I stood in the doorway, looking at the larger than life sculpture they were working on; made even more colossal by the tininess of the workers sculpting it. It was of a Tyranosaur, and a rider was mounted atop it; but being slightly more that halfway done, it could be of anybody. The pedistal base was already completed, a one ton square block with letterring and a relief at its' middle; iron posts cemented on top to accept the feet of the statue being made, and painted in bright colors. From the look of the stone armor the rider wore, it would be one of the owners of the armor of Othgar; but who it could be was anybody's guess. One of the Kirkys saw me in the doorway and guiltilly dropped his hammer to clang against the floor far below.

"Uh,... Boss!...", this Kirky stammered, and this brought the rest to halt thier work.

"Say, what are you doing here?", this was Vinny, and he came over. "You're not supposed to see this!"

"I was out testing the new Strutter, and I heard all this noise.", I told him. "I came to investigate."

"See that, fellas?", Vinny shouted. "I told you to hammer quieter!", mild retorts and giggles followed this!

"What are you guys doing?", I asked.

"Well, see...", Vinny shuffled. "It's for your hatchday..."

"This?", I said.

"The king wanted to give you something special.", Vinny explained. "He wanted it to be a surprise..."

"Say boss...", Moe said on the statue's unfinished shoulder. "Can you make like this?", he pointed his arm out, extending a finger out and pointing it slightly to the left. "Stick out your twin daggers, too..."

I complied dumbly, watching as he took stylus and made notes and drawings; but finally I had enough! "Hold on!... I don't want a statue made of me!"

"Don't you want to be immortalised?", Vinny shook his head. "Boy! Most leaders would jump at the chance!"

"Not me!", I said. "Most leaders wanting a statue made of them generally let thier ego rule thier lives. Those kind of leaders often see thier countries crumble!", I huffed. "I'm not like that!"

"I see where you're going with that, but what do you want me to do?", Vinny said. "Thundertail'll be mad if we don't finish it!"

"Well,...", I considered. "If Thundertail said to finish it, then you got to finish it.", I held up a finger. "BUT!... I don't want it erected in my lifetime!... If you want to put it someplace as a rememberance to me, that's fine by me; but not before I'm dead!"

"Well,... I'll let Thundertail know...", Vinny said. "But he ain't gonna like it!..."

I turned and left that chamber, then I went back to where I had left the scorpion Strutter. I thought nothing more of the incodent for many days, but one day Thundertail asked me how the Strutter test went. I told him about it, the flaw I found and the fact that I told Flit about it; but his look told me he had something else on his mind. A bit of prodding later and he told me he was proud of me, offhandedly mentioning my discovery of his gift. He said that a true leader has the good of his people on his mind more than thier self esteem; and what I had shown said that I was a true leader, and he was proud to have given me the office! He also said that the legacy I had started on Dinotopia would be remembered forever...

_____

[thundertail]

SIXTY-FOUR: "Pitching in among chaos."

I had been through at least two of the seven year storm cycles that Dinotopia gets during thier stormy season, times where more than ordinary rain mixed with winds and tsunamis that sweep across the northern quadrant of the island; and sending every inhabitant there scurrying south, relocating until the storms are over. When I first experienced one of these seven year cycles, I was at a loss as to what to do about it; for the carnivores I was with at the time merely hunkered down somewhere and rode the storms and flooding out in some hole or ancient ruin. I, not knowing what else to do, just waited it out right along side of them!

Before the carnivores became civilized, the residents of these areas would avoid the Rainy Basin; and head south by other routes, afraid to be eaten. This usually made thier trek to safety an arduous one at best, and often times they would be caught out in the open road, exposed to the full fury of the storms as they moved inland. Many lives were lost, and tons of supplies they carried with them often perished; but they still returned every year to plant thier crop and rebuild thier farms. Who could blame these farmers for wishing to return, for the Northern Plains were some of the most fertile land on Dinotopia!

Now that the carnivores were friendly, people came to our lands in droves; for the Rainy Basin was one of the most sheltered areas on the island, and could hold nearly every resident in the Northern Plains, if only for a little while. As soon as we got word that the Weathercasters predicted the start of the cycle, we would go out to the neighboring towns and invite the people to our shelters; guarding them along the way and rescuing any broken down stragglers. We would then travel into the Northern Plains and help out any who found out too late, or try to convince any holdouts the futility of thier staying.

The last two seasons of seven year cycles were bad enough, all of us pitching in at times of chaos; and acomodating hundreds, or sometimes thousands of disposessed farmers and the like. We made great efforts, and did very well with everyone we had rescued; earning us great esteem with all the farmers of that region, and awarding us with valor in the high council of Waterfall City.

But this season was the worst outbreak of storms anyone had ever seen, and nowhere was there any such a terrible season in the islands' records to shed light on why this was happening. This season of terrible storms began with an ominous prediction from the Weathercasters in all regions of Dinotopia, whom all agreed that the cycle would start months earlier then it usually did. The usual scenario was a series of small storms, then a really big one followed by a lesser amount of smaller storms; then the high council would acess the area to make sure it was fit for rebuilding, and then the farmers and homesteaders and other folks of the cities in the area would all return and rebuild the area.

This time the storm cycle was far worse than anyone could have imagined!

"Did you read report, Stinger?", Mayday asked.

"Yes, I did.", I said. "That's why I had the Rangers go out early. I've also had the extra spaces in all our cities and towns vacated. We're going to have a lot of people here pretty soon!"

"Not that...", Mayday said. "It come early!... It mean this time it going to be bad...!"

"I know... That's why I'm having everyone activated early.", I located a messenger. "Bross, send a message via Postal Bird that the Rainy Basin hereby volunteers all available help for the upcoming crisis. All Rainy Basin personnel are mobilizing in preparation of the seven year storm cycle. Signed, me.", I paused. "Got that?"

"Yes, Stinger...", he scampered off.

Just then a gust of clammy wind began to worry the treetops high above us, and a mist began to form on the ground. Even though the sun was still shining and there was not a threatening cloud in the sky, one could feel in ones' bones that a massive rainstorm was eminent; and even though one never manifested, it made the rest of the day cold and foreboding. We made our preparations dispite this discomfort, and we all were ready by the time the first light rains came early the next morning.

The light rains slowly became a full fledged storm by midday, and we all slogged through the forests on our way to the other towns outside the Rainy Basin; looking to give any assistance that was needed. We had split up at our camp, and each group found the towns we were assigned to deep into preparations of thier own; the forlorn faces we saw depicted thier deep concern, and the quickness in which they worked told that they knew of the coming disaster. Once everything became as prepared as possible in that town, we all moved on to the next town to help out there; and we did the same in the next, and the next and the next until we came to the coast.

By this time the storm was a full hurricane, blasting rain in sheets pummeling us from all directions; and tearing any weak debris from thier moorings with gale force winds. Our main problem was seeing what was in front of us for the force of the storm, but within another day and a half we scoured the whole Northern Plains and helped to evacuate any who could not make it out before this time. It was now our turn to escape this devastating storm, and we ran for our lives as the storm proper hit from offshore; which sounded like a horde of demons at our backs, lobbing gusts of destruction and debris at our retreat.

"Whew!... That was a close one!...", Rex said as we darted back into the entrance of Kinan Van, of which we were the last patrol to seek shelter.

"Yeah...", I said as I dismounted. "One more gust like that and I was afraid Klamath would fly right off me!"

"Negative.", Klamath said. "You and I are one."

"Just an expression...!", I told him, then a northern gust blew sheets of stinging rain into the entrance. "Everyone get back!...", I shooed the two guards further into the entrance.

"How are the survivors holding out?", Rex asked.

"Oh, just fine!", Six-Eleven the Postal Bird said as he swooped up and perched on Rex's muzzle. "Snug as bugs in a rug!... Hee, hee!..."

"How are the other outposts?", I asked no one in particular. "We're going to need word..."

"Well, you're not getting me out in THAT mess!...", the bird pointed. "It would blow me all the way to Pteros!..."

"I wouldn't ask you to risk your life so...", I told him. "But it looks to me like we're all going to have to wait this out...", I led the way deeper into the bowels of Kinan Van.

As I said, the first sign that things weren't going to be normal was the fact that the cycle started several months earlier than it usually does, dumping torrential rain over the entire northern quadrant of the island for days on end. Another sign was the usual small storms that come next were all just as powerful as the large one that usually comes normally, and the fact that there were twice as many of them. The first storm foinally abated, and we went out to acess the damage to our towns in the Rainy Basin; and though waterlogged and for the most part intact, all of them would need major restructuring before anyone could live in them again. The cycle gave us a two day restbit before it circled around again and hit us with nearly twice the force as the first one.

The eighteen hour tsunami swept in land and nearly finished the destruction the first storm started, and then the island enjoyed a second restbit of about eight hours. For days on end this cycle repeated itself, storms going back out to sea to reload it's suply of rain and energy; and when the really big one hit, it was nothing short of biblical in its' intensity! It encompassed the entire island, sending blinding rain and lightning over wide areas and blasting the land with hurricane force winds; destroying nearly every structure made of wood and severely damaging even the most sturdy stone structure; and this one lasted for two full days before abating.

The island only had a twelve hour restbit from this storm when the second one hit from the northwest, and what was not completely destroyed by her sister, this one nearly completed the job! The land was blasted to near uselessness, and every tree and structure in the Rainy Basin bore the scars of all that devastation. Our estimates told us that it would take quite a long time to rebuild and repair everything above ground; but fortunately both Kinan Van and Halcyon went virtually unscathed, only minor flooding in the lower regions of these citys occurred as well as flooding in the World Beneath.

Rain still whipping down, we all ventured out to the other cities and towns surrounding the Rainy Basin and saw sights akin to battle zones, where the remnants of structures and other manmade things lay strewn around like the wreckage of some ship washed up on shore. It broke our hearts when we came upon some casualties, or some injured ones whom we quickly tended to; for thiers was the worst ordeal of all, ours was merely riding it out in our protected cities! We tended these victims and stayed behind to help set things right, but it looked like the island would need more help than just what we could provide.

The storms that came after that lessened by increments after that, but there were no less than six of them; petering out to mere tropical storms and lessening to gentle showers. During this time we ventured out far and abroad, assisting in any way we could; helping to repair one town or city, assisting with any of the wounded and disposing in our own way the bodies of the really unfortunate ones. In this two months of disaster we felt it our duty to pitch in and help those that needed it; and that was why there were so few deaths, even though all of those were truely heartfelt.

During the storms I had gone out on reconnesence patrols from the air, riding Kiawa the Skybax Strutter fast over the blasted landscape and reporting back when I was done. I had become curious on how LaSage and her men had ridden out the storms so far, and winged my way to king Adolpho's castle between the third and fourth lulls. What I saw down below was what I had half expected: thier town was in ruins and anything not a permanent fixture was blown to the four corners of the area.

There was not a soul in sight in the town proper, and the castle had many damaged areas, mostly missing terra cotta roof tiles and blown aside scaffolding; and when I flew over head I saw the whole courtyard below crammed as full as possible with humans and saurians, waiting in line to be shown to chambers deeper into the castle. One lone Bracheosaur sat forlornly crouched beneath a parapet overhang, half exposed to the elements with an extremely unsatisfyed look on his face. It was then that I circled low and prepared to make a verticle landing in the courtyard. The folks down below saw this terror from the sky, screamed and yelled as they rushed madly for the porticos around the courtyard and scrambled aside to give Kiawa room to land. Using his thrusters only, wings half folded, Kiawa landed with a thud right in the center of the courtyard; and began to fold her wings as her metallic talons hit the cobbles.

As I hopped down, Talon resealed the canopy faring and finished folding her wings against her body; then several blue uniformed guards came around, but only so close before they scurried away, evidentally going to get someone in charge. The poor Bracheosaur moaned as he saw us, recognising me but not the metallic bird I flew in on; and I smiled and shrugged helplessly, indicating his extremely cramped hiding place. Just then, from the crowd of beings still trying to elbow thier way inside, stepped two familiar figures; one tall, large and male and the other shorter, more lythe and female. Quint spied Kiawa and nonchalauntly edged closer to her while LaSage saw me and immediately stormed up to me.

"Well Stinger,", she stated. "What brings you here?"

"Just seeing how you're holding out.", I told her. "I was on patrol in the area, seeing if anybody else needed help. I saw your town and thought I'd go see..."

"That's all very nice,", she said. "But we can take care of ourselves!"

"I see...", I said, then heard a metallic snap and Quint backing away from Kiawa quickly! "She doesn't like strangers...!", I shooed him back further.

"So, I guess you'll be leaving...", LaSage said.

"Well, I'd like to see your place.", I said. "Where are all the townspeople?... How are they being taken care of?... You know. Things like that."

"Oh,... Then if you insist...", LaSage began, then the Brach bellowed again! "Look fella, it's the best I can do!... The joint ain't exactly made for your klind, you know!..."

"The poor guy looks miserable...", I observed, turning to the gigantic creature. "It might be better if you tuck your head in that doorway over there.", the Brach saw, nodded and complied; causing mild mayhem inside!

"Mmm.., hmmm!...", LaSage chortled. "Follow me!..."

I followed her toward a portal on the western side of the courtyard, Quint coming around to push aside the stray humans and small saurians that were vying for spaces inside. Among them were more blue uniformed guards of LaSage as well as the odd smattering of pirates, all of which were trying to make room for them all; however much good that did for them - there must have been a thousand small saurians and humans just in this area of the castle!

A way was forced through the crowd, and we traveled the person lined halls to the main dining hall; which was set up barracks-like with sleeping mats covering nearly every square inch of space, and the table was on its' side against a row of columns like a partition. Behind this partition were small areas for saurians and larger families, and as we went around that we came to the entrance to the lower chambers of the castle. Here was rooms full of all kinds of supplies and provisions, cords of firewood lined a hallway, and barrels of water filled two of the rooms. LaSage had stockpiled enough stuff here to last everyone a number of weeks!

After she showed me this, she led the way through the people-lined passageways to the paddocks; where they decided to house the larger saurians of the town, and any caravan puller that had no choice but to seek shelter here. For the crowd and the hundreds of tons of dinosaur flesh present, moralle in the paddocks were about as low as a Dinotopian could get. Nearly all of them were grumbling and near to arguement, and several of the feistier species were already well beyond that point. While two Pachycephalosaurs sparred, many members of other species were in the middle of alternately encouraging them to be quiet or just plain encouraging them!

"Enough, you two!...", Quint hopped the paddock gate and got in between them. "If you can't behave, you get seperate rooms!...", he shoved them apart, took one in a headlock and pulled him out.

"That's no way for Dinotopians to act!...", I pointed to the other one, who went to sulk in a corner.

"They seem to get antsy being so crowded in...", LaSage explained.

"How long they been in here?", I asked.

"Two,... three...", she thought.

"Days?", I added.

"Weeks.", she finished. "But what can we do? You see the storms out there!"

"I know.", I said to her, then turned to every dinosaur there. "And I think you are making a brave effort!... Torres LaSage has gratiousely allowed you to stay with her, and protect you to the best of her ability from the storms ravaging the island.", I smiled. "Now I know it doesn't seem like much, but one must take what one can in times like this."

"So dummy up!...", Quint said as he came back.

"We try our best,...", Lasage elbowed the larger man. "But help doesn't come without a price.", she led me out of there and back into the courtyard through many crowded passageways.

"What do you mean, without a price?", I asked as soon as we were in the open.

"Well, most of the travelers came with thier supplies.", she said. "I just added thiers with ours, and we got enough stuff to ride out the storms."

"You mean you took all they had?", I sounded surprised, but I really wasn't.

"Look, between the lot, I don't think it would last so long.", she said. "Just pooling the rescources."

"And you're going to give back what's left over...", I said.

"Why?", she asked. "They can always get more when the cycle is over."

"What if they can't?", I asked. "These storms are doing more damage to thier homes than you can imagine! The Weathercasters are predicting even more intense storms, and you'd be lucky if the castle survives either!"

"One's got to make a living, you know!", LaSage shot back.

"You know, I was beginning to think you had changed, but it looks like I was wrong!...", with that I climbed aboard Kiawa and closed the faring.

LaSage and Quint shrugged as they turned to retreat into a side door, stopping only to berate the Brach who was bellowing again.

"Let's get out of here, Kiawa.", I told the Skybax Strutter.

"I detect more atmospheric disturbances coming from the southwest.", she told me. "Wind speed indicates it would be upon us before we reach home."

"Then let's grab sky!", I told her. "I mean, let's leave with all due haste!"

Kiawa prepared for takeoff, but since the castle courtyard was too cramped for a proper takeoff, she gimballed her legs so her beak was facing straight up. Partially unfurling her wings, she kicked in her Dinojet engines and blasted nearly straight up. When she cleared the highest parapet of king Adolpho's castle, her wings deployed completely; and she spiraled to a level position before using her thrusters again, and soon she was at her full mach-1 speed and careening over the waterlogged countryside. We made it back to clan Thundertail just as the ravages of the next storm made flying nearly impossible.

So, as I've said, weeks of storms passed, then months of them; and finally the seven year cycle was over, and all that was left to do was to clean up in its' wake. We did more than our fair share of work helping in that department too, and we gave assistance to all who needed it after we repaired everything in the Rainy Basin. The cleanup process took many months more, but eventually things began running just like normal. Not long after that goods began flowing and business began thier own processes of recovery.

It was then that we received word from the high council to attend a special meeting in one week's time, and it didn't say the exact reason for the meeting. Our message via Postal Bird stated we would be glad to attend, and would be there before the proposed meeting. When the time came, Rex, Thundertail, Ripper and Snapper went along with me; and we were received at Waterfall city like returning heroes. Our things were stored and we were ushered to the council chambers led by Rosemary and followed by the gigantic crowd that had collected to greet us.

We were so crowded in that we didn't notice any of the others to be at the meeting, but we were escorted to our booth in the upper tier of the chamber. Fairly soon the hall was filled with delegates and other guests, and mayor Waldo Seville appeared at his ship's bow podium high above the floor; but he didn't start the meeting right away for some strange reason. Soon the council chamber doors opened and two nefarious people stalked down the center aisle and sat near the front. I nearly stood and balked when LaSage and Quint looked up at me defiantly!

"Good. Now the meeting can begin", Waldo said as he tapped the gavel. "Miss LaSage, I trust your trip here was satisfactory..."

"We made it here, didn't we?", she replied.

"Your honor. may I speak?", I asked.

"Of course.", he replied.

"May I speak with Rosemary Seville in private, please?", I asked.

"Of course you may!", Rosemary rose and left the chamber to reappear in the booth. "What is it, Stinger?"

"What is she doing here?", I nearly whispered.

"Torres LaSage helped out in the storm disaster.", she told me. "She has just as much right to be here as you!"

"May I tell you just how she helped?", I said. "True she helped shelter many people; but she kept all thier supplies, and treated some of them bad!"

"The reports from the ones in her care told a different story.", Rosemary said. "She did not keep all thier supplies. She let them have enough to return to thier homes and kept the rest. They said that what she took was adequate payment for thier protection, and no offense was voiced."

"I stand corrected...", I told her. "I'm sorry for misjudging her..."

"No offense taken.", she smiled. "Maybe it's your outside world skepticism getting in the way!"

"And the big question.", I said, smiling finally. "Why are we here?"

"That you'll just have to find out for yourself, like everyone else!", Rosemary rose and went to take her place on the council chamber floor.

"I'm glad you're back, my love!", Waldo said. He was pausing the meeting for her return. "And what was on Stinger's mind?"

"He was curious as to why he was summoned.", she said.

"I was wondering that myself!", LaSage said, but Waldo raised a finger.

"Ah! And if you're patient, we all shall see!", the mayor said.

Mayor Waldo Seville cleared his throat and looked at the notes before him, shuffling them around, basically wasting time as all good politicians are want to do. The people and saurians on the floor and up in the booths shuffled and murmured softly, like all delegates are want to do; and then Waldo finally looked up and tapped the gavel.

"Ladies and gentilebeings of the court.", he began. "As you all well know, a great tragedy has recently befallen the island. The seven year cycle of storms has inundated the island like it has never done before, causing untold destruction and claimed hundreds of lives. It was the fortitude and tenacity of all of us that allowed us to survive at all; but it was the help and courage of one group of people that surely turned the tides in this tragedy...", he looked up at our booth. "Mayor Stinger of the Rainy Basin, would you please step to the floor?"

I nearly tripped getting out of our booth, Rex chuckling at my clumsiness, and I regally walked down the center aisle to stand directly before him. He had come around and was now standing at the head of the aisle, Minch at attendance from a side table. I bowed and smiled, and this was his cue to continue.

"Mayor Stinger of the rainy Basin, your people have performed admirably during the storms.", he said. "Your strategic planning and almost military excecution of your protection was unsurpassed in all the history of Dinotopia. Let it be known that you have the whole islands' eternal gratitude."

"Thank you, lord mayor.", I said.

"Therefore, as a token of our appreciation, I award you this medal on behalf of all your people...", Mayor Waldo Seville turned as Minch stepped up with a small purple case.

Inside was a bronze star shaped medallion with arrays of gems and Sunstone chips on a purple and red striped sash. Waldo held it high as I bowed to allow him to place it over my head. As the people in the council chamber applauded, he took my hand and pumped it enthusiastically! As everything began to ebb and Waldo released my hand, I turned to go; but he stayed me with a gesture and had me wait at his side.

"Now, on to the next bit of business!", Waldo continued as the applause finally died. "Torres LaSage, would you please step up?"

"Sure, mayor...", she rose and stood in front of him. "What do I get?..."

Waldo made shushing gestures to her as she chuckled. "Ahem!... Miss Torres LaSage. Your contribution of help during this crisis did not go unnoticed, either!", he smiled. "We have been made aware of how you provided shelter to many upstanding citizens during the worst of the storms. We realise that, through your previous demeanor over the years, that this must have been a terrible inconvenience to you and your men. However, recent indications show that you are looking at things from the other side of the bog; if you take my meaning!", he made a strange twitch at her reaction. "Because of your service to the people of this island, any and all offenses made by you in the past are hereby suspended; even though they will still be a matter of public record."

"Thanks, mayor!", she said.

"Furthermore, as a token of our appreciation, we award you this token of our esteem...", Waldo continued as Minch produced another case.

Hers was a brassy shieldlike medallion with pearl and emerald sequines, and the dark and light green ribbon was unfurled by Waldo. She bowed to accept the medallion, and he bent to kiss her hand. He gave a strange look as he noticed Rosemary watching him intently, and rose back to a standing position. He cleared his throat and continued his speech.

"Your two groups have shown us that even a former nemesis can be a great help.", he said. "On behalf of every citizen of Dinotopia, I salute you!", he placed his hand over his heart.

Before either of us could utter a thanks or other comment, the whole room was engulfed in cheering, drowning out any chance to do so. LaSage and I were told by Waldo's eyes that we could now be seated, and we left Waldo's presence as one. I could barely hear Quint's comment to LaSage as I passed: 'How much you think it's worth?', I think it was! Shaking my head, I went back to the Rainy Basin booth upstairs.

The meeting went on for a while longer, for there were other Dinotopian citizens that the mayor had to praise; and when it was over we attended another meeting before realising we had to return to the Rainy Basin. After that life went on and got as normal as it usually does, and we nearly completely forgot about that terrible season of storms; but it wasn't long before we saw some signs, and began to realise that our disaster was only a small part of a much bigger calamity!...

_____

[thundertail]

SIXTY-FIVE: "Soundings..."

Little Sally Turner climbed down off her friend, only a baby, yet still a dozen feet tall, and quite short for a Bracheosaur; and marveled at the thing she saw washed up on the beach.

"What is it?", Harry the Brach squinted. "Looks like a house!"

"It IS a house...", Sally paced closer. "At least part of one..."

The very corner of a modern day suburban home stood before them, blocking some of the combers coming in. It was complete with shingles, two vinyl-clad outer walls and a window, and the eighteen foot by twenty-six foot by eleven foot piece sat planted in the sand.

"That can't be a house.", Sally commented as she finally climbed down off it. "It isn't one of ours, at any rate..."

"Well, whatever it is, we should tell papa right away!...", Harry said as he crouched to accept his Partner.

Several miles further north up the beach, another strange object was found; or rather, many of the same kind. Ropo the Triceratops bellowed and pulled his cart to a stop, and Clarence Grates could not get him moving again.

"What is it?", Clarence asked. "Get a move on!"

"Look around...!", Ropo bellowed, for his Partner was a bit short sighted. "There is flotsam on the beach!"

The plastic and metal cases were nearly as large as Ropo, squareish and angled at thier bottoms. They were the cargo modules that fit into the fuselages of aircraft, and the wreckage of that aircraft was strewn all up and down the beach; and from the extent of the damage, Ropo figured there would be no survivors. Clarence squinted and gawked, but only saw blurred images of white objects and no detail.

"What happened here?", the human asked.

"I don't know, but I think we should get help...", Ropo turned his cart around. "There is too much flotsam for me to carry anyway..."

Clear on the other side of the island a strange thing washed up on the beach in the name of a portable commode, and several miles south a ten speed bicycle was found up in an acacia tree. On the Outer Island many multicolored cargo containers, and the small cargo ship they came from was seen foundering on the brink of the Razor Reef in the stormy distance. In fact, so many strange things were found washed up that people began to wonder just what was happening!

Not knowing what else to do, the beachcombers made contact with the high council in Waterfall City; but the council could not think what to make of this strange phenomona, and the beachcombers began to send what they had found to Waterfall City. For many weeks things kept on coming from the outside world, from the ordinary like lawn furniture and beach umbrellas to the really strange like sporting equipment and canned foodstuffs. So much stuff was swept ashore that nobody knew what to do with it, and pretty soon all the citizens all over the island began to clamor to the council for a solution to this strange perdicament!

The first thing the council did was to summon every newcomer on the island, no matter what they were doing or where they ended up being; and take them to where these strange things were being stored so they could at least identify most of the things the average Dinotopian could not. Soon most of the survivors of the Millennium Queen filled the still half flooded streets of Waterfall City, Pteros, Canyon City, Sauropolis and many of the seaports holding these strange items; and it wasn't long before I was summoned as well, for I would be as great a help as any of the others. I was shown the Warehouses in Waterfall City that housed these thin gs, and could not believe the quantity of things there!

"And you say these things were washed up everywhere?", I asked Minch.

"Precisely.", Minch consulted the inventory list of things. "These were found on the Crachshell coast...", pointing at several airline cargo modules. "This was at Cape Turtletail.", the ten speed bike had browned seaweed still clinging to the spokes. "All this was in that other container, and found off the Outer Island.", a pile of canned dog food and several cases of canned vegetables lay beside it.

There were other newcomers in the warehouse, pouring over the all too familiar things. A boy came out of a pile of sporting goods, carrying a plastic bat and equally plastic ball; and his sister wormed her way out of a pile of stuffed animals, holding her prise of a skinny doll. A rotund lady was holding a mechanical can opener, and on her way to another huge parcel of canned goods. Weems, the purser of the Millennium Queen, was around; and he was claiming a case of office supplies for his own. Waters was there, and so was Christopho; and they were trying to divide the contents of another type of plastic bin; which contained several pairs of leather boots. I just let them do this and returned to Minch, who was still going threough his list, and I was ignoring him.

"You know, there has to be a reason why all this is here...", I said aloud, breaking Minch from his rattling. "Everything has a logical solution, doesn't it?"

"I'm sure you're correct, sir...", he paused. "But I haven't a clue as to what it might be."

"I think we better find out.", I said. "What if this is somehow connected to why our seven year storm was so bad?"

"Then it bears further examination.", said Minch. "I must go. I have to prepare things for tonight's council meeting...", he scurried off after handing me the clipboard.

Shrugging, I took the clipboard and finished up his inventory; making a note to myself to request some of the items I inventoried to be sent to clan Thundertail. During my time there, many of the newcomers came to me and asked many questions, from where this all came from to drawing the same conclusions I was beginning to come to; and I resolved to put to the court as to just what they were going to do about it. Before too long every newcomer was summoned to the council chambers and me along with them.

"Ladies and gentilebeings...", mayor Waldo Seville announced after tapping his gavel. "Once again Dinotopia is faced with a strange dilemma. Over the course of these many weeks, floods of strange objects began appearing on our shores. These items come from the outside world, as it appears; and it is unknown to us as to just why they are here. As to any useful bit of flotsam that washes ashore, much of these things can be put to useful purposes; and all will be distributed as seen fit."

"Your honor.", a newcomer said. "Where did these things come from? I mean, besides the outside world?"

"That is unknown at the time.", Waldo said. "At best guess, they could have come from anywhere."

"Why are they washing up?", asked a female newcomer.

"That is also unknown at this time.", Waldo told her.

"Shouldn't we go find out?", asked another.

"We want to know!", shouted another.

This brought on many shouts and accusations from the newcomers; asking, begging and demanding the court to do something or tell them what to do. I looked around at the angry mob in the making and stood, then raised my hands in a useless gesture of silence. The mayor had been tapping his gavel for some time now, and he was just about to send the court guards to clear the courtroom when Almasaur, in his cubicle above the main floor; bellowed loud and long, gradually silencing everyone.

"Thank you, my friend...", Waldo said. "Now, if there is any more outbursts, I will clear the courtroom!...", he adjusted his robes. "Now,... Mayor Stinger. Do you have any insight on this phenomona?"

"I think I may have some answers,", I rose. "But this is mere speculation, and may not be the truth."

"Please go on.", he encouraged.

"Well. Remember the seven year storm cycle? How it was more intense than anything on record?", he nodded as the rest of the courtroom hung on my every word. "Well, what if this and the fact of all these things washing up on shore is a part of something much bigger? What if there is something going on in the outside world that is effecting the whole planet? What if we are merely seeing signs of something catastrophic to the whole world?"

"What are you getting at?", Waldo asked. "What can possibly happen to make all these strange things happen?"

"When I was in the outside world, I heard of the way humans manage the plantes' rescources; but I never paid too much mind to it.", I said. "We pollute out oceans and skies, kill off whole species of plants and animals, exploit every aspect of the world; and it is all because of our arrogance, greed and ignorance that we did not stop.", I told everyone. "What if, in the outside world, mankind has tipped the balance of the world out of kilter; and is causing all kinds of disaster?"

"Do you think that's true?", Waldo said, then chuckled. "Then if so, the world is trying to fight back!"

"No, Waldo. Stinger might be right.", Rosemary spoke. "If the humans in the outside world has managed the world so unwisely as to upset the balance of the world; then this would explain the intensity of the seven year storm cycle!", she looked at me. "And the amount of flotasm found would indicate a global natural disaster, or a series of them, that has already occurred.", she looked at the people. "I dread to think of what has befallen the people in the outside world!..."

It would seem that Rosemary's asessment of what happened sparked more discord in the courtroom than my speculation ever did! Nearly all of the newcomers there shouted words of concern and voiced all sorts of things that were unprintable, things totally out of context with being Dinotopians! My concerns were of the fate of the world as well as the fate of us on Dinotopia; but I knew shouting about it would not do any good, so I remained silent and looked at these people, shouting their concerns.

"What about our families out there!", one woman screamed.

"I got friends out there!", a younger man shouted.

"What are we going to do about this?!", one said, and many shouted agreement.

"My country will not stand for this destruction!", shouted another proud man.

"Oh, my god!... We're all doomed!...", another lady moaned.

"People!... People!", Waldo shouted above them all, tapping the gavel. "I'm sure your former governments have this well in hand!... They will do what ever is necesary to make sure those people are safe!..."

"So far this catastrophie has only had us suffer a little.", Rosemary tried to explain. "The Sunstones that protect us has done so in the past, and will do so again!"

"I will contribute more Sunstones to strengthen our defenses, if that will help.", I offered.

"That might be a good idea.", Rosemary said. "It might help at that!"

"In the mean time, there is nothing we can do for the people of the outside world.", Waldo concluded. "My suggestion to you is to forget about them and try to get back to a normal life here. I trust you are finding your lives satisfactory?..."

"Yes, but...", one commented.

"Excellent!... Now I suggest that you not worry.", Waldo smiled. "Dinotopia will not let you suffer like those of the outside world."

"But what about us?", a different man said. "Whose to say that the same can't happen to us?"

"Just look outside!... The sun is shining and the weather is almost always fair!... We will get through any catastrophie the world has to offer, for our founders have made this island a haven...", he looked at these troubled people. "Now please return to your homes. Breathe deep, seek peace!... This meeting is adjourned...", he tapped the gavel.

As the meeting broke up, I could tell that the solution the mayor proposed did not go over well for these concerned people, not well indeed, I'm afraid! The grumblings were extensive as they filed out, and I had concerns that they might do something rash in order to do something about this. Even though I had accepted my fate on being here long ago, these people had only been here only a short time; and I feared they migh try to find a way off the island to help those people on the outside world! I stood with Rex outside the council chambers to view these people as they grudging left to thier new homes, and suddenly Rosemary was beside me.

"Those poor people.", she commented. "First to be stranded here, and now to find out that thier former homes might be devastated..."

"It's a cruel blow, the way things are right now.", I said. "But I hope they realise there's nothing they can do."

"Oh, Stinger! Do you suppose they might do something rash?", she asked.

"If I were in thier place, I suppose that is quite possible.", I said. "Maybe I should keep an eye on them."

"If you do, please do it discreetly.", she said. "They would no doubt think you are one of us, and not trust you."

"I am!", I smiled. "But I'm also one of them. I've accepted my fate, but I am still concerned for my family on the outside world. I often think of them when I sleep."

"As is only natural.", she said.

"But I realise I can do nothing to help them.", I told her. "Besides, they can handle themselves! They will get through this. I know it!"

"But will THESE people?...", she left before I could answer.

Rex and I made it back home a few days later, more perplexed at what had been revealed than we thought we could be. We told everybody what was going on, and what was speculated about what was going on in the outside world; the council's inability and unwillingness to help, and the fact that I could not come up with any answers for all those confused and frightened people. King Thundertail told us not to worry about it too much through the rainstorm we walked through on the way to the nearest shelter, and for the time being I did as I was told.

More rain fell in showers in nearly every corner of the island, short ones that fell in the most unusual places; and in places where rainfall was uncommon, as the rivulets tracing through the outskirts of the Great Desert was reporting thier first actual floods in a millennia. The snow on the mountain peaks of both the Backbone and the Forbidden mountain chains clung to the peaks for longer periods of time, and the volcano at Volcaneum was becoming dangerousely active. With each reported anomalous natural event, more people became more concerned; and this vindicated the newcomers' fears about the situation in the outside world, staging protests and causing scenes with discussions of thier views.

Still, the high council would not budge on thier policics; claiming ignorance and begging forgiveness for it, but offering help to the folks in the stricken areas. This did not satisfy these people at all, and as word reached the ears in the Rainy Basin, many came to me to get advice and voice thier outrage at the councils' lack of action. Many times I had to tell them that I could do nothing to sway thier position; but this urged them to press me to take action on my own. As all these solicitations came pouring in, many an hour it seemed; I finally told them that I would hold a meeting with the council of the Rainy Basin, and try to figure out what it was I could do - for I had no clue!

"Let this special meeting commence.", Thundertail rumbled. "Minutes for discussion are the recent events that indicates problems of global impact and what exactly can be done about it.", he turned, then added. "Mayor Stinger has the floor."

"Greetings one and all.", I said as I stepped to the podium in the ampetheatre at Halcyon. "As my king has stated, we have a few issues to discuss. The recent events, both in Dinotopia as well as the things that appear to be happening in the outside world, have truely hit us all. We are all concerned about these things, and from the turnout here today, there are many of you that wish to see something done about it."

"What exactly are you going to do about it, Stinger?", one of the newcomers asked. "Your record shows you're smart and decisive, and always accomplish anything you set out to do."

"Thank you for the compliment, but I really am no different than any of you.", I said. "To tell you the truth, I don't really know what to do in this case...!", I shrugged. "What is it that you want me to do?", I asked helplessly.

"We want to know exactly what is going on in the outside world!", one of them shouted.

"We need to know if our families out there are all right!", announced another.

"We are so worried they are dead or something!", a female said loudly.

"How do you supopose we're to do that?", I said to them. "We're cut off from the rest of the world, you know!"

"Wait Stinger, maybe there IS a way...!", Waters said.

"What do you got?", I asked.

"Remember the equipment and things we got from the Millennium Queen?", I nodded. "There's electronic parts and stuff there. Maybe we could cobble together parts and make a radio receiver or something from them. Walker and I can scrounge the parts, and Flit and others can provide some sort of power source..."

"And we will need a way to get it as far from Dinotopia as is safe.", Flit added. "Some thing or some one that can fly out, perhaps, and carry the radio to where the transmissions would be the strongest..."

"Kiawa could do it.", I thought. "She might be immune to the lightning in the perpetual storm."

"But her range is only a short distance.", Rex said.

"Perhaps we could place a Sunstone at a strategic place so her range is increased.", Flit put in.

"That's thinking, guys!", I said, then turned to the newcomers. "If we find out what's going on, will you be satisfyed and go back to your lives here?"

"It would be a relief if we at least knew something...", one said, and most of them agreed.

"Ok then, it's settled.", I said. "We all should get to work on this right away.", then added. "I suggest that this plan remain secret, and nobody outside of this room should know."

"Why?", Pincushion asked. "If we find out anything important, the whole island would want to know."

"The high council doesn't want the outside world to know we're here.", I told him. "What we are doing would risk our detection. They would never approve of this if they knew!", I smiled. "Besides, if we do, we will certainly tell them anyway; only after the fact!"

"Then if there is nothing more to add to this meeting,", Thundertail said. "I call this meeting adjourned..."

Many of the newcomers went home after that, but some did not; for thier concerns were stronger than the rest, and they had ideas that would help us fulfill thier wishes. The rest of clan Thundertail scarcely knew what we were doing as we worked, scrounged parts and made preparations to set our plan into motion; and only the ones we asked to help had the slightest inkling. No one knew why we needed the extremely large Sunstone we borrowed from our growing stockpile, nor did they know why we had several of them help find small parts; like the crystals taken from dozens of radios found on the Millennium Queen and other sources, electronic patrt and the like, and Christopho couldn't understand why we wanted his electrical Sunstone generator he had found in the debris of the World Beneath.

Discreetly we asked Talon if she would do this for us, gradually and carefully explaining what her purpose would be; and though she balked at first, she soon grew to understand the importance of finding out what was going on was to these people. She agreed that, to keep the peace around here, they certainly would need to know such things, and reluctantly agreed to carry the radio as far as she could. Flit soon got to work overhauling her systems and improving her capacity to handle electricity, insulating any sensitive systems against the perpetual storm's unpredictable lightning; and before long she was in perfect working order, and ready for what might become the most dangerous flight in her mechanical life!

The radio, when done, looked like nothing but a conglomeration of parts, both from the outside worls and Dinotopia; tubes and wires connecting one component to the other, all cobbled together on plates of sheet metal and crudely covered with a custom made wooden box. It was too large to fit on a pilot's lap, so it would have to be installed up front, where the gunner would have sat; and the control panel for the thing had to be taken off the main body and snaked up through to the pilot's area with wires. To maximise range further, the antenna was hooked into Kiawa's systems, making her whole metallic body the antenna; and hopefully increasing the range considerably.

The small Sunstone generator within the radio would provide the powerfor it, and also draw the energy from the larger Sunstone on shore to Kiawa, increasing her range as well. Even with all these modifications to Kiawa, we dared not launch her from the Rainy Basin, for we wanted this mission to be as successful as possible; so we would load her on a cart and take her to the shore we deemed was closest to civilization and launch her from there, and set up the larger Sunstone from that spot. Since I was an experienced Air Force pilot and had the most flying experience with the metallic Skybax, I was the only logical choice to pilot her through the perpetual storm. My only worry through all this was if all the preparation work we did was adequate enough!

Once all the preparations were set, we loaded Kiawa onto a wheeled sledge; and had Tunneau the mechanical Bracheosaur Strutter pull it for us. Tunneau encouraged Kiawa with his mechanical bellowing many times during the journey, and all of us made Kiawa as comfortable as possible as well. Our destination was Windy Point, a wide isthemus of land between the town of Aftercastle and the Crystal Caverns; a place that was northernmost on the island, and yet wide enough to make proper landing in case Kiawa was blown off course, and the fact that the wide plains just above the cliffs there made a pretty smooth runway.

Our caravan headed north, across some near barren territory past the town of Redwick and onward to the foot of Windy Point. Flit nursed Kiawa constantly, checking her alchohol fuel was topped off and all her electronics were at peak operating capacity. When we got to the ideal spot on the point, we looked out over the crystal blue ocean and the rioling maelstrom that was the perpetual storm far out on the horizon. We lashed together three long logs and set them up like a tripod; then Trunneau craned the basketball sized Sunstone into place at its' apex. I climbed aboard Kiawa after she stepped off the sledge and began the preflight checklist; not leaving out testing the cobbled together radio receiver in the front seat, scanning frequencies and testing it with a walkie talkie we had brought along.

When things were as ready as they were going to be, Kiawa leapt into the air and circled the group we had left on the ground; and squawked loudly in a farewell before circling out over the ocean. The radio bleated out its' usual volume of static as I tried it over the VHF band, and found nothing yet on the UHF band. As I switched to the military band, ther first tendrils of the perpetual storm played across Kiawa's wings; but still got nothing but errant pops and whistles. As the rains began to lash across Kiawa's steel hide I switched to the TV frequencies, receiving garbled sounds of program soundtracks, but nothing of interest was broadcast.

The perpetual storm, angered that an intruder was in its' midst, rumbled and roiled, sending whips of rain willy-nilly at us; and it took much of the Strutter's skill to counteract the crazy winds. Thunder boiled in the atmosphere, and lightning splayed the clouds like a searchlight looking for us, but Kiawa kept a good heading; north, like our intended course dictated. My search of the airwaves was proving fruitless as I exasperatedly flipped through the channels, coming close but not quite to stations that might have some life on it; and as Kiawa dodged wind current and storm cell, I carried on until the Skybax Strutter finally came out on clearer air!

We were finally outside the realm of Dinotopia!

"I am getting weak.", Kiawa told me. "I must be coming out of Sunstone range."

"Can you hover around here?", I asked. "I want to test further east...", I fumbled the radio controls.

"Very well.", Kiawa said. "That passage was pretty rough..."

I scanned in this clearer air, and began to get hits on many frequencies now; pausing to see if there was any news or other announcements being broadcast. Within an hour and a half, I got many pieces of information; and Klamath said he was automatically recording the transmissions, but what he recorded only worsened my fears!

~"...Officials in Malasia report that 15,000 homes are destroyed by the tsunami that hit the area. A half million are homeless, and there are 25,000 people unaccounted for as of this afternoon..."~

~"...As an added attraction to the Medeterranean, Mount Etna on the island of Sicly has become active. Surrounding towns are urged to evacuate..."~

~"...N.O.A.A reports that the entire Ross Ice Shelf has broken free of Antartica. They estimate that the worlds' oceans will rise by an average of eight feet..."~

~"...The environmentalists blame global warming for every natural disaster in the world!... Now they claim that it is all our fault!..."~

~"...Well Bill, if the capitalists did not exploit the rescources of the planet, burn harmful chemicals into the air and fill the planet with pollution; then the environment could conceivably support us!..."~

~"...The officials in Venice, Italy urge thier citizens to evacuate to the upper floors; as the partial breakup of the Ross Ice Shelf a decade ago flooded many of the lower streets of that city..."~

~"...Once again California is in the news. For decades deforestation by wildfire was a yearly problem. Now the San Andreas fault system is causing gas main breakage, and fires as a result are ravaging the entire state..."~

~"...Canadian officials claim that the lack of ice in Hudson Bay is the direct reason for the near extinction of the Polar bears. My take on this is it is their over hunting!..."~

~"...San Fransisco has suffered another quake, completely destroying the Golden Gate Bridge..."~

~"...The depletion of the Ozone layer has caused many to produce skin cancer. So bring plenty of sunblock when you visit the beach today!..."~

~"...Pollution gradient for Bejing is the highest it has been all year. We reccomend all citizens to stay indoors unless absolutely necesary..."~

~"...Avalanches in the Himalyas has cut off many villages in Nepal and Uttarakhand. Climbers scaling K2 reports whole expedition scaling Everest has been lost..."~

I heard many more reports from all over the world, many translated by Klamath; who later edited them into a coherent cross section of what was going on in the world. As I listened, I bgean to draw my conclusions; and none of them was any good! It seemed that the exploits of mankind was irrevokably destroying the planet. I saw how these events, and many more that might be happening, would be so monumental as to effect the ecology and weather of Dinotopia. This news was not good, and it would only make the newcomers more concerned; but it was something they needed to know, and I had Kiawa turn about and head back home.

We entered the perpetual storm, and was immediately gripped with gale winds and crazy air currents; strafed with blinding rain and bonbed with many lightning flashes. Kiawa dodged any danger, and maneuvered herself expertly; but the storm seemed jealous that we could escape it, and threw its' full fury at us. The lightning began finding range, and they exploded around us with increasing accuracy; rocking Kiawa with increasing nearness, blinding me and making her control lights dim with each shot. Kiawa had used nearly half her alchohol fuel getting out beyond the storm and staying there long enough to gather the information, and the strain of her trick flying and the rage of the storm was beginning to take its' toll. I guess that was why she missed one of the next lightning bolts, and it struck one of her wings!

Kiawa barrel rolled until I grasped her controls and assisted her to level flight; but I could tell that her maneuverability was impaired, and the charge was enough to electronically knock her out somewhat. I aided her all the way, waggling and half limping mere yards above the roiling water below; and then the storms began to wane, and I saw that we were too low. I used Klamath's strength on the controls, jockeying for more height as Kiawa was coming to; but she was too injured to make more than a cursory assistence, feathering her flight in a lazy sort of way. At the breakwater I gave it all she had, and gained enough altitude to clear the cliffs; but Kiawa was too sluggish to lower her feet in time and we skidded in the soft earth many huindreds of yards east of where we first took off.

I manually opened the faring and jumped down as Flit and the rest of the group came running toward us. Flit scuttled up to Kiawa as Rex, Pincushion and many more came on the run; Tunneau stomping up from the rear, bellowing his concern. Kiawa lay there, mechanically squawking in apparent pain; but Strutters can't feel pain, can they? Flit had Tunneau turn Kiawa over, and he found that the lightning bolt had fused a wing joint; and the crash landing broke one of her feet. Flit kept on consoling the great flying creature, telling her she was brave as Tunneau lowered her onto the sledge. I walked up to them and stood there.

"Is she going to be OK?", I asked.

"Affirmative.", Flit said. "A few spare parts and she'll be right as rain!...", he looked at me with his eyelights, "Her damage sensors might have to be realigned, but that's an easy fix."

"So, that's why she's crying like that...", I observed.

"Yes. Creatures such as I do not feel pain like you do; but our damage sensors tell us there is something wrong.", he explained. "So in a way, we do feel pain."

"I must have hurt her bad...", I said. "Please tell her I'm sorry..."

"All for the common good...", he said. "Give a hand taking down the Sunstone tripod..."

I complied and we all set out back home. I told Thundertail what we discovered, and the fact that it might be the reason why our weather is so bad lately; and with that evidence, he had to agree. Within a few days I organised a meeting with the high council at Waterfall City, and had every newcomer on the island attend that meeting; and within a span of a few more days, we were in the council chambers awaiting mayor Waldo Seville's arrival at the podium.

"Greetings, ladies and gentilebeings...", Waldo said as he shuffled to the podium and tapped the gavel. "Today we have many things to discuss, for many things are happening as we speak. Also, mayor Stinger has requested an audience with this council; but we will hear what he has to say last."

This perplexed me, but I made no comment; but Rex made rude gestures, seemingly at no one, so I shushed him. I saw out in the audience that many of the newcomers were not present, save for a few that would no doubt tell the others what will transpire. I looked back to the podium and saw that Waldo was ready to speak again.

"Now, as you asll know, there is a growing rash of items being washed up on shore.", he told the court. "If this does not cease, our land will be overrun with things not of this island. If any of you have insight on why this is happening, please speak."

"Your honor. The things I have to say might shed some light on why this is happening...", I said.

"Yes, you may say your peace after the other minutes are addressed.", he said. "Does anyone else have any suggestions?", none had any, so he moved on. "Furthermore, the intensity of our current stormy season has still not let up; and the Weathercasters said it should have already abated by now. Can anybody shed light on why THIS is happening?"

"Sir?...", I prompted.

"Very well, Stinger.", Waldo sighed. "What is it that's on your mind?"

"Thank you, your honor.", I said and made my way down to the main floor; and from there I stood in front of the mayoral podium. "A few weeks ago, these very concerns were addressed, and no outcome was foreseen. The newly arrived citizens demanded an answer, and assurance for thier loved ones in the outside world.", I looked at them all. "This court could not provide answers for them, nor would you provide help; which would have eased thier minds and allowed them to resume thier lives as good Dinotopians. Many of them came to me and the court of clan Thundertail to seek help, and they agreed that, If we give them some answers, they would go back peacefully.", I looked at the newcomers present. "This promise we have fulfilled, and evidence for this will be forthcoming!", The newcomers cheered.

With this I let Klamath take over. He played the radio transmissions I had collected, and edited them to coincide with any speculation or constructive comment, allowing any who wished ample information to form thier own conclusions. The room filled with strange voices in strange dialects, which told strange sniptes of stories concerning the world at large; the way the earth's ecology was slowly deteriorating in particular, and by the time an hour passed the whole room was silent, digesting what had just been divulged to them.

"...So, it's not just Dinotopia that is suffering.", Waldo stated at last.

"Yes, it would seem so.", I said sadly. "Through man's folly in the outside world, he has created the seeds for thier destruction.", I bowed. "And it may mean the end of us as well!"

"But our families...!", a newcomer shouted.

"Your families may suffer just as much as we might suffer.", I told him. "It's just that we can not do anything about them. Look, I'm sure they will do everything necesary to survive; so don't worry about them. My suggestion is to worry about US! We will no doubt have a struggle on our hands as well, so it's best to concentrate on that instead of worrying about something that is out of your hands..."

"Yes, I guess you're right.", the man said. "We will tell the others what we found out. Thank you, mayor Stinger...", he sat.

"A wise instruction, Stinger.", Waldo said. "And now, what ARE we going to do?"

"Perhaps we should bolster our dwellings and reinforce the Sunstones.", I suggested. "We could, say, double up the Sunbstones in the towns, and utilise that large Prime Sunstone we hgave you. We'll mine more of them and restock your depository. I can have the Rainy Basin Rangers pull double shifts, and help out in other ways..."

"All good suggestions, and so decisive!", the mayor of Waterfall City smiled, then looked thoughtful. "By the way, Stinger. Just how did you come across this information?"

I knew this was coming! I haltingly told them all about my mission with Kiawa, and all the preparations we made in order to carry it out. I gave them great detail of the flight and the problems we encountered; as well as my crashing hopes when I heard the news as well as the crash landing with Kiawa. Waldo scowled as the room digested this bit of information, and it only took a few moments before the whole room was awash in protests and concerns!

So what you are trying to say is you went beyoind the realm of Dinotopia?!", Waldo shouted. "Goodness man! Do you realise what you could have done?!", he nearly broke the gavel. "You risked detection from the outside world, and nearly brought thier rath down upon us! This is an unforgivable outrage, Stinger!", he looked at the court. "I put it to you that mayor Stinger of the Rainy Basin is guilty of the charge of treason, and should be punished accordingly!..."

"Please waldo!", Rosemary shouted. "Stinger merely did what we wouyld not do. He gathered information to quell the fears of the people, and put himself at great risk in the bargain. He is no criminal but a hero! We shelter ourselves too much; and if what news Stinger has brought proves true, then we have received fair warning of the coming disaster."

"He has gone beyond Dinotopia, and risked detection.", Waldo maintained.

"Your honor, I admit that what I have done is wrong; but it was for the greatest of good that I did it.", I said. "Besides, the world seemed so busy trying to fix things; what's a little blip on someones' radar? They probably ignored me anyway!"

"Very well, the charge is dropped...", Waldo said. "But you better be right!", he tapped the gavel, and continued with the rest of the meeting...

_____

[thundertail]

SIXTY-SIX: "Dinosaur Olympics, carnivore style!"

Days later, mayor Waldo Seville was sitting at Eveningmeal with his family and Partner; and he was absentmindedly chatting with everyone while he merely poked at his food. Since the revelation mayor Stinger from the Rainy Basin divulged concerning what was going on in the outside world, and the fact that the people out there had muddled things up so bad that it was effecting Dinotopia; this combined with the news he had gotten lately about how this news has depressed nearly all the ears it fell on, his appetite had gone the way of his happiness of late. Rosemary suddenly took his hand, looked at the forlorn look on his face and chuckled.

"Waldo! You barely touched your food.", she stated, startling him out of his reverie. "Are you ill?... I could have doctor Forschie take a look at you this evening..."

"Oh, no... It's not that...", Waldo bowed his head.

"Then what IS it, father?", Marion asked.

"Oh, just the weight of leadership, I guess...", said he. "All this bad weather, and all this bad news... I can't seem to find the right solution!"

"I'm sure you'll think of something...", Rosemary said, then changed the subject. "What did you do today, Marion?"

"Well, the city Water Commission activated a plan to halt the flooding of the streets.", Marion replied. "They set to work opening all the floodgates beneath the city, and I volunteered to help..."

"See, Waldo?", Rosemary encouraged. "Already the problems are being solved!"

"Yes, I read the reports in the other cities as well.", Waldo said. "Efforts are being taken to cope with some of the damage; but there is one thing that is nagging me..."

"What could possibly do that?", Marion asked.

"You see, I have seen instances among the people; and they do not seem happy in thier tasks.", Waldo said. "They are grumbling and argumentive - and other sentiments unbecoming of Dinotopians!", he looked thoughtful. "There MUST be a way to cheer these people up!... How can we do this?"

"When I was last in the Rainy Basin, visiting Carl, they put on a show of sorts.", Marion told them. "There were jugglers and acrobats, lots of comical things and skits. Perhaps we could have the Entertainment Guild put on performances!"

"That would merely entertain small crowds.", Waldo complained. "There has to be a way we could entertain bigger audiences."

"The Dinosaur Olympics always cheered me up!", Almasaur Ankylosaur said from his feeding, swallowed and continued. "Unfortunately, it isn't scheduled for another year..."

"We could schedule it early...", Marion suggested.

"Brilliant! The both of you!", Waldo piped up. "We could send out a special proclaimation, and hold it in... Where is it scheduled to commence?"

"Sauropolis is where the majority of contestants train.", Almasaur said.

"Then sauropolis it is!", Waldo said. "We should have invitations prepared, and send them to everyone. Also, we should notify Sauropolis to prepare for the event..."

"Good work, my husband!", Rosemary kissed his cheek. "This will draw everyone out of the doldrums!"

"Me too!", Waldo smiled as he dug into his food with renewed gusto.

The very next day he proposed this idea to the high council, and they decided that it would be a perfect way to boost morale among the people. Word was soon sent to Sauropolis, advising them to get ready for the Dinosaur Olympics as it was deemed to hold it a year early; and thier citizens complied quickly, if not with an air of perplexedness! Pretty soon word was sent throughout Dinotopia, announcing the olympics and inviting everyone to Sauropolis where it would be held. As predicted, this news brought on a wave of enthusiasm that spread almost faster than the news was spreading!

It wasn't long before word of the event reached the earslits of citizens of the Rainy Basin, but we wondered why we hadn't been invited to it; let alone been invited to perform, as we were all fit enough to do many of the events traditionally performed. I went with Rex to find out why, and was told that, traditionally, carnivores were not included in the Dinosaur Olympics. We were told the story about one carnivore that was invited, and that one caused great disturbances to it that year; and from then on, carnivores were summarilly banned from it. We left the council chambers frustrated and dejected, full in the knowledge that the others back home would be equally saddened.

"Now people!...", I yelled over the din. I had just told them what went on in the council chambers at Waterfall City, and they weren't taking it very well at all! "I'm sure they must have thier reasons why they're not inviting us..."

"It's just not fair!...", Thistlesnarl nearly roared.

"After all we done for them!...", Pincushion added.

"What a bum rap!", Wen Kirky squeaked.

"That's gratitude for ya!", Vinny said.

"Please!...", Thundertail roared, which squelched most of the grumbling. "This bickering won't help anything!"

"But what are we to do, boss?", Harold asked. "We want in on this too!", nearly all agreed.

"If they won't let us be at thiers, why don't we have one of our own?", Hamilton meekly said.

"What was that, son?", I asked, leaning in.

"Why don't we hold our OWN olympics?", he repeated louder.

"Brilliant!", I smiled, and the rest of the gathered beings applauded. "Do I have a smart son, or what?!"

"Hamilton Somala Decker has made an excellent suggestion.", our king said. "Is it agreed that we do this?", nobody there disagreed.

"But what are we going to do?", Deathflower asked. "All we can do is hunt!"

"Leave it to me, sister!", Harold said. "We got lots of material, and can think up all sorts of events!"

"I've been to the Dinosaur Olympics.", Flatbottom said. "I'm very familiar with the events."

"I was in the singing competition the last time the Olympics were around.", Skipper Parasolophus said. "I lost, though..."

"We could have 'Tooth And Claw' competitions!", Pincushion contributed. "We could hold several, in a series of elimination matches...", another thought. "Maybe hold juvenile bouts and other special rounds too!"

Many events were thought of for juveniles as well as other games of skill devised for the visitors and spectators. Stalking games were thought up for the kids, and things like Ring Toss and other activities were created to entertain the guests. I told them a story, leading up to my suggestion; a story of Knights in shining armor and king Arthur's court, and the sport the knights of old dueled in called Jousting. I then suggested a game called Tyranosaur Jousting, saying it was just like that, only the participants would be amply padded; and the lances used would padded instead of pointed, adding to the safety, minus the ten or twenty foot fall off the mounts!

"So, are these events agreeable to everyone?", Thundertail asked. All was agreed upon.

"We should draw up posters.", Hamilton said.

"And banners...", Wen said. "Ooh! And flyers to pass out!"

"Great!", I said. "We'll get to work on that after the meeting."

"Where can we hold it?", Pincushion asked.

"Perhaps in the most traditioal place of the clan?", Grond said. "In Clanhome...", he was referring to the boomerang shaped clearing where thier original camp was in.

"Excellent!", Thundertail said. "Now, we should hold these events so they do not clash with the regular Dinosaur Olympics..."

"How about right away?", Harold said. "We'll show them up!"

"No, that might not be politically wise.", I said. "How about directly afterward?"

"Right boss...", Harold said. "We'd need time to practice anyway..."

"How will we know thiers is over?", Pincushion asked.

"We send spy to Olympics.", Mayday said. "He or she see, then come back..."

"But who?", Miles Krieger asked.

"Someone who hasn't been to Sauropolis lately...", I thought. "A stranger..."

"Well, I hacvent been there in eight years...", Skipper said.

"I lived in the Northern Plains all my life.", Miles said.

"With the king's premission; then I think you two are it!", I smiled. "You don't mind?"

"Oh, no!... Not at all!", said Miles.

"I'd like to go again...", Skipper smiled.

"Then I call this meeting adjourned.", Thundertail said, and we all presently went about our business.

Many got to work right after the meeting to prepare things and organise the events. A lot had to be done, and done rather quickly as the Dinosaur Olympics would commence within days. The events were thought up, and the rules of each were established. 'Tooth and Claw' would be played the traditional way, with an agreed upon the best two of three calls, three of five falls or other such bouts.'The Chase' was an event thought up by the Veloceraptors, where teams would exact mock hunts against another team of 'prey'. Stalking games were devosed for the children, where they were required to try and sneak up on the most observant judges. 'Swoop' was a game invented by the Pteranodons, where they would do the deed to the crowd or other contestants in the crowd; which was one of the ways they usually obtained prey, and would make an exciting event for those who saw.

'Tyranosaur Jousting' would be just like the way it was played in Medaeval England, and the armor for both rider and steed would need to be extra padded. Likewise with the lance, where the tip would have heavy padding encased in leather. Rex and I practiced many times with Diego and Pincushion to see if it was actually feasable; and we all found out it was extremely entertaining as well as quite fun! The Kirkys would put on a full blown circus, using all thier skills, props and personnel; and set up sideshows where skits and comedic routines would be performed, for they would be in charge of the crowds' needs.

Of course to have so many visitors there, it would be prudent to see them well taken care of; and many females of all species got to work cooking and baking, and drinks of many concoctions and various mixtures were prepared. Flyers were printed up to pass out among the towns, and the Kirkys got to work assembly line style to hand make hundreds of copies. Hamilton was in charge of the team that would paint up the posters and banners, and he was becoming quite an artist as well as his sculpting skill. He had Buorrow come from Tentpole of the Sky, and they both got to work painting them as well as hanging them all around the clansite.

We had decided to hold the Carnivore Olympics in the boomerang shaped clearing. Clanhome had become quite overgrown with the sprawling population who ran the farms and fields, so they first had to be relocated closer to thier workplaces for the duration of the Games. After that things had to change drastically for all those people to witness the games, for not only would the events be held here, the crowds would have to be temporarilly housed here as well. Upon further meetings, though; this decision was overturned after seeing that there were still plenty of housing in Kinan Van and Halcyon.

Once this was settled, we had to fashion the boomerang shaped clearing into sporting arenas and makeshift ampetheatres and stages where the events would be performed. Workers got to work making the seating and consession stands and other booths where many interesting things would be witnessed. Once completed, the area was decorated with colorful tapestries, flags and other such decorations to give it a carnival-like atmosphere. We would schedule it immediately after the rest of the Dinotopians had held thier olympics so as not to clash with them; and had Miles Krieger and Skipper go to there incognito to witness it and report back when they were done.

They left down the road that would lead them to Sauropolis, under the guise of nondescript travelers on the way to some fun entertainment; he riding her like one would an Overlander, and under the names of Jack Fox and Shelly. They arrived in Sauropolis a few days later, and got rooms in town; then commenced to take private tours of the city, making like they had never been there before. As the olympics commenced, they witnessed many entertaining heats of friendly competition; where both winners and losers would be honored, and applauded like they were truely part of the crowd. The only close call they had was when Skipper was recognised by another Parasolophus there, whom remembered her from her competition many years ago; and she politely told him that he must have been mistaken, which was questionable whether or not he believed her at all!

Within three weeks Miles Krieger and Skipper were back from Sauropolis, and said that it was all right for our version of the olympics to commence. We quickly spread the word of our up and coming olympic games, passing out our flyers to everyone in every town we visited in our travels. Our announcement got mixed reactions, most of which was of utter distain or scoffing that we were trying to copy the Games; but a scant few showed interest sufficient enough to at least make an effort to attend. We all couldn't wait until we performed all these things for all those people!

"So, I was thinking, and talking this over with my dad...", Carl Scott said to me one day as he returned from his Rainy Basin Ranger duties. "He was thinking that we could make a lot of money if we sell tickets to the olympics. Back in the outside world they do, and make millions just on tickets!"

"That's true, but we are not in the outside world.", I told him. "This concept of carnivores holding thier own olympic games is too new for these people. It would be asking too much of them if they have to pay for the experience as well. Besides, not a lot of people would want to show up anyway; so it probably wouldn't be too profitable in the long run.", I smiled. "But it's great thinking anyway!..."

"My pop!... Always trying to make a buck!", Carl shrugged and went off to tend to Thistlesnarl.

As the time for our event drew near, many newcomers began to show up; which was a lot more than we were expecting, but a lot less than we were hoping for. Acomodations were made for them, and the excitement grew for them as we answered thier questions about what was going to happen; of which Harold Kirky said that it was always good to build thier suspense by exaggerating what events were going to take place a bit. We put on quite a show of that in its' own right, and hope it didn't spoil it for them. At last the day finally arrived for the Carnivore Olympics to begin, and the day began with quite a fanfare indeed!

As the crowd began to gather, a great parade led by the Kirkys and all thier kin began winding its' way throughout the area; music and colorful dancing guiding the humans and saurians to the boomerang shaped clearing in the center of the jungle, where many grandstands and arenas were set up, along with many concession stands peppered throughout the area. Once everyone was seated or made otherwise comfortable, a brief pause in activities was scheduled to build suspense; and then the grand beginning of the Carnivore Olympics commenced.

All Tyranosaurs from all the clans marched out onto the main area, circling until all were present; then they let off with a simultaneous roar that set many of the crowds' hair on end, all amid glorious fanfare. Clowns and other performers of all species came running around just then, adding mirth to the potentially scary scene. While all this was going on, Thundertail and I came to a main podium and made our announcement, he speaking in carnivore and I translating in both human and saurian.

"Ladies and gentilemen, creatures of all species!", we said. "Welcome all, to the first Carnivore Olympics!", the band played a grand overture, and we continued after they were done. "The events you are about to see have never been performed in all the annals of history! Some may seem barbaric or uncalled for; but such is the savagery we once considered normal. We welcome you and praise you, your courage and open mindedness in witnessing what we have to present to you; and wish you all a grand time!...", I said the rest alone. "Breathe deep and seek peace, one and all!... Let the games commence!..."

With that clowns galore stumbled about the crowd, juggling, performing sleight-of-hand and other funny and fascinating feats of skill and gymnastics; which was a cover for the others who brought out props and other things necesary for the ongoing games. The first feats were a series of stalking performances performed by our children, the little ones took to the provided for cover and waited as the spectators were distracted by the other things going on around them. Judges of all carnivore and human clans waitred at a desk to judge these performances.

After it was announced, the children took turns sneaking up on the judges; playfully shouting 'Gotcha!' or some other announcement; and the judges would rate them on how suprised they became. The crowd laughed and hooted at these little performers, and applauded the best winners in the many groups; and cheered for the lesser skilled of them, for even the ones that didn't win deserved accolades for thier efforts. There were many such heats for the children that day, and the many days to come; and each time the crowd became more and more enraptured at the charm of our little ones.

"Now, ladies and gentilebeings.", I began once the events for the children had ended that day. "The next series of events come from ancient carnivore lore. Long ago, carnivores often fought each other, for mates or status or territory; and more often than not, it was to the death. We come of a more civilized time now, but we often fight to settle our differences; however, we have refined our ways concerning this."

I smiled at the crowd, who hung on my every word. "The competition is called 'Tooth And Claw', rounds of wrestling meant to entertain, not to settle disputes.”, I turned to see Waterkill and Thistlesnarl ready for thier heat. ”These first two contestants wish to see who is stronger; and I give you miss Thistlesnarl and miss Waterkill!”

Both females came out to the center, bowing to the crowd as they pretended to size each other up; the latter being older but a bit more experienced and the latter being younger and posessing just a tiny bit less experience. I lowered my hands and scurried out of thier way, and both continued to circle each other. They agreed silently at thier first charge, and both tried a tail trip which merely altered both thier courses. A roar from Thistlesnarl and Waterkill started a charge, but Thistlesnarl twisted and slammed her side with her head. This winded the older beast, but she shook it off and bore around with her own head. This stumbled thistlesnarl, and Waterkill drove the attack; and Thistlesnarl went down to raise dust.

We all applauded the effort of them both, but the spectators fell silent at the violence; so we showed them they were not hurt and continued the match. Waterkill went down next, and this only rose mild encouragement from a few in the crowd. Through a feinting trick, Thistlesnarl made her rival trip, and Waterkill went down again; but they had agreed on the best two out of three falls, and Thistlesnarl won the competition, taking her bows and helping her friend back up. By the time this competition was over, many in the crowd were becoming acclimated to the violence of ‘Tooth And Claw’; and were starting to cheer right along side of us!

We put on several more such bouts, and nearly all the Tyranosaurs went up against each other. Rex and Pincushion was next, Rex winning best three out of five falls. Grond and Snaptail went for best four of seven, and Snaptail won that bout. Deathflower took on an Allosaurus from the Land of Silent Footfalls, thier leader Peroque; and she won best three of five because of his comparitively diminutive size. Of course there was spaces of time between these events, taken up by more entertainment from the Kirkys and our non performing females who provided food and refreshment. At the end of these heats we paused the events for about an hour before starting the next series of events.

“I am pleased to announce a special set of events inspired by the ancient kingdoms of the outside world.”, I told the crowds. “Long ago knights served thier kings in the land of England, and a glorious era of peace and justice prevailed. These noble people, for the entertainment of thier king and thier people, performed many feats of derring do. One of these feats was called ‘Jousting’, a form of civilized one-on-one combat.”, I waited for thier confused murmurings to subside. “Here in the Rainy Basin, we have adapted this form of combat, ‘Tyranosaur Jousting’ solely for your pleasure; and I must warn you, it looks a lot more perilous than it actually is!... Enjoy!”

Grond came out from behind a partitioning tarp, decked out in Tyranosaur designed armor of deep blue metals; and atop him was Mayday, sheathed with the amber armor that was Zandra. Both capered and bowed as Sauron gratiousely presented her the padded lance by thier side. Deathflower came out next, in equal armor of silvery hue; and atop her was the crimson armor that was Triphus with Diego inside. As they pranced, Chillet presented Diego with his lance; and both trotted off to opposite sides of the sparring field. Though the crowd clapped and cheered the four contestants, they did it with an obvious lack of enthusiasm as they could not guess what was going to happen next. Skipper came to the center of the field, bowed and dropped a white handkerchief; and promptly scurried out of the way.

All of a sudden both Tyranosaurs roared and bolted headlong toward each other. During practice they were to pass each other on the right, for in the lancing event, only the lances were to meet. Both armored humans leveled thier lances; and in a clash of seconds, Triphus was suddenmly on the ground! His eighteen foot fall was shielded by the armor, and his splintered lance lay all around him. Mayday wheeled Grond around to observe the aftermath while Deathflower came to assist Diego to his feet, and both sets of contestants shouted victory! As soon as the crowd saw that nobody was seriousely hurt, they slowly began to applaud and cheer.

The two teams made three more passes that day, Diego and company only winning one of them; and later Mayday observed it was due to her slight height advantage. Rex and I went next, Thistlesnarl and Flit were our opponents; and I won two of the three rounds we did. For the rest of the day we held several more Tyranosaur Jousting matches, and the crowd was soon cheering as enthusiastically as those in the clan! As the closing ceremonies commenced for the day, a roster of what was to be held the next day was announced; but the crowd refused to retire to thier acomodations for the night, so the Kirkys had a plan to entertain them. They held an old fashioned circus all night long, the thing they were born to do; and set up thier Big Top tent, holding a mini circus inside. Long into the night this went on, and eventually everyone went to bed for the night.

The next morning brought on more of the same events as the previous day; but it also brought several surprises to clan Thundertail, some being most hoped for and some being of the dreaded kind! Under mild fanfare a precession strolled into the midst of the already assembled crowd, and it turned out to be mayor Waldo Seville, Rosemary and Marion; the former two on Overlanders and the latter on a small Chasmosaur driven cart tending to 26, who was growing into a fine young yearling. Mayor and matriarch dismounted thier steeds and matriarch in training let the young Chasmosaur down, whom immediately located Carl Scott and bowled him over in greeting!

"Well, I see the activities have begun!", Waldo said as he shook my hand.

"You should have seen it yesterday!", I said as I accepted a kiss from Rosemary. "We had a parade, a circus and everything!"

"We just had to come.", Rosemary said as she watched Rosemary give Carl a kiss. "The way you people have a flair for things, it was a thing we just could not miss!"

"Besides, you sent someone to spy on us...", Waldo said. "The least we can do is return the favor!"

"You found out?", I sounded dejected. "Darn!..."

"As the saying goes,", Waldo chuckled. "You have to get up pretty early in the morning to fool us!"

"I got up at four this morning...", Rex said as he came over and joined in.

"Dear Rex...", Rosemary stroked his muzzle. "How are we today?"

"Great!... Come to see the games?", he returned.

"Of course, my boy.", Waldo said.

"I came just to see you!", Rosemary winked.

"Aw!...", Rex rumbled.

"Say Rex.", I interrupted, much to his relief. "Aren't we supposed to announce the next events?"

"Yeah,... right!", Rex bowed and left for the podiums.

"See you around, lord mayor, ma'am...", I followed my Partner.

We wove our way through the growing crowd in a circuitous way, dodging both spectator and performer alike; and saw the myriad of people and saurians the varied crowd depicted, nearly tripping over the odd Kirky or pausing for the odd Brach. The humans there had on every type of garb, from sailor to shiekh to westerner to worker; and most of the saurians bedecked themselves with form fitting jewelry or colorful clothing. I noticed many in the crowd, but many more still were strangers to me; and that was why it was quite a surprise when I saw two of the islands' worst villians, now claiming a law-abiding life, saunter toward us like they belonged here.

Quint swaggered beside LaSage, looking this way and that, eating an apple while LaSage took it all in; smiling at everyone and waving at those that would run at thier gaze. Though I saw them first, Rex let out a loud growl at the sight; and this alerted the two, and they lost no time closing the crowded distance between us. LaSage shouted my name, and this was enough to draw the rest of the crowd out of the way.

"Friend Stinger!...", LaSage yelled. "What a fine setup you have here!", she looked up. "Rexy! Long time, no see!"

"Not long enough!...", Rex rumbled.

"Yes! It has been a long time!...", I cut him short. "So, how did you find out about this?"

"Well, we were in the neighborhood, and...", LaSage said. "No, really!... See, they wouldn't let us come to the regular Olympics; and I wanted to find out what you were doing about it."

"We need the entertainment too, you know!", Quint heaved his apple core. "All the work we did in those storms..."

"Indeed you do, my friend...", I said. "But this place might get too dull for you..."

"What?... It's plenty exciting for us!", Lasage said. "Right Quint?", he nodded.

"May I ask just ONE favor of you?", I asked intensely.

"Shoot...", LaSage said.

"You two can stay on one condition:", I told them. "Please,...PLEASE don't cause trouble."

"We're reformed. Remember?", LaSage said. "We'll be good!..."

"Yeah. Haven't been to a carnival since I was a kid...", commented Quint. "That's where I learned to pickpocket!"

"Well, don't practice here, OK?", I told him.

"I won't. Honest!...", he raised his hands.

I shook my head as I turned to leave, and Rex snorted right in Quint's face as he left; LaSage chuckling at how they had gotten under our skin. At long last we arrived at the podium area, and put on smiles as we announced the next events. The morning was set up for the juvenile competitions, and we introduced many contestants vying in 'Tooth And Claw'. This warmed up the crowd for the next round of juvenile events, namely 'Tyranosaur Jousting' for the little performers. Of course, the equipment was extra padded so they wouldn't get hurt; but even though thier efforts were somewhat comical, they took to the competition with professional seriouseness.

I scanned the crowd many times during these events, and I saw that LaSage and Quint were enthusiastically cheering along with the rest of the crowd, not causing trouble; and the mayor and company was doing just about the same, even though thier look told that they had recently gotten used to the controlled violence! After many hours of announcing the events, it was time for our break; where others would take over announcing the competitions, and we went to see about getting some lunch. As Rex went to get ready for some events he was entering, I went around the crowds to locate the mayor; for I wanted to see what he thought of our olympics so far.

"Well, your honor!...", I said once I located him. He and his wife were over talking to some of the Kirkys. "Are you enjoying yourself so far?"

"Oh yes! A wonderful event.", Waldo said, smiling as he concluded his talk with Vinny, who was demonstrating his miniature saxophone. "A real spectacular event! You have truely outdone us in this case. Such excitement!"

"That's great! I'm glad you like it.", I said.

"And who would have thought: humans, jousting with Tyranosaur steeds!...", he continued. "Ancient lore talks of such things, the barbarism of the outside world of those days...!"

"Actually, we've tamed it down somewhat.", I told him. "All the armor and weapons are padded, just like books I've read here on the training Skybax pilots go through... It's all quite safe, minus the falling off part; but that's pretty safe too!"

"Such an exciting sport!...", Waldo went on.

"Say boss...", Vinny said. "I bet you could do it!"

"Nonsense, little one!", Waldo said. "It would be undignifyed..."

"Oh, it's real safe! And so easy!", I told him. "I'm due to participate in a round of it today. If you would, I would be honored if you would be a stand-in rider..."

"Oh, but I could not...", Waldo said.

"Why not, mayor?", LaSage stepped up. "It looks fun!"

"LaSage!!... What are you doing here?", the mayor exclaimed.

"We need our recreation time too, you know.", she replied.

"Sir, she has been here all day, and not caused trouble.", I explained. "She has helped out during the storm cycle, and deserves the entertainment."

"Well,...", Waldo said.

"So Torres,", Rosemary said. "Are we having fun today?"

"You know how it is,", she replied. "The castle's boring these days, and this is the only place for any entertainment..."

"I was just asking if the mayor here would like to participate in one of our events.", I said. "As a special guest appearance..."

"That would be wonderful, Waldo!", Rosemary said. "Which event is it?"

"We were just discussing the possibilities of the 'Tyranosaur Jousting'...", he said.

"What a marvelous idea!...", Rosemary said. "Thistlesnarl was saying that it is really safe for humans. Oh Waldo, please do consider it!..."

"Oh!... Very well!", the mayor said. "But I must warn you, nothing injurious!..."

"That's great, boss!", Vinny said as he put his saxophone in the case. "I'll have the boys fix you right up!..."

"I must see to my own preparations.", I said as I backed up. "I will see you out on the field?"

"Of course, lad.", Waldo said. "But I must warn you, I have read everything known about jousting!..."

"I'll be careful!", I smiled and went to one of the preparation areas, and Waldo was led to another.

I really didn't have a lot to prepare for as Klamath was already around my body; and Rex already had his blue metallicTyranosaur armor on too, so I waited with him until we were called into the sparring field for our match. Waldo, on the other hand, had more things to deal with before our event could begin. First I was sure that he had to be told the general rules of Tyranosaur Jousting, then he had to be fitted into his armor; which would have to be Triphus as Diego and Pincushion was to be our opponents had Waldo not wanted to participate. The other big step would be him getting used to being up on Pincushion's back, not to mention getting used to riding him. Within a half hour Flit's voice was heard announcing the next round.

"Ladies and gentilebeings!", Flit said loudly. "And now we have for you an extra special round of Tyranosaur Jousting!... I bring you a battle between mayors - a pretend battle of dominence for the entire island!"

Flit turned and cued me to mount my steed, Rex huffing in anticipation. "From Waterfall City, I bring you mayor Waldo Seville!... And his intrepid steed, Pincushion!", Cheers as Pincushion sauntered out onto the field, Waldo inside Triphus waving vigorousely as the crowd roared applause.

"And from the Rainy Basin I give you mayor Stinger and prince Rex!", Flit continued, and we walked out to the field, somberly waving and bowing at our cheers.

Leeter came out and handed me my padded lance while Bross came out and presented Waldo his lance. I hefted mine with practiced ease, and surprisingly, Waldo did as well; his Triceratops helmet hid any sign of fear, and my Tyranosaur helmet hid any expression that might have been on my face either. Skipper came out onto the field as both Tyranosaurs took thier spots on either side of it, then she dropped a handkerchief and scurried out of the way.

Rex roared defiantly and Pincushion echoed the challenge, and then both bolted toward each other like two juggernauts! The crowd gasped as they came closer, and yelped as contact was made. I wanted Waldo to win the round, so I skewed my lance just below his lance arm, missing by an inch; but his lance hit cleanly on my left shoulder, knocking me cleanly off Rex! I bounced off the ground and tumbled before getting up slower than I wanted, then I sprung up and went to congratulate the mayor.

Rex followed me over to where Waldo was just dismounting Pincushion, leaving Triphus's helmet in place. I reached to shake his hand, and got two pumps in before Waldo halted the shake in mid motion; but he would not let go of my hand, Triphus's handstrength acting like a vise on my gauntletted fingers.

"You can let go now, sir!...", I said as I had Klamath unfurl his mask.

Instead of complying or answering, Triphus's helmet unfurled; and instead of revealing Waldo's face, it was the face of Quint! He let go just then, big fat smirk on his face; and backed up a pace, where Triphus unfolded from his body and forced him out with a tilt. I was still speechless as Waldo and Rosemary came through the crowd that had gathered, LaSage taking up the rear. Diego came up and slid into Triphus, sneering at quint as he did so, and stomped away. Pincushion, panting from the exertion, went to stand beside Rex as my voice finally returned to me.

"What's this all about?", I said simply.

"Stinger my boy, I was made to realise that Tyranosaur Jousting is more dangerous than I care to deal with.", Waldo explained.

"We can't let the mayor hurt himself, can we?", LaSage cut in.

"Quint has done a noble service to Waldo.", Rosemary said. "Protecting him from danger by performing in his stead..."

"That he has!...", I said after absorbing the situation. "Good job, Quint!", I shook his hand again.

"Torres here said that it looked kind of dangerous.", Waldo said. "I concurred, and asked what could be done. She said that Quiint could do it."

"I asked Diego to volunteer his armor, and convinced Pincushion to allow Quint upon him.", Rosemary said. "Fortunately, both were agreeable."

"If Quint gets on my back again, I'll bite him!", Pincushion said just loud enough for all to hear.

"You should be commended, sir!", I said. "And lord mayor, I'm so sorry for suggesting you be put under such danger..."

"No problem, my boy!", Waldo said. "It was very exciting!... I could just imagine myself up there, like a knight in shining armor!..."

"And at least I got the chance to beat you in a fair fight!", Quint stated to me.

"That you did!", I chuckled. "Well done!"

We all got a good laugh out of it, though the situation was far from the jovial kind; and then we heard Harold Kirky announcing a small series of skits, and was trying to recruit the visitor children to participate in it. We all gathered over to a small stage where it was soon to be held; and was soon clapping and cheering at these young ones' inexpert and coached performances. The Kirkys put on another series of skits right after that, and some were classics while others were ad-libbed right there and then.

One skit involved Pincushion and a Kirky in explorer garb. He was fending Pincushion off with a whip, a scene that LaSage enjoyed very much indeed! In the middle of the performance the whipend cracked an inch from the Tyranosaur's muzzle, his cue to start bawling like a baby; and the Kirky came to rub it with many 'There, theres'; and this brought the house down like it usually did! This made Pincushion angry, and he resumed his menacing stance; which made the Kirky become scared and he got chased from the scene. Another twist in the performance included a hundred other Kirkys, who chased Pincushion offstage the other way, look lf mock fear on his face - and this brought the house down even more!

Many more such skits were performed by them, and the growing crowd told of thier popularity. As the sun began to set that day, the nonperforming members of the clan had announced a great feast to be held for mayor Waldo Seville; and despite clan ediquate, we all were the first to arrive at the tables ahead of our guests! Thundertail was asked to speak and officially announce Waldo's arrival, even though everyone knew he was here the whole day; and presently he was coaxed into making a short speech of his own. Waldo praised our efforts in mimicking the Dinosaur Olympics, and making it a reproduction only dreamed of among thier populace. I was asked next, and I both praised the spectators for thier open mindedness, and thier patience in witnessing our inexpert performances. Rosemary, beside Marion and Carl, praised our olympics; and requested that it may be held every year.

Nearly every leader of the clan was asked to make speeches, or at least toasts to our guests; and even LaSage was asked to give her take on the events, of which she indicated was better than looting the town of Bent Root many years ago - a comment that got as many gasps as laughter! The feast ended shortly thereafter, and by ones and in groups the spectators all retired to thier acomodations. Suites were set up for the mayor and his entourage, and Lasage and Quint were set up in some spare rooms in Halcyon. In the morning the games resumed, which were the championship rounds to determine the best of the best in all the different events.

Once these were over, the closing ceremonies commenced; ceremonies that would award all participants with thier awards and trophies. First came the gold medal winners, those whose atheletics, prowess and skills were superior to the rest. The silver and bronze winners were next, followed by everyone else who participated in the games; and even the contestants from the crowds were awarded special trinkets and praise. What surprised her the most was when LaSage and Quint received thier accolades, for LaSage got special praise from mayor waldo Seville himself; and I gave quint a bronze foot tall statue of a Troodont knight with a shield and spear, with the word 'Protector' in saurian writing emblazoned on it.

As the games wind down to a close the spectators pack it up and leave, and we all take pains to clean up after the event. Many weeks down the road the clan returns to normal, and regular activities soon resumes. Even though the cycle of especially inclemant weather continued for some time, every person on Dinotopia met the challenge with renewed hope thanks to the Rainy Basin's version of the Dinosaur Olympics...

_

[thundertail]

SIXTY-SEVEN: "Coronation..."

Just as the first rays of sunlight came streaming through the jungle, a lone Tyranosaur came scurrying into the entrance of Kinan Van. The look on his face told of the grave news his brain contained, and the imperativeness in which he was looking for someone. The guards about gave him wide berth, for they knew that a Tyranosaur on a mission was not a creature one would want to get in the way of. Rex looked this way and that, the news he was about to tell overriding his sense of direction as he stormed down the cobbled lanes looking for the right street.

He wimpered some more, shedding a tear, and turned at another intersection until he was right below the window to Mayday's and my apartment. There wasn't time to call out my name, he thought; so he began roaring with a sobbing lilt to try to wake me. It only took his second roar to alert every person on the street, and lights came on by ones and twos along with heads of every species out windows and aided by shouts to knock it off along with them! I scrambled out of bed and went to the window in a flash.

"What's going on here?!", I shouted, then noticed Rex pleading down on the street. "What's the matter?... What's wrong?..."

"Stinger!... Come quick!...", Rex shouted. "Please..., it's dad...!"

I leapt to Klamath, who formed around me; then I used his speed to bolt down the stairs and into the street. "What happened?", I asked as I mounted him.

"It was terrible!...", Rex said as he sped down the street. "I was going to go hunting with father this morning...", he made a turn. "I went to wake him,...", he couldn't speak.

"What happened?!...", I asked as he made it to the entrance of Kinan Van. "What is it?!..."

"He wouldn't wake up!!!", he roared! "Oh stinger!... He's dead!...", Rex screeched to a halt, unable to move for his grief.

"Woah there, buddy...", I said as I dismounted, going up front to grab his muzzle. "Steady... I'm here." I hugged and he hitched, then his sorrow subsided somewhat. "Come on..., we'll go see together...", I led him on.

For Rex's faltering, grief stricken gait, we walked the remainder of the way to Thundertail's nest. He had chosen, since the founding of this civilization, a mere lean-to with odd shacks connected to it; one whole side of his sleeping quarters exposed to the weather. Rex halted as we came within sight of his father, posed as if still in sleep; and I ran over the rest of the way until I was steps away, then crouched to his side after I took in the scene. I tested by his nostrils for breath and found none, then opened an eyelid to see a stilled eye; then silently asked Klamath to scan for life.

"No physiological maladies, age aproximately fifty-seven, time of death aproximately seven hours ago.", the armor said for only me to hear. "Cause of death, miocardial infarction."

"His heart just stopped...", I announced at last. "Did you call a healer?"

"You were the first...", Rex sniffed.

"That's OK...", I said, then voiced mentally to Klamath. "Contact Zandra. Tell her to rouse Mayday. Have her get a healer to king Thundertail's nest. Divulge the nature of the emergency..."

"Affirmative.", Klamath said, then went silent to do as asked.

"Mayday will bring a healer.", I told my Partner. "Don't worry. You did good, telling me."

"But Stinger! What's going to happen now?", Rex nearly bawled.

"It's too early to tell...", I said, realization just now hitting me. "But I think things won't be the same again...", I went to embrace his muzzle.

We stood there, crying and consoling one another for what seemed to be the longest time; and then Mayday and Zandra arrived, bringing along Sarah Sereno with her medical bag. Being the closest healer residing in Kinan Van, she immediately went to work examining the fallen king.

"How long?", Mayday asked at my side, tear welling up.

"Klamath says about seven hours...", I looked at her forlornly, grasping her hand as she stroked Rex's muzzle.

Moments later many more of the clan began showing up, both human and saurian; whom all paused a distance away so Sarah could work. Just then Grond showed up, looked at Rex and sniffled as he viewed Sarah administering to his king. He sidled up to the young Tyranosaur and pushed his saddened muzzle up with his own in a cheering gesture; then began a low, keening roar that all in his clan knew. Rex copied this moan next, followed by Pincushion who had just arrived, and I joined in as best as I could. Soon, every Tyranosaur within earshot bagan this low moan; which had risen to a cresendo and echoed throughout the Rainy Basin. Pretty soon EVERY member of the clan, saurian and human alike, began this keening roar; and the sound echoed through the jungles and up into the still morning air.

A moment to catch his breath and Grond said: "My friends, a devastating day has arisen for us all; for our king, king Thundertail, is dead.", Grond announced. "Tradition among the clan was to warn the Black Hunter to beware, for a TYRANOSAUR was coming to visit him! And now that he is warned, he will show respect with our king!"

After this explanation, Thistlesnarl came up to Rex, saw the despondant look on his face and nuzzled her muzzle under his chin; and Rex began to bawl uncontrolably, using her snout for comfort. I let the two embrace like that as I got closer to Thundertail's body. Starting with myself, we all came up to the corpse of Thundertail by ones and twos, crying or silently remembering our fallen king; speaking silent words of fealty to our suddenly dead king.

By this time, every creature in the general area had been informed of Thundertail's death, and were rushing to see for themselves; or were quickly spreading the sad news, so several hours later all in the Rainy Basin would know as well. Sarah had, by then, concluded her autopsy; Selma standing by and confirming her findings.

"His heart must have stopped in his sleep.", Sarah said, and Selma nodded. "He didn't suffer at all. In fact, he might not have known he died...", she broke into tears.

Selma squawked and chirped, saying, "Thundertail...", in her own language, then danced a message for him in the forest ground litter. Reading it, it basically said 'Farewell...'. I bowed from where I stood, and said a small, silent prayer for him myself. It was this time that Rex found courage to come to his father to say a few words.

"My father, you led this clan like no other.", he haltingly began. "You were brave and wise and skilled in the many ways of the clan and those outside the Rainy Basin.", he faltered. "You founded this great civilization, and nurtured it until it was strong and vibrant... And now that you are gone, who is going to see that it stays that way?", he broke down on sobs, and those present that wasn't crying began to do so then.

"Rex speaks the truth.", Sauron said. "Who will lead?"

"Why, Rex will, of course...!", Pincushion said. "His father was the king, so it should go to the son."

"Our ancient ways say different; but we will leave that for later.", Grond said. "For right now, there is another formality to tend to."

"What is that, sir?", Rex sniffed.

Grond got close to Rex and rumbled something low. Rex nodded as Grond said louder. "Remember your lessons?"

"Um,... Ladies and gentilebeings.", Rex stammered. "Yonder lies a great king, my father. His greatness would almost surpass the greatness of Stinktooth the Great himself.", he saw that all were looking at him, and he gulped. "He was wise and generous, giving of himself to all of us, his children... It is custom among Tyranosaurs to dine upon the fallen of the clan, and king Thundertail would consider it an honor if we do so with him.", he looked at Grond, who nodded. "I know he would do anything for us all, and I'm sure his last wish would be to provide for us one last meal..."

With that Rex went to his father's lifeless muzzle, and cried as he lay upon it as he did as a harchling so long ago. A moment to regain himself and he went to the chest area of the body. He took only a modest mouthful from there, chewing tastelessly as he staggered away, shunning anyones' company for the moment. Grond came next, and he only took a mouthful too; then Thistlesnarl, Pincushion, Deathflower, Waterkill Snaptail and every lesser Tyranosaur in the clan. The other carnivores were next: Veloceraptors followed by Dilophosaurs followed by Ovaraptors to Kirkys and other such creatures.

The humans were next, but only a few would imbibe in raw flesh like me; and though many of the other saurians went by thier fallen king, only three or four actually went through the motions by simply placing thier mouths on him. This process took a few hours to complete, more so for the fact that more and more of the clan kept showing up than those there pausing in remorse. As I slowly made my way to Rex's side again, he was a bit more composed; and looked at me through bleary eyes, and the look made me embrace his muzzle once again. Once I released, I silently told him things were going to be OK with several muzzle pats; and he reciprocated with a lick.

By this time the normal activities that normally take place began happening, and traders from other towns outside the Rainy Basin began showing up right on time. They noticed the sad looks on everyones' faces and asked what happened. As thier carts were loaded or unloaded, they were asked to spread the word about king Thundertail's death; and they were true to thier word for all the messages of condolence we had gotten over the next several days. Posral Birds wer dispatched carrying the news to all other towns, and it wasn't long before word began getting back from all points of Dinotopia. During this time the whole clan was in a state of mourning, and not much really got done save for a mere show of things; but the rest of the island didn't seem to mind, realising our loss and considering it accordingly.

Fairly soon we all began to revive from our funk through routine work and general upkeep of the clan; and even though we were still extremely sad over our loss, we realised that things must go on no matter the loss. A meeting was held in the ampetheatre of Halcyon a few days later, for we had to discuss the coronation of our new king. There was a huge hole in our chain of leadership, and it had to be filled soon if our civilization was ever to get back to normal! Grond, temporarilly in charge of the Tyranosaurs as he was oldest and wisest, called the meeting to order, and stated the reason for it, which was a subject that everyone knew.

"Ladies and Gentilebeings, a few weeks ago, our clan has suffered a tremendous loss.", he rumbled. "For our king, King Thundertail, has passed away from us; and his loss has been a crippling blow to us all."

Many in che crowd renewed thier tears and crying at the announcement, but Rex sat next to me, somber yet not crying; he seemed to be all out of them for the sorrow he endured. I grasped his two fingered hand and he looked down on me in friendship, and then Grond continued.

"We are here to seek a new king.", Grond was saying. "One who can fill the hole in the chain of leadership... One who is noble, strong and true... One who can give of him or herself as our beloved late leader once did.", He looked around. "Ancient lore has many instances where the leader of our clan dies, of battle, the hunt or through advanced age - as what seemed the case for king Thundertail. What we are here to discuss is the possibilities of proper candidates to fill that noble title, of which your suggestions are most welcome."

"Thundertail was Rex's father.", Thistlesnarl stated. "He should be king."

"Why don't we have an election?", Snaptail suggested. "Just among us Tyranosaurs..."

"You could be king, Grond.", Waterkill said. "You have the most wisdom..."

"I am only two years younger than king Thundertail.", Grond said. "I am getting too old."

"Couldn't we just draw straws or something?", Hamilton said.

"Maybe an election, only make every clan member eligable to run.", Buorrow suggested at hamilton's side.

"Look, there has to be a solution!", I said. "We can't survive long as a clan without a king!"

"What is your suggestion, Stinger?", Grond asked.

"For as long as I have known, Thundertail had been instructing and grooming Rex to be king.", I told them. "If there ever was anybody to take over as king, it would be him."

"But I still don't know what I'm doing!", Rex said. "This is all happening too fast!..."

"That is why someone else must lead...", Grond said throatilly. "I'm sorry, son..."

"Um,... Boss?", Harold said. "I don't know how to put this,... but us guys want to ask a favor."

"What is it?", Grond asked, voice husky with emotion.

"Well,...um...", he fidgited. "Well, us guys want to know what you're going to do with Thundertail's skull. We want to do something with it..."

"What do you want it for!?", Rex bawled.

"Well sir,... See, us guys had an idea.", Harold shuffled. "We want to make an honorarium for king Thundertail..."

He went on to describe how they were going to guild it in gold and silver leaf, and put in a place of honor.

"That sounds like a wonderful sentiment.", I said. "Think they can?"

"If everybody says it's OK, I'll agree.", Rex said softly.

"It's YOUR father.", Grond said. "You have the say."

"Then I guess so...", Rex bowed his head.

Harold bowed and scurried back to his kinfolk in the crowd, quiet murmurings coming from that group planned what they were going to do. It actually took two months to properly clean and dry the skull, guild it inside and out and cap the teeth with silver; then have it mounted on a short pedistal, Thundertail's name in bold saurian script and a description of what he meant to the clan below it on the pedistal. It was presented to the clan in a solemn ceremony, and the skull was placed in a forward facing niche in the ampetheatre in Halcyon so he could preside over our meetings forever. All this, of course, happened long after what happened next!

"Very well, so that is settled.", Grond continued. "Now for the issue at hand..."

Further suggestions were thrown out, many maintaining that Rex should lead while others made other suggestions. Of all these suggestions, only a few were actually debated upon. One thing was certain, I thought; a solution had better be drawn upon or else this civilization would crumble, starting with this meeting!

"How can we settle this?", Rex stood. "How can I be deemed unfit to lead if my father trained me so?"

"You lack only to be tested.", Grond said. "The one thing you lack that your father had in abundance was experience. You must PROVE to the clan that you are brave, strong and smart. You must show us all that you have what it takes to be worthy of leadership."

"He has a point, Rex.", I said. "This is not merely a position of popularity. You must prove you are actually capable to to do the job."

"But how?", Rex asked. "I don't have the experience to be king, and yet I can't get the experience unless I become king..."

"I suggest a battery of trials.", Grond said. "In days of old, leadership was determined by battle. The one who was to lead underwent a battle to the death; as did Stinktooth won by his sheer size, and as Thundertail did with his superior prowess."

"What are some other trials?", Rex said, not relishing the first one.

"The leader is to next provide food for the whole clan.", Grond replied. "He must hunt game sufficient for the whole clan all by himself.", Grond looked at him and continued. "He must also perform deeds beneficial to all in the clan."

"Well, Rex performs good deeds for the clan all the time!", Pincushion supported. "That's one down."

"I have noticed...", Grond said. "He should be commended for that."

"And he's a fine hunter. He's almost as good as me!", Thistlesnarl pointed out. "Besides, he has helped out in growing food for the others, he has fished and done many other tasks to provide food for the clan."

"This is also true.", Grond said. "He is also pretty good in battle; but the old laws states he STILL must win his title in a battle to the death!"

"Father?", Pincushion said. "You have been training me in wisdom and clan lore. Though what you said was true back then, don't you think that rule is a bit outdated?", he faltered, then went on. "I mean, this clan is striving for peace among the other Dinotopians. How can we show the others we are peaceful when we still do battle among ourselves?... I propose that this practice be banned, and a more peaceful mode of decision be used."

"Well said, my son. Also, the point is well taken.", Grond said. "It is my belief, however, that the old ways must be preserved; or else they would fade away to oblivion."

"I do too.", Pincushion considered. "But perhaps there might be a compromise here... Could we possibly perform the task, only make it less violent?", he smirked. "I propose that, instead of a battle to the death; we hold a 'Tooth And Claw' match instead, and decide later on the amount of falls."

"A fine compromise!", Grond said. "Rex, would this be a better alternative?"

"It sure beats having to kill someone.", Rex said. "Besides, there has already been enough death for my tastes!"

"Then everything is settled.", Grond stated. "Rex will be our king; but as an intitation, he must endure a battle of 'Tooth And Claw'.", he looked around. "Who among us would be his opponent?..."

Everyone looked at each other, not wanting to volunteer, yet looking around for someone who would. I looked around for any candidate large enough to take on my Partner, but saw that only the Tyranosaurs or the few larger Allosaurs here would possibly be up to the challenge. Nobody spoke up or made any move, and Grond waited for many moments before speaking.

"Surely there is ONE of you brave and skilled enough to challenge him!", he pleaded with the crowd.

"Boss. If you're so up on making him fight, why don't YOU challenge him?", Wen shouted.

"It was your idea...", a human in the crowd agreed.

"If we had our say, we'd elect Rex king right now!", Skipper said.

"Very well! I will!", Grond said, then turned to Rex. "Rex, prince of the Rainy Basin. I challenge YOU to a match of 'Tooth And Claw' to decide who will be king of the Rainy Basin.", he pointed as he said it. "If you win, the throne is yours; and if I win, I will rule instead.", he pulled a little closer to Rex and rumbled so only he could hear. "This is for real, little one!...", Rex gulped!

"Now don't go scaring him!", I warned gently.

From there the meeting wound down, and everyone left to prepare for the bout that would decide the leadership of clan Thundertail. One of the last things, of course, was whether or not we should rename the clan depending on who won. Of course, this would have to be decided after the match. Out in the streets of Halcyon, Rex caught up with me and we walked toward the side entrance, where the circular staircase led to the courtyard in the middle of the jungle where we first met his kin so long ago. Long before we got there Rex sighed and looked at me worriedly.

"What's the matter?", I asked.

"It's Grond,...all these new things.", He replied. "I just don't know what to make of it.", he looked at me. "First dad..., now this!"

"Well, relax.", I said. "Grond just wants to make sure the old ways are preserved. He doesn't really want the job of king, he just wants tradition to last."

"But I don't want to fight him!", Rex said. "He's bigger and smarter. He's like fighting my father!"

"You're worried you'll lose, right?", I asked and he nodded. "Well, you got to remember that he is pretty old. He may be smart, but he has slowed down over the years.", I smiled. "You are young and quick. I bet you're just as smart as he is, too!"

"So, I got a chance?", he asked.

"You'll probably cream him!", I lightly slapped his flank. "Don't worry about it!"

We came out upon the courtyard now, and the sun's rays filtering through the leaves gave an almost magical dappling to the newly restored area. We smiled at the remembrance of this place, and all the things we did in our younger days. I laughed and swatted his flank again, and he began playfully chasing me; then as I ducked around a pedistaled statue, he came around the other way, tounge hanging out in play. I roared menacingly and he ran back the other way, me chasing him to the other side of the courtyard. Rex screeched to a stop for no aparent reason, and I ran right into his tail; but found out why as I got back up.

"What are you doing here?", Rex asked the intruder.

"Oh, nothing really.", Thistlesnarl said. "Just looking for you."

"Hi, Thistlesnarl...", I said, smiling.

"Mayor Stinger...", she looked. "Am I disturbing something?"

"Not really...", Rex said. "Just a little playing..."

"Can I join in?", she asked playfully.

"We were actually remembering things.", I smirked. "Then things kind of got out of hand..."

"Oh, well I just wanted to ask Rex something.", Thistlesnarl told us.

"Is it personal?", I asked. "If so, I could go..."

"It is, but you know about it anyway.", she said. "Why not stay!"

"What is it, Thistlesnarl?", Rex asked.

"Well,... You know what we've been talking about?", she began. "When you become king, can I be your queen?"

Rex's mouth froze agape, his mind was locked in shocked confusion. True they had talked about them being together, but he had thought thier relation could develop slowly; over the course of years, not all of a sudden like this! Of all the things on his mind recently, this added into the mix made him stammer and huff until he found his voice at last.

"Why... Yes... Of course.", he said. "I could not think of a better plan..."

"That's wonderful!", I said, but not loud enough to be heard over Thistlesnarl's reaction.

"Oh, Rex!...", she nuzzled and licked. "You're the best!... I'm so happy!...", she stopped to reguard her still distraught friend. "You are happy, are you?..."

"Yes,... I guess I am...!", he smiled for the first time in days.

"Good!", she licked. "Now go and win that match!...", she shooed.

I gave him an eye and ran down the path that led back to Clanhome via the pyramid of Teeklan, and he gave chase; smiling and nipping at my heels the whole way. I used Klamath's speed to keep just ahead of him, which was a ploy to train him somewhat; building his stamina for the match ahead, and possibly giving him an edge over the older and more experienced Tyranosaur. In our travels we saw Grond in a bit of training of his own, intensely being trained bu Mayday; who had taken sides with her Partner and would have nothing to do with me for the duration. The ones babysitting my daughter, Havarra was Hamilton and Buorrow, whom were sauntering by with both my children up on the yearling Mammoths' back.

We got near and saw some of the other clan members, hurriedly making preparations for the 'Tooth And Claw' match, which was scheduled to be held there tomorrow. As we watched them work, we noticed that there were many strangers around them, helping out and generally looking around. It seemed that word had definitely gotten around about king Thundertail's death, and many came to both see him off or console us; but many seemed to be interested in what we were going to do next, seeing that our civilization was virtually leaderless.

I was not as shocked as I should have been when we met up with another, if most importat, group of guests; which showed up early the next morning. He galloped in on his Overlander, former sliding off when in range and latter foaming at the mouth with exhaustion; and Whitetail rushed over to tend the swooning creature, immediately leading him to water.

"Hello everyone...", Waldo Seville said as soon as I walked into view. "I heard the news and..."

"Mayor Seville!", I shook his hand. "Wonderful of you for coming; but you needn't have driven your steed so..."

"But I had to get here quickly.", he replied, then more softly. "Um,... How's the lad taking things?"

"He's a brave kid.", I stated as I saw him getting ready for the match. "He's all ready now..."

"Just what is going on?", Waldo asked.

"It is a Tyranosaur tradition that one must fight for leadership.", I explained. "In the old days it was a match to the death; but the new way is just a wrestling match..."

"How barbaric!...", he commented. "Um,... Who is his opponent?"

"Grond.", I pointed at the Tyranosaur in question, who was being rubbed down by Mayday.

"Heavens!... He'll be killed!", said Waldo. "I hear Grond is an expert."

"Eh,... We'll see.", I told him as I led him to the perifery of the area. "Rex has a few tricks up his sleeve too!"

Whitetail had the Overlander freshen himself up, watering and feeding him a bit; and that was because we needed him for a small task. Skipper related to him what we wanted him to do, and he agreed; for we needed a noncommittal person to start the match of 'Tooth And Claw', and he seemed to understand what he had to do. Many moments later Rex and Grond announced they were ready, and everyone gathered around the perifery of the boomerang shaped clearing to witness the spectacle. Both squared off, and the Overlander got in between them. Flatbottom came out just then, and boomed loudly what was going to transpire.

"Ladies and gentilebeings!", the Triceratops announced. "Today it is scheduled a match to determine who will be king of this great clan. I give you Rex, heir to the throne and son of Thundertail the wise!", his cheers were tremendous, and I joined in. "And his opponent, Grond, advisor and elder of the clan!", Grond's cheers were no less enthusiastic, and Mayday was the one to lead that cheering.

"Now watch this!...", I said to Waldo, who was watching with intense interest.

"This contest will be held for the agreed upon three out of five falls.", Flatbottom continued. "You may begin; and may the best dinosaur win!..."

With that the Overlander was urged to bellow out, then scurry out of the way; and made his way to the mayor's side. With great theatrics and intense looks, both roared at each other and ran to grapple right in the middle of the area of the fight. The cheering grew in intensity as the frenzy of the fight rose to a dervish level. They both struggled in a tight circle until Grond threw Rex back several steps; then the lad wheeled and turned for another charge. Grond dodged the charge, and swiped at the boy's feet with his tail; but this only altered Rex's trajectory slightly. Rex turned and charged again, and Grond swung with his head; cracking skulls and sending Rex reeling!

Shaking it off, Rex decided to take a more cautious aproach. Rex circled the older Tyranosaur, looking for an opening; and this was Grond's turn to go on the attack, so he charged, flailing his anvil-like head. Seeing this, Rex ducked his head under; getting most of his body under Grond's chest as they made contact. Rex lifted up, twisting; and send Grond tumbling onto the ground, and the crowd cheered and roared Rex's first point! The crowd went wild as they saw this, and Rex looked in awe at all the attention - all for him! Grond struggled, gasping and wheezing for air as he struggled to his feet. Bowing and posturing, Rex didn't see Grond get up; and he got broadsided by his headbutt as a result, sending him sprawling into the grass!

"Keep your eyes open!...", I shout. "Don't go prancing around like that!..."

As Rex slowly got up, he seemed to have an idea just about then, blinking in realization. He got up and began running, feigning to attack, then pull away at the last moment; and Grond, though preparing to counter, was fooled by these feints. This strategy worked for a while, but Grond began to anticipate these; and got in a good trip with his tail. Of course, this tactic was raising a lot of dust; and this seemed to be what the lad wanted. Rex circled Grond a few times, seeking an opening, and found one as Grond sneezed; smacking skulls together and sending Grond dazed.

Rex rammed into him once more, sending him to the ground once again in mid-sneeze, winning another point. Grond got up immediately and circled for another chrage, but Rex dodged it, whipping his tail into Grond's path; and this sent him flipping over on his back. With this the crowd went wild, cheering and celebrating Rex winning leadership of the clan; and Rex went to Grond to help lever him up.

"You young pup!...", Grond panted, still getting up. "You tricked me three times!"

"Come on, get up...!", Rex said softly, getting him on his feet and licked. "You old toad!..."

As Grond stood erect, he reguarded his new king and smiled. He bowed low, snout nearly touching the ground, where he sneezed again; and that sent Rex in a fit of laughter! During this, Rex failed to hear all the cheering going on all around him; but now he saw all the people and saurians, cheering and yelling his name! Grond roared, and this eventually brought all to silence; but then Rex could not hold his voice any more, for now he had truely won the kingdom of the Rainy Basin! He let out a peal of roaring never before heard uttered out of his mouth, loud and strong; and all those who were present fell silent at the call of thier new king.

As thier new king ran out of breath, his subjects could no longer contain themselves. They rushed out onto the field in a mob and vied to get close to him, shoving and pushing for position. Rex came into the crowd and allowed them to touch and congratulate him; but I hung back a bit, knowing that this was his moment and not mine. As he turned to see me standing in the back, he ploughed his way through the crowd to grasp me in his stumpy arms; an embrace that lasted a good long time. When he let me go, I bowed low and said just loud enough that he was my king; vioce cracking with emotion.

"Well done, my boy!... Well done!", Waldo came to bow as well. "Or should I say 'My King'?..."

"Mayor Waldo! I didn't know you were here.", Rex said. "When did you arrive?"

"Just before your bout.", he replied. "And I must say, you did a smashing job! Congratulations!..."

"Yeah, the only problem is I think I wore poor Grond out!", Rex smiled. "Now he needs a rest!", I chuckled.

"What do you think will be your first command?", Waldo asked.

"I don't know.", Rex stated. "I'd like to keep things going the way they are until I find my feet. Other than that,... well..."

"He'll do good. I promise!", I said. "He's got all of us to rely on. We'll make sure he makes the right decisions!"

"If you'll excuse me, your highnesses...", Flit came over, Proboke around his metallic body. "I have come to inform you that the coronation services will be held in Halcyon shortly. There is a feast being prepared in king Rex's honor, and will be ready shortly thereafter."

"Thank you, Flit.", Rex said for us all, then looked at us sheepishly as the artificial life construct left. "I guessed that, since I was the King around here, I should do that..."

"A wise conclusion.", Waldo stated.

"Hey Stinger...", Rex turned to me suddenly. "I just realised. I'm the King!...", a look of fear was on his face.

"Hey!.. Don't worry!...", I soothed. "We're all for you."

"But what if I do a bad job?...", he moaned softly.

"Oh,... You should get the hang of things soon enough!", Waldo told him. "I should tell you how awkward I felt my first few days in office!... But then, as time went on, I came to call the job my own."

"Yes, but in the mean time, I think you should get a little cleaned up.", I said. "You're all dusty from your fight!", I started brushing his flank, and that rose a cloud of the aformentioned stuff from his hide.
"Yeah...!", he coughed. "I guess you're right!"

We went off to the river as Waldo was led away by Flatbottom and Skipper, his Overlander in tow; and they proceeded down the path that led toward the entrance to Halcyon. In the mean time the rest of the clan hurried to make preparations for the grand event about to take place, both for themselves and for the event itself. After I was done with Rex, Ripper and Snapper came to collect thier new king; and he was escorted to the chambers in the World Beneath where his Tyranosaur armor was to be placed on him. The Kirkys had hurriedly fastened a silver and gold chestplate they had found, depicting a battle between two Tyranosaurs; and added that to his regulation gear.

They had also found a brass ring nearly the size around as a barrel rim, bedecked with jewels and had a small Sunstone as the centerpiece; fashioned so it could be placed upon the cranium of a large Theropod, and adjusted it so Rex could wear it as a crown. His father's Amulet of Protection was also added to the ensemble; and once he was all decked out with this regalia, he looked every bit the king he was to be. Unfortunately, he did not feel the part, as he fidgited and fumed at every adjustment! I was coached on what I was supposed to do, which was to present this crown to Rex; placing it on his head and officially crowning him king.

Several hours later all the preparations were made, and every member of the clan gathered in the central square near the great fountain in the center of downtown Halcyon. Waldo was already there, and waited along with the rest of the growing crowd; and then the Kirky band began, playing a regal tune as the ones officiating the coronation arrived in the area. Grond in black cape and all the rest of the tyranosaurs dressed in similar regal attire; then I showed up through a side entrance to join them. Ripper and Snapper came into view just then, and that was when Grond roared to silence the still murmuring crowd.

The Tyranosaurs flanked a main avenue where Rex was to show up in a precise cadence, and then turned to face the avenue, ramrod straight as if on review. As Rex arrived at the head of the avenue, all of them bowed as one, snouts nearly touching the guilded cobbles; and as thier new king passed thier position, each roared in joy and respect, holding that tone until the very walls of the cavern that was Halcyon shook! As one they all ceased, and Grond walked up the aisle to his king; Bowing to him before he began his barely rehearsed speech.

"Dear beloved members of clan Thundertail.", he rumbled solemnly. "Today a great change has occurred to us all, for we are here to crown a new king for clan Thundertail! He has won the right by birth, and earned the right by battle...", this he emphasised by arching his back, which got chuckles! "So, it is with extreme honor that I name REX, king of the Rainy Basin!..."

At this all cheered, nearly sending the rocks high above in the chamber to come down on our heads! Rex stepped up and bowed, the feeling of extreme accomplishment and profound honor aparent on his face. As the applause wound down, Grond nudged him back into place, and eyed me to tell me it was my cue to do my part. I took my spot straddling the frill of Flatbottom, which made my stance just about level with Rex's head.

"When you receive this crown, a symbol of your power...", Grond said. "You will take your place as ruler of these, your humble subjects.", he nodded once more, and Flatbottom aproached Rex.

"Rex, son of Thundertail, king of the Rainy Basin. By the power vested to me as mayor of the Rainy Basin and duely elected member of this court...", I said solemnly as I placed the huge crown on my Partner's head. "I crown you KING of the Rainy Basin!..."

From then on nobody could control the cheering and applause that erupted in Halcyon that day, and I looked up at the cavern roof; swearing the formations up there would come crashing down! The Kirky band began playing a triumphal march, barely being heard over the din, as clan members came forward to witness thier new king. After about a hundred members stepped up to bow or otherwise acknowledge or congratulate Rex, Thistlesnarl paced up; and with a wink from her friend, stepped up and gave a nuzzle before moving on.

It was a grand celebration, to be sure; and nobody wanted to leave as the festivities spilled out of the city and into the jungles beyond. At Clanhome others in the clan had been preparing the area for the grand feast to follow. The Struthies in our charge volunteered many of thier kind to be the meals of honor, and those not in attendance were busy making them tasty enough for thier new king. As the precession finally began gathering there, many campfires were lit; and the feast was to be set up as informally as possible, a treat from the very early days of the clan organization. As the area began to fill up, we all chose the campfire we were to be at for the feast; and naturally I was to be at the one Rex would be at, but for some reason I was there first.

As I sat on a log, Waldo and his Overlander came by and sat or squatted beside me as per thier physical requirements; and it was a while due to minor greetings or conversations before he got a chance to talk to me. In the mean time I just waited, taking in all the activity escalating at the other campfires and tending to the little ones, who were scurrying from place to place, looking for thier parents, thier little friends or meeting someone new. At many of the campfires Kirkys were performing little skits for all, playing various tunes as were thier two bands were doing and generally entertaining everyone else.

Grond came and squatted across from me, as did Mayday; and Thistlesnarl was next, followed by Pincushion and Deathflower. Servers came and asked our preferences in meals, and scurried off to fill those orders, weaving thier way through the crowds gathering around the other campfires. At long last Rex made his way into the area, and I whistled to indicate which campfire I was stationed at; but his bewildered face told of his confusion as he located me and slowly paced over. Everyone at the campfire stood at his aproach, and only sat after he did.

"It was a lovely coronation...", Waldo commented first. "You looked so regal, sir!"

"Regal? I was scared out of my wits!", Rex said, sniffing his food.

"Think crown and armor look great.", Mayday told him.

"Thanks, and sorry for beating up Grond...", he replied.

"You won fair and square.", Grond replied. "One that does that is worthy to be king."

"I think you were so brave!...", Thistlesnarl came to him.

"Well, earlier you told me to win the bout...", Rex commented innocently. "Just doing what you said..."

"My king...!", she purringly nuzzled.

"If I'm not mistaken,", Waldo commented. "There may be some little princes and princesses running about before long..."

"Oh, us?...", Rex said, offering her some of his Struthie. "Well,... Maybe."

"It is the right of a king to choose a mate...", Grond commented. "Thistlesnarl is my daughter; but as you are now the king, I can not refuse..."

"We're still young, father.", Thistlesnarl said. "We have plenty of time..."

"We both agreed to go it slow for now.", Rex told him. "I got to get used to being king first!"

"A sound decision, my king.", Grond answered and concentrated on his meal.

We all followed Grond's lead and spent the next several moments eating, and one of the Kirky bands came by playing thier version of dinner music; material not really fit for the four-star restaraunts, but passible for this semi-formal occasion. Much later many of the clan came by to nod at thier new king or exchange niceties with him before moving on. Moments after that I saw a Mammoth come up from behind him, my son at his side; then realised it was Buorrow, now grown into a fine young bull Mammoth. They stopped just at Rex's left side and waited for him to notice them, and at last he did.

"Oh, hi Hamilton,... Buorrow.", Rex said as he looked up. "Come to say hi?..."

"King Rex, we have something for you.", Hamilton said.

"We made it.", Buorrow added. "I mean, he made his thing, and my thing was made from me - sort of..."

"What is it?", Rex asked, smiling. "Or what are THEY?"

"Well, mine is this:", Buorrow reached on his back, where a large quilt was placed upon it, and drew it down."This blanket was made with half matriarch Buttercup's wool and half mine.", the colorful quilt was embroidered with many symbols and figures of Mammoths and Tyranosaurs; styled almost like Incan, Inuit or Mongolian designs. "Buttercup's Partner made it himself..."

"Well, this is wonderful!", Rex said reguarding the design. "Looks cozy!"

"It'll help on those chilly nights...", Burrow said, smiling.

"Thank you, my friend!", Rex said. "It will be real useful..."

"This is what I made for you, king Rex:", Hamilton said as he presented a wrapped item. Remembering, he unwrapped it and held out a white object on a brass chain.

"Oh!... How wonderful!", Rex saw the amulet made of bone, shaped just like a Tyranosaur standing to roar; which was about the size of both of Hamilton's hands held together, and the detail was exquisite. "It looks just like me."

"I started it a while ago...", the young man explained. "That's why it has no crown..."

"Well, I think it's a marvelous likeness!...", Rex said. "Don't you guys think so?", murmured agreement wafted around the campfire.

"We both think you'll do a great job being our king.", Hamilton said, and Buorrow nodded vigorousely. "And matriarch Buttercup congratulates you too."

"She said she'll miss your father.", Buorrow added. "She was quite fond of him, you know..."

"I know.", Rex leaned to give each a nuzzle.

"Ok everybody!...", I announced. "I guess it's now time to give the gifts!..."

It was a surprise, even for Waldo; but nearly everyone in the clan began forming a line near Rex, one or two small presents in thier hands or forelimbs. Rex received things like rings or other jewelry of various metals, Drachs and other forms of currency, promises to have things done for him like mudbaths and other such services, bedclothes and toiletries fit for a Tyranosaur; and everyone that passed personally wished thier best for him. Before long it was getting late, and the look I saw on Rex's face was either one of joy, comeraderie, confusion and many other emotions; but I think it was the fact that Rex had had a busy day, and it was simply a case of weariness!

Soon enough things began to wind down, and many of the clan members who had duties in the morning began to beg thier leave and headed back to thier quarters for the night. Moments later some of the ones at our campfire had to go too; and bid thier leave with a bow or nod to thier new king, to Waldo and to me. Waldo wished to turn in, and his Overlander yawned a couple of times himself; so Grond had Whitetail escort them to thier quarters for the night. We all went to bed soon thereafter, and in the morning after breakfast Waldo mounted his Overlander and headed back to Waterfall City.

Many days passed in the clan, and congratulations come from all over the island confirming the coronation of king Rex; as well as further belated condolences on the demise of king Thundertail. Though Rex went through the motions of kingship, he did it with all the enthusiasm of a funeral-goer! I could understand my Partners' dilemma, new to the power he now posessed and all; and I knew not to push my concern on him too much, for I knew he had to adjust in his own way. The rest of us performed our duties like normal, which made his job a lot easier; and it was a good thing nothing major came up to test his kingship, for it looked like his heart really didn't seem to be in it.

"My king!...", I said one morning as I caught up with him. He was moping down a path near the pyramid of Teeklan. "All the assignments have been passed out, and we are awaiting your further instructions.", I bowed.

"Cut it out, Stinger!...", Rex nearly snapped. "All this bowing and posturing gets to me..."

"Uh,... sorry, your highness...", I stammered.

"None of that, either!", he returned.

"Um,... Rex?", I said meekly after a moment. "The rest of the clan has been wondering something..."

"What is that?", he asked.

"Well, we were wondering if you were going to change the name of the clan.", I said. "It is your right as king to name the clan after yourself, you know..."

"Well,... I don't know...", Rex said. "'Clan Thundertail' sounds so cool, as Carl would say. My name is too meek sounding.", then he enunciated: "Clan 'THUNDERTAIL'!!!", then did an impersonation of a mouse! "clan 'rex'.", he shook his head. "No, I think I'll keep it like it is...", then added hastilly. "In honor of my father, of course..."

I chuckled. "You know, it's awful hard to adjust to things.", I reguarded him. "Before this you were just an ordinary Tyranosaur, going about things like normal; and now you have all the power of the Rainy Basin at your clawtips, and more responsibility than you ever dreamed there could be!... You know, I don't blame you for having cold feet..."

"You bet it's hard...!", he said sadly. "And my feet feel like blocks of ice!"

"Rex,... my Partner and my friend!", I chuckled some more, then got a little somber. "Can I show you something?", I smiled as I grasped his muzzle fondly.

"What is it, my friend?", he nuzzled.

"Follow me, if you would...", I said as I led him further down the path.

Soon we were coming out near the pyramid of Teeklan, its' sloping mass looming up from the jungle floor; dominating the overgrown horizon before us. We were coming out near the back of the construction, opposite the main entrance of it where the sweeping stairway led directly up the outside. Though humans and many smaller saurian species could traverse the steep, wide steps leading to the top; it was doubtful a creature as large as Rex could do it, though I had noticed that Pincushion could do it with practiced ease. I took the first two steps, then turned to see Rex eye me curiousley; then I spoke.

"What's the matter?", I asked.

"Want me to go up there?", he replied.

"That's where your surprise is.", I stated and continued up.

I could hear his prodding footfalls as he tested every step for safety. He was slow and unsure of his steps, having difficulty balancing on such an angled structure; but I stopped at the first wide landing and waited for him to catch up.

"Come on... You can make it!...", I coached, then I patted his snout when he arrived. "You know, you don't have anything to worry about, being king.", I told him. "Your father taught you all he knew, I hear."

"He did, but I'm worried that I might make a mistake...!", his last word was more dismayed than normal because he looked down!

"You won't make any mistakes.", I soothed, steadying him. "You have everyone in the clan behind you to back you up.", I continued up the pyramid as soon as I saw he was ready.

I climbed to the next tier and turned to see his panting face pinched in concentration. I could see that he knew he was pretty high up, and one misstep on his part could send him crashing down to the ground; and this was his main worry at the moment. He was panting slightly as he reached my position, and I patted his snout for his efforts as I looked into his face.

"You know, even your father needed help every once in a while.", I told him. "All of us was there, giving advice and volunteering our services in order to help him. We will do the same for you too."

"Why are we climbing this again?...", he winced.

I laughed and continued up to the last landing before the top, and he still followed me. I could see from his look every step of the way that he was growing bored with this, but I knew the experience was just what he needed. Besides, the thing I had to show him would bring alive the reason why he was now king. He arrived at the landing, panting worse than before; and once he stood on that level surface, he eyed me suspiciousely.

"So Stinger. Now that I am King, do you think that will make you any more than you are?", he accused.

"No, I don't think that would change my status much...", I told him. Good! He was finally thinking about something other than his own trepidations! "I'm already the mayor of the humans. I have always been your Partner. I guess that's enough for me!", I said. "Besides, we're only a few feet away from your surprise! Let's go!"

We climbed the last ninty feet, where the temple sat on a wide plaza forty feet across. I climbed there, wincing at the amber Sunstone light that oozed from the temple, light streaming through the jungle treetops to thier predetermined paths to crucial points at the temple of Orous, Kinan Van and Halcyon. As I turned around, Rex was there, scanning the area; looking for any signs of his surprise. I smiled and patted his flank in reward for his first time climbing the pyramid of Teeklan. Then I looked at him solemnly, begging his head to be lowered.

"You know, Rex. Sometimes it is said that one can not see the forest for the trees.", I told him. "I thought I could illustrate the problem you were having adjusting to be king best by being way up here..."

"What do you mean?", he asked.

"Well, sometimes it is hard to see the scope of things if you don't have the right perspective.", I said. "All the worrys and concerns get in the way, making it difficult to concentrate. I thought that, by being up here; I could help you by illustrating that."

He nodded, but questioningly.

"Now, I want you to look all around you.", I swept my arm around. "What do you see?"

"The woods...", he grunted. "So what?"

"No! Look. Really look.", I instructed, and he peered with more concentration.

"Look out as far as your eye can see.", I pointed below. "Look down, look all around. Those are all YOUR subjects down there, and the ones flying in the distance.", I smiled. "Everywhere you can see, everyone you notice, all that you survey belongs to YOU now."

"Me?...", he gasped.

"Yes!...", I replied. "We are your subjects, and all this territory is yours.", I came to him and placed my hand on his muzzle. "You are the KING! Don't you understand this, my friend?"

Rex looked dumbfounded for a few moments, but then a light of understanding soon bloomed on his eyes. He looked this way and that after another moment, looking glad instead of forelorn; and soon he nearly beamed brighter than the amber Sunstone with excitement and determination! As a reward for me showing him this, he gave me a tremendous lick that sent me sprawling on the stones; chortling and capering like a hatchling.

"I understand now, my friend...!", Rex nearly howled. "I really do!"

"That's great!", I said as I got up.

"Yeah!... I'm going to run the Rainy Basin the right way.", he said excitedly. "I'm not going to be a Gloomy Gastornis, like I been doing."

"That's the spirit!", I rubbed his muzzle. "So, what's your first thought as king?"

"Well, I figured that I had a hard time getting up here.", Rex began. "I was wondering how I was going to get back down..."

"OH!... Yeah...", How stupid of me! With the Tyranosaur anatomy he had, Rex would never get down safely. He had been struggling getting up the steps; but if he tried getting down facing forward, he'd surely tumble to his death! "Sorry about that, kid! I wasn't thinking that far ahead!"

"Can't go down that way...", Rex said after trying to step down the stairs, nearly nosing over before recovering and stumbling back a step. "Any ideas?"

"Going down forward obviousely isn't the answer.", I said. "How about backward?"

"I'm not that sure-footed...", Rex complained.

"I'll guide you down.", I volunteered. "It's tricky, but it's the only way. Come on, give it a try!"

I had him back up at the top of the steps, grasping his two-fingered hands in mine as I used Klamath's strength and added weight to be like an anchor. I looked this way and that, using my eyes to spot where he was to place his feet. It wasn't a totally serious operation, for Rex was giggling and making other noises at any slight misstep or casual look at how high up he was; and that made me chuckle too, for it was kind of a silly situation at that! It took nearly two hours to reach the ground, and Rex bounced playfully at the now solid ground he was on. I rumpled his neck and we both went our seperate ways for the rest of the day.

Over the next few months Rex really started to fit into his job of king, handling disputes both domestic and abroad; yet doing it his way, and the fresh aproach was surely a good thing for all. He tried really hard in his duties, hoping that his father would aprove of him from wherever he was watching. I often looked into the night sky and asked that myself; but somehow I knew that Thundertail was already proud of his son, and so was I!...

_____

[thundertail]

SIXTY-EIGHT: "Rainy Basin Chronicle.(New breed.)"

As time goes by like it normally does, things happen that helps create great changes both large and small. People grow old, and younger people move into thier jobs; and they eventually come into thier own, making things either better or worse. The apprentices of people whose jobs are vital grow and learn the ways of those that came before them; and before long there is another generation of people taking over the reigns of posts where thier predecessers once occupied. The same was the case in what I was witnessing all during the course of my stay on Dinotopia, and what I was witnessing in the likeness of my Partner Rex was no different. He was part of the new breed, the ones whose legacy was to continue maintaining the island as it always had been.

Rex grew into his role as king, of this we made sure of. He needed a lot of coaching and councilling in the beginning, to be sure; but his insight in what was good for the clan grew as his experience expanded. I had to make sure that his decisions were really the ones he wanted to bring forth on many occasions; but in the end, everything turned out all right for him and the clan for his decisions in the long run. Every day that he was in command of us brought forth one more facet of his leadership skills, and he was proving that his father's wisdom was indeed alive and well in him!

"Woah there, Sam!...", said Harold in Ursula's old rickshaw as they drew up beside Rex one day. I was there going over rosters of things that needed repair with him. "Say boss... Some of my bunch are complainin'..."

"What about, Harold?", Rex asked.

"Well see... Jack say he never heard of such work...", Harold got out of the rickshaw, using a cane for support. "Paintin' the carts!"

"Those carts we use for delivering goods.", Rex said. "We want them to be colorful and cheery for the customers, you know."

"But there is five hundred of them!", he guffawed. "That'll take all month!"

"Your kind is in charge of cart maintenence this month, right?", Rex said and Harold nodded. "And painting is part of maintenence, right?", again a nod, but Rex looked away. "But if you guys don't want to do it, I can have some other group do it - it needs to be done, you know..."

"Well, ok boss...", Harold said, hobbling away. "But the boys ain't gonna like it!..."

"When do they like anything?", Rex chuckled, then he noticed. "Hey Harold!... Don't forget your condition!... Use the rickshaw!", he had fallen down a slope in the World Beneath, shattering a hip, which never healed right.

"But I don't like it!", he complained but turned toward it anyway. "Ain't proper, having a leader like me a cripple...", he climbed aboard.

"Things happen...", Rex said weakly. "Besides, Jack is doing a fine job, taking over while you heal..."

"That Bozo couldn't hold together a thought!...", Harold mumbled as he gruntingly mounted the rickshaw. "Why did you pick him?"

"He was stronger, and knew your job as good as you.", Rex said simply. "Besides, you've done so much for the clan over the years, you deserve the vacation!"

"Oh, belay that!", Harold said before giving his puller, Sam Kirky, the word to go. "If Muriel were alive, things would be different...", she had died of natural causes long before Rex's coronation, but Harold never had any remorse that showed.

I nodded at how he handled that before continuing."Ahem..., Now, the row of adobe guest houses north of Clanhome need thier roofs rethatched. Mayday has Holly Sereno and the other ladies not on other duties preparing for it.", I looked around. "How do you like that Holly? Can translate any saurian language better than me and Klamath!"

"She does real well.", Rex said. "Maybe I can have her work at the Waterfall City council as our liason..."

"We'll have to teach her court politics,", I said. "But I suppose that it's possible."

"I'll bring it up at our next meeting.", Rex said. "What's the other work orders?..."

As I worked with him for the rest of the day, many of the clan members came by; adding thier input on one subject or another, or complaining about this or that problem. But Rex took it all in stride, passing out wisdom or information; and his subjects went away satisfyed at Rex's input on thier problems. I had no complaints at all on how he was handling these things; and the kid seemed to actually be enjoying himself as he was doing this! What I saw in him that he enjoyed doing most was when the little ones would come to him for wisdom, advice or just to say hi.

"Hey, Thunder!", Rex said as his youngest son started mouthing his ankle near the end of our work for the day. "By the strength of that bite, I'd say you're hungry!", he nuzzled the child to the ground, and he squeaked.

"He looks just like you at that age!...", I smiled as I went to pick him up. Thunder dodged my grasp and went to hide behind Rex's foot. "C'mere, you scamp...!", I cooed.

"Hope I didn't act like him...", Rex said.

"Naw!... You were worse!", I chuckled as Thistle, Rex's daughter came into range, so I grabbed her little squeaking form instead.

"Was not!...", Rex chuckled as he scooted Thunder out in the open.

"Stinger's right!...", Thistlesnarl came in to sniff my head. "You were worse all right!"

We all laughed at this for a moment as Rex's kids played at our feet; then Carl Scott came over telling us it was time for him to go. He had been summoned by the high council at Waterfall City for some special training as per thier laws. Marion Seville had graduated her Matriarch-in-training apprenticeship, and would soon take over the duties that her mother, Rosemary, had once done; and since Carl was her fiancee', that made him eligable to run for mayor of Waterfall City. This, unfortunately, meant that he had to go and be trained in court protocols, and be schooled in all the decisions mayors had to make all throughout Dinotopia history, and was a prospect that he wasn't relishing at all!

He came to hug Thistlesnarl a moment before speaking. "Well guys. I guess this is it..."

"Want me to take you there, friend?", Thistlesnarl offered.

"S'ok, Thiss.", Carl bent to rumple little Thistle's hide. "They sent an Overlander, and Flatbottom offered to haul my things..."

"Well, you'll surely be missed.", I shook his hand.

"This is a fact!", Rex put in. "Your services to the Rainy Basin Rangers will certainly be missed."

"I'll miss the place too.", Carl said. "And Stinger. Thanks for helping me to grow up..."

"Part of the service!...", I told him, and Thistlesnarl licked him right off his feet!

"Have a good life, my human...", she told him as he got up.

"You too, Thiss...", he hugged her snout.

Carl turned to go, and I saw reflected in Thistlesnarl's face the sadness spread over it; and knew that at the same time the same thing was happening to Carl's face. Never have I seen a boy like that, going from a brash and selfish hooligan to kind and responsable citizen in nearly a year. Now he was going away to a new life, and there would certainly be a hole in everyones' lives because of it. As I bent to at last grasp Thunder at my feet, I began to remenisque about all the others that were making changes for themselves, and at the same time forcing changes that would change forever the way things were around here.

Young people grow up, and older people get older; and many of us matured in ways we never expected, and in many cases we did so in ways we never really wanted! Many of our leaders grew old, and the next generation was taking over in thier roles; apprentice turning into expert before finally taking over the duties of thier mentors, much to the dismay of the ones they were replacing! The humans in the clan were growing old too, and thier sons and daughters began taking over the heavier roles thier parents once occupied; and the saurians that led thier kind began grudgingly giving up thier positions as thier bodies grew too slow or feeble to perform thier previous tasks.

I watched all these changes going on about me, and knew that pretty soon the same fate would befall me before too much longer. Certainly the telltale signs of age were creeping up on me as well, for I got tired sooner than when I was a young adult, I had greying temples and I was growing bald headed on the top. I often joked about my changing looks, saying I had snow on the roof and a few roof tiles were missing, but at least my head didn't leak! The looks of age was also aparent on the faces of all my friends, both here with me and those of other places. Waldo was not getting any younger, and Minch seemed positively ancient; but Rosemary still kept her wise beauty, which contrasted Zippeau's increasingly wrinkled looking hide.

Even Torres LaSage's looks began showing the wears of age, though she would hardly admit it. Her raven black hair had been lightening of late, and the laugh lines around her mouth were becoming more prominent; but this didn't subtract on her otherwise beautiful features. I had commented on this one day while on a simple visit, Rosemary accompanying me; and her candor told of both how uncaring she was about it as well as the kind of life she now enjoyed now that she lived a more honest life.

"I'm so glad you could come.", LaSage said as she poured us a drink as we sat in her private eating chambers. "The place is getting positively boring!"

"Oh, I think you're doing wonderful for yourself, Torres.", Rosemary said as she accepted a glass. "You have a strong and viable community, and have proven yourself to be a valuable citizen to Dinotopia."

"Yes, you are.", I said, accepting my drink. "I must admit, though; I had little confidence in your turnaround, but you have certainly proven me wrong!"

"Aw!... 'Twas nothing...", she sat, then drank deeply. "You know Rosemary, for years I blamed you for leaving me in the jungle.", she sighed. "But I just realised that it was MY decision to stay... I lost myself there, but strange as it may sound; Stinger was the one that helped me find my way home."

"Yeah, and I remember the first time we met...", I downed my drink. "I almost killed you!"

"Those were the days, eh Stinger?", she smiled. "Full of fun!", she stretched. "You showed me that sometimes folks will NOT take my guff."

"And from there he taught you. No one should take advantage of the kindness of others.", Rosemary observed.

"Yeah, he kind of beat it into my head!", LaSage said, looking at me. She turned and leaned toward Rosemary for a hug. "Hear that, Rosemary?... I'm home!..."

The rest of the visit turned out to be like one would feel when a relative arrived. She treated us kindly and fondly, eagerly telling us of all the things her community has done. Her small feast was meager and courteousely meatless; and when the meal was completed, we talked for several hours about little subjects. It was our opinion, spoken of much later, that Torres LaSage had definitely changed her ways; and there was no longer any danger of her going back to her original ways.

LaSage had been complaining over the months before that meeting that Quint had run off on her; disliking the life she had made from the remnants of the pirates, he took off with a few of the men to resume his piratic ways deep into the wilds of Dinotopia. It was a small band, and the raids they had done were minimal; but it was all they knew how to do to survive. She asked us if we were going to bring them in for justice, but I had heard that no action was to be taken; however, this didn't satisfy her at all, and she vowed to give them thier just deserts if and when they showed themselves there again!

Of course, there were other friends and acquaintences who I had caught up with over the years; and thier stories were quite interesting indeed. I had heard through Buorrow that Sia Kinnerman, Buttercup's partner had died; and his matriarch was growing near feeble with age herself. He was given word by her that he would soon become Alpha male of the herd soon; a reward for cementing the friendship between the creatures of the Rainy Basin and Tentpole Of The Sky.

The clan had just gotten a new member of late, for Almasaur Ankylosaur, ancient and growing senile, at last checked into the Rainy Basin Retirement home. He giving up his position to Carl's Partner, 26; who took to studying court proceedings, and surpassed even her mentor's expectations! David Scott, who had risen in the ranks of the Skybax corps; had finally made it to Skybax commander, a desk job that he grew to loathe tremendousely. An added note of success for the boy was the fact that he and Elana Dennison was soon to be married!

Everyone was saddened at the news that MacDougal had died, Pincushion being the hardest hit; and though it was his duty to see his internment, Diego promised to be his Partner from now on. The chores at his stills were taken over by the many neighboring female Veloceraptors and other humans that took up the apprenticeship.

Tunneau the Bracheosaur Strutter had many drivers over the years, and his metallic service he did continued up until today. Kiawa the Skybax Strutter had many pilots as well, me training Diego, then Hamilton, then Francis Sereno and finally Greg Krieger; and from those candidates, they were training many more. Flit was always the industrious type, and his energy never seemed to wane; and his services to the clan and the island were endless, finishing one task to jump right into another.

A friend that I had forgotten about over the years was Shawn Branko, for he never again showed his face around again; but there was a good reason for this, as I eventually found out. He and Doppo Triceratops had switched around thier shipping routes as well as thier professions; for they had moved to the Outer Island, and now spent thier time going on fruit-picking expeditions. More sad news came to me the time I had gotten word that mister Woolright had passed on in Waterfall City. One of the oldest persons on the island had died, and his funeral was observed all over the city; and for many weeks after the event, everybody on the island were sending thier condolences - including me. Zippeau, my old friend! I heard you finally tied the knot with Yarra - congratulations to the both of you! Pretty soon there'll be the pitter-patter of little librarians running about! (Ha, ha!)

The captain of the Millennium Queen, captain Applebee, became a ferry captain on Mosasaur Harbor near Waterfall City; and then went on to ferrying cargo up and down the Polongo river between Sauropolis and Turtletail Point. Weems, the purser of the Millennium Queen, had become the accountant of the counting house that tended to the fishing warehouse at Waterfall city, and father Fish went on to traveling the length and breadth of Dinotopia, preaching the ways of Christanity with his Partner and first 'deciple' Whipper Ankylosaur. Of course, engineer Waters and his misunderstood sidekick Walker, stayed with us to help Flit repair and maintain the mechanical wonders of the World Beneath - and add a few hybrid inventions of thier own.

Mr. Cox, the brash businessman from the outside world, now operates the biggest shipping company this side of the Polongo river; and his company now leads the trade of Chandara to Sauropolis. Mr. Johnson went on to become a traveling linguist and translator; for he had learned over thirty saurian dialects, and taught many of the other human languages in his travels. Jeff Graves and Jerry Coumo, the troublemakers in class, now do a standup Vaudevill-style routine with thier twin Stenoychosaur Partners in Sauropolis, doing two shows an evening to adoring crowds; and they retired recently amid plenty of fame. Melissa Grant, who owned Bounder the border collie, was now a seamstress; and worked with the people that owned a tailor shop near Razouli's curiosity shop. Fred Windom, the owner of Chip the black Labrador Retriever, became a great driver for the shipping company that supplied Frank Scott's tavern,; and frequented there nearly every time he was in town. Frank Bishop and his Husky, Sasha helped the local livery there, cleaning out the paddocks and accomodating the saurian guests; and eventuially went on to owning the place. Francine Fontaine, I heard, had passed away, but her cat Jo-jo had survived for many years after that before doing so herself. Pacco the Chihouwa and his family of humans had taken on odd jobs, and thier professions were as varied as they were menial.

The dogs themselves were quite famous at that, for they were the only ones on the island. Thier small group slowly began to expand as thier breedings increased, and pretty soon thier number swelled to over thirty as the second and third generations began to take hold. Thier genetic diversity, a mingling of Husky, black and yellow lab (Thanks to Rizouli's dog, Sandy), border collie and Pacco's contributions as well; was a mixture of all these dogs, and the breed began taking on aspects of all these breeds as the forth generation of puppies were born. They made up a little community of thier own near the outpost, preferring to remain in a pack; and remained loyal to thier chosen Partners for life. Many of the dogs had chosen to take up courier jobs, mail bags placed on thier flanks; and their favorite routes just happened to crisscross the Rainy Basin! Nobody needed to worry any more if dogs could survive on Dinotopia!

Lanis Albian came and went from time to time in the rainy Bassin, for he was the laison between the Canyon City Skybax corps and the Rainy Basin Rangers; and one of his many jobs at these posts was being a courier between the two regiems. Jeremy Finch, alias Jerry Remy, was now a co-owner of one of the shipping companies in the town of Baz; and he wrote me the other day that he was finally getting married this summer to his girlfriend from the hatchery there, named Lin Shu. The ones found with the robbers at the Belt Road on the way to Chandara now co-owned a hostel for humans and saurians, and did very well in the town of Rockslides. Anna Damon, whom I found working at the Blackfish Tavern, still works there; mostly because she now owns the place, all thanks to a lucky poker hand. She became Partners with the Pachy chef of the place named Jocco about a month after I left there from my trade treaty fiasco with Chandara.

Ruby Mattock, always into politics, ran for mayor many times; and had been involved with the dealings of many of the towns, and at last she made mayor - though not in the place she had intended. She and her Partner, Elinor Compsagnathus, now enjoy the joint mayorship of Azonthas. Hugo, the dispatcher of the Waterfall City Bracheosaur Bus service, retired recently himself; but his next in command took over, recruiting many others to apprentice for the service. Emporer Randall of Chandara saw his fathger's kingdom rise from the ashes of its' tyrannical rule, and now shared the prosperity of the whole island; slowly regaining the glory it once had.

Mister Sanders and Scrit Parasolophus, the Freshwater Partners, visited Deep Lake frequently to monitored water flow from the Halcyon Aqueduct; and warned us continually if the levels got too high or too low. They grew older too, and apropriated the help of two pairs of Habitat Partners to take thier place one day. Mister Trevor and Lealla Ankylosaur, the Goodearth Partners, frequently ran the length and breadth of the aqueduct; both testing the constructions' integrity and to see if the indiginous creatures along the length were doing ok. They also had thier single pair of Habitat Partners to train, and they didn't think much of these young ones in thier skills!

Sullivan, McVeigh and Jake, the three reject pirates from LaSage's men; grew to accept thier fate, and were having various levels of success in the Rainy Basin as well as abroad. Sperry and Merry Stenoychosaurs, the first to really study us carnivores, rose in thier ranks to finally become the administrators of artifacts and antiquities for the whole island; and being older dinos, part of thier job was to train all the would-be Archaeologists that came thier way. Thier saurian guards while they were with us, Raffa and Tebo, had gone seperate ways shortly after thier assignment with us; and Tebo now was a crossing guard in Bent Root while Raffa was a civillian guard at Prosperine. McGuire and Sinbo Ankylosaur, the first persons to discover our budding civilization, now live in the Northern Plains, near Baz; and they simply make the runs between towns, which is because both are too old for longer travel.

I have seen a generation grow here, and have witnessed many changes on Dinotopia, so I want to give you a grand look at the comings and goings of clan members, job changes in other places and what my old friends are doing all over the island. A new, younger breed begins to take the scene; and establish new ties throughout the island. Our own clan had seen many changes as the new generation began coming into thier own as well. Ripper had mated with a female from another clan, producing six offspring that added to thier ranks; and Snapper fared just as well with one from his own clan. The multitude of Kirkys, already swelling our ranks, grew to monumental proportions for two reasons. One was thier dozen to twenty eggs lain per clutch, most of which survive to adulthood; and thier second perpendancy, which was to switch mates from time to time to inhance genetic diversity.

Strafewing had finally talked to the Pteranodons of the Amu canyon, the ones that lived below Canyon City. His negotiation started out on the shakiest of political ground, and he failed twice; but eventually these Pteranodons gradually began to listen to him with the aid of Talon, and as the years progressed a treaty between those and the Skybax finally began to take shape. Floptail, the leader of the Veloceraptors that were in Strafewing's service, expanded his pack and added them to our Veloceraptore guards; and this, along with thier previous services, made his clan almost as grand as the one the aged Mosquito currently leads. In fact, there were so many things that had gone on that king Rex decided to make an account of it to the rest of the island; this was, of course, at the suggestions of his beloved subjects!

"So, everything is settled?", Rex asked the clan members congregated around him in the ampetheatre in Halcyon, golden head of his father staring from his alcove near the dias.

"I think it is, my king.", I said, noticing the chamber was silent.

"Then Stinger's idea of a newspaper be taken into effect!...", cheers rose at Rex's announcement. "Reports of what goes on around the Rainy Basin and everywhere else will be published into this paper, and the name for this publication will be called 'The Rainy Basin Chronicles'..."

With this the whole court erupted in cheers, and as Rex was always reluctant to quell his clans' emotional outbursts, I halted them with many taps with the gavel. There were many more subjects that needed tending to, and we had agreed many meetings ago that any routine meeting would only last an hour or two! We quickly got down to the other subjects of our meeting; and when it was over we presently got back down to our routine chores. Both the Kirkys and the Veloceraptors not ascociated with guarding or entertainment got to work on the project of the newspaper.

As Veloceraptors milled around camp trying to find stories fit to print, the Kirkys got busy preparing all they would need for publishing the paper. Thanks to the spare machinery in the World Beneath, the injenuity of Walker and his mechanical skills and the permission of all involved; they had for them made a printing press of sorts, which looked like a combination of its' ancient counterpart in the outside world and a mechanical octopus! It ran like a dream once the little critters figured out how to operate it, and test printings proved that all the moving parts worked to our standards; but it was aparent that we would need literally reams of paper to mass produce these copies every day, and a more complex delivery system if everyone was to receive one.

Many articles were written, and the first true editions of the Rainy Basin Chronicles were circulated; and it became a real treat to those patrons of other towns! Now these people could find out what was going on there without ever setting foot in the Rainy Basin! This also brought an extra measure of prosperity with the few Drachs per subscription the paper brought us. Extra features of the paper dealt with what other prominent persons of other cities were doing, but this brought them to spreading rumors and scandals throughout those towns. We had no idea that this was happening, however; and it didn't come to our attention until the day we had the visitation of one of the islands' most important person.

"Well! Mayor waldo!", I said as I looked up from my paperwork in my office deep in the bowels of Halcyon. "What can I do for you this fine day?"

Waldo threw the paper he had been carrying onto my desk, scattering the first layer of my paperwork in the process, before speaking! "This, for one!...", he stormed to the doorway and back. "How could you let this happen!..."

"What do you mean?", I looked at the headlines. "Oh! Pincushion is now 'Tooth and Claw' champion!...", I looked at him. "I assure you, he only holds the title in the Rainy Basin..."

"Not that!!...", Waldo pointed at the article in question. "THIS!"

I looked and read the article. It was about Waldo, and how reports say that Dr. Forsche had been treating him for arthritus and headaches. There had been a few delegates stating that he was undecisive on a few minor issues at court lately. Others say he had been looking withered and weary lately; and it was the reporters opinion, based on these bits of information, that mayor waldo Seville was getting too old to hold office, and may retire soon. I looked at the article and then the mayor before I spoke.

"Well, all the spelling's correct...", I smiled. "But the rest of the stuff... I wonder if it's true."

"It's all exajuration!...", Waldo spumed. "I can assure you that I have no intention of retiring any time soon!"

"Maybe the reporter was acting on a hunch.", I volunteered. "It is journalistic license to draw conclusions, you know."

"All that happened was I had asked the doctor for medicine because I was getting headaches and some stiff joints.", Waldo explained. "I had been feeling sick recently, and the medicine helped cure me.", he smiled. "I'm fine now; and if the fates do not take me before my time, I intend to stay at my post for a long time to come."

"I'm glad to hear it.", I said. "I was thinking of retiring in a few years myself."

"But what of the scandal?!", Waldo boomed again. "The senate is already planning another election, preparing for the fateful day..."

"I got it!", I told him. "Why don't you submit a rebuttal in the paper? You can tell the island your side of the story, and put everyone's suspicions to rest!"

"A capitol idea!", Waldo smiled for the first time this visit! "How do I go about doing that?"

"I'll get on it right away!", I turned. "Wen!... Can you come in here?..."

"Here I am, sweetie!", she came in with a clipboard.

"Mayor Seville here would like to submit an article for the paper.", I told her. "Could you take care of that?"

"You got it!", Wen turned to Waldo. "This way, your honor...", she turned to me. "Larry was just dyin' for an interview with him!...", and off they went.

Fairly soon Waldo's story was printed up and posted for the next publication, and before long the entire island had read the truth of the matter. At a meeting that Waldo attended, Rex made it clear to all those involved with the newspaper to get the facts only; and to try to refrain from speculation, as this causes untrue rumors to spread. He publically apologised to the mayor, promising that this would not happen again - and offering him a free subscription for his troubles!...

_____

[thundertail]

SIXTY-NINE: "My retirement memoirs."

As the years wore on, I found myself getting older and older; and the older I got, the less I could do for the clan. I was at a loss as I really wished to do more for these, my dearest friends! Klamath noticed my diminishing capacities too, but refrained to comment to me about this; nor discuss this problem with anybody, either mechanical or corporial. He was secretly waiting for me to admit that I no longer had the capacities to do my job any more, and told me this when the day finally came that I convinced myself that I had to. Even at this, he assisted me more and more; and as my strength waned, grew to rely on him more and more.

The clan went on as it usually did, however; and my lacking contributions of advice and other help occured without much notice, at least that was aparent to me. The only times I knew they knew something was up was when they came around to try to help ME; and on those events I tried to shrug off as diplomatically as possible. Mayday was more supportive of me and my plight, and strategically planned outings with me as many times as she could; and Hamilton began to delegate more of my duties onto himself, arguing that the son of the mayor should learn such things. Little Havarra, now growing into a fine pre-teen girl, knew something was up too; as she kept on looking at me and my diminishing stamina as we played. Everyone in the clan soon suspected that something was going on with me; and it wasn't long before Rex confronted me one very cold day in the Rainy Basin - which was a rare occurance indeed!

"How you holding out?", my king asked. "Need a lift?"

"I'll do.", I said as I walked beside him. "The Habitat Partner's report is in. Want to see it?"

"Later.", Rex said. "What I want to know is how YOU are doing.", he halted me. "Lately I've noticed some things about you, and I know what I been taught about not criticising people, but..."

"Sir, I realise that my performance of late hasn't been up to the pace I have set for myself...", I began.

"See Stinger, we all know you are growing old.", Rex came right out with it. "All I was going to suggest is that you slow down a bit."

"But I have all these things to oversee!", I defended. "You know as well as I that if I don't make sure these things get done, they don't get done!"

"Oh, Hadrofeathers!", Rex snorted. "They get done!... Don't worry so much, my friend!", he steered me to a log and had me sit. "You know, I'm not saying this because of your slowness of work. I'm saying this because I'm concerned for your health!", he crouched beside me. "You took good care of me ever since I was a hatchling, and now that you're older, it's my turn to take care of YOU! I want you to try to slow it down a bit, is all I'm saying.", he rose. "You're not getting any younger, you know!"

"This I have observed as well.", Klamath confirmed. "I had been waiting for him to admit this."

"You could have told him.", Rex told the armor. "You protect him as well as us, and sometimes the armor must protect the wearer from himself."

"I understand.", Klamath said.

"So, what do you want me to do?", I asked. "Give up my position?"

"No, not right away if you wish.", Rex said. "Just consider doling out your responsabilities to the other clan members, is all. If later on you find it hard to do even that, you could consider retirement then."

"What will everybody think?", I asked.

"Why, my Partner!...", Rex paused to lick. "They will think that there is this brave and smart leader who has served his clan all these many years, and he deserves to retire in style!"

"But I don't want to just yet...", I was cut off.

"Please, my Partner and friend.", Rex got close. "At least consider it!"

"I will...", I said meekly and he allowed me to stand.

Presently we continued down the path and carried on what we were doing, me at last telling him about the Habitat Partners' report. As the day wore on, other matters had to be settled before I could retire for the day back in Kinan Van. The store rooms downstairs from mine and Mayday's apartment lay dormant but full of all sorts of things collecting dust, and I vowed one day to clean the space out and put it to some good use. After dinner in private with my mate, chitchat afterwards and brief snuggles before bed, we retired for the night. The morning brought its' usual stiffness, and I needed an extra helping of Selma's special medicine to feel ready to do my duty; a thing I dared not tell anyone, though due to what Klamath told Rex yesterday, I now suspected he knew!

I headed for my office near the subteranean entrance and organized what was on the agenda today, and then the first of the clan members needing assignments or having complaints began entering; and I began to dispatch those people with little problem. At lunch I stopped by one of the many restaraunts that had opened up along the main thouroughfare of the city and took my usual spot there. Many moments after the Veloceraptor waitress left with my order, some younger adult humans came into the restaraunt and sauntered to a table a few spots away from me. These were not the relatively clean cut folks one was apt to meet in our realm, and had the look of recent ascociation with the seemier side; for they took to laughing and commenting on the rest of the patrons inside, causing a scene for themselves in the bargain!

As my lunch came out, I eyed them as I ate; not really trusting them for a second. Klamath silently told me that he would monitor thier talk, and let me know if their demeanor escaladed; so I ate quicker than I usually did and waited around, presumably for the check. I didn't need to wait very long as one of them shuffled by my table and sneered as he passed, heading for the other side of the room; and as he came back, his leg brushed the side of my table. The man, not even twenty, spun around and glared down on me like I tripped him!

"You got a problem, gramps?", the young man grumbled.

"Not yet...", I wiped my mouth.

"I think you do!", he said.

"I stand corrected, then!", I smiled. "What can I do for you?"

"You tripped me.", he glowered. "You're also in our spot!"

I got up slowly. "I was sitting here first.", I folded my armored arms.

"Get him, Jerry!", one of the others guffawed.

"Yeah!...", the other jeered.

"Shut up...!", Jerry turned to them, then me again. "Now pops. What are you going to do about it?"

"Nothing, if all concerned parties choose to be civil about it.", I told him.

"What if we ain't?", he sneered.

"Well, I'm pretty good with negotiations.", I said. "I figured that..."

"I ain't dealing!...", he cut in.

"Ok, I'm pretty good with the other things too!", I smiled. "Son, do you know who I am?"

"An old coot in a suit of armor?", one of the others suggested and the other laughed.

"My name is Stinger, mayor of the Rainy Basin.", I said, scowling at the lot of them. "You know, it is often a rite of passage for a person to fight another person. It makes them look tough, and impresses the ones they are with.", I looked at his friends. "If a person needs to do that to gain respect, then that person isn't worth much; and friends who need him to do it to gain thier respect are worth even less!", I saw the rest of the patrons looking my way. "Son, I know you are much better than that. So why are you doing this?"

"Because I'm the toughest there is!..", the young man roared. "And you ain't my pops!..."

"And who's your pops?", I asked, getting ready.

"A no-good...!", his first punch came - right in my face! "Lowest of the low...!", I sank to the floor. "Good for nothing!", he began kicking me!

Just then Klamath's mask went over my face. I was hurt but not badly, and Klamath took all the blows this little upstart had to offer. It was many moments ago that the waitress scurried off and summoned the Veloceraptor guards, and they dragged Jerry's buddys away before tackling him. Klamath remained perfectly inert as the attack came, but let me regain my feet as the melee ended. Ripper and Snapper were busy with the other two while Pondscum struggled with my attacker, and I nodded pantingly as he asked if I was all right.

"What punishment, my mayor?", Snapper growled.

"I dunno...", I panted. "Path of shame...", I wiped blood from my nose. "A month per person, three months each...", I slowly turned. "Pending a fair trial, of course..."

"You really ARE the mayor...!", one of Jerry's buddies stated.

"That's me, kid...", I headed for the door. "Next time, know who you're dealing with!"

As I left the establishment, I wanted to go back to my office; but Klamath led me involuntarilly to the hospital, explaining that I needed my injuries taken care of. Let's say that I was too hurting and humiliated to argue the point very much. I was silent with him for many moments as humand and dinosaurs passed by, eyeing my face with sidelong glances; then I asked my armor what was on my mind.

"So, why didn't you defend me?", I thought at him.

"I did.", Klamath said silently.

"How?", I asked. "You let him slug me!"

"I prevented him from hurting you further.", he stated.

"But you shouldn't have let him do it in the first place!", I almost shouted.

"Stinger, you are getting old.", Klamath told me. "You can't expect yourself to perform like you did when you were young.", he seemed to sigh. "I did that to prove this to you."

"By getting my clock cleaned?!", I chuckled. "Some lesson!"

"No, by showing you that, without me you are just as vulnerable as anybody your age.", Klamath said. "With me, you act too bold. A thing that you are too old to be."

"I see...", I sighed. "Very well. I'm convinced... I'll retire if you think it's for the best...", my head sagged.

"I'm only looking out for you, my friend.", Klamath actually showed some emotion in his voice. "You are my best wearer, you know!"

"And you were my first friend on Dinotopia.", I returned, and my smile was beginning to as well.

"Excellent!...", he said. "Now let's get those injuries looked at...", we turned into the doors of the hospital.

Through the slight pain of the examination and the shame of its' reason, I formulated a way to make my retirement more meaningful to the ones I loved; and even though I didn't disclose it to anyone at the trial of the three hooligans a few days later, I had it all figured out when the time came. The day after that I called Hamilton into my office, him presuming I had an assignment for him; and in a way, I guess I did. He told me how things were going in Tentpole of the Sky before I had a chance to speak my mind, so I just let him, smiling and nodding.

"My son.", I said slowly, not knowing how he would take it. "As you know, I am getting old. You know more than anyone how much I want to do for this place. The trouble is that I can't do more than be an administrator these days. My days of adventure and active work for the Rainy Basin and Dinotopia are over."

"But father, you do a good job!", Hamilton said, not knowing where I was going with this, and fearing I was going to do something desperate to myself! "There is no need to do anything rash!"

"What I'm saying is I can't do the job of mayor like I used to, and I wanted to ask you a favor.", I began.

"Anything, father.", he said.

"Now, I want you to know that I will still be around.", I said. "I just want you to have something since I can no longer use it properly anymore."

"What is it?", he said, looking for the mentioned object.

"Klamath, the armor of Othgar, has served me well; and has gotten me out of countless scrapes over the years.", I began. "But it has come to my attention that I can no longer wield his power with the strength I once had.", I looked at his carmel colored face. "My wish is to pass him along...", he gasped. "I want you to wear him from now on. You, whom I have nurtured and trained to strive for peace..."

"But father!", he nearly rose. "I can not wield such a thing of potential destruction!"

"I have used him for peaceful purposes all these years, and he has been an enormous help...", I said.

"And Klamath says?...", he asked meekly.

"Child.", Klamath spoke for himself. "I have served your father these many years, and he has taught me that I can obtain the will of Othgar through peaceful purposes. He has taught you the same things.", the mask scrolled over my face. "I would consider it an honor to have the legacy of colonel Charles Decker wear me... I will serve you as faithfully as I did your father."

"Please son.", I said as the mask slid away. "You are the only one we think worthy to wear him..."

"Father, you know as well as Klamath that I would not think of going against your wishes.", Hamilton Somala Decker began. "You have trained me to lead the people; with enjinuity, decisiveness and strength. If you think that I can wield Klamath's power, then I will do my best to live up to your expectations."

"And that means yes?...", I glared at him with a smile.

"Yes, it does!...", he grasped me in a hug, armor and all.

"So, do you want to try him on now?", I asked as he disengaged. "Or would you rather wait. I'm sure that Rex would want to give a ceremony or something..."

"I have never worn him.", Hamilton said, reguarding the armor that he had polished many times, as if for the first time. "May I for a little while?..."

"Of course...", I stepped back a few paces, and Klamath unfurled from my body. "Now, it's a bit disorienting at first...", I coached as I backed him into the suit. "But that quickly goes away."

As Klamath wrapped himself around my son, Hamilton let out a tiny gasp of alarm; followed by a low moan of wonder as the mask came around and hid his face. Klamath's saurian eyes glowed slightly, then went back to normal before unfurling; revealing the knowing face of my son, who smiled as his chocolate eyes met mine.

"It is like I know everything Klamath has done!...", he breathed. "It is like I know every thought you ever had...!"

"That's right, and you'll learn so much more!", I told him.

"I got an idea!", Hamilton said. "Let's go out and see Buorrow!", he grinned wider. "It will 'freak him out', as you say!"

"Great!...", I nearly squealed as I followed my former suit of armor containing my son outside the building. "Mask, Klamath!...", I added as he complied.

I stood just inside the door as Hamilton strolled out into the street. Buorrow was next door, having a cycad snack; then bowed low as he saw my armor, thinking it was me! Just as Hamilton unfurled the mask to reveal his face, the pachyderm's jaw dropped, spilling out his latest mouthful. I came outside just then to laugh heartilly, Hamilton doing the same as I stood at his side.

"Goodness! It's you!", Buorrow exclaimed. "Please tell me what is going on...!"

"My father decided to give me Klamath.", Hamilton said simply. "How do I look?"

"Formidable...!", Buorrow said. "Are you sure, mister mayor?"

"Yes, I am.", I told the inquisitive beast. "See, I'm getting too old, and Klamath needs a stronger wearer."

"I'm strong.", Buorrow said. "But I'm too big to fit!"

"That's right!...", I chuckled. "But are you strong enough to carry him. With Klamath, that's an extra four hundred pounds."

"Definitely!", the pachyderm nodded.

"With Klamath I can do more good around here than I could unaided.", Hamilton told his friend. "It's a good thing I have you to help!", he hugged the furry trunk, avoiding his ten foot tusks.

"Awww!", Buorrow rumbled.

The day wore on as Hamilton got used to the ancient suit of armor, the former proclaiming all the help he could do with it and the latter telling him in his mind of all the things he had done in his immense lifetime. We all had a good time as we strolled through Kinan Van, and took the long way around to the surface; where I had intended to stop by the Rainy Basin Central Post Office to send a message to Waterfall City, proclaiming my retirement. Along the way many of the clan members saw me out of my armor, and wondered who was wearing him now; more so the Tyranosaurs in our group, for they recognised me and tried to sniff out who was inside. The fact that Buorrow was tagging along with us should have given it away!

King Rex saw us, and nodded as he passed; but made no comment about this to us or at the next meeting in the amprtheatre in Halcyon a few days later. There I made the announcement of my retirement, and told them I would still be around as an advisor if needed; and that, though it was not official by any standards, that Hamilton could take over most of my previous duties if he chose. Most of the court thought it was a sound idea considering my age, but a few still wished to hold an election to find out who would be mayor. Hamilton in my place, told them that, though he wished to do as his father wished; he could not disappoint the will of the people, and would accept an election if that was what they wanted - pending Rex's decision, of course. Rex decided that Hamilton would be mayor on a probationary basis, and his demeanor for the space of six months would determine if he was to be mayor permanently; and since Rex's word was law, there were very little complaints from the court.

As the weeks passed and I got used to the slower lifestyle everyone but me said that I earned, I had gotten word of what Hamilton was doing with the armor of Othgar; and though I was proud of the uses he was finding with my former friend, I could see why the others in the clan were making a fuss. Hamilton had gotten it into his head to help the folks at Tentpole of the Sky, repairing nearly every damaged building and restructuring a lot of the structures using Klamath's immense strength; and he was nearly totally ignoring any duties arounf the Rainy Basin. The others were picking up the slack, that was for sure; but it wasn't fair to them that they should do this, and I was asked to have a talk with him as soon as he returned.

Mayday was with me at home when he showed up for a visit, and after greetings and other formalities, I got down to business with him; telling him what was on everyones' minds, and stating that only helping Buorrow's home wasn't fair to the Rainy Basin. I told him that, to be the mayor, it took a lot of responsability and committment; and one had to allot ones' time according to whom needed you the most. I said that, right now his clan needed him to run the place; and if he was away like he was all the time, his duties here suffer. He had only taken his mayoral duties serious once during that time, going to Waterfall City to make our reports, accompanied by Sally Krieger as a translator and secretary; but other than that his duties were done chiefly by Diego, and I told him that this wasn't fair to him! He shamefully apologised and promised to do a better job around here, so I let him off the hook and Mayday served our meals.

The meeting a few days later told of how displeased everyone was con concerning Hamilton's performance; for Rex decreed that he have assistants and advisors with him constantly for the rest of his mayoral probation, and would seldom visit Tentpole of the Sky, except on the direst of emergencies. This was a thing he and Buorrow balked at profusely, but one glaring look from Rex and this told the wisdom of thier silence! I said I was sorry to them with my eyes as they left, and consoled them later in person after the meeting; begging that Rex's word is law. As the days passed, he finally resolved himself to accepting this mild punishment; and tended his duties as he was supposed to for the duration of his probation.

At the end of this time, it was decreed that Hamilton not be the mayor of the Rainy Basin; mayorship being given to Diego for the time being, much to my hard working son's dismay! Rex decided that we needed someone less prone to siding with others than his own clan, and over the years Diego had proved he would be more reliable. Who would've thought that one of the most notorious piartes on Dinotopia would become mayor! Since I no longer had any real power save for making suggestions on policies, I consoled Hamilton at his loss; as his funk diminished, he decided to move to Tentpole of the Sky on a near permanent basis. One thing that I didn't know in the middle of all this was that Hamilton was keeping a secret from all of us, and the only time I knew about it was one evening when Mayday was having a chat with me.

"I say tommorrow it rain.", she sat with me in our apartment. "Whitetail joints hurt."

"She IS getting old...", I commented, then noticed she was minus Zandra. "Your armor getting an overhaul?"

"I gave away.", she smiled.

"You WHAT?!", I gasped. "To who?"

"Sally Krieger.", Mayday told me. "Klamath and Zandra want be together."

"What do you mean?", I asked.

"I hear from barkeep at Main Square pub.", Mayday began. "She hear from Pincushion, and he hear from Mosquito, who hear from Deathflower..."

"What?", I nearly yelled. "C'mon! Spill it already!"

"Rumor is Hamilton like Sally Krieger.", she said softly. "Other say Sally in love with Hamilton.", she smiled. "They love each other. They maybe get married soon!"

"You know what that means?", I said.

"What?", Mayday asked.

"We will soon be grandparents!", I told her, then moaned! "Wow! I feel older than ever!"

"You talk too much!", she silenced me with a long kiss.

After the nights' snuggling, I began my rounds the very next day; but having nothing better to do after a few hours, returned home. The front door to the shop below was open, and I walked inside; and saw that the place was the same as the last time I poked my head in! Having an idea, I stopped the nearest Veloceraptor guard and asked him if she would send for a few assistants for a job I had just thought of; and she nodded as she ran off. Inside an hour I had a smattering of small dinosaurs and a few humans waiting for my instructions; and heading the group was Ripper as he had the week off from guard duty.

"Hi, everyone.", I began as they milled around the dusty rooms. "The reason why I asked you here is to help me out. See, I've been wondering how I could use this shop down here. Everyone has been putting things here, and I figure I could open a shop here."

"Want us to get rid of these things, boss?", Vinny asked.

"No, not really.", I told him. "I want to open a shop and sell these things. I just want the place cleaned up and organised."

"Where we start?", Ripper asked.

"Well, let's look around a bit and I'll tell you...", I said as I scrutinised every room.

The main space spanned the entire store front, and had low partitions where the walls of the lower apartment would have been. These three spaces, if cleaned and shelves put in, could hold most of the wares that were collecting dust here. There was a short hallway that led into three smaller rooms, and a portal that went beneath the front stairs of the adjacent building. This annex had four rooms, each with even more junk in it; but otherwise was unoccupied. Around back was a stairwell that led to my apartment and an unused apartment next door.

Much of the things in most of the rooms were on bookshelves and other tables, each of those antiques in thier own right. The things themselves included musical instruments, jewelry for humans and saurians, clothes and shoes of fashions long gone, paintings and prints of many artists, dishes of china or crockery, tapestries and other woven goods, statues both large and small and of many subjects and talents, woodcarvings, bonecarvings, mirrors and lighting fixtures and various items gleaned from the world beneath. There were things there gleaned from the Millennium Queen, and items washed up on shore over the centuries. All in all, the stock here was a small treasure trove in its' own right; and this place would be the perfect place to sell them!

"All right...", I said after the tour. "I think we can first clean up this front area, then place the shelves and book cases around in aisles..."

Hearing this, the rest got to work. The first thing was to move the stock from the main area to make room for the shelving; and this got done within an hour. They swept and cleaned the wooden floors and old carpets underneath, me making a note to replace those rugs at a later date. The book cases and other furniture was moved in and placed at my direction, and then some of the stock was placed on them and around them like the setting of some parlor by some of the females there - nice and cozy! Once the rear of the space was finished up, I had them place a glass counter, found in one of the smaller back rooms, placed between the rear door of the area and the hallway leading to the back rooms. In that would be placed the more expensive things like jewelry and other bric-a-brack; but that would be done later.

"Boss, look what we found!", Vinny said as he perched atop a full Triceratops skull, frill and all. "This would be a great eyecatcher!"

"Also scare all my customers away!", I countered. "We'll get rid of that later...", I looked. "Move the instruments out to the left of the front. Where the annex area is..."

"Right, father.", Ripper said.

This got done with all due speed, and I saw the shop was finally taking shape! The side rooms needed painting, but I could get that done soon enough, and I had no clue what I was going to do with the rear rooms, but I was thinking on making the one nearest the rear stairs into an office. As the Sunstone streetlamps began to come on outside, I saw this small crew all tired and grimy from thier toil, and thanked them profusely for thier help as they hung around to catch thier breath. By the end of the day we had the first room nearly completed; and before I sent everyone away for the day, I asked Vinny a favor.

"Do you think your Kirky buddies could do me a favor?", I asked him.

"What is it, boss?", he replied.

"I'm going to need a sign outside.", I said. "One to hang right above the door. Maybe I'll put an awning out there when it rains..."

"It don't rain in Kinan Van...!", Vinny chuckled as did the others, and my sheepish look told of my embarassment at the comment. "...But don't worry about th' sign.", he turned to me. "What do you want on it?"

"Oh, I don't know...", I thought a moment. "How about,... 'Decker's Collectibles'... Or something like that?"

"Hmmm... Catchy!", Vinny nodded. "I'll get the boys on it right away!"

"Can we go?", one of the female hmans asked. "I have to still fix my husband Eveningmeal..."

"Oh yes! By all means!", I opened the door. "Do you all want to come back in the morning?", most of them nodded.

The next day many of them returned, the ones that didn't were replaced by others; and Mayday came down to help out as well, setting up several things her way in the process. By the end of the week everything was in place, the sign was bolted above the door, reading 'Decker's Collectibles' in golden script with the saurian equivalent below it and everything seemed shiny and new.

Rex was there for the grand opening, giving me a lick for luck; and everyone there went in to browse the aisles. Needless to say I made quite a few Drachs that day, along with trades for even more things to sell there. It is said that, if one was to have a business, one must learn to smile; and smile I did that whole day as I greeted everyone and shook thier hands as they left - it was a grand day! However, as with all businesses, within the space of many weeks, the novelty of the new store wore off somewhat for the people of the town, and so did the profits. I was undaunted at this, for I finally had something to occupy my ever increasing time!

My contacts for which I relied on to bring me other strange items to sell came from far and wide to trade thier things with me, and the stock gradually rotated out as well as in. Christopho came by frequently with 'rare' items from Chandara and Sauropolis, jewels and statuettes, jars and pottery of many styles; but some of the things that came to me were slightly damaged from thier travels and thier obvious age, and I had to set up one of the smaller back rooms as a repair shop. This was where Flit had found me one day as I was working on repairing some saurian jewelry using a miniature Sunstone powered crucible and tiny soldering irons, welding the gloden pieces back into place.

"Oh sir!...", Flit stammered. "There you are."

"What th...?", I flinched, spoiling a jewel setting. "Oh! It's you!... Long time no see!"

"I love what you done to the place...", he observed with his twinkling electronic eyes.

"Thanks...", I went back to work.

"Um,... sir. I have a bit of grave news...", Flit said at last.

"What is it?", I turned.

"Um,... I am sorry to say that Zippeau Stenoychosaurus has passed on...", his eyes dimmed in sadness.

"Zippeau?!... No!...", I stopped what I was doing and stood. "I must get to Waterfall City right away!..."

"No, it's too late for that.", Flit told me. "He was cremated several days ago; but it might be prudent that you send condolences to Yarra and her family..."

"I'll do that...", I started for my office, but was stopped by the Artificial Life Construct.

"There was also a Postal Bird for you.", he said. "She said that the new librarian, Sperry Stenoychosaurus, wishes you to send a copy of your memoirs with all due haste."

"I'll do that... Poor Zip...", He let me into my office. There I went to the desk and blew my Postal Bird whistle.

Messages sent, and my sadness waned; and my retired life slowly went back to normal. I saw my customers and visited everyone in Kinan Van, it seemed; and life for me slowly grew miserable. The only thing left for me to do after closing shop was remeniscing about the past. I remembered my whole life, but it grew pretty hazy before the time I came to Dinotopia. I presently remembered Sperry's request one day, and thought of the many ways that I could; until a few days later when I grinned and sat at my desk, then drew out parchment and stylus and began to write:

'When I got my orders the morning of the flight, it said nothing about what was to happen afterwards.', I wrote, smile ever increasing as I penned. 'In fact, nothing in all the annals of military history could prepare me for what I was about to experience!'...

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[thundertail]

EPILOGUE:

In the course of a human life there are days and hours and minutes that stand out, sharply etched upon ones' memory, forever remembered. I will always remember these days, the days of my rebuilding of the great nation of Dinotopia, the days where I helped unify all the creatures and species. Days in which things happened according to the destiny of these creatures; and all I really did was to make suggestions to this end!

There may be an entire year that one forgets, that has no identity, until the recollection of some incident, of some small interval of time, recalls it. Everyone has no doubt had spans of time where all goes by in a blur, where the sameness of events obscure the passage of time. It takes the memory of some great event to bring out the significence of the time that has passed, and do justice to that time which was spent in the haze of sameness. The events prominent in my mind I have already composed in this journal, and had hoped to save for future generations to ponder and learn of the events surrounding one lone Air Force pilot who had made a wrong turn in a storm!

The years come back to memory then like some great ocean liner towed by a tiny tug. It looms on ones' memory as an iceberg on the horizon of ones' conciouseness, and demands the total attention of the one beholding it. It can become an obsession that can only be excised by the pen or the story, demanding to be told in any way at the beholders' disgression. Not many stories can be offered by one as lowly as I, but a story of this magnitude makes my memory a slave to it. Therefore I had to write it, to make it come alive not only just to me; but to those who would choose to come after me and decide to experience my tale.

It may be the drama of any single year of life is self-obscuring, the whole dominating all of its' parts, blurring them and reducing them to shadow. It also may be that the glow of an entire life overhadows any event in particular, and blurrs each into a conglomeration of experience. It may be so that I have seen many extraordinary things since I was stranded here, and have done far more than anybody of my caliber; but I have done it in the knowledge that I did them all with the interests of everyone I met at heart, and knew that these deeds would ultimately help myself as a result.

It may be that a year, as a relatively long period of time, emphasises the monotony of days, the dull rythm of repetition of time; that only in the swiftly vanishing day is one able to discern the contrasts which make events memorable. It may have been all these things rolled into the fabric of my life that will be remembered the most; but the one thing that is certain to me is it was the beings that I met here that I will remember to the very end of my days - and beyond!

The first that I met here was Klamath, armor of Othgar; and it was his wisdom that first allowed me to adjust to this impossibly strange island. My very first saurian friend was Rex, the orphaned waif that would not have survived if I did not take care of him; and the one that I grew to know as a son. The very first human, Mayday went from being an unwilling visitor in my camp to the love of my life; and a no finer woman could ever be conceived! She brought forth my wise and brave son, Hamilton; and my sweet princess, Havarra. Thundertail, Grond, Deathflower, Waterkill, Thistlesnarl, Pincushion... All the members of clan Thundertail who could have consumed us without a second thought, yet showed the mercy that I never knew they posessed. To Whitetail, Mosquito and all in thier Veloceraptor clan; who came in anger and I brought about in peace; and my two Veloceraptor sons, Ripper and Snapper - friends, protectors and family all!

To those little ones, the Kirkys, who showed me humor in this strange land; and if named, would fill volumes of pages. To the Ovaraptors and others who became members of the clan; for with thier diverse skills, they proved a collossal help to all. To Ursula, Selma and the many others of medicine; whose skills kept health prime among our ranks. To the human and saurian visitors to the clan who stayed and made this place thier homes; for they embraced a different way of life and created a life here unsurpassed in all of Dinotopia. To the humans: the Serenos and the Kriegers, families of noble labor to the clan; and all others diverse and strong, who filled our cities and made our civilization a vibrant one. To the saurians Sauron and Chillet, Flatbottom and Skipper; many others who stayed with us despite being among ones that would otherwise do away with them; brave, strong and loved are they. To all the others of the Rainy Basin, clans and packs of diverse creatures at our borders; friends and kindred spirits all!

To all those outside the Rainy Basin, in regions all over the island; friends and ascociates working on the common cause, people both good and bad that made my life here that much more worth living. Waldo, Rosemary, Marion, Zippeau, Almasaur, Shawn Branko, Ruby Mattock, Elinore, mister Woolright and all the others of Waterfall City; who taught me the ways of Dinotopia, and how to live like they do. To those in Canyon City, Volcaneum, Azonthas, Chandara and every settlement on the island; a vibrant empire of peace. To those recently arrived, like myself; who had to learn these ways, and overcame the strangeness of the land. To Frank, Carl and David Scott; friends and comrades on my road of discovery. To the fifteen hundred survivors of the Millennium Queen, as all have had thier own adventures of settling in. And lastly to Torres LaSage and her men, letting me know that everything is not good in paradise, reminding me of the perils of the outside world and allowing me the challenges they are so capable of.

Yes, I will remember you all, my friends! I will remember the friends met only recently to the very first friends I had ever met here. I will remember the ones I loved and those I hated, for all of them made my life here certainly one to remember. Yes, I will remember you all, my army of friends; for you were the ones I did all I had done for in this place! You, whose comeraderie made my tenure on this tiny island paradise well worth the time being on!...

Later...

I see that I am rambling, a thing that I do more often these days as I grow older. Many years ago I opened the curiosity shop that lay dormant below our apartment in Kinan Van, and filled it with curios from both the outside world as well as all over the island. I stare at the shelf near this desk, where the blue Sony Walkman sits beside the eighteen inch jade bust of Othgar, reminding me of both the world I left behind and the one I made for myself at the same time. All I seem to do these days is remember things, passages of my life I wish I could put to rest; but that is all I seem to be able to do these days. Being just under a decade short of a hundred years old, that's all I have the energy for!

The past several years I have not done much for the Rainy Basin. Just puttering around the shop and wandering the streets of the city. Sure, I have spent my more active moments above, overseeing this or that function and making speeches in front of the clan or at school; but that is all I have the energy for these days. Once many weeks ago, I stopped two saurian youths from fighting; but that was a time where I wished I still had Klamath on my body - I was pooped! That incodent remminded me of how old I was getting, and I have been city-bound ever since.

I look out the window and see that the Sunstone streetlamps are coming on, a sign that it will soon be time to close up shop and go to bed upstairs. There is only a few other things I need to add to this journal before I send it off to the library at Waterfall City. This is the seventh installment, and Sperry says that his readers can not wait for the next installment! Now I hear my Mayday's voice, a sound lovlier than wind rustling through the flowers; and her looks just get more beautiful with age, her greying temples are most attractive! She calls me to bed, so I must be going. I will continue this in the morning...
_____

AFTERWARD:

On this day I became mayor of the Rainy Basin, solely for the reason that king Rex deemed it so. I never really wanted to become mayor, and do not consider myself worthy to step into my father's well earned place. I merely wished to live my life in peace, like father had always strived to do; not fight for everyones' own integrity! The sorrow of the past few days dragged upon my heart and all those around me, and word told of how everyone on Dinotopia so grieved as well. My father, Charles Decker, did not die in battle or any other kind of strife; for his death was one of peace, one of sleep continuing onto infinity - truely a death as one he might have wanted!

As of all death among members of clan Thundertail, it is custom that the deceased be eaten; and to honor an agreement made between king Rex and my father so long ago, the Tyranosaur king was obliged to eat his friends' corpse. King Rex, who knew my father far longer than any other on the island, seemed listless as the ceremony approached; and seemed to be without appetite as the consumation part of the ceremony fell upon him. The curtained space in which he would do the deed hid it from view, and the somber music increased its' volume to mask any undue noise. Rex's somber face told of the deed's completion, and his staggering walk told of his extreme despondency and sorrow that was overpowering him at the loss of his best friend and confidant.

All of us had lost something when my father passed away, and a loss like that rends at ones' soul; but the others on the island understood this, and allowed us the proper time to grieve.The one thing that my father taught among the clan was to have strength and courage during unacceptible situations, and soon enough things drew together and slowly got near as could be to normal. Even I strengthened and grew to become the leader I was destined to be, and told the clan what I had wished to transpire; and the first of many such commands was to erect the stone statue of my father in the central square in the underground city of Halcyon...

Hamilton Somala Decker...

_____

THE END...

_____