"A Quest Of Friends"

[Thundertail]

A QUEST OF FRIENDS

(Introduction…)

The eyes of the stone sentinels that stared endlessly at Canyon City from across the great gorge twinkled merrily as the first rays of the morning's sunlight pierced the clouds shrouding it, instantly rousing the Skybax who were light sleepers anyway; but they would not fly until the full strength of the sun fell on them to warm them. They instead felt happy to caw and cackle at each other in thier form of morning greeting. The ones near Canyon City proper also began thier squawky conversations which woke many of the human sentinals that held guard the whole night long.

These humans in tan uniforms ran through the precarious stone lanes to rouse the others of the garrison, one stopping to especially wake thier leader as the rest quickly made thier way to the civilian areas of Canyon City. Within the hour the city was abustle in activity, people and saurians performing thier tasks in near military precision; but amid all this organized confusion several of the visitors who stayed the night roused to face a day that would forever change thier destinys...

_

TAG: Any and all!

[DinoGirl]

Sara woke with the rest of Canyon City. The warm sun filtered through the mosaic window and the reflection shone on the opposite wall. It was an amazing picture of a skybax flying in front of the sun. Sara stretched and stared at the wonder. It had only been a week since she had been shipwrecked. One of the many things Sara had discovered about the island was the existence of dinosaurs. She and the rest of the world had thought these magnificent creatures extinct. Another thing she discovered was the variety of the people. Her new roommate, Jessi, was seven mothers Chinese. Back home in the US, the most foreign person she had know was from Canada.

That moment, Jessi popped her head into the room. "Wake up, sleepy head. Let's go get some breakfast." She was always cheerful in the morning which was strange to Sara. Her family always woke up slow then rushed to work or school. A dark image of a ship sinking invaded her thoughts. Things have changed, she thought, and tried to push the image away. Sara reluctantly got out of bed and dressed.

Jessi was dressed and finishing her morning yoga when Sara finally came out. The Flight leader was in her uniform as always, looking clean and fit. Sara had a moment of wistfulness as she eyed the rider symbol. To be able to soar through the air instead of being chained o the ground! But it was well know that few dolphinbacks were ever accepted into training, much less being chosen by skybax to be it's partner. Jessi noticed and tried to cheer her up. "You still have much of Dinotopia to explore. You'll find you place in our world soon enough." Sara smiled shyly, she always amazed by the Flight leaders perceptiveness. Together they walked to the kitchen cavern.

The cavern itself was made of orange rock that had been molded by nature and the extra touch added by humans and dinosaurs. The result was a huge cafeteria for everyone to enjoy. Along the walls were fireplaces with pots hanging over. The contents bubbled and left an inviting smell in the air. The cafeteria was bustling with activity. Servers were dishing out a kind of oatmeal and adding fruit to tables. Skybax riders were discussing the weather and new assignments. The majority of this cafeteria was filled with them because it was conveniently close to the barracks.

Sara's stomach grumbled making her laugh. Jessi smiled and led them to an empty table. Several people waved at them as they sat down with their food. It was strange having so much attention on her. Usually at home she would fade into the background. Jessi nudged her with an elbow and smiled, her almond-shaped eyes twinkling. "That's what you get for being a newcomer. Your the only one to have come here first before going to Waterfall City."

Sara shrugged. "Well it's not like I could control it, and it's not like I could have traveled all that way in the condition you found me in." Between the storm and the Razor Reef, she was just lucky to have survived. They munched on breakfast in silence for a moment.

Jessi swallowed then spoke, keeping her tone casual. "You know, the Council has finally made the decision on when to send the convoy to Waterfall City."

"Really? When?", Sara took a sip of juice. It was like a combination of apples and oranges, very tasty.

"Today", she said simply.

Sara nearly choked. "What?! Are you kidding?"

Jessi tried to hide her smile behind her hand. It never ceased to amuse her how her roommate was surprised by everything. "Nope, three airships have been commissioned to take the journey. The plan is to leave before high sun"

Sara sat there in silence. Taking it all in. She was leaving today...

---

Tag- anyone

[DinoGirl]

The preparation went quickly. Sara had her stuff packed in no time. The few things she had, added with the clothes she had been given, easily fit inside her ragged backpack. Taking one last look at her room, Sara sighed and carried her stuff outside. Jenna was waiting there and walked her out to the ledge where the airships had landed.

A large crowd had gathered by the balloons. Some of them were saying goodbye to friends and family but the majority looked as if they were waiting for someone. They can't be here for me can they? Sara thought.

Jenna noticed the girl's hesitation and explained. "The mayor is also going on this trip. he is getting too old for land travel and has to travel by air. He says has some plans to discuss with the mayor of Waterfall City. We think that he might be planning ahead before he leaves this world." She finished in a delicate whisper that was barely audible above the wind.

Sara was relieved she wasn't the reason for the big crowd, but also puzzled by the reverence when talking about someone passing on. With an effort, she pushed to thought away.

Ahead of them stood/floated her ride to adventure. The massive airships were unlike anything she had ever seen before. A huge gas-filled balloon was strapped to what looked like a viking ship. The only difference to that image was that a propeller was sticking out of the back. Sara stopped next to it and hesitated.

"Don't worry, we will meet again someday." Jenna was always reassuring her and she would miss her terribly.

Sara smiled shyly. Not surprised that her friend knew what she was thinking. "Will you write to me?"

Jenna laughed. "I'll send a postal bird everyday."

They embraced each other in a parting hug. Sara holding on for as long as possible. It wasn't fair, she thought.
Just when I thought I had made a friend.

It was a quick goodbye but Jenna had a meeting to go to. Sara finally let her friend go and watched as she walked away. A strange emptiness flooded her stomach.

"You have a good friend there, miss."

Startled, she turned around and saw what looked to be a cowboy sitting on the edge of the boat. His face was tan and wrinkled with a wide toothed smile across it. Jumping down, he held out his named and introduced himself. "The name's Joe, Joe Tambourine. I'm the captain of this fine ship."

She shook the out stretched hand and smiled back. "Nice to met you, my name's Sara Warner."

"Well that's a fine name for a fair-haired gal. Now let me welcome you to ma sky galley, Albatross."

To what seemed like simple construction, the details of the ship were amazing. The figure head of the ship was hand-crafted and Joe explained many other intricacies that held the ship together. It was easy for Sara to remain quiet and answer with "yes", "no", "I never knew that". Before long, the mayor boarded his galley and they were all set to leave.

The crew were few in number but they were fast. Sara was amazed by how easily they did their job. Untying the anchor lines, working the propeller, and doing various other things. She found a place near the front where she was out of the way and had a good view of everything. As she watched, the airship rose nimbly and the ground dropped away.

The view from above was spectacular and she knew the next few days were going to be adventurous.

----

Tag- Anyone on the three airships

[DinoGirl]

IC: Sara, passengers, and crew, drifting toward the Forbidden Mountains

The three airships sailed quietly off in the direction of the Forbidden Mountains. Their snow capped peaks glistened in the afternoon sun. From Sara's lofty perch, a panorama of sights opened and expanded before her. Far below, the canyon gave way to hills. Small strips of water twisted thought the land. How different it looked from the air! Sara reveled in the experience, trying to memorize everything.

As the days progressed, she got to learn about her fellow passengers and the crew. The two struthiomimuses, named Tarja and Ilyan, spoke only saurian. They would often squawk to her and Ben Foster, another passenger, would have to translate. It was awkward but it worked. She learned that they were scribes and stamped out words in giant sand boxes. They were returning to Waterfall City after visiting family in the canyons.

"It's a well respected job in high demand", he finished saying.

"But why?", Sara asked.

Ben took off his battered straw hat and scratched his faded white hair. "Why? Well, most dinos don't have the ability to write on their own. So they have another dino, with the right feet, to write it out in the sand. That way, other humans and dinos can read it later on."

Sara pondered this and imagined Tarja and Ilyan dancing across the sand to write out a message. Definitely something I want to see later, she thought.

Sara watched her new friend carve his wooden cane. Ben Foster was a kind old man who loved nothing more than to reminisce about his life. Often going on about how he never got the chance to explore much when he was young.

"Ya see, I spent most a my life on the Northern Plains. Making ma living off the spit o the land", he would say.

The more Sara talked with old man, the more she came to realize she hadn't known own her grandparents all that well. Had they lived like Ben? Or had they been wealthy aristocrats who sipped afternoon tea?

Of the crew, there was the captain, Joe, and the two crew mates, Jon and Jeorge. They had been working together for several years in the sky galley business and had even started their own singing group. To the delight of the passengers, they sang harmoniously. The crew bowed and accepted the praise. Even the crews of the other two added in to the applause.

Around lunch time when the crew were switching peddlers, Sara asked if she could try for a while.

"Sure, just jump on and peddle it like a bike. They do still have those in the outside world right?", Joe patted the seat and she got on.

Sara gripped the bars in front of her and started peddling, it was easier than she thought. "Yeah, but not as many as cars and trucks."

The terms confused the captain and Sara tried to explain. "They are... well...", she found herself fighting to describe them. Finally she sighed and gave the kindergarten description of it. "Big loud contraptions that move people and stuff from place to place."

Joe shrugged, not as interested as she thought he would be. I guess there really is no need for machines here, she thought. They work with the dinosaurs and get the job done together. The thought of a brachiosaurus working along side a crane made her laugh inwardly. Yeah, and a triceratops pulling a cart instead of horses.

As she continued to peddle, Joe proceeded to teach her about the different air currents and other interesting facts. "We can gain height by riding thermals. You can tell where they are because they usually have a cumulus cloud on top of it."

Sara nodded, taking in the odd science lesson. She had never really been good in school and preferred to hide in the library most of the time. It wasn't that she was anti-social, she had friends that hung out in the library too, she just liked having time to herself. Away from the noisy teens and their drama. Sara's legs began to tire as her mind came back to the present, realizing how long she had been going. Jeorge noticed her slowing down and offered to take over. Gratefully, she jumped off and collapsed back in her seat. Sara lend her head back on the woven basket and gazed up at the large helium balloon and the darkening sky above.

As they continued on towards the towering mountains, the setting sun finally slipped beyond the horizon behind them. The multi-colored sky faded to black. Leaving the moon and stars to light the way.

[DinoGirl]

Between the singing and the hours of working the propeller , the day passed into the next quickly. They had passed the mountains that night and were steadily descending into the Rainy Basin. It's

There was a loud ripping noise that startled Sara out of a much needed sleep. The crew had a panicked look on their faces. The Albatross was quickly beginning to lose altitude. The jungle below looked ready to swallow them up. Jon and Jeorge struggled to patch it up but it was already too late.

"Brace yourselves!", Captain Joe bellowed. He held onto the propeller with a sailor's grip, aiming for an open space in the vegetation.

He succeeded and the bottom of the airship just barely hit the tops of a few trees before crashing on the ground hard below. Jostling everyone inside. It continued to slide/bounce several feet before the balloon finally got hung up in the trees. A long and quiet moment passed undisturbed.

A disgruntled Joe finally disentangled himself from the rigging and was looked about. "Is everyone alright?"

Sara groaned and opened her eyes. To her surprise she was on the ground several feet from the wreck. She sat up slowly, categorizing her injuries and coming up with a few bruises. Nothing too bad.

She was about to stand when a bright light in the dirt caught her eye. It was something green had been half buried in the ground when the airship knocked it out. Curious, Sara picked it up. Brushing it the dirt off, she held it to the light. The object she was holding looked like a green gem. Probably an emerald, she thought. It was a curious thing that almost seemed to glow.

"You alright, miss Sara?", Joe's bellow shook her out of the trance. Quickly she stood up, keeping the jewel in hand, and went to help. The other airships stayed aloft but made a slow descent to help with the rescue. They lowered rope ladders to those below.

The first matter of business was to free the struthies. With the strong arms of the crew and a few cuts of a knife, they managed to haul the nets away and get them out. Tarja made a few complaining noises made everyone laugh but left Sara confused.

Ben lowered his head to her ear and translated. "She says that's the last time her husband is going to convince her flying was easier."

A new problem presented itself quickly enough. How were they going to get them to the airships above? There wasn't enough room to land one and traveling through the Rainy Basin was instantly eliminated.

After a long brainstorm, the answer came from Joe's co-pilot, Jeorge. They rigged the extra rope from the balloon and made improvised slings which easily fit Ilyan and Tarja with Jon and Jeorge beside them on the ladders, they were carefully hoisted up.

Ben climbed up next after declining the sling. "I may be old, but I'm not crippled!" No one bothered to argue with him but Joe stood at the bottom of the ladder just in case.

Sara was just about to climb up next when a deep menacing growl came from the surrounding jungle. She froze, remembering why this place was so dangerous. The trees began to shake and birds fled their nests. The was a brief moment when everything went silent, then a tyrannosaurs rex exploded from the forest, knocking down trees like they were twigs. He roared a challenge as he spotted his prey. It was obvious how hungry he was. The monstrous creature eyed Joe and Sara with such frightening intensity that her heart almost stopped.

He was terrify male in his prime. His hide was dappled brown and green to match his surroundings but his teeth were not. They shined brightly and were the size of lethal bananas.

From above there were shouts and the sound of cutting. The T-Rex glanced at the floating objects but they were too high for him to reach. Two baskets fell from the sky and broke when they hit the ground. Tons of fish were scattered across the ground.

The T-Rex only glanced at the offering. He preferred the red meat people. The ones who dared walk into his territory. With large steps that shook the ground, he stalked his way over to them, growling threateningly.

Sara found herself whispering urgently. Unconsciously gripping the gem that she had found.
"No, not us, the fish. Please eat the fish and leave!"

The T-Rex stopped short. Almost as if listening to her. Then it slowly backed away, sniffing out the fish. It lowered it's massive head to the broken baskets and chomped up the fish. Because of the largeness of him, he finished in no time. It turned it's head back to her. Sara clinched the gem harder.

"Now leave and don't come back, please don't come back!", she whispered again.

The T-Rex lumbered back into the jungle. Pondering why in the world he had let his prey go.

Sara sighed in relief. Almost unbelieving what she had done.

"Great Ogthar, that was close" Joe sighed and patted Sara on the back. "not bad for you first trip to the Rainy Basin, eh?" He gave a good natured laugh and signal to his crew that he was alright. They gave a cry of relief.

Sara gave a weak smile and hid the emerald of power in her pocket. Apparently the Captain didn't know what had cause the carnosaur to retreat, and called it good fortune.

With a final look at the wreckage, they climbed up separate ladders to the two remaining sky galleys above. The other passengers applauded as Sara was hauled into the basket. She ducked her head shyly and made quiet responses. When the initial fervor calmed down, she picked a seat at the back where she would be left alone.

Sara fingered the curious jewel in her pocket, pondering what it had done. What are you? she mentally asked it. There was no response but she imagined it would give a tart reply. "What do you mean what am I? I'm a rock, you silly twit!"

The rest of the journey held no interest for her. By the third day, they were finally able to see the outline of Waterfall city. The High Flyer's captain announced that they would arrive just in time for lunch. This elicited a laugh from his passengers and Sara stared on as the shimmering city grew closer with every moment. Another adventure on the horizon.

[tarion]

(Falokar's leaving of the story, to move to a new role play)

I.C -Falokar has spent two days in Canyon City, Waiting for Caroline to finish her preparations before taking him to Tree Town.

Falokar paced back and forth in his bed room he had been giving while staying in Canyon City, stopping occasionally to look at the wonderous architecture that had been apparently hand carved by skilled artisans and saurians alike. he was dressed in a light blue gi that was made of silk.

Suddenly a knock came at the door, Falokar stopped pacing and allowed his guest to enter the room, it was Caroline, and she was fully suited up, she looked at him with a smile and nodded, "Breathe Deep Falokar."

Falokar nodded back, "Seek Peace, Caroline, i take it you are ready now to get going?"
Caroline nodded and began leading Falokar down to the launch area, falokar carried his small sports bag and took one final look around the whole of canyon city... wondering if he'd ever see this city again, or if he'd see that prasaurolophus again... then catherine tapped him on the shoulder an smiled, "Are you ready?"

[tarion]

Falokar Nodded waiting as Caroline's Skybax steed Sora arrived, as Sora landed falokar happened to look to his left and saw a whole group of people landing, some on skybax, but most on an airship, the very same one that had been in Ebulon not to long ago...

Falokar shrugged and mounted up on sora's shoulders and neck waiting patiently then Caroline mounted up behind him and held him down, they waited a few seconds then took off into the air and began flying north... catherine tapped falokar on the back as their flight started out...

Caroline looked at falokar, and he could see her expression of worry on her face, "We'll be passing over the Rainy Basin soon"

Falokar looked on in wonder as to why she might be worried, then it hit him, she was afraid of carnivores, he looked at her and smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry we're flying to high to be attacked by carnivores from the rainy basin"

Caroline smiled grimly, " I only hope you're right young one... it was then that both noticed a cart being pulled by some sort of ceratopsian that had an oviraptor and several other riders along on it, and two humans...

Falokar looked at Caroline, "Where exactly are we?"
Catherine looked down, "We're flying over the oasis near the crossing before the road to Ebulon"

Falokar nodded and relaxed a little then enjoyed the flight... the feeling of flying was so soothing and comforting that falokar soon fell asleep and was dreaming of training with Fao Long in his ideal Tree Town.

An hour and a half later Caroline was shaking him lightly...
Falokar roused from his slumber quickly, and looked around...
"Are we there already?"
Caroline giggled and nodded, "We just arrived about five minutes ago, you need to dismount now and take your stuff off of Sora so she and I can report back to Canyon City."

Falokar nodded and lept off of sora's back and then got his sports bag off of her side, then shouldered the bag, "Well Caroline I bid you to Breathe Deep, and Seek Peace, and have good luck in your up coming journeys."

Caroline nodded and smiled, "And the same to you Falokar, good luck with your training."
with that she mounted on sora and took to the skys heading in a southish direction.

It was then that Falokar turned and saw the whole of Tree Town, and a young Woman walking up to him... she bowed to him and smiled extending her hand... "Breathe Deep, Falokar, I am Quan Yi, welcome to Tree Town, I am your guide here."

(Move to tree town thread)

[o8jedi]

IC: Hazen Baker and company, Camp, the Ghost Town
_

As night fell on the camp, Hazen took the time to examine his guitar. He hadn't opened the case since they first laid eyes on the desert out of fear of how the humidity (or lack thereof) would affect his beloved instrument. Now that they had company (who seemed friendly enough at the moment), Hazen figured that some entertainment would be in order. In the dim campfire light, he examined the finish and the joints for any cracks and, finding that there were none, he tuned the guitar and strummed a very satisfying A major.

The sound of music seemed to be what everyone needed at the time, given their harrowing trek through the desert and the tense episode at the bridge. Hazen smiled as he plucked a few notes. He glanced over at Tarion, who was a bit surprised by the fact that he was in the company of a musician, and smiled. "Well, when you've been on the road as long as we have been, it's nice to have some entertainment."

Redcrest, happy that her Partner was going to play some music again, scampered close to him and sat down. With a little flourish, Hazen began to entertain those assembled. He tried to play mostly Dinotopian tunes, but he interspersed a few of his favorite songs from the Outside. As usual, many joined in singing in the familiar tunes and appreciated the unfamiliar ones.

When the time came to turn in for the night, Olu and Artemis were assigned to the first shift. Hazen packed away his guitar and April approached him. "A word, Mr. Baker?" she asked. Hazen stood up, curious as to what she had to say. April merely sighed. "I hope you realize the risk you took."

"Of course," Hazen said. "Like you said, it could have signaled a cave-in. Or Tarion could be working against us. Besides, he's just a kid."

"So is the Triceratops that has been pursuing us all these months," she quietly reminded him. "Next time, pay heed to our advice. If we are to survive, we need all the resources we can muster."

Hazen sighed, knowing that he wouldn't be able to win this argument. "You're right. I'll be more considerate next time."

April was a bit surprised by the response. "No rebuttal? Maybe you are dehydrated!"

Hazen chuckled. "No, I'm not. Just seeing things from your point of view. Still, it felt like the right thing to do at the time."

April nodded. "Were the situation different, it would have been right. Perhaps you are becoming more Dinotopian than you think."

Hazen smiled. "Thanks." April, having said all she needed to say, turned to get some sleep before the next shift. Thinking quickly, Hazen then spoke up, causing her to turn back. "April, if the situation was different . . . do you think I would have had a chance?"

April sighed. Not only was Hazen bringing up his attraction again. If he was expecting a different answer, he'd be sorely mistaken. Still, these close quarters allowed her to study more of him than she normally would have. "If I knew you like I know you now . . . maybe. But I don't think it's likely since I wouldn't have allowed you to be this involved in my daily life." Hazen nodded as she said this. She continued, "Why do you ask?"

Hazen sighed. "I was just curious. I can see that you're a very caring and loyal woman. I could almost tell when I first saw you." To his surprise, April's expression didn't sour with the flattery, but he didn't want to press his luck. "I just wanted to know if it was possible."

April smiled slightly. "You would have needed to have infinite patience to put up with me if you were to have any chance." She sat down near the dying embers of the fire.

"Well, patience isn't exactly a strong suit of mine. Probably wouldn't have happened." Hazen joined April, sitting down next to her. He glanced at April and thought about her in light of what he said. Would he be so determined to make something out of this if they were not in this situation? He couldn't be sure. He knew that relationships based on tense situations, such as being on the lam or being held hostage together, hardly ever lasted. After heaving a sigh, he looked at the embers and said, "I like to think it would have, though."

April turned to him. "I know." Hazen glanced back at her. He got the sense that she had more to say, but she quickly said as she stood up, "I think it is time we go to bed."

Hazen sighed and nodded. "Have a good night," he replied. After a few moments to himself, he went to bed.

The next morning, everyone helped break camp. Hazen did his best to rearrange a few things to make room for Tarion should he decide to ride in a cart during the trip to Ebulon and he felt like he did a good enough job. Soon, they were off and Tarion's guidance proved to be invaluable. In short order, they were out of the caverns and continuing their course.

Near the end of the day, the Colossus of Ebulon began to appear. Given how much detail Hazen saw in it, he assumed that they would arrive within the hour. Then, a pair of dots came out from the distance. They grew into Skybax. A thrilling sight, to be sure, but once they left, the size of the Colossus hit him. "They came from that far?! That thing's huge!"

April interjected. "It was one of King Ogthar's gifts to his Queen Almestra. Besides, have you never seen colossi in the Outside World?"

"Only Lady Liberty," Hazen replied, "but she hardly compares to that!"

"Who's Lady Liberty?" asked Redcrest, speaking for most everyone in earshot.

Hazen explained, "It's a nickname for a large statue in New York Harbor commonly called "The Statue of Liberty." It's a gift from France to the United States. It features a woman representing Liberty holding a torch high above her head. Many immigrants to the United States came through New York and she was one of the first faces to greet them." The young hadrosaur remembered the green lady Hazen drew back in Waterfall City when they were still becoming friends and Hazen saw the recognition. He looked back at distant Ebulon and he hummed a cheerful tune. He could sense that everyone was glad to be arriving at Ebulon after many days of travel. Even if they weren't going to stay long, it would be a welcome relief to enjoy some civilization.
_

TAG: Bentfeather, Tarion, any and all!

[Thundertail]

OCC: The way I envision Ebulon will not be exactly like the way it is pictured in JTC, though the interior layout is somewhat similar. For one thing, Ebulon is pictured as a giant sitting figure in the midst of an oasis; where my version will be that of a giant head of about the same dimensions jutting out of the sand dunes. My version of Ebulon might be bigger, say if all the Presidential heads on Mount Rushmore were combined and hollowed out for living space, and the mountain behind them were likewise utilized. It will have enough space for other, larger saurians in the ground-floor levels, and below ground level will be catacombs where they can grow mushrooms and other plants by Sunstone light. The upper floors will have pilot barracks (Can also be used by anyone as seen fit.), Skybax roosts on the uppermost floors, Classrooms and training gyms, a library/research area, training and equipment storage and other areas to gather. The middle areas contain kitchens, rest rooms, lounges, dining areas, offices, classrooms and other necessary spaces in Spartan design as the place is rather cramped. There will be areas for the support crew and staff, as well as places to accommodate wayfaring travelers. Ebulon is currently with a skeleton crew as all training is suspended in lieu of an eminent attack on the Outer Island, and all Skybax patrols with no duty elsewhere are massed at Canyon City, leaving Ebulon with a skeleton crew and staff. Only the commander and one senior pilot is there, and a handful of support crew: 2 Skybax teams + 6 support = 10 in all…

_____

IC: Bentfeather and company. Greetings at Ebulon.

The looming head edifice that was Ebulon never seemed to grow bigger, as the distance between it and Bentfeather’s caravan was farther away than it seemed.

Knowing they would soon be in a safe haven gave each puller new strength, and their passengers grew more excited at every turn of the wagons’ wheels. The great face stared toward the heavens, seeming to mock every force in the universe for it’s fate; buried up to it’s neck in the shifting sands of the Great Desert, no hope of help or rescue. This haunting thought was not shared by any in the group, for their spirits were too high to allow such thoughts. As they drew nearer to Ebulon, they began to get a sense of how huge the place really was. The stone head must have been hundreds of feet high and had a circumference of nearly a quarter mile!

At ground level, there seemed to be no way inside; but further inspection showed that the nearer ear was just about at a level so that carts could enter there. The builders even had the foresight to include a ramp up to it as a courtesy to traveling caravans and supply carts; and the ear canal beyond provided ample space for all their carts and pullers to enter with no problem at all, but there was a round iron grate at the entrance that was barred and locked. Here they waited as their presence had been no doubt detected well before they came within a mile of the place.

“Do we knock?…”, Randy wondered as he turned to his passengers.

“Maybe we should just ring the bell!…”, Bentfeather’s keen eyes spotted a thick rope dangling from a crenellation in the ear’s architecture, disappearing into a small hole high above, he pointed.

Officer Ajax led Olu to the rope, and the Corythosaur grabbed it with his mouth and pulled down. Somewhere deep in the bowels of Ebulon, a deep bell rang; it’s voice blaring from every corner, and heard even from outside. As the last reverberations ebbed and echoed away, a smallish Troodont came scurrying from a side passage inside the grate, looking out through it for a second at the newcomers at his door. The creature looked this way and that before yelling at the top of his tenor lungs.

“Otto!… Open the gate!…”, the creature yelled, and many moments later the grate began to rise into the architecture of the ear canal. With enough room for him to come forward, the Troodont scurried out to just within reach of Randy. “Welcome, wayfaring strangers!… I am Simon, coordinator of operations at Ebulon!…”

Simon cringed as the grate creaked at the top of it’s housing, then scowled at a shadowy alcove. “Otto!… Would you please fix that one of these days!…”, then he turned to his guests. “Um,… Once again, welcome.”, he scurried aside to let them pass. “If you please follow me, I will show you where you can freshen up and get out of this infernal heat!…”, he led the way.

“I am sir Bentfeather, head curator of the library of Waterfall City, and these are…”, Bentfeather began, but Simon raised a claw.

“Please dispense with any introductions until the Skybax Commander greets you properly.”, Simon droned, not looking back. “I am merely coordinator of operations, the leader of the support staff…“, he led them through a short passage and into a grand space lined with paddocks and storage areas. “I deserve no formal introductions from you.”, he smiled meekly.

“Here you can unhitch your pullers and dismount from your carts and steeds.”, Simon said as the last cart entered the area. “This is the hostelry area, where caravans are refreshed to continue their journeys.”

As both carts came to a stop, Simon bade all passengers to dismount and gather around him; many of Bentfeather’s group still towered over the slightly shorter than human form. Just then three of the help - a burly human, and two Galimimuses - opened stalls, unhitched Randy and Polongo and took tack from Olu and Artemis. They began leading them all to appropriate stalls, tending to each in turn. Their carts were pulled aside next to a wall, and Bentfeather’s group eventually gathered next to where Simon waited. Each observed the hollowed out stone walls and various niches, including the paddock areas and pillars, were carved from virgin sandstone rock and worn smooth by centuries of use; and even the wide spiral staircase flowing out of a nook in the wall to the side Simon had turned toward looked like it was a natural formation, and not chiseled by any living hand.

“You will be introduced to my staff as it is seen prudent,…”, Simon told them. “But for now, if you will follow me…”, he led the way up the stairs.

The stairway spiraled around in a wide arc, stopping at landings at every revolution where wide portals led to other floors of the complex. The light the sconces gave off, which were spaced evenly at fifteen foot intervals was brighter than any torch; for they were Sunstone lighting, made even brighter due to the proximity of the complex’s main Sunstone evidentially placed at the top of the stone edifice that was Ebulon. Finally, at the third level Simon went through the portal there; revealing a short passageway with many unevenly spaced doorways on either side, and led the group to the very far portal to a room with seating for many. The large stone tables were many, and the seats were arranged four to a table; and the one thing telling them all this was a dining area other than Simon informing them of the fact a moment later was the various smells of food wafting from closed metal doors off to the left, delicious aromas seeming like gourmet food compared to the camp cooking they were used to these many months.

“Your Midmeals will be prepared shortly, my friends.”, Simon smiled. “Please be seated, and I will inform the commander of your arrival…”, he scurried out the door, leaving Bentfeather and company alone to access themselves.

Everyone waited in silence, looking at each other until lady Natasha first spoke. “It is good that we are at last within safe havens.”, all nodded, for that thought among others were on their minds. “Here we can refresh ourselves and properly think what it is we must do next.”

“This citadel is remote and strong.”, officer Ajax told them. “It has withstood many an attack from King Othgar and the Chandaran empire of long ago.”

“I read that tale!”, Tebo put in.

“Well, I suggest we wait and see what Ebulon’s Skybax commander has to say about things before we plan anything definite.”, Bentfeather said. “I would no doubt conclude that they must know who we are and what cargo we carry.”

“Your ruse to throw off our pursuers has paid off well…”, Ajax said to lady Natasha. “However, they must by now know of this; and are using stealth to seek a way to ambush us at a later date.”

“But we are safe for now.”, Frak reminded. “You said that Ebulon is well protected.”

“Eveningmeal is served…”, came a deep voice from the kitchen door, head of a burly and scruffy human poking out to announce.

“Thank you, kind sir.”, Bentfeather replied kindly. “You may serve us at any time…”

“This ain’t no four-star hotel here!”, the man barked. “Around here, we serve ourselves!”

“Sir, what is your name?…”, Ajax ordered. “And please come out here, if you would.”

“Name’s Otto, officer…”, Otto said, wiping his meaty hands on his grubby apron. “I am citadel cook… Also what ever else that needs doin’…”

“Well, please remember that you are speaking to civil officers, high officials and trusted comrades!”, Ajax informed gruffly. “I suggest you keep a civil demeanor from now on!”

“Yes, sir!”, Otto said, thoroughly chastised. “Then if that’s the case, would you like me to serve you?”

“Please…”, Ajax sat back down.

“So, as we were saying, I think we should stay here as long as our hosts’ hospitality lasts…”, lady Natasha continued. “Then we should tend our cargo and obtain supplies enough to arrive at Canyon City.”

“But we do not even know what that artifact is for!…”, Tebo commented. “Or what Nicolai Sanders wants with it!”

Bentfeather saw Tarion’s interest peaking, and explained; hopping to the table from Tebo‘s shoulder and hopping over so he could whisper. “My friend, we carry a strange artifact indeed. It is a large stone head of a Tyrannosaur, festooned with glyphs and runes, made with many types of stone and jewels fitted together with precision.”

“I examined it, and a strange thing happened.”, Tebo said. “I pressed one of the runes, and pieces of it began to move inside as well as out.”

“The jaw of the Tyrannosaur opened, and revealed something extraordinary!”, Bentfeather continued. “Hidden inside is an amulet on a chain that possesses strange properties.”

“The amulet did not effect sir Bentfeather…”, Tebo told him. “But it caused sir River Monoclonius a strange headache.”

“It bears further study, to be sure…”, whispered Bentfeather, but stifled himself as he saw Otto coming out with a serving trolley that had several covered dishes.

Otto simply placed these large covered platters onto the tables where they sat, not even uncovering them so they could see what was being served; and as quickly as he came over, he left wheeling the trolley behind him. Lady Natasha was the first one to examine the one nearest her, and discovered a family sized serving of seaweed pasta in a brownish sauce laced with mushrooms and spices. Tebo uncovered quartered and baked potatoes with a yellowish sauce laced with even more mushrooms, and Ajax discovered green and yellow squash with mushrooms in a boiled medley with salt and pepper. In fact, all the dishes served them contained mushrooms in one form or another; but as they served themselves and tasted each concoction, the flavor sensations were like nothing they had eaten in recent memory! As they all ate, enjoying every morsel, no conversations occurred for many minutes, giving their palates reign over their brains; and as soon as most of everything was gone, Otto returned to clear up anything that was empty. Soon he left once again to return a moment later, sporting several large bowls of mixed and sliced fruit concoction - blissfully absent of mushrooms - and smaller bowls and other cutlery so the diners could serve themselves.

“A fine repast.”, Bentfeather wiped his snout. “Most enjoyable!…”

“It has Seamus’s cooking beat, I think!”, Frak commented, Seamus scowled.

“For the sake of this wonderful meal, I think you should apologize to Otto, chastising him so.”, Lady Natasha suggested to Ajax.

“I think you’re right.”, Ajax admitted.

“I wonder when the commander will meet us.”, Bentfeather asked, looking around. “He or she is bound to know we are here by now…”

“The commander is no doubt a busy person.”, Natasha said. “Perhaps he or she is tending other things.”

Just then a crisply uniformed Skybax pilot entered the dining area, her insignia told of her high rank; and her auburn hair sparked a glint of recognition in Hazen, whose stare this pilot noticed briefly with a slight smirk. She gave a Dinotopian salute the group, of which only Ajax and April returned; and smiled down at the rest of the group.

“Greetings one and all…”, she said. “I am sub-commander Elaina Dennison, and I have been sent by commander John Powell to greet you at this time, and give a small tour of our fair establishment at a later date.”

“The greetings are returned!”, Bentfeather bowed. “I am sir Bentfeather, of the Waterfall City library, and I…”, he was cut off once again!

“It is well known who you are, and the reason why you are here.”, Elaina said. “We have been keeping tabs on your group, and I have personally drawn an interest in it. This is the reason why I have been sent to gather an audience with you, and request the following in your group to accompany me to the commander’s office.”, she looked around to see if all were present. “Sir Bentfeather, lady Natasha, officers Ajax and Manchester, sir Tarion of the Archaeological guild… and Tebo Lewis.”, she smiled.

“What about the rest of us?”, Frak asked, the rest wanted to know too.

“Shortly you will be shown your quarters, and assistants will show you where you may refresh yourselves.”, Elaina Dennison told him. “They will also give you a small tour along the way if you request it… They should be here shortly.”

She waited for the requested ones to step forward, Bentfeather doing so aboard Tebo’s shoulder. “If you would follow me…”, and she led them out of the dining area…
_

TAG: Hazen and his characters, Tarion and hers, any and all!

[Thundertail]

IC: Randy, Olu and Postal Bird 76 with Polongo. The paddocks at Ebulon.

Carol Galimimus wheeled away a Copro cart, leading it into a portal to the left of the stables, coming back moments later to see how her two new customers were doing; and Randy nodded silently, telling her all was well. Randy Ankylosaur continued munching away happily on his food, a combination of hay and alfalfa mixed with dried mushrooms; and this combination brought him back to the days when he was a yearling, rooting for mushrooms with his dad in the forest just north of Waterfall City. He smiled as he chewed, looking over at Polongo in the next stone berth; who was chewing his meal more thoughtfully, evidentially weighing each flavor combination in his mind. Olu was in his own stone paddock alternately munching away and scanning the whole paddock area for trouble. Randy took another bite and swallowed before speaking.

“This stuff’s pretty good, you think?”, said Randy, but Polongo was too polite to speak with food in his mouth. “Way better than the stuff we’ve been getting recently…”, he took another bite as Olu at least nodded.

Over against the wall of the underground paddock area their carts rested, awaiting immediate departure or unloading; decision for which operation would be made at a later date, and certainly not by either puller. None of the two noticed, but slight rustlings could be heard from the driver’s area of Randy’s cart; and if anybody cared to locate it, it was coming from the Postal Bird basket along side it. Coughing and sputtering was heard from within, noises made by Postal Bird 76 as he decided to take a nap during their trip across the sands. Maybe it was the cessation of motion that made him sleep so long, or it was the lack of the blast furnace heat from the desert beyond the stone edifice; but once he realized he had slept so long, he leapt up and pushed the basket lid off with enough force to make both Randy and Polongo look!

“Awk!… Where am I?”, 76 squawked as he looked around at the strange surroundings. “We’ve arrived in Canyon City so soon?…”

“Hey!… It’s 76...!”, Randy brayed as the bird flew over to perch on the gate post corralling the Ankylosaur‘s stall. “I was wondering where you went off to… I thought we lost you…!”, Olu chuckled.

“I took a nap, that’s all…”, 76 looked about again. “Looks like I missed out on something. Where are we?”

“Ebulon.”, said Randy. “This is the stable area, near the bottom of the complex. Haven’t been any place else…”

Polongo brayed in their direction. “Yeah, the food here is great!… Have you eaten?”, Randy asked. “I can have Carol whip you up something… Carol!…”

“I’m Wendy…”, said the other Galimimus coming in from the direction of the circular stone stairwell. “But if this sweetie wants anything, let me know!”

“Postal Birds don’t eat food like this!…”, Carol said from a hay storage area in the opposite wall. “They need seed and things…”

“My mistake!”, Wendy chuckled.

“They’re twins!”, Randy explained. “Can’t tell them apart!”, he took another bite of his food as Olu scrutinized both and found a few slight differences besides the names.

“I am a little hungry…”, 76 said. “But what I really need is to find out if Ebulon has a Postal Bird aerie.”

“Oh, yes we do!”, Carol said.

“A fine one, sir!”, Wendy said.

“It’s at the top of the complex.”, said Carol.

“Next to the Skybax roosts.”, said Wendy.

“It looks out of the left eye of the stone head.”, Carol added.

“You can’t miss it!”, added Wendy.

“Right up the top of the stairs.”, both said in unison. “Through the Skybax landing bay.”

“Um, thanks…”, Postal Bird 76 shook off the dizziness of twisting his head to follow the instruction coming from both directions. He winked good bye to Randy, Olu and Polongo before crouching for a takeoff, then off he flapped up the stairs and out of sight…
_____

IC: Frak with Hazen, Artemis and Redcrest. Looking around Ebulon.

Frak, watched Bentfeather and the rest leave with pilot Dennison for a moment before looking at the rest left behind. Redcrest was making little doodles with her fingers in the remains of her food while Hazen was alternately trying to make her stop and wiping her hands with a napkin, and Artemis was chortling to herself at the sight. The clattering of dishes were heard through the metal doors in the kitchen, and every once in a while the whistling of Otto could be heard above the splashing of water. Many moments went by, Hazen finally getting Redcrest to settle down somewhat; and soon through boredom, everyone began to wonder how long they had to wait.

“Yes, Ebulon is a very ancient place!”, Frak said, trying to break the monotony. “Very old and very famous…”

“Yes it was, brother!…”, said a deep voice coming from the dining area entrance, voice belonging to a Pachy like himself. “But these days it is a training ground for the Skybax.”

“Greetings, my friend!”, Frak rose, and so did the rest. “It is so good to see a familiar face!”

“Ricky is my name, and I have been sent to show you to your rooms!”, said Ricky, scratching his unadorned dome. “It’s a delightful place, so maybe a small tour first?”

“We would love to see this place…”, Frak thought. “But perhaps the little lady might be tired from this exciting day…”, he indicated Redcrest.

Redcrest shook her head and clung to Hazen‘s leg, pulling him toward the other Frak she saw and mewling that she wanted to go too. Artemis came up and gently tried to pull her aside with little results, and Ricky just smiled at the cute little scene. When no real resolution was forthcoming in this little dilemma, he stepped forward and spoke.

“Maybe the little lady would get an education after all, eh?”, Said Ricky. “It will be perfectly safe, I assure you!”

“Well, OK, I guess…”, Frak finally gave in, speaking for all three.

“Then please follow me!”, Ricky said, then turned to the dining area entrance. The others followed, Redcrest between Hazen and her mother, and Frak taking up the rear…
_____

IC: Bentfeather, Ajax, April, lady Natasha with Tarion. the commander’s office.

The Spartan design of the commander’s office gave way to a splendid view of the desert from the rounded-off oblong window behind it, framing the figure of a gangly man of an age slightly older than officer Ajax; his raven-black hair balding at the crest, yet his sallow face had no signs of lines or anything to betray any aging. The man looked up from his scrolls and other paperwork to spy who had just come in, and pushed his tiny Ben Franklin glasses back up his hawkish nose before finishing up the paper he was working on. Once done commander John Powell rose to shake everyone’s hand after greeting.

“Well, well!… I see you have all arrived.” Powell said as he sat back down. “I hope your trip wasn’t too perilous.”

“It was terrible…”, Bentfeather told him. “Especially for one such as I, who is used to city life!”

“The wilderness can be most uncomfortable for those not used to it.”, Powell said. “But I’m glad you made it here in one piece. The mayor of Waterfall City said he had sent two top-notch guides, and provided with adequate protection…”

“We used all the resources allotted to me to get the job done.”, Lady Natasha told him. “And these two guards and their steeds provided excellent protection.”

“And you all did a marvelous job.”, Powell said. “The artifact is safe, and all those involved are still in one piece!”, he chuckled.

“But what of us now?”, Tebo asked.

“The artifact you brought demands further study. Because of the danger of it being stolen when it was in Waterfall City, there was no time to do a proper investigation.”, Elaina Dennison told them all. “You and your group will stay here until that is done, and be our guests for that time.”

“I did not know that Ebulon had adequate facilities to conduct a professional Archaeological investigation…”, Bentfeather commented.

“The labs and study areas of this facility are adequate indeed.”, Elaina Dennison said. “And our library had been stocked over the past two months with nearly every tome to assist in Archaeological study.”, she smiled. “I’m sure everything will be in order for an extensive investigation.”

“I merely have an ackedemic knowledge of Archaeology.”, Bentfeather said. “Even though I may know a thing or two on the subject, I am far from a professional Archaeologist!”

“And that is where sir Tarion comes in!”, commander Powell put in. “Even though he just finished being an apprentice Archaeologist, he shows great talent in deciphering runes; and is fluent in nearly all forms of ancient writing.”

“His instructors in Treetown say that they have never seen one so gifted.”, Elaina placed out many letters of recommendation before Bentfeather. “They say he has the makings of being the greatest Archaeologist of the day.”

“Well, I see he comes highly recommended indeed!”, Bentfeather said after scanning several letters. “And with I disagreeistance, we should be able to decipher that ghastly thing, and try to figure out what Nicolai Sanders had discovered…”, he paced.

“And if sir Tarion agrees…”, Powell added. “We can begin as soon as tomorrow.”

“Yes. We will move the artifact to the study chambers, and begin right away.”, Elaina Dennison said. “But since it is so late, please allow me to escort you all to your quarters.”, she rose and beckoned for all to follow…
_____

IC: Postal Bird 76. At the Ebulon Postal Bird aerie.

Postal Bird 76 flapped across the gigantic chamber open to the outside through gaping openings that were, in actuality, the nostrils of the gigantic edifice that was Ebulon. Up on a series of niches with a ramp way leading up to it, he spotted a row of boxed in perches made tiny by the distance; but they had the traditional markings of a Postal Bird aerie that was so familiar to him, and he increased his angle so he could fly right up to them. The aerie had a total of twelve roosts, bird house-like affairs especially designed for his race; and inside he knew they would be warm and cozy, the type of comfort his kind insisted upon - and well deserved as his kind performed vital services to all the peoples of Dinotopia! 76 landed on the main landing perch and hopped to one of the nearer roosts, in all aeries like this it was occupied by the Chief Dispatcher; a higher ranking bird with a lower number designation, as he was chief Postal Bird fo0r waterfall City and his number was 76.

“Awk!… Hello in there…!”, he called. “Postal Bird 76 reporting in to the Dispatcher for duty…”

A snort, then the head of a disheveled bird poked out. “Ugh…who’s there?”

“Postal Bird 76, from a caravan from Waterfall City.”, 76 reiterated. “Wake up, friend!…”

“All right! I’m up!”, the bird stumbled out, then his eyes went wide! “Oh sir!… I didn’t realize!”, the bird ruffled. “I am Postal Bird Dispatcher 151; and it is I that is at YOUR service!”

“Please, there is no need…”, 76 said. “This is your roost, and I am but a guest at the moment…”

“But you are the one all of us Postal Birds answer to!”, 151 continued. “Please tell us what we are to do and we’ll do it!”, he squawked to the rest of the aerie. “Everyone!… Wake up!… Postal Bird 76 is here!…”

“Please! There is no need!”, 76 begged off, but soon no less than four other birds looked out of their roosts and peered down on him.

“Please, no offense!…”, 151 said. “But we have been working in coordination of the mission you are part of.”, he indicated all the heads. “We have been relaying messages from both Canyon City and Waterfall City from here, and were waiting for you to arrive… Here you are at last!…”, squawking cheering wafted to him.

He Gave up trying to be modest. “Thank you, one and all… No duty is too arduous for Dinotopia…”, 76 hung his head.

“You look tired, my lord!…”, 151 said hopping to his aid. “Do you require rest?”

“Perhaps just food, if it isn’t too much trouble.”, 76 was led to an adjoining roost. “Between the fare I have had along the way and the food offered me today, it looks like I could use fare fit for Postal Birds…”, he perched.

“Right away, my lord!”, 151 said, then called. “213!… 394!… Bring food and drink!…”, nodding, they flapped off to comply…
_____

OCC: Notice how I split all the characters up? I did this so everyone could experience Ebulon in thier own way, and at thier own pace. (It's more fun this way!)...
_

TAG: Any and all!

[tarion]

I.C Tarion, Bentfeather, Ajax, and Lady Natasha

Tarion sat in the office mulling over all that had occured, sure enough he was probably the one that could help decipher their artifact, and he would be happy to do it, but something else kept pushing against the back of his mind, what did any of this have to do with his original work?, he pushed the thought from his mind and nodded to the group agreeing to help as much as he could before having to be transported to Canyon City.

It hadn't really occured to Tarion that the artifact that the group was carrying could have anything to do with his quest, but if it did, he may have to study the artifact itself more.

He was still pondering the ideas of what the artifact could be, and what it could relate to as he roamed around Ebulon aimlessly, separated from the rest of the group he found himself going to the top of the colossi, and simply sitting there as the sun set that night... not much else was going on so he continued to think, at points he pulled out his journal and began deciphering text, he was feeling uneasy, he just didn't know why though.

(Three hours later at the inn where the group is staying)

Tarion walked into the room and sat at the nearest table, the journal still in his hands, a look of deep concern on his face, furthermore he was now beginning to feel as if he was being watched, the whole area made him uneasy and even skiddish.
When Bentfeather suddenly appeared infront of him it took all he had to keep from screaming although he did jump rather suddenly.

Bentfeather looked at him politly and smiled, tarion smiled back still slightly destracted, but turned the book to let Bentfeather read as well, if he could (tarion thought as an afterthought) in the mean time he was holding his other journal and was taking notes... the book was what was really bothering Tarion, according to the journal, the Mother Sunstone, was sealed away in a room that was never meant to be found again, and could only be unlocked with a "key" of some sort, Tarion couldn't imagine what that key was for the life of him, and then there was the problem of finding this lost vault that contained the stone itself, if he could only find a clue to that his journey would be that much easier. He heaved a heavy sigh as he explained all this to Bentfeather, who patted his arm and reassured Tarion that he was doing a great job, and working more than he, Sir Bentfeather, had seen any archeologist work in their life. Tarion nodded and thanked Bentfeather for the compliment, then suggested they get some sleep as he was going to need all his wits about him tomorrow, and Bentfeather seemed to be a capable aid if he needed it.

Tag: Any and All

[Thundertail]

OCC 1: Ebulon is a completely enclosed complex, so there are no bistros or anything like a regular city there. Think of it as being aboard a military ship or a castle, where everything is within the same complex; enclosed and blocked off from the outside world...
_

OCC 2: In my posts, I might have to do slight Godmods of your characters. They will be as minor as possible, and I hope you don’t mind! (Feel free to Godmod mine as you see fit!) My only goal is just to choreograph the characters so they fit with the story…

OCC 3: Not quite the way it happened, Tarion. It went more like this!…
_____

IC: Bentfeather, Tebo and Tarion, the Ebulon library.

Very early the next morning, before any of their guests were up, several of the staff at Ebulon, at the orders of commander Powell; all supplies and cargo the two carts contained were emptied and sent to various places around Ebulon. The personal effects that everyone in Bentfeather’s group had was sent to their various quarters, their supplies were added to Ebulon’s larder if it was food and to various storage places if it were outdoor survival gear like tents and such, and into their armory if they were weapons; and all this would be returned to the carts when they left, added to as seen fit, for such was their hospitality done with practiced silence so as not to wake the guests sleeping in paddocks near by.

The most important things on the cart, and the reason why they had to empty the carts; was the crated artifact and the notebooks of Nicolai Sanders; for those were hidden well, behind all the caravan’s supplies. Otto and Simon gingerly slid the crate containing the artifact out of hiding and gently began the journey up the natural stone staircase and to the forth level of Ebulon, just below the level the Skybax use to roost, and into the complex’s small library and research area. During the long months that Bentfeather and his friends had been out on the road, copies of all sorts of Archaeological tomes and scrolls began to arrive by caravan; and orders from the mayor of Waterfall City told them to stock the shelves with as much as they could. There was no real room for all the tomes, as their library was already full of all sorts of tomes pertaining to Skybax training and the like; and these tomes had to be stored away to make room for them. Days before bent feather arrived the library was freshly stocked, and extra paper and other research tools had been added to the study area for the convenience of studying artifacts.

So once roused from sleep, Bentfeather’s group went to have a hearty breakfast while the only two Skybax teams got ready for their morning flight; scouting the general area for anything unusual or anyone suspicious. After the flight was over, Bentfeather and Tebo, along with Tarion and lady Natasha were told to go to the library; where Otto was just uncrating the artifact, and Simon was just setting out the notebooks.

“There it is…”, Bentfeather said atop Tebo’s shoulder. “Ugly looking thing, if you ask me…”

The look on Tarion’s face at the sight of the artifact was one of pure rapture, with a smile he scampered off and returned many moments later with his own notebooks and research materials; Moving over to examine and touch it at close quarters. He said not a word for many moments, and had tears in his eyes as he looked up to ask where it was found.

“We think it came from the Outer Island.”, said Tebo.

“It came to us under most mysterious circumstances.”, Bentfeather told him as the lad continued looking it over. “First the notebook from my old Partner showed up at my office, and the one that sent it was found murdered!”

“When it was in the possession of the Archaeological Guild, an attempt was made to steal it.”, lady Natasha told him. “It was then decided to keep it hidden from the thieves, and take it to Canyon City for further investigation.”

“However, the thieves are still pursuing us, and we must examine it right now.”, Bentfeather said. “…Such trouble for such a small thing…”

Even though Tarion had heard every word, he continued to study the artifact. He noticed the cartouches and the runes within them; but even though only one of the glyphs seemed familiar, he would have to consult his own notes to be sure. He wasn’t exactly sure, but the cartouches seemed more like the ones found in tablets brought up from the sunken city of Poseidos, which were like examples of ancient Mayan glyphs brought to Dinotopia with some of the first human shipwreck survivors that first inhabited the island. His thoughts slowly returned to the present as Bentfeather flapped to the table and touched his arm.

“Um,… Tebo here has discovered a little secret about the artifact.”, the Microraptor told him. “Please step aside… Tebo? If you would?…”

Tarion did as requested and Tebo stepped to the artifact. “I took a look at it, and touched some of the glyphs. This one sank in, and strange things began happening…”, Tebo pressed the Tyranosaur glyph in the lower right hand row of glyphs, and in the symbol sank. Grindings and whirring sounds could be heard from within, some of the other symbols began to extrude and retreat into the artifact and the Tyranosaur’s jaw slowly lowered.

“It did that…”, Tebo said, surprised it did it again for him; then he plucked out the multicolored Sunstone amulet on a golden chain. “…And this is what was inside…”

Tarion began to reach for the amulet, but soon a nauseating headache erupted in his brain; so he held his head instead and backed away. Lady Natasha behind them began to moan and wail, grasping her domed cranium like someone was drilling into it! Deep in the bowels of Ebulon, unknown to any in the room, the larger saurians there were experiencing similar symptoms, from light-headed headaches to mild nausea. Tebo saw the pain the amulet was giving his friends, and quickly placed the amulet back where it belonged and shoved the Tyranosaur’s jaw shut; ending all pain at Ebulon quicker than it began.

“It gives off frequencies that are painful to saurians… I thought I could feel a twinge myself that time!”, Bentfeather told the still recovering Tarion. “The artifact is thought to be some kind of puzzle-box, and lined with material that blocks the amulet’s effects…”

“I think it’s wise if I don’t do that again!”, Tebo said, feeling sorry as he left the library…
_____

IC: April, Hazen with Redcrest, Ajax and Tebo. At the Ebulon gymnasium.

Tebo left the library of Ebulon, leaving those more learned than he to unlock the secrets of the Tyranosaur artifact. He wandered the halls feeling guilty that he had once again caused trouble, just like when he lost that Sunstone lantern on his task to gather water for them at the hole in the desert. He walked by a portal, which was the entry to the outpost’s gymnasium and heard the shouts of April and grunts of Hazen as they practiced with their staffs once again; but passed them by as he sought out his only other real friend on this expedition, Randy who was his father’s partner, and known to him since birth. As the boy rounded another corner he ran into officer Ajax conferring with Frak over possible routes to Canyon City when it was time for them to leave; whom he didn’t disturb as he passed, but officer Ajax halted his current conversation to call him back to him.

“Oh Tebo…”, he said. “Wait up… I see you are feeling low. What’s going on?”

“Oh, I believe I messed things up again!”, Tebo said after a thought, and to judge if it was all right to confide things in front of Frak. “I showed Tarion and the others how to open the artifact, and it caused all of them pain…”

“So that’s what happened!”, Frak said. “I thought I was coming down with a head cold for a minute!…”

“It happened to you too?”, asked Tebo.

“It happened to all saurians, lad.”, Ajax told him. “We couldn’t explain it.”

“Sir Bentfeather says the amulet gives off energy that causes saurians pain for some reason.”, Tebo told them. “But I didn’t know it would hurt all of you!… I’m sorry, Frak…”

“Not to worry, my friend!”, Frak said. “Us saurians can endure great amounts of pain!”

“If you don’t mind, old boy…”, Ajax told Frak. “I have something to do with Tebo for a while…”

“All right…”, Frak said. “I will talk to Simon about our departure schedule…”, and off he went.

“Step this way, lad…”, Ajax escorted him back down the hallway. “You know, the epitome of wisdom is what you can learn from your mistakes.”, he said gently. “One is not often good in many things, and it is the mistakes we make that determines which way we go in life.”

“But you NEVER make mistakes!”, Tebo said. “I make them all the time…”

Ajax chuckled. “I have made more than my share in my day, believe me!…”, he clasped the boy’s shoulder. “Did you know that, as a lad of about your age, I wanted so badly to become a Skybax pilot. I studied all the exploits of Will Dennison and tried to emulate them.”, he paused as Manix the Pachy maid went by with her bucket and mop.

“When the day finally came for me to enroll, they found out my eyesight was not to their standards.”, he paused at the doorway to the gymnasium for a moment. “They want perfect vision, but mine was less than perfect. They gave me a choice of either clerical work for them or find some other profession.”, he smirked. “I chose the saurian guard instead, and I never had to look back!”

“At least with the guard, you don’t have to spot those teeny people from way up in the sky…!”, Tebo grinned at last. “Down on the ground they’re way bigger.”

“Precisely!… And the friends I made and the authority I hold makes all the mistakes I made well worth going through.”, Ajax stood and led the way into the gymnasium at last. “Now let’s see if you’re good in something else…”

The gym was a large square domed place, pillars holding up the ceiling on all four corners with alcoves and niches that contained stored equipment and rooms for dressing and washing off the sweat of a good workout. A row of several weight benches with stacks of weights lined one wall, floor to ceiling mirrors lined the wall with the alcoves, racks of mock hand weapons and other exercise machines lined the far wall and benches for resting or spectatorship lined the wall of the portal they entered. Hazen and April were in civilian clothes, loose fitting and giving plenty of room for movement, were squared off to one side of the room where thin mats covered the entire floor; seeing which one would make the first move as they stared at each other. April lunged and Hazen blocked three before grunting in pain once again!

As Tebo looked around, he saw little Redcrest near the mirrors making faces at the other hatchling she saw, that and alternately seeing if the her reflection would make the same moves as she did. Artemis was squatted on the floor, watching both the staff contest and her daughter and her antics. Ajax grasped Tebo’s shoulder and led him toward the weapon racks. He scowled as he began looking through the ancient swords, for they beaten and battered and so dull they could not cut anything! Many of them looked like they had been bent in many places, then hammered somewhat straight by an inexperienced blacksmith. He chose the two least damaged swords and offered one to Tebo.

“But I’m not very good with these…”, Tebo protested.

“Nonsense!… You did fine when I showed you how to use one out on the road…”, Ajax said as he swung the sword about slightly, frowning at the sword’s uneven weight and clumsy handling. “And this place we can practice under controlled conditions.”, he crouched. “Now… En-Garde’…!”

Before Tebo was half ready, Ajax’s first swing came. “Block it!”, Tebo’s came around and clanged against Ajax’s, but it rattled his wrist and he switched hands. “Swing and block!”, Ajax reversed the swing and Tebo reversed the block. No word came from Ajax at the next three swings, which came from different angles; but Tebo clumsily fended them off, wielding the battered sword like it was too heavy.

“Use more aggression!”, Ajax swung faster. “Find your strength!”, another two blocks. “Now lunge at me!… UH!…”, Ajax fell back on a loose piece of mat, and Tebo followed up, leaving Ajax to block it inches from his nose! “Good job!”, Tebo backed away guiltily.

“Sorry…”, Tebo mumbled.

“Nice move!”, Ajax rose to a sitting position on the mat. “Let’s try again, and this time you do the attacking…”, he got up and got into position.

“But I…”, Tebo didn’t know how.

“Do just like I did…”, Ajax demonstrated. “Just lunge… and advance… and do it again.”, he stood erect. “Now you try…”

Tebo got ready and began his attack. He used all his previous instruction to guide his strokes at Ajax, who fended them off easily enough. He kept on stepping forward, using some aggression as well as a little bit of anger, and his swings became harder and more accurate; and it looked like Ajax was having more and more trouble keeping Tebo’s sword at bay! Of course Ajax would have felt challenge in a swordsman ten times as skilled, but he never let Tebo know this; so he faked being challenged to give the lad confidence, and fell back again on a stack of barbell weights to beg mercy.

“Well done!… Well done!”, Ajax grunted as he got up. “You bested me!”

Just then they heard mild clapping coming from around the room. April and Hazen paused their sparring to watch the swordfight, and light cheering came from them. Artemis was clapping too; and so was little Redcrest and her mirrored counterpart!…
_

TAG: Any and all!

[tarion]

O.C.C - Sorry Thundertail i will not try to take the lead again, or move the story in my direction...

I.C -Several hours after the first encounter with the artifact...

Tarion sat there in the Ebulon library brooding over the artifact... it was a mystery to be sure, an amulet ment to ward off saurians? such a thing was about as useful in Dinotopia as a super sonic frequency modulator would be to humans... so then what was the real purpose of the artifact... and why did it only happen after the boy Tebo lewis took the amulet out of the casing? He continued to think about this as he chewed the end of his pencil and looked over his notes... that one glyph stood out in his mind it was ancient maiyan for light... but what did that have to do with anything?! Tarion continued to mull this over looking through his entire translation book for other similar glyphs finding only three that appeared similar, sound, force, and power, so all together he had for, light, sound, force and power, which still amounted to nothing, he had nothing to work with! he looked through some of the ancient journals he'd picked up during his travels and still nothing mentioned the artifact in question, that's when it hit him, this object was theorised to have come from the outer island, which was pretty well a mystery anyway as few to nearly none went there, there were probably all sorts of texts involving that object over there! Tarion pounded a fist on the table frustrated, if only he'd thought to go there of all places! Then another thought came to him... he was in a LIBRARY! A place of knowledge surely there were books and scrolls here involving ancient texts... maybe they actually had something.

With that Tarion got to his feet and went to the first book shelf nearest the door, then began looking alphabetically for an answer, he wasn't about to give up, not when he had been selected for this!

Meanwhile outside the library of Ebulon-

Bentfeather and his company had taken a small concession from the artifact, Tebo had gone to the gymnasium to train with Ajax and his partners, Lady Natasha and Bentfeather were taking time to recover from the stone's frequencies by walking around the city. After a while they all were called to dinner in Commander John Powell's Office, it only took Bentfeather a half a second to realize that one of thier number was missing, Tarion was not there... when he inquired the nearest servent about this, he was informed that Tarion had informed them that he was skipping a meal to continue his research. Bentfeather shook his head in disbelief, the boy was stubborn, but well motivated, you had to admire his spirit for trying to accomplish something.

Back in the library - It was growing dark outside, though for Tarion it did not matter, he had lost all awareness of time as he searched for a book to help him, obsessed with the idea of trying to find anything at all that had even a hint of such an item... he poured over books and scrolls for most of the night. He had gone back to the t-rex skull casing and was simply staring at it..., none of the glyphs made anysense in any order, not to mention that there were several other's he hadn't deciphered yet... finally out of desperation he picked up the skull gently and began to look at it from all angles... at one point he was looking at the hinges for the jaw, and realized, it has HINGES! which meant it was able to open and close, like a machine, upon further inspection he began to notice strange grooves in the skull itselft, grooves that wern't glyphs... then it hit him... the glyphs wern't glyphs at all they were markings... but for what?!, and the stone, sure enough it was a sunstone, but since when did sunstones give off high sounding frequencies?, then again maybe it wasn't the stone... He'd have to find a way to test that theory, but not tonight... , he was growing too tired and his mind was beginning to not function as well as he'd like. So he set the artifact back in his place and finished the new notes on his findings, hoping that tomorrow he and Sir Bentfeather could make more sense of it...

Grooves....

TAG: Tarion, Bentfeather, Tebo lewis, Lady Natasha, Ajax, Any and All

[Thundertail]

OCC: Remember these guys?…
_____

IC: Petronas and company. The introduction of their new reinforcements.

After their encounter with the Kleptodon Clan, Petronas had determined that they all quickly become better armed, and insisted that all four of them carry weapons at all times; and the mini-cannons they had was to be mounted to the front of each cart, their ammunition kept at close hand in case they were jumped again. The main problem they were facing was the lack of crossbow bolts, as they fired nearly all of them at the Clan; and between all the misses and their forgetting to retrieve any during their hasty retreat, their supply for the dozen or so they carried only made enough bolts for three shots per crossbow. They had to find a place where they could obtain more bolts, or else the next time they were attacked their opponents would certainly have the upper hand! Besides, there was no telling how much firepower they would need if and when they caught up with Bentfeather and his band.

Vox with his knowledge of all things underhanded, knew of a place not far ahead that could take care of their little problem; a place that did not adhere too closely with the moralities that all Dinotopians hold dear, and the underworld figures in the town ahead would be more than happy to comply if the price were right! The town Vox had said that was up ahead was Tutak-Abad, just on the outer reaches of the Amu Canyon; where there were plenty of places for all brands of thugs and ruffians could hide from both the Skybax as well as any other type of authority, and a perfect place to lay low to wait for Bentfeather’s group to show up. This being the good news, the bad news was that these thugs would no doubt think of them as a target; and all the more reason for the extra firepower, and it looked like Daisy and her twin might get a thorough workout indeed!

Dressed in their usual garb, costumes and any other accoutrements locked away in Vox’s gypsy wagon; the group made their way into the town of Tutuk-Abad, viewing all the people in town that seemed more surly than their own group. Leading the way, Vox went down certain alleys and took them out into a broken down street with disheveled shipping company fronts and a compliment of equally ratty-looking workers milling about. At one of these unlikely establishments he stopped the caravan and got off, telling everyone to watch themselves before disappearing inside. Nearly an hour later the barn doors of the shipping company they were next to opened, and Vox told them to lead the two carts inside.

Once the doors closed upon them, Vox gave the rest news of what they were to do, which was to give all the booty and treasure the group had stolen from their exploits in the other towns and give it all to the surly Stymoglotch proprietor of the shipping company. This would pay for better than three hundred rounds of crossbow bolts; plus the small supply of swords and daggers the creature had ‘commandeered’ from all the rowdy patrons of the pub he and another of his kind owned down the street. Once everything was all loaded and ready to go, the barn door opened for them and they made even greater haste getting out of Tutuk-Abad; as they feared getting jumped more than these thugs ratting them out to the authorities.

Onward they traveled, more southeast than any other direction; and soon came out to some slightly forested terrain filled with rills and other land features where it would be easy to hide ambush contestants, and this did nothing to ease their nervousness. Nearly all of them were having the feeling they were being watched, and they all fingered their weapons as they warily looked this way and that; expecting either carnivores or more robbers to attack any minute; but unfortunately they could not have been any more surprised when the attack came, for it came with such lightning swiftness and precision that everyone was caught completely off guard! Like streaks the attackers came, and were so swift their forms were like blurs; so fast was the attack that none of Petronas’s group knew just how many were attacking them until the fighting was over mere seconds later!

Before anybody noticed, both Vox and Petronas were stripped from their carts, attackers leaping on and removing their hand weapons so fast neither barely had time to grab their weapons. Two of the attackers made short work of the two humans, disarming and defeating any resistance in one quick stroke. Peter and Hydra were stopped and pummeled into submission in their harnesses, not able to really defend themselves anyway due to the restraints of the harnesses. The attackers did not stop there, for they manhandled both humans and saurians to the front of the carts and shoved them to the ground; each of them receiving a foot on the neck so they could not get up. It was then and only then that one of the attackers spoke.

“Too easy…”, said the gravelly voice of a Dromeosaur, festooned with drab leather armor with chain mail in strategic places and a leather cap. “Even with all your weapons…”

“Now see here…”, was all Petronas could say before the one standing on his neck stomped him to silence.

“Silence!…”, said the obvious leader, and by this time the rest of the victims looked around a little. All they saw were six of these Dromeosaurs, all dressed like their leader. “It will be I who does the talking, and you answer when I tell you!…”, the leader drew Petronas to his feet, pinning him to the yoke of Peter’s cart and got snout to snout with him. “And I better like the answer!…”

“Y-y-yes, sir…”, Petronas gulped.

“Now then… Who are you?… And no lying!”, the leader ordered.

“I-I-I am Petronas, of the Archaeological Guild…”, Petronas began, but was cut off!

“Petronas was lost on the Outer Island!”, the leader told him. “Try again!”

“It is true, your honor!”, Peter wailed.

“Mind your place, boy!…”, snarled the Dromeosaur pointing a dagger inches from his eye, and Peter gulped.

“So, if you are Petronas, what are you doing here?”, the leader asked, turning back to the one he was pinning.

“What ever you do, don’t say ‘sightseeing’…”, Vox whispered to him, and the Dromeosaur atop him gave him a rib-splitting kick! Vox groaned and nearly passed out.

“Sirs, we are on a mission from the Outer Island.”, Petronas told them, then told a version of their experiences. “And we are still in pursuit of those who hid it from us…”

“I see…”, the lead Dromeosaur said. “And I suppose you would blab this to anyone, eh?”, chuckles from the other Dromeosaurs.

“What do you mean?”, Petronas asked as the Dromeosaur let him go slightly.

“Of all the bungling buffoons Nicolai Sanders could have sent, and he sent YOU?…”, he guffawed. “Well, let me tell you a tale, bucko!… Nicolai Sanders is nearly finished with his plans, but needs that artifact to complete it. He sent us to find out why his precious piece of pottery hasn’t been found!… Now I know why!…”, this sent laughter among the Dromeosaurs.

“You can’t be serious!…”, Petronas was let go, and so were the rest.

“He sent us to find out what was taking you so long…”, the leader said. “Now I find out you botched every opportunity to get it… And you got yourself this band of buffoons to help you?… No wonder you screwed things up!…”

“But I…”, Petronas tried to defend.

“Never mind, bucko!”, the lead Dromeosaur said. “You had your chance. Now we’re going to do this the RIGHT way… The way it was meant to be done the first time.”, the lead Dromeosaur smirked toothillty. “I’m taking over this little traveling show!…”

“But I’m the leader here…”, Petronas said, bad move!

“You WERE!…”, the Dromeosaur shoved him to the ground. “But things have changed!”, he put a foot on the yoke that once pinned Petronas. “But now, I think a little introduction is in order… You are Petronas,”, he turned to Peter. “And I believe you are sir Mondor’s boy…”

“I am Peter.”, said Peter. “And I stole the artifact from where they were studying it in Waterfall City…”, he hung his head. “But it turned out to be a fake!…”

“Don’t worry, my boy…”, the Dromeosaur said mockingly sweet. “Sometimes genius skips a generation!”, laughter from the other Dromeosaurs. “Perhaps your offspring will be as bright as a Sunstone!…”, more laughs, even from the rest of Petronas’s crew! Peter shrank.

“Who are these characters?…”, asked the Dromeosaur who had kicked Vox.

“I am Vox, procurer of supplies for the expedition.”, he announced himself, then indicated Hydra. “And my friend, Hydra…”

“Who asked you?…”, the Dromeosaur raised a fist to him!

“And the humans?…”, asked the Dromeosaur leader.

“Just two workers I picked up in Waterfall City.”, Petronas said. “Their names are unimportant…”

“Hey!…”, said the younger one, and got pushed back by another Dromeosaur.

“Close enough.”, the leader said. “Now for us… We were members of the most powerful tribe on the Outer island, and I was their chief. These five were my most skilled hunters, deserving to be chiefs in their own right. Now we are the elite soldiers for Nicolai Sanders on the Outer Island. All of us are generals and train legions of other elite soldiers of our kind; and I am leader of them all!”

That said, he continued. “I am commander Dirge. You will call me either Sir, or Dirge if I decide to be friendly.”, Dirge looked at them all, and they decided he wasn’t often friendly! “These two are Ripper and Snapper, professional scouts. They have been tracking you from the moment you entered the Rainy Basin!”, Ripper and Snapper went near Hydra and Peter respectively and sneered at them. “These other three are Slag, Snarl and Sludge; experts all in weapons and hand-to-hand fighting techniques.”, he stepped back to scrutinize them all.

“Please remember that we are professional soldiers, and will not hesitate to harm you physically if you fail to do as we say.” Dirge told Petronas’s crew. “Most times what we say are meant to save your lives, so there are many facets of reason to do them.”

“Uh,… Sir.”, Petronas cut in. “Mister Sanders also bade me to acquire weapons for your troops.”, he pointed. “There are many fine pieces in both carts…”

“I know… We saw you using them…”, Dirge chuckled. “You use them like females!…”, he went to the back of the gypsy wagon and pulled out one of the cannons. “But these pieces have definite potential!”

“Hey!… Those are my babies!…”, Vox wailed, and got held back by Sludge.

“Be reasonable, mister Vox!”, Dirge said to him. “You know when parenting that there comes a time when the young must leave the nest!…”, after smiling at his own wit, Dirge scowled at him. “Yes, we can definitely use these… And you as well!”, he looked at Snarl. “Don’t you think he’d make a fine soldier when properly trained?”

“I teach him!”, Snarl snarled, not releasing Vox’s arm.

“All right troops…”, Dirge said after Vox was taken to the front of his cart. “Grab a crossbow and a full quiver, a sword or a dagger and what ever other weapon you need and form up here!”, he waited a mere minute. “All right now. Slag and Snapper, sentry duty. The rest of you, security. Dis… missed!”, they all rushed to their duties.

He then walked to Petronas and whispered: “Did one thing right with the weapons. These will help us conquer all of Dinotopia!”, then louder a moment later. “The rest of you, come here!”, he waved Petronas’s crew over, and continued when they got there. “Now, we know where they took that artifact. Sir Bentfeather, with two guards and a group of others, are currently in Ebulon. Word has it that they will soon go to Canyon City. At Canyon City, reports say that the Skybax are massing; and will soon deploy to an unknown target, and we think they are going to attack the Outer Island. Many others are involved in this, and the mayor of waterfall City is coordinating these things.”, he stopped a moment to see how they were digesting this information. “We feel that it is to our strategic advantage to abduct Bentfeather and his group before they arrive at Canyon City. If they arrive at Canyon City, they may fully decipher the artifact, and deduce what Nicolai sanders is trying to do…”

“Sir, if I may ask a question?”, Petronas asked.

“Certainly.”, said Dirge.

“If you were our allies after all, why did you attack us?”, the Stenoychosaur asked, and the rest wanted to know too.

“Well sir…”, Dirge expected the question to be related to what he had been saying, but answered sweetly anyway. “Certainly you wouldn’t begrudge us a little fun, would you…!”
_

TAG: any and all!

[tarion]

O.C.C - Bringing Falokar back into the main part of the story after his training...

I.C - Unbeknownst to the entire platoon of Dirge and the company of Petronas, another warrior was watching the entire set of events from over one of the many dunes, it was small and barely clothed so as to not give off any extra colors that might attract anything to him, which was hard enough to do already considering he was white, with blue feathers on his head... he had multed out of his red feathers during his training and the white feathers now represented a coming of age... it was Falokar, the young saurian who was supposedly still supposed to be training in Tree Town, however when he had receaved word from Waterfall City that new scouting evidence was pointing to an attack on Ebulon (for reasons still yet unknown to the public) he couldn't help but act, after all his mentor was there! And he felt his combat skills had vastly improved over the past few weeks... first with his agility training, then with his speed training, and even some increase in strength... he'd even grown a little since last time... now standing just over 3'5".... he watched as the two forces massed into a single grouping, (So it is true!) He thought as he watched.... they really were planning something... but what?, He decided to follow them a bit longer to investigate, and then if need be he'd travel ahead to Ebulon to warn Fao Long of the events...., hopefully with his ninja training he could go un noticed for some time, especially since he was down wind from the platoon, it was nearly to easy for him.... (or at least so he thought)

Tag: Petronas and Company, Dirge and Company, Falokar, Any and All

[tarion]

I.C- Tarion's room at the inn the same night of his interaction with the artifact...

Tarion layed on his bed, unable to sleep, wondering why. He got to his feet and rummaged through his bag, finding a Photograph, of him, his parents, and a female parasaurolophus hugging on him and laughing gently, Tarion smiled, it had been months since he'd seen Asrial's loving face, if only he could hear from her though, that was something he dearly missed, even a letter would be nice...

As if by cue a guard arrived at his room and knocked on the door, tarion got to his feet once again and answered it, the guard looked at tarion and smiled then handed him a scroll, "This is for you from Waterfall City." the guard said with some slight amusement. Tarion took the scroll and unrolled it. The letter was one from his parents and the contents of that letter made tarion think that much more of Asrial. "Dear son, Your father and I are proud and pleased to inform you that, since the day of you're birth you were arranged to be married to someone you've known for your entire life. We have arranged for you to be married to the daughter of Orion and Angela falcress, you know her better as Asrial Falcress, your childhood friend, She will be traveling down to Canyon City to visit you in one weeks time, though she doesn't know about the trip yet she does know of the arrangement, it is therefor our wish that you send her a message to let her know how you feel for her." Tarion could hardly breath, he was betrothed to his lifelong best friend!, How soon would they be married, after all he was only ten, and she was only nine, the earliest any saurian had married was 18 years old, so... were they therefor just betrothed until the marriage at least 8 years later? The thoughts raced through his mind, then somehow stopped as he came to realize, it didn't matter. He was content to be getting married to her... and the sooner he saw her the better he'd feel about the whole situation. He sat at a near by desk and began to write to her, a Message of content, and agreement to the arrangement... once finished he sealed it off then left it on the desk, now finding it somehow easier to sleep.

Tag: Tarion, Asrial, Ebulon, Any and All

[o8jedi]

IC: Hazen Baker, Living Quarters, Ebulon
_

Morning came upon Ebulon and the sun streaked across Hazen's eyes. He stirred and got out of bed, heading over to the window. The quarters were situated fairly high in the Colossus, offering a spectacular (if slightly nerve-wracking) vista of the desert. Feeling safe in the confines of Ebulon, Hazen thought about all the sights he had seen and the miles he and his friends have traversed. It was certainly worthwhile to see his adopted home, although he would have preferred a more leisurely mode of travel. Still, most people hadn't seen their homes like he had and he was grateful for the experience.

After taking in the view for a few minutes, he went over to a washbasin to freshen up for the day. He looked in the mirror and noticed how far his hair had grown out since last he groomed himself. After running a comb through his hair, he grabbed a nearby razor and trimmed it back a bit. He then began to shave, completely removing the beard that had grown back over the past month of being on the run. Once finished, he looked at himself again, smiling at how much a the simple things can make one look and feel 100 times better.

After getting dressed, he went to the galley, partaking in what food the kitchen had available to the pilots and the guests. After getting his plate, he heard the all-too-familiar warbles of Redcrest, flagging him down. Hazen spotted her, sitting with her mother, father, Seamus, and April. He sat down in between his Partner and April, who was already eating quietly and focused on her own thoughts. "Sleep well?" he asked Redcrest. The young Lambeosaur nodded back at him. "That's always nice."

"I like that your face isn't hairy no more," Redcrest said.

"Why, thank you," Hazen said back to the young one. "I think it looks nice, too."

April turned to see Hazen's appearance and nodded. "Yes, it does look good," she said before returning to her meal.

Hazen was surprised that April volunteered such a comment, but didn't make too much of a deal about it. Instead, after beginning his breakfast, he turned to April and asked, "So what did you learn at the briefing?"

April didn't look up from her meal and replied, "Bentfeather and Tarion will do some research. After which, we will leave for Canyon City to relay their findings."

Hazen nodded. "How long do you think that will take?" he asked after swallowing some porridge.

"Hard to say. Though I expect us to be here for several days," April said.

"I don't mind," said Seamus. "Taking a break from all that travel. My backside was so sore, I thought I'd never sit down again!" A small round of chuckles came from the rest of the table.

Hazen said, "I don't mind the break, either. I think it's about time we got some time to relax." He took another spoonful of his porridge.

"Don't be so sure," April said evilly. Hazen turned and looked at her, spoon still in mouth. April continued, "I will not allow you to become lax in your training. An hour after you're finished, meet me at the gym." April got up, returning her dishes to the kitchen before heading off to her own quarters.

Hazen sighed and looked at the others. "No rest for the wicked, eh?" The blank expressions on all their faces told Hazen that that expression went completely over their heads. "Maybe you'd like to play in the gym," Hazen said to Redcrest. The hatchling looked up at her mother for approval, which was given.
_

IC: Gym, Ebulon
_

After allowing some time for the food to digest, Hazen walked in, following Artemis and Redcrest. Redcrest spied the full-size mirror along the wall and ran over, seeing another little Lambeosaur to play with. Hazen was about to inform her that it was just a reflection when he heard a voice cry, "Look alive, Mr. Baker!" Hazen turned to see a staff flying toward him. He caught it and pointed it at April, who smiled. "Good form," she commented. "Now, then. Some friendly sparring after you're warmed up?"

Hazen smiled back. "Is there any other method?" After doing some stretching and a few practice katas that April taught him, he looked at April, signifying that he was ready. They approached the center of the sparring area and assumed their ready positions.

The sessions went about as well as past sessions had for Hazen. Between blocks, Hazen would have light taps on his side which, while not causing any true harm, still hurt badly. After a while, they became more annoying than anything, but he was still improving. April continued to attack from directions that he hadn't thought of, forcing him to become more aware of his surroundings. The trouble was, he was focusing too much on one part rather than the big picture. Just as he realized this, a tap against his skull snapped him back into reality. "I think we need a break," commented April. Hazen agreed. The two of them went to a nearby alcove where large vessels of water were handy.

As they drank to replenish their bodies, they spied Ajax and Tebo, sparring with two beat-up swords. Redcrest had scampered closer to Hazen to tell him about the Mirror-Redcrest she's been playing with and Artemis was in tow. Hazen listened to Redcrest's story and said, "I'm gonna have to meet her soon," humoring her.

Artemis then said, "You are indeed doing well, Hazen. Don't let the pains you feel deter you; if you keep at it, you could be very formidable indeed."

Hazen gave a smile back to his Partner's mother before turning back to sparring match. A few blows in, Hazen observed, "He's not doing that bad, actually."

April then said, "Captain Ajax is letting him win. He needs to build up Tebo's confidence with arms before he can improve on his technique. After all, all Tebo has known from birth is 'Weapons are enemies . . .'"

"'Even to their owners,'" Hazen finished. A short while later, Tebo had Ajax backed up against a few barbells. Upon Ajax's surrender, April began clapping. Hazen followed suit, along with Artemis and Redcrest. "Bravo!" Hazen cheered. This show of approval seemed to raise Tebo's spirits.

When Ajax and Tebo resumed, Hazen turned to April. "One more time?" he asked.

April shook her head. "You must enjoy pain," she remarked as they moved out onto the mats, keeping their distance from the swordsmen.

"This time," Hazen said, "show me no quarter." Part of him thought he was insane for such a request, but he thought he would be able to hold his own for a while.

April gave him a surprised look, apparently thinking he was insane as well. "Are you sure about that?" she asked. "I don't think you are ready."

"Call it a yardstick of sorts," he replied. "I just want to see how far I've progressed."

April sighed. "If you insist." They both stood at the ready. Hazen took a deep breath, ready for what she would have for him. She lunged at him, giving a loud battle cry and Hazen did his best to block her blows, moving away to keep her at a manageable distance and to help lessen the force. In his mind, he thought he lasted longer than the last time she went after him at full force, however he was also operating in panic mode right now. He managed to put some distance on April and took the opportunity to calm himself down; let instinct take over and don't worry about the woman with the staff who is under orders to knock his block off.

April noticed something different in Hazen's eyes. It seemed focused, centered. Any trace of hesitation he may have had earlier was gone. He was completely in the moment. April smiled to herself, happy that she managed to get him into the proper mindset. Technique can be refined, but being in the proper frame of mind would often prove to be the X factor in determining victory.

The blocks and parries became instinctive for Hazen. His mind and body was firing on all cylinders and it was becoming apparent to Artemis as she watched them. Even Redcrest, who had been playing with her reflection, stopped to see what was going on. Were it not for his peripheral vision, he wouldn't have picked up on that. Finally, with a lunge, April made an attack against him. His eyes widened as he successfully blocked her. More than that, he recognized that he was in a position he had never truly been in. In a moment of surreal slow-motion, he looked at April's eyes and saw that she, too, recognized what he did. Unfortunately, it snapped him out of the zone and as quickly as it had begun, it was over.

April swept his legs out from under him and smacked the mat a mere inch from the right side of Hazen's face. His ear rang from the loudness of the sound, but he stared up at April, who was panting as hard as he was. Neither of them said a word as she helped Hazen to his feet and they walked back to the alcove.

After taking a few drinks, April said, "You did well. Go clean up."

Hazen nodded as he started heading to the changing room. Redcrest scampered next to him and said, "You two did good! You looked like you were dancing."

"It kind of felt like that," Hazen said to her.

"Come on, Redcrest," said Artemis from afar, "Let Hazen rest."

"I'll play with you in a little while," Hazen reassured the hatchling.

As Redcrest came back, April looked at Artemis and they both wordlessly confirmed what the both of them suspected: Beginner's luck or not, if he wanted to, Hazen could have beaten April.
_

TAG: Bentfeather, Tebo, Tarion, any and all!

[tarion]

I.C - Theories

The following morning Tarion had returned to the Library to continue his research, already finding Sir Bentfeather, and Tebo Lewis there as well, overlooking his notes, they seemed to be referencing his journals as well. Tarion sighed and moved in to help them, "Greetings friends, have you found anything?"

Bentfeather shook his head, "Not a blasted thing, your journals though a good read, and very knowledgable on archeology, have nearly nothing on the ruins of this type of saurian!" Tebo lewis nodded in agreement as he went over tarion's more recent notes, "And what do you mean "Grooves?""

Tarion smiled and walked over to the artifact, "I found recently that this tyrannosaurus casing was infact manufactured, or synthetically made, because if it were a real one, it would have deteriorated by now, also the ruins we're trying to translate, may not be entirely saurian... furthermore the case itself, to me looks to be like it's part of something bigger" he paused and turned the artifact so all could see what he was talking about, "See look here" he said indicating grooves and gearslots in the bottom and back of the artifact "These look to be parts of a machine of some sort, the thing is I don't know what they go to."

Bentfeather nodded, now intreagued furter, "Fasinating, but what does that help prove?"

Tarion smiled and looked back at Bentfeather, "well for one it probably means that Nicolai Sanders is after this because he has what it goes to!, and probably has some sort of notes on how to use it as well."

At this both Bentfeather and Tebo Lewis looked at each other and then back to Tarion, and you concluded this over night?
Taron nodded, well considering that I had nearly an entire day with it to examine it physically and then as an archeologist I would hope I found something", Bentfeather nodded now seeming to think over what tarion had told him, sure enough it made sense, why else would Nicolai Sanders be after it?, Tebo Lewis continued to look at Tarion as if he had more to say, "So what about the high pitched frequencies?" Tarion shuddered then shook his head, "As painful as those frequencies were I do have a bit of an an odd ball theory about them..." now Both Tebo Lewis and Bentfeather were looking at him, "What is it my young lad?" Bentfeather asked curiously.

Tarion sat in a chair near him and leaned forward, "Well we know that when Tebo look the sunstones sets out of the skull the other day it made a high pitched frequency painful to saurians, correct?" the both nodded, "Well that would sign one of two things, that it is obviously a trap to keep saurians from stealing it"
Bentfeather nodded, "Well I should think that quite obvious my boy, did you have another theory?" Tarion nodded, "My true theory is , that it might have to do with the main machine, whatever it is it attaches too!, also the trap frequency may not be a trap at all!, It could be infact be harmonics played at a high and fast frequency to make them un decipherable!"

Tebo Lewis looked at Tarion, "So what do you suggest we do about that?" Bentfeather looked on at Tarion with curiosity to see if Tarion had a plan as well.

Tarion shook his head, "Well if we had some way of recording the sound, away from saurians, then playing it back slower and at a less high pitch, we may beable to find something within the sound... such as someone speaking saurain, or maybe even english, after all from what I've heard from outside humans, that is possible to do."

Both Tebo Lewis and Bentfeather looked at Tarion, a little shocked and a little impressed, "Well that certainly is an interesting theory Tarion, but then, what about the other colored sunstones?"

Tarion shook his head, "That one I don't really have anything on, except that it might be a color code of some sort to unlock something..."

Once again he seemed to have hit on something quite possible, yet still getting nowhere as they did not know the "password" for the key if that was even what it was at all. Tarion leaned back into his chair and became lost in thought... first his mind was strictly on the artifact, but then began to slip to the letter he'd gotten last night from his parents about him and Asrial, a smile crossed his face and his eyes began to glaze over as he thought of seeing her again.


Tag: Bentfeather, Tebo Lewis, Tarion, Any and All

[Thundertail]

IC: Petronas, Dirge, Vox, their crew and elite soldiers. Laying low in Red Rapid canyon.

“This trip just gets worse and worse!”, Peter complained softly to Hydra upon the first moment they were alone. “I thought they way sir Petronas treated me and the rest bad enough, but these new guys are creepy!”

“No need to worry.”, Hydra told him in equal tone. “They are soldiers, and will protect us well.”

“I mean, did you see what they brought in to eat yesterday?…”, he shook his head. “The poor Galimimus.”, he shuddered at the memory of the six Dromeosaurs as they rent it limb from limb and devoured it!

“Carnivores are merely hungry by nature.”, Hydra told him. “Be lucky that they are to protect us, and forgive their primitive nature.”

“Even when they touch me, it gives me the creeps!”, Peter reached for a mouth full of fodder, distasteful weeds as the Dromeosaurs knew not what was edible to herbivores around here.

“How food?”, the guard named Slag came over.

“Good…”, answered Hydra for both.

“Is there any water?”, Peter asked, hoping not to get a violent response.

“I get…”, Slag went to him. “Thirsty one…“, he patted Peter’s snout and the Triceratops shuddered, not in pleasure but because of the eerie feeling of the Dromeosaur’s talons rasping on his skin! “Nice Woggy!”

“I think he likes you!”, Hydra observed when the coast was clear.

“Yeah?… Well, with friends like that, I’m all set for enemies, too!…”, Peter then reached for another mouth full as Hydra chuckled.

“This is stupid!”, said the younger human as he brought over a load of firewood. “We’re cooks now?…”

“With those guys around, it’s better to be stirring the pot, and not be put into it!”, the older human said as he rummaged their supplies for ingredients. “They’re dangerous ones…”

“They sure restrain one’s trade!”, the younger one dropped the load noisily. “Last night I tried to lift a dagger off one of the creeps, and he nearly choked me to death!”

“If you swiped something from me, I’d do the same thing!”, the older one relayed out pots, pans, flour and other things on the ground near him. “Get some water, or the beans will never boil!”

Just then Ripper and Snapper slunk into camp and silently crept up on Dirge, Petronas and Vox; who were talking about the way authority was eluded from by their band, and both hoodlums jumped in surprise at their sudden arrival. Dirge made no such move, just calmly turning and sneering at his saluting subordinates. At Dirge’s grunting bark of orders in their language, both snapped to attention.

“Report.”, Dirge said.

“Intruder, thirty strides north.”, Snapper reported.

“A snake in the grass!…”, Ripper said, licking his chops at the prospect of more action.

“You don‘t say.”, Dirge considered. “Mister Vox here has given me an idea on how to get him.”, he went to the gypsy wagon. “Do you happen to have an Explorer’s outfit that might fit me?”

“Perhaps I can put something together…”, Vox climbed in and began rummaging around. “Just a minute!”

“Ah, what are you getting at?”, Petronas tried to pull the smaller but stronger saurian aside.

“It is easy!… I will be the bait, acting as an explorer out gathering medicine.”, Dirge indicated the rest of his troops, who snapped to attention at the mention of their names. “Ripper and Snapper will take crossbows and establish sniper positions around the intruder.”, they went to get crossbows. “… And Slag and Snarl will take up ambush positions near the intruder…”,

“And you will be…?”, asked Petronas.

“I will be the bait!”, Dirge chuckled. “How else to kill a snake then with a snake-charmer?…”, he looked at the last of his kin. “And Sludge will guard the camp, and the rest of you will prepare the back of this cart as a prison…”, he tapped the side of the gypsy cart.

“Almost ready!…”, Vox misunderstood the tapping. “I think this might work…”, he came out with saurian clothing fit for life on the road, a fake Guild medallion on a chain and a green cap with a flowing feather.

“Excellent!…”, Dirge said as he inspected the garb, plucking the feather off the cap before donning the entire ensemble. “Now troops, track and take your positions!… No attacking until I give the signal… NOW GO!!!…”

As one, and silent as the wind, the four elite Dromeosaur troopers left the area; winding their own separate ways through the forests and rills, smelling the air for the best ways to surround the intruder. A mere ten minutes later Ripper took a strategic stance against a hidden arroyo three hundred yards northeast from where his nose told him the intruder was and loaded his crossbow, and moments later Snapper positioned himself under a fallen stand of trees to the southwest of the intruder and did the same; but Slag and Snarl took converging courses and slunk up to within a few hundred feet of him, on opposite side of him like the traditional prey ambush maneuver. All waited as Dirge sauntered up the narrow path that wound through the area, studying this or that plant as he passed them. He plucked two stems from the plants at ground level, one of the Trilobar variety and one of a common dandelion, comparing them as he pretended to take notes; and it was just then did the intruder spotted him, and Dirge looked up in mock surprise as well.

The young one was garbed in a loose homespun tunic and carried a rucksack and staff, about a head shorter than himself but muscular like all of his Dromeosauroid kind was. He had been recently resting on a rock, but rose as he detected Dirge coming up the path. He looked suspiciously at Dirge, and Dirge merely bowed and smiled.

“Oh, pardon me sir…”, Dirge said. “I am Apprentice Herbologist, Lenny…”, he looked at both plants in his hand and back up at the Dromeosauroid, offering them to him. “Would you know which one is Trilobar…?”

That was NOT the signal to attack, not it at all!

Slag leapt out of a tree he had slithered up, and Snarl rushed out of hiding to strip the youngster off his feet; but even though the former blocked one direction of exit, the latter’s move was ducked and the intruder took a strange stance! Ripper and Snapper kept a bead on the battle unfolding with their bow sights, not firing for fear of hitting one of their comrades. Dirge dropped everything in his hands in disgust and leapt onto the intruder that was dodging the other trooper’s moves like a trained expert, and his move was dodged too! The saurian did not retreat, but kept his ground; even though his ground changed every second from the moves of his attackers.

As soon as the intruder got some distance from Dirge and company, both Ripper and Snapper fired at the same time; pinning the juvenile against a tree by the shoulders of his tunic. Pinned temporarily, this gave the rest time to physically hold this well trained truant; whom writhed and kicked until he knew all hope of escape was futile. As Ripper and Snapper came out of hiding, Dirge walked up to their prisoner and swatted him full force across the jaw, sending rills of blood down his chin from the talons; then Dirge backed away to think.

“You know, I really wanted to ask you about the plants…”, he turned to the Dromeosauroid. “But now I’ll settle for your name… And why you’re here spying on us…!”

Their victim remained silent for many moments, grunting slightly in pain, so Dirge turned back to him. “Maybe you need time to think things over… That means you have earned our hospitality!”, he grinned. “Tie him up and bring him along… And try not to permanently damage him!…”
_

TAG: Any and all!

[tarion]

o.c.c(not exactly as i had envisioned it but i guess it's close enough to what i posted) oh well...

I.C- Behind Enemy Lines
Falokar soon found himself tied up and stripped of his garments... and weapons, he sighed, and tried to wipe the dried blood from his snout, but to no avail as he could not use his arms. It was then that he saw the commanding officer of the army that had taken him hostage walking towards him. The dromeasaur looked at him suspiciously and then simply stood in front of him, "Who are you?" came a demanding voice, Falokar said nothing but rather sucked on his tounge a little and then spat in the dromeasaurs face. "I'm not telling you anything, so you can go forornicate with yourself as far as I'm concerned!"

The dromeasaur chuckled and then wiped the spit off his face, "Attitude, I like that in a meal!, now then tell me Who are you, and What were you doing following us?"

Falokar laughed a little and then shrugged, "Why don't you tell me why you just attacked a kid for no reason." he then gave a fake laugh, and looked the dromeasaur right in the eyes (as if to challange him) "Not that it matters, I mean, you're likely to go after something anyway, why not go after the small and helpless"

The dromeasaur laughed in ammusment, "Helpless, I think not, you've been trained in combat, that much is obvious, my questions right now though are, who are you, and why are you tailing us?"

Falokar wriggled a little then , smiled, "Maybe I wasn't tailing you, maybe you were tailing me, and didn't know it, either way you show a lot of hostility towards someone that you just barely met" he wriggled some more and then stopped, a scowl on his face...

The dromeasaur caught onto what he was doing and chuckled, "You won't be able to escape that binding, i tied it myself."

there was a moment of silence as the troops carried Falokar into the encampment. Falokar took the time to look around at the entire camp, there were several dromeasaurian troops, then a group of riff raff looking saurians that didn't seem to belong to the group at all. Falokar couldn't help but feel they were pressured into being there. Suddenly he felt himelf being thrown into a dark and wooden object! after a few seconds his eyes adjusted to the darkness and he found himself in a cart, with various objects around. he tried to move and amazingly his hands came free... (impossible knot my tail!) he thought as he pulled the rope off his arms.... then crawled over to the door and began to bang on it hoping that they might take pity to him and let him out... but to no avail, instead he ended up giving up after a while and shifted to the back of the cart, after about twenty more minutes the door slid open and a bowl of beans was put into the cart... suddenly Falokar felt extrordinarly hungry, he took the bowl without hesitation and began eating, on the outside of the cart he heard the commander Dirge talking, it sounded as if he was trying to explain to him something, So Falokar kept quiet and continued to eat.
“That was pretty smooth moves back there…”, Dirge said after a few moments. “You almost bested all of us!…”, The sounds shifted a bit, then stopped. He was getting the lad’s attention!

Dirge continued the one-sided conversation a moment later. “You must have had an expert trainer…”, shuffling. “I wouldn’t have minded meeting him…”

“He must have taught you duty and honor, right son?…”, Dirge looked at the door expectantly, then chuckled kindly. “May I ask your name, so I have something to call you…?”

Falokar thought for a moment then came to the conclusion that no harm could come from him telling this dromeasaurian leader his name at least. "My name is Falokar, I'm a proarcheopteryx, I was trained in Shin Lung Kung Fu, I live in Ebulon, and was on my way back from some advanced training in Treetown, I saw the Convoy and was going to ask if I could hitch a ride, now then Why did you attack me, and why are you even going this way?"



TAG: Any and All