The Claws of Friendship: Chapter Two

by Amber Velociraptor

“There were two non-saurians, and they looked like me!” J’nee explained, as her mother and the rest of the Pack looked on.

“You took so long-more than eight dawns!” their mother said. J’nee nodded. “I apologise.  Twice Wareela scented predators-the first time a pack of several large ones, the second time, a single but huge beast. We had to alter course to avoid their roamings, plus be respectful of scents that indicated territorial borders, which could be difficult if commonly-agreed paths had to be left. We did not want to invade another dinosaur-or pack of dinosaurs’-territory.” This was what had made them late back- so late back that they got a scolding from their mother about it. This was bad enough, but with the added complication of their mother being the Alpha-leader of the Pack, she then told them off in this capacity as well.

            The pair apologized again, and then their mother faced J’nee. “Like you, you say.” She bobbed her head. “This day had to come. Wareela has informed me that you feel your differences more and more. You will want to investigate people like yourself. It is natural. But I ask you to remember that you are more different from them than you realize. Not in form, but in behaviour. These creatures have ways vastly different from ours. Do not forget that. I give you permission to investigate, but do ask you to consider this for seven dawns. If you still intend to go, take Wareela, and be careful.”

            J’nee waited the requested week, considering what the investigation could require, the risks it entailed, and whether it was worth it-did she want to know that much. She also considered what her mother had told her, about the different ways of these creatures and the Pack. After all this, she found she did still want to investigate. She approached her mother.

“I have waited seven dawns, and thought hard, and have made a decision. Today Wareela and I will do some hunting for the Pack  Tomorrow, we leave to investigate. I will not be absent for more than fourteen dawns.” In fact, J’nee planned to be absent for less than that time, but was taking into account evading predators both on the way out and on the return.. Her mother bobbed her head in agreement. “Very well. I would, however, prefer that you take both Wareela and Leccru with you.” The gimlet stare her mother fixed her with brooked no argument, and J’nee bobbed her head in agreement, although she didn’t really want Leccru with them. “I caution you.” Her mother continued. “Do not allow your curiosity to be your undoing-or the Pack’s.” Suitably warned, J’nee sought out Wareela and Leccru.

            Leccru was less than happy. “Babysitting a weakling!” she spat in disgust. “Why should I?”

“Because, I’m telling you to!” said their mother. She’d come up to check all was going well. “I am your mother and your Pack Leader, and you will obey me!”

“What about the good of the Pack? She weakens us all because we must protect her!” Lecctu asked.

“Leccru, would you throw a hatchling out because it’s unable to look after itself?” our mother asked.

“No, but-well, it’s young and defenceless! But Hatchlings grow up, and she will never lose her weaknesses.” Leccru countered.

“A pack, as a whole, is made up of each individual, and the whole looks after each individual. J’nee is less trouble to look after because she can help in the hunt and has the common sense that no Hatchling possesses. She has the sense to realize her shortcoming, and take you and Wareela  with her to make up for them. You go with her. My decision stands!” Their mother gave the snort that meant the discussion was over. “You, Leccru, need to learn tolerance!” She stomped off. Leccru rolled her eyes in disgust, but said no more as they set off to hunt.

            The hunt took longer than they had anticipated-almost the whole day. At first they thought the young Styracosaurus they found would be little trouble. In their haste to get the Hunt over fast, and maybe be able to hunt twice for the Pack before they left, they did not range out to check it was, in fact alone, rather than just having wandered a little far. Upon being attacked, the little one made a horrendous row, and managed to keep the three at bay until three adults, drawn by it’s cries, came to its rescue. Wareela narrowly missed serious injury from a bony frill, and they retreated, to find easier prey.

            It took some time, because the racket the Styracosaurs had kicked up had scared off most available prey, but they had the luck to come across a Gallimimus that had broken its leg. Swiftly dispatching it (they considered the killing of any prey with such a serious injury a kindness) they managed between the three of them to bring it back to the pack before another predator could scent it and attempt to steal it. The sun was close to setting when they brought the prey to the Pack. Wareela and Leccru, along with J’nee, waited until the rest of the Pack had eaten, then ate themselves. After taking the remains away from the Pack nesting-grounds, J’nee picked as much fruit as she could comfortably carry. Wareela carried one fruit in each hand, and they set off.

            Carefully avoiding other predators, and respecting territorial markers, they made their way through the forest.  They kept to the natural paths that were common ground to all, that wound between the various territories. They hunted when they could, and a nearby pack were once kind enough to let them hunt on their ground, as long as they shared the kill and left once they’d eaten. After a few dawns, they reached the edge of the forest again.

            They could see no people, saurian or otherwise this time. J’nee wanted to approach closer to what appeared to be structures a fair distance away, but Leccru protested. Wareela could smell that Leccru was scared to leave the familiar forest, and suggested that Leccru remained behind while she and J’nee went to investigate. After all, if anything went wrong, Leccru would need to tell the Pack what had happened. Leccru agreed, staying in the forest while J’nee and Wareela approached.

            They were almost at the structures when a figure came out of one, took one look, and darted back in. The figure came back out with a Styracosaurus, another of her own kind, and a Parasaurolophus. The first figure and the Styracosaurus advanced cautiously, the figure like J’nee resting her hand lightly on the Styracosaur’s side.

            Their last experience with a Styracosaur made J’nee and Wareela wary. They eyed the pair, making ready to run if the Styracosaur charged them. J’nee told Wareela that she thought the non-saurian and the Styracosaur might be nestmates, like they themselves were. J’nee gently rested her hand on Wareela’s head, and let out a few small, questioning coughs. Both figures that had come forward seemed startled, and the non-saurian who had stayed back called something out. Wareela suggested they drop to a non-threatening crouch, so they did.  The two apparent nestmates approached. The non-saurian reached a hand out towards J’nee and spoke a language she could not understand. J’nee looked back, confused. The non-saurian tried again, and at J’nee’s blank look, tapped her own chest, and said “Lowra” several times, J’nee realized after the third or fourth repetition that Lowra must be the non-saurian’s name. Testing this theory, J’nee pointed at her. “Lowra” she repeated. The non-saurian-Lowra-smiled and nodded, saying something else J’nee could not understand. J’nee pointed at her own chest “J’nee” she said, and repeated it three times. Lowra pointed back. “J’nee?” she repeated. She then pointed at the Styracosaurus. “Sharpneck.” She said, and repeated it. This was more difficult. “Sh’rrrp…n’ck” she tried. “

“Sharp-neck” Lowra repeated, slower this time.

“Shaaarrrp-neccck.” Said J’nee. Lowra pointed first at herself, then at Sharpneck, then at J’nee, repeating their names. Then she pointed at Wareela,, and made a querying noise.

“W’reeela”. Said J’nee. Lowra came a little closer, and reached out to touch J’nee’s bare arm. Her fingers touched it lightly, then drew back. More cautiously, she did the same with Wareela. Wareela flinched when touched, but that was all. Then Lowra took two steps backward, and beckoned, then took two more steps back, and beckoned again. Her intention was clear. She wanted them to follow her.

            Wareela looked at J’nee, J’nee looked back at Wareela, and then they both slowly followed Lowra and Sharpneck.

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