Dinotopia Legend

By Quickstride

INTRODUCTION

Mom, Dad, look what I found at the library!" A young Gallimimus with yellow feathers and purple stripes down her back dashed up the porch and through the front door of her family's home, the black feathers of her crest standing tall, her green eyes bright with excitement. Gallimimuses were among the fastest dinosaurs in all of Dinotopia, but they were sprinters, not distance runners, and as this little gallie had practically run all the way from Outer Island's rookery to her parents house at the outskirts of Culebra, she was panting so hard when she entered the domus she could say no more for several minutes.

"Welcome home, Quickstride dear," her mother, Ethel, a pink Gallimimus with blue eyes, looked out calmly from the kitchen in the back part of the house. Quickstride had been apprenticing at the Outer Island Skybax Rookery/Library for the past few weeks, and this was her first day home in a while.

"What have you got that you want to show us?" asked her father, Stormflash. His feathers were various shades of black and gray, with bright yellow eyes.

"What do you have? I wanna see it!" whined Skip, Quickstride's younger brother. His blue stripes had not yet grown into his orange feathers, and were still more like spots on his back and flanks, and he had yet to sport a crest of black feathers. His big purple eyes stared eagerly upwards, but his sister held the object out of his sight.

"Ulysses said I could bring this home," said Quickstride, referring to her Velociraptor mentor. As the family gathered around her, she revealed her treasure. It looked like an old metal discus, but there was something engraved upon it. It was so worn that it was rather hard to make out in some places, but enough remained that they could see a picture: three Gallimimuses, their heads adorned with feather crests.

"Ulysses said it came from the Rainy Basin! Look how old it is! And they have feathers just like us!"

"So?" said Skip, "other dinosaurs have feather crests, too. What's the big deal?"

"What's the big deal? Haven't you ever heard? Only mountain coelurosaurs have feathers. This is from the Basin. When I asked Ulysses what it meant he said you'd know." She turned expectantly to her parents. "Well?"

Stormflash chuckled slightly. "You mean you kids have never heard the stories of our tribe?"

"You mean the Black Feather tribe of the Forbidden Mountains? I know we have feathers to cope with the cooler climate," Quickstride said, proud of her own knowledge.

"Yes, but from before that."

"Before the Great Extinction?"

"No, no, long after that. The land bridge had reappeared and allowed mammals here, and had since closed. Humans had only recently arrived, and with their new saurians friends had just begun to start a civilization here."

"So, what happened?"

Stormflash looked thoughtful. "Are you sure you want to hear it? It is a long story, and sad in some places. But it is the legend of who we were, and why we are what we are now."

"Of course we want to hear!" cried both children at once. Ethel smiled a saurian smile.

"Very well, then," said Stormflash. "But before I begin, let me make it clear that these are just legends, handed down through generations of gallies. Whether any of it is true is your decision." That said, he began his tale.

PARTIS PRIMUS

I

Swiftclaw was dreaming again.

In his dream, his people were dead, their land destroyed, their secrets lost. He didn't know why, and it was too late for that to make a difference.

He himself was dead; his body limp on the ground like the others, his mate and closest friends. He surveyed all of this from outside his body, helpless to do anything but watch. Then, from everywhere there was laughter, a malevolent roar from some unseen villain who loved this destruction, wanted it this way. In his dream Swiftclaw cried out, but no sound came because his body was dead and his spirit could do nothing. Then, in the distance, he saw shadows moving. He looked closer and saw that they were the youth of his tribe, and they were moving away from the horrible scene and the terrible laughter. He looked closer, and as they faded into the distance he caught a glimpse of the group's leader.

He saw it was himself.

"Swiftclaw? Swiftclaw!"

Swiftclaw awoke to what started as a gentle poking, but soon metamorphosed into not so gentle kicks.

"What? What is it?" he asked grumpily, coming awake. He opened his eyes and saw it was Prismdew, his mate.

"It is high time you were up," she said matter-of-factly, clacking her beak together.

Swiftclaw sighed, still trying to shake the disturbing images from his mind. He got up, stretching both of his long legs, then his long neck and tail. About him were others of his Gallimimus tribe, tending to whatever business needed attending to in the morning. They wove in and out of sight as they passed behind and in front of trees, seeming to be swallowed up and coughed back out by the dense tropical forest. Swiftclaw eyed this activity sadly. For as long as anyone could remember this had been the way of the Emerald Sunstone Tribe, and this had been their home.

They lived on an island called Dinotopia, a place where dinosaurs and many other prehistoric animals had survived the terrible extinctions of the outside world, and together with shipwrecked humans had built a unique civilization. They had grown intelligent and wise, and most of them lived in harmony together. Some, however, preferred the older ways of life, and lived in the Rainy Basin, a place inhabited by large carnivores and other feral souls. It was here that the Emerald Sunstone tribe had always lived. It was a hard, tough life, but the tribe lived it happily enough, and had adapted to it. They were quite different than the other Gallimimuses who lived elsewhere on the island. They were somewhat shorter, and a bit stockier, and they possessed hard, birdlike beaks to cope with tough plants, insects, and anything else they could find for food, while other gallies had soft, fleshy beaks. But their most interesting difference was the crest of black feathers that adorned the head of each tribe member- most saurians were featherless. Why they had developed such a feature was a mystery, but it distinguished them from other Gallimimuses, even the other basin tribes.

Unfortunately, things might change for the tribe, and quite soon. A new leader, named Bloodfang, had arisen a few years ago among a certain pack of allosaurs, and he had conquest on his mind. While pack territories had remained relatively stable for generations, Bloodfang's lust for control of the Basin was changing things. He had already driven out several small dromaeosaur packs neighboring him, as well as destroyed and scattered groups of carnosaurs and tyrannosaurs and other large predators who had stayed to fight, and now his forces were coming threateningly close to the Sunstone tribe's land. Swiftclaw had hoped the allosaur would just ignore the Gallimimuses and continue on- indeed, it was hardly worth bothering with peaceful omnivores- but the rumors he heard from traveling birds and other creatures were not comforting. Bloodfang wanted to rule over everything, and wanted every creature to bow down to him, and was more than happy to show force to prove he meant business.

"Prismdew, where is Stonetalon?" Swiftclaw asked of his wife, referring to his son.

"Crimson is teaching him about the various sunstones at the caverns," she replied, striding off to do her morning errands. She was extraordinarily beautiful, white with stripes running down her back in every shade of the rainbow, and eyes that would change completely different colors depending on how the light struck them. Swiftclaw went in the opposite direction, toward the Sunstone Caverns. His mind was so lost in thought he almost missed Stamp foraging in his path, and as it is very hard to miss a Triceratops the ceratopsian inquired as to what was wrong. Stamp was dark brown with a reddish underside, and was such good friends with the tribe he was practically considered part of it. Even so, Swiftclaw did not wish to tell to tell him anything.

"It is something private I wish to tell my son," he replied, nodding to the Triceratops as he passed by. Stamp said no more, and continued his search for the choicest plants.

Swiftclaw could hear Crimsoncrest long before he saw him. He was giving a lecture on the powers of the various sunstones found in the caverns. The caverns contained strange stones unique to Dinotopia, harder than diamonds and with the power to convert sunlight into energy, called sunstones. It had always been the tribe's responsibility to keep the caverns safe, for there could be dire consequences should the stones fall into the wrong hands.

Like Bloodfang's, thought Swiftclaw.

"Some stones," Crimsoncrest was saying, "according to various legends have additional qualities besides the normal abilities to convert sunlight into energy. It is said that there are ice stones in the deeper caverns that freeze anything they come into contact with. Emerald stones, for which of course our tribe is named, are thought to have medicinal properties. Unlike the normal blue stones we mine, which can generally help cure minor ailments and injuries, emerald stones are said to cure a very deadly disease- though neither this disease nor an emerald sunstone have turned up in years.

"Legend also has it," he continued, "that the radiation from some stones that grow in the deepest of these caverns can change over time the features of a species, and blend them with those of other species. However, this story is so far-fetched that that is probably all it is, a story."

"Stranger things have happened," said Swiftclaw, making his appearance. Crimson looked both surprised and annoyed that his lesson had been interrupted. He was an orange Gallimimus with red stripes and yellow eyes, and was unique in that the black feathers of his crest were tipped with red. Crimson's pupil, however, was more than happy that a break in the lecture had occurred. Stonetalon wasn't sure he'd have been able to stay awake that much longer.

Swiftclaw regarded his son, who stood up in the presence of his father. Talon looked exactly like Swiftclaw, though a little smaller: a golden yellow body with bright red stripes running down his back and green eyes.

"I would like to speak to Talon for a moment, please," Swiftclaw said to Crimson.

"Of course, sir, of course," the other gallie bowed politely and departed.

"What is it, father?" asked Stonetalon, sensing Swiftclaw's serious mood. Swiftclaw suddenly found he didn't know exactly what it was he had wanted to tell his son, only that is was important that he tell him something.

"Son," he began, "things might change for us soon. Bloodfang is nearing, and his coming here means ill for us. I cannot say for sure what will happen, but someday you may find yourself in charge of our people."

"But father, surely not!" Talon cried, incredulous. The only way one became leader of the tribe was if one had passed the Trials and the previous leader died. Talon was ambitious, and had passed the Trials, but the thought of losing his father was too terrible to even imagine.

"Shhh," said Swiftclaw, putting a claw to his beak. "As I have already said, I cannot say what will happen in the future. But if something does, I want you then to do this for me. Lead our people to safety, find a place where even Bloodfang will not go, and live there in peace. Can you promise this to me?"

Stonetalon thought a moment, then, determination entering his emerald eyes, answered, "Yes."

Just then, the two were interrupted by commotion in the forest. There were several surprised shrieks of gallies, and then a terrifying roar of a carnosaur. Swiftclaw turned away from Talon and was about to race to the scene when a panting Crimsoncrest leaped out from the surrounding jungle.

"Allosaurs, sir!" he cried out. "Allosaurs!"

II

"Go find your mother," Swiftclaw told his son, trying to sound as calm as possible. "Stay with her." Before Stonetalon could respond the Gallimimus chieftain took off with Crimsoncrest to see what could be done.

They burst into a clearing and beheld a terrible sight. Two allosaurs bore down on a group of petrified tribesaurians, who huddled together, quivering. In their midst lay another gallie, wounded and bleeding badly. Swiftclaw strode forward, and addressed the marauders in their native tongue.

"What business have you here with my people? I demand you stop this at once and answer to me!"

The allos turned, and Swiftclaw gasped at what he saw. The teeth of the carnosaurs were stained a vibrant red, like the color of fresh blood. When they saw what it was commanding them, they started to laugh.

"Or you'll do what, prey-beast?"

"This!" cried a new voice from behind the allos, and suddenly a crude spear shot out from the forest and imbedded itself in one of the allosaur's left leg. The affected creature yowled in pain and surprise.

"And this!" cried a second voice from a different direction, and suddenly Stamp burst forth, waving his horns threateningly from side to side. "You think that hurt? How about three more?"

"And there's still more from here!" yelled the first voice.

The allosaurs snarled but instead of attacking turned to flee. "We'll be back!" one of them shouted. "And they'll be a lot more of us than simple spears and one Triceratops can handle! No one defeats the Bloodfang Clan!" And then they were gone, swallowed by the forest.

Swiftclaw looked to where the injured Gallimimus and his friends were still trembling, and turned to Stamp and said, "Take the injured tribesaurian and the others to the healer, please. Crimson, go with him." Stamp and Crimson nodded without saying anything and walked off. Swiftclaw then made his way in the direction of the first voice. He passed by the spear, which had fallen from the allosaur as it had left. He picked it up and examined it.

"It's really just a post from the fence. But it was all I could find." The voice's owner finally emerged from the forest, and stood beside the chieftain as he examined the spear.

"Stonetalon," said Swiftclaw, not looking up at his son as he addressed him, "I did not believe dinosaurs could be evil. I thought it was a human idea, and that nothing like it existed anywhere among our kind. And yet, now..."

Talon put a hand on his father's shoulder. "Dinosaurs never had evil in their hearts because we have spent most of our time as ordinary animals. We lived only by instinct, with no sense of right and wrong. We could do no evil, but could also do no good, because we had no concept of such. Then we gained intelligence, and with intelligence came the responsibility of using it for only good. And almost all dinosaurs do use it for good. Unlike humans, who developed very rapidly, we've had millions of years to refine ourselves and learn from our mistakes." He stared at the spear his father held, at the blood stained end. "But, however rarely, we still do make mistakes. No creature is perfect."

"No. No, I suppose not," said Swiftclaw, staring sadly at the spear. He placed it against a tree, then said to his son, "I told you to go back to your mother, where you would be safe. Why did you disobey me?"

"I could not leave you and the others in danger, so I grabbed the fence post and came back to see what I could do." He hung is head slightly. "I am sorry for disobeying you, father. But it was something I had to do."

"Do not worry about it now," said Swiftclaw, turning to leave. "Let us go back to the tribe. I must call a meeting of the elders tonight." He looked back at his son. "And I would like you to come."

III

The "elders" of the tribe consisted of the heads of each family- all those whose parents had passed on. Since Swiftclaw was still alive, Stonetalon had of course never been to such a meeting before. The invitation to break custom and attend disturbed him greatly.

As he looked around the clearing, which was illuminated by the light of an almost full moon, he caught sight of the many familiar tribesaurians in attendance. Among them he saw Honeycomb, the blue and gold healer of the tribe, Truestride, a gray Gallimimus with bright blue eyes and one of Swiftclaw's advisors, and a little green female named Fernfrond, who though about Talon's age had received a place at the meeting several years ago when her parents had perished in a terrible storm. Seeing as there was time before the meeting, Talon moved through the crowd toward the healer. Several councilsaurians gave him strange looks, wondering why he was there, but said nothing. Honeycomb bobbed her head in acknowledgment when he reached her, gazing softly at him with her orange eyes as she did everyone.

"How is the tribesaurian from before?" asked Stonetalon. Honeycomb just shook her head sadly and looked away. Saying nothing, Stonetalon turned slowly and moved off.

In the center of the clearing stood Swiftclaw, his wife Prismdew on one side and Crimsoncrest on the other. The Gallimimus chieftain started pawing at the ground with his right foot, a signal that he was about to begin, and gradually the quiet chatter was replaced by hushing sounds, which themselves soon faded away also.

"My friends," Swiftclaw addressed the others, who focused all their attention on him, knowing that whatever he would say at this meeting, it would most probably be of more importance than anything they'd ever heard before. Looking back at them, Swiftclaw paused, before beginning again. "My friends, for as long as any tribesaurian has ever recalled, this has been the home of our tribe. Here we have braved every natural danger conceivable, from storms, earthquakes, diseases, and predators. But a new danger now arises, one we have never seen before. This threat is not natural, and has more power to destroy us than any of the others. This threat is evil." At the sound of this word, which sounded so strange from a saurian's beak and rang odd to saurian ears, several whisperings ran through the assembly. Swiftclaw waited for them to cease, at the same time bracing himself for what he must say next.

"Good tribesaurians, we will perish if we stay here. The Allosaurus Bloodfang shall destroy us once his forces reach here. We are but simple ornithomimids- we are not made to be fighters, and could not hope to defend ourselves against such carnosaurs." The chieftain paused, looking down at his own foreclaws. They were straight and flat- good for digging through the earth, not drawing an enemy's blood. Looking up, he went on. "If our tribe is to continue, it must be away from here."

A murmur arose through the crowd. Every beaked face looked around at the others, some in confusion, some in worry, some in anger. One these last gallies spoke up.

"You can't surly be serious! Leave our own land? I'd sooner die here fighting an unwinnable battle than simply run!" Several other Gallimimuses voiced their agreement.

Somewhere deep in his unconscious, Swiftclaw found the comment amusing. Gallimimuses were built to flee danger, which was why they had no means of fighting. Still, he had expected this reaction from his tribe, and was secretly rather proud of their courage. He continued.

"Brave words, friend, and do not doubt my feelings are the same. But what of our hatchlings? What we do with our own lives is one thing, but do we have the right to sentence those not present tonight to death also?" There was silence from the crowd. "Therefore, I propose that all who wish to leave and avoid this danger are free to do so. Rather than having all leave on their own, I think it would be best if they left together." Swiftclaw scanned the crowd until he saw his son. "My son, Stonetalon, will lead them out."

Stonetalon was stunned. Of course he had guessed from before that Swiftclaw would plan something like this, but he'd never seriously believed it would happen...

Once again whisperings among the council filled the clearing. Many of the Gallimimuses looked doubtful. Someone said "But why don't you lead them away, Chief Swiftclaw? Their chances would be best with you in charge. I mean we're talking our children here!"

"Yes," said another, "while no one doubts Stonetalon's ability, in a time like this an experienced leader is what's needed." These words stung Talon harshly. Crest drooped, he hung his head somewhat and tried to disappear. Fernfrond, standing next to him, watched but said nothing. She had always been quiet, and since the death of her parents had hardly seemed to have spoken more than a few words. Talon would not have recognized her voice had he heard it.

"Now hold on just a minute," said a new voice. Its owner strode forward to address the crowd. It was Truestride. "You should'all be ashamed'a yourselves. Talon's a good lad, and if anybody's gonna get through this here jungle, I have no doubt it'll be him." He turned to the chieftain. "And besides, I reckon our ol' chieftain hadn't finished what he was gonna say."

Swiftclaw had to smile inwardly at the words of his old friend. Though his dialect gave the impression of someone ignorant or slow, Truestride was one of the smartest saurians he knew. Sobering up again, the chieftain finished. "I have been leader of the Emerald Sunstone Tribe for many years. My father died while I was very young, and like Stonetalon I lacked the experience that I would have liked. But you and your parents gave me a chance in those days, and we as a people flourished. But even with the experience I have gained in the years since, with all the dealings we've had with the other basin tribes- some friendly, some not so- I have now led you into danger. I knew the Bloodfang was a threat, but I did not react until it was too late. Even earlier today, my decision was wrong. I am but a saurian of words, while my son is one of action. And in times like these, when an enemy won't listen, you need one like my Stonetalon. Therefore, I will stay here when the Bloodfang come, and accept whatever consequence I have brought our tribe. In the meantime, speak with your families and decide for yourself what you will all do. But I warn you, there may not be much time for such talk."

With that, Chief Swiftclaw, accompanied by his wife Prismdew on one side and friend Crimsoncrest on the other, left the inner circle. The crowd parted for him dazedly, each feeling as if they were in a dream. All knew, however, that this was no dream. No one felt this more keenly than Stonetalon.

IV

News of the night's talk had spread to every tribesaurian's ear by the next day. Families gathered together to decide what they would do. There was much emotion as parents and young alike debated their course of action. No saurian in the tribe wanted to leave their own land and run like their primitive dinosaur ancestors, disgracing their tribe and abandoning with it all possible hope of a favorable outcome. For many, it was a matter of personal honor. However, neither did they want to put their children into danger. But to have it both ways would mean splitting apart the family. In the end, though, all of the family units chose to do so. The adults would together stand tall against Bloodfang as he came for them, and if nothing else make sure he remembered forever the day he went up against the Emerald Sunstone Tribe. The "hatchlings"- fortunately, all fairly grown, the last hatching season having been a while ago- would carry on the tribe's legacy elsewhere. There were still doubts, of course, which concerned deeply many of the parent saurians, and to help mitigate some of the fears Stamp volunteered to escort the wanderers through the basin and beyond, if necessary.

Swiftclaw and Stonetalon stayed out of sight for the next few days. Not out of fear, of course, concerning their subjects' feelings toward them, but rather both had gone into solitude in order to better contemplate the hardships that lay ahead for each. Swiftclaw had retreated into a small chamber within the Sunstone Caverns, with Prismdew seeing to the daily maintenance of the tribe and quietly preparing for what future situations might be encountered, as well as delivering to him his meals and any reports that may have come in concerning the Bloodfang's activities. A family of Anurognathus that was friendly towards the tribe had been keeping watch on the allosaurs, but had observed nothing of particular interest going on in the carnosaurs' camp. This news worried Swiftclaw immensely, almost more so than if the pterosaurs had reported that the allosaurs were advancing on the tribe. In his mind, he saw the enemy biding its time, gathering up its forces for a tremendous attack that would insure complete victory. He tried to convince himself otherwise, that he was just imagining things- why would such large carnosaurs go to such trouble over a small tribe of Gallimimuses?- but he could not rid himself of the thought.

Stonetalon spent his days high in the tree he used to climb as a young hatchling, thinking and worrying about slightly different things. Though Gallimimuses generally couldn't climb, Talon had carefully chiseled several foot and handholds into the tree, in places only he could find, thus insuring complete isolation from his fellow tribesaurians. He ate the leaves and insects found on the branches, and at night he could climb to the very top and sometimes see the stars- something forest dwellers rarely behold. As he passed the days, he went over everything his parents had ever taught him about life, and everything he had learned for himself, and tried to brace himself for the day he would have to say good-bye. But nothing could have prepared him when that day suddenly came.

Swiftclaw had finally emerged from the mines, glad despite everything because of how good it felt to be above ground again. He stretched his legs and neck, and the meager sunlight streaming through the canopy caught the piece of metal in his claw. Bringing it closer to him, he gazed at it sadly as he had often done the past few days. Metal of any kind was almost unknown to the basin, and this piece had been a special gift from a pack of Troodons whom they had once sheltered on tribe land and who had later taken up residency in the settlements of civilized Dinotopia. It was a discus bearing the images of Swiftclaw, Prismdew, and a rather young Stonetalon, who despite this stood proud and tall in imitation of his parents.

A terrible roar cut through the peaceful silence of the forest, surprising Swiftclaw so much that he dropped the discus. Regaining control, he immediately took off in the direction of the sound, the portrait forgotten. Dodging and leaping over the many obstacles of the rainforest, he raced at a maddening speed to the tribe's central clearing. And stopped dead.

Allosaurs were everywhere! They attacked in waves of two and three at a time, chasing and snapping at frantic gallies and knocking down branches and trees. Tribesaurians cried out and dashed for the security of the forest, sometimes with carnosaurs still in pursuit. The allosaurs roared and laughed gleefully, each one exposing further its blood red fangs. As he watched, three figures suddenly appeared alongside the Gallimimus chieftain: Prismdew, Crimsoncrest, and Truestride.

"What do we do?" asked Crimson, his eyes wide as he surveyed the scene. Truestride and Prismdew looked at Swiftclaw for guidance.

The chieftain's face and voice were disturbingly calm. "Crimson, Truestride, gather everyone and bring them to the Sunstone Caverns. I'll meet you there. Prismdew, find those who are leaving and get them ready." With quick nods of their heads the three gallies raced off to their tasks.

Moments after they had left, Stamp and Stonetalon appeared together and sized up the situation. The Triceratops prepared to rush into battle. "We need spears!" Talon shouted to his father. "Help me go dig up the fence!"

"No," said Swiftclaw, placing a forepaw on Stamp's nose horn to stop him. "No, don't worry about that. You need to take the others out of here. Come, there's not much time." The confused trike and young gallie quickly followed him as he darted off towards the caverns. They arrived to see the entire tribe- adults and hatchlings alike- gathered at the entrance. They all turned anxiously to their leader, who told them all they needed to know in one short sentence: "It is time."

Immediately, Prismdew and some of the others set to work fastening harnesses of vine and leather (rare in the clan, the result of trading with groups of Basin carnivores) to Stamp, so that he could carry baskets of supplies for the journey. They did this amidst a background of farewells, as families exchanged their last words of wisdom and of gratitude, as necks intertwined, as beaks nuzzled, and as eyes wept. Promises were made to return someday, to reunite, though everyone knew deep down that this really was the final good-bye. All too quickly, they were ready to go. Prismdew and Swiftclaw approached their son, embracing him in Gallimimus custom. Prismdew's multicolored eyes teared, making them glisten more beautifully than Talon had ever seen them.

"We love you very much, Stonetalon. Whatever you do, wherever you go, always remember that."

Talon could feel the tears in his own eyes forming. "I will, mom."

Swiftclaw placed his claws on his son's shoulders. He knew there wasn't much time. "No matter what you do, I will always be proud that you are my son." The chieftain knew he was starting to cry. "I- I love you, Stonetalon."

Stonetalon felt the teardrops running down the sides of his beak. "Thank you father. I will always remember the love you held for me, and the love I have for you shall never dim. I won't fail you. Someday, I will come back for you, and we shall live happily in whatever land of peace we will find. I promise."

A roar broke the tender moment. "You must go! Now!" Swiftclaw shouted. The other hatchlings had already taken their places alongside Stamp. "We will hold them off as long as we can. They shall not follow you. Farewell, my Stonetalon. Seek peace." Prismdew nuzzled Talon's beak one last time. "Farewell, and seek peace."

Stonetalon looked to his parents, trying to burn forever into his mind this last memory of them. "Farewell, mother, father." He raised his claw in good-bye, and then took off for the others. They quickly disappeared into the woods. No sooner had they gone than the allosaurs broke out of the forest from another direction. The remaining Gallimimuses shrieked in surprise and fright.

The allosaurs seemed to form up into two rough groups, and Swiftclaw gasped as the nastiest looking allosaur he had ever seen strode confidently between them. He was covered in scars, missing a finger on his left hand, and his right eye seemed to have once been injured and later healed wrong, so that it was crooked. His fangs gleamed crimson like blood from a freshly torn artery. Swiftclaw knew that this was Bloodfang. The allosaur leader laughed.

"So, you've decided to make things easier on us by having everyone together in the same place, have you? Rather a shame, really- I enjoy a little exercise before my meals." He licked his lips with a thin tongue.

Swiftclaw didn't respond to the allo. Instead, he turned to his tribe and shouted "Into the caverns!" All of the gallies bolted into the gaping entrance. With roars of mirth, the allosaurs gave chase. The entrance was only small enough for one allosaur to fit at a time, and they fought among themselves over who should enter before another. That bought the gallies some time, as they searched for the tunnels only smaller dinosaurs like themselves could go through. Allosaurs poured in slowly but steadily, as their scuffling at the entrance shook rocks and stones from the ceiling. Finally, just as Swiftclaw had located a suitable cavern the allos couldn't get to, Bloodfang fought and bit his way through his own clan until he was in the tunnel.

"Now there's no escape, my prey-beasts!" he said, roaring in triumph. That roar was more than the cavern could take. With a deafening crash, the entrance collapsed, burying several allosaurs under the falling stones and trapping all who were in the cavern. Including the gallies. Swiftclaw, who had ushered all the others to the relative safety of the other tunnel, hung his head in defeat. He had sealed the fates of all of them.

He felt a reassuring hand on his shoulder. It was Prismdew. Alongside him came also Crimsoncrest, Truestride and Honeycomb. "Come," said his mate, "The others are waiting for you." He looked to his friends, and saw that they were all looking to him for direction. Before them Bloodfang howled and lashed out at his clansaurians in anguish, too enraged to take notice of the Gallimimuses. Swiftclaw turned to the tunnel. "Maybe there are other ways out," he said. "We must see what there is down here." With that he exited the main cavern, his loyal mate and friends following after him.

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