Search Party: Part 1

As the horn made from a discarded conch was sounded, the Velociraptor clan of Silverclaw, The Brightclaw clan, gathered to the Standing Stones. The Standing Stones were the ancestral meeting place for the clan. Even the Expectant mothers covered their nest, and leaving one young warrior in training, joined the procession to the Standing Stones.

Once he was sure everyone had gathered, Silverclaw, the clan leader, began to speak..

"My clan mates, I have just received, via Dimorphadon, that the three shards of the Ruby Sunstone have been given a relative location." There was a murmur of excitement in the clan. "They," Silverclaw continued, executing immediate silence "all reside in different locations." This caused another murmur of excitement.

"All creatures apon our hidden island, Basin theropods and highlander herbivores alike, must unite to find these shards and return them, with the main stone, to Highnest. I have good reason to believe that the C'xsann clan and the Allosaur clan of Saar, with their ancient Posiedos technology have created a laser cage to protect the stone." He allowed a pause for effect. "Once the stone is returned to Highnest, good and evil will balance out on our island once more."

"I will chose three of our strongest warriors to accompany me to Waterfall City..."

"Civilization!" a raptor in the clan said "We might as well be walking into Tyrannosaur territory! They will not let us in there! They call us 'uncivilized'! Why should we help the plant eaters!"

"Show yourself, you coward!" Silverclaw bellowed. An adult male with a dull brown under belly and lighter brown splotches on top stepped forward.

"Ah Traildust," Silverclaw said apon seeing the raptor. He recognized him as the clan runner. "So it is you who defy my decision." Silverclaw said, adding a low growl as an after thought.

"Yes, Oh great leader," Traildust said sarcastically. "Why should we help the plant eaters and humans? What have they done for us?" Traildust demanded.

"We will help the highlanders," Silverclaw replied "because when our kind signed th Carnosaur Cult treaty we promised to protect the caravans that pass though our territory, and let them come to us in times of great need. And this is one of those times.

"You are just a weak minded fool of a leader, who is willing to put aside ancient laws to help weak defenseless 'civilized' humans who have down nothing for us. I could be twice the leader you will ever be!" Traildust retorted.
"How dare you challenge our leader!" Brightfrost, Silverclaw’s twin sister, and the youngest elder in two centuries, screeched.

"No it is all right," Silverclaw told his sister calmly. "If he wants a challenge he shall have it." At that Silverclaw stepped off the large rock platform and took a fighting stance. Everyone moved back to allow for room.

"I will beat you and allow for the true leader to arise!" Traildust said menacingly.

"Then let it commence!" It was over even before it started. In two moves Silverclaw had pinned his pale white sickle-claw on Traildust's neck. Traildust rose and hung his head in submission.

" You may have won today, Silverclaw, but I will lead this clan." And with that Traildust left the Stones.

"Well that is that. In three days time my chosen warriors and I will head for Waterfall City. When I leave, my sister, Brightfrost, will lead us. You may go now, I must speak with the elders." With that said, Silverclaw turned to address the elders. Quetzal, the clan shaman and oldest inhabitant was there. His mother, Ava, was also present. Windsong, Quetzals mate, was there. He knew Brightfrost was there. But where was his father Quickclaw?

<He should be here by now> Silverclaw thought. Just then, Sunwing, the clan message Dimorphidon, flew to Silverclaw’s shoulder.

"Hello, old friend. Have you seen my father?"

"Yes" Sunwing replied in a high squeaky voice. "He was headed to the training field."

"Ah, so my father has already gotten the jist of my plan." He turned to face the elders. "I want each of you to scout out a potential warrior to accompany me."

"Yes agrenoc," the elders said using the clan word for leader. Then they bowed and left.

"Your son really has gained confidence since becoming leader." Windsong told Ava as they left the Standing Stones.

"Yes is it not grand!" Ava replied "he's just like his father at that age." Ava continued with watery eyes.


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


On the morning of the second day, Quetzal, Ava, Brightfrost, Windsong, and Quickclaw came to the training field early. They each had a young warrior with them. Silverclaw stood waiting at the archery field.

"Thank you, my friends and family, I shall take them from here." he said, automatically dismissing the elders. "You," Silverclaw said turning to the warrior. "Are the best of the best. But only three of you may accompany me out of the Basin, So, I have devised a simple test to decide my accomplices." He turned to face the field.

"In turn you will each have one chance to shoot one arrow in the target." Silverclaw continued, pointing to a rather large target set 25ft away.

"Ha, piece of cake!" Tanflor, the oldest present warrior there.

"Ah, but I wasn't done. You must hit the target, blindfolded. And if any of you hit the bulls eye, you shall win an extra prize. I will go first."

Once he was securely blindfolded, Silverclaw took one of his black and silver fletched arrows, nocked it, pulled back, and fired. There was a satisfying clunk as it hit the target.

The warriors stared in disbelief. Not only had Silverclaw hit the target. He had made a bullseye!

"Next," Silverclaw said.

In turn each of the warriors shot at the target. First up was Tanflor, Traildust's only son (though not as rebellious). He missed the target completely.

"I'm sorry," Silverclaw said somberly (say that three times fast ^_^). Next was Quicksilver, a pure white raptor with black claws. She grazed the target but the arrow kept going.

"To bad, Good try!" Silverclaw told her. Next up was Redback. He was a brown raptor with a red back. He hit the target, but just barely.

"Great job!" Silverclaw exclaimed. "My first accomplice!" The next two were a set of twins, Twilightrose and Morningrose. Both hit the target but nowhere near the bullseye.

"Wonderful job all of you." Silverclaw exclaimed handing out individual pieces of chocolate. "Yet none of you got a bullseye but me. So I guess I'll get the prize." He said as he pulled three large chocolate bars from a pouch around his neck. The five warriors eyes grew large, and drool drizzled out their mouths.

"Where did you get those?" they asked in unison.

"A passing caravan." Silverclaw said between mouthfuls. After finishing the first, he put the rest away mumbling "for later," then spoke to the three winners.

"Twilightrose, Morningrose, Redback," He addressed each individually, "I want to see each of you at Backwards Falls fully prepared by dawn." He then left the field.
 

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