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Chapter 37: The Crossing

"Thus Said Poffus: Crossing a chasm with a purpose is determination. Crossing a chasm aimlessly is foolishness. Crossing a chasm with purposeful aimlessness is either a brilliant strategy or a horrible blunder.

Student: But, Great Teacher, what determines the outcome in the last case?

Thus Said Poffus: Whether the damned fool falls or not, of course."

~The Dialogues of Poffus, the Overrated (a parody of Rhy'thnuk by the satirist Grondark)

From the Summation of Ancient Thought - Volume 86

The jungle:

"Calm yourself, scout. I can't act on your report unless I know what it is you are trying to say."

Questor's voice seemed to have the desired effect as the trembling hidden runner regained some of his courage and his shaking hands somewhat slowed in their silent shaking. The effect was somewhat dampened, however, by the general appearance of the hidden runner. With a gash across his side and a clear limp in his right leg, it was obvious that something terrible had befallen him.

The fact that he was the only returnee from a scouting party of four was clear evidence of that.

"It…" the hidden runner began before regaining some composure. "We encountered some of Wrok's people. I have no idea how they sneaked up on us… or how they got the rainbowface."

The guards behind the scout noticeably tensed as Questor's eyes bore down upon the scout with the intensity of a hundred Bright Circles. Though those eyes were focused on him, they seemed to stare at something far away. Something that only Questor could see.

"I think you should start at the beginning, scout." Questor's beak clicked with anger. "How did your team encounter the enemy?"

Two thumps on the shoulder and a look to the right. The hidden runner's actions were done so swiftly that it would have been easy to overlook them, even if one could comprehend them. For his comrades, however, those motions were an exclamation point on a very clear order. They immediately repositioned themselves on his right while still allowing him to lead the way.

The scout leader looked to his right, making sure they were in position. Moving quickly doesn't mean we have to move recklessly, he thought.

With his group repositioned on the upwind side, he could now focus on any possible scent of danger. The three pairs of eyes could provide coverage where their snouts were useless. It wasn't much, but in the jungle every shred of advantage could make the difference between life and death.

With the others watching guarding the rear, the scout leader kept his focus on what he could smell. There wasn't much to detect, or rather he wasn't detecting much. There was an almost overpowering scent of stinkweed, and it made detecting anything else nearly impossible. With his sniffer nearly useless and the jungle limiting what any of them could see, safety would be dependent on speed.

In the end he never saw the spear… he only felt it when it scraped his side.

"Ambush!" the scout leader shouted as he fell. Pained screams to his right, however, told him the warning came too late.

"Looks like we got the jump on them!"

"Shut up and run!"

The scout leader started running despite the pain in his leg before he realized the words hadn't come from any of his own. Looking back, he could see three hidden runners and, much to his surprise, a rainbowface fleeing in the opposite direction. Questor needs to hear about this immediately, he thought.

He slowly rose to his feet, ignoring the pain in his leg. Then, raising a hand in the air, he tried to rouse his comrades.

He got no response.

Hesitantly, he looked back towards the ambush site. He instantly regretted it. Three bodies lay in the dense cover, all in varying degrees of death. The only movement that he could see was the twitching of their bodies. If the spears had not struck them down then the Orange Death would finish the job.

"I don't know why I made it… I guess the stick that got me didn't have the cursed Orange Death. I just… I had to let you know. My comrades…"

Questor put a hand on the scout's shoulder. Though his face was angry, he allowed his eyes to shimmer with something like compassion. "You finished the mission for your comrades. Fate wanted you to live for a reason. Now that we know what the enemy is planning, we can save lives."

"I wish I could have done more. If we could've surprised them instead..."

"Fate is sometimes cruel. We cannot second-guess what happened; we can only respond to what Fate has brought us," Questor soothed before giving someone behind the scout a pointed look. "Go back to your mate, Frento. We will mobilize the pack tonight."

The scout nodded and turned to leave. He knew a dismissal when he heard one.

Questor stood where he was for several moments. No words escaped the green hidden runner's beak, nor did a facial expression arise on his austere features. Nonetheless, within moments four other hidden runners stood in front of him before bowing slightly.

"We cannot let Wrok get away with this. If he is making a run for the river, then he is betting on the fastbiters getting to us first. I am not going to let him get that advantage without a fight," Questor said darkly, "Mobilize the pack. We begin now."

It was at this point that one of the other hidden runners looked up with concern. "And if we find the other rainbowface?"

"Kill her," Questor said simply, "As for our 'guest', make sure he stays at our wintering grounds. We will need his gifts by the time this battle is done."

"So let me get this straight: for this, um..."

"Boat," Chronos added, being careful to give the brutish hidden runner a smile that seemed genuine.

The hidden runner clicked his beak in annoyance. "For this boat you somehow felled a tree, cut it in half, and then somehow used fire to burn out the insides so that it was smooth to the touch?" Chronos had to struggle not to smile at the idiot as he took this all in. If he wanted to escape he needed to avoid unnecessary injuries.

"Yes," Chronos answered simply.

"How did you do it?"

Chronos did his best to look confused. "Which part? Each step has its own intricacies."

"All of it," the hidden runner replied, "though I guess we should probably start with the tree."

Chronos shrugged. "Well, I have no idea how I would have done that myself. Thankfully Mr. Threehorn was able to help us with that. As for the fire, the Smoking Mountain helped with that, although it nearly cinged me! As for cutting the tree in half, that involved embedding sharp rocks into the tree and letting Ms. Spiketail use it for target practice until the tree was split. Though, forgive me, I gave you those steps out of order..." The more I confuse this idiot the fewer questions he will ask… "First, a tree must be felled. Then it must be split. Then it must be hollowed, which took us the better part of two seasons… then…"

"Two what?" the hidden runner shrieked in surprise, "We need these things now!"

Chronos blinked. "Now? This kind of thing takes time… If you need something fast then a raft would be your best option," The kids already made some of these, though they didn't know it. So not much cultural contamination there… "I can demonstrate that today if some of you can help bring me some vines and branches this big." He then held his hands out to show the desired thickness. "And this long…" He then extended his arms until they were fully extended out.

"You, you, and you," the hidden runner said, pointing at three haggard-looking hidden runners in quick succession, "Go find the sticks he was talking about. As many as you can."

"Get going!" another hidden runner commanded before slamming a stick down behind one of the three.

Chronos watched this curiously. Prisoners? Or merely allies under penalty? "Not to pry, sir. But for something like this we need to make sure the product is of good quality. So using…" he gestured at the three retreating hidden runners, "Prisoners? Is fine for getting sticks and vines, but they would need to be carefully supervised when building a raft. Otherwise they might intentionally make them fail."

"Augh. Go watch them," the now visibly annoyed hidden runner said, pointing at the one with the stick.

Chronos watched in silence. Hypothesis confirmed.

"Once I have the sticks and vines I will demonstrate how to get started. Though, forgive me for prying… but what are these three being held for? Murder? Disrespecting the Leader? I'm not at risk of being strangled by them, am I? The risk from the guards is bad enough!" he added in mock concern.

"Got it on the first guess," the guard replied with a malicious laugh.

Chronos felt a chill go down his spine as he rubbed his beak awkwardly. "Oh. Uh… that is surprising."

"Wouldn't want to waste them," the hidden runner said, laughing even harder at Chronos's discomfort.

"Well… I will try not to waste them," Chronos finally said. If they had been traitors, then this would be easier, but criminals could still be loyal to their pack. I will need to investigate before taking unnecessary risks.

"You better," the hidden runner said as the three hidden runners reappeared carrying the intended cargo, "Looks like they have some branches for you. Are they satisfactory?"

The rainbowface did not answer immediately, but instead approached the closest hidden runner with deliberate slowness. As he did so he allowed his eyes to fall upon what the hidden runner was carrying in his arms.

"Drop them, please. I will show you how to test them," Chronos commanded.

"Test them?"

Chronos nodded as he stared the hidden runner in the eyes with a blank stare. "We have to make sure that they are strong enough for the task at hand. Once you know how to do this you can avoid unnecessary treks and only carry suitable branches."

"Proceed, then," the hidden runner said with an exasperated sigh.

Chronos stepped forward and picked up the heavy branch in his hands, slowly turning it to inspect its subtle nuances. "It has some noticeable pores from buzzer activity." He pointed at one such part in the branch which took on a slightly different hue. "The reason why you want to avoid that is because of this…"

The branch snapped as he firmly kicked it with his foot.

"Next," Chronos commanded.

As the rainbowface continued with his instructions, the chief guard and his assistant watched the display in contemplative silence.

"Well, he seems to be moving quickly for once," the lead guard said.

"We can't take our eyes off of him, though," one of the guards said, "One's already escaped. They're tricky."

The lead guard nodded before smiling coldly. "That is why we must be tricky as well. I told him that those three were murderers."

The other guard snorted in amusement. "What for?"

The leader smirked. "Can't have him get any ideas, can we? Who knows what he would be planning if he knew they were here for questionable loyalty? Keep an eye on them and remember our orders. Once we have the 'boats' we have no further use for the other prisoners."

"And for the rainbowface?"

The guard leader merely shrugged. "That will be up to him, now won't it? Once he sees the price of not being useful I am sure he will make the right choice."

Wrok's pack:

"There's the land!"

"Shhh… but yes it is, dear!"

Penol let herself smile for a moment when she heard the noise in front of her telling her one of the families had safely made it across the river. Though the anticipation of her reaching the land did not make her relent in her own trek across the water. Even with the group having a massive tied-off vine for support in the slow-flowing river, this was still the longest swim of her life. She had no doubt this was the case with everyone else in the pack.

"We're in the shallows, everyone can put their feet down!" a scout affirmed from somewhere in the sea of hidden runners as a series of relieved sighs could be heard. Penol gratefully allowed her feet to touch the soft silty ground below the dark depths.

"Is that everyone?" Penol wondered aloud.

There was no answer at first, but then she heard someone splash beside her.

"This is the last group," Greenshade's voice suddenly affirmed. "Which is good. My scouts are about to drop."

"Who isn't?" a voice added nearby.

Not me, Penol thought."So everyone's safe now?" she asked Greenshade.

Her question was greeted by a panicked squawk from somewhere behind her as splashing could be heard. Both she and Greenshade turned around but could not see anything over the mass of hidden runners trying to leave the river. That was until several of the stragglers parted ways to let two scouts forward. Each of them were offering their shoulders to an elderly hidden runner, as he forced himself across the remaining distance.

Greenshade caught her breath as she took in the sight. "Hopefully, yes. If we only had one struggling after all of this, then we are in good shape."

Penol breathed a sigh of relief as she finally reached the shore. It was one thing to have ground under her feet. It was another for it to be dry and solid. If she dropped now she at least wouldn't drown. She couldn't stop yet, though. There wasn't any sense in letting Questor or anyone else see them so easily. "Well, at least the hard part's over."

"Alright, group five! You made it! We have a resting area prepared for all of you inside the tree line. You can sleep soundly this morning, and we will watch for any danger."

Wrok's distant voice broke Penol from her thoughts. He is personally handling group placement? She started moving towards Wrok. "Are you going to be watching or resting?" she asked Greenshade, who had followed her.

"Whatever the leader orders. Though my feet might protest those orders," Greenshade joked as she forced herself forward, despite the obvious wobble in her gait. Penol had doubts that she looked much better.

"I'll stay awake with you, then. We can keep each other awake," Penol offered.

As if to answer her proposal Greenshade let out a wide yawn.

"Ah, there you two are. The Leader wanted me to track you down," a hidden runner suddenly interjected as the duo stopped in surprise. "Deputy Greenshade? Hadnst can take the morning watch. He wants the deputies fully rested for when we move out. Miss Penol? Wrok wishes to see you."

"Well, that's good news," Greenshade said before nodding at the former First Assistant. "See you in the morning, Miss Penol."

"Please, not that soon," Penol mock-protested, "See you later."

She merely got a murmur in response as the hidden runner curled into a sleeping position where she had been standing moments before. She had no doubt that the rest of the pack had the same idea at this point.

It didn't take much effort to find Wrok. All Penol had to do was follow Wrok's voice. He seemed to be the only one still speaking.

"Thank you all for agreeing to the first watch. Greenshade's group will relieve you at first light. Fate willing, if the enemy is foolish enough to fight us across the river then it will be their final battle. Good hunting!"

"Thank you, sir!" came the affirmation from several other hidden runners who then quickly ran to points around the river's edge. Within what seemed to Penol like a split second, Wrok was left alone in the clearing.

"I see that someone is working on her scouting." Wrok teased without looking in her direction.

"You weren't exactly hiding," Penol replied, "How are you still awake?"

"Stubbornness? I am not about to let the pack see their leader sleep before them." Wrok then walked over to where Penol had entered the clearing and gave her a smirk. "You also violated the first rule of scouting: never assume that your enemy has actually seen you."

"I'm not a scout. I thought you guys capturing me originally should have told you I'd be a pretty bad one," Penol said jokingly, "Honestly, I just did the same thing I did to find Ignis. Follow the noise and look for a crowd."

A yawn escaped Wrok's beak before he gestured for her to follow him. "That might also be a good way to find a random fight if my pack in the Warm Times is any indication. Though I think a far larger fight is approaching for us."

"Can we not just keep going?" Penol asked.

Wrok shrugged at this. "Perhaps. But if we are to take what is ours, then we need to be in the right position. If Questor is eliminated because he decided to exchange pointed sticks with us in the river, then we are at an advantage. If Questor is eliminated because the fastbiter hordes get to him first, then we are also at an advantage. Right now he is trapped between two rivers."

"Wouldn't it be better to avoid fighting? For us, I mean," Penol said, "I know a fight is unavoidable, but maybe we can avoid this one?"

Wrok frowned at this. "Unfortunately, if we leave this side of the river then Questor will have an opening to flee… and the advantage will be lost. That could lead to more of us dying in the end. It is best that we use the advantage that the river has provided us."

"But what about the fastbiters? How close are they?"

"According to some dead-eater flyers, the fastbiters have already crossed the river leading into the Wetlands. They are surely going to go straight through the forest and this will invite an attack from Questor's pack. With any luck they can decimate one another and save us the bloody work," Wrok affirmed with some confidence.

"But we still need to stay here?" Penol asked. I want to know how to help.

Wrok nodded. "If they decide to flee from the fastbiters, which is not a bad idea, then they can invite an attack from us. Attacking across a river is suicidal, and we have the dry ground. If we leave… then our odds in any battle are more even." He then turned towards her as he sat down. "Sometimes, my dear, you have to risk some in order to save the whole."

"I guess that's why I'm not a fighter," Penol said as she too sat down, "None of this feels right to me. Even trying to kill you was just to make all this stop."

Wrok sighed at this. "I'm sure many feel the same way. But this cannot stop until one of us stands victorious." He gestured at himself. "For obvious reasons, I would prefer that be me."

I'd prefer it to be both, Penol thought, surprised at herself. I don't want to lose anyone else, but it seems like everyone insists that I lose at least one more person no matter what happens. "Does it really have to end like that?" she asked.

"You're still holding out hope for some kind of settlement between Ignis and I," Wrok said in a soft voice, though it was not spoken as a question.

"Just think about it for a moment. Ignis's followers don't really like you, and yours probably don't like her..."

"That is an understatement," Wrok interrupted before gesturing for her to continue.

"And we already live in different areas," Penol continued as if she hadn't been interrupted, "What's the point of fighting if all it gets you is a bunch of new followers that likely want to kill you and will happily support a challenger?"

"That is the nature of the scrape, my dear. The never-ending battle to keep it. But the same goes for those on the outside… What do you think this pack has been doing for the last several generations? Do you think that Ignis or her predecessors did anything to protect us from challenging packs? Do you think she would honestly not help someone to eliminate us now if we were foolish enough to make peace?" Wrok asked rhetorically, "The choice is between the struggle to survive without aid while being surrounded by upstarts, or the struggle to maintain power while having dominion over the allied packs. One of those choices is easier to maintain over time."

"Since trying to eliminate us would just restart the war and put everything back the way it currently is, I'm starting to think you believe Ignis is an idiot," Penol said, "Dravos I could see doing that, but Dravos also thought I could be a good assassin."

"And you almost succeeded. Never doubt what the Left Claw could do to protect the Right Claw. No matter how forgiving Ignis is willing to be, if I make peace then my pack's days are numbered." He rubbed his beak. "Especially now. Especially now that I have you."

Huh? What do I have to do with that?

Wrok then laughed.

"What's so funny?" Penol asked irritatedly.

"I was just thinking… if I did end up with a stick in my back, then your plan might just work. After all, you are her family, and she could pair you off with someone 'acceptable' to the council. You might just have enough support from our pack to pull that off."

Leave it to Wrok to calmly describe events after his own death, Penol thought, I'm not sure about the 'paired off' part, but he might unfortunately be right. Ignis might listen to me more than Wrok, if she'll even speak to me again at all. But if Wrok thinks Ignis would pair me off... She couldn't help it. She suddenly burst out laughing and struggled to get herself to quiet down. No sense waking everyone up. "I see you've never met Flick, Ebac, or Jav," she said with a more controlled laugh, "If we hadn't been fighting, Ignis would've been more likely to send me in your direction than let me be in the same cavern as them."

Wrok considered this for a moment, "An offering for the northern packs would have done much and would have indicated mutual support. But that is not what we received, Penol. We merely got demands for the usual hostages to show our subservience to the Leader of the South." He gave her a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry, but if your cousin is as enlightened as you say, then we did not see much of that up here."

"Who was making the hostage demands?" Penol asked. I never heard anything about that.

"Ignis," Wrok responded as if it were obvious.

"I mean who was actually making the demand. Like if you sent Bluntbeak with a message to Ignis, it might be your words if he delivers the message right, but he's the one saying it." Wrok, I thought you could think a few steps ahead of me. I guess that's not always true.

Wrok blinked at this. "It was one of her high messengers. One of her Left Claw's runners."

"Oh, dear..." How exactly do I explain that the Right Claw and the Left Claw don't always seem to be attached to the same dinosaur? Penol wondered.

Her pondering mind was greeted by Wrok's askance face. "Hmmm?"

"You know how you and I don't exactly agree on everything?" Penol asked.

"Such as crossing the river in the middle of the night?" Wrok inquired with a smirk. The implication that his idea had worked despite objections was not lost on her.

"Yes, and it is fortunate they got a chance to rest before doing so. I know of a few packmates that wouldn't be here now without it," Penol replied.

Wrok flinched at this and for the briefest of moments anger reached his features, but that quickly faded. In its place was a contemplative and determined gaze. "...so you are saying her Left Claw does the same thing that you do at times? Provide a different opinion?"

"And sometimes just goes with his own opinion. How else do you think I got here in the first place?"

Wrok did not move for several moments as he merely stared at her blankly. As the moment lingered she momentarily worried that she had pushed him too far.

"She didn't know?" His voice cracked, in a moment of weakness that would have been cute in any other instance but this. "Are you sure?"

"She was told I was going to my parents, or so Dravos claimed. My escorts were some troublemakers that were willing to agree to anything to get out of trouble. If Ignis had known I'd even thought about doing what I did, I would be with my parents now wondering if Ignis would ever take me back as an assistant."

Penol nearly shrieked when Wrok touched her shoulder, but she controlled herself. "Okay, Penol. I think this is something that I need to know. Because I think we were both played."

"What do you mean?"

"What were your exact orders from Dravos? I know the trying to kill me part… we are past that," he waved his hand as if it were a minor detail, "What was the exact order he gave you?"

"Besides the order to kill you, it was supposed to appear to you that I was being sent as a mate offering to Questor. I'm still confused about that part. Why not just go to you with a story? Wouldn't that have been easier to do?"

It was at exactly that moment that Wrok covered his beak with his hands. When he did speak his voice came out in a low growl. "Oh, Dravos, you fucking predator. You know how to misdirect."

Penol was about to ask what Wrok was talking about, but then the look that he gave her made her remain silent.

"Penol, you have the heart of a leader. You have the poise of a leader. But the scheming of a Left Claw… you don't understand, do you?"

Penol shook her head. "I barely understand scheming at all. Too risky."

Wrok sighed. "He did not plan on you succeeding in killing me. He wanted you to drive a wedge between Questor and I… so that whatever remained would be easier to dispose of… unless..." He thought for a moment. "If he honestly thought that Questor might capture you back, then he might think that a peace could be made there… with you as a price. He might be hedging his chances."

"I'm starting to think Dravos doesn't like me very much," Penol said. Assuming that he actually can like anyone.

"You think?" Wrok snapped, before hastily regaining his bearings. "Left Claws are used because they care for no one but themselves! The only one they benefit are their leaders because their lives depend on it."

"And making me disappear helped Ignis how, exactly?" Penol wondered aloud. I hope Ignis found a good replacement.

Wrok did not say anything for several moments as he contemplated something. "Assuming he is loyal to Ignis, this provides her with an out. A way to appease a weakened Questor… or me… after we get done killing one another before Ignis even has a chance to send out her scouts to greet us."

"Can we assume he's loyal?" Penol asked, "He and Ignis disagreed quite a bit from what I heard, and I wasn't allowed to be near really important conversations. Well, most of the time. I was an assistant, not an advisor."

Wrok merely yawned, suddenly feeling as tired as he looked. "You know him better than I, dear. All I know is this: if I were him, I would know that there are other paths to hanging on to his skin, and one of those paths does not believe in the Old Ways at all. The thought has to have come to him that perhaps, if things go badly for his leader, then he might be able to be retained in exchange for helping things along for Questor." He made a spearing gesture with his arms for emphasis. "He was perfectly willing to sacrifice you."

"But I was just a First Assistant. I'm not exactly hard to replace," Penol protested, not liking what Wrok was suggesting. "What you're suggesting seems a lot riskier to even think about doing."

"Guess who else would not be hard to replace?" Wrok merely replied, "And if Ignis is disagreeing with her Left Claw as much as you say… the thought may have come to mind."

"I made things a lot worse if that's the case, haven't I?" Penol asked, "But Dravos has been Ignis's Left Claw for seven Cold Times. Why betray her now when everything's so unpredictable?"

Wrok merely gave her a nuzzle before making a gesture for her to lay down. "Because it is the first opportunity that has presented itself where a betrayal might work." He yawned again. "We will discuss this after some sleep. Where there is a known plot, there is an opportunity."

"And what opportunity is that?" Penol asked as she laid down.

Wrok sighed. "I wish that I knew. Perhaps we will try to find it tomorrow."

The next day, outside of the river:

"We found something, sir."

Verant turned towards the bush where the statement had come from only to see the faintest outline of a beak next to one of its branches. It did not take him long to deduce that Vano, the hidden runner in his group, was the one who had spoken.

"What is it?" Verant asked.

Vano emerged from the bush as if he were part of its complex web of branches before finally depositing a half-eaten tiny biter that was showing clear signs of decomposition.

"It looks like it is a few days old. If it hadn't been left in a tree branch, then something would have snatched it up already. You fastbiters aren't too picky." He noticed Verant's glare at the implication. "No offense, sir. Anyway… considering the kinds which can climb trees well, we think this is from a hidden runner's stash. The unused pointed sticks in the nook was another clue."

"Any sign of the stash's owner?"

"It smelled faintly of hidden runner, sir. Just like the other piles of pointed sticks that we have found. I suspect someone checked on the stash in the last day or so." Vano shrugged. "Or at least that is what Oron thinks. He has a better sniffer than I do."

"So we've got a scout in the area. Great. Just great," Verant said, "If you catch his scent again, run him down."

"Sir," a new voice suddenly called out from somewhere behind Verant. It was Leap.

"What?" Verant snapped, hiding his startlement with anger.

If Leap noticed the change in tone he gave no indication. "There are at least two more stashes that Frona and I have found. They each have fresh scents. We are dealing with at least three hidden runners." Leap then looked up and noticed Vano. "Did you find more as well?"

Vano nodded. "Yes sir. I think they are waiting on the pack to go rampaging through the forest. Otherwise they surely would have made an attempt on one of us. It's probably a good thing that Seeker is..."

Verant held up a hand, signaling for silence. "Those scouts are still out there," he reminded them.

Vano looked shocked for a moment, but then nodded. "Sorry, sir. Should we attempt to pursue these scouts or… wait on the plan to begin?"

I'd rather just hunt these guys down and be done with it, but there's no time, Verant thought frustratedly. "Catch them if you see them, but don't spend too much time trying to find them. We only need to keep them distracted. No group larger than three should be out there at the same time."

Both Leap and Vano nodded at this and began to leave, but Verant interjected.

"Make sure your groups switch out regularly. Don't run them into the ground. That's my job. And Leap, tell Frona I want her as lead scout next time she goes out. She needs the practice. I am going to check in with Seeker."

"Yes, sir," was the reply from both of his comrades before they disappeared into the trees.

I've got the scouts out and ready to give the enemy a headache, so that's one problem taken care of. I better make sure Mender hasn't decided Seeker's plan is too crazy after all, Verant thought, And make sure nothing else has gone wrong. He started heading towards the river.

As he walked through the tall grass he was reminded why he despised this location. Even with most of the grass being trampled it still greatly reduced visibility; and where there was little visibility there was little warning of pending danger. As such, when he saw Taunt nod a polite salute towards him in the distance, his mind barely had enough time to decide on returning the salute instead of acting on instinct and pointing his pointed stick at him.

"Did you find scout signs as well?" Taunt suddenly asked with an inquisitive cock of the head.

"Yes, but unfortunately not the scouts themselves," Verant said.

It was at that point that Taunt lowered his spear from his shoulder, showing that it was covered in blood. "One of them had the bright idea of scouting near the river. I don't know what the point of doing that was, but she ended up getting a point in the end!" he jested, noting the bloody spear tip, "We gifted her to the bellydraggers."

"I'm surprised the bellydraggers didn't get her first," Verant said.

"Hopefully they will be more useful when we are in the water," Taunt replied before scratching his neck awkwardly, "Speaking of which… we are about to make the crossing. But, uh… do you mind a suggestion?"

Taunt's offering suggestions? Now I'm starting to worry. "What happened?" Verant asked.

Taunt quickly put up a hand plactatively. "Oh, nothing's wrong. It's just that you might want to offer your sister some moral support. They are about to load the kids onto Path."

"Why didn't you start with that?" Verant asked. Without even bothering with a farewell, he brushed past Taunt and headed for the river. He soon realized he wasn't the only one in a hurry. He passed a number of other fastbiters, receiving nods from most of them before they disappeared in various directions, intent on their own tasks. Once he reached the river, he started actually looking for his sister. She wasn't very hard to find, or rather the two footer she was standing next to wasn't very hard to find.

"Okay, Orchid, we need the edges of the nest to be quite high. We don't want the little ones falling off." Cynnil's voice called out.

"About leg height?"

"That better mean your leg," Mender said.

Verant could see the purple fastrunner hurriedly nod and present to Mender a chunk of what looked like an assortment of twigs, grass, and vines that did, in fact, rise to his hips.

Verant watched as his sister scrutinized the mass. She was so focused on it that she didn't even notice him, and he wasn't exactly trying to move quietly. One of the three small occupants on her back, however, did hear his footsteps and turned towards the intruder. It did not take long for the little one with the oversized beak to let out what was, for him, a warning call.

Chirp!

Mender looked up. "Oh. Hey, Verant. Um, when did you get here?"

Verant looked at Orchid, Cynnil, and Buse with the slightest of glares. "After those three should have noticed. How is the nest coming along?"

"I'm still not sure it's safe enough," Mender said, "Do you think this would be tall enough?" She gestured at what Verant was starting to realize was supposed to be a nest.

The nest in question looked like no other nest that Verant had ever seen. It not only included vines in addition to the usual twigs and grass, but it also had sides that made it look more like a bush than a nest. In fact, it was three times taller than it was wide with a small hole on the top, presumably to deposit the hatchlings.

"It… seems tall enough. But how are you going to keep it on Path?" Verant asked bluntly as he looked at the large tyrannosaurus.

For his part, Chomper let out an exasperated sigh before gesturing with his snout at the tied vines extending around his torso. "They have enough vines on me that the nest should stick like it is a second tail!" he growled out in a surprisingly gentle voice, as if to not disturb the younglings, "A very uncomfortable and unwanted second tail."

"We are very grateful for you volunteering for this, Path!" Buse then interjected, as if to pick up the dinosaur's spirits.

"Yeah… volunteered," Chomper merely said as he playfully glared in the direction of Littlefoot in the distance. Though, for Chomper, a playful glare might as well have been a death glare.

"Well, thank you for doing this anyway," Mender said.

Chomper then looked at Cynnil. "Are you sure that you will be fine up there? We don't want you falling off, either."

"Can't you just use more vines to make sure she stays on?" Verant asked, "Like how you keep your healing things with you?"

"Ah, like a loop for each foot! Good idea, Verant!" Buse suddenly said before climbing up a vine onto the two-footer's torso. He then promptly got to work adding said loops to the existing vines on top of his back.

Cynnil, for her part, began to tie Orchid's segment of the nest with the remainder of the confusing assembly. Orchid could only look on with concern as he saw their handiwork begin to take its final form. The three small hidden runner hatchlings, on the other hand, stood up from Mender's back and began to watch the odd nest with interest. It all made Verant wonder how long the little ones had been outside of their first nest.

Verant glanced back at the nest then at the hatchlings again. "Um, Mender..." I count two. There were three. It's going to be like with Gyors all over again, isn't it?

Mender turned around, "Hmmm?" But as soon as she saw his expression she hurriedly turned towards her back to do a headcount of the kids. She then nodded and looked back towards Verant.

"What?" Verant asked, now really confused.

Mender rolled her eyes before nodding towards her back. "Cover is hiding under Mitis, as always."

Verant looked closer and was both relieved and amused to see an eye peeking out from under one of the hatchlings. "Any hopes of getting him to not hide at every opportunity?" Or at least not when we really need to know where they all are?

Mender sighed. "I think he has scouting in his future. That is why each of them is getting these tied to their tails when we move." She then held up three of the oddest looking vines Verant had ever seen. It took him a few moments to realize that they had red petals tied around them, as opposed to actually being red vines.

"And… I think it is done!" Cynnil finally declared. "I think it is ready for your final inspection, Mender."

Mender bent down and examined the nest. She circled it multiple times, looking for the slightest thing wrong with it. As far as the others could tell, she couldn't find anything, but she kept at it until it seemed she had examined every single vine, twig, leaf, and piece of grass that made up the nest. "I still don't like it, but it looks like it'll hold long enough to get my kids across the river," she finally said.

Buse then climbed down as if he were unaware of the proceedings. "I went ahead and put four foot loops up there, Cynnil, just in case."

Cynnil turned towards him and gestured towards the nest. "Just one more thing to bring up there. Though, um…"

There was a loud sigh as Path carefully sat himself down. "Hurry up and walk it up my tail before one of the other two-footers sees this. This is humiliating enough."

Cynnil and Buse shared a look before hurriedly doing as directed and walking up the tail and onto the large dinosaur's back. With the nest taking its final placement this left only the most important cargo yet to be loaded.

Mender suddenly looked really uncomfortable. "Do we really have to do this?"

Chomper grunted at this before nodding at something in the distance. "Well, looking at how some of the scouts are being rushed to the river… it's looks like it."

Verant followed Chomper's gaze to see Littlefoot heading towards him as more and more fastbiters started heading towards the river. "This was not part of the plan," he muttered to himself.

He then looked back to see if any others were rushing forward and was astonished to see Leap, Vano, and the rest of his group following Taunt away from the tree line. What are they doing? They're supposed to be keeping the enemy scouts busy. Frustrated, he turned towards the river again to keep an eye on the crossing.

"I'm sorry about this, but we just got a report from Spotter. It looks like something has the hidden runners spooked, and they are mostly heading away from us." Littlefoot gave everyone a quick lookover, being sure to give Mender an apologetic nod. "If we move now, then we have the best chance to avoid ambushes in the river."

"Who's doing a headcount?" Verant asked, doing his best to keep his voice calm and respectful. You can't just move everyone at the same time. That's how you lose people.

Littlefoot nodded at this concern. "All of your group has been accounted for. Each deputy is doing counts of their own groups and Soar is doing a general count."

As if to punctuate the subject at hand Mender gave her hatchlings a final count before hesitantly looking at Cynnil. "Take good care of them, please."

Cynnil patted her on the shoulder. "I will, Mender. I promise."

Mender took a deep breath before cooing and bobbing her back up and down. "Alright, little ones! Who is ready to play in Aunt Cynnil's feathers?" Within moments the three little hatchlings perked up and were bobbing up and down in time with their mother's back. All it then took was the presentation of the hidden runner's back to have them take the opportunity to hide in her feathers.

Cynnil then proceeded to climb up the vines on Chomper's back with deliberate caution. All Mender could do now was look on as she was left on the ground.

"They'll be fine, Mender," Verant said, "They'll be across before you know it."

"And the entire pack will be there to guard them," Littlefoot affirmed, "The other two-footers will be behind us, so Path will not bring up the rear and be the prime target."

"And who's going to be protecting the two other two-footers?"

Littlefoot tapped his spear. "They are bait for anyone stupid enough to go after us and her. How do you and your team feel about going hunting?"

Verant smiled ferally. "Just tell us where and when, sir."

Littlefoot tail-smiled approvingly before pointing at a point in the river where the two large forms of the other tyrannosauruses could be seen. "Alright, let's move out. We have the advantage, let's not lose it."

Ignis's territory:

"Alright, everyone. We have our orders from the Great Leader! Now let's all stand to our duties!" Dravos finished with a flourish as he addressed the assembled deputies. To such an invocation there was only one acceptable reprise.

"For the Great Leader!"

There was only the slightest moment of awkward quiet before each deputy began to move out of the cavern in order to finish the preparations for the coming battle. Within moments Dravos was left alone in the cavern.

It should only take another day for the reinforcements to arrive. Then we will know who is still on Ignis's side and who has chosen neutrality. Things will happen very fast now. Dravos thought in silent contemplation as he inspected his spears in the corner of the meeting cavern. Spears that would only sit idle for one more day.

It wasn't too much longer before Dravos heard the sound of shuffling feet far too quiet to be anything other than another hidden runner. Their slow, hesitant pace told him who it was before he even looked up.

"You're late, Nerris," Dravos said in greeting.

"My apologies. I got held up," the other hidden runner said.

Dravos sighed at this but did not press the issue. "How are the preparations going?"

"Every pack is sending at least a few members to the Great Leader's Cavern for the great assembly. They should all be there by first light tomorrow morning. Actually, several of them have already arrived."

Dravos nodded. "Exactly as it was ordered." He paused for a moment before leaning in closer so that he was within a beak's distance from Nerris. "And what about our preparations?"

Nerris hesitated then looked behind him. "I have a few supporters in place among the guards," he said once he was sure they were alone.

Dravos stared at him intently. "Are they good guards, or are they some of the hangers on?"

"They're hangers on. They're not horrible, but I wouldn't want them guarding me."

Dravos nodded slowly at this. "How many are we talking about?"

"Only three. A couple others got sent elsewhere before I could do anything."

Dravos smiled at this. "Well, that works quite well for us. Three would be enough to do the job, and also be easy enough to get rid of right after the deed. We do not want anyone left after this is done which can point the finger at us. If the other guards are alerted to the traitors right afterwards, then they would be more than happy to eliminate them." He thought for a moment. "How did you find out who was receptive to this idea?"

"I made some overtures, and those three revealed some serious reservations about Ignis. Don't worry. They only revealed that after a few too many fermented berries," Nerris said.

Dravos hummed at this. Don't worry, my friend, you will still be eliminated once the deed is done. No reason to keep loose vines around. "Good. When the battle comes we will wait until we see how things are proceeding. If it goes in favor of our Great Leader then we keep things as they are, and the three guards can be eliminated later through accidents so that none of this ever gets out. If the battle goes the way that we expect, however, well… then our three guards can have a special task at the right moment. Make sure that they all have a special signal to do the deed if the situation calls for it."

"And then if they do it I alert the other guards that those three have turned on the Great Leader and ensure that they are eliminated?"

"Exactly," Dravos confirmed.

The other conspirator looked away, visibly uncertain.

Dravos sighed loudly. You are about as subtle as a headache. "What?"

"There are rumors going around about that female you sent to Wrok," the other hidden runner said reluctantly.

Dravos hmphed. "You know what they say about rumors."

Nerris hesitated.

"Well, go on… whatever the rumors are obviously have you spooked." Dravos finally prompted.

"Well, the rumors say that Wrok has taken a liking for that girl, and obviously she'll know who sent her in that direction in the first place. Who knows what that could do?"

Dravos pondered this for a moment. "Well, my friend, I fail to see how this would change matters. If Wrok wins the coming conflict, then we both know what will become of me. Do you think that you would be far behind? Wrok is one who favors the Old Ways, remember?" Dravos appeared to stare into the other hidden runner's soul. "There are two ways out of this struggle for us. The Great Leader is victorious… or our planned option. Do not lose sight of this."

"Even if the plan succeeds, Questor may very well drown you anyway. Whether he's appealing to the Old Ways or just ridding himself of someone he cannot be sure of, you will be dead either way If you're willing to betray one Great Leader, how does he know you won't betray him?".

Dravos opened his beak to speak, but for once his voice failed him. There was no obvious error in his counterpart's analysis, nor did he have any benefit in leading Dravos astray. After all, if Dravos fell due to this conspiracy, then he would fall as well.

"It's a shame that you would not long survive me if this goes poorly, Nerris. With a mind like that, Ignis might very well seek you as my replacement." Dravos looked up at Nerris coldly but then merely nodded. "In any case, our course is now set. We will see how the coming battle fares… and then favor the strongest side."

Nerris nodded in return and quickly left. There was nothing more to be said.

Dravos could only stare at the space where Nerris had stood moments before. As a personal tenant he never trusted anyone but himself, but this other soul had hit fate tied to his own. As such he could not deny his words.

For once in his life, Dravos felt uncertain.

Hidden Rock:

"Ha! Found ya!"

Gyors looked up to see several of Petrie's kids circling a spot high on the bluffs. It took only a few moments for Flip to take flight in a circling fashion along with the sharptooth flyers. "Darn! I was so close!"

"That leaves Malka and Tricia," Nibble's voice affirmed nearby, "Let's spread out and see if any of us can spot them. After all, I know Gyors and Biter want to break their tie." Gyors did not need to look behind him to know that Nibble had to be tail-smirking at the situation.

"Come on, Gyors. Let's check over here," Ungu said, gesturing for her brother to follow.

"Did you see something?" Gyors asked.

"No, but I thought I heard something."

It was at that moment that Biter's feathered form could be seen darting from where she was looking previously to a boulder that was nearby. When she looked over once again she saw nothing of what Gyors had just spotted.

"Hm... I've got an idea. Follow me." Gyors looked up at the bluffs and started thinking. If I were a swimmer, where would I hide? He saw a few spots that looked like good hiding spots, but as far as he could tell, there was no good way to get up there unless you were a flyer. Now, how do I get up there?

"Are you thinking one of them went up there?" Ungu asked in a whisper, "Wouldn't climbing up there make a little rockslide with all of those loose rocks?"

"You mean like over there?" Gyors whispered back, nodding towards a bunch of scattered stones.

Ungu's gaze turned towards the spot with the intensity of a sharptooth flyer. This was followed by her looking up the bluff intently before her tail rose into an alert. "Look halfway up."

Gyors followed his sister's gaze, but he didn't see anything. He looked a bit higher, then a bit lower, and still all he saw was rock. Then he looked a bit to the left of where he had started. "I think I see her," he whispered, "Now, how do we get up there?"

Ungu advanced towards the bluff at this point with her tail still raised in alert. It did not take her long to reach the edge of the bluff to examine the fallen rocks.

"What are you thinking, sis?" Gyors asked.

"The stones should be stable where she already knocked down the loose ones, right? After all, she is heavier than both of us," Ungu deduced.

Gyors nodded. "You want to go first?"

Ungu looked confused by this. "Don't you want to beat Biter?"

"You saw her, not me. And you have both your eyes."

Ungu hesitated at this, but then gave her brother a nod of gratitude. This was followed by the purple fastbiter nimbly climbing up the boulders one at a time, gradually gaining upon the hidden prey…

"Found you, Tricia," Ungu called, deliberately stopping far enough away to avoid any accidents.

"Aww, darn it!" the threehorn bellowed, which caused a few rocks to shift. As she rose to see the one who found her, however, she tilted her head in surprise. "What gave me away?"

"I saw a bit of pink then Gyors and I found some fallen rocks," Ungu said, "You picked a great spot, though."

Tricia sighed. "Not good enough. Who beat me anyway? I heard Sauria scream, so I know that someone already found and spooked her."

"Malka is still out there. Somewhere." Ungu shrugged. "She's surprisingly good at this."

Tricia groaned. "She will never let me live this down! Follow me… I think that I know where she ran off to."

"Whoa!" Gyors hurried to get out of the way as Tricia rather calmly slid down the bluff then started walking towards the stream like nothing had happened. "Don't even think about it, Ungu."

"Don't have to tell me twice. I like living," Ungu replied as she retraced her steps as quickly as she dared.

Deciding she was going too slow, Ungu jumped down the last little bit to where Gyors was following Tricia as slowly as he could while still keeping her in sight. Once the siblings were together, however, they immediately started running to catch up with the threehorn.

"Hey, Gyors! Did you manage to find Tricia?" Pounce asked casually as he, Ambush, and Sauria walked by the duo. It seemed that everyone, both predator and prey, was now focused on where the best hider was.

"Ungu found her, actually," Gyors said, "I almost missed her."

"Ah, good eye, then," Pounce said carefully as the others began to follow the duo.

It did not take long for the rest of the packs to arrive at the small stream that went through the extremities of Hidden Rock. Though once they did reach the body of water there was obvious confusion about what to do next, as the gathered fastbiters, flyers, and leaf-eaters muttered amongst themselves.

"Looks like the tie will have to be broken next time," Biter's voice then called out as he gave Ungu and Gyors a polite nod. "Now where is that swimmer who acts like a hidden runner?"

"Tricia seems to know where she is," Gyors said.

At this the crowd grew closer to Tricia as she inspected something in the water. This made everyone look at one another in confusion, as the only things that anyone could see in the water were a few plants.

Tricia cleared her throat. "Alright, you won, Malka."

Gyors watched in surprise and confusion as one of the water plants suddenly rose out of the water, followed by a swimmer, who was holding the base of the plant in her mouth. "I'm not the only one that saw that, right?" he asked in disbelief.

"Wow," was all Biter said as Pounce patted him on the back as if to indicate that he never had a chance.

Malka tossed the plant aside. "Ha, I knew that would work! I was mainly concerned about the flyers."

Nibble laughed at this. "You should have been more worried about the bellydragger."

Malka's eyes went wide. "B-bellydragger?" It did not take her long at all to propel herself out of the water as if her life depended on it.

Nibble shared a look with the assembled predators for a brief moment before they simultaneously erupted into laughter. Tricia and Sauria joined in once they realized what this meant.

"What?" Malka exclaimed.

"He was just pulling your leg, Malka. It would be a sad looking bellydragger to hang out in a stream," Sauria said with more than little mirth.

"Hmph!" was all Malka said as she crossed her arms.

Gyors and Ungu were torn between laughing and frowning. Danger was not something to joke about.

"Um, guys? Does anyone else feel like they are being watched?" Sauria suddenly interjected, which made everyone quiet quickly.

Gyors immediately tensed and started looking around for threats. Ungu copied her brother, except that she was looking in the other direction.

Pounce finally finished laughing. "Nah, if we were being watched then we would know. We sharpteeth have the best eyes."

To this boast the assembled group of sharpteeth and leaf-eaters were greeted by a cough from a nearby bluff. They quickly looked up to reveal a flyer that they had seen before.

Volant merely wing-waved at the little ones.

"Awww, busted," Nibble exclaimed.

"What do you mean busted?" Ungu asked, "Mom said we could do this if we were careful."

"Yeah… but it is no fun to be spotted," Ambush replied.

"Now you know how we feel," Sauria retorted as the leaf-eaters shared a laugh.

Volant sighed as she watched the kids decide on the next game to play. Though her latest batch of children were safely being watched by her cousins, the risks that the children below her were taking reminded her of a very real risk to her children and the valley at large. The traitors were still on the loose. They were so close to catching the domeheads in their own web of lies, but they just needed one final piece of evidence. A piece of evidence which risked someone who was very close to her heart. For, though Petrie was risking his life in this conflict, there was another one of her sons fighting a very covert fight.

Oh, Cloud, Stay safe.

Somewhere in the swamps:

It had been a long, exhausting journey, but finally the hidden runners were close to their destination. In fact, they were so close that they could practically smell it. The scent of hidden runner had merecifully been absent ever since they had crossed the river, but now it had returned. This meant that their own kind, either enemy or ally, had to have been close. Though this insight was not available to the rainbowface they were escorting.

"So… what exactly is the plan?" Logos suddenly whispered to not one in particular.

"I'm not really sure," Bluntbeak admitted, "but I'd like to avoid walking into more trouble." Which would be a lot easier if I could figure out where we are.

"Would hate to be in my position, hmmm?" Logos pried before checking on the hidden runners around her. The glare that one of them gave her clarified the point that running would not be in her best interests.

"If you try to run off, yes, I'd hate to be in your position. Do you really want to get caught by Questor again? He might not risk keeping you around," Bluntbeak said, "If you help us, though, we can help you get your mate back. We don't hurt people when we don't have to."

Bluntbeak watched as the rainbowface's expression fell ever so slightly. "I would hate to be in your position as well. The valley will not rest until both of us are back… this can only make more enemies for you."

"Save the negotiations for the Leader, will ya?" Narfa interjected. "We need to listen for threats, and we can't do that if you are yapping."

The rainbowface grew quiet at that, though her eyes still darted from side to side. There was no doubt that she was calculating her next move. Though Bluntbeak would never admit it out loud, her mannerisms almost reminded him of Wrok.

Bluntbeak quietly moved until he was close to Narfa. "We're still going the right way, right?" he whispered. Missing the pack entirely would be only slightly better than running into Questor's followers.

"If the pack was moving according to plan then we should be almost on top of them," his subordinate confirmed. "We may want to stop and check for scout signs."

"Good idea." Bluntbeak agreed before looking at Narfa and gesturing at the rainbowface. He wasn't about to give her a chance to slip away.

This attended to, he allowed himself to focus on the task at hand. The river created an obvious barrier for where the enemy was expected to be, so any scouts would presumably maintain a line of sight on the waters. This made his job both easier and more difficult. Easier in that it was obvious where the scouts would be… but it would also make him and his comrades easier to spot. Which would be all well and good except for the more jumpy scouts who might throw spears first and ask questions later.

He shook his head. Worrying would accomplish nothing.

He carefully examined the indentions in the river that lay in front of them as he maintained a steady walk along the verdant foliage. This was an easier task than it would have been at night, but it also invited its own difficulties. For one thing hidden runners blended into green foliage, and movement was easier to see at night.

A fact that he was reminded of once he felt a spear at his neck.

Reflexively Bluntbeak raised his arms placatively. But once he opened his beak no words came forth. It was one thing to know the code word and another to do so when one was a claw-length away from certain death.

"What is the word of the day?" the sentry asked, keeping her spear level with Bluntbeak's neck.

Bluntbeak swallowed. "West wind was the word when we left… but it is a different day now." He resisted the urge to turn around, lest this invite a preemptive thrust of the spear into his neck. Instead he forced himself to smile, "We did snag one of the rainbowfaces. That counts for something, right?"

"Stand down, Blass," another hidden runner said, coming up behind the less than impressed sentry. He turned to Bluntbeak. "It's amazing nothing has killed you yet, my friend. Your scouting skills have somehow gotten worse."

Bluntbeak allowed himself to release the breath that he had been holding. His arms soon followed. "I suppose that is why Wrok promoted me. When you are a messenger you are expected to be seen."

He then looked at the other hidden runner. "We had some trouble returning, but our trouble was rewarded." He then gestured for Narfa and Logos to move forward.

The two sentries stared at Logos in shock. "You were telling the truth," Blass said dumbly.

The rainbowface seemed less than amused by this turn of events, but kept her expression neutral. Bluntbeak momentarily wondered if they all were being sized up as well.

This might be just the break that we need. With both Questor and us having one of the rainbowfaces, this will show to everyone that Fate has left Ignis. Then, with Fate's good graces, we can finish off Questor once Ignis is out of the way. Bluntbeak smiled as he thought about what had transpired over the last night and morning. Now all they had to do is show Wrok their handiwork and to let their leader do the rest.

Bluntbeak looked back to make sure the rainbowface was still in place. He didn't need to look back for his comrade to already know what was on his mind.

"Should I escort you, sir?"

Bluntbeak nodded. "That might be for the best, my friend. If we lose her, then I think Wrok would skin us both alive."

To this Narfa and the other hidden runner both let out amused snorts, whereas Logos remained silent. Only her stoic walk to a place behind the as of yet unnamed hidden runner that Bluntbeak called his friend indicated that she was listening to the proceedings.

"Um… Logos, this is Kanohi," Bluntbeak awkwardly stammered before nodding at his friend.

"Pleased to meet you," Kanohi said, his tone making it clear he was telling the truth.

As if to complete the cycle of awkwardness, Logos gave the hidden runner a polite nod. Though her eyes glistened with an indecipherable emotion. "Pleasure to meet you, Kanohi. Though… I wish it was under better circumstances, I appreciate the lack of attempted murder from your people. That is more than I can say of Questor's ghouls."

Bluntbeak felt her words like a slap to the face. It was simultaneously a compliment and a not-so-veiled implication. "We are not like Questor and his ilk, Messenger of the Valley. I am sure you will find Wrok most agreeable, even if your stay here is not entirely voluntary."

The look that he received from her almost made him cringe. "The valley has two messengers, Messenger of Wrok. I trust both you and him will find our messages much more agreeable if we both remain unharmed." She then nodded at Kanohi. "Please lead the way."

Bluntbeak merely gestured for Kanobi to do as the rainbowface requested. Now she is testing our limits… interesting.

Kanohi stayed where he was for a moment before slowly heading towards the route he knew. "Everyone, follow me quietly," he said, looking at Bluntbeak as he said it.

Bluntbeak rolled his eyes before doing as Kanohi directed. Yeah… yeah… enjoy the rank reversal while you can, my friend.

The trio followed Kanohi's lead with as much silence as they could muster as the dense vegetation of the jungle gradually transitioned into the slightest of hills. This manifested upon Bluntbeak and Logos's weary feet as a gradual decrease in moisture. At the same time the silent harbingers of a mobile pack began to make itself known: spears embedded into the ground as prepared weapon stores, vines being nearly hung from branches in preparation for tying, and the periodic emission of clicks as scouts presumably noted their passage through their zones of control. The only affirmation of emotion that emanated from the trio was the noticeable flinch from Logos as they passed one stockpile of spears.

Bluntbeak allowed himself the slightest of smirks. Yes, that is right. You probably gave that knowledge to the valley before we borrowed it, hmmm? Well… thanks anyway. Fate knows I would be long dead if it wasn't for pointed sticks.

Up ahead, Kanohi subtly grabbed his wrist and flexed his hand three times, which was immediately reciprocated by another hidden runner Bluntbeak hadn't even seen until just then.

Show off, Bluntbeak silently grumbled.

The trio continued on through the latest cohort of scouts, which, much to Bluntbeak's amusement, seemed to have forgotten their duties to some extent upon seeing the rainbowface that they had in tow. Gone were the careful glances and hidden faces and in their place were shocked looks and whispered mutterings among the scouts stationed in the bushes.

"I guess you're a hero now," Kanohi said,

Bluntbeak nodded slightly as he watched the surprised faces as he walked past. We nearly missed her and walked past her… an odd accomplishment to become a hero for.

"Better not make a habit of it or Wrok might make you lead scout or something," Kanohi said with a laugh.

Bluntbeak snorted before giving his friend a slight smile. "In that case I would tell him it was all Narfa's work."

As he did so, however, he saw a very welcome sight. Now it was his turn to give a comrade the supposed signal of the day. Hello, Greenshade. Look what we dragged in.

"Glad to see..." Greenshade trailed off as her eyes locked on who was right next to Bluntbeak.

Greenshade froze for several moments before the target of her attention finally broke the silence. "Hello."

That was when Greenshade raised her spear.

Bluntbeak froze in an instant, surprised by the hostile gesture. In that instant all appeared to freeze in place as his comrade prepared to attack the captured rainbowface. In the moment that followed Bluntbeak was unsure what his body was doing as it seemed to move of its own volition, hurling himself into Logos and driving her towards the ground. It was then that he heard Greenshade yell.

"Everyone down!"

The swoosh of the spear sailing in the air then followed before it was joined by the pained scream of a hidden runner. A hidden runner that was neither himself nor Kanohi.

It was then that his brain decided to work again as he looked at where the spear now lay embedded in a hidden runner. A hidden runner which he did not recognize. A hidden runner which Greenshade had just killed before they presumably could do the same.

"They must have tracked us!" Kanohi yelled.

"We've got incoming across the river!" someone else yelled in a panicked scream. He was then joined by several scouts as they hurled themselves into the river, presumably to meet the thread headon.

"Sigh… it looks like the battle decided to follow me," Logos muttered dejectedly. For once Bluntbeak could not disagree with her sentiments.

That was when the alert calls began.

Thank you for the reviews, everyone! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the new chapter.

The Mr. E: Thank you very much for the review! To answer your question, the hidden runners in the TV series and also in this story are Troodons. It was somewhat of a challenge to show things from the hatchling's point of view, but I am glad that it turned out well.

gordhanx: Thank you for the detailed reviews, as always. It will be interesting to see how the bellydragger alliance works out going forward. It really shows how unorthodox Littlefoot's plan is here. It will certainly surprise the attackers that Questor has lying in wait, but it will be surprising for a valid reason - it is more or less considered to be a crazy plan. As for Mender's scenes, I am glad that you enjoyed those. I quite enjoyed exploring the new little family and how they have bonded to their adopted mother. I look forward to hearing your thoughts about the new chapter.

graystripe: We will just have to see what happens to the rainbowfaces... right now both Chronos and Logos have their own struggles ahead. As for how heavy Chronos is, he would be about the average for his assigned species of Gallimimus, so around 900 lbs or 440 kilograms.