Mender's Tale

by The Rhombus

Based upon a roleplay with Historian1912 and set in the Seven Hunters continuity. Mender has the reputation as being the best healer in the Mysterious Beyond, helping all who require it, but that was not always the case. Follow Mender as she recalls how a lowly fastbiter eventually found her place in life once she met a most unusual pack. This is Mender's Tale.

29. Chapter 24: Arrivals

-v-

Chapter 24: Arrivals

"Be wary of using the adage 'it is always good to be home again' or 'it is good to be home' when in the presence of an Atani. They only go home to mate and die."

Excerpt from 'Avoiding Diplomatic Misunderstandings in Consortium Core Worlds'

---

The present, Seeker's territory:

Pounce was nearly beside himself with anticipation as Leap repeated the fading words of the song's chorus. Now that the flyer had figured out there was a healer in the area, he had no doubt that the climax of the story would soon be at hand. He subconsciously leaned forward to listen closely to what Leap would say next.

He saw his sister's tail only a moment before it collided with his knees. His face met the ground a second later.

"Sis!"

Gyors stifled a laugh. Back home, a stunt like that would've likely started a scuffle.

As if to prove his point, Pounce turned around with a mischievous glint in his eyes and a telling twitch of his tail. He had his annoying sister squarely in his sight.

Until Leap's foot interrupted his view.

"And that concludes the song, children! That is how Mender became a well-known name in the Mysterious Beyond."

Gyors watched for a moment as Pounce's face contorted into an amusing cascade of emotions. First righteous fury at his sister, then disappointment at his attack being impeded, and then sudden shock at Leap's words. The battle was forgotten as quickly as it had begun.

"What do you mean that is the song?" Ambush protested, saving her brother the trouble.

"Yeah, who did Nunti tell?" Pounce added as he turned to face the adult fastbiter.

Leap's eyes twinkled a bit as his tail twisted into a smile. "Well… if you all want to find out then I guess you little ones will just have to stick around for tomorrow's song then, won't you?"

"Of course we will," Ungu said, looking meaningfully at her brother.

Gyors blinked with his good eye as he met his sister's gaze. "Yeah…"

Biter, meanwhile, tilted his head in a jocular manner. "You're doing this to keep us from going adventuring, aren't you?"

Leap could only roll his eyes and sigh at the question from the pack leader's son before he quipped back. "And will it work?"

The little assembly of little fastbiters and sharptooth flyers all looked at one another as if they were debating the matter silently. As they did this Leap could only imagine the 'legendary' Great Valley meetings that his packmates had so often satirized in their songs.

Suddenly Biter rose with purpose as he proceeded to step forward. This only lasted for a few moments, however, before he groaned and sat down.

That's when Nibble stood up.

"We will not go adventuring... If we can hear a bit more of the next song before dinner."

Leap stared at the little ball of fluff with an amused smile. "So you beat Biter in the latest spar for top little biter, hmm?" Biter's tail twitched in annoyance as Leap considered the matter. "Well… alright… perhaps a few more verses before dinner…"

The roar of satisfied chirps and screeches from the younglings was almost deafening as Leap sat back down, a laugh escaping his mouth.

"Alright, so where was I…"

Screech!

Ungu looked towards the direction of the call with concern. With everything that had happened lately, she was almost expecting bad news.

Leap, however, saw Petrie sink once after he made the call before doing a controlled spin. The group was accounted for. The group was here.

He turned towards the children, his focus on the two guests in the group. "It looks like your parents have arrived, little ones. Should we see if they need any help?"

The stampede of little bodies that ran around him and proceeded to sail over his head was answer enough. The refugees had arrived.

---

"Urgh… my ears…"

Staza could feel the commotion on her back as the weight suddenly lightened before returning to the usual sensation of five children resting on their assigned places. It was only then that she felt one of their number, Lula, based upon where she was situated, walk closer to the front of her back. That was when her voice confirmed her identity.

"Mommy, why did Spotter screech?"

"He's letting everyone know we're here," Staza explained, "That way nobody panics when they see us."

"Like what happened to you, Daddy, and Aunt Mender back when you were in the same pack?" Sana's voice asked.

"Somebody has been paying attention to their songs," Mender half-teased as she nodded at the children assembled on her friend's back before turning towards one of the hidden runners, "Okay, Althos, put the stick away. We are in safe territory now, and we don't want any misunderstandings."

Staza watched as the hidden runner hesitantly aimed the sharpened stick towards the ground. After such a desperate journey to do such a thing almost felt like an invitation for trouble.

"Is everyone alright back there?"

Staza turned towards where the new voice came from as Orchid appeared in view. To no one's surprise his main focus was on the few younglings that had survived their pack's decimation. The careful glance that he gave the other fastrunner in the group was not lost on her. He wanted to make sure that he was as far away from Ovie and her eggs as possible. She could only assume Verant's stern gaze had seen to that.

"Well, we made it," Staza said, sighing in relief.

Verant sighed before allowing himself to relax slightly. "A lot of us didn't."

Staza nuzzled her mate, gladly leaning in when he returned it. Unfortunately, her children decided they wanted a change of scenery. Here we go again, she thought as she felt more than saw Sana leap for his father's back.

The male snorted in amusement as he felt some of the little ones misjudge the jump and nearly fall to the ground below. But the fact that he could only feel three bodies on his back and see two of his beloved children on his mate's back made the reality of the situation hit hard.

Gyors and Ungu were not here. And Gyors had been grievously injured.

"Mommy! Daddy!"

Verant nearly bowled over as Ungu's voice interrupted whatever guilty thoughts threatened to drag him down. As soon as Ungu's violet form appeared through the grass, however, both parents became aware that they had lost their previous cargo. The children were not going to wait for the 'okay' before they greeted their brother and sister.

Ungu nearly had to jump to avoid being tackled by the excited siblings.

Staza smiled at the sight before realizing someone was missing. "Ungu, where's Gyors?" she asked calmly, refusing to let herself sound worried.

Ungu's head finally appeared between the assemblage of scaled bodies around her. Her expression, much to Staza and Verant's relief, did not radiate fear or grief. Rather, it radiated confusion.

"He was with me a moment ago…"

It was then that Staza noticed Mender at her side. Her scent clearly indicated concern, a scent that she had grown used to smelling back when they were packmates.

"Where could..." Staza began.

But Mender then interrupted, "Gyors, is that you behind there?"

"Hi," Gyors said, barely peeking out from behind a tree, acting uncharacteristically shy.

Mender turned ever so slightly as she shared a knowing look with Staza. They had seen this kind of behavior before when a certain other biter blamed herself for injuries. As Gyors' siblings mobbed him and the sound of more fastbiter feet could be heard in the distance, Staza knew that she would have to give someone a talk quite soon.

She knew all too well that it made no sense to blame yourself for the actions of others.

That was when a loud yelp was heard. It was an alert call.

Ducky and Spike both stepped forward in front of the group before giving a yelp of their own. It was only then that their packmates appeared through the tall grass. The required formalities had been attended to.

Littlefoot was the first to step forward, his gaze firmly focused on Staza and Verant. "My friends, it has been a long time since we have met in person. I only wish that this meeting were under better circumstances." He then allowed his gaze to shift to the hidden runners and fastrunner in the distance. "You all have our deepest condolences. Rest assured we will do all that we can to make sure you overcome this terrible tragedy."

The hidden runners, still haunted by their ordeal and weak from their journey, appeared to consider the new fastbiter in welcome silence. As if to express the thoughts of their ragged band, Althos nodded his head at the fastbiter before laying his stick on the ground. The gesture spoke for itself. We are at your mercy.

It was then that Verant stepped forward and nodded respectfully at the pack leader. "You have already helped us more than we could repay." His gaze shifted to his two wayward children amongst the now expansive mob of fastbiter children. Only Gyors and Ungu accepted being surrounded by the others, as the other five kept to a grouping of their own. "Forgive me, but may I..."

Littlefoot quickly nodded and waved him off, being just as glad to forego the formalities and just as understanding of the desire to check on one's beloved children. "Pack, let us see what we can do to help!"

That was all the invitation the others needed as the pack intermingled with the survivors, quickly following the suggestions of the two packmates who had joined in the rescue mission. But as Ducky, Spike, and even Orchid were put on the spot by the pack, Staza and her mate had a decidedly different focus. It was one that any parent would understand.

"Are you feeling alright?" Staza asked, making a point to get a good look at her son's injury. Other than the obvious problem that his eye is gone, it looks like everything has been healing alright. Mender really lived up to her name this time.

Gyors appeared to flinch under his mother's scrutiny as he answered in a meek voice, "I'm okay…"

This made Ungu grow concerned as she ran over. "Do you need a new pain leaf? We could have Swipe get one; she is fast!"

Gyors' eyes went wide. "No!" he practically squeaked before regaining his composure, "I'm fine!"

After this exclamation, however, he was now surrounded on both sides by concerned faces as both the pack's children and his own siblings inspected him on either side with his parents examining him from the front. His attempt to put on a strong front had backfired.

"Don't worry; he's fine. He just doesn't like the leaves because they make him tired," Mender said reassuringly.

Verant appeared to consider this information as he tilted his head and laid a reassuring hand on the back of his son's head. "There is nothing wrong with admitting you are in pain, son. Do you need one of those leaves?"

Glad Verant said that. Gyors wouldn't believe it coming from me, Staza thought.

Gyors sighed before he reluctantly spoke. "I am fine for now… but I might need one soon."

Mender quickly procured a leaf from a collection that was secured to her arm by a vine. In an action that was as cute as it was disarming of Gyors' attempt of showing strength she wrapped a leaf around one of his little claws.

"Aunt Mender!"

The purple fastbiter could only smirk at his indignation. "That is my name."

"Mendsy!" came a distant shout.

"Shut up, Taunt," Mender said under her breath as she rolled her eyes. Much to her patient's relief, however, the children were now preoccupied by laughter and not showing pity at their injured comrade. It was something that Staza noticed immediately.

Just like his father.

Staza frowned for a moment. How could they deal with this without hurting her son's pride?

It was only when she directed Gyors onto his father's back that she realized that she had an idea. "Gyors, how about we check on your hidden runner friends? I'm sure they would like to see that you are okay," she then changed tone ever so slightly, "And I am sure the pack's children would love to get to know all of you as well." In Staza-speak that was not a request.

Gyors' siblings froze as they looked at the other fastbiter children. They had been quite open to befriending the hidden runner children and had even rushed to spy on Petrie, but that was before the attack. But if their mother said they were okay…

The two little groups of younglings began to sniff one another in the fastbiter manner, both greeting and interrogating each other through the scent that transcended all others. Only Ungu appeared to not join in the festivities, deciding to watch her brother closely. It was only when Gyors gave a somewhat polite, yet also somewhat arrogant, dismissing nod that Ungu laughed and turned back towards the others.

"Okay, everyone, here are some of my new friends. This is Biter… but don't worry he doesn't bite much… and this is Pounce…"

Within a few moments bother parents were alone with their injured son as they slowly made the journey towards the hidden runners.

It was then that the little biter was nuzzled by both parents.

"Mom! Dad!"

"Whining can't save you now!" Verant teased as Staza gave her son one final nudge before turning her gaze forward towards her destination.

"So now that none of your brothers and sisters can see you…" Staza spoke softly, "How are you really feeling, son?"

Gyors sighed. "I'm fine, Mom. I mean, it hurts. And I can't see anything on that side… and Ungu will not let me have any fun in the spars. But I'm alive."

"Being alive is a rather low boulder to jump over, son," Verant noted.

It was then that the facade finally broke, if ever so slightly. "Dad…"

Staza stopped for a moment as Verant leaned to nuzzle both of them in the predatory version of a group embrace. It was only then that Staza felt the slightest bit of moisture against her back. My poor, poor Gyors…

"I missed you," Gyors finally admitted, "Mender helped me, but it hurt so bad…"

"Is it hurting badly now?" Staza asked, indicating the leaf Gyors still had with him.

Gyors nodded slightly. "I wanted to sit through all of Leap's story, because it was so good… and then you all came. I just hate how it makes me feel."

Staza cocked her head as she continued to move forward. "Is it worse than hurting?"

Gyors hesitated. "Well, no…"

It was then that Verant tapped his son's claw to remind him that the no pain leaf was still secured to him. "Son, there is nothing wrong with admitting you are hurt. That is how we get help from others."

"But you never ask for help," Gyors protested.

Staza turned her head to give Verant a knowing look.

Verant sighed. "Sometimes, son, I might be more stubborn than I need to be. That doesn't mean that you have to be like that. Especially not while you are young."

He tapped the no pain leaf again. "Sometimes it is stronger to admit that you need help."

Staza watched her son for the next several moments as he looked at the leaf contemplatively. Hesitantly, and with distinct slowness, he carefully removed the leaf from his claw. Then, with a preemptive grimace, he threw the pungent plant into his mouth, nearly retching at the taste for several moments. When he finally sent the nasty concoction of medicine and saliva towards his gizzard it was a merciful end to the part of the process that he had to actually taste.

The fatigue, waking sleep stories, and stupor would come later.

Both parents nuzzled him again. This time he did not protest.

---

Petrie watched the display in the distance in solemn silence. Though the reunion was a reminder of hopeful possibilities, it was also a hint of what could be lost.

So much had been lost already.

The sound of booming footsteps let him know that he had company well before the massive sharptooth's shadow appeared like the Night Circle eclipsing the Bright Circle.

"It is only a matter of time before the battle comes to us."

Petrie narrowed his eyes at Chomper's words. "It already have."

There was no answer for a moment as Petrie allowed himself to get lost in the scene playing before him. But as the ground shook and the shadow shifted, he realized that his friend had settled in to a lounging recline against the ground.

Chomper's breath came out in a gruff exhalation. "You know what I mean. Those who did this will know that we will respond in some way. And the best defense is a good offense."

Petrie turned his head to look into the fearsome red orbs that his friend had for eyes, "Do you think Wrok stupid enough to attack us directly?"

Chomper did not blink. "Not until he has us where he wants us."

This finally made the flyer groan as he wrapped his wing around his head for a moment in annoyance. He did not just go through several days of acting as a go-between, calling in favors all across the Mysterious Beyond, and use every ally at his disposal to enhance the pack's defenses just to have Chomper of all people speak in what he often called 'mystery talk'.

"No offense, Path, but could you get to the point?"

He was merely greeted by a snort by the massive predator, but he quickly obliged. "When we hunt what is the first thing that we do?"

Petrie did not hesitate as he rattled off the catechism that he had his own children memorize, "First, find and identify prey. Second, find and identify escape routes. Third, lead the prey to where there is no escape. Fourth, kill."

Chomper nodded. "I hope that we can stop Wrok before he gets to step three."

The flyer blinked as the currents in his mind began to coalesce in a steady stream, like a thermal appearing in the morning breeze. There had been the attack by Questor's pack, which carrion flyers had informed him involved Wrok in some way. There had been the chronic harassment attacks on the refugees even after the left the claimed territory. And then there was the discovery of a conspirator of Wrok's in the valley… where more obviously remained unseen. What was Wrok's endgame? Was it limited to disrupting Ignis's alliances so that he could make a move on the ultimate prize… or something more extensive?

Both predators watched the rest of the pack as the hidden runner refugees began to hungrily rip into the pack's latest hunt. The two-day old corpse of a fallen spiketail. A spiketail that still bore the wounds of spear strikes in all directions. In the end he could not defend against what he could not see. A situation that now seemed to hit close to home.

Petrie frowned. Me never did like being the prey.

---

The valley:

The dark expanse of the cavern extended in all directions, as the slightest tendrils of light from cracks in the rock wall gave the scene the only source of light. The slightest hint of movement appeared against one of the numerous stalactites on the cave's ceiling. That was the only hint that another flyer was eavesdropping on the private meeting between the domehead and Wrok's flyer emissary. It was an action of stealth that even Petrie would have applauded.

But at this moment Cloud was not thinking about his brother. He was more concerned about staying alive and remaining unseen.

Cloud kept himself hidden, or at least the best that he could. This would be so much easier in the trees, he thought. The same darkness that was keeping him hidden was making it hard to navigate. If I'm not careful I'll fly right into them if I don't fly into a wall first.

"I think we have gone far enough. No one will hear us here."

The domehead's voice broke through the silence of the cave like a rock falling into a stream. A voice that was as undisciplined as it was distinct. The clicking of a beak was a very clear hint of what kind of response he would receive.

"Oh? Is that so? My speaker, and your ally, is not inclined to follow your wisdom. Your wisdom has left him a beak short with nothing to show for it."

Able to hear reasonably well, Cloud landed and kept still rather than risk his movement being heard.

"What do you mean?" the domehead's voice practically squeaked at the flyer's tone.

The tone in question did not soften. "Hano should be delivering this message, but he did not return. My leader's first question is: where is he?"

Apparently he's in more than one place now, Cloud thought grimly, Now we know for sure we got the traitor.

There was silence for a moment as the domehead, still unseen in the darkness, searched for the right words.

"How would I know that? Domeheads cannot fly."

"Yes… yes… but they can lie, can they not?" Cloud could imagine the other flyer leaning in as he posed this question.

There was an exasperated snort. "Would we risk the well-being of our herd to help you just to spread lies? You have no idea what we are risking to end this horrid alliance!"

The flyer was unimpressed. "You risk much… assuming that your two herds are not playing a double game."

Two herds? Cloud thought, I guess the domeheads are one herd, but who's the other one? Is it the entire herd or just part of it?

The domehead's eyes went wide for a moment before settling into a barely concealed sneer, "My herd risks much. The horn-faces will need convincing, as you already know, you insufferable beak-face!"

The flyer's glare somehow shined through the darkness of the cavern, "And I take it that our friend among them still lacks the nerve to take care of our little problem?"

So they've got a friend among the threehorns. We've got to figure out who that. The more Cloud heard, the less he liked what he was hearing.

The domehead's next words were muttered in a barely audible protest. "Topps is many things, but he is not a little problem. He will be taken care of soon."

This could be a problem, Cloud thought, I guess we'll need to have some flyers watching Topps for awhile.

The flyer nodded. "See to it that is the case. Or perhaps information of this… chat could find its way to interested ears."

"You wouldn't dare!" All pretenses of putting on a calm facade for Wrok's messenger was gone as flyer's words gripped his throat like an invisible claw striking in the night. "We are in this together!"

The flyer shrugged. "Are we? In any case, we all knew from the beginning this was a mating of convenience. If Wrok cannot knock the valley out of this by turning them against the alliance then… well…" He began to inspect his talons. "Turning the valley on itself would be an acceptable outcome."

The domehead spit on the ground. "My leader was an idiot for agreeing to this! You insolent…"

"He was," the flyer agreed, cutting off the domehead with a wave of his wing, "but now you have no choice but to play along, don't you?"

Cloud shook his head at the scene before him. It sounds like it shouldn't be too hard to convince those working with Wrok to stop working with him if we get figure out who the leaders are. Apparently Wrok doesn't believe in making friends. Either that, or this guy isn't very good at his job.

The domehead stared at the flyer for several long moments before looking down in defeat. He knew that the herd had little choice at this point.

"What are Wrok's orders?"

Cloud turned his head in order to take in every word.

"A plan is already is in motion as we speak. When the time comes, and you will now when it does, do your best to convince the valley to strike back."

Cloud's eyes went wide. What?"

"What?" the domehead echoed in an uncomprehending deadpan, "Your brilliant leader's plan to keep us out of the battle is to bring us into the battle?"

The flyer shrugged. "The fact that you do not understand his plan is of no concern of him. His concern is that you do your job."

The domehead practically roared, "We didn't agree to this to be your lackey, flyer! We did this to be free of this unnatural, disgusting arrangement! How does this do that?"

"How will the alliance with Ignis fare once the valley rampages against them?" the flyer muttered in a low voice.

"It would be dead!" the domehead growled.

"Exactly," the flyer affirmed as if that explained everything, "So everything will be as it should be. What happens once the hidden runners and valley are no longer allies, well… my leader is willing to let Fate decide."

If that isn't incredibly vague, I don't know what is, Cloud thought, We could end up with bigger problems in the future than we already have now.

"I trust that my message will be relayed?" the flyer finally asked, "I have more messages to deliver, you know."

"It will be delivered," the domehead said in a light whisper.

The flyer nodded. "Good."

And then without a further word, or even the slightest hint of a warning, the flyer jumped down from the top of the cavern and opened his wings, allowing his momentum to bring him into a steep glide. Within mere moments his body disappeared through the opening of the cave and into the welcoming embrace of the star-filled night.

The domehead shook his head as he slowly walked out the cavern. "I hope that you know what you are doing, Nepha. Our herd depends on it."

It was only when the domehead disappeared as well that Cloud let go of a breath that he had no idea he was holding in.

So now what do we do? We can't just confront the domeheads. At best we might get their messenger, but we'd lose any ability to surprise the other conspirators. Ugh. Glad I'm not one of the leaders. Spying like this is hard as it is.

As he flew away he felt as if a massive weight had been placed upon his wings. A weight that would soon be handed off to his superiors. But would that weight eventually drag them all down?

---

Seeker's territory:

"So Arial and I finally compromised. I can add a few snares to stop belly-sliders, but they cannot be high enough that the little ones will get caught."

Orchid watched the demonstration with a modest amount of interest as Nahoda waved his tail in such a manner as to pretend to be a snake. On cue the vine wrapped around its target, tightening quickly until it was inescapable.

"So this is what we will do if a tree-climber belly-slider goes after the eggs. Sometimes you can't see them so…"

Orchid tried to follow along as his sister's mate went on about the strategy involved and how to properly make a snare. Undoubtedly it all was something that could be blamed on the rainbowfaces somehow. But that was when his eyes caught something else.

The older female could barely be seen in the distance, gently swaying over her eggs as she tried to give them just enough heat, but not too much. Against the distant trees she appeared to be as insignificant as an insect, but her beautiful pink feathers made her stand out. If she didn't have eggs then him and her could have been friends…

"Do you want to try it?"

Orchid nearly jumped as Nahoda presented him with a twisted vine. Despite the obviousness of his distraction, he kept up the appearance of someone interested in the conversation.

"Uh… sure. Could you show me how to make this again?"

But his lapse had not escaped the notice of another observer.

---

Orchid, could you be any more obvious? Mender thought.

"Well, it is that season…" Staza muttered as she stopped the conversation mid-sentence and looked over her shoulder briefly before turning back to Mender with the slightest of tail-smiles, "Verant didn't see it so you probably don't need to hide Orchid."

Gyors stirred slightly on her mother's back. "Daddy's good hunter…" but as soon as the word 'hunter' left his beak, he was already back to sleep.

Staza continued to bob her back in a rocking fashion as her son continued to slumber. It was then that she looked at the fastrunner in the distance once more. "At least I still have all of my children… we came so close." The voice was barely a whisper.

"And now everyone's safe. Well, safe as we can be, anyway," Mender replied, "No sense worrying about what could have happened."

Mender tried to pretend that she didn't notice when Staza gave her a knowing look and a curious head-tilt. "I'm more worried about what can still happen. This isn't over."

"We'll figure something out," Mender said, "At worst, there's still plenty of Mysterious Beyond out there."

"To the dung pile with that; if anyone wants our territory, then they can take it from my cold dead claws."

Cera needed no introduction as she walked onto the scene, her eyes quickly scanning the horizon. Her eyes quickly focused on the two fastrunner nests. "We can move, but some of us may not have that opportunity soon."

"Oh, great..." Mender muttered. I wonder... can you make a nest for hatchlings that you can move? What am I thinking? How would you even begin to do that?

It was then that Orchid looked up once more at a certain someone in the distance, before hastily looking away.

Orchid, what are you doing? Did your parents not teach you about dealing with females?

"Anyway, I wanted to let you two know that Seeker is ready for a meeting whenever you are," Cera finally clarified as she followed Mender's gaze, "But there is no rush. Right now Verant is being shown around."

"Examining all possible threats?" Staza muttered with a smirk.

Cera shrugged with amusement. "You know your mate."

"Could you excuse me for a moment?" Mender asked, "There's someone I need to talk to."

Staza and Cera both shared a look before Cera decided to take a page from her mate and mock the situation. "Should we have Cynnil and Buse give him a look over once you're done with him?"

"What?" Mender asked, holding back a laugh, "It's not like I'm talking to the rainbowfaces. I'm only going to talk to him, not eat him."

As Mender proceeded to walk towards the oblivious fastrunner she thought she heard the two other females share a question at her expense.

"Just how close did she get to getting Chronos, anyway?"

The soft banter of her former packmates quickly dissipated however as she quietly, but swiftly, walked through the tall grass that surrounded Nahoda and Arial's future nesting site. The only thing sparing Nahoda and Orchid from a terrifying surprise was the fact that she was upwind.

"Hi, Orchid," Mender said as she walked up to him.

But that did not stop him from looking like a chastised youngling as she grew closer. "Uh, hello, Mender."

Nahoda, on the other hand, did not catch the undertone of the conversation. "Hello, Mender. I was just showing Orchid how we can catch belly-sliders if they go after the nest."

"Interesting," Mender said, glancing at Nahoda's work, "You don't mind if I borrow Orchid for a moment, do you?"

Nahoda shook his head as he gave Orchid a parting nod. Orchid, for his part, hesitated at the summons. But it was not because he was enthralled with Nahoda's discussion on snares.

He could smell when Mender was not pleased about something.

Mender led Orchid a ways away, far enough that no one could overhear what they were saying. To make sure this was the case she kept listening intently for any of the fastbiter younglings that might be playing or hiding nearby.

Orchid, for his part, tried to keep silent but in the end his nerves got the better of him. "I am staying away from her."

"Oh, really?" Mender replied skeptically. I'll give you one chance to tell the truth, Orchid.

Mender could practically hear the fastrunner's heartbeat at this distance, as his breaths became more stressed under her scrutiny. But it was in his eyes that she saw the most telling sign. His eyes refused to full meet hers.

"I…" he began but then stopped. It was only once he took a breath that he resumed again. "I was an idiot, but I know not to get near her. Not while I am a threat to what she holds dear."

"Yet you went to see her late at night while everyone else was either asleep or watching the borders. I'd call that getting close," Mender replied, somewhat angry, "Don't you dare deny it. I saw you."

The fastrunner swallowed hard under the fastbiter's harsh glare. It was only after a few tense seconds that the fastrunner was able to open his beak and speak in a soft voice.

"I… I wanted to make sure she was okay. Something told me that she needed help. There were no other fastrunners in our group so I…" his words began to go faster, "...but it was a mistake. When I saw her eggs… I knew that I had to stay away. She has to stay safe."

The fastrunner was practically quivering now. To Mender's eyes he appeared more like Nahoda when he was about to face her killing blow in that moment than the new packmate she had come to know over the last several days.

"Orchid, do you know what Ovie meant by what she said to you?" Mender asked, hoping to shift Orchid's line of thought.

Orchid's face was blank for several moments. In the tense silence she could again hear the words that were exchanged on that night.

"I'm sorry for upsetting you," Orchid continued as he took a step back and gave the slightest hint of a bow in the hidden runner style. It was given just as awkwardly as he had learned the gesture a mere few weeks before. "Sometimes I can be such an idiot. This was a mistake."

Well, that bow was a mistake. I'm not letting you near another hidden runner pack until we get that right, Mender thought, cringing at what she was able to glimpse. She could only imagine what Ovie had seen.

"I was the one who called you over."

Interesting…

Orchid did not turn around, but raised his beak in acknowledgement. "I know. But not all dangers you can see. And here I am, not knowing what I am doing, sending myself into other people's business."

He turned around to look in the direction of her nest, his expression unseen from Violet's vantage point. When the words left his mouth they almost sounded like they had come out of another dinosaur completely.

"Please do not think ill of me, but I will not approach you again until your children are safe from danger, and from me."

The female stared for a long moment, before walking backwards towards her nest. Her beak was in a stern frown, but her eyes lacked any coldness. "And on that day you will be welcome at my nest, Orchid. Farewell."

Orchid, merely taking this as a polite dismissal and nothing more, nodded and walked away without another word. Within moments the only thing that could be heard was the soft humming of a tune by the female fastrunner as she drifted off to sleep.

Orchid... Mender wanted to slam her head into a tree. We're going to need to talk. Your parents apparently didn't cover this.

When Orchid finally did mutter a response, Mender could not tell if seconds had gone by or minutes. "Uh… she said I was welcome when the kids were old enough. So I guess she was being nice and saying I could be a friend."

"Orchid..." Mender groaned in frustration, even though she knew this was coming.

Orchid, for his part, tilted his head in confusion.

"Orchid, did your parents teach you anything about the buzzers and the flyers?" And would someone please explain to me where that expression came from? Mender thought.

If Orchid had appeared afraid before, now he appeared outright embarrassed. Never before had she seen a fastrunner appear to shrink into the tall grass. "They, uh, told me that instincts would tell me what to do."

"That's a small part of it, and it would be fine if you met someone in a Cold Time and got to know her, but that's not going to help with talking to one, especially not during a Time of Mating," Mender said, trying to not let her frustration show too much.

Orchid rubbed his head crest awkwardly. "Well… I know the story about how Mom and Dad met, so I just assumed it would be like that."

"I'm not entirely sure what that was like, but not everyone meets in the same way. My parents met due to my mom and her aunt joining my dad's pack. My dad was a lot older than my mom, while most of the pairs in the pack were the close to the same age, so I know that's not entirely normal," Mender replied, "I didn't really get a chance to learn how to attract a mate from my parents, and I probably will never get a chance to try, but I definitely wouldn't have any chance with a fastbiter that knows what things are supposed to mean without also knowing those meanings. Does that make any sense?"

Orchid blinked. "So I couldn't just tell a girl that I like, that I like her? I mean… it seems to have worked for Nahoda."

"Nahoda almost became breakfast," Mender said, tail-smiling a bit, "Are you sure you want to follow his example?"

At this point the fastrunner was utterly lost and longing for anything that would make this disturbing conversation end. "What does all of this have to do with Ovie?"

"I guess I'll have to just say it. She likes you, Orchid," Mender said, "She's not opposed to you trying to convince her you'd be a good mate." It's a good thing she didn't consider abandoning her eggs or else we'd be finding pieces of you all throughout the territory with how much trouble moving the eggs was for Verant and the others.

As Mender watched Orchid's expression as it went from disbelief, to disbelief, to… okay, it wasn't changing. It almost appeared as if the fastrunner were frozen in time and place.

"She does?" he squeaked in an unbeliving voice.

"Yes, Orchid," Mender said, "That's what Ovie meant by what she said."

Orchid opened his beak before closing it with an audible click. "I'm such an idiot." He then peered his head to the side, and Mender knew exactly who he was trying to catch sight of.

Mender shifted to block Orchid's view of Ovie then shoved her head really close to Orchid as if snapping at him but keeping her mouth shut. "You know that instinct thing, Orchid?"

Orchid, still freaked out by Mender's reaction, merely nodded silently as he tried to move backwards from the predator who was now staring at him eye to eye..

"This is one of those things," Mender explained, "You're not exactly subtle."

Orchid continued to step backwards for a moment before he again rubbed his head crest in embarrassment. "So, um… I should probably keep my distance until next Warm Time." His eyes went wide. "I mean… not that I would… but if I would, then…"

Mender tilted her head with more than little amusement as she placed her arms at her sides in an almost parental display of disapproval.

"I will go check on the hidden runner kids now," Orchid finally whispered in a defeated voice. It was obvious the reality of the situation was still registering in the overwhelmed fastrunner's mind. He only paused for a moment to make sure there was no protest from the fastbiter, and then he took off in a headlong sprint that almost enticed Mender to give chase.

But Orchid had suffered enough.

That probably could have gone better, Mender thought, At least he listened. I guess I shouldn't complain too much. With everything that has happened lately, this being my most pressing problem at the moment is something of a relief. Seriously… why didn't his parents cover this?

Mender shook her head as she rubbed her beak contemplatively.

And now there is the matter of what happens now. With Wrok and Questor going after Ignis, I suspect this is not the last that we will hear...

The rustling of the grass interrupted her thoughts. Something was rapidly approaching.

Slightly startled, Mender turned towards the noise faster than was entirely warranted.

"Hey, Mender? Is Orchid alright? He sped by us faster than Breeze on a hunt!" Spike's voice suddenly penetrated the silence as he appeared through the grass.

"He's fine. There were just a few things his parents hadn't taught him," Mender replied, "I'm not exactly the best teacher, either."

Spike continued to look behind him, as if following something in the distance. "You didn't teach him that claws are sharp, did you? Anyway… everyone has been gathered. Seeker is about to call the meeting."

Mender looked at Spike with a confused expression. "Okay..." I'm not part of the pack anymore, so what do they need me there for? Especially coming to find me... that's kinda odd.

"Our messenger came back… the one that 'works' for Wrok, but actually works for us. And he said that he has information that you need to hear."

"Me?" Now Mender was even more confused.

"You," Spike reiterated, "So I can only imagine this involves orders from Ignis to your pack, or…"

"Or there's another situation that needs a healer," Mender finished for him, "Great..."

Spike nodded.

Mender sighed before holding up her head up with resolve, "Well, let's go. If someone is sick, then I can't keep them waiting."

Spike didn't need to reply as Mender was already in a fast trot. Instead he merely fell in behind her as they both proceeded towards the pack's usual meeting site. Soon they would know what fate had brought to them.

---

Ignis's territory:

"You do realize if anyone sees this then it will be one of the worst acts of cultural contamination this planet has ever seen."

The male rainbowface continued his rowing motion without interruption as his makeshift oar helped to steady their crude vessel. A hollowed out log that barely approximated even the most basic of seacraft. "Worse than showing Spotter spears?"

"No, but…" his mate protested as she too rowed on the other side.

"Worse than 'accidently' showing them basic medical techniques?"

"Chronos…"

"Worse than helping to facilitate an alliance that is reminiscent of something out of twenty-eighth century Xerian diplomacy?"

Bonk!

The oar temporarily found a new home against Chronos's skull before returning it to the water. It had only enough force to make a noise, but it was enough to finally shut him up.

"And before you go on, dear, I am well aware that those children long ago used logs in a similar way," Logos began.

"They're not children anymore," he retorted.

"Irrelevant, dear. And I get that this is safer than going over land. But you have to agree that this is a step above what Seeker and his friends accomplished as kids."

Both of them ducked to avoid a tree branch that crossed over into the stream at near head level. As Logos raised her head, she continued.

"So it will be for the best to make sure none of the hidden runners see this."

Chronos gave his mate a wry look. "No, really, dear? I thought giving them the possibility of naval warfare early would be a fine idea."

Bonk!"

After the oar again found its target, Logos gave her mate a smile as he gave her an exasperated glare.

"So we are agreed that once we skuttle this log that we will make sure no one sees us using it? In particular no one in a species that might be edging towards a regional civil war?"

"You're a cold female, Logos," Chronos mocked as he attempted to return the favor with his oar, only to be stopped by a block from the aforementioned female.

Logos smiled. "Of course I am. I came from an ice planet."

It was at this point the battle of the oars began.

---

What is going on? Trovu wondered, hearing some rather odd sounds coming from the river. Carefully, he peered out from some bushes to actually see the water.

Bonk!

"Ha! Gotcha!"

Trovu silently observed as the most absurd scene came before his eyes. Despite having some difficulty in processing what he was seeing, he willed himself to focus. He was a scout, and that was his duty.

But never before had his duty required him to watch rainbowfaces floating in a log down the river, while engaging in melee combat with what looked like sticks with crudely flattened ends.

Bonk!

"Oof!"

"Pride come before the fall, Chronos!"

This is probably the strangest thing I have ever seen, Trovu thought, These are the rainbowfaces? I guess you do have to be kinda crazy to come up with the stuff they have.

"Psst.. what is that, Trovu?"

Trovu jerked Vulan's head down roughly to keep him from being seen. "Quiet, you idiot," Trovu hissed, "And don't move."

Vulan did as he was told as the elder scout peered over the bushes which served as their cover and announced his report, "That is them. The rainbowfaces. Those rainbowfaces."

Vulan's beak quivered. "The messengers of Fate?"

"Yes, those two. You notice that thing they're on? The weird log?" Trovu whispered, trying to keep his voice from carrying.

Vulan nodded and gave an affirmative click with his beak. He could barely notice anything else. Well, besides the two rainbowfaces playfully fighting on top of it.

"Go alert the others so they can examine it. It might be useful to the Great Leader," Trovu ordered.

Vulan looked at Trovu in shock. "But how can we examine it if they are in it? Are we going to throw them out of it? That would be suicide! They would kill us with their rainbowface…" He was cut off as his counterpart grabbed his beak.

"We wait until they get off of it, you idiot. They're supposed to arrive here soon, aren't they?" Trovu glared at his counterpart, How did this guy survive to adulthood?

Vulan nodded. It wasn't like he could do anything else with his beak forced shut.

Trovu heard as much as saw the log ground itself on the riverbank. "Go. Now!"

Vulan needed no further prompting before he took off in a blur of movement out of the bushes. Now Trovu was alone to watch the rainbowfaces "hide" their log.

"We should have gone aground sooner than this! Someone could have seen us."

"Well, I would have let you know, dear, but someone seemed content to bop me on the head!"

"Oh, you enjoyed it!"

"That's besides the point!"

Eventually the rainbowfaces pushed the heavy log some distance onto the riverbank, just far enough to not be taken by the waves. But enough distance to make it look like a mere log that had been dragged along by the waves. An odd log, but a log nonetheless. It would have worked had they not had an audience.

Trovu carefully slipped away, noting where the log had been hidden. His job was done.

---

The hidden runner took a deep breath as the hard edges of her scrape threatened to dig into her bones. Or at least that was what her nerves were telling her. But despite their protests of discomfort she had more worrisome concerns to deal with.

It was days like this that made the scrape feel more like a tomb than a stable place to sit.

Three two-footers dead. An entire fastbiter pack destroyed. What is the game you are playing, Wrok? Or… is this Questor's work? It is rash enough to be an act of desperation, but… Ignis rubbed her head in frustration, I sense something more here… if this is what he is showing, then what is he not showing?

"Great Leader, the rainbowfaces have arrived," a slightly nervous assistant said, not entirely used to announcing special visitors.

Ignis looked up at the assistant with a cold, impassive expression. At first she was surprised to see anyone but her First Assistant delivering such news, but she quickly remembered that Dravos told her that Penol was dealing with family business. Her appearance quickly softened slightly as she gave the assistant a slight wave of her hand. "Thank you, assistant. Please see them in."

"Yes, ma'am," the assistant said before departing then, once out of sight, hurrying outside to retrieve the rainbowfaces.

The Great Leader leaned back on her scrape as she folded her hands in front of her. At least the alliance is stable. Now let's see what assistance the valley is prepared to offer.

It did not take long before the murmuring from the others in the chamber began to grow louder in anticipation of the two well-known guests. They were of course not as large and imposing to the younglings as a longneck, or as concerning to the security as a threehorn, or as surprising as a two-footer, but what the rainbowfaces lacked in imposing physicality they more than made up for in sheer exoticness.

She leaned forward as the rainbow-colored beaks appeared through the detail of guards at the cavern entrance. As much as she would refrain from breaking protocol, part of her looked forward to the diplomatic meetings with the rainbowfaces.

One never knew when they would give the most useful information.

The clicking of feet behind her made her look at her two counterparts.

"Viscond, please keep an eye on the guards if Chronos spooks them again."

Her mate tilted his head ever so slightly. "Like if he decides to show us a new sharp stick by bringing it into the…"

Ignis nodded. "And Left Claw?"

Ignis did not look away from the advancing rainbowfaces as Dravos bowed his head slightly. "Great Leader?"

Ignis did not move a muscle. "Observe. I expect your report when they are gone."

Dravos now replicated her expression towards the pack's guests, but with a cold unblinking gaze. "As you command."

As was their custom the rainbowfaces advanced ever so slowly into the cavern, being careful to advance only as far as the closest of the lower-ranked assistants to Ignis, no more than ten body-lengths from her. Then, with deliberate slowness, they lowered their bodies completely to the ground and lowered their heads in something approaching a fastbiter's surrender gesture when death is certain.

The muttering from the assembled assistants at the sides of the cavern grew louder as the newest among their number gasped in shock at the odd gesture. But it soon dissipated into the tense silence that was demanded during such meetings with those of other herds or packs. Though this odd display was not like anything hidden runners did to one another, she had never corrected the rainbowfaces in their conduct. If this was how they wished to show respect then who was she to deny them their custom?

Knowing well that this display could go on for ages unless she gave them some kind of prompting, she quickly spoke, "It is a pleasure to see you both again. I do hope that your journey was not as eventful as the previous one."

The rainbowfaces, rising much more quickly than their drop in the previous kowtow, then allowed themselves to look at Ignis. Well, at her beak that is. For some reason Ignis did not understand they would not look her directly in the eyes. Is that a respect thing? Or are they observing something?

"The pleasure is all ours, Ignis, Great Leader of the packs of the western highlands and its allies," Logos began, "We have come alone on this journey, though we had flyer support through the lowlands and barrens."

Several of the newer assistants in the background rubbed their heads in confusion at the odd wording, saying her name first, and then her title, and then listing her territory as if no one present knew what it was. However, Ignis had been through this before.

"It is wise to have flyers in times such as this," Ignis agreed, "But you arrived much quicker than we could have possibly expected. You must have made your journey incredibly fast."

This seemed to have the desired effect as both rainbowfaces appeared flustered by this information. It was Chronos who finally spoke. "You… knew we were coming?"

Ignis allowed the slightest hint of a smile to appear. "Your flyer did not give me an exact time for when you were leaving, but once some of my scout flyers said they saw you go past the Smoking Mountains we assumed you were on your way."

The rainbowfaces hesitated for a moment as Logos and Chronos shared the slightest of looks.

Uh huh… I'm on to you two.

"We… have our ways, Great Leader," Chronos said cryptically, "I hope that you understand that we cannot…"

"Oh, I certainly understand," Ignis broke in to show the slightest bit of mercy, "We all have to have our own secrets, especially in times like this. But I do hope in time that you will feel comfortable in sharing this secret with your friends, just like the others." The kind smile she now offered them was matched with equally kind eyes. Only the triangular placement of her claws in front of her confirmed that two conversations were going on here. What more hidden messages do you have for us to decipher, rainbowfaces?

For the rainbowfaces' part they seemed to collect themselves rather quickly, resuming their respectful if overly formal demeanor.

"We will certainly see if that can be arranged… in the future, Great Leader," Logos said, "Unfortunately what we came to share is something of a somewhat confidential nature."

Ignis nodded as she stomped her foot twice. None of the assistants present needed any further prompting as they each gave a slight bow by bobbing their heads and then proceeded towards the exits of the cavern. This was to be a confidential audience.

Both rainbowfaces appeared to be surprised and perhaps a bit concerned about the orderly display of power as the cavern emptied upon the unspoken command. Within moments it was only the rainbowfaces in the center of the cavern, the two main guards at the entrance, and at the scrape, the Great Leader, her favored mate, and her Left Claw.

"You may speak freely and drop the pretense now."

The rainbowfaces looked at her as if she had grown a second tail. "Great Leader?"

"Ignis will do," she corrected, "If this is a matter of life and death for our herds then I want to hear it without the Old Ways clouding our meaning."

Something seemed to sparkle in Chronos's eyes. "So drop the crap and speak freely?"

Logos looked at him in horror. "Dear?"

Ignis couldn't help but smirk. "Exactly. What peril is facing our herds?"

Logos sighed. "Well… there is no easy way to say this… but it seems that treachery now extends to our lovely valley."

Ignis leaned back. "I see. Care to explain?"

There was another long pause before Chronos spoke. "We are still investigating, or well, the valley is, but it seems like one of our flyer messengers was working for Wrok."

"Hano, the one that Seeker's pack had for a snack," Ignis noted as both rainbowfaces appeared to look around uncomfortably, "Spotter was nice enough to tell us that piece of information."

"Did he also tell you that the valley is ripe for conflict?" Logos questioned.

Now it was Ignis's turn to be silent. "No. No, he did not."

"The valley is going through the same struggles that any civi… herd would go through when enemies have been dealt with and populations are growing. Land disputes are growing, the entrances to the valley are no longer as welcoming as they were, and some herds might be looking for any excuse to get a little more." Chronos tilted his head. "Sound familiar?"

Ignis rose. "It does. And I take it that you think some valley members might not have the alliance's best interests at heart?"

Chronos nodded. "Exactly. It is for that reason that we..." He pointed at his mate and himself. "...wanted to give you a suggestion directly. One that the valley would not give, because it involves something that they would not know."

Ignis's heart began to beat faster in anticipation. What do you know?

"We know that you have spies around the valley," Chronos continued, "And we cannot blame you; after all, we all have to have secrets, right? But you should realize that a caught spy, or a framed murder, is all that a conspirator would need to utterly ruin all that you and us have built over the last eight Cold Times."

Now it was Ignis's turn to be on the spot, though she forced her expression to remain neutral. "Don't take this the wrong way, Chronos and Logos, but if you were hidden runners I would suspect you were potential Left Claws in training."

Logos did not blink, matching the expression that she could only imagine Dravos was giving them at the moment. "We have already had our training, Ma'am."

Ignis nodded. "I can see that. Care to explain who did the training? Though I do not plan on replacing my dear Dravos." She allowed herself to briefly look at him despite the fact he did not look away from the rainbowfaces. "Some of my children could benefit from training in the more unfortunate truths in this world."

Chronos allowed himself the slightest smile. "Fate taught us."

Ignis snorted. "Fate trains us all."

Silence reigned for several moments as all of the dinosaurs present took in the information that had been presented. The non-answers from both sides confirmed that there were secrets about, but secrets that everyone knew existed. Such known-unknowns were more tolerable than crueler secrets or conspiracies made in malice. Despite her annoyance, Ignis could tell that the rainbowfaces tried to keep their secrets for what they considered the best interests of them all.

"I will give the proper orders to my scouts." Ignis was careful to not admit they were spies. "And thank you for letting me know of the unpleasant truths of the valley. Unfortunately too many of my kind's unpleasant truths are no longer hidden."

Logos nodded at this. "If one cannot run as a runner, or hide as a hider, then the only choice is to fight. But we have to be careful that the fight does not work into the plans of our adversaries."

Ignis could only nod at that. Perhaps she was getting some of their mysterious training after all?

She looked over at Dravos and gave him a nod with an obvious meaning. Observation over.

"I do not believe that you have had the opportunity to see my little ones. Would you all like to see them?" Ignis offered kindly, looking forward to move on from the heavy conversation and to move on to happier topics, if even for a brief moment.

Both rainbowfaces perked up at that before they both spoke almost in unison, "We would be honored."

She nodded at Viscond. "Would you care to bring them to the family chamber? I will be there shortly as soon as I can make an excuse to my assistants."

Her mate smiled. "So make sure dinner is served early?"

"You know my mind," Ignis responded before giving him a playful nip, "For now I must attend to my duties."

My duties… Ignis muttered internally as she tapped her foot twice as a signal for the rest of her entourage to again enter her cavern. Sometimes I wonder if Wrok or Questor would actually want my place if they knew what it's like.

Little did she know that plans were already in motion that would challenge her place.

---

Seeker's territory:

Orchid did not quite realize that he was running until Staza gave him an odd look. The look that fastbiters give when they want to run too.

He quickly slowed and rubbed his head crest in an awkward gesture before giving her a friendly nod. The sort of gesture that could serve as both a 'hello' and 'you do not need to use me for hunting practice' gesture. Just to be on the safe side he sat down next to Ruby. Sometimes it was useful to have a fastbiter as an older sister.

"Are you alright, brother? It looks like you were being chased by something chasing you."

Orchid could only squirm at the sudden mentioning of his predicament as he briefly glanced in Staza's direction. "Uh… I was just running because I heard the call."

As he looked up at his sister, being greeted by her predatory face at a distance that would have made any other fastrunner bolt for dear life, he was greeted with something more distressing to him than a glare or malicious grin. He was greeted with a sisterly roll of the eyes.

"I think Staza knows that if Mender wanted you caught then she would have already caught you."

Orchid could only sigh and internally protest his sister's prod of his running skills as he was greeted with a playful nudge. I guess some things never change.

The brief moment of levity concluded as quickly as he had started, however, as Mender's head appeared in the distance. It seemed that everyone was arriving.

But this did not answer a burning question in the fastrunner's mind: what were they running into? He had been so focused on getting away from Mender's awkward talk that he did not give much heed to what the meeting was actually about. As soon as he had heard the call he simply ran in a new direction.

That was when he saw the new flyer perch on the tree above them.

"Who is that?" he asked absentmindedly.

"That… is why we are all here."

Orchid avoided the urge to jump as Littlefoot walked beside him, taking his usual place in the center of the meeting circle. It was a sign that the meeting was about to start.

The second sign was Mender and Cynnil sliding into place beside him. Now everyone was present.

The meeting circle was silent for several moments as Littlefoot appeared to take inventory of everyone present. Only the various children, Nahoda, and his younger sister seemed to be absent from the impromptu meeting. Based upon those details alone, he could only assume that this was not for younger ears, and that his younger sister and her mate had been volunteered for youngling-sitting duty.

Littlefoot nodded when he had finished examining the crowd. "Those of you who are not pack will not be aware, but this is one of our allied flyers. Like Hano he serves two masters, but only actually obeys one. Unlike Hano, this one obeys us."

"And for that reason he is still alive," Soar added for good measure as her mate nodded in agreement.

Verant and Staza looked at each other, concerned. It was clear from their expressions that neither of them liked all of this duplicity. "Wouldn't just spying on the enemy be simpler?" Staza asked, "If you've already had to deal with one betrayal, why risk more?"

Orchid could only nod at her reasoning. His father had always taught him that the more complicated the plan, the more likely it would fail. And a failure for a fastrunner was usually a prelude to becoming someone's meal. Subconsciously Orchid looked for Nahoda among the assembled crowd.

"Sadly the other spies have met unfortunate ends," the messenger flyer spoke with regret in his voice, "I have no idea how Wrok finds them… but I do not want to find out personally. That is why I only come here when I have the chance, and only when the skies are clear."

The fastrunner could only tilt his head slightly at that. And how exactly did they get you to join the cause? What is in this for something that has no problem finding fish?

Cynnil's whispered question to Ruby matched his own. "Do you trust this one?"

Ruby did not look back as she whispered in return, "The valley does. And he has not failed us yet."

Orchid looked over at his pack leader for a moment, trying to read her for clues as to her thinking. His sister had not sounded entirely confident, but at the same time she did not sound suspicious either… and the best way to judge a person's character was from past events. He was a bit disappointed when his attempt at thinking through the problem was interrupted by events of the meeting.

"Unfortunately the only thing I can report at this time is what I have heard in the valley. The only message Wrok had for his scouts was to lay in wait until the signal was given."

That caught Cynnil's attention immediately. "Wait, so you all know where Wrok's spies are?"

"We do, and he tells the valley's defenses," Ducky answered, "If Wrok knows that his spies are found out then he will send more."

"And he will know he needs a new flyer," the messenger flyer added.

"So instead of doing something permanent about the spies, you just keep track of them. That might work if you plan something big then take out the spies right before you do it. Personally I'd like to see if I could make him run out of spies, but the valley isn't up for a constant fight like that, I guess."

The messenger seemed to pause for a moment, looking concerned at the fastbiter's suggestion, before finally taking on a reluctant expression. Orchid could only imagine that he was glad to be on the branch as opposed to being within Verant's pouncing range. When the flyer did speak it was in a rushed tone. "The opportunity might present itself, but please forgive me but my time is short. Wrok will be expecting me."

Littlefoot took the opportunity to quiet all discussion. That could happen once the flyer had said his message. "Of course, what do you have for us, Nalan?"

The flyer paused for a moment before placing one wing on his chest and letting the other open in an expansive gesture. "I fear that the valley is in much danger. Wrok's deputy gave me one message to send back to Wrok."

Orchid couldn't help but lean forward as he waited on the flyer's next sentence.

"Everything is as you planned. As soon as their flyer returns we will use the blue sap. Who will trust the pack when their flyer brings death in his wings?"

For the briefest of moments Orchid's mind was confused by the vague message, but then it was inundated with an echo of something. Something that his mother had told him long ago: Sap brown and icky, makes you sticky; sap blue and thin, does you in.

"This could be a problem," Mender said, thinking about how many ways this could make things go wrong.

"Those monsters!"

Orchid jumped out of the way as Cynnil suddenly walked into the meeting circle, her green feathers puffed out in what was equal parts threat display and fear.

"So not only is Wrok willing to kill a pack while it sleeps, but he also wants to sicken an entire valley because he thinks they are stupid enough to blame Spotter for spreading disease?" She gestured at Petrie.

As if to answer her question, Cera clawed at the ground angrily before growling. "That bastard knows that some of them are exactly that stupid! Ever since what happened…" she trailed off for a moment, "...before."

"Well." Orchid felt as if Chomper's deep voice were vibrating through every bone his body. "I guess defending the killer of a valley member can create some grudges. Who knew?"

Orchid turned his head quickly as he shook his body as if to extricate the eeriness of having a two-footer speak mere meters away from him. It was then that he saw more than a hint of hurt in the purple sharptooth's expression. A hint of something that his bitter response did not convey.

"Grudge or not, we did the right thing," Leap affirmed forcefully.

"We never apologize for protecting our own, or their family," Taunt agreed, "Even if your father did try to eat me that one time."

Chomper did not respond verbally, but merely snorted at Taunt's response; however his demeanor changed for the better as quickly as it had turned morose. The change, coupled with the reference to Chomper's father, quickly filled Orchid in on what was being referred to. Some in the valley still held the pack as responsible for the Dein and Terri's hunt. When the chance came to take the valley's side, the pack had chosen to defend Chomper instead.

He is playing on what drives us apart, Orchid frowned deeply as he looked at his three packmates in turn, even Buse seemed to get the implications, First breaking the hidden runners from the valley… and now my sister's pack.

"The best thing we can do is to stick together."

Instantly every eye at the meeting was focused on the purple fastbiter who had broken the silence. It was only when she noticed this that Mender was made aware that she had spoken aloud.

"We might be able to do something about the sap. Well, not make it go away, of course," Mender suggested, or rather tried to without rambling too much, "The problems it causes are treatable, though. If some of us went to help, the valley might not blame us for what happened, at least not enough to stop working with us. Why intentionally make a mess of things if we're just going to help solve the problem?"

Verant clinked his sickle claw against the same tree the flyer was perched on, briefly making the flyer consider taking flight. "We can solve the problem before it starts if one of us gets the hidden runners first."

Orchid was taken aback by the sudden flurry of activity. From what had been two bastions of caution concerning the flyer now came the biggest endorsements of action. The whiplash of their opinions did not do as much to persuade the fastrunner towards a course of action as did his own conflicting motivations. Yes he was frightened by the prospect of encountering hidden runners… just waiting to do mischief… but at the same time it excited some part of him as well. He had joined this pack to be a healer, to see the world and to do good. If he could do that and also see the Great Valley again…

"I'll help!" Orchid nearly yelped out before he ran over to Mender's side, endeavoring to let his legs make the decision final before his brain could talk himself out of it.

Cynnil watched both of her packmates with bemusement for a moment before she walked over to them and then deliberately walked in front of Mender, giving Orchid a half-hearted glare. "I agree with Mender's suggestion. We can do some good here. Even if the hidden runners do not succeed, our presence will show your pack's continued support."

Littlefoot raised his clawed hand in a cautious gesture. "Are you sure about this, Cynnil? It might be possible that your arrival could invite an unwelcome response from the valley."

"By unwelcome he means a spear to the face," Taunt added.

"Thanks for the clarification, Taunt." Cynnil muttered before rubbing her beak contemplatively. "Maybe if we had a familiar face with us then they would ask questions before attacking?"

There was some barely audible discussion among the pack as each mated pair debated with each other over who would stay and who would go. Only Ducky and Spike appeared to be comfortable staying put as they had just returned from a long journey. Well, Chomper too, as the last time he and the valley met it had resulted in an exchange of blows.

Soar and Petrie, meanwhile, looked at each other with concerned looks. Whoever went on this trip would not have flyer support. It was almost too convenient.

Finally an audible 'hmph' erupted from Cera as Taunt stepped forward. "They know me, and my pattern is hard to miss." He rubbed his orange torso for emphasis as his black stripes shined in the radiance of the Bright Circle. "So they should know that we are all friendly."

Orchid watched the proceedings with more than a little interest. His pack was already assembled, with Buse having dutifully shoved him back into the back of the line as he took his place as third in the pack. And it now appeared that extra muscle in the form of Taunt was at their side as well. It was only when he turned his expectant eyes on Littlefoot that he noticed something was amiss.

The brown fastbiter took a deep breath. "This is all too convenient. Assuming that we are getting the full picture here what is going to prevent us from getting the blame if all of you arrive post-attack? Instead of blaming our flyers they could blame us directly."

Petrie shifted forward as he turned towards the messenger with an expressionless glare. "Do you think he is lying, Seeker?"

He caught the tone immediately and waved Petrie off from doing anything rash. "I am saying that Wrok and his people talks in riddles. They may not want even their flyers to know the full message. Less of a risk if they are caught."

Breeze looked up with a suspicious glance. "Or persuaded to switch sides."

The messenger took a step sideways on his perch as he preened himself awkwardly. He was avoiding everyone's glances as if they were spears.

"All the more reason to kill Wrok's spies before they have a chance to do anything."

Orchid turned towards the gruff voice as Verant looked at each packmate in turn. As if sensing that his point were not clear enough, he began to pace as if the inaction annoyed him. Despite this he began to talk is a softer voice.

"So why not do both?" Verant suggested, "Mender and her group can go to the valley to help keep things from getting worse. While they're doing that, I can hunt down some of the spies. If they realize they're being targeted, they shouldn't suspect that we know where they are. After all, I have plenty of reasons to hunt down Wrok's allies until his name is forgotten in the Mysterious Beyond."

As Orchid listened to the fastbiter make his points clearly and concisely, he was taken aback by the shift in tone. Was this the same fastbiter who appeared ready to remove his head from his body if he even looked at Ovie wrong? Based upon the scents of surprise and happiness radiating from Mender, he could only conclude that he was not the only one noticing the change.

Staza opened her mouth but closed it forcefully before she said anything, sighing in resignation.

As if sensing the unspoken tensions between the pair, Littlefoot stepped between them and gave each compassionate glances. "I want everyone coming back from this, you understand? That means you," he pointed directly at Verant, "will need someone to watch your back."

Ruby walked over to give her mate a look. "Are you sure?"

Littlefoot shrugged. "Ever since he moved into the lowlands, he said that he was willing to help if we needed it."

Verant tilted his head in confusion as Staza sat beside him in a show of support. "And who is this?"

The messenger flyer did not need to hear anything more, however, as he had sent the necessary message. Without making a sound except the gentle gust of air from his flapping wings, he ascended into the sky only circling three times to secure Petrie's clearance to depart. Facing forward into the Bright Circle's welcoming radiance, the flyer silently flew towards his next destination.

---

Questor's territory:

A loud percussion, both unexpected and deafening, erupted across the land as blinding hot light appeared in the distance. As the thunder announced its presence to the scattered pack its members quickly hastened their movements to seek refuge under the canopies of trees that were all around them. All except for one of their number.

"Oh Fate, oh destiny, oh Bright Circle… let your followers come to me…"

The hidden runner remained motionless as he sat against the now agitated blades of grass, moving in tandem with the winds of the distant storm. Its grey clouds rippling in the sky like a serpent beneath the waves; threatening to break the surface, but hesitating to strike.

"Like a storm that brings no peace… I'm most fulfilled, but yet unfinished."

The moisture contained within the clouds threatened to break its distant, unseen prison as the scent of water filled the hidden runner's senses. Against the growing wind his green feathers appeared to flutter in its embrace. Even as the flyer landed with a resounding thud close to his body the hidden runner did not flinch. It was as if he feared no talon or betrayer.

"Hear me, and make all my kind subjects before me;

So that every runner of the ground;

In this pack and beyond it;

On dry land and beyond the rushing waters;

May be obedient to me."

It was only when the hidden runner whispered his words that the rain, so long held back, began to fall upon the dry ground below. Despite this the flyer dared not move, instead observing his patron carefully.

He's at it again. Still assuming he's chosen by Fate when he hasn't won yet, Nalan thought.

If his doubts were not enough to make him doubt the wisdom of Questor at this particular moment, the growing moisture on his wings was certainly making him doubt Questor's sanity. Why in the heck was he sitting in the rain?

Though, if Nalan was honest with himself, it was not the first time that Questor had done something questionable. In fact, Nalan's continued life was a testament to that.

The flyer's wings fluttered in a sad mockery of movement as weakness overcame his body. He had survived the harsh winds of the barrens and the frightening gales of the Big Water, but he could not overcome the hunger that grew from his long, lonely journey. And now it seemed that his journey was at an end.

"Odd finding a flyer here."

Nalan thrashed his wings in a desperate attempt to again become airborne, a feat that had eluded him for the better part of a day. The words were sharptooth… but the tone…

His eyes locked onto the source of his sudden fear. There stood not a massive sharptooth, or an elusive fastbiter, but rather one of the most misunderstood creatures of the jungles and bogs: the hidden runner. Despite the small size of the specimen, no more than a mere juvenile, Nalan knew that it would be more than enough to scavenge the meat from his bones.

The flyer snapped his beak aggressively. He would not go down with a fight.

"You flyers follow the Bright Circle, do you not?"

Nalan nodded slightly, too surprised to verbally respond.

The hidden runner appeared to look at something in his hands for a moment. It took a few moments for Nalan to recognize it as a fish.

"Kind of an odd thing to follow, isn't it? It even hurts your eyes if you try to look at it!"

"The Bright Circle provides food," Nalan snapped back, "Well, food for the food."

The young hidden runner leaned back against a tree, as if amused by the little flyer. "It's taking its time in providing for you, isn't it?"

Nalan just glared at the hidden runner.

"Questor, where are you!"

The new voice made the flyer quake in fear. The young hidden runner was a threat, but an adult hidden runner…

If he had any energy left in his bones he would have jumped when the fish landed right in front of his beak. Instead he swallowed the welcome morsel in something that was halfway between a bite and an inhalation. Food. Glorious food was again in his gullet!

"Fate provides, flyer. No light in the sky. Fate."

"What's that?" Nalan asked.

The hidden runner looked at the flyer for a moment before snorting and breaking out in laughter. With the flyer confused expression and expectant eyes he looked equal parts ridiculous and innocent.

Questor's eyes sparkled. "Fate is what saved you today. Perhaps you should follow it? It's what we hidden runners do."

"Questor!" the parent's voice echoed once more, now closer than it once was, "If I have to track you down then Fate help me when I find you!"

The hidden runner looked back at the flyer for a moment. "Or follow me. Fate seems to follow me around." And just like that he sprinted off, disappearing into the bushes, presumably towards his parents unseen.

It took Nalan several more seasons to find out what Fate was, and several more to again hear of a hidden runner named Questor, but he did come to a conclusion on that desperate day.

The flyer aimed his gaze away from the Bright Circle and into the deep blues of the coming night. He knew not where this Fate resided, but he would try his best to follow it.

The blinding flash of Sky Fire broke Nalan from his thoughts as he flapped his wings out of fear, rising several meters before regaining his senses and coming back to the ground, his talons splashing in the rapidly accumulating water.

"Do not be afraid, Nalan. Fate does not wish us to die today."

"I don't think we should tempt it, just in case," Nalan said, looking up nervously at the storm.

Questor raised his head towards the sky. As droplets of rain ran down his feathers, glistening in the radiance of the periodic flashes of Sky Fire, his eyes appeared to focus on something unseen. Something that only he could see.

"You still doubt."

The flyer shifted awkwardly as if the hidden runner were staring into his very soul. Questor, however, was not even looking in his direction.

"I have done things that would have gotten anyone else killed. I have taken mates to secure my position and dispensed with them. I have killed a pack leader in cold blood. And I have made enemies with the most powerful of my kind. But yet I live. Do you know why that is, Nalan?"

"Fate protects you?" Nalan guessed.

It was only now that Questor rose from his seated position and shook his body, releasing a torrent of water in every direction. "Yes. But also because my people are beginning to believe."

He looked the flyer in eyes, an intense expression on his face. "Don't you see, Nalan, this is exactly where I want Wrok to be. My enemies may kill my lesser servants…" He looked at the distant vista where Ryzor would be returning after his message to the valley was sent, assuming he was not finally discovered. "And they may disrupt some of my fine plans. But the ultimate prize is within reach. Because everything is as I have intended."

Questor grinned. "Did the valley discover Ryzor yet?"

"I don't know," Nalan replied.

"As soon as the valley discovers the idiot, and he delivers his message… no one will trust anyone, you see? The domeheads will think Wrok is playing them. If the valley sees him then they will know a plot is afoot. And everyone will distrust everyone else. Which is where Fate's chosen talon will strike the killing blow…"

Questor clasped both of his hands against Nalan's shoulders as if anticipating great news.

"Did you send your true leaders the message that I requested?"

Nalan felt his doubts dissipating as Questor spoke. It was when he spoke so majestically about Fate's greater plan that he almost believed to the extent that Questor did. "I told the valley of Ignis's spies… telling them that they were Wrok's, of course. And I talked to our little friend in the Hidden Canyon, telling him to prepare to welcome a very special guest."

Questor's smile grew. "And?"

Nalan nodded. "It looks like Seeker's pack is going to send a healer party to stop the infamous blue sap plot."

The hidden runner practically embraced the flyer before pulling away, in a gesture that would have scandalized most other hidden runners.

"Then the trap is set. Soon we will have the valley against itself, as leaf-muncher suspects leaf-muncher. The valley against Ignis, as the idiots unwittingly attack their own ally. And a dead healer, making Seeker's pack turn against the valley. In the coming cataclysm who will be left to stand with Ignis in her fight with Wrok? Regardless of who wins we all know who Fate has decided will pick up the scraps."

Sky Fire crashed again, casting the entire sky in artificial daylight despite the thick clouds.

Questor smiled. "Do you still doubt?"

I would doubt less if the Sky Fire wasn't so close, Nalan thought. "Not anymore."

The hidden runner nodded. "Good. So now I hope that the message I demanded that you send to your other, other master, makes sense."

"So Wrok does something that ensures Ignis will go after him," Nalan said, "Very clever."

Questor only smiled at the flyer's compliment. "When two tiny biters fight over a ground fuzzy do you know who gets the meal, Nalan?"

The hidden runner walked a few steps before answering his own question.

"Whoever eats the survivor."

---

Wrok's territory:

Wrok rubbed his beak in frustration as he watched the storm erupt all around him. Compared to the news he had obtained hours before, however, the storm appeared to be the least threatening thing in the Mysterious Beyond.

So Ignis actually thinks she can satisfy the insufferable idiot with diplomacy? This is stupid; and Ignis is many things but she is not that… no, there has to be more at work here. There...:

He shook his head. If it was not diplomacy then that left only one possibility, no matter how distasteful.

She knows that giving him Penol would grant him a path to her scrape. So why risk it? Does she plan to secure his peace to go after me? What does she expect will happen when the victor arises, bloody and weakened?

He didn't want to say the answer even in his own mind. Questor would undoubtedly resume his battle with Ignis at that point, and with a pack flush with success fighting against a weakened competitor, well, Wrok knew who Fate would favor.

And it wouldn't be him or Ignis.

Sometimes it is better to be guilty than to appear impotent.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of splashing water.

"You wanted to see us, sir?"

Wrok took a deep breath as Greenshade's voice registered in his ears. "You are aware of the report that the flyer gave before the storm?"

Greenshade hesitated for a moment. "We… have been briefed, sir."

Silence fell over everyone assembled for several moments as the storm continued to rage around them, shaking the branches of the trees which provided a limited amount of protection from the elements. Thunder and Sky Fire summarized Wrok's mood well enough.

It was time to make a storm of their own.

"Capture Penol at all costs. Kill all witnesses. We must not let Questor know that this victory was snatched from his jaws."

"Everyone?" Greenshade asked, "Why not capture some of them?"

Wrok paused for a moment as the other deputies looked at Greenshade as if she had gone mad. It was only then that she felt the tension among the assembled deputies.

"We could extract information from some of them if that is what you have in mind," Wrok said coldly, "but none can be allowed to reach Questor. If he knows what transpires here then it will be battle between us, and that means Ignis will finish up what remains. We must have her in our possession so that we can set the narrative, not Ignis."

He turned and forcefully clasped Greenshade's shoulders and stared straight into her eyes.

"This means the survival of this pack and all of our hopes depends on Questor not receiving this party. He must think that we have gained her from a raid, and that Ignis never offered her to him as peace terms. Do you understand?"

"I understand."

Wrok nodded. "Good. Now let's turn this unexpected setback into another step towards our eventual victory."

---

Ignis's territory:

"Urgh… what a day."

Ignis sank into her sleeping area with such a lack of grace that it would have scandalized some of the more formal members of her entourage. The Night Circle had finally graced the night with its presence, a sign that her toils could come to an end until the morrow brought more troubles her way. Now all she had to do is wait for her mates and children to get done with showing the rainbowfaces the latest in scouting techniques and…

Her thoughts were interrupted by a gentle scraping outside of her sleeping chamber.

...and she had a meeting with her Left Claw.

"Enter, Dravos."

She watched the dully illuminated entrance as a long shadow crept through the earthen opening. It only took a moment for the figure of her closest advisor to appear with both of his claws clasped together as if contemplating something.

"I do hope that I am not interrupting anything."

Ignis rolled her eyes as she gestured for him to sit at the other end of the chamber, which was barely large enough to fit her family. The closeness was not a failure in the chamber's design, however, as it ensured that their body heat was sufficient to keep everyone warm during the Cold Times. But on this spring day it was not the cold which threatened to send a shiver up her spine.

"The only thing you are interrupting is the quiet of my chamber. The children will interrupt that soon enough anyway."

Dravos did not speak for a few seconds. "You do not sound happy about that prospect."

"I am not happy about the prospect of me never seeing them again. If what you have said about Questor is true then he might be idiotic enough to try to dispose of me through less direct means."

Dravos nodded at this. "From what we have heard he does believe himself to be in Fate's favor, which has led others in the past to attempting foolish things. But we have made preparations, Ma'am. Not even I can get here without reason."

Ignis looked at the cavern opening for a moment. "It seems that you did not have any difficulty."

Dravos snorted. "That is only because you did not observe the four guards who gave me the agreed-upon test. I had to be pure in scent and word."

"And what was today's word?" Ignis prompted.

"Crest feather," he answered simply.

"That's two words," she protested with a smirk.

Dravos shrugged. "I cannot be held responsible for your mate's vocabulary, ma'am. Perhaps you should make the secret word for tomorrow?"

Ignis merely yawned. "I think that I have other things to attend to, Left Claw, this is something that I am sure Penol can handle. I already accidently put her on guard duty once, after all."

The silence that followed her attempt at humor lasted for several seconds. It was a pause that Ignis could not overlook.

"How is her family situation?" Ignis asked softly.

Dravos opened his beak for a moment before answering. "She is taking care of a delicate situation for one of her loved ones. But I fear it is one of those situations where having the Great Leader intervene would benefit her adversaries."

Ignis frowned as she considered her interpretation of Dravos's words. So her grandparents are still giving her mother problems even after I elevated Penol to First Assistant. If Penol wouldn't object I would have them both de-feathered for such insolence! She is their daughter!

Ignis took a deep breath. "Nonetheless she will need to resume her lessons and duties soon. She might just have to learn that some things cannot be helped."

Dravos bowed his head slightly. "Indeed."

"I will want to check on her in a few days," Ignis added.

Dravos opened his mouth for a moment before closing it. "I trust we will have word about her soon."

Dravos looked concerned for a moment as his eyes followed his leader's beak. As soon as said beak opened into a wide yawn he knew that he was free.

Ignis rubbed her eyes. "Alright, let's get this over with… what did you think of the rainbowfaces' latest meeting with us?"

Dravos allowed himself the slightest hint of a smile as he proceeded to give his analysis of their words and actions. He knew full well that their latest meeting was not nearly as interesting as what would soon be transpiring.

Sometimes for the best interests of everyone the Right Claw should not know what the Left Claw is doing. Not while the Right Claw could interfere, anyway...

---

Greenshade tried to keep her misgivings to herself as one of her team members again collided with her backside as they half-walked, half-crawled through the thick swamp. Despite her team being one of three searching for the promised diplomatic party, she was growing quite concerned that none of them would find their target in this mess.

What idiot planned this route? They might be passing through an open area, but at this rate we'll miss them entirely. Greenshade was relieved when she finally found solid ground again. At least there's only a few real paths through here. Everywhere else is too mucky.

She looked down at the foliage some distance away. The hill that they were on quickly gave way to what looked like a trampled line of terrain which was free of trees and thick foliage. This must have been the longneck migration route she had been told about. Count on longnecks to be stupid enough to want to migrate through all of this!

Her thoughts were interrupted by a series of distinct clicks emanating from the other side of the path. It was a pattern of clicks that she recognized.

Great. Someone else beat us here. Annoyed, she made her response, the clicks sounding far too loud in what for the moment was near quiet.

Silence reigned for a few moments, and briefly Greenshade was worried that she had done something wrong. The last thing that she needed was for some in her own pack assuming her group were a hostile force.

Click!

She took a deep breath. That was the acknowledgement signal.

I guess we should find another path to watch, Greenshade thought, turning to tell her followers about the change in plans. Wait, what's that?

In the distance, almost too faint to see against the thick foliage, there was the slightest hint of movement in the bushes. She had to do a double take to make sure that she was not seeing things, but as soon as the next bush moved in the same manner her eyes narrowed.

The wind's blowing in the wrong direction for that... We've got 'em.

Greenshade silently moved back to her group as quickly as she dared. She immediately signaled for them to follow her stealthily by tapping the hidden runner behind her with a double tap. As if on cue, he signaled to the hidden runner behind him and so on until the entire group of eight was alerted to the situation. Then, silently, each hidden runner followed the tail of the packmate in front of them, moving as a single unit in the thick underbrush.

She tried to keep her breathing under control as she clawed vine after vine away from her face as she half-crawled, half-slid down into the makeshift path. It was only when she was halfway down that she raised a hand. The group stopped immediately.

Okay, so how do we do this? I have no idea how many of them there are, so simply blocking their way won't work. They'd either go through us or simply turn back. We've got to trap them. Greenshade hurriedly signaled for her group to split into two flanking groups. I hope this works.

There was no time to be apprehensive, however, and Greenshade quickly slid down from her elevated position into the slight depression of the migration path, ignoring the pain and discomfort from the plants and vines smacking her in the face. As soon as her feet again met solid ground she proceeded to sprint towards the other side, hoping to ambush Penol's advancing group on the other side.

But she had forgotten about the other team.

In a moment that seemed to stretch on into eternity the whistling sound of wood against air rang across the swamp. Out of sheer instinct Greenshade threw herself to the ground.

But as soon as a loud thump emanated in the distance she realized that she had not been the target. Instead someone had fired the first attack of the engagement.

"We're under attack!"

"Oh, why did we agree…"

"Keep close, everyone!"

Greenshade frowned as she picked herself off of the ground. There was no time for strategy now. Penol's group now knew they were under attack. Now was the time to engage.

She waved her spear into the air. "Everyone advance!"

Her heart threatened to beat out of her chest as she ran with as much speed as she could muster in what felt like a dream. Her feet contacted the ground, but they felt numb. Her beak took in air, but it felt heavy. Her spear advanced forward, but it felt like part of her. In the end the battle cries of her packmates melted into the background of the surreal scene. It was only the taste of adrenaline in her throat that made her snap out of her single-mindedness.

Moving ahead, Greenshade actually froze for a moment, shocked at just how small her opponent's group was. Great. Three scared kids trying to protect another kid. That presented its own set of problems.

The hidden runner in the center, who she could only assume was Penol, was staring at the rampaging hidden runners with abject horror. Her three defenders, however, were practically shaking their spears as they looked into the face of certain death. A death which nearly met one of them as a spear sailed over their heads. This led to another hurling their spear squarely at Penol who ducked at the last possible moment.

"Stop! We need her alive, you idiots!" the other deputy cried as he tackled another one of his number who was about to let his spear go.

"Surround them. Don't give them room to escape," Greenshade ordered.

The yelling and commotion around the surrounded hidden runners continued, and for a moment Greenshade thought that she had not been heard. Before she could repeat herself, however, the hidden runners from each group began to advance with their spears outstretched. Time was quickly running out for Penol's defenders.

As the stampede of sharpened sticks came at them, Greenshade watched the facial expressions of the four hidden runners. The three defenders for all of their youth and inexperience seemed to be increasing in resolve as they tightened their grips on their spears.

"Drop your sticks!" Greenshade ordered, "Drop your sticks - you are coming with us!"

Penol's eyes seem to flicker with regret as she took a step forward. The three defenders did not appear to notice as they aimed their spears forward. Their expressions were fearful but their eyes had a coldness that Greenshade had only seen a few times in her life. They were resolved to die to prevent Penol from being taken.

Greenshade gave the other deputy a brief look as he shrugged with some regret. It was a gesture that said 'well, you tried'.

For her part, all Greenshade could do was raise her own spear. In that case I am sorry. Die well, kids.

"Drop your sticks."

Everyone, friend and foe alike, stopped to stare at the source of the voice. It was Penol.

The young hidden runner took a deep breath as her body sagged as if holding a heavy burden. Only her eyes hinted at the formidable blood in her veins. The blood of a hatched leader.

"You heard me; drop your sticks."

One of the females obeyed immediately as she raised her hands to show she had no weapon, whereas the other two hesitated.

"We cannot allow you to be taken! You know what Drav…"

Penol merely laid a hand on the other youngling's shoulder. "You were ordered to obey my orders. And I am ordering you to not die for me."

The female hesitated as her remaining counterpart also dropped her weapon. "You know how Wrok's pack is. What if death is better than… than…"

"That's not going to happen," Greenshade said, cutting the younger hidden runner off, "I give you my vow. Any ill treatment you receive, I will demand to receive in your place."

The two groups stared at one another for several moments as the last female hesitated in dropping her weapon. It was only once she closed her eyes that Greenshade realized what was going to happen.

The spear dropped to the ground.

Greenshade gestured at the other deputy. Despite the fact that he had nearly botched the whole thing she had no illusions that she could smooth this out with assistance from her counterpart.

Perhaps a quid pro quo was in order?

He leaned in towards her. "Greenshade?"

"We both did this together, right? Perhaps we could end this my way, so that the report happens in our way?"

She watched as the male's face went through a sequence of expressions from surprise, elation, and then suspicion. If the rather unfortunate beginning of this operation did not make it to Wrok then that would ensure that he would not fall out of favor.

"I'm listening."

Greenshade nodded. "Let me and some of the females escort them to Wrok. We've gotten what he wants. There is no reason to let this escalate further."

The other deputy was silent for a moment before giving a curt nod. "Ladies… escort our guests to the leader. Guys, we will scout forward."

Greenshade could hear a few of the males groan at hearing their assignment. She was rather gratified to see one of the males smack the nearest groaner. She ignored all that and moved towards the girls.

The three former defenders, now captives, appeared to be more at ease now that they were no longer surrounded by the specter of a fate worse than death. This ease was tempered, however, with the sight of nearly a dozen hidden runners behind them armed with spears. Only Penol seemed oddly unmoved by the proceedings. Her eyes were aimed forward as if focusing on something that only she could see.

Greenshade placed a hand on Penol's shoulder getting the girl's attention. "Wrok is most interested in meeting you."

It was only then that Penol's face showed fear.

---

bryan mccloud: Thanks again for the detailed review. The last chapter was a true monster in terms of length (even after we took a portion of it and made it into its own side-story) and it was challenging to make it flow as a coherent narrative. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the final product of our efforts, and we hope that you enjoy the latest installment as well.

Battlet0ad: Thank you very much for the kind words and feedback. (: In many ways the focus of this story is indeed on the personal growth that we see in some of our favorite dinosaurs, and of course in the namesake of the story, Mender. Though Taunt does have a bit of a reputation to play nasty pranks on people (like immortalizing Mender as Mendsy among a certain tiny predatory species XD) he also is better at realizing when he shouldn't go beyond a certain line. Especially after previously crossing that line with Mender. I hope that you enjoy the latest installment, and don't worry, the Castor aspect of this storyline is going to show up soon.

Keijo6: I am very pleased that you think that the tiny biters worked as a comic relief element to the story. Part of what we revised in the role play was their characterization and the ultimate resolution of their problems. You are quite right that Mender needed someone who she saw as more helpless than her in order for her to discover her own self-worth and to put things into perspective. Violet, even in the past elements of the story, is slowly becoming the Mender that we see in the present scenes. I realize that you are currently in the middle of a journey, but when you return I look forward to your thoughts on the latest chapter. (:

gordhanx: Yep, Mendsy looks to be making an impression, especially in tiny biter society. d-; As for how Mender got her leadership qualities, well, she has had good teachers. Well, not Taunt obviously, but Seeker and Verant have made an impression on her. d-;

Thanks for the reviews, everyone! We hope that you enjoyed the latest chapter, and, as always, we look forward to your feedback.