Chapter 9: Vidabba Earthfarm and the Rematch

Coming out of the wretched swamp, with both Karl and Jake supporting David while Marion and Zippeau lead the way, the small group came into a clearing.

Zippeau sighed "Well, I'm quiet confident we are completely lost".

Jake grumbled "Pointing out the obvious doesn't help our situation".

Karl would have whapped him upside the head for that, but since he was supporting David, he settled for saying "Shut up Jake".

Marion, not wanting the boys too fight now, quickly said "Wait here a minute".

Climbing up a nearby tree, she climbed too the top and removed a small telescope from her pocket.

Viewing through the lens, she grinned when she saw the messenger bird had made it. There were several Brachiosaurs with riders searching the forest.

Putting the telescope on a Brach with a rider, the rider, as it reading her mind, point his telescope towards her.

Realizing she had been spotted, Marion stood up and started waving.

"Over here" she shouted.

"I've found them, I've found them, they're over there" shouted the rider too the others.

Glancing down too the boys, she called "They've found us".

"Thank god" Jake sighed.

Walking into the clearing as the riders approached them, Marion asked "Can you take us to Vidabba".

The rider nodded as he said "We can escort you too the ridge, and you will find the road too vidabba from there" he called.

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Riding by cart from a local merchant, the group sighed in relief that they were finally going back too civilization. Being stuck in that swamp, even for a day was bad enough for them.

David had fallen asleep on the way over, even after Marion "brought" him back, he still would slip in and out of unconsciousness.

"Look at that" Jake pointed from the cart.

"Wow" Karl awed.

Marion and Zippeau on the other hand said nothing, simply smiling as the boys looked on with awe.

Coming too a small community HUGGGGEEEEEEEE fields, and a small outpost, the place known as Vidabba farm came into view.

Many people, around Karl and David's age, were working in the fields, along with dinosaurs, all wearing these strange hats, the kind that Jake thought he saw Chinese people wear or something like that.

Coming too a stop in front of the square, Marion grinned as she hopped off the cart towards a woman.

The woman had light blond hair, and blue eyes. She was in her mid-late thirties, and was laughing as Marion approached her.

"Mother" Marion called.

Jakes eyes widen slightly, Mother?!

"Marion" said the woman known as Rosemary, as she hugged Marion.

Hoping off the cart, Zippeau said "Rosemary is the matriarch of Vidabba Earthfarm".

Karl, slowly stepping off he cart looked curious as he asked "Matriarch, what's that".

Noticing Karl and Jake, Rosemary approached with a slightly annoyed yet amused look on her face.

"Well, in your world, I suppose it means, she's in charge" Zippeau explained.

Stopping in front of Karl, who suddenly had gotten nervous, tried for the friendly approached.

"Hi, I'm Karl" Karl introduced.

"I'm Jake" Jake added.

Eyeing the two, she said "I've heard a lot about the three of you, none of it good".

Karl frowned as he got the feeling that this woman was the by-the-book kind of person.

Nodding towards Jake, she put a hand on the unconuisious David's head.

"David's very sick" she said.

Glancing at Karl again, she asked "How do you manage to cause so much trouble in such short time".

Karl gave her mock smirk as he reached too help David down as he said "It's a skill, honed over a lifetime".

Rosemary then smiled "I think it's time you honed some other skills".

"Come on David" Karl said as he lifted the now partially awake David off his seat.

Walking into one of the small buildings which was just as bustling as outside, Rosemary then asked "Jumper, Samantha, please tend to David, he's not well".

"Of course" said two girls as they lifted David from Karl's shoulders.

Karl watched silently as the girls lead David away.

Rosemary gave Karl a sympathetic smile as she said "He's going too be fine you two, we'll take care of him.

Walking with the boys, Rosemary said "Vidabbas a working community".

"We have 7,000 acres, fields, barns and a hatchery"

"We have supply half the food for waterfall city".

NOW looking at Jake now, she said "But right now, I want you both to help care for your brother, while Marion and I prepare medicine.

Nodding, Jake said "Okay, Ill see you later".

"C'mon Zippeau" Karl said.

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Now in one of the medical rooms, Marion and Rosemary prepared medicine for David.

"I've had postal birds from your father every day, he's furious with you with you for going after the boys" Rosemary said calmly.

Marion sighed in aggravation as she was hoping silently that her mother would not bring that up, no such luck.

Giving her a glare which got Maroons attention, she said "Id like to know why you chose too defy him".

Marion calmly remarked "I just did what you would have done in my situation".

It was true that in the past that Rosemary herself was reckless, since she told Marion a few of the things she should not have done during her matriarch training.

"I thought they could be in danger" Marion continued.

"Marion, they're outsiders, they don't yet understand dinotopian ways" Rosemary said sternly.

Not replying, Marion continued working on the medicine fro David.

Glancing at Marion, Rosemary smiled "Your different".

Looking up, Marion stared at her curiously.

"Your wearing it aren't you" Rosemary asked.

Marion smiled as she reached into shirt and removed her sunstone necklace.

"I understand it was half yours too give, thank you" Marion thanked.

Rosemary smiled as she faintly said "It may protect you one day".

Her smile fading, she said sadly "The carnivores are straying from the traditional territories".

"Five brachiosaurs herd were killed last month" she continued.

"The hatcheries full of orphans" she finished.

"I tried talking to the senate, but they wouldn't listen" Marion said.

"Hardly surprising when you know whose in charge" Rosemary said aggravated.

"Five years is a year long time to refuse too speak too father" Marion said quietly.

"Marion, I've never refused your father a conversation" Rosemary argued.

"Its not very dinotopian" Marion said.

Rosemary sighed as she grumbled "My husband likes his robes and banquets too much, he should like closer too the earth".

"Your very different from him" Rosemary said.

"You have the gift of understanding" she finished.

"I don't want to be treated differently from anyone else" Marion said honestly.

"Nevertheless, my dearest daughter, you are different" Rosemary said.

Marion smiled as she leaned forward too hug her mother, who she had no seen in a month.

"Welcome home" Rosemary smiled.

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After giving David his medicine, Rosemary went looking for Karl and Jake. Finding Jake out in the fields working, she asked "Have you seen Karl".

Jake stopped putting hay into a pile as he remarked "The bums inside the barn playing pong with Zippeau.

"Thank you…ping pong?" she asked herself ash she went too get Karl.

Jake sighed as he continued working.

"He'll be out here helping in five, six minutes" he muttered.