…. Hi again, everyone. Hope you are enjoying the story so far. Thank you to all who are offering feedback, follows, ect. I think the story is turning out well. We've got the first chapter from Britta's point of view here, with what will probably be the final chapter with Nicolas coming up next.
For those of you who were curious about Jen, she got very sick when she was a hatchling and barely survived. She is very "sickly" (Kind of like Linton from Wuthering Heights or Beth from Little Women), and often has something similar to mini strokes that are relapses from her illness. I thought I would specify for you since the characters most likely can't due to lack of knowledge. Thank you, Unknown, for asking. I am always glad to answer questions.
Thanks again and I hope you enjoy reading about Pterano's return.
-Angelwriter84…
Chapter 7: "Pterano Has Returned"
Britta
Britta stretched out in the grass near where the children were playing, and watched the Bright Circle turn the sky orange. She knew that when the valley began to change in color, the Bright Circle had set over the valley. She knew because she had spent every afternoon since her arrival watching it. It was perhaps one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen. And she had seen a lot. She hadn't thought much on it when Grandpa Longneck and the Council decided they had confidence in her abilities as a healer and asked her to stay. Could this beautiful valley she used to think only existed in her dreams really be her home?
She hoped so. She set aside the stem of her favorite plant she had been chewing on and prepared herself because the children were nowhere in sight, but she could hear them whispering behind her. Before she could decide how to be surprised Topsy's mate, Britta thought she remembered her introducing herself as Tria, walked up to her good naturedly. "Hi, Britta. You wouldn't happen to know where Tricia is, by any chance, would you?"
Britta thought a moment because she wasn't sure which one Tricia was yet. "She's the youngest of your daughters, right?"
"That's her. The pink one."
Britta made sure Tria saw her glance at the rattling bushes behind them. "No idea."
Tria got the message and smiled. "Oh… Well, maybe we should look."
"Good idea." Britta circle around the now giggling bush several times while Tria pretended to search the nearby shrubs. The bush stopped shaking when she got behind it.
"Hey, Tria. Where do you think the other children could have gone?" She crept a little closer to the bush.
"Anywhere." Tria rushed forward and pushed aside some brush. Tricia let out a yell and leapt from the brush in an attempt to get away, laughing all the while. Britta pounced on the bush and shook it. "Ra!"
Two high pitched yells arose from the bush. Britta snickered when Petrie and Ducky were frightened out of the bush.
"What are you kids doing in here?" Britta laughed, disentangling herself from the branches of the bush.
"Oh, Britta! Hi!" Petrie laughed shyly as if he were actually surprised to see her. As Tess had warned her, he reminded Britta of his father in every way. He even had Tim's good nature and spirit. Tim had even had the same speech patterns he had for a while. He even walked like her brother to a certain point, but the way he carried himself at times reminded her of….well….Pterano.
He only knew her as an old friend of Tess for the time being because Tess wasn't ready for him to know yet. And neither was she. Britta found herself quickly bonding with Petrie and his siblings nonetheless.
"We were teaching Tricia how to scare. Yep, yep, yep." Ducky's wide blue eyes shone cheerfully as she explained their actions.
"You were teaching her to scare already?" Tria glanced at her baby, who looked confused a moment before proudly lifting her chin.
"Uh-huh. She say 'roar'. Watch." Petrie lifted his hands in a scaring motion.
As if on cue, Tricia lifted herself on her hind legs and paddled her forepaws in the air. "Aaahhhh!" she cried to Tria.
Tria and Britta burst into laughter because it was so cute. Tria looked around. "Where are the other kids?"
"They are hiding. We were going to find them, but found Britta instead. But she is not easy to scare. Nope, nope, nope." Ducky put her hands on her hips with an innocent expression.
"Yeah," Petrie agreed, "Britta always scare us instead."
As Britta and Tria giggled, the others came running across the open grounds. "Where were you guys? We've been waiting all day!" Cera came to a halt in front of Ducky and Petrie.
Littlefoot and Spike followed close behind her, along with Ruby and Chomper. At the sight of the little sharptooth, Britta involuntarily took a step back. She felt ashamed of herself when he noticed and cast his eyes downward with a saddened expression. She knew the adults in the valley knew what they were doing when they set the conditions for his stay, but she was still getting used to it. She had seen baby sharpteeth smaller than him sink their teeth into grown prey.
Britta shook her head to clear the gruesome memories. Petrie and Cera had hashed it out over what took so long, and now Littlefoot and Petrie were discussing their sleepover.
"…..think it's okay with my grandparents as long as it's okay with your mom." Littlefoot was reasoning through what sounded like a "my grandparents said maybe too".
"Mom say that it okay if it okay with your grandparents."
Littlefoot stood on his hind legs to make a shrugging motion with his forepaws and fell back onto all fours with a confused expression.
Petrie sighed. "Me go check. Time for dinner, anyway."
When he flew off, Cera looked to Tria. "Can we play a little longer?"
Tria nodded, and then looked down to see that Tricia had curled at her feet and fallen asleep. "Go ahead. Tricia can stay with me for a while."
Cera didn't appear to have any objections. After a moment's hesitation, she jabbed Littlefoot with her horn. "Tag, you're it!"
When all the children screamed and ran in opposite directions, Tria looked to Britta apologetically. "I'm sorry about Topsy the other day. He's really not so bad once you get to know him. He's just….not very fond of strangers."
Obviously. Britta tried not to shudder at the mention of his name. Presenting herself as the new healer before the Council had gone very well, as many were kind and welcoming. When Grandpa Longneck told them about how she'd been helping Hyp, they had all been impressed. Except Mr. Threehorn, who reasoned that that was what healers are supposed to do. And Britta would be the first to say that this was true.
The worst came when the issue of Pterano's return had been addressed. Mr. Threehorn was the first to state his hopes that it would not even come to pass. Mr. Longneck managed to calm him down long enough that Britta could present her idea. She had been straight to the point because that was just how she was. She had been anxious, but managed to keep her tone steady and reasonable as she explained. When she was finished, everyone sat in thoughtful silence as they considered it. As she had been warned by both Tess and Grandpa Longneck, Threehorn was the first to approach.
"What's the connection?" Britta could still remember cringing at the condemnation and suspicion in his tone. Threehorn might be rash, but that didn't mean he was stupid; he obviously had a few years of experience behind him. The threehorn, which was so many times her own size, stomped over and was staring her right in the face. Several others whispered objections to his manner, but no one interjected yet. It was then that Britta realized that they wanted to know themselves. She wanted to badly to prove that it wasn't what it seemed like, but she had nothing. Just days ago, she had finished her practice and was looking for a place to settle.
Threehorn had thrown more questions than she remembered in her face.
"Who are you, anyway? Doesn't sound like you're off to a very good start to me. Taking interest in 'counseling' criminals is a pretty big leap, don't you think? Aren't you supposed to be the new healer for the valley, or something? You are here to help the sick. I don't think any criminal deserve 'help', myself. Mighty suspicious you're a flyer from nowhere? Where are you from? Where did you practice? Better yet, how do you know Pterano?"
It went on and on and on and on. Britta had started to answer the first few questions, but soon resigned and kept her feet in place until Grandpa Longneck interjected. Britta wasn't afraid of the threehorn, nor did she believe him to be a bad person. But he was hard to deal with, that was sure.
When Grandpa Longneck leaned down and kindly expressed his own reservations by asking her to explain her connection to the matter, she did. They had been lovers, assumed each other dead and missing when an accident separated her herd, Britta resumed her practice and returned to start a new life, and Pterano….that's what they were standing there for.
When asked by the Council, Tess confirmed her statements true as far as she knew. There was still a blank area no one could prove true, but everyone eventually accepted. What did they have that might stop Pterano from reverting to his old plots? What if he was up to something? What if he wasn't, but found adjusting to life in the valley too much to handle? What then?
The problem was that they didn't know, and lived in fear of someone who had been a threat before being allowed to return for the valley. Threehorn was the only one left standing who didn't care. "I don't trust it one bit. What makes you think you can help him?"
Britta remembered hesitating because she didn't know herself. All she knew was she had to try, so she came up with the best response she could. "Because I knew him before. I know he is capable of living a good life."
"And I suppose you would do this without some connection happening, then?" The threehorn looked vicious as he hit the spot.
Grandpa Longneck interceded here. "Now, Threehorn. I don't think that's being fair…."
"Right." Tess flew low and landed between Britta and Threehorn to make eye contact with him. "And even if they did, I don't think it's any of your concern. As long as she does her part."
They ended up agreeing to let her try in the end, but with reservations from Mr. Threehorn. He wouldn't let her leave until she repeated her role in the matter. She could try to help Pterano in any way she thought beneficial if he needed it. If she thought he was up to something, she had to tell them. If he wasn't well, she had to tell them. Other than that, he was free to start a new life in the valley if he chose.
Britta reluctantly agreed to the terms that seemed so like a betrayal, but only after asking the others for something in return. Their patience and acceptance. As Britta had learned many times during her practice, nothing was worse than feeling unwelcome in your new home. If Pterano was to reside in the valley alongside them, they would have to at least try to accept him. Everyone else found it rational enough. Threehorn was the only one who had stomped off without agreeing.
Britta shook her head to clear the terrible memory of their first encounter, and somehow managed an answer for Tria. "It's okay. He's not a bad guy. Just precautious."
Tria laughed because it was a true understatement, then scuffed her foot in the dirt. "That's quite a story. Being separated from one another like that. Think you still might love him?"
Britta hesitated before answering. "I don't know."
And the fact that she didn't scared her. It had been many cold times, and so much had come to pass for both of them. She thought of him every day, but what if he really wasn't the flyer she used to know? How would all this affect him? She knew the "we were lovers and got separated" explanation wouldn't cut it for him. He would want answers she wasn't sure he could handle. And she was scared. Tess was the only one she had somewhat talked to about all this, but Tess had children old enough to understand. It made it hard to talk when the children liked to hover.
Tria nuzzled a sleeping Tricia. "So how did you two get separated, anyway?"
Funny, Pterano will be yelling that one at me too. She had absolutely no idea how to answer. "We were…"
"Britta? Tria?" The two turned to see Grandpa Longneck lean down over the bushes with a serious expression.
"Grandpa Longneck. What's happened?"
"Pterano has returned to the valley. He will be announcing his return as soon as the Council gathers. Britta, you may want to go there now and stay out of sight until you can reveal yourself."
Britta's heart skipped several beats as she and Tria slowly turned their head to glance at each other.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Britta?"
She nodded as the words swirled around her. "Yeah."
They were standing in the place where the Council usually gathered. It seemed the landscape had arranged itself perfectly in that it was perfect for this kind of thing. They were standing with the longnecks, Threehorn, and several others in the middle because Pterano was to stand in the center of the circle they had made. Several other dinosaurs had wondered onto the other layers of ground that also formed a kind of circle around the center. Even when Britta had met with the Council last week, she had chosen to remain by Tess instead of standing in the center. It seemed like it would make someone a nervous. Poor Pterano.
"Okay." Tess crossed her wings and drew in a breath. "Well, I'm going to take my place before he gets here. Better stay hidden until he announces and everyone clears out."
She left Britta partially hidden behind one of Grandma Longneck's back legs. The older longneck leaned down so that she could speak to Britta. "Are you ready?"
Britta's thudding heart warmed at the sound of her voice. She often enjoyed conversations with the older dinosaur. Grandma Longneck and her husband were so kind. "Yeah. Can I hide behind you?"
"Good luck." Grandma Longneck lifted her head again and acted natural.
"Thanks." Britta whispered before moving a step over and watching the middle of the circle, where Pterano would stand to announce his return.
Since she was hiding, Pterano seemed to swoop down from nowhere. Britta brought a hand to her beak and drew in a shaky breath for many reasons. The fact that it was him and he was in front of her….his condition….the vacant look in his eyes. So many memories, words, and thoughts jumped inside her mind like hoppers in frenzy.
It wasn't that Pterano necessarily looked bad; he was still quite handsome after all this time. But to anyone who had known him before, he looked a mess. He was much thinner, the pupils of his eyes looked smaller than they had ever been, and he was pale. He managed to swoop down as gracefully as he ever did, yet his steps reflected the strength he had lost during his sentence.
Britta wondered again if she was in one big sleep story as she watched her former lover in amazement. But she couldn't be crazy. He was shrinking back from Threehorn like any other dinosaur.
"…. I only wish to announce my return so that I may live in the valley in peace." His pleasant voice sounded thick, as if he had not spoken in some time. Britta understood how that was. No one in the Mysterious Beyond spoke much unless it was to someone they knew. It was just how things were. Herds with good territory competed with the others to maintain their hold on it, and so much more.
"…. don' t think you should be allowed back at all." Pterano looked defensive against Threehorn's attacks at first, but was now cringing away from the harsh tones. "I mean, how do we know you really changed?" Threehorn stared Pterano in the face, looking for an answer.
Pterano spread his hands, trying his best to reason. "I-I tried."
Poor Pterano. Britta was angry with his previous decisions when she heard of them, too. But he did serve his sentence. How was anyone to know what to say to those harsh questions?
Grandpa Longneck must have seen this, and spoke to smooth the situation. "Now, Mr. Threehorn… You're being unreasonable. He served his sentence and announced his return…"
"Bah!" Mr. Threehorn stomped his foot and turned back to Pterano. Britta held tight to Grandma Longneck's back leg.
Mr. Threehorn glared at her former lover. "What are your intentions?"
"To live." Pterano sounded desperate to just get away.
"Well, you can venture wherever there's no claimed territory." If Britta had been standing where she could be seen, she might have shared a questioning look with Grandma Longneck. Territory? She wasn't aware the Great Valley residents had claimed territory. She had just nested in a vacant hole she had discovered in the cliff somewhere between when Tess lived and where Hyp and his father was.
"He can rest wherever he finds a home." Britta was surprised at how harsh Tess' voice sounded when she spoke to Mr. Threehorn. Of course, she had never really been afraid of anyone.
"She's right, Mr. Threehorn." Grandpa Longneck leaned down to look his harsh friend in the eyes. "Perhaps you forget that the agreement is, while some kinds prefer certain areas more than others, they cannot keep anyone from nesting in any area. Only if their personal nesting ground is invaded is there ever an issue. "
"Humph!" Threehorn was finally quiet, but still didn't look happy about it.
Mr. Longneck continued with the gathering. "Pterano has served his sentence and announced his return. I feel it is only fair that he is allowed to reside in the valley. Is there anyone who does not agree?"
There were whispers, but no one objected. Most of them knew their role from the earlier meeting in which Britta had asked them to help by giving him a chance. So far, they were keeping their word. She hoped that one day, they would respect him enough to do this on their own. And as long as he respected them in return, her part of the deal would be carried out with as little pain as possible.
One dinosaur, a clubtail, broke the silence. "What about Nicolas? Doesn't he need to give consent?"
More whispers Grandpa Longneck spoke up. "I spoke with him earlier. Due to his son's condition, he is unable to be here. But he agreed that Pterano had served his sentence and has the right to reside in the valley."
"How do we know?" Threehorn looked at the longnecks suspiciously.
"He said you could see him if you wanted evidence." Several others murmured in agreement as Mr. Longneck's statement.
"Sound like him." The clubtail stepped back. "Everyone is in agreement."
"Meeting adjourned, then. Thank you for coming, everyone." Many of the dinosaurs began to disperse in a rush to get home to their families.
"May I?" Pterano looked tired, and he still probably needed to find a place to stay. Britta almost wished she had waited.
"There is… one more thing before you go, Pterano." Poor Grandpa Longneck. He must have no idea how to approach this.
Pterano waited for the old longneck to finish with a curious expression, never expecting what was to come next. Britta thought her heart would jump from her chest.
"We feel that you are in need of some…help…and if you choose to pursue it, we have someone. She is the new healer for the valley…and….well, we think it will at least ease the minds of those who reside in the valley. If you really have changed, maybe this could be the first step to proving yourself."
Pterano looked about as thrilled as anyone who was just told that they needed some "help", but he was patient enough to nod his head in agreement and wait. Grandma Longneck must have felt her still gripping her back leg and bent her head. "Britta?"
Pterano's hand flew to his chest at the mention of her name. He had one leg back while the other stayed put, and his beak was agape. It was as if he had seen a sharptooth, or better yet, a ghost.
Britta slowly stepped away from her hiding place and looked into the face of the one love she thought she would never see again. "Pterano. Hi."
Thank goodness there was no one remaining except for them, Tess, and the longnecks. Pterano gasped and fell back with wild eyes. He frantically scrambled back until he was up against one of the boulders in the gathering place. Britta could have never even guessed she would see Pterano, who used to be so calm and charismatic, in this kind of a wild fright. Finally, he whimpered and covered his eyes with his hands.
Tess looked fairly frightened herself as she knelt before him and grabbed his wrists so reveal his frightened eyes. Pterano grabbed her small hands in his. "Oh, Tess. I've lost my mind." His voice was shaking as he proceeded to tell her what he was seeing. "I'm seeing….Britta….."
"Pterano… You aren't seeing things. We see her, too." Tess gestured over to Britta. "She's standing right there. I couldn't believe it at first when she came to me, either. But... It's her. It really is her."
She helped a stunned Pterano to his feet and held his arm as they came forward a few steps. Pterano was staring at her like a new nestling trying to decide what is safe, and what is dangerous. Trying to figure out if something really was real.
He took a few small steps forward, but didn't seem sure he could make the rest of the journey. Britta helped by taking a few cautious steps forward, but knew when to stop and let him decide what to do. "Pterano…"
He stopped a moment at the sound of her voice, then took a few steps so that he was standing directly in front of her, looking her in the eyes. "Britta?" His voice revealed his astonishment.
He slowly cautiously reached out a hand and gently touched her shoulder. All the doubt in his eyes turned to frightened realization. Britta's heart melted for him as she held the wrist of the hand he held on her shoulder. It was a moment before he drew back. "You're real!"
"Yes." Britta never lost eye contact with him, so she watched as a million emotions went through his head at once.
"Tha- That means you….." His eyes welled with tears at the assumption she knew he had just made. He thought she left. Staged her death and left. Oh, no. She knew this would happen. Pterano covered his eyes with his hand and sniffed.
Britta stepped forward. "No Pterano, I…"
Pterano regained his composure and then unveiled his eye to reveal at determined look, refusing to accept what he believed to be true. "No," he said determinedly, "You can't be… You can't be her. She would never have done left…not like that."
Tell me about it. Britta started to go to him, but was held back by Tess. Pterano looked angry and hurt. "Who are you?"
When she didn't answer, he raised his voice. "Who put you put to this?"
The longnecks had lingered for the very reason, in case anything got out of control. Pterano was speaking to her like some young adolescent he caught destroying a nest.
Grandpa Longneck interjected. They were such lifesavers. "Alright, Pterano. Be reasonable. Perhaps we should part for the night and talk about this tomorrow…"
Pterano clenched fists were shaking with anger. "Meet for what? I've done my part."
Tess stepped in. "Pterano! That's enough. I know you've been through a lot and this is a painful shock to you, but Britta will explain everything over the course of your sessions, and…"
"Sessions? Ha! I don't want her help, Tess. I've managed on my own for the last few cold times, and more before that." He turned back to the longnecks and Britta. "How could you? All of you! Making a fool of me when I come with no intention of harm after all this time? Using the memory of the ones I love against me? Despicable."
Grandma Longneck leaned so that her head was only slightly above Pterano's. Britta wondered how she kept so calm. "We have done you no harm, Pterano. I would advise you to consider that this is Britta, and that she has risked a lot to help you. The residents of the valley are not very happy with you, so I suggest you start proving yourself by complying with the terms."
If Pterano was still gentlemanly at all, he proved it by not arguing with the elder longneck. Instead, he just guffawed in a begrudging what and took off flying for a place that would satisfy his desperate need for rest.
Everyone stood in silence for a moment, watching him go. Grandpa Longneck turned to a saddened Britta. "Oh, I'm sorry Britta. But that reaction is to be…expected. Maybe he will come around. At least enough so the two of you can start out on good terms."
Something in his voice told her that he had lost someone he thought would never come back as well. Britta was too shocked to think much on it right now, though. Grandma Longneck smiled and turned to her husband, who was already starting to leave. "We wish you the best of luck. Stop by anytime for a visit, dear."
"He doesn't….believe me?" Britta was stunned. She at least thought Pterano would know it was her.
"He's had a lot to deal with, Britta. He just needs to clear his mind. Let him sleep on it." Tess approached and lay on hand on her shoulder.
"What must it be like for him? To feel that?"
"It would be like…if Tim suddenly showed up after all these years."
Britta herself felt a stab of pain at the mention of her brother's name. If only. Britta and Pterano had been living with no trace of what had become of one another. Tess knew as well as they did what happened to Tim. He wasn't coming back. Britta wondered which was worse, or if there was a worse.
She nodded her head and held the hand Tess had on her shoulder. "He thinks I left. Tess, I know it looks like I left…but you have to believe that I didn't. I really didn't."
Tess managed a sad smile. "You can tell us about it when you are ready."
When Britta smiled back, she turned her around and the two started walking like old friends. "Why don't you come to visit with the children for a while?"
Sometime later that night after she returned from her visit and tidied her home before laying down, she was awakened by a familiar voice.
"Britta…." The voice was high and funny. Much like….
"Britta…" A gentle poke from a small finger startled her awake.
"Petrie? What are you doing up so late?" She rolled onto her stomach as her vision cleared to see a nervous Petrie standing nearby. "Is something wrong? I thought you were with Littlefoot."
Petrie shrugged his shoulders. "Me was, but me go back to get snuggling stick and see mama with Uncle Pterano. She to tell me to get you. Say you can help?"
Britta sat up, rubbing the rest of the sleep from her eyes. "What's wrong?"
At this, Petrie broke down into tears. Britta pulled herself onto her knee and gently scooped her tiny nephew up with her hands. She had to stroke his back with one of her fingers to comfort him, he was so small. Worry flooded her heart, but she kept calm for Petrie's sake. "Ssshhhh…. Petrie. It's okay. Just tell me what's wrong with him so I will know what to bring. Can you do that for me?"
Petrie sniffed and wiped her nose. "He have fever, shivers, and not wake up."
Britta let out a deep breath as she thought. She was almost certain it was shock, but Pterano hadn't look very well earlier either. It might take a long time for him to recover if he did not regain his strength.
"I'll be right back, Petrie." She handed him a little tree star for him to wipe his nose with and walked to the back of the cavern within the mountain wall where she kept her storage. Her stores of herbs and medical plants were already growing more rapidly than they had in any other place she had lived.
She quickly chose a few herbal leaves that helped with nerves and shock, and occasionally acted as a fever reducer. She figured if Pterano was ill with something else, she would come back for the appropriate medicine. She wrapped the tiny brown-green leaves in a large, soft leaf and gathered it at the ends so she could carry it. As soon as she and Petrie had gathered some water to mix with the herbal leaves and gathered the mixture in a larger leaf, they were off.
When they got there, Tess was dabbing at Pterano's face with wet moss. One of the best things to do. Pterano was lying in his stomach, shivering with unopened eyes and a coat of sweat on his forehead. Britta checked his forehead for fever and listened to his breathing. Within seconds, she was fairly certain she had been right. He was in shock, on top of being undernourished and isolated for a long period of time. It was a wonder he wasn't unbearably ill now.
When she stood back, Tess revealed her predictions. "I think it's shock."
Britta nodded. "I think it is, too."
Tess turned to Petrie, who had climbed on top of his uncle's beak and was watching over him with worry written all over his little back. "Petrie," Tess prompted gently, "why don't you go watch over your brothers and sisters?"
Petrie looked a little offended by this task. "They fine, mom. Sleeping just over there." He pointed to their nest, which was just across from where Pterano was sleeping.
Britta snickered under her breath with a knowing look at Tess and scooped him up. Tess sighed. "Get back over to Littlefoot's before they find you gone and start worrying."
Petrie thought a moment, then proceeded to object. "Moooommm…. Uncle Pterano may need Petrie to help Britta."
Britta stepped in to help. "You can help him by letting him get some rest, Petrie. I think he'll do a lot better knowing your happy playing with your friends."
Petrie glanced at the ground. "Me guess."
He opened his wings to go, then had a second thought and turned to them. "Call me if Uncle Pterano need anything."
Tess was smiling now, and Britta felt sure it was because he reminded her so much of Tim as a young flyer just then. Britta looked over to her, then nodded to Petrie. "You got it."
When Petrie had flown from earshot, Britta handed to mixture still tied up in the large leaf to Tess. "Have him drink as much as you can. I would, but I think we would both end up wearing it if I did."
Tess did as she said. Pterano drank, but didn't quite open his eyes. Britta stepped on the other side of him so he wouldn't see her and knelt beside him, rubbing his back in an effort to comfort him. Pterano stiffened a moment, then relaxed, then drifted into a peaceful slumber thanks to the brown-greens.
They sat there watching over him for a while, Tess dabbing at his face with the wet moss every once in a while and Britta rubbing his back on the rare occasion he would stiffen again.
Finally, Tess looked up at her. "Do you think he will get better soon?"
Britta thought a moment. While she still had her doubts, she spoke for the physical side of his condition with certainty. "I think…he will."
After all, what better place to regained your strength than the Great Valley?"
… Intensity, huh? Sorry about that. Now that we've got Pterano in the valley and….somewhat….aware that Britta is alive, we will have to see how they handle it. Hope you enjoyed it!...