Chapter 52: The Land of Many Wonders
A rustling in the undergrowth. The Eggstealer knew he had to be quiet in order not to be noticed stealing the eggs in the nest that was hidden in some high reed. Despite not seeing his breakfast, the Stealer could still smell it very well. Slowly, he crept closer and closer, hoping he wouldn't encounter an irate parent. Now in the open, he carefully walked closer to the weed on silent claws. Having arrived at the vegetation that was used to shelter the nest from curious creatures like him, he listened to the sounds around him. There was nothing indicating the presence of any other being so he pushed the weed away and entered the nest. Six delicious eggs of some sort of Swimmer were smiling at him. Swimmer eggs were small but they tasted lovely in his opinion. "Plus there are plenty of them..." he mused. Just as he was about to crack the first egg, the ground began to shake. "An earthshake?" No, the tremor came too regularly. "An irate Swimmer?" He heard a deep growl, the rumbling increased in strength. "No, worse..." The Stealer dropped the egg and ran for it upon realising that he was being on the menu of a raptor. The ugly Sharptooth trampled the Swimmer nest without even noticing, destroying six innocent lives in his nastiness. He quickly gained on the Stealer who was pretty much starved.
"A starved meal is better then no meal at all," the Sharptooth concluded. Besides, it was easier to hunt down.
The Stealer sprinted through the open forest. The distances between the trees were too big to make use of them. Bad luck sent it's regards.
The Sharptooth chased the Stealer around for a while, always keeping two to three steps distance. When the Stealer slowed down for his strength was all used up, the Sharptooth picked up his pace and approached. He stretched his skinny arms and sliced across the stealers neck, back and hip.
The Stealer yelped in pain as blood began to weep out of the fresh injury.
The Sharptooth then jumped and snapped his breakfast's neck with brutal force.
"Being on top of the food chain has its advantages," he mused, having his hard earned breakfast.
"Found anything?!" the Threehorn barked.
The gathered dinosaurs gazed at Pterano.
"Nothing that would improve our chances to find the kids..." Pterano sighed. "The ground is simply too hard, their little weight doesn't deform the ground at all."
The Threehorn snorted in annoyance.
"So where are we going now? Anybody got an idea where the whole place's not gonna blow up?" he bellowed.
The crowd began chatting loudly; nobody had a clue. Some suggested just walking somewhere to see if they would find food, others suggested following the river that passed the oasis, pouring its water into the Big Water. Others again suggested staying where they were or following the coast of the Big Water.
"Quiet!" the Threehorn barked.
"Do we need a vote?" Grandma asked. "I have heard at least four suggestions."
"I don't think we do," Oscar said, relaxed.
"What d'ya mean, eh?" Mr. Threehorn shouted.
"I might know a place where we could head to," he answered in a polite way. "It'd even fit one of the suggestions I heard during this chaotic babbeling."
"What's the point if some children are missing?" Ducky's Mother murmured.
"Where is this place?" Grandpa asked excitedly, ignoring the Swimmer.
"Far, far away from here..." Oscar whispered.
The crowd fell totally silent, listening eagerly.
"Beyond the highest mountains this world has ever seen..."
Some were gasping, others salivating.
"There is an island. It's surrounded by a huge watering hole but it's not deep at all so it can be passed relatively easy. Sharpteeth think they will drown if they dare enter it so it'll be as safe as your Great Valley. There is said to be green food in abundance - more than you could ever eat - and there are said to be special sweet tasting fruits growing there only. They are supposed to be the most delicious thing a leafeater could possibly feast on."
"What is this place called?" Grandpa asked in excitement.
"The Land of Many Wonders."
Oscar's listeners were gasping upon hearing its name. It sounded mysterious, wonderful and promising after all. But could he be trusted?
"You can't be serious if you believe this crap!" the Threehorn bitched. "Back to our previous thought..."
"Do I have to remind you that I have been right last time you accused me of lying?" Oscar objected coolly.
"Well uhm..."
"Again, you show just how narrow-minded you are, Threehorn. Maybe we should... vote on this? What do you think guys?" Oscar questioned.
Most of the dinosaurs cheered.
"Humpff! Maybe they believe you, I don't!" Cera's Father stated firmly. "He's probably gonna lead us into a desert 'till we starve, no!"
"What makes you so sure I would?" Oscar questioned earnestly. "If I did that, I'd risk my own life as well, just saying."
"Well eeeerm..."
"Trust me, I know the way and most of its dangers. I will lead you to the Land of Many Wonders. The only thing I'm asking you to do is to trust in me."
"Say Oscar, where'd you know all this stuff from?" Mr. Clubtail questioned, either sounding accusing or confiding.
"Shouldn't we vote first?" Oscar wondered.
"You're just fooling us, I know it!" the Threehorn snarled.
"I'm not," Oscar replied undismayedly.
"I think it won't hurt if you tell your story first," Grandpa said, ignoring the quarrel yet.
"Maybe it'll change the voting results!" the Threehorn protested aggressively.
"So?" Oscar hummed. "Might be affecting them in a positive OR negative manner for me..."
"Now my friend, would you be so kind to cut it out now?!" Grandma ranted, being deeply annoyed by the constant fighting that was always fanned by the cantankerous threehorned dinosaur.
"Humpff, yourself!"
"Don't make me toss you out of this peaceful herd, Threehorn..." Grandpa warned.