Excepts from the journal of William Denison

…last night the storm reached us in all its fury. I was reminded of the tempest which delivered Father and I to these shores so long ago. But the Hatchery rode it out in perfect order, aside from a small leak in the northwest corner of the barn. Some of the apprentices, standing watch in the signal tower, reported a flying machine caught in the teeth of the storm - tossed about like a child's toy, they said. The pilot's heroic efforts to keep it aloft came to naught when it was struck by a bolt of lightning, and the craft fell to the sea in flames. Hearing this, we feared there would be no survivors. Regardless, at dawn this morning, Sylvia and I led a group down to the beaches. Our hopes were rewarded; the dolphins had rescued three souls from the waters: two humans and something they call a perspicacious loris.

The humans are Aleksandar von Hohenberg and Deryn Sharp; the loris, a comical creature, is Bovril. The former speak a half-dozen languages between them, though they seemed relieved to learn that I speak English (rusty as it is!). We soon had them warm, dry, and fed. They shall stay on as guests of the Hatchery for some weeks as they recover from their ordeal and adjust to life on the island. Given their youth, I would like to escort them when they travel to Waterfall City to sign the registry, and then onto their next destination, whatever it may be. Sylvia will likely return home before then, as our responsibilities in Canyon City cannot allow too long an absence.

…having rested all day yesterday, today the newcomers were up and active, as intensely curious about us as we are of them. The presence of dinosaurs, however, seems to be of little moment; I wondered at the jaded nature of today's youth! After some urging, they told a harrowing tale of a world at war - I can scarcely imagine - "Darwinists" versus "Clankers" - suffering on all sides - quite depressing, to be reminded that the larger world does not seek peace as we do.

Otherwise, they made nuisances of themselves, exactly as they should, poking into every corner of the Hatchery. Deryn is full of questions regarding skybax riders and how to join our ranks - questions I am delighted to answer! Alek has a more mechanical bent, which is timely, as the windmills are showing their age. A visiting protoceratops volunteered to translate for the blacksmith, and they spent some while in consultation.

It is early days yet, but I have every hope that our new friends will find happiness here in Dinotopia.

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Note: Breathe deep and seek peace for Dalek Week Day 2, y'all! Dinotopia is one of my great loves, and it's never gotten the adaptation it deserves (although Waterfall City made it into Star Wars... iykyk). Anyway, now I just need someone to draw Deryn as a skybax rider.