Chapter Ten:

Magnificent's herd

Magnificent was a male fastrunner who found and aided Chomper and Ruby among the harshness of the cold times. In their search to find the killer of sharpteeth mothers and their eggs, they couple had become hopelessly lost and were unable to find their way to the Great Valley or even back to the Mysterious Island. Thus, Ruby and Chomper had no other choice but to go with Magnificent. Their supplies were running low, and both were becoming weaker, fighting to keep warm. In such a desperate time, Ruby made the choice to see where Magnificent would lead them. She was more worried about Chomper, who was not only battling the harsh weather, but a cold as well. Not wanting him to decline in heath, she knew they needed to get somewhere warm where he could rest and drink a special herb mixture to recover finally.

Atop a rocky hill, Magnificent smiled with joy. "Here we are, home sweet home, the Sanctuary."

Below was a large piece of land, where several kinds of leafeaters grazed. Chomper gasped and jumped for joy, knowing for once in his life he'd be welcomed instead of feared by the leafeaters. Ruby smiled but still was worried, never knowing a great herd existed in the far regen of the Mysterious Beyond.

"My, there are many of them."

"Indeed, these were those who were unable to make their way to the illusive Great Valley, unfortunate souls who sought a safe place to live in peace. I found this place, built this herd, and vowed to protect them from sharpteeth."

"Yeah, but sharpteeth only do what they were created to do." Chomper put in. "They can't help they eat meat."

"And you think that excuses them of their sins? From what I've known, their brainless killers." Magnificent responded with resentment. "Most of us lived in terror under the shadow of Sharptooth, the biggest, most vicious sharptooth of them all. But that is in the past, right now, we must look to the future. Come."

They made their way down the hill, and the moment Magnificent was spotted, all gathered around. Flowers were dropped from fliers overhead, several lined up just to touch him, or shake his hand. They barely noticed Ruby and Chomper, who found themselves being surrounded. Once they made their way to the center, Magnificent climbed atop a large rock, enjoying the cheering of his beloved herd, throwing his arm up in a grand gesture that set off a frenzy of yells.

"Everyone please, I'd like you to meet our newest members. Trudy and Rodney. I found them, lost in the cold times, needing help, needing me, a guide to this wonderful sanctuary!" There was a roar of excitement, Magnificent looking, and waving for the pair to step forward. "Now, all I ask for, from both, is a pledge of loyalty."

"A pledge?" Ruby questioned softly. "Not to be disrespectful of your traditions, but I never knew of a herd leader to ask their members to pledge themselves to the leader?"

"Don't worry, it's a simple rite of passage. A little gimmick if you will." Magnificent said with a smile. "Now, me new subjects, raise your right arm." Ruby did as he instructed, Chomper lifting the left, quickly withdrawing it to raise his right arm. "Repeat after me." Magnificent cleared his throat and spoke proudly. "I..."

"I…" They repeated.

"Your name…" Magnificent said.

"Your name!" Chomper repeated magnificent word for word.

Magnificent wasn't bothered and only looked at Ruby, who was slower to speak. With a deep breath, she repeated softly, knowing she wasn't pledging for herself but rather that of her mother.

"I, Trudy."

"Vow to follow, and never question the decisions made by the herd leader, and ruler of all Sanctuary, Magnificent!"

Chomper and Ruby took hands, Chomper noticing Ruby's worried expression, offering a small smile. With a deep breath, they spoke together. "Vow to follow, and never question the decisions made by the herd leader, and ruler of all Sanctuary, Magnificent!"

"All of Sanctuary, welcomes Trudy and Rodney!" Magnificent yelled as the herd threw flowers peddles around them.

Clapping irrupted, while the four-legged stomped their feet in rhythm. "Magnificent, Magnificent!" They cried and one individual shouted. "Submit without regret!"

While they smiled, Ruby hoped they didn't just agree to something they'd regret. Still, once they rested up, and resupplied, they'd be on their way, they'd leave Magnificent and the Sanctuary behind them. That's what Ruby told herself, seeing the bright circle slowly set. They were offered a wonderful place to stay, Chomper making a nest as he hummed a merry tune.

"Wow, that Magnificent sure is something."

"Yeah, something." Ruby added with suspicion.

Looking up from his work, Chomper saw Ruby stand and look out over the herd. "What, you don't like Magnificent?"

"I barley know him, know him, I hardly do, so I shouldn't pass too much judgment."

"Also, why did you give him your parent's names instead of our own?"

Ruby paused for a moment. "I don't know, just, felt like the best thing to do. Plus, can't have them knowing you're a sharptooth."

"Well, compared to the cold times, this place is nice." Letting out a cough, Chomper shivered.

"Yeah, it's nice. And the best thing for you to do is rest, get well, so we can leave and track down the mother and egg killer."

Chomper lay down, patting for her to join him. Ruby did and felt him pull her close, falling asleep before she did. By the following morning, Chomper woke first and was eager to roam the Sanctuary and say hello to Magnificent's herd. Ruby saw he was feeling better but was still worried about him. Though, after he assured her, he was fine, she couldn't argue and saw him leave. As he walked on, none of the leaf-eaters stopped their grazing. They no longer saw him as a threat or something to be feared. Some even waved or gave a nod of acknowledgment. It was the first time in his life, Chomper too, felt at ease, relaxing, and enjoying the warm welcome he received. Unfortunately, Chomper couldn't resist and was eager to speak with them.

"Hello fellow leafeater, isn't it a lovely day?" Chomper greeted a surprised three-horn.

"Yeah, it's nice." said a male three-horn, who kind of reminded Chomper of Cera.

"So, how long have you lived here?"

"For a while, several season cycles."

"Neat. I can't believe I never heard of this place. Trudy and I come from the Great Valley."

"The Great Valley isn't real." The three-horn scoffed.

"Yeah, Magnificent said it's only a legend, like the Lone Dinosaur." Added a swimmer male.

Chomper let out a chuckle. "Oh, no, the Great Valley is as real as I'm standing here. I grew up there with my friends. And the Lone Dinosaur is very too. At first, he didn't like me because…" Chomper trailed off, knowing he wasn't a sharptooth anymore, least not visible. "Anyway, he warmed up to me after was saved his lady friend, Darla."

Several gathered around, interested in what Chomper had to say. A flier female spoke up, quietly thought. "Well, we don't associate with those outside the Sanctuary. Magnificent says it's best to keep away from them. They might carry an illness."

"Most are pretty healthy, especially those in the Great Valley." This gained a gasp, everyone listening to ever word Chomper said.

"Well, as nice as it sounds, we must remain here. The sharpteeth are dangerous and Magnificent says we should stay in one place."

"Why?" Chomper plucked a leaf and tossed it aside, unable to eat the greens despite being in a fastrunner body.

"To keep from being killed."

"Yeah, a season cycle ago, Magnificent said he'd come upon a herd that'd been slaughtered and weren't even eaten upon." There was a yell of agreement. "Sharpteeth kill for fun, to kill us and end us."

"That was only one crazy sharptooth, but they don't want to kill you off. They need you more than you know it." Chomper froze, knowing what he said came out wrong and didn't want to look foolish. "It's no different than when I eat a clam. The other clams know I don't want them all, only enough to sustain myself."

"Still, we don't ask questions, don't leave our Sanctuary." Added the flier who was called Glider.

Chomper didn't know what she meant yet shrugged it off and left to speak with others. The Sanctuary was like the Great Valley, with several leafeaters of all types, shapes, and sizes. There were several families, Chomper missing his own kids, and the Mysterious Island.

"So, you have any young?" A female asked, picking up her hatchling that was still too little to walk on its own.

"Yeah, two." Chomper answered.

"You should bring them here. It's a wonderful place to raise kids, all because of Magnificent. There is a strong group who patrol the grounds to keep us safe from sharpteeth."

"Really? I wondered why I didn't smell any sign, er, um, what I mean is. I didn't see any footprints."

"No, Magnificent watches out for us, protects us. He has a wonderful dream. A vision he'd like to share with those outside our Sanctuary."

"Wow, what is it?"

"Well, we don't know."

Chomper held a confused look. "Well, why didn't he tell you? You're his herd, a good leader must be able to communicate with the herd. Least, that's what my brother, Littlefoot does."

"Let's just say, it's best not to ask too many questions. Besides, we have it easy here. Why risk it all for curiosity?"

Chomper only nodded and accepted the answer, which wasn't an answer in any form. While Chomper was enjoying his time among the Sanctuary, Ruby found herself feeling a bit out of place. She continued to ware her grass coverings and face paint, carrying her weapons by her side. The herd wasn't rude to her, only shuffling away or continuing their conversation. Looking around, Ruby didn't see Magnificent, curious as to where he was.

"Excuse me, but where is Magnificent?" Ruby asked a long neck.

"Well, Magnificent is patrolling the Sanctuary. He takes a few selected members for this especially important mission. But, a word of advice, it's best not to ask too many questions." The longneck spoke softly.

"If one doesn't ask questions, how will one learn?"

With a quick look, the longneck leaned his head closer to Ruby. "The name is Thunder and I have seen things in my time here. Let's just say, those who begin to question Magnificent, well, they are asked to leave, and not come back."

"So, why stay if he doesn't genuinely care about your safety? If he discards of you so easily."

"Because where else would we go?"

"The Great Valley."

"Magnificent says it's only a fairy tale, it's not real. But the Sanctuary is real, the safety he provides us, is real. I suggest you keep your head down, miss, don't want to cause trouble." Moving along, Thunder lifted his head to eat upon the tops of the trees.

With a curious hum, Ruby went around, asking small questions to the herds, keeping it simple to find out more on the Sanctuary and Magnificent. The deeper she dug, the more intrigued she became.

"So, who founded the Sanctuary? Originally, for Magnificent looks to be my age." Ruby asked a mother spiketail.

"Well, we're not supposed to speak of that time. But don't worry miss, you and your mate will be safe here. Rest assured, there's no need to question our great Magnificent. He is a good male who is keeping us safe from those vicious sharpteeth."

"I see, thank you for the advice."

By the time, the bright circle was about to touch the ground, Magnificent returned to address his herd. Ruby stood among the herd who gazed up with admiration, care, and hope. Glancing around, she tried to find Chomper, wondering where he'd gone off too. When she found him, she saw his expression matched the rest. She was a bit shocked he was won over so quickly, then again, Chomper was quick to trust, even if there were several signs it wasn't safe. Ruby couldn't say, but she felt something was off, felt it in her gut. Unfortunately, none seemed brave enough to speak up, to question the great Magnificent.

Atop the rock, Magnificent waved. "Hello herd members of the Sanctuary!" They cheered loudly. "Enjoy another lovely, safe day?" Their response was even greater than the last. "I know, I know, you love me. How could you not, I'm the one who keeps you all safe from the menace that are, sharpteeth." Walking back and forth, Magnificent's face grimaced slightly, only the keenest would be able to spot it, and Ruby did. "Right, well, you can sleep peacefully, knowing that each day we get closer and closer to living in a world without fear! Someday, I imagine a place where leafeaters never have to worry about being eaten ever again." The herd shouted as Magnificent bowed and turned to walk away.

Among the herd, Ruby made her way through, managing to reach the other side of the rock formation to confront Magnificent. "That was quite an uplifting speak, Magnificent."

When he saw it was her, Magnificent's eyes lit up with interest. "Ah, Trudy, just the fastrunner I wanted to talk to."

"Really, you wished to see my, wanted to talk to me?"

"Yes, I was hoping tomorrow, you might join me and my team on a scout mission?" His gaze moved over her. "With such objects, you could be especially useful to the mission.

"Oh, of course, I'd be honored." Ruby responded, knowing Magnificent would enjoy the praise.

"Yes, meet me here by the time the bright circle rises."

"I will be here. Should I bring Rodney?"

Magnificent chuckled and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I think it'd be best to take you first and leave him here. Besides, it looks like he's made some friends. He'll be fine."

Blinking a few times, Ruby got the feeling Magnificent didn't think too much of Chomper. "Okay, I understand. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Right, sleep well!"

He smiled at her and walked off, Ruby leaving to find Chomper. She wondered how to break the news that she was selected over him. Then again, Chomper never minded that Ruby exceled at things he didn't. It was another quality in him Ruby was grateful for, knowing most males would feel her skills threated their pride. With a deep breath, she hurried into the crowd in search of Chomper, who blended in in more ways than she would've liked.