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<blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 7595716" data-attributes="member: 143"><p>Chapter 284</p><p></p><p>For a moment the creature and the companions just stared at each other. The dense jungle growth made it difficult to make out any details of the creature, but they could see that it was huge, well over twenty feet long.</p><p></p><p>After what felt like minutes but what only a matter of a few heartbeats Sandros shifted, adjusting his grip on Elias’s sword. The huge head swung slowly toward him, and the sailor nearly stumbled as he took a reflexive step back.</p><p></p><p>“Hold!” Bredan hissed. “Nobody make any aggressive moves.”</p><p></p><p>“Where did it come from?” Malik asked. “Why didn’t we hear it approaching?”</p><p></p><p>“It must have been nearby when we arrived,” Rodan said.</p><p></p><p>“What is it?” Glori asked.</p><p></p><p>“It’s another species of dinosaur,” Quellan said. “Another herbivore, I believe.”</p><p></p><p>The creature seemed to confirm the diagnosis as it bent its head and took a huge bite out of the tangled brush in front of it. It continued to watch them as it chewed, branches crunching as its considerable jaws worked.</p><p></p><p>“Shoo!” Malik said.</p><p></p><p>“Be careful,” Kosk warned. “Even if it doesn’t want to eat you, it can do a lot of damage if it gets spooked.”</p><p></p><p>“Well, we can’t just let it stay here,” Kalasien said. “If it stumbles into our camp later it could easily step on someone.”</p><p></p><p>“We could look for another place,” Rodan suggested.</p><p></p><p>“I’d be more worried about what we stumble into if we go heading into the jungle at night,” Quellan said. “We would need light for Bredan and the sailors to see.”</p><p></p><p>“I might be able to drive it off with fire,” Xeeta said.</p><p></p><p>“Or you might provoke it to stampede through the camp,” Kosk said.</p><p></p><p>“We could climb the trees first,” Sandros said.</p><p></p><p>“That thing has to weigh several thousand pounds,” Kosk pointed out.</p><p></p><p>Rodan had slowly circled around to the edge of the camp, leaning into the bushes. “Its body is armored,” he reported. “It has some kind of big club for a tail.”</p><p></p><p>“Useful for dealing with the local predators, I’d imagine,” Quellan said.</p><p></p><p>The creature continued to watch them, even as it took another bite of the undergrowth.</p><p></p><p>“We need to do something,” Malik said.</p><p></p><p>Glori strummed her lyre. A sound materialized out of the jungle behind them, from the side of the hollow opposite where the creature stood. The sailors tensed as it seemed to draw closer, an echo of the crashing noises that had announced the creature’s arrival.</p><p></p><p>“Don’t panic, it’s just Glori working her magic,” Bredan said, looking to her for confirmation. They all looked back at the dinosaur, but it continued chewing, unconcerned.</p><p></p><p>Glori subtly shifted her fingers on the strings, and another sound issued from the jungle: a deep, feral roar. Even knowing that it was an illusion, the others tensed a bit at the sound.</p><p></p><p>Finally, the dinosaur seemed to stir. It turned and headed back into the jungle, leaving behind a trampled path through the bushes in its wake. As it departed it shouldered aside a tree as thick around as a man’s torso, leaving it leaning to the side with its bark shredded.</p><p></p><p>“Told you,” Kosk said.</p><p></p><p>“What if that noise draws a real predator?” Malik asked as Glori let her spell fade.</p><p></p><p>“It wasn’t as far away as it sounded,” Glori said. “I adjusted the volume to make it seem like it was coming closer.”</p><p></p><p>“Still…” the sailor persisted.</p><p></p><p>“If something does show up, we’ll deal with it,” Bredan said. “We need food, and we need rest. We have no idea how much longer it will take to get to the ruined city, but we need to be ready for anything when we get there.”</p><p></p><p>The meal was quick and nerve-wracking; every sound that issued from the jungle around them had them reaching for weapons. As soon as the monkey had been cooked Rodan smothered the fire. The meat was greasy and not very appetizing, but they all ate their portion without complaint. Quellan covered his shield so that his <em>light</em> spell would give them enough illumination to prepare their camp for the night without drawing excess attention from the jungle. The insects certainly had no difficulty finding them, and he quickly let the spell lapse.</p><p></p><p>“I’ll take a watch tonight,” Glori volunteered.</p><p></p><p>“Spellcasters should sleep,” Kalasien quickly interjected, but she said, “I only used one spell today. In any case, keeping watch shouldn’t be a problem as long as I don’t do anything physically or mentally taxing. Besides, if that thing comes back, or a predator does find us, you’ll want a caster ready to deal with it.”</p><p></p><p>“I agree,” Xeeta said. “Better that Bredan get a full night’s sleep, especially with what we’re heading into. I will also stand a watch.”</p><p></p><p>Kalasien looked at Bredan, who nodded. “Very well,” the agent said. “Glori and Kavek, Malik and Xeeta, Sandros and Kosk, and then myself and Rodan last. If all are agreed?”</p><p></p><p>The jungle night was hardly quiet, but their little shelter was still as those not on watch retired to their bedrolls. Glori adjusted her lyre on its strap and went over to the far side of the hollow where Kavek had found a good vantage atop one of the fallen trees. With her elvish nightsight she had little difficulty, but he started visibly as she joined him.</p><p></p><p>“It’s just me,” she said.</p><p></p><p>“Sorry,” he replied. “Can’t see much in this dark.”</p><p></p><p>“That’s why we have someone with darkvision on each shift,” she said.</p><p></p><p>She watched him, aware that he could not see her. “Are you worried about what we’ll find in the ruined city?”</p><p></p><p>He shrugged. “I’d be a fool not to be.”</p><p></p><p>“I’ve noticed that you sort of keep to yourself,” she said. “Apart from the other sailors, I mean.”</p><p></p><p>“I’m fairly new to the crew,” he said. “They hired me on just before we left Li Syval.”</p><p></p><p>“Still, the others seem to follow your lead,” she said. “The idea to come with us… that was yours, wasn’t it?”</p><p></p><p>He fidgeted a moment before responding. “From what I’ve seen since we set out, you guys can kick the ass of anything we’re likely to find in this place.”</p><p></p><p>“I certainly hope that’s true,” she said. “I’ll be on the other side of the camp by the other tree. If you see or hear anything, give a little whistle. You can whistle, yes?”</p><p></p><p>He let out a tinny trill. “Good enough,” she said. She made her way across the camp, careful of her sleeping companions. Had she happened to glance back, she might have seen the sailor watching her intently, despite the darkness.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lazybones, post: 7595716, member: 143"] Chapter 284 For a moment the creature and the companions just stared at each other. The dense jungle growth made it difficult to make out any details of the creature, but they could see that it was huge, well over twenty feet long. After what felt like minutes but what only a matter of a few heartbeats Sandros shifted, adjusting his grip on Elias’s sword. The huge head swung slowly toward him, and the sailor nearly stumbled as he took a reflexive step back. “Hold!” Bredan hissed. “Nobody make any aggressive moves.” “Where did it come from?” Malik asked. “Why didn’t we hear it approaching?” “It must have been nearby when we arrived,” Rodan said. “What is it?” Glori asked. “It’s another species of dinosaur,” Quellan said. “Another herbivore, I believe.” The creature seemed to confirm the diagnosis as it bent its head and took a huge bite out of the tangled brush in front of it. It continued to watch them as it chewed, branches crunching as its considerable jaws worked. “Shoo!” Malik said. “Be careful,” Kosk warned. “Even if it doesn’t want to eat you, it can do a lot of damage if it gets spooked.” “Well, we can’t just let it stay here,” Kalasien said. “If it stumbles into our camp later it could easily step on someone.” “We could look for another place,” Rodan suggested. “I’d be more worried about what we stumble into if we go heading into the jungle at night,” Quellan said. “We would need light for Bredan and the sailors to see.” “I might be able to drive it off with fire,” Xeeta said. “Or you might provoke it to stampede through the camp,” Kosk said. “We could climb the trees first,” Sandros said. “That thing has to weigh several thousand pounds,” Kosk pointed out. Rodan had slowly circled around to the edge of the camp, leaning into the bushes. “Its body is armored,” he reported. “It has some kind of big club for a tail.” “Useful for dealing with the local predators, I’d imagine,” Quellan said. The creature continued to watch them, even as it took another bite of the undergrowth. “We need to do something,” Malik said. Glori strummed her lyre. A sound materialized out of the jungle behind them, from the side of the hollow opposite where the creature stood. The sailors tensed as it seemed to draw closer, an echo of the crashing noises that had announced the creature’s arrival. “Don’t panic, it’s just Glori working her magic,” Bredan said, looking to her for confirmation. They all looked back at the dinosaur, but it continued chewing, unconcerned. Glori subtly shifted her fingers on the strings, and another sound issued from the jungle: a deep, feral roar. Even knowing that it was an illusion, the others tensed a bit at the sound. Finally, the dinosaur seemed to stir. It turned and headed back into the jungle, leaving behind a trampled path through the bushes in its wake. As it departed it shouldered aside a tree as thick around as a man’s torso, leaving it leaning to the side with its bark shredded. “Told you,” Kosk said. “What if that noise draws a real predator?” Malik asked as Glori let her spell fade. “It wasn’t as far away as it sounded,” Glori said. “I adjusted the volume to make it seem like it was coming closer.” “Still…” the sailor persisted. “If something does show up, we’ll deal with it,” Bredan said. “We need food, and we need rest. We have no idea how much longer it will take to get to the ruined city, but we need to be ready for anything when we get there.” The meal was quick and nerve-wracking; every sound that issued from the jungle around them had them reaching for weapons. As soon as the monkey had been cooked Rodan smothered the fire. The meat was greasy and not very appetizing, but they all ate their portion without complaint. Quellan covered his shield so that his [i]light[/i] spell would give them enough illumination to prepare their camp for the night without drawing excess attention from the jungle. The insects certainly had no difficulty finding them, and he quickly let the spell lapse. “I’ll take a watch tonight,” Glori volunteered. “Spellcasters should sleep,” Kalasien quickly interjected, but she said, “I only used one spell today. In any case, keeping watch shouldn’t be a problem as long as I don’t do anything physically or mentally taxing. Besides, if that thing comes back, or a predator does find us, you’ll want a caster ready to deal with it.” “I agree,” Xeeta said. “Better that Bredan get a full night’s sleep, especially with what we’re heading into. I will also stand a watch.” Kalasien looked at Bredan, who nodded. “Very well,” the agent said. “Glori and Kavek, Malik and Xeeta, Sandros and Kosk, and then myself and Rodan last. If all are agreed?” The jungle night was hardly quiet, but their little shelter was still as those not on watch retired to their bedrolls. Glori adjusted her lyre on its strap and went over to the far side of the hollow where Kavek had found a good vantage atop one of the fallen trees. With her elvish nightsight she had little difficulty, but he started visibly as she joined him. “It’s just me,” she said. “Sorry,” he replied. “Can’t see much in this dark.” “That’s why we have someone with darkvision on each shift,” she said. She watched him, aware that he could not see her. “Are you worried about what we’ll find in the ruined city?” He shrugged. “I’d be a fool not to be.” “I’ve noticed that you sort of keep to yourself,” she said. “Apart from the other sailors, I mean.” “I’m fairly new to the crew,” he said. “They hired me on just before we left Li Syval.” “Still, the others seem to follow your lead,” she said. “The idea to come with us… that was yours, wasn’t it?” He fidgeted a moment before responding. “From what I’ve seen since we set out, you guys can kick the ass of anything we’re likely to find in this place.” “I certainly hope that’s true,” she said. “I’ll be on the other side of the camp by the other tree. If you see or hear anything, give a little whistle. You can whistle, yes?” He let out a tinny trill. “Good enough,” she said. She made her way across the camp, careful of her sleeping companions. Had she happened to glance back, she might have seen the sailor watching her intently, despite the darkness. [/QUOTE]
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