Men & Monsters

Home

Smoldering embers rolled over her hand, prompting Eira into a quick, surprised awakening. The piercing sting stuck with her for several moments when she saw a few raptors prodding at the remnants of the fire with their clawed feet. How they didn't cry out in pain was beyond her, when she sat up. The two dinosaurs perked up and asked if she could bring the fire back, when she noticed it was early morning. The Wildeboar carcasses surrounded them, and save for a few wandering velociraptors, they were alone.

"Where are the others?" She asked.

"Ach, zey vent back to zee ozers, I tink Giant is over zere. Ja." The girl stood up, and just over a daeodon body she could see Giant with his back turned, talking to someone. The other being, however, was concealed in the morning fog. Running a hand through her hair, she walked toward them when she realized it was Finn, and he hardly seemed pleased. She came closer when her hands came together apprehensively. Hopefully he wasn't angry with her.

"Good morning, Finn." She said softly. The two dinosaurs turned, though they didn't offer their signature grins. Instead, Giant looked at her for but a moment and turned back.

"There you have it. Unharmed just as I said. She wound up lost last night."

"Call yourself lucky." Finn replied when he approached Eira and lowered himself down. "You gave me quite a fright this morning."

"I apologize, Finn. I lost my meal and went looking for another. Giant protected me from several dangerous beasts however. I didn't mean to get lost." The spinosaurus looked stern for a moment, but it soon became apparent that he couldn't remain so for long, as he smiled.

"I'm glad you're safe, and that you're awake at such a fine hour. Shall we get going?"

"Now, my old friend, I was sort of hoping on escorting her myself."

"You? Escorting me?"

"Why yes, back home of course."

"With all thanks given, Giant I only feel that your personal army will do little but scare half the forest away, and give little hope of finding Eira her home. Come quickly Eira, before the fog disappears." The giganotosaur laughed.

"Nonsense. We offer protection. The finest in fact. Am I right, my dear?"

"Of course. But...I feel Finn is right. The lighter the load, you know? Not to mention he asked me first. I do hope to see you once I do get home."

"I can handle myself in a fight too, you know." Finn added.

"Of course you can, old friend. I understand completely. I hope to see you soon, my dear. Safe travels. And Finn, my men are on the move out of your lands as we speak." Giant offered his warmest grin and watched as she waved her farewells and walked off with Finn into the thick mist. As they disappeared, Hopper appeared at his leader's side.

"Should I send Rogue to follow them?" His demeanor remained cold and distant as the two giant predators stared into nothingness.

"Yes." The allosaurus turned and made for the others, while Giant took a deep, contemplative breath. He stood there for several minutes, when he nearly turned when something caught his attention. Sunlight began to pierce through the fog, and as the thin rays slowly grew, he swiftly looked to the path down which the others had walked on. A few moments passed, but when the fog dissipated, he could see that Finn and Eira were gone without a trace. They even failed to leave any piece of evidence of their travels through the thick forest. His eyes narrowed as his interests were only piqued.

------

The smell of fresh meat was simply too good for Thorn to pass up. Knowing his luck, however, it belonged to another, much larger carnivore. Swipe followed along behind him, making mindless chitchat for their endless travels. They still had yet to find any suitable leads, but this forest was massive, and their quest could take them anywhere. It was a daunting thought for the ceratosaurus, especially without the protection of Rex hovering over them. But they were both respectable carnivores in their own right, and that alone helped him to keep pushing on.