Hello all :)

Well I've finished re-watching quite a few people , stlll more to go but I've also been "cleaning up" as you may say, since my previous watch list was craaaazy!

But anyway, I like to thank people for re-watching me and welcome some new watchers, hey there! :D

But now my hands are tired from all the typing and such x_x

*goes off to watch some Pewdiepie* :p


Tales of the Eternals chapter 2: the vessel of wonders

Shern’aath gaped at the creature called Altallo
“How…how can you speak? You’re not a raptor you’re a…you’re a…what are you?” he asks, scratching his head in thought.

“I can speak your language because I’ve run a simple biological scan over your body,” says Altallo holding up his hand and showing it Shern’aath. “It means I looked at your mind and now you understand everything I say and I understand everything you say.” he adds, noticing Shern’aaths still looking nonplussed.

“Oh…wait, you still haven’t told me what you are. And why you’re covered in these,” he pulls at one of the strange gold coloured cloths that covers Altallo’s body.

“Well you see I am from a species called-“Altallo begins, but then breaks off. A loud roar echoes around the area, and both of them look around in alarm.

“That was nearby!” Shern’aath whispered, just as they felt a hushed silence across the river and nearby trees, as though the whole world had drew its breath. Then they heard a nearby tremor.

“And something very big,” adds Altallo “Come on, let’s get out of here-“

He is cut off by a deafening roar! From out of the trees in beside them burst out a monstrous head, yellow eyes fixed on them and a gigantic mouth for of sharp deadly teeth. Shern’aath could only stare in horror, transfixed, and at first didn’t realise he was moving.

“Hurry!” cried Altallo, who had grabbed the raptor and thrown him out of harm’s way, just as the mouth of the monster had snapped shut were Shern’aath had been seconds before! Now Altallo was running, still holding Shern’aath’s hand. Shern’aath finally found his feet and starting running himself.They darted among trees and undergrowth.

“Do you think we lost it?” asks Shern’aath, just as they heard another roar and saw the creature chasing them on two sturdy legs with clawed feet. It also has two arms which were strangely tiny.

“No, keep running!” Altallo replies. “Let’s try and loose her through here.”

They dive into some deeper undergrowth between two sturdy trees. Behind them they hear an enraged roar and the sound of pounding feet fading away.
“We lost it,” gasps Shern’aath, breathing deeply, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
Altallo meanwhile does not look tired at all, was peering through the bushes, a thoughtful look across his face.

“No we didn’t, she’s trying to find a way around us. I know somewhere safe, follow me.” He says.

“Wait a moment, how do you know it’s a she? And where are we going?” asks Shern’aath, looking concerned. On one of his feet a large killing claw starts twitching with agitation.

“Female Tyrannosaurs are a lot bigger than males,” Altallo says, starting to push through some more vegetation “And I was trying to go back to my ship, the place where I live.”

“You mean that big rock out near the nests? That thing isn’t big enough to fit us both in-“

“Never judge by what something looks like” Altallo says sharply, interrupting Shern’aath, then noticing the raptor’s rather hurt expression he says, in a much more gentle voice “I’m sorry. I promise I’ll explain everything soon, but now I’d rather not end up as the meal of an angry Tyrannosaur.”

Shern’aath nods and then follows the little being through the undergrowth. Up in the canopy they can hear the calls of small forest-dwelling pterosaurs and small feathered creatures. Sunlight filtered through the leaves casting odd patches of light across the forest floor; larger patches created by spikey monkey-puzzles and smaller more fluid ones caused by large conifers and ginkoes. It was so quiet, but Shern’aath the forest felt as though it was closing around them, every tree looming in, cornering them. Then, they heard a distant, echoing roar.

“There it is again!” Shern’aath says, grabs Altallo’s shoulder again.

“Keep calm” the little creature replies, his voice calm and quiet. Looking at him, Shern’aath notices Altallo’s face showed no sign of fear at all. “We’re nearly to my ship. Keep calm and keep moving; we’ll be harder to track.”

After more trekking through undergrowth, they soon come across the open, rocky hillside and the pterosaur nests. They see the large boulder up ahead of them.

“We’re almost there,” says Shern’aath looking around “It’s all clear!” he cries out and confidently steps out of the cover of the trees…just as a giant familiar face appears out of the forest a few meters away; the Tyrannosaur! The giant turns its head, nostrils flaring as it spots Shern’aath. With a roar, it charges.

“Quickly!” yells Altallo in alarm, grabbing Shern’aath’s arm again and running up the steep slope. The Pterosaurs take to the air in fright and confusion. The Tyrannosaur struggles up the hills, her legs scraping the rock, but her tiny arms scrabble feebly, barely even moving. She snaps her jaws at them, stretching her neck to try and catch them. Shern’aath jabs his spear at the monstrous head and the Tyrannosaur gives a scream of pain as the spearhead makes contact with the side of her face.

“We’re trapped!” Shern’aath exclaims
Altallo meanwhile presses his hand against the boulders surface. From his palm a series of intricate, luminous turquoise lines spread across the whole of the boulder, then disappear as a bright light engulfs the boulder, causing both the Tyrannosaur and Shern’aath to look around in bewilderment.

“Get in!” Altallo shouts at the stunned raptor, grabbing him and guiding him into the light.

As soon as the two had dived inside, the light disappeared. The lines reappeared quickly and then vanished again and the boulder stood, dull and unmarked once again. The Tyrannosaur blinked in confusion, before a Pterosaur swoops down and tries to peck at her eyes. She roars and snaps at the Pterosaurs, who continue to soar around her and dive bomb occasionally. Soon she slinks away back to the forest, looking rather defeated.

Shern’aath sighs in relief.
“That was a narrow escape, I’m so glad you decided to bring us here-“he stops abruptly and his mouth falls wide open and he dropped his spear, which clattered to the floor. He just realised where he was.

He was standing a large circular room, with strange crystal-looking dark blue walls and a huge column in the centre. Around the base of the column is a large basin, which a strange turquoise light which shone all over the walls. The column reached the ceiling with a large circle which looked as though it were made of different coloured pieces of glass in a strange pattern surrounding it. He also noticed turquoise lines along the column like blood vessels, running from the column over the ceiling and walls, the exact shade and colour of the light. A huge doorway stood at the end of the room, with ornate carvings in abstract shapes across it and the frame. The whole room smelled like fresh air and there was a sort of weightless atmosphere to it.

Standing nearby the basin was Altallo, calmly looking into its depths, the turquoise light illuminating his face.
“Well that Tyrannosaur has just walked back to the forest and we’re all in one piece. I should think we were lucky and—are you ok?” he asks, noticing Shern’aath, who was still staring wide-eyed and open-mouthed at his surroundings.

Curiously, Altallo sidles up to the raptor, who keeps staring at column and basin, and gently places a hand on his jaw and lifts it up, closing his mouth. Altallo looks satisfied and removes his hand, but as soon as he does, Shern’aath’s jaw drops wide open again. Altallo then waves his hand in front of Shern’aath’s eyes and then pokes him in the chest.

“W-what?” says the raptor in a dazed expression. He then shakes his head. “Where am I?!”

“Don’t be scared! You’re safe. This is the ship I told you about, it’s my home,” Altallo calmly replies “What do you think of it?”

Shern’aath walks over to the basin and looks into its depths. Inside was bright turquoise liquid, rippling and swirling gently, causing the blue light across the walls.

“What is this?” he asks, scooping up some of the liquid, which settles into a perfect sphere in his hand. It feels light and smooth. For a moment it stays perfectly still and then slides over and between his fingers and back into the basin.

“It’s the power core of my ship. It only recognises my touch, so it’s not responding to you,” Altallo explains. “I remember you asked what I am, is that right?”

“Erm yes…I think I did…” says Shern’aath confused and slightly embarrassed. The Tyrannosaur chase had driven all other thoughts from his mind. “I forgot.”

“Nevermind,” says Altallo, and for the first time he smiles. His face became warmer looking and kinder. “Well, I am an Eternal.”

“Whats an Eternal?” asks Shern’aath scratching his head “Are you predator or prey? You don’t look like either. And what is that thing on your head?”

To the raptor’s astonishment, Altallo takes of the golden object on his head, revealing more red-brown hair.

“Eternals neither prey on other creatures, nor do we let ourselves fall prey to anything. We don’t live here on this land, or this world. This is my headdress,” he gives the object to Shern’aath “Its traditional Eternal clothing. I wear it to show I’m an ambassador.”

Shern’aath starts sniffing it. It is hollow inside and surprisingly very light in his hands.
“You said you don’t come from this world?” he asks frowning “But there is only the world, from the seas to the West and East…unless if you came from the Sun or the moon.”

“Not quite. You see the lights in the sky? Each one of those is a sun and there are worlds like this one revolving around its sun. Some have things living on them, some don’t. Simple?”
Shern’aath stares at Altallo in disbelief and shakes his head.
“Oh,” says Altallo looking as though he had been slapped across the face “Um…well I guess its difficult to take in for some people. Well anyway, I don’t come from here; I come from a very long way from here.”

“And why are you here?” asks Shern’aath, studying the headdress.

“Come with me and I’ll show you,” says Altallo, pointing towards the doorway.
Shern’aath hesitates, staring at the doorway, his back arched slightly. Altallo places a warm hand on Shern’aath’s, causing the raptor to jump.

“I promise you, no harm will befall you in here, as long as you don’t try to damage anything.” He whispers kindly.

Without a hesitation, Shern’aath follows, still holding Altallo’s headdress. They walk through a long, bright, white-coloured corridor. Everything; the floors, walls and ceiling was made of some sort of white smooth stone. As his eyes adjusted to the brightness of the corridor he noticed tiny lines of flashing colour in the stone.
Altallo had walked on through the corridor to the end and had opened another door. He looked back to the raptor who was walking slowly up to him, gazing in all directions.

“What is this place?” the raptor asks in a whisper

“It’s a decontamination chamber. It kills of any illnesses that pass through it, otherwise it might be dangerous for anything that lives inside here.” The Eternal replies, pointing into another room.

Shern’aath steps in and gasps. The next room was huge and rectangular in shape, with a high clear ceiling that looked like a blue sky, from which bright light shone. Below lay a huge complex of square shaped areas full of plants, huge towering and hundreds of smaller plants around their trunks. Altallo leads Shern’aath down a set of steps made from what looked like stone. Looking closer around the room, he notices most of the floor and ceiling seems to be made of stone. They walk over to the nearest plots, Shern’aath notices a small stream twisting around the trees and even a few stones and rocks scatter around the leaf-strewn earth. It looked just like the forest outside; with graceful ginkoes, cycads with huge leaves surrounding a large strange yellow seed on top, spikey monkey-puzzles and conifers, with ferns and flowering bushes growing in clumps around the trunks.
Further on there were other, smaller patches of plants, these ones looking more specialised. In a big water filled trench grew tangled up mangroves and in a rocky patch grew tiny little mosses and flowers. At the far end of the room is another doorway.

“Wh-why are there all these plants here?” Shern’aath stammers, staring around.
“It’s all part of why am I here on this world. You see on my world, my original home, there are no plants.” says Altallo, who had sat down on a small dais in the centre of the room. “There are no animals either, except us Eternals and our sibling species. It’s a cold and lonely world and we want to see it alive and full of life. So we’ve left it and flew in ships like these to gather and learn about what lives on other worlds.”

“How many of you are there? Asks the raptor “And you have siblings? Do you have a brood mother and father who hatched you from eggs?”

Altallo laughs.
“It doesn’t work quite like that. We have no mother or farther. From the moment we were aware, there was only use. And some others who are really tall and…I can’t remember what they look like now.”

The raptor, rubbing his head and trying to digest all the things he has been told. Giant smooth skins? A boulder that could fly and hold all this inside? It wasn’t adding up to him.

“And so these tall things, are there any here?” he asks, looking around, as though hoping to see a giant figure stride out from behind a tree.

“No, some live on our home, the others…..um…” Altallo stops and looks very thoughtful. After a pause he says “I can’t remember. It’s been so long ago.”

“Did they go somewhere else?” Shern’aath suggests, trying to be helpful.

“Maybe,” Altallo replies “I’m sure I’ll remember sometime. But anyway, I have more of the ship to show you.”

He gets up and leads Shern’aath through the doorway.
The next room is even larger than the previous. The two emerge onto a stone platform, with ramp leading downwards to the floor below. The room almost looked like it could be outside. Its floor was covered in earth and ferns. Trees also dotted the landscape The ceiling was similar to the previous room, clear and help up by sturdy stone pillars, with ornate carvings.
The most amazing feature though are the animals. The whole room felt alive; herds of Certorns and smaller horn-heads, a few armoured ankylosaurs gathered around pools and artificial rivers, small groups of pachycephalosaurs with armoured heads, herds of large hadrosaurs of all kinds and sounds and other smaller herbivores scampering around the undergrowth. High above were several holes in the pillars supporting the ceiling, where chirruping can be heard and small pterosaurs occasionally fly in or out from, squawking to each other or swooping around the larger animals.

They descend down the ramp and onto the earthy lower level. Shern’aath smelled the air, thick with the scent of so many animals. Altallo meanwhile walks up of one of the hadrosaurs, one with a rounded crest and long snout. The hadrosaur looks up and doesn’t seem scared or alarmed at his presence. Altallo extends a hand and the hadrosaur sniffs it and then starts rubbing its face against the Eternal’s hand.
Shern’aath joins Altallo shortly, staring in disbelief at the hadrosaur. “I’ve never seen one act like that before…they’re usually very timid animals.”

“The inside of this ship is an aurora, a sort of air or sound than calms the animals. They have simple minds and it works without hurting them.” Altallo explains

The hadrosaur notices Shern’aath and starts backing away slowly, giving sudden sharp alarm calls before trotting away on its back legs. Other hadrosaurs nearby turn their heads. A Cerantorn started pawing at the ground and making a threatening series of bellows.

“Wish I kept my spear!” Shern’aath exclaims, backing away slowly.

“I’m glad you didn’t,” replies Altallo “Let’s get to the next chamber before they cause some real damage to you!”

And without another word, Altallo had grabbed Shern’aath by the shoulders and pushed him through a nearby doorway.

The next chamber at first seems smaller at first, a narrower corridor lies before them, widening out into a circular lower basin and then another corridor further along. The whole chamber was made of smooth dark rippled green stone.
Lining the walls are arch shaped windows, full of light and with intricate coloured carvings around it, in delicate colours. Shern’aath peers into a few. He spies a flowered bush inside, with the large purple winged insects he had seen Altallo carrying earlier before, with a few other plants and other winged insects. In the others he sees a group of bright colourful frogs clambering over sticks and leaves, spiders and beetles of many sizes, a few scorpions scuttling over sand and rocks, lizards both small and large, a few tiny furry animals with pointed snouts and long tails scurrying across dead leaves and in and out of burrows.

“These look tasty,” Shern’aath thought out loud. Altallo, who was expecting the bright frogs, shot a glance to the raptor.

“I hope you don’t eat them, they’re very important for me.”

“I still don’t understand why you need all this.” Shern’aath says “Oh and…here you might want this back” he adds, holding out Altallo’s headdress.
Altallo smiles, takes it and puts it back on his head.

“Well we take a huge variety of animals and plants to create a stable system so they can live in harmony, like the ones outside. Those that are too dangerous will be kept in specific places. I even a few Tyrannosaurs on board and that is where they will reside.” he explains, ignoring Shern’aath’s horrified look at the thought of more Tyrannosaurs. “See each type of animal is dependent on each other for food and their all dependent on the plants and….”

Shern’aath simply stares at the Eternal, blank eyed and not taking in a word.
Altallo notices the raptor’s bank stare and looks puzzled.
“You’re not listening are you?” he asks

“Erm…no sorry.” Shern’aath replies, “I’ve never been great at lessons on webs of life.”

“Lessons? You mean someone taught you about ecosystems and life?” Altallo asks eagerly, a soft gleam in his eyes.

Shern’aath looks down at the hopeful face, shifting his clawed feet uncomfortably.
“Erm, well….oh look at these things over here!” Shern’aath replies, darting over to one of the windows.

Altallo watches him, looking a little concerned. Shern’aath pretends to be fascinated by the window, which contains a large, rather fat grey lizard with horns on its snout, resting on a branch and looking sleepy. The lizard could not distract Shern’aath though. He could see Altallo hovering close by.
“Shern’aath,” Altallo begins slowly “Is there something wrong?”

“What? No, no!” replies the raptor. “Look, I’ll take you to someone who may tell you the things I can’t, ok?”

Altallo looked up into the raptor’s orange eyes of the raptor and then nods.
Shern’aath lets out a sigh of relief and then gives a toothy grin.

“So, how do you feed all these animals?” he asks, peering into more of the exhibits.

“Well for the plant-eaters, as you have seen, are kept with plants, to make them calm. The flesh-eaters however are frozen, that is to say they’re sleeping,” he says to Shern’aath “They’re in a state where they can breathe and are feed and watered. Some are too dangerous to be kept like the plant-eaters.”

Shern’aath nods and then notices yet another archway, through which a strange blue rippling light emanates.

“What’s through there?” he asks

“It is where I keep life that exits in the water,” says Altallo “They need specialised exhibits.”

Curious Shern’aath walks into the next chamber, looking unafraid and bolder since he entered the ship. Altallo follows, watching the raptor with interest.
Inside was easily the most beautiful and largest chamber. It was made of what blue stone, engraved with white ripples. A huge clear box-shaped container stood in front of them, full of clear water and with a small spiral ladder made of what looked like crystal carved into curves and stalactites under the rail. Moving closer he sees the base of the container several feet below the floor level. Inside are tangled weeds and sunken logs, where small colourful fish dart in and out from. In the middle section, larger, silvery fish swam slowly. Shern’aath recognised them as a type he usually ate. Among the fish, small shelled turtles with four flat clawed legs and a tiny scaly head wobble in the water, occasionally rising up to the surface and clambering on floating logs or on mounds of Earth.

All around the walls were more clear windows full of water, with beautiful carvings around their bases and arches. Inside were a huge variety of small fish of every colour and shape, colourful corals, water plants that looked so simple compared to the ones on land, crabs, crayfish and lobsters scuttling on the scuttle across the floors, strange creatures with curly tails fluttering around coral and holding on with their tails.

Shern’aath stared all around the walls in awe. There was so much to take in and he had no idea where to look first.

And then he saw it. Behind the container of turtles were two much larger containers. He stepped closer to them. They were much deeper than the previous one and mostly bare at the bottom save for a few rocky outcrops and coral. Swimming in them were creatures he thought only existed in hatchling stories.
In one tank were five huge creatures with long tails that ended in a paddle, a stout body with four flippers and a long snout with sharp teeth. They were patrolling in and around a rocky archway in their container, occasionally coming up to the surface for air. The only other animals in with them were a few miniscule fish swimming around the rocks, much too small for their interest.

The other contained a group of massive creatures with long necks, small heads and sleek bodies with four flippers and a small tail. They swam as a group, each co-ordinated with the other’s movements. They too sometimes swam up to the surface to breathe. Also in their container was a pair of huge turtles, dwarfing the ones in the tank. They were slow compared to the long necks, content on swimming around a growth of water plants. Amongst these giants, schools of glittering silver fish darted amongst rocks. A few gold colour fish with black stripes followed the turtles.
Shern’aath walked up close to the container, placing a hand on its smooth wall. He felt tiny against the creatures.

Altallo meanwhile had climbed up the spiral ladder on the first container and was dropping food into the water. The larger fish and turtles swarm around the food, the leftovers floating to the bottom where the small fish darted forward to finish them off.

He looks over to Shern’aath, who was still mesmerized by the creatures.
“Wonderful aren’t they?” he calls over to the raptor. “They were difficult to get into the ship though. Had to use a canal to get the giant predatory ones in, the long necked ones can actually go on land.”

He climbs down the ladder and walks over to Shern’aath next to the tanks.

“Are you ok?” he asks Shern’aath

“Yes. Just never thought I’d ever see these mosasaurs and elasmosaurs . Our elders used to teach us about them. I used to think they didn’t exist.”

They watch the creatures for a few minutes, then Altallo moves off to the other containers to feed the other creatures. Shern’aath soon follows him and peers into the containers and their occupants. Up close he could see more details of these mysterious creatures. He never imagined he’d be able to see these tiny things up close. He was surprised to see how complex their colours and patterns could be, with spots, stripes and swirls. He also noticed in some of the tanks small odd creatures, some with five arm-like appendages in beautiful bright colours and a few creatures that looked more like round balls covered in spikes.
In one container he saw a rather scary looking animal with a long face, sharp teeth and wild looking eyes, poking out from a small cave.

Altallo soon finishes feeding the animals and joins Shern’aath, who was looking at a tiny orange and white fish darting around a strange thing that looked like an open flower with flowing colourful tentacles.

“I’m all done!” he says brightly “Do you like these exhibits?”

“Yes, it’s so calming” replies the raptor “Do you just keep these things here forever?”

“No, I transfer them to a storage bank, a sort of container,” he explains “They’re frozen and won’t age or grow hungry. I let them live in these exhibits,” he gestures to a tank “For a few months to about a year, depending on the animal. These small fish will be in storage in a few months whereas the bigger animals will be kept for a year. It’s to let them calm down and get used to life on-board. I also give them a special chemical in their food that increases their lifespans, so they can live on our home.”

Shern’aath rubbed his neck with his paw, looking a little nervous.
“What about things that can talk? Like me. Would you lock me away?”

Altallo looked confused.
“I don’t kidnap and lock away people. I ask them to come with me.” He said, a little bluntly.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” Shern’aath said quickly, eyes widening “I’m sorry. It’s just,” he glances around the quite chamber “I’m still unsure of this place. It makes me feel small and scared and yet amazed.”
He felt Altallo’s hand, cold on his bare shoulder.

“It’s ok. The unknown is scary. I was scared when I met you. Let me show you the last room I have so far. Some chambers are closed right now until I need more space for different environments.”

The two left the aquatics chamber, back down the green hallway, through the huge animal enclosure and into the plant section, Shern’aath blinking in the bright sunlight after the darkness of the previous chambers. He follows Altallo to another smaller doorway he had not noticed before, this one closed and surrounded by climbing plants. Altallo pulled a little piece of metal from his robes and pressed it against the doorway, which slides away to reveal a room made of mostly black stone. Soft patches of light glow from clear cases, some small other huge and empty. Shern’aath peers into some of the smaller cases. Inside were mostly rocks of varying sizes and colours. Some were dull brown; a few were colourful such as a green stone covered in swirls or a bright blue one. In some cases were truly strange objects. They were in odd shapes like perfect squares or oblongs and bright colours too, in reds, blues, greens, purples and a few were completely clear or opaque.
“What are these things?” asks the raptor

“Some sort of stone. We have them on our homeworld, but they don’t look the same as those. I just found them rather beautiful in a way. This room is also used to store anything made by other people, anything that is old, that is lost or isn’t wanted anymore. I haven’t found anything yet, just those rocks.”

“Maybe you can find some things in my encampment?” Shern’aath suggests “I’ll be happy to take you there, but you must be careful, I don’t think they’d take well to some strange thing walking into their home.”

“I understand” Altallo replies, leading the way out of the room, the door sliding back shut behind them “I’m looking forward to seeing your settlement.”

“Why would you be?” asks the raptor “It’s small and rather dull.”

But Altallo swept past him and up the stairs back to the main room, evidently not hearing what Shern’aath had said. The raptor sighed and rolled his eyes before following.

He caught up with Altallo, who was opening the portal to the outside world.
“Hold on!” he grumbles. “You know you move fast for a little thing.”

“Sorry,” says Altallo, “I guess I can get a bit over excited.”

“A bit!” the raptor mumbles sarcastically to himself.

The two step out of the ship, back onto soil and rock and the cries of the nearby pterosaurs. Shern’aath looked around.

“No sign of danger. It feels odd after being inside there,” he says to Altallo pointing to the ship. “I feel like I’ve been in there for a whole season.”

“Maybe you’re not used to being inside?” says Altallo “We’d best be making a head start, it’ll be night soon. You lead on, you know the way.”

Shern’aath nods and the two make their way down the hill towards the forest. Looking back at the boulder, Shern’aath still felt unsure. But then looking at the small creature following him, he felt a warmth flood into his chest. He had a new friend and had been in a vessel of wonders.






Chapter 3 Realm of the dinosaurs

Through the forest the two trek, the green raptor in front pushing aside low growing undergrowth and the pale traveller in blue and gold walking calmly behind. They travelled over a wide river across some large stones, which Shern’aath explained that his people long ago laid to cross the deep waters, and up a tall hill covered in shrubs. From the hill, they could see a wide valley with two rivers flowing through its valley. In the middle, on of a small mound of red earth was a huddle of small round tents covered in markings, surrounded by a fence made of branches. Even from this distance they could see tiny figures moving amongst the tents.

“That’s it, my home. I told you it wasn’t much.” Shern’aath grunts.

“I think it is beautiful,” replies Altallo “And you all live inside those things?” he points to the tents.

“Yes, where else would we live? We need to keep out the wind and the predators,” Replies the raptor “It won’t take us long to get there. Just keep quiet though.”

The two make their way down the hill, following a pathway of earth that twisted around trees and boulders, worn down with age and the footsteps of many raptors. They cross a narrow part of the river which had sandy banks, Shern’aath wondered whether he would have to carry Altallo, but to his surprise, the little creature wades casually through the water with apparent ease and joy, beaming at the raptor when he climbs out of the river, legs dripping wet.
Soon they reach the borders of the settlement. From the cover of a huge mass of ferns they can see other raptors behind the wall and a few outside it on the banks of the river, with nets and spears. Two raptors would stretch a net out across the river and leave it for a few minutes before reeling it in and taking it to the shore, emptying their catch onto the shore, where they then put it into wicker The spear carriers waded out into the shallower areas behind the nets, stabbing at passing fish and hanging them on nearby racks on the shore. Closer up the raptors looked different, each one being unique. There were some with stripes across their bodies and some without, a few with feathered crests on their heads and tails and others smooth like Shern’aath. Their body colours ranged from sandy yellows, greens and browns. Each had a red and blue symbol like Shern’aath, some on their snouts, across their chests, around their necks or down their backs and tails.

“Right,” says Shern’aath peering around “We’re going to have to be quick about this so no-one sees you. We’ll wait until there are fewer raptors around.”
An hour passes by until the raptors by the river gathered up their baskets and carried them towards the settlement, chatting and laughing, until their voices grow quieter.

“Now’s our chance, come on!” whispers Shern’aath, grabbing Altallo’s arm and leading him to the main entrance, pressing himself and Altallo against the wooden wall. They both peek around the wall. Inside the raptors that had been by the river were gathered around a large fire with other raptors. The fishers looked rather young, around Shern’aath’s age, with smooth scales and bolder colours. The other raptors looked older and a few were taller than the younger ones and a few were smaller with more faded scales. Around the legs of these adults were small juvenile raptors, running around and chasing each other.
The whole tribe were preparing fish over the fire, spearing them on sticks and rotating them over the flames until they were warm and brown, before being passed out to each raptor. The raptors were talking merrily amongst each other. The young ones played around and joked with one another with, the elders talking deeply with each other.
Wordlessly, Shern’aath beckons Altallo and they slowly slip around the gate and quickly dive behind one of the circular tents.

Shern’aath takes a quick look back at the raptors.
“Ok we’re all clear” he says “It isn’t far to my tent, just keep low.”

The tents were arranged into neat lines and curves around near the walls, all entrances facing the fire. Each was unique in its own way just like the raptors, with paint and patterns across the material. They soon come across a tent with wavy blue lines and a green band on the roof.

“That’s yours?” asks Altallo, bending down and peering into it.

“Yes. It’s not much, but its home.” Shern’aath replies vaguely, looking around at the nearby tents. To his horror, he sees a female raptor, in similar clothes to Shern’aath emerge from a tent from the row in front of them. She turns and sees Shern’aath, not noticing Altallo.
She grins at Shern’aath and waves. Shern’aath hitches a smile on his face and gives a small wave back. The female raptor starts making her way over to Shern’aath, who starts panicking, his claws on his feet tapping the ground.

“Oh no she’s coming here! What am I going to do?! What to do what do?” he mumbles, his eyes laying to rest on Altallo. “Get in there!” he whispers suddenly pushing Altallo, who tumbles into the tent, looking thoroughly confused. Shern’aath quickly covers up the tent flap as the female raptor approaches. She has dark brown scales with tawny feathers on head and a blue and red ring painted around her neck.

“Hello Shern’aath!” she says.

“Oh er Ta’arahis!” replies Shern’aath, gently kicking back Altallo who had popped his head out of the tent to see what is happening. “Hello! How are you?”

“I’ve been taking care Na’alia’s hatchlings, they’ve grown so much,” says Ta’arahis grinning “Have you had any luck on your hunting trips?”

“Um, no I didn’t.” replies Shern’aath, his composure slumping a little. Ta’arahis makes a sympathetic sound.

“Your father won’t be happy, you haven’t caught something for days—hey what was that!” she suddenly says, trying to look past Shern’aath, who stepped in front of her, blocking her view. Ta’arahis gives a sly toothy grin.

“Shern’aath, are you hiding something from me?” she asks in a sweet, cooing voice, leaning up at Shern’aath.

“H-hiding something? No no! What makes you think that?” the male raptor replies, with a huge smile, but shuffling slightly.
Ta’arahis puts her hands on her hips, giving Shern’aath a cold look.

“I know when you are lying, you stutter a lot and shuffle.”

“Wait no I-“ began Shern’aath, but he was cut off by a scream from Ta’arahis

“THERE’S SOMETHING MOVING IN THERE! I SAW IT!” she screamed, pointing a clawed finger into the tent.

As if on cue, raptors came running up, looking scared and confused.

“What is it Ta’arahis?” asked another female raptor, with dark green scales and blue feathers, placing a hand on Ta’arahis’ shoulder comfortingly.

“It-it was a….a creature moving about in Shern’aath’s tent!” she mumbles.

All eyes locked onto Shern’aath who stood there petrified. A big sand coloured raptor with the red and blue lines of the tribe across his torso and orange feathers on his head and neck moves forward, looking down at Shern’aath with steely grey eyes, who backs away slightly, looking scared
“Alright Shern’aath,” he said in a deep, yet surprisingly soft voice “Let me see what you have inside your home.”

“B-but I…alright.” replies the smaller green raptor, defeated.

He steps aside, and slowly opens the tent flaps, closing his eyes as he does so, waiting. He hears the big raptor stooping down and walking into the tent. After a few minutes the raptor comes out again. Shern’aath hears gasps of shock and awe and he opens one eye slowly, expecting to see Altallo being carried or dragged out. Instead the big raptor was carrying a sphere in one of his hands. Shern’aath’s eyes snap open and he stares at the object. It was a beautiful thing, its smooth dark blue surface covered with hundreds of constantly moving small white dots, symbols and lines.

“Where did you find this?” the big raptor asks to Shern’aath.

“I-in the forest.” Mumbles Shern’aath.

“I see,” replies the raptor “I’ll take this away and speak with the shaman about it. Do not fear Shern’aath” he says kindly and then speaks louder to the rest of the raptors “My kin, there is nothing to fear. Go back to your homes.”

The crowd disperses, chatting amongst each other. The big raptor pats Shern’aath on the head and walks off. Shern’aath lets out a sigh of relief, but the quickly perks up again, remembering Altallo he enters into his tent.
Inside was a spacious area in the middle with a large colourful mat on the floor for sleeping. Around the sides are pots and containers and a few spears bundled together. Shern’aath hears a soft movement and Altallo emerges from near a pile of pots, with a reed mat over his head.

“Are they gone?” he asks, removing the mat.

“Yes, but what in the world was that ball thing?” asks Shern’aath, helping Altallo up.

“It’s a star catalogue. It maps the movements of stars, planets, moons and comets in the local solar system.” explains Altallo, brushing bits of reeds from his robes.
Shern’aath looks nonplussed and scratches his head.
“I’d like it back sometime,” continued Altallo, wandering around the tent and looking at the spears and other objects. “I’ve been building and recording it for a long time and I wouldn’t want to lose it. Who was that big raptor and the Shaman he mentioned?”

Shern’aath blinks and then shakes his head, trying to wake himself from his stupor.

“Er, the big raptor is a calmkeeper. He and a few others stop arguments and help out during hunting,” he explains, rubbing a leg with one of his feet “The shaman is the oldest and wisest of the raptors. He has seen much, but now his legs are frail, his eyes are tired and grey and his teeth are worn. He lives in a cave far away from the noise and distractions.”
He places a clawed hand to his head.
“Sorry I’m feeling tired, I’m going to sleep.”

And with that the raptor plumps himself onto the carpet, curls up and falls asleep...or at least he appeared to be. Altallo looks puzzled at the raptor’s bluntness, before sinking slowly to the floor, his blue and gold robes rippling around him like a lake. He simply sat there for a while, as the tent grew darker and the noises of the nearby tents started to grow quiet, before lying down and curling up.
A few hours later, light grows on the tent walls and floor. Shern’aath begins to stir, standing up and stretching his arms and rubbing his eyes. He looks over at Altallo, who was lying very still. The raptor crouches beside Altallo and taps him on the shoulder.
The Eternal suddenly sits up wide awake, startling Shern’aath.

“Oh its morning now?” Altallo asks brightly, jumping up and peeking out of the tent flap. Outside the settlement was deserted, with all the raptors in their homes. “Right, first thing’s first, I’d like to see this shaman you mentioned.” Says Altallo rubbing his hands together.

“What?” replies Shern’aath, gaping at Altallo “Why would you want to see him?”

“Well first to get my star diagrams back and I’m curious about what he knows,” replies the Eternal, stroking his chin thoughtfully “I wonder if you could show me the way?”
“
I’m not sure…its a long way.” Shern’aath replies tentatively.

“Please,” asks Altallo, looking directly at the raptor with those piercing green eyes “It is important I get that catalogue back.”

Shern’aath ponders for a second, then sighs and nods.
The two exit the tent, Shern’aath grabbing his spear, and creep quietly and quickly towards the entrance to the settlement. Slipping quietly outside, Shern’aath turns to Altallo.

“The shaman lives in those hills over there,” he explains pointing towards some rocky and craggy hills behind the settlement. “It’ll be a long trek.”

And it was! The walk through the valley was rather gentle; they followed the river keeping to the banks, which were bordered with conifers and flowering trees and bushes. The early morning was fast becoming warmer and lighter. On the other side of the river, a pair of armoured dinosaurs, with huge spikes on their shoulders and down their tail were drinking; they only took a fleeting glance at the two before returning to their drink. Insects buzzed or fluttered around them and in the calm waters they could see fish drifting lazily. Shern’aath waded out into the river, speared a fish and started eating it. He offered to catch another for Altallo, but the Eternal shakes his head.

“Are you sure? You haven’t eaten anything since I met you!” he said, scratching his head.

“I don’t get hungry.” Altallo replies simply, smiling softly.

Shern’aath shrugs and finishes his in a gulp.

Later they start climbing a rocky, spiralling pathway embedded in the hill. The terrain was rough, with patches of twisting trees and wiry ferns. The sun had risen fully now, with a few clouds in the sky. It was hot and dry and despite being high up, there was hardly any wind. Shern’aath began to feel heavy footed and weary. To his surprise and slight annoyance Altallo seemed perfectly fine and was walking steadily with no signs of tiredness, walking along at a steady pace and even jumping nimbly over boulders and small chasms.

“Don’t you ever feel tired?” he asks irritated.

“Of course I do!” Altallo replies, looking a little startled at the raptor’s annoyed outburst “Just at night sometimes.”

Shern’aath scoffed. “You’re a nice person, but just so weird.”

Altallo looks hurt by this comment and seemed to wilt a little. Shern’aath walks on, Altallo trailing along with his head bowed. The journey was quieter from then on, but Shern’aath kept looking back, and started to feel bad.

“I should not have snapped like that” he thought “What is the matter with me! He's done nothing wrong to me.”

Little did either of them know or notice something watching them from the cover of some tufty ferns.

Eventually they reach a plateau surrounded more twisted, gnarled trees. In the middle was a large hut, with rough pieces of wood for walls and sticks tied up to form a cone-shaped roof with a hole in it, through which wispy smoke drifted out. A large piece of bark acted as a door. From the plateau, they had a spectacular view of both the raptor valley, where they could just make out tiny figures moving around. Small pterosaurs flew around above, calling to each other

Shern’aath walks up to the door, knocks and whispers.
“Shaman? Are you in there?”

“Who’s calling this early!” replies a loud voice, cracked with age.

“It’s…” Shern’aath glanced at Altallo who was looking out at the scenery and then sighs “It’s Shern’aath.”

There was a short pause and then the door bursts open. Standing in the doorway was another raptor, with pale green scales and a skinny body, slightly shorter than Shern’aath. In fact face looked a lot like Shern’aath’s, with similar orange eyes, except paler and blue and red markings on his nose. He grinned toothily at Shern’aath, revealing several missing teeth.

“Shern’aath! How good to see you!” he cries happily “Where have you been? You haven’t visited me in a while and-“
The Shaman breaks off when he spots Altallo. Eyes narrowing he approaches the Eternal, his back arching, crouching in a hunting position, nostrils flaring and teeth bared. Altallo backs away, looking alarmed.

“What is this thing?” asks the Shaman his voice growly, “New prey?”

“No!” cries Shern’aath, jumping between them. “He’s not prey, nor predator. He’s a friend.”

The Shaman looks from Shern’aath to Altallo. He scoots over to Altallo, and looks intently at his face. He occasionally poked at Altallo’s face or sniffed it. After a while he steps back and looks confused.
“Mmm, a right oddity! Where did you find it?” he asks Shern’aath.

“He’s not an it. And we just sort of bumped into each other. He’s really smart and he can talk. Maybe you should ask him.” Shern’aath replies, rolling his eyes, as the Shaman turns back to Altallo, rubbing his chin.

“What makes all life?” he asks suddenly to Altallo

“Fresh water, food and clean air.” Altallo says almost at once in a calm tone.

The Shaman blinks and then laughs.

“Oh this one is smart!” he says to Shern’aath “I like him! Tell my friend,” he says to Altallo “What is the source of all life?”

“The light of the sun.” Altallo says, smoothly.

The raptor looks utterly giddy with joy and giggles, rather childishly.

“Come on in!” he says beckoning to his house, “I’d love to have a talk. There’s so much I’ve not had the privilege of discussing. You come too Shern’aath, you might learn something for once!” he adds to Shern’aath, who looked really grumpy at being ignored.

They file into the rough hut, Shern’aath having to duck through the doorway. Inside, the hut consisted of one room, with a large sleeping mat at the far end. A fire’s embers glimmered in the centre of the room, surrounded by a round wall of stones. The rest of the space was cluttered with all manner of objects. There were pots, jars and vases, small wooden figurines of creatures and raptors and all manner of other things. From the roof hung several strange things, tied to thread.
The Shaman shuffles over to the fire and starts poking it with a stick, making the dying fire glow brighter. Shern’aath sits down across the fire on the opposite side of the Shaman. Altallo meanwhile starts wandering around the hut, examining the sculptures and figurines. He looks closely at a model Tyrannosaur. Every scale had been etched in minute detail; there were small painted stones for eyes and it was painted green. Altallo smiled at the Tyrannosaur’s face, which look surprised when viewed from the front.

“Do you like that?” the Shaman asks Altallo.

“Yes, I do,” said Altallo “What are they?”

“They’re models I make in my spare time. I give them to hatchlings and-”
But he soon notices that Altallo had stopped listening and had gone rummaging amongst the models again.

“Does he always do this?” the Shaman asks Shern’aath.

“He’s easily distracted,” Shern’aath whispers “It’s like he’s never seen a pot or something so simple like that.”

He’s interrupted by Altallo.
“Hah! Found it!” he says, holding up the small blue sphere, the star chart.

“Oh that little thing, that young leader just gave it to me yesterday. Does it mean anything to you?”

“It records the movement of the stars and planets and moons.” Altallo says to the Shaman, moving over and sitting next to him.

“Really?” exclaims the old raptor in surprise, “May I see it?”

Altallo hands the star catalogue to the raptor, who starts turning it over and over in his claws. The Shaman frowns sceptically at the orb.

“Mmm, can’t make snout nor tail of it.” He declares.

“Can I have back please?” Altallo asks.
“
Of course,” replies the raptor “But, before I do, can you show me how it works?” he asks, eagerly.

Altallo picks up the sphere and holds it carefully in one of his palms. He presses a finger on its surface and starts moving it in small strokes. The markings begin moving rapidly. The raptors gasp in awe at the thing. At last it stops and seems to focus on one yellow marking. Around it were smaller coloured dots circling it.

“That is the sun,” says Altallo, pointing at the yellow marking “And we are here.” He points to the third circling dot, which was coloured green and blue.

“We’re on a speck?” remarks Shern’aath, his voice heavy on disbelief
The Shaman however was intrigued.

“So we’re floating on this island in the stars so to say?” he asks

“You could say that,” Altallo replies “It’s also rotating, so when one side faces away from the sun its night and-“

He breaks off, looking down at the sphere.

“What’s the matter?” asks Shern’aath.

“Just spotted something,” says Altallo, pointing to the sphere. A red marking had appeared, it was moving slowly to the blue and green dot. “That’s an asteroid. It’s heading over here!”

“So?” asks Shern’aath. “It can’t hurt the world. The world will go on forever, from Far East sea to the far West sea.”

“What is an asteroid?” asks the Shaman, struggling to his feet.

“It’s a huge piece rock floating in space. They just move random and can hit into anything,” Altallo explains. “With luck this one will just go into the sun or miss us.”

“And if it doesn’t?” Shern’aath asks.

“I..,” Altallo mumbles “I don’t know. It could be the end.”

“Nonsense!” the Shaman croaks looking sternly at Altallo “You’re just being gloomy!” he shuffles over to Altallo and places a hand on the Eternal’s shoulder. It felt warm and reassuring. “You just go with Shern’aath and forget about this.”
Altallo looks back at the Shaman, looking confused. But the Shaman looks back kindly and smiles.

“Tell you what, why don’t I give you these models.”

“You mean all of them?!” asks Shern’aath stunned.

“Of course!” replies the Shaman cheerfully “I have no need for them anymore. You grew out of them Shern’aath.”

He shuffles back into his home and grabs a large vase covered in swirling patterns.

“You can take them back in this,” he says, pushing it into Altallo’s hands. “I’ll help you get all these in.”

He starts picking up the models and putting into the vase.

“Come on Shern’aath, help out! I’m not the sprightly raptor I was in my youth!” the Shaman barks at Shern’aath.

Shern’aath rolls his eyes, but starts helping the Shaman too. Soon the vase was full of models.

“Thank you again for the models Shaman.” says Altallo, balancing the vase precariously on his knee and patting the Shaman on the nose.

The Shaman gives an odd chirping noise and smiles.
“It was nothing. You take care and I’m sure Shern’aath will help you out.”
Shern’aath and Altallo start walking back down their path, turning back and waving to the Shaman.

“You sure you have enough room for all that stuff?” Shern’aath asks, a hint of scepticism in his voice.

“Should be,” Altallo replies, concentrating on carrying the vase “Might need to rearrange some things. That Shaman was really nice; I thought he was going to attack me at first though.”

“He’s a right old softy. He’s just a little strange at times.” says Shern’aath.

“He mentioned you haven’t visited him in a long time. Why is that?”

“Erm”, Shern’aath replies “It’s because…..because I’ve been busy and-“

But he’s interrupted by the Shaman who shouts to them:
“Bye son!”

Shern’aath freezes and closes his eyes looking deeply embarrassed. Altallo meanwhile looks puzzled.

“Why did he call you son?” he asks the raptor.

Shern’aath sighs.
“He’s…my father.”

“What is a….father?” asks Altallo.

Shern’aath blinks at Altallo.

“You really don’t know what a father is? Or a mother?”

Altallo shakes his head.
“I never thought I’d be teaching anyone about families.” Shern’aath said.

They start walking back down the hillside. From a tangle of rough ferns, a face appears and watches them go. The face had a long beaked snout, with small bumps along it. The head was wide and covered with bony material forming a dome, surrounded by spikes. Like the raptors, its skin is scaly and a soft yellow in colour with light blue markings. Raising a round clawed hand to its chin it regards the two with curiosity.