And The Wheelbarrow Rolls on

They had stayed in that abandoned human settlement for four days before being able to leave. Mary had been unconscious for two- fading in and out of the waking world, only able to blink at the concerned faces above her before falling back under. Her dreams were twisted and confusing, consumed by writhing, toxic plants and choking vines. On the fourth day, she was finally able to travel once more. Her wounds had been packed with strange plants gathered by Java, that seemed to have an extremely acute healing effect. Gashes and tears were already scabbed over- tender, but not painful- and her deeper wounds were wrapped in a bandage of the stuff. Flurry and Oboe had suffered much more minor injures- the albertosaurus had already regrown her missing teeth, and was able to speak once more without mumbling. The worst thing Oboe had suffered was bruises and an insane amount of mud clogging her feathers- but non stop grooming was able to solve that issue.

Eventually Java had stirred them to move, urgently gesturing to the plants in the wheelbarrow. Still alive, but if they lingered too much longer they would die. They must get to the surface. So the three heaved themselves up, the oviraptor pushing the wheelbarrow and its precious cargo as they reassumed their guard positions. It was their job as knights to protect Java and his surface-bound plants- even injured. They were sure to face more opposition at the surface- many dinosaurus and animals were angry, and now that the Atlanteans plans had been revealed they were sure to face opposition. Flurry wasn't sure why they just couldn't return to Atlantis to regroup- but part of her was glad for it. She hated being stuck in that poisonous land, the inhabitants spitting toxin at her as she walked by with her head down. As a carnivore the Atlanteans were both scared and aggressive towards her- part of the reason she had agreed to become a knight, it seemed the only option. Java at the very least was polite towards her- dedicated to his task. She could respect that.

Oboe flapped overhead, ducking down to nestle onto Marys back as they passed into the tunnel. She chirped an apology as her landing pulled on still sensitive feathers, preening the pink feathers beneath her in apology. The tunnels still freaked her out- in the dome there was at least the fake sky- but here it was just metal and the heavy pressure of water. The tapejara buried her head in the feathers, doing her best to block it out.

Surprisingly, they made it out of the tunnel with little issue. Flurry peered around suspiciously as they crept out, feathers along her back raised. The location of the tunnel was fairly well known now- the fact that there was no one waiting to stop or attack them set off warning bells in her head. Still, it might be a good sign for them. The albertosaurus quickly gestured Java ahead, allowing the oviraptor to lead them to where he thought the best location was. Mary dropped down onto her forelimbs, sighing in relief. She had missed the surface- missed the fresh air, the dry dirt under her forelegs, even missed the chill that the dome lacked. Oboe was quickly to chirp in glee and jump off from Mary's back, taking into the sky with a shriek to keep watch for any intruders- and to truly fly for the first time in weeks. Here, the air was alive, moving, fighting, powerful- unlike the still air in Atlantis, which lacked currents and thermals. It was never fun flying down there- in fact, it was almost impossible.

They traveled for quite a while in peace- a much needed period of calm for the knights. Flurry greedily inhaled the scent of pine needles as they traveled past a boreal forest, reminded of her family for the first time in a while. How were they…

The trio were pulled from any thoughts they had when Oboe let out a loud squawk. “Approaching! Movement in the trees! Big!” Mary and Flurry quickly charged forward, placing thenselves in front of Java as the oviraptor scuttled behind his cargo, peeking out nervously.

A shadow emerged from the forest, a lot growl sounding as the carnivore emerged. An albertosaurus- Flurry felt herself jolt as she was faced with a member of her own kind for the first time. Varying shades of grey and brown, with a lighter underbelly and darker head gave him the appearance of sea-washed stone. Brown spots speckled his spikes scales, and a speckled blue crest framed orange eyes. A blanket of white covered his back, like fresh snow. But now was not time to gawk over the other- those intense eyes were focused on the cowering oviraptor, the snarl growing ever louder.

Oboe was the one to break the tense stand off, diving downwards with a loud shriek and swiping at the others head. The albertosaurus ducked, irritably snapping his teeth and just barely missing black feathers.

Mary took this opportunity to charge in- had she not been injured, she likely would have charged at the other to knock them over. Instead, she was forced to stop just in front of the larger carnivore, lashing out with sharp hooves. She had to play defense- which left most of the fighting to Flurry.

The albertosaurus snarled, stepping in front of Mary to take the headbutt meant for her. She was quick to kick back, leaning back and using a single leg to push the other albertosaurus. The spiked male tried to bite her neck, but the thick mane of feathers made it hard to get a grip- he ended up with nothing but a mouthful of feathers.

Flurry was quick to take the advantage after that- she sunk her own teeth into the others neck, before Mary quickly knocked into their side and Oboe dove at their head. The combination of attacks managed to topple the albertosaurus over, sending him reeling. Before they could close in, he was gone- pulling himself onto his feet and taking off into the forest.

The knights sighed in relief. “How many more times are we going to have to do this?” Oboe groaned, alighting back near Java. 

The oviraptor was checking over the plants- still in good shape, at least as far as the three could tell. “Not too far now!” The oviraptor chirped, pointing a claw through the forest- where the albertosaurus had just done. “Just that way!” Oboe groaned. Did they really have to keep going? Wasn’t this good enough?

Mary stepped forward, eyes steely. “Let's go, then.” Her hooves clopped on the ground as she led the way into the forest. “Before the albertosaurus returns with friends.” Suppose that was as good a reason as any.