Chapter 5: "Brachiosaurus on the Bank"

“Our home is three miles to the northwest, just past the Spiral Shell Falls!” Arabella had marked the location on Caseus’s map. Despite initially insisting she could walk just fine, she relented, and settled to riding on Shawk. Not wanting to overburden his friend, Caseus had taken to running alongside.

However, the mountain trails and switchbacks made what would be a three-mile hike a much longer affair.

The Dumaz Mountains ran from east to west through the country of Enoménos, almost cutting it in half. With the rains and weather from the sea to the north, the north-facing slopes were almost perpetually lush. The southern slopes and lowlands, meanwhile, were caught in the rain shadow left by the peaks. The whole southern countryside would otherwise be more dry and barren than the north, were it not for a few underground springs that provided relief.

The only notable body of water south of the range was the Twin Moon Lake, named so for how the light of the two lunar bodies reflected off its surface. The lake was fed by a mixture of springs and seasonal snow melt. It had formed an oasis for years; it was only with the development of aqueducts and better irrigation that farming villages like Zab could spring up nearby.

With the country’s agricultural capabilities having grown to the point of excess over the decades, merchants and traders on the northern coast had naturally turned to export the nation’s food and goods. As the years went by, podunk fishing hamlets transformed into bustling ports that drew trade from multiple neighboring nations.

Caseus had visited several ports over the years, and seen faces of countless races and nations there. However, he had more than enough experience beyond people watching to recognize this Arabella girl as a resident of Filliana, a declining kingdom across the sea to the northwest. The red hair, fair skin and freckles were all hallmarks, as was her strained proficiency in the local language.

And while he had volunteered to help her, he had hardly dropped his guard. If anything, he was more skeptical of Fillianans than any other nationality. After all, the current Queen was herself from Filliana, and-

“This is the creek where I fell,” Arabella said. Caseus had lost track of time. Sure enough, they had come to a rushing creek of meltwater. The water foamed white, rushing over countless smooth-polished stones.

Caseus looked up and down the creek, looking for the narrowest point; the trail crossing seemed to be it, and it was still at least 10 feet across. That made him uneasy; the last thing they needed was Shawk breaking his foot as well, and jumping across was out of the question.

“Surely there would be a bridge for such a treacherous stretch of river,” Arabella mused. “This is a fairly well-traveled road…”

“Aye,” Caseus nodded in agreement. “There was. I’ve passed this trail a time or two. Look there.”

Further downstream, wedged amidst several rocks jutting out from the water, were scraps of wooden planks. And just a few feet away, the muddy bank looked as if it had been disturbed. Upon digging just a few inches, the three found the remains of the wooden base poles, snapped like twigs.

“Someone desperately wanted to ensure nobody would cross here,” Caseus said.

“So, what would you have us do now?” Arabella asked.

“Well, I am not keen on Shawk crossing and breaking his foot, too,” Caseus replied, running his fingers through his hair, racking his mind for any potential solutions.

“Wait, what is that sound?” she asked.

From across the creek, a low rumble echoed through the trees, along with the occasional sound of snapping branches. It was a sound Caseus recognized, and sure enough, a moment later, the source of the noise appeared.

A lone member of the Brachiosaurus herd from before emerged on the opposite side of the trail. The long-necked sauropod stood over 60 feet tall, its graceful neck weaving among the tree branches. The dinosaur was a light tan color, with rusty red patches adorning its neck and back. The dewlap of loose skin running down the length of its neck marked it as a mature male.

At the sight of the behemoth, Caseus was simultaneously struck with inspiration, and apprehension. This brachiosaur could easily help them cross, and yet, what would this Arabella girl think? Would she make trouble?

“Hello! Hello there!”

Caseus looked back to see Arabella eagerly waving to the brachiosaur, a smile on her face.

“Are you trying to-”

“Can you be so gracious to help us?” the girl pleaded, gesturing to the river.

Is she trying to be a Shaman too? Shawk tried to pivot his head to look at her, eyes wide with surprise.

The brachiosaur eyed the diminutive group with apprehension. When he finally spoke, it was a voice that was deep, yet gentle.

“Indeed, the bridge here does seem to be out. I suppose that would be quite the problem for ones so small.” The behemoth finished that statement with some light nostril snorts; it was the closest thing to chuckling his kind could do.

Of course this is amusing to him, Caseus thought, he can practically step over this thing!

“Yes, it is!” Caseus said. If she was a Shaman, well then there was no sense hiding it anymore. “We would be much obliged if you would help us!”

Under her breath, Arabella whispered, “I thought so!”

The brachiosaur brought his head down to the creek, arching its lengthy neck to do so. For a moment, he examined it, as if weighing the options. Then, he looked at the two, now on eye-level with them.

“Seeing as you are both Shamans, I take it to mean I can trust the both of you? I take it we are friends?”

Both humans nodded their heads, as did Shawk.

“Indeed, you can trust my lord here,” Shawk said emphatically.

The brachiosaur gave an eye to Shawk. He gave a snort and an affirming nod, before rearing his head back up among the trees.

“Very well then. You may want to take a few steps back.”

Arabella looked to Caseus. “What does he mean, ‘step back?’ I thought he could lift us across?”

But Shawk was already marching several paces back up the trail, Caseus not far behind.

“Oh, you really are young and naive,” Shawk commented snidely.

“You have never seen the true might of a Brachiosaurus,” Caseus said. “They can do so much more than just use their necks for grazing.”

“Is he going to topple a tree for a bridge then?”

Caseus chuckled. He looked back to her, grinning.

“Just watch.”

Arabella looked back at the brachiosaur, her bewildered expression turning to shock as she saw the colossus rearing back on its hind legs. The long-necked beast let out a thunderous bellow that rattled all three to their bones and sent birds fleeing from their perches, before bringing its front feet crashing back down.

Those that had never met any Long-Necks assumed they were constantly shaking the earth with each step, but that couldn't be further from the truth. The giants had foot pads of fat and cartilage that supported their columnar legs, and simultaneously muffled their footfalls.

But these Beasts could still shake the ground, and more. No sooner had the Brach’s feet slammed to earth, than a quake rolled out from the impact. As the ground shook and trees swayed, several rocks were thrust up from the river bed, forming an almost perfect path across.

“Gods above and below!” Arabella exclaimed in awe. “Is this Terra Magicke?”

Casseus nodded with a grin. “The famed Long-Neck Earth Magic. The strength to rend the earth with their footsteps. The strength that toppled the walls of kingdoms, and according to legends, once toppled a mountain onto a god.”

“I had heard rumors and legends, but I never imagined…” The girl was absolutely awestruck.

The Brachiosaurus spoke again, his gentle voice sounding even more odd after such a primal bellow.

“That should suffice, should it not?”

“Perfectly,” Shawk said, giving a courteous bow of his head. “My humble thanks.”

The Long-Neck gave a nod as the party crossed.

“We are in your debt,” Caseus said as they did. “Is there some way for us to repay you?”

“Nay, ‘twas merely a pleasure to meet a pair of Shaman,” the Brach replied. “I only hope we can meet again someday. Shamans are an increasingly rare sight these days, you know?”

Caseus was about to nod his agreement, when a flash of color caught his eye. Sticking out of the Beast’s rear legs and tail were several arrows, fletched with red and green feathers. A flash of anger pulsed through his mind.

“Pardon my intrusiveness, oh great old Beast,” he asked, “but how were thou injured so?”

“Ah, think nothing of it. I am fine, I assure thee,” the Brach replied. “These are naught but like splinters to a hide like mine. I can simply remove them myself later.”

“Nonsense!” Arabella piped. “Such wounds could become infected so easily!” She hopped down from Shawk’s back, wincing slightly as she landed on her bad foot, before hopping over to the Long-Neck’s side.

“If thou would allow me, I can have these removed in no time!”

“Pardon me,” Caseus said, “but were we not in a haste to aid your mother? Do you think this is prudent?”

The girl had a determined look on her face. “My mother was many things, including a nursemaid and healer. She would never leave someone with such injuries!”

Caseus sighed. He knelt and pulled the knife he kept stealthily sheathed in his boot.

“This might help,” he said, offering her the handle. She accepted with a nod.

“May I inquire who has done this to you?” Shawk asked.

“While I am grateful for your help, I would rather not say,” the Brach said, trepidation creeping into his voice. “‘T’would only bring more trouble.”

Caseus stepped forward. “Good sir, I must insist. We are journeying in the same way from whence you came. We would be much obliged to know of any dangers.” Then, with a stern tone, “Surely one that would hurt such a kind soul as yourself would be a danger to others. I cannot allow such a person to go unpunished.”

“N-no, please, I implore you to forget this even happened!” It was odd, hearing such sudden fear coming from a literal earth-shaking behemoth.

Arabella had freed the last of the arrows, and began sticking leaves in place as makeshift bandages.

“Please,” she said, “we only wish to-”

“NO! ENOUGH!” The Brachiosaurus let out another bellow. Caseus and Arabella clapped their hands over their ears.

“It will only bring more trouble! Trouble on my herd! Venators always d-”

The Long-Neck immediately went quiet, but it was too late. The cat was out. Caseus and Arabella exchanged a look. Finding a peaceful resolution to the dispute awaiting them ahead might be out of the cards.