Mesoearth

Chapter 1: Land of the Long Forgotten

The sun poked through the dense foliage of the Conifers trees. Up in the trees was a man with an odd metal coating winding up his arm, along with a bow and arrow. Near a lake a three horned animal was taking a drink then fell to the ground, "Got 'em!" the lone huntsmen exclaimed. He went over to the now limp corpse of the animal. "That should keep us fed for a while," a female voice said coming through the dense forest along with 4 others. "Nice kill dad!" a child exclaimed, "Thanks Sky and you too Jacob. Now help me skin this Triceratops." For almost 2 hours the group skinned and gutted the animal making sure to use everything. "Okay let's go guys I don't want to be out here in the open," the man said, "Okay, we're coming Danial, come on kids." Skylar said holding their two kids' hands back to camp.

The travelers loaded up their hunting gear and started down a game trail, "So you think we can make it into a town before nightfall?" Skyler said, expressing her worry. "Yeah I don't want to get caught at night near a pack of raptors." a blonde male said keeping watch out for said raptors. "Lemme check the map," Danial pulled out the map trying not to rip it, "Okay the village of Jrisonic is around a 2 hour hike from here, we should just barely make it." Danial put the map away and sighed as he drank from his water canteen. Something began rustling in the brush nearby. Then suddenly three dark shapes burst from the brush and stared down the group with cold, yellow, reptilian eyes. "Shit! Raptors!" the blonde screamed, as Danial reached for his bow the metal coating wrapping around his arm as he pulled back an arrow. "Get down Blake!" he shouted and lifted his fingers and struck one of the animals in the top of the back, and the beast howled in pain. "Go now! Run!" Skyler screamed, grabbing the children by the hands and running with the rest of the group. The 3 raptors gave chase, gaining on them quickly, snapping their jaws and snarling. "Go, go, go, go!" Danial shouted, trying to run faster. Blake reared around with his crossbow and shot one in the head, killing it instantly. The other raptors finally gave up the chase, and began to eat their dead companion.

The travelers made it to a clearing in the game trail, "You think we lost them? 'Cause I'm not sure I can make it another step," Blake said panting, trying to catch his breath. The team of hunters finally made it to the village after an hour of uneventful walking. "Well, here we are everyone. Sky and I will go look for an inn to stay at you all go try to sell some of that Tric skin we got, we could use the money." Danial said, "And who put you in charge? Huh Danny boy?" Rick remarked, "I don't know, and who made you such an ass?" Danial snarked back. Soon it escalated into a shouting match. "Oh for christ's sake shut up!" Blake shouted, getting some screeches from the Pteranodons resting on the roofs of the surrounding buildings. "Now look what ya did Blake. Wait what town are we even in?" Rick asked, taking a look at the shops. "We are in Jrisonic, why?" Rick stopped arguing with Danial, then Skylar and Danial walked off to find an inn. "So, what kind of stuff are we looking for?" Rick asked the remaining hunters. "Well I could go for a cold glass of whisky, how about you guys?" Blake asked, "I think I'll pass Blake, I should go look for a new crossbow, ya know? Gotta be prepared." and Jacob walked off with his satchel of money followed by his younger sister. "Well I'm gonna go get wasted, you in Rick?" "Oh hell yeah!" the two walked toward a tavern.

The two children ran through the somewhat empty streets of the small village. Jacob bumped into someone and fell down, "Jacob! Are you okay?" his little sister asked with concern. "I'm fine Kas," he said groaning and getting to his feet. "Damn it kid watch where you're goin' next time ay?" the man said and started walking away, "Damn brats." the kids continue to walk through the dimly, lit town eventually coming across a weapons shop. "Excuse me mister?" Jacob asked the male working at the front. "Hmm? Oh what can I do for ya?" he asked with a thick Irish accent. "Oh, me and my sister are looking for crossbows. Do you have any in stock sir?" Kas was busy patting the little Compsognathus, while it chirps in glee from the affection. Jacob let his sister be and walked with the store owner to look at the crossbows, "Here we are, fine weapons for some fine youngsters. These babies can launch an arrow at 250 feet a second." The boy looked at the weapons in awe, taking it from the store owner's hands and admiring it. "How much for two?" he asked, "Two? Hmmm. You know what, I'll sell 'em too ya for 55 gold pieces, deal?" the shop kept said. "D-deal! Thank you sir!'' They went back out front where his sister was still playing with the little compy. Jacob paid for the weapons and the two walked out with their brand new, hunting tools.