A pterodactyl dove straight at him.
Lord of the Caves Part 23
Oh-see-rah pressed his body into the stone as much as he could as the pterodactyl aimed for him. Pulling his dagger out, he held it in front, hoping to at least slow down the flying reptile as he looked it in the eye.
It was big enough to carry him off, but he’d make the beast sorry.
A hail of spears shot toward the pterodactyl. It swerved sideways.
When the beast glided away, Oh-see-rah almost let out a cheer. Maybe Hah-nah-pah would find a rope.
The pterodactyl circled back—it hadn’t been injured. Oh-see-rah groaned aloud.
Did his three companions have more spears? If not, he was about to become the pterodactyl’s meal.
This time it didn’t come in straight but glided along the cliff’s stone-bound walls. It was smart enough to evade another attack. It opened its jaws impossibly wide as it closed in on him.
Oh-see-rah’s fingers inched along the surface and found a stone. Slapping it in his palm, he drew his arm back to pitch it at the beast’s eyes.
WHOOOOAH! It held its knife-like claws out.
Oh-see-rah hurled the stone. The pterodactyl didn’t slow down.
A storm of tiny spears rained down on the pterodactyl.
Wee Folk spears? Too tiny, too late.
The pterodactyl dove down and sped away. A cheer arose—both big voices and tiny voices.
“Hooray for Wee Folk!” Oh-see-rah cried out.
Hah-nah-pah gazed down at him. “We’re tossing the net down.”
“What about the pterodactyl?”
Hah-nah-pah chuckled. “It won’t be back. It is at war with the Wee Folk, and it is terrified of them.”
The net quickly lowered.
When Oh-see-rah could grab it, he hollered, “Low enough.”
“We’re ready,” Hah-nah-pah cried back.
Oh-see-rah hurried up the net. He never wanted to see another cliff.
The Chief of the Wee Folk was waiting, a crown of purple flowers on his head, but no clothes.
Oh-see-rah bowed. “Thank you for rescuing me.”
The Chief bowed back. “Thank you for ridding us of the Terrible Thunderer. Will you stay and eat with us?”
Oh-see-rah had a hunch the Wee Folk had been unable to gather food because of the T-Rex. “Thank you, but we need to get back before dark.”
The Boy tapped Oh-see-rah’s knee. “Can I live with the Lord of the Caves?”
“He may live with me and his big brother,” Oo-tah-nah said.
“That would be up to the Chief.” Oh-see-rah added, “We have plenty of room.”
The Chief patted the Boy on the head. “Do whatever she says, or I will deal with you.”
“Yes, Papa.” The Boy beamed.
Oo-tah-nah picked him up and hoisted him on Oh-see-rah’s shoulders.
“You and the Wee Folk are welcome to visit us any time you want,” Oh-See-Rah said.
“Thank you.” The Chief bowed.
Oh-see-rah marched off, the other three Dell Folk following him. Dusk was approaching, and they hadn’t brought torches, so Oh-see-rah kept a brisk pace even with the Boy riding his shoulders.
They approached the cave as the sun burrowed into the trees for the night. A hoot-owl complained about them. Oh-see-rah was glad to get home—catch a meal, maybe nap, some time with Ee-shee-nah.
Lol-non riding her hip, Ee-shee-nah waited alone at the cave’s mouth. Oh-see-rah rushed to give her a hug. Lol-non’s little eyes looked scared. Why?
Ee-shee-nah tweaked Lol-non’s cheek. “You’ll never guess what this wee man did.”
TO BE CONTINUED
Copyright 2021 Charles Suddeth
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