Flirting with Danger.

From what you saw they are in a row equidistant from each other. You start your run towards the one farthest north. The plan is to make a beeline for him and swerve heading south down the line of them. Hopefully they'll all pursue the tempting target of downing someone on a raptor. As you and Copper advance you don't think he has seen you yet.

"Let them know we're here buddy" you tell Copper. Copper answers by letting out some loud raptor barks and an almost trumpet like warble. You can see the rider's head snap up and he starts getting something ready in his lap. His pachy is facing you so you can't really see what it is, but considering he hasn't moved you are a little worried, but you continue on. Looking down the line you can see the other's cheering their buddy on as you approach.

Suddenly he turns his pachy to the side and levels a crossbow at you.

"Shit" you shout as he lets a bolt fly. You swerve Copper south and the bolt whizzes past your ear. You could hear the wind from the bolt. You weren't expecting them to have ranged weapons besides maybe a spear.

"That the best you got" you yell flipping him the bird. You are pretty sure that finger doesn't have the same meaning here, but you're hoping he knows your intent. You look back to watch him and he draws his sword and howls after you in pursuit.

"That's one Copper, let's round up the rest of them" you say patting his neck. Copper lets out a bark and you make another bee line for the next rider.

Same thing with the next rider as he readies something on his lap as well, so you are betting they all have a loaded crossbow. This makes it so much more difficult, and fear creeps into your mind a little. Maybe this is where you meet your end. You remember a book. Dune. There was an almost mantra in it and you remember the gist of it. You accept the fear and let it pass through you. Once you accept it you realize that the fear can't kill you.

"ONLY I REMAIN" you yell out at the next rider. "Me and a really large raptor" you say to yourself. He levels the crossbow towards you and you veer towards the town. This guy was a horrible shot and missed well wide of you. He pulls out a club and urges his pachy at you. It's a little harder to avoid this guy getting close as he attempts to cut you off, but he doesn't have a raptor under him. You urge Copper faster and get passed him. You slow Copper down again so they won't give up chase and start down the line again.

Three more riders all with crossbows miss their shots at you to varying degrees and you find yourself with a convoy of pachys behind you. At this point you are close to the town entrance and you can see this was more than just a raid. Probably a hundred or so raiders mull around the entrance to the town loading up stolen goods and people into wagons pulled by large Stegosaurus. You hang your head a little knowing there isn't anything you can do as you watch the poor souls destined to be slaves getting pushed and pulled by their captors. Suddenly you hear the familiar whiz of a bolt flying past your head. You turn to look at your pursuers right as a bolt slams into you. It just felt like someone punched you really hard. You turn your head to where you were hit and stare in shock at the bolt sticking out of the back of your right shoulder. You can't take your eyes off of it. Copper lets out a bark jolting you out of your daze and you veer him left up the hill as bolts fly harmlessly to your right.

"Fuck" you say out loud. You hadn't considered them being able to reload while in pursuit. You start zigging and zagging up the hill to avoid any further shots and soon you crest the hill. You take a quick look back at the town before it disappears out of sight. You see several columns of smoke as homes or shops burned to the ground and you think you saw a Brachiosaurus wandering the streets before you lose sight. Ignoring the pain that is starting to spread from the bolt in your shoulder you look back at the crest of the hill for your pursuers.

"Come on you bastards" you say under your breath "don't give up now". It doesn't take long and they crest the hill after you. You turn a bit right and lead them on for another mile dodging their bolts as you go.

"That should be enough time Copper, let's show them they never had a chance" you say urging Copper to go fast. Copper lets out a warble and kicks up his speed leaving the pachys in his dust. You crest hill after hill and soon you can't see them pursuing you any more. You slow Copper down to a trot and then a walk to let him catch his breath, and so you can survey the damage this bolt did. The pain is excruciating now with each step Copper takes, and a trickle of blood flows from your back. You try reaching your left hand over to to pull it out. With as much strength as you can muster you wrench at the bolt and scream at the pain, but it stays firmly where it is.

"It's in the bone Copper" you tell him panting from the exertion and fatigue the pain is causing. Copper watches you keenly and lets out coos and warbles of dismay.

"It's ok buddy" you pat his neck with your good hand "I don't think this is what takes me down" you reassure him.

"Let's head to the others now" you say to yourself as well as Copper, and you turn Copper to give the town a wide berth while heading to your group.