This chapter starts off quite introspectively as we get a visual reference for how long Yal and the others have been in the valley. 13,000 tick marks, or 35 years. An entire lifetime for even a long-lived dinosaur, and an entire portion of life for a modern human, but a mere mission for them. A mission that seems certain to spell end for many on the planet they find themselves. The threat directed at the two rainbowfaces we are acquainted with only further adds to the perceived tension, while at the same time making us feel for the story’s adversaries. This is an amazing accomplishment for a mere two scenes, and as such I had to mention it here.
But on to the rest of the chapter…
Seeing Ruby (and her daughter) again was a treat. It is nice to know that she is a conspirator with Locs and Tempa, and it actually fits her character quite well. She was always a kind of diplomat of sorts, being sent into a valley that was distrustful of her kind and sharpteeth in order to protect her sharptooth friend. It makes sense that she would again be in a similar position, appearing to scheme against the schemers as it were. Though I can only imagine how old she is at this point. She is probably the oldest of her kind. I can only wonder if she and Chomper will be able to meet one final time before fate or time takes them both.
And now to the apex of the chapter… the herd-building scene. I must admit that this went into a direction that I did not expect at all. With the usual banter between Fyn and Cera, and especially her stern yet wise advise, I kind of expected this first attempt to not go to plan, but I did not see that this was intentional on her part. However her reasoning in forcing this failure was a good one. In order to build Fyn into the leader of dinosaurs he has to be he must first disavow himself of his old fixation on rights and wrongs, of duties and obligations. Here in the Scar survival and needs governs all and if he is going to have order and respect in his herd then it will have to be provided, and earned, by him. With this hard lesson now provided it will be interesting to see how Fyn does in his continued attempts to build a herd.
This was an awesome chapter that truly hints on what is to come. Writing such as this really puts some of my attempts to shame, and it makes me want to read more and to see how the inevitable conflicts in the future finally play out. But… I am afraid the next chapter’s review will have to wait until tomorrow as it is already late for me. This was excellent Fyn, and I look forward to seeing what happens next!