152
JUAN FRANCISCO BLANCO
fresh carcass of what appeared to be a Borza. Bardala spotted
three Gigantoraptors busily gnawing on the meat and bones.
Tital was instantly cautious, due to prior bad experience with
these vicious predators. “We need to carefully check out the
territory around here first before we proceed any farther. We
need to be the surprisors, and not the surprisees,” he whispered,
while watching the noisy Gigantoraptors screaming in between
bites of Borza-burger.
“AAARRUUGGUH!”
“Ronú, try to keep Mañoso quiet. Hold his head, and pet him
on the nose. That will calm him down.” Tital motioned Zorin to
do the same with his horse, Manzaña. Little Lentito stood by
quietly at the end of his lead rope, but was being bothered by
some large horseflies. Lentito was carrying most of the heavy
gear, and found it hard to swat away the persistent flies with his
tail. Tital wondered why Huracán would put such unwanted
pests on every planet? He turned his attention to trying to keep
the biting bloodsuckers off Lentito by using his special powers,
controlling it with his index finger. Just as he would flick away
one troublemaker, another would take its place. Poor Lentito
could take no more, and cut loose with a resounding bray.
“HEEEE-AAWWWWW! HEEEE-AAWWWWW!” Protested
the bitten-too-much little burro, with blood running down his
flanks.
“Awwww, NO! Notch your arrows!” Tital shouted to
everyone, as the Gigantoraptors instantly looked up, with Borzabits still hanging from their mouths. As the former Borza was
now about gone, the three monsters were in the mood for more
food, and screamed out, “HUAAARRRRGGGHHHHH!!!!” while
charging headlong, crashing through the small underbrush like it
wasn’t even there. Their big black eyes were fastened on their
next intended meal, and were gaining ground toward the
explorers quickly. With only fifty meters between them,
Bardala’s first arrow found its mark.