Turtleback Lake One small step

AW for one other with Caspian, potentially discovering one of the other islands?

Caspian was exploring the vast shores of the lake, enjoying the softness of the mud underfoot. The waters had receded again following the surprise downpour, leaving the land refreshed but drying and once more in need of rain. The little boy had no inkling of the intricate interplay of weather systems and environment, though. He did not even worry much about the drought, growing up near the wide flat mirror of the lake having given him a blissful ignorance of what the rest of the Lore was suffering that summer.

What occupied his attention today was, instead, a new discovery. The receding waters had revealed a thin spit of land that extended out to the nearest island. He could go and explore it without needing to swim, something that he was quite sure he couldn't handle yet. But a trip out to the island, what an irresistible idea! The boy's curiosity won out and with a glance over his shoulder, he stepped out onto the thin gravelly spit of land and set off at toward the island.

Despite fall being right around the corner, the encouraging downpour had not been a sign of real change in the weather. Already the mud was drying up again, any promising hints of green growing dull and brown. But at least the wolves around Turtleback still had drinkable water, a resource that drew what little prey was left in the area to them as well. It had been a true gift in the past months.   Flair had started making a habit of trekking to the shore once a day, to drink as well as keep track of anyone else who did; including the other members of their group. She liked to keep stock, make sure they were all still around. But there was no denying that one particular wolf held her attention above the others, so when she spotted the ivory shape moving out into the lakebed, she couldn’t keep from trailing after.   At first, she followed at a distance, letting the boy explore on his own – no doubt this was a splendid adventure to a young pup. The isthmus was an exciting find for sure, opening a path that had previously been barred to all but the strongest swimmers. It made a clear, dry path to one of the small islands, though as they drew closer, the water on each side grew deeper. Eventually, the protective shewolf felt a need to step closer, just in case the boy stumbled or slipped, she wanted to be within reach to grab him in time.   So, she lengthened her steps, calling out as she neared him: “Hey Cas, what’cha doin’?” She wasn’t there to ruin his exploration, just offer an adult eye to make sure he didn’t get in over his head. ”Speech" Thoughts

dawnthieves.de, FairieGoodMother @DA & Lakela @DA

The journey was longer than it had looked from the shore, Caspian thought. His paws felt funny as the sticky mud clung to them, after a time making his steps grow heavy. The pale boy stopped to examine himself, legs coated darkly in mud, before wading into the waters a little to try and dislodge the stuff.

The edge seemed to gradually slope down into the waters a ways and then just, drop away. Tentatively, Cas waded a little closer, blinking at his reflection in the dark depths. There was something mesmerizing about it. But just then, he heard his name from behind him.  

Turning in surprise, the boy saw the bright red lady standing there, reflected a second time. Caspian blinked at her, a mischievous grin cracking his contemplative expression. "Fl-air, hi!" He splashed back toward the safety of the sandbar, pausing to shake himself marginally more clean and dry than he had been before, before trotting up to her. "Goin' t sea!" he answered, raising his tail proudly. "Wanna come too?"

She tried to not be overly anxious as Caspian inspected the water, reminding herself that the distance was short enough for her to intervene, should anything happen. Still, she felt immense relief when he turned around, a crooked smile curving her lips at his greeting.   Polite as he was, the boy kept his distance as he shook himself off, but Flair cringed back anyway, raising one leg and grimacing in mock-objection; “Watch’it there spout!” Then she grinned at him, wagging her tail to underline the joke.   Wet and muddy as he was, he looked a little bedraggled, but the spark in his eye proved that he was growing into a bright and charming little adventurer. So, when he announced his plans, the russet woman cocked a brow and answered keenly: “To sea, huh? Well then, lead on Captain!” The small island couldn’t be all that dangerous, she’d look over his shoulder just in case; And might even have a little fun in the process…! ”Speech" Thoughts

dawnthieves.de, FairieGoodMother @DA & Lakela @DA

"Sorry!" he blurted, before realizing her jovial tone and wagging his own tail happily. Cas was always keen on an adventure, but having Flair for company would make it even more fun. He wasn't worried that she would lecture him for wandering off or anything like that, she was pretty cool for a grown-up. Besides, he wasn't even leaving the lake shore, really.

Sure enough, she was on board for his game. "Ahright!" he exclaimed. and so the boy raised his tail again and set off, calling over his shoulder. " 'crossin' the sea," he chanted as his paws dug into the muddy bridge. "An new lands up a-head!" The island loomed out of the waters, shrouded with a dark covering of conifer trees rising from its rocky shores.

Caspian slowed to a halt, nose testing the air. Some unfamiliar bird called in alarm and fluttered from the treetops, seemingly startled by the boisterous new arrival. The thrill of the unknown coursed through the boy, and he looked back to make sure Flair was there before stepping forth to face the shadows.

Hopefully Finley would approve of Flair’s choice to supervise the boy rather than obstruct him. It seemed the right choice, to let him explore safely, and he certainly looked to be excited at the prospect. His happy chant brought a smile to her face as she followed his lead, just a few steps behind.   Up ahead, the trees first appeared to be growing straight out of the ‘sea’, though soon enough the two explorers drew close enough to see the rocky island on which they stood. Tall and skinny, the conifers were imposing in their own way, though they paled in comparison to the giant sequoias of the surrounding Kingsfall. Still, Flair couldn’t blame the boy for halting for a moment to take in this new, shadowy land.   As he looked back, she met his eyes encouragingly, dipping her muzzle in a silent reassurance that she was right behind him. But she would continue to let him take the lead, unless he asked for her assistance – this was his adventure after all – and she remembered how she’d longed to explore in her own childhood, but often felt restricted by her parents’ rules and insistence on watching over her. She didn’t want Caspian to feel that way, for her hovering to ruin his exploration, she was just along for the ride. ”Speech" Thoughts

dawnthieves.de, FairieGoodMother @DA & Lakela @DA

Cas gave Flair a brave smile, before leading on. As they stepped onto the island, the shadows seemed to close in around them. Mist lingered low between the silent, vigilant trees. The boy felt like he was being watched, glancing over his shoulder to Flar once more. She might let him take the lead, even call him Captain, but he felt much braver with her here to watch his back.

The little isle was large enough to occupy some grand exploration, if the failing afternoon light would allow them the time. The boy lead on, scrambling over rocks and fallen trees, sniffing at new scents and squeezing between tangled tree roots. As he popped out from between his latest hiding place, instinctively searching for Flair, something else greeted him.

A strange apparition on two legs, with eyes that glowed back at him from in the shadows! Cas shrank back, his own eyes going wide, as the thing suddenly swooped upward into the air, disappearing into swirling mists without a sound as it went right over him. The boy gulped for air, and If he could have turned any more pale, he would have. A gasp escaped him as he spotted his fiery friend and ran back to her side, panting. "Flair! Didja see that! I think it was a ghost!"

It was an owl, but don't tell him ;)

Anxious or not, the boy was a bundle of energy, darting in and out amongst the underbrush with a speed and agility that the older wolf could not hope to mirror. Instead, she found a narrow trail, proof that they weren’t the first larger creatures to make it to the island. While Caspian continued his exploration, Flair kept close behind in the path, sniffing trees and bushes thoroughly, to make sure none of these others was hiding around the next corner, but it seemed it’d been a little while since they passed through. In fact, aside from the pup’s rustling, the woods were surprisingly quiet, almost eerily so. She actually felt a bit of relief, stupid as it was, seeing the owl take off from amidst the brush; At least this place isn’t entirely dead… It had started to seem like they were the only living things here. But now her eyes naturally turned to the forest floor, in search of whatever the bird had been hunting. She was quickly interrupted though, when Caspian jolted back out of the bushes, all his fur appearing to be standing on end. His panic instantly sent Flair into defensive mode, stepping in front of the boy to shield him from whatever had frightened him. Only his words made her falter, golden eyes blinking back down at his earnest greens; “Did I see wha…?” Her raised hackles flattened back as she slowly realized what had happened; “A ghost you say?” She fought then to suppress a smile, putting on her best serious demeanor and bending down to whisper: “Y’ don’t think this place is… Haunted?” Her acting wasn’t the best, but she hoped her tone had sounded anxious enough to convince the boy, at least for a moment. ”Speech" Thoughts

dawnthieves.de, FairieGoodMother @DA & Lakela @DA

The boy's heartbeat was returning to normal as their boreal visitor departed and Flair stepped in, just in case of course. Any real threat was gone as soon as it had come, making for a brief scare and little more.

Wriggling his tail in excitement at the encounter and the serious tone in Flair's next question, Caspian sent another gaze around the trees and weathered, mossy stones, the tendrils of lingering grey fog. He wasn't so little anymore as to really believe they were out to sea, and wasn't sure what he'd seen, but the boy did believe in ghosts and spirits. If nothing else, they lurked in his dreams too much to not be real in some form. He'd just never seen anything like that just now before! And if such creatures had to reside anywhere, this seemed like the right kind of place.

"Totally!" he exclaimed in a hushed response, as if the trees might overhear. Probably the ghost, or owl, could too. "An if this island's got ghosts, it must have lotsa secrets to find too!" certainly the twisting, weathered stones and ancient trees offered ample mysteries for them to discover. And the Captain for the day was eager to get back to it!

(This post was last modified: Feb 14, 2023, 12:14 AM by Caspian.)

The island did look very much like the kind of place that would be haunted, if you believed in that kind of thing anyway. Flair didn’t of course, she was much too grown up for such things, but if Caspian did, she was not about to ruin that for him. Seeing how his fright quickly gave way to excitement, it was clear that the concept was less scary than thrilling, and so the adult was more than happy to play along. She let her eyes widen dramatically, lone ear slanting back as if nervous at his proclamation. In reality, she was proud to see his reaction, undaunted by the potential of running into what he believed to be true danger. So, stepping back behind him and doing her best to shrink down her burly frame, trying to make him her shield as she had been his, she whispered back: “If y’ really think so… But y’ gotta look out for those ghosts, okay?” He was the Captain after all, and she would follow him dutifully, but it was his adventure. ”Speech" Thoughts

dawnthieves.de, FairieGoodMother @DA & Lakela @DA