Dragonfly Fen There once was a ship, that put to sea

When the wandering Captain had last made port, to check in with his family, he’d learned that several of his younger siblings had been bitten by the travelling bug as well. He could hardly blame them, though the protective-older-brother in him did feel a twinge of worry. But he soon shook it off and it was with a smile on his face that he set off towards the familiar lands of Relic Lore; Can’t let the kiddos have all the fun!   I had been a good while since he last walked these forests anyway, with Lachesis and Lilya having moved, but the area still held a certain place in his heart. So he was happy enough to trek the familiar paths, winding through the spindly pine trees of Dragonfly Fen, avoiding the most swampy areas as the warming weather had started to thaw them out. It was an interesting challenge, having to jump between safe ‘islands’, several meters apart in places, knowing how treacherous the wetland below could be. The pale adventurer enjoyed it greatly.   He’d considered scaling the mountain, as he usually did on his visits, but something had called him to a different challenge; perhaps just a desire for diversity. As he moved, swift and light, never pausing for more than a quick breath, he looked around for the early signs of spring. Snow was still piled under gaps in the canopy, the sheen of ice visible on the pools and ponds. But he knew it was nearing its end, as all creatures did, like a whirring under his skin – causing a mighty itch which in turn, when scratched, pulled large tufts of winter fur off his body. All of it was a familiar sign of change and he was happy for it, not because he disliked winter, but he’d had enough of it for now; as always, the Captain longed for change. Word Count: 315 Thoughts "Speech"

Betty Wiley