The young, 'chosen one', Kevin, is learning about his destiny. The fall leaves are changing, his mother is being her usual self, and the poor kid has just screwed up his fifth spell covering himself in yet another layer of overly bright colored dyes. Well, better learning on dyed dolls and straw dummies than anything alive, for now. Ah, what a lovely fall day! -- Anon Guest
[AN: This prompt harkens back to Kevin Oxbrydl in this story. PLEASE give the URLs with your prompts because searching sucks time away from writing]
Wraithvine, with more than a little understanding about these matters, had set up something of a camp well upwind of the pocket of disused quarry that Kevin the Luckless was using for target practice. Ma Oxbrydl, better known as Kevin's Mum, had set up a guardian post well within melee range of the eternal wizard. Because ten minutes had passed, she had also begun a work of crochet.
The Goblin was hiding from her behind Wraithvine's leg. A point of annoyance and distraction. "Do you like being stepped on?" asked Wraithvine. "This is the fifth time I've nearly tripped over you."
Despite two days' worth of regular meals and an oath of protection from Wraithvine, the Goblin still shook like a small wet dog. She hadn't spoken either. After a few nervous glances from Wraithvine to table to Ma Oxbrydl to Kevin to a rock near her feet, she spoke. "Scut used to it."
This earned Ma Oxbrydl's sudden and fierce attention. "Scut? Is that your name?"
Cringe. Wraithvine, table, Ma Oxbrydl, Kevin, rock... "...'es?"
One of the dummies in the quarry exploded. Kevin, thrown back ten feet and knocked on his butt, yelled, "I'm all right, ma!"
When Wraithvine looked back, Scut was in Ma Oxbrydl's arms. Cradled like a scared and injured child. "There now, there now. Don't you fret," Ma said. "You don't have to keep a name like that and them's as named you such ain't worth sneezing on."
"...whut?" squeaked Scut. "What happened?"
Wraithvine knew in an instant. "Little miss Goblin, you have just been adopted. Congratulations on your new family."
"...whut?"
An autumn leaf fluttered down from the branches above. Wraithvine caught it and immediately bit a piece off.
"That can't be good for your health," growled Ma Oxbrydl. "What're you doing that for you fool Elf?"
"When the sweet leaves fall, it's time to move. Ready or not." Ze spat out hir mouthful and resumed working on the charts. "We have another day. Maybe. It's not a good idea to delay destiny."
"Oh? Why not?"
"You've heard crude men say that Destiny is a female dog[1]?" Wraithvine waited for her nod. "That's being nice about it. Try to dawdle against destiny and anything from a bandit raid to a dragon attack could wipe out any and all reasons to stay."
"Wipe out," she echoed. Her crochet was turning into a multicoloured, Goblin-sized coat.
"From the face of the world. Yes."
Ma Oxbrydl had a sudden and intense interest in making certain Kevin learned everything Wraithvine had to teach.
[1] Ma Oxbrydl has VIEWS regarding cursing. Enforced at needle or umbrella point.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / Renamarie]
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