Wraithvine and Bibrid take their two young family members to a beautiful lake for swimming lessons, and they get to meet the fly-dragon. Lilbit isn't impressed with water, but loves sunning herself. -- Bridget Kielas-Fecyk
[AN: Callback to Deserved Reward ]
Children need the best protection in the world - knowing how to survive various situations. How to find good food. How to cook it safely. How to preserve some for travel. How to truly use their gifts.
This day, it was how to swim.
The lake was lovely, not merely to look at. It was warmed by natural forces, and as clear and still as D'varuv glass. It was one of the few areas where Wraithvine couldn't wear hir hat, which led to a pleasant surprise for Scramble and Chance.
An introduction to Spytfyre, the Faerie Fly-Dragon who guarded its single gold coin 'hoard' inside a pouch affixed to Wraithvine's hat. The tiny creature was usually content to remain hidden, and would accept morsels passed up to it from Wraithvine's fingers alone. A day like today warranted some solid basking.
It was a fortunate thing that Wraithvine weighed hir hat down with smooth, dark stones that were perfect for basking on.
Lilbit flowed across a majority of Wraithvine's patchwork brim, and barely opened one eye when the tiny Dragon attempted to hiss her off its territory. She yawned, and that was enough to make her point clear. She could eat the tiny Dragon in one bite. She was merely too comfortable to go to the bother.
Spytfyre wisely decided to guard its hoard on a different flat rock than any in Lilbit's reach. Much to Chance's amusement. The little Hellkin had learned - who knew how - that Spytfyre was anyone's friend for a fragment of cheese or a nub of sausage. It may even be convinced to let people pet it for a nugget of bread.
Bibrid could understand, now, why Chance's first complex word was 'brioche'.
The Hellkin child may be quiet, but they weren't dumb. They observed a lot more than many would give them credit for.
Bibrid led by example, taking off his travel cloak. He folded it neatly and placed it under a rock next to Wraithvine's hat. "Sun's very warm," he said. "We can get down to our braies and go splashing."
Chance had learned all about 'splash' in the spa's mud pits. "Spishpash," they grinned. Their boots and socks went next to Spytfyre with the request, "You guard, yeh?"
Bibrid was proud of their progress. One complete sentence, no matter how short, was proof of his good work.
Scramble had already left a majority of hir clothing in a pile under hir boots and a couple of stones. Ze was far more enthusiastic about these family activities, and also led by hir example - showing Chance that there was little to be afraid of.
At least, ze did so when there was little chance of being stolen away or otherwise separated.
Which may be why Wraithvine took them wandering in the countryside. Build up their confidence in their newfound unity before they ventured into civilisation once more.
Besides, having a Hellkin in tow was bound to cause some trouble with someone in a town or city.
Getting them to trust and be confident with their abilities was key. Getting them to learn, and be willing to learn, was their most important work. Therefore, Bibrid did his utmost to lure Chance into learning to swim.
Wraithvine and Scramble were duck-diving by the time Chance learned that they could float. The young Hellkin was slow to try anything, but fast to adopt and adapt. Give them five minutes, and they would be diving for shiny stones as if they were born in the water.
Then all Bibrid had to fret about was making certain they didn't try anything daft.
[Photo by Jason Steele on Unsplash]
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