The egg had seemed happy and content in the nest of furs Jigano had made for it in the safety of his den. Not just seemed – he had felt its contentment, especially when he was near and curled around it in fox form. And not ‘it’, either. The little one inside was definitely ‘her.’ It was strange, knowing these things without knowing how he knew them, but he could tell when she was getting cold, or restless, and when he returned after a long day her joy at his presence was a balm on his wounded soul.
But he didn’t know what she was, and had no idea when she would hatch or what to expect when she did.
So it was that he was caught by surprise one evening, as day shaded into darkness and the snow fell softly in the dusk, to feel her restlessness increase. At first he thought it just a change in her mood and he kept at his studying in Loreseeker Hall, but soon enough frustration and a small but fierce determination filtered through his thoughts. Blinking, he had frowned – and then leapt to his feet, book forgotten as he dashed from the Atheneum and into the night with barely a stop for his cloak on the way.
He dashed back even faster, a small bundle cradled in the crook of his arm and held gently to his chest beneath his cloak. For once there was no forethought to his actions, no plan or mental chess as he threw his thoughts ahead to gauge response and reaction. His mind was too focused on the tiny heartbeat next to his, and the persistent hunger he felt permeating the thoughts that twined through his own with gentle insistence.
He didn’t – quite – burst into the infirmary, but his steps were a little unsteady as he slowed his pace and looked anxiously around for a familiar blond head. ”Isla?” he called, hope and desperation coloring his voice. ” Isla, please, are you here? I need… I don’t know… I need your advice, please. It’s urgent.”
But he didn’t know what she was, and had no idea when she would hatch or what to expect when she did.
So it was that he was caught by surprise one evening, as day shaded into darkness and the snow fell softly in the dusk, to feel her restlessness increase. At first he thought it just a change in her mood and he kept at his studying in Loreseeker Hall, but soon enough frustration and a small but fierce determination filtered through his thoughts. Blinking, he had frowned – and then leapt to his feet, book forgotten as he dashed from the Atheneum and into the night with barely a stop for his cloak on the way.
He dashed back even faster, a small bundle cradled in the crook of his arm and held gently to his chest beneath his cloak. For once there was no forethought to his actions, no plan or mental chess as he threw his thoughts ahead to gauge response and reaction. His mind was too focused on the tiny heartbeat next to his, and the persistent hunger he felt permeating the thoughts that twined through his own with gentle insistence.
He didn’t – quite – burst into the infirmary, but his steps were a little unsteady as he slowed his pace and looked anxiously around for a familiar blond head. ”Isla?” he called, hope and desperation coloring his voice. ” Isla, please, are you here? I need… I don’t know… I need your advice, please. It’s urgent.”
