The 'Book of Creatures' lays open on my lap as I lie comfortably under a large tree on a small rise. I was up to the section of Large Insects, which of course included Rose Imps, celestial Butterflies, Night and Day crawlers and more. Each part of the book had a very detailed section on each creature. It's habitat, Mating rituals, behaviors and even local gossip about them.
I look at my watch and realize I'm coming up on my allotted time of study so I shut the book with a nice thud sound. I tuck it into My satchel as I get up and make my way back to the keep. I Whistle for my Companion, Eris, A Tenabre Fox who, Despite it being in her nature to run afoul, is more or less Kind and gentle to most of the creatures at the keep.
Lessons had already finished today, and the rest of my time was my own, but i have made myself a schedule to keep by. I do at least three hours of study a day, which, more often then not, is done under the tree near the stream. I have so many books to read, and they always get updated when new creatures are discovered. My mind boggles when i think about how many books i have to go.
As i reach the keep, the towers of it block out the sun as i get closer, but before i enter the doors, i change direction, moving towards the back of the keep and out a little ways. At this point Eris would usually wander off and today was no different.
Many nurseries and daycare's are here and i spend another three or four hours playing with hatchlings and keeping eggs warm each day.
On this day, Since it is cool and the wind has an almost icy chill to it, i decide not to play with the aquatic hatchlings. If i did, Most like i would freeze half to death getting in the water, and they would all laugh at the expression i would have on my face. I giggle myself thinking of that expression.
Instead I play in the meadow and insect area.
Today i play with some newborn Kitsune. Everytime I see one play I'm always confounded with how energetic they are. I sit in the meadow and the young kitsune comes bounding up in joyous play. It jumps on me and i fall backwards playfully, laughing gently and rolling around with it. It has amazingly soft fur, and as i go to leave it to play with another i give it a treat from my satchel. I'm always prepared for my daycare trips.
The kitsune bounds off with it's treat in it's mouth, going to show off to it's friends i suppose. I smile gently at it.
I lift my head as another Magi comes in. Following him is a mother Osath and following her is three young chicks, probably just hatched. I turn back but something caught my peripheal and I look at the Osath and her chicks again. There was a fourth chick, but it wasn't quite right. Looking closer i notice that it was a VERY rare Kaeran chick, Male if my Book of Creatures was correct. I am astonished at the beautiful chick.
Thinking back to my book i realised that this young Kaeran must have imprinted on the Osath Mother. The magi must be dropping the lot off to be looked after while he has his late afternoon lessons. I smile fondly at the sight of them all.
Shaking my head i stand, and head over to the fire area. I take off my Magi Cloak, not wanting it to get burnt, again.
Playing with these creatures takes caution. More often then not, i have come back with burns on my hands or somewhere else and had to bandage myself.
Today in the fire daycare, is a few Fire gryphon fledglings, a Delroch Calf and a young fire hydra. I decide to play with the Fire hydra today, and fetch some thick gloves to protect my hands from the snapping mouths.
I sit down and wait, with a small melon in front of me to entice the Hydra over.
After a moment, The hydra's head picks up, smelling the melon. Faster then imaginable, the hydra is over near to me and tearing the melon to bits, spraying juice and seeds everywhere, i laugh slightly at the enthusiasm of it.
Not many people like playing with the fire elemental hatchlings, since it's dangerous to thier health, so whenever someone does come, they are always so happy and playful.
But they often get jealous. As such was happening now. The Fire Gryphon Fledglings wanted attention to. they wanted to play. there were three in total, and they came bounding up to me, just as the hydra finished his meal. As the Gryphons got close, the hydra snapped his heads at them. they screech in warning, jumping and extending their wings in a show of how tough they are.
The hydra ignores the threats and snaps at a fledgling that has gotten to close, catching some feathers in it mouth and tearing them away. The caught gryphon Squeels in pain, though it wouldn't have hurt to bad.
Taking action, i lift the hydra up away from the gryphons, and tap each head on the nose in scolding before returning it to the ground. Opening my satchel again, i take out a baggie of meat squares and give each hatchling a piece.
"Radda?" i turn towards the Carer who was in charge of the daycare. Next to her was Eris. She had come to pick me up. I must be running late and Eris doesn't like me out at night alone. I stand and hear resounding cries of disapproval from the hatchlings. Eris sounded a short quiet bark at the hatchling and they hung their head and went to play at the back of the Fire area.
As i pass the carer, i let her know about the incident with the hydra and gryphon. She nods sagely before putting gloves on, going over and picking up the gryphon to check if there was any injury, which their wasn't.
I head back to my room with Eris beside me, Yawning as i enter the keep. As i reach my room, i empty my satchel of any extra edibles and put them in the small fridge-like contraption in my room. After getting ready for bed i snuggle down under the sheets noticing i have another few Tenabre Fox guests sharing my bed. Eris jumps up on the bed and curls up next to my side in an available spot. I stroke her gently as i fall asleep.
Well, that's more or less a normal day at the keep in summer anyway. it's a bit different in winter of course. Anyway, thanks for your letter Mr Tyris. I hope to hear again from you soon.
Word count: 1248 Aprox
