Maintain - Alowyn

Next, the trio decided to help take care of the Nyxthorns. The energetic critters raced around the space they were confined to. The large space they were fenced in to was for their safety as much as it was everyone else's. Cailu stood next to their enclosure and explained it was a necessity to anyone who ventured close to see how the Nyxthorns were faring.

“It might seem cruel,”  Cailu started to explain when he saw Alowyn’s pained expression, “But it keeps them out of everyone’s way so they can work uninterrupted.”

Alowyn didn’t look convinced but nodded anyway.

“There are also hundreds of reoseans here who have never seen these little guys before and don’t know how dangerous their quills are,” Cailu added, “So, it's really in everyone’s best interest that they stay here. For now.”

Again, Alowyn could only nod. She understood the importance, but that didn’t take away from her sadness that they could usually wander free. 

“Can we help take care of them for a bit?” Alowyn asked. 

“No,” Garmr growled, “We’ve done enough. Let’s go home.”

“He has a good point, Alowyn,” Herja added, “It’s time to leave.”

“You can, of course, help feed them,” Cailu cut in with a smile. 

Alowyn smiled at the haedian before she turned to address her companions, “Let’s help feed them, and then we can leave.”

The two vayrons stared at their empyrian companion before they stared at each other. They shared their thoughts with each other silently through their familial bond. Cailu and Alowyn watched them silently converse, waiting for their discussion. When the silence stretched on, Alowyn almost made the choice for them; the words were on the tip of her tongue, but Herja spoke first. 

“Fine.” She grunted. 

Cailu clapped his hands together, clearly happy to have some assistance. He gestured for the three reoseans to follow him toward a small, dark crack in the wall. There, he showed them where the Nyxthorn’s food was stored. Hundreds of little pouches stained the berries squished inside, were piled high in the crevice. Cailu didn’t ask for their help to carry the bags of berries, his hands made easy work of that task. Instead, he talked about what was inside the pouches, even if the stains made it clear. 

“These are berries that are found all around various tunnels between the clans,” Cailu said as he placed the pouches on the top of the wall containing the Nyxthorn. 

“Are they hard to find?” Alowyn asked.

“No, that was what I was going to mention,” Cailu smiled, “Don’t be afraid to feed them plenty. We can always go find more.”

The three companions nodded and waited for more instructions. 

“We’ll climb over the wall and feed them inside,” Cailu explained, “They are a rowdy bunch, but they only harm when provoked.”

Again, the three reoseans nodded before they followed Cailu over the wall and into the Nyxthorn enclosure. The Nyxthorn seemed to know exactly what was going on because they rushed the four reoseans. Their impatience for food was cute to Alowyn. She cooed at them and had to resist petting them. Garmr and Herja, on the other hand, felt stiff and irritated by the small creatures' insistence on being close. 

Cailu showed them how to feed the berries. It wasn’t anything complicated; just opening the bag and scattering the berries around. The group watched as the Nyxthorn raced around to catch the berries as the food rolled every which way. 

“It’s your turn,” Cailu said as he placed the bags on the ground near the three reoseans. 

Alowyn eagerly went first. The nyxthorn cautiously approached the small empyrian, but their excitement for the food was still visibly under their nerves. Alowyn used her magic to dispense the food. She called for a vine and root to take hold of the bag, and she asked it to carry the bag or berries high above them. Alowyn instructed her magic to dump the bag, and the red and black berries rained down on the nyxthorn. The critters made noises of alert before they realized it was just their food and then they raced around to collect all their berries. 

Herja was next. She took the bag between her teeth and unceremoniously flung it into the air. The fabric spun in a circle, slowly loosening the ribbon that tied it shut. After several more quick rotations, berries started to pour out of the bag. Herja watched as the nyxthorn excited raced around to catch what they could because the force Herja threw the bag had berries splattering on the ground if they weren’t caught. 

Alowyn and Cailu cringed at the mess Herja had made, but the nyxthorn didn’t seem to mind. 

Finally, it was Garmr’s turn. He had stepped up toward the last pouch of berries, and the nyxthorn stilled. Cailu smiled; he knew their pause and expressions well. However, Herja, Garmr, and Alowyn thought the nyxthorn were expressing their fear of Garmr. 

Garmr grunted, uncertain, as he said, “Maybe someone else should feed them?”

Cailu chuckled, “No, I think you should try still.”

Garmr shifted to the side, and the nyxthorn watched him, their eyes trained on him wherever he moved. Garmr pushed the pouch over and emptied its contents on the floor at his feet. The berries piled high, but it wasn’t until the last berry fell out of the pouch that all hell broke loose. The nyxthorn rushed Garmr. They grabbed at the berries and made noises of excitement they hadn’t before. The nyxthorn then tried to crowd Garmr as they ate. Garmr stood stock still unsure what to do. 

Alowyn and Herja laughed at their companion’s discomfort, but it was clear the nyxthorn’s fascination with Garmr wasn’t out of fear. When the nyxthorn finished eating, they excitedly played around Garmr’s feet, and when he tried to get out of their way, they would follow him.

“They like you,” Cailu smiled. 

Garmr’s wide eyes looked at everyone around him before he mumbled, “It isn’t mutual.”

Cailu laughed but shrugged his shoulders. Alowyn and Herja watched the nyxthorn continue to chase each other around Garmr’s legs. They all laughed as Garmr tried to escape the nyxthorn, but they were quick and hard to shake. Eventually, Cailu rangled the nyxthorn and gave Garmr a chance to escape. 

If Garmr’s demand to leave was strong before it was nothing compared to his tone now. Herja and Alowyn relented as they promised. 

[1080]