Shattered Binding - SQ 3 (+ Maintain)

The trio knew that handling sixteen little creatures was going to be a challenge, but it was going about as well as herding Igiuns. Deirdre had five little purple and yellow spined Nyxthorns on her back, Caliu had another five while Wassail had been corralling the rest since he was the smallest of the group and couldn’t carry them on his. He grunted as he offered yet another piece of food to a grouchy Nyxthorn who had been fighting them the whole way back.

“Please little one, your mother is missing you greatly, she knows that you are missing and would enjoy your company again.” He whispered to the little creature who turned their nose up a bit until Wassail mentioned the Matriarch. That caused the little prickly creature to toddle his way to the front of the pack the runner was behind.

“You seem like a natural caring for them.” The blue and orange haedian slowed a bit to meet the winged runners walking pace as they continued on.

“I have had some practice… They remind me of a couple of my friends' pets back home…” Wassail hummed as he tucked his wings close to his body as one of the Nyxthorns rolled a bit too close to his wing.

“Ahhh. That does make sense, yes. Perhaps when we arrive the Handmaidens will allow me to help care for these cuties for a little while longer.” Deirdre hummed, reaching a paw for one of the Nyxthorns to sniff again.

Wassail chuckled, a smile on his face as they wandered through the Keepers cave once more. Deirdre kept chattering to the small prickle on her back as they walked through the library's halls, offering them food and scratches under the chin whenever they stopped for a rest. Wassail hummed as the small prickle he was in charge of gathered under his wings for the momentary reprieve from walking, letting out big yawns themselves.

“Not too much further, little ones, we are almost home.” The scarlet and turquoise runner smiled as they stretched and started to roll themselves around again.

Deirdre started to pick up her prickle again before the trip started off once more. They passed by the entry way of the Caregivers domain, being greeted by one of the Handmaidens.

“Oh my goodness! You found the Nyxthorns! Great Mother will be so happy! Come, hurry, we must get them back to her quickly.” She spoke excitedly, picking up one of the smallest Nyxthorns who chirped excitedly to be home.

The trio continued on with renewed vigor, the Nyxthorns just as excited along with gaining another Handmaiden to assist with corralling them along. As they entered the cavern with the Matriarch, there were audible gasps and whisperings. Some were excited while others were more hesitant and reserved about them returning. What no one could deny was the fact that the Matriarch seemed to calm down considerably the moment the prickle entered the cave.

“We have returned with the little Nyxthorns, great Matriarch! They are all safe and sound.” Wassail stood proud in front of the Matriarch's great head.

“Oh my little Nyxthorns…. How I missed them so…” She chided out, her voice rumbling the cave system as she shifted with in the wall as much as she could.

Deirdre carefully approached the Handmaidens who were taking care of the Nyxthorns, introducing herself to them. They smiled and welcomed her to help care for them as well as learn from them. Wassail watched as she left with the Handmaidens, shifting on his paws.

“Little top sider… Tell me… How were they when you found them?” The Matriarch rumbled out, her eyeless head some how turned towards him to watch him.

“They were scared, yes, but we got them to trust us with a little bit of a snack and some stories. I think just talking would have helped but it made for a better time for all of us.” The scarlet and turquoise runner hummed lightly, watching the blue and orange Haedian help care for the purple, yellow and brown creatures.

Her paw’s flitted between the different Nyxthorns, playing with most of them as they chased after something in her paw. Another was curled up at her rump, sleeping soundly in the safety she provided from the rest of the prickle. Wassail felt a puff of air come from the Matriarch as she resettled and gave a chortle as she sent him on his way to also assist with helping out to care for her pets once more.

“They really do seem easy to care for once you know what you’re doing.” Deirdre chided out, tossing a ball of moss for them to run after.

“They really do…” Wassail hummed as he watched as one of the smaller ones approached him, “Well hello there little one…”