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“Why go?” Sapphus growls, sticking his fist in his mouth.
“Because it’s your first birthday,” Sierra says, grinning from ear to ear as she holds Sapphus in her arms.
“And we need to take you to the crater, so you’ll be big and strong,” I add.
Sapphus looks up at me, clearly still not connecting my words.
He’s picked up a few simple phrases, but I’m not sure he understands their meaning as much as he knows when to say them.
It’s strange to see Lucy’s growth in comparison to Sapphus and Brennik. Though a Zvori baby isn’t well-spoken or highly conversational, they do communicate somewhat by a year. A human baby, on the other hand, may only be saying their first clear word at the same age.
While Sapphus looks up at me with a natural curiosity, Lucy is still babbling, forming small utterances that could be words while crawling away from Brennik.
The cabin is dark and well-covered by a large tarp. Sierra insisted on choosing a simple wagon because anything too elaborate reminds her of the day she nearly died the elves who betrayed her.
The wagon ride passes by uneventfully. Sierra and I catch glimpses of each other while entertaining the kids with blocks and funny faces.
Then I start to wonder how we’re going to keep the cubs safe on the way down into the crater. When the cart comes to a stop, Zkovia walks around back, fiddling with a small gem.
“Not very fond of being a dark elf,” he growls while carrying himself shakily with his walking cane. “Please don’t ask me to do this again.”
I nod. “Unless there’s any other rituals I’m forgetting, you won’t have to.”
He flicks the gem twice and returns to his normal form.
“Funny how they leave us this wonderful technology, but they never expect anybody else to use it,” Zkovia says.
“You’re right,” I growl. “You didn’t make a very convincing dark elf.”
He shakes his head. Brennik and Sapphus stand like perfect little soldiers, while Sierra tries to keep Lucy from crawling up toward the ledge overlooking the crater.
“So I guess we each carry one?”
“Afraid not,” Zkovia says. “My back isn’t what it used to be. But I can watch Brennik if you like.”
I look down at Brennik, who’s twirling his head absentmindedly, his tongue sticking out. It’s still strange to see the cracked mirror, carefree version of myself that Brennik seems to be growing into.
“Actually, you’d better watch Sapphus,” I say. “Brennik’s quite the little troublemaker.”
Zkovia nods.
While Sierra carries Lucy, I maintain a tight hold on Brennik. It doesn’t stop Brennik from reaching out, opening and closing his hands toward the bright and multicolored crystals that cover the cavern walls.
“Mine,” he says, reaching toward one area of the cavern wall. “Mine,” he says again, moving his hands blankly toward another part of the wall.
Sierra chuckles in response, while Lucy drools all over her shirt, sputtering and spitting madly.
Occasionally we have to move back, as Sapphus tries to lead Zkovia toward other parts of the cavern. He always has liked to explore.
We reach the bottom of the path and find ourselves in the large meadow at the base of the crater. I set Brennik down on the ground.
“Now, Brennik,” I tell him, as he stares up at me with wild eyes. “You can go anywhere in the meadow. But don’t wander into any of the caverns, okay?”
His expression becomes blank and disinterested. “No!”
He runs off into the meadow and begins antagonizing the animals, shaking trees so that they drop fruit onto the ground.
I laugh.
