23 Water Stalkers (1/2)
[Bestiary entry #7: Unicorn, the one and only.Vestigial.Would make a good back scratcher].
Nelda asked, ”HoneyBeard, could you do me a favor?”
”Well, let's see how we are doing on in terms of favors.” He held up one hand, palm up. Who rescued you the first time you floated away?I think that was me. ”Who put up with being floated into the sky and abducted by a dragon? That was me.Who jumped in and prevented a savage gryphon attack? That was also me--”
”All the same, do you want to put another tally mark on your side of the leger? It comes with full I-told-you-so rights and potential solo ownership of an authentic treasure. And if I make an idiot move that actually gets me killed, you can give the alicorn to BugleHead.”
HoneyBeard huffed, trying to look stern. ”Sure, why not? If we go back home without any evidence, no one is going to believe this shit.”
”So there you go.That's one point of stuff.”
Jus as HoneyBeard snatched the horn; the roof hatch popped up again.HoneyBeard hid the unicorn horn behind his back.
SmithGuild popped his head up like a majestic meerkat. ”Is everything all… it is rather disorderly up here.I had no idea.” He seemed to be wearing a different vest now, with a coordinated cravat and his eyeglasses were now attached to a chain that went around the back f his neck.
”We were just enjoying the view,” Nelda limped forward to distract him. ”I would love to go down to the beach.”
#
Nelda sighed as she waded into the water, feeling the weight lift off her body.The sea was tepid, salty, and crystal clear.
The turned to see both gryphons and Bugle head watching her will alarm.
”What are you doing?” SmithGuild asked.
”Um, swimming. Sort of.I still have feet on the ground, so it's more like just standing in water.”
She could see them all amending their own internal bestiaries.[Neldans, rare (?): erratically flighted, stands in water sometimes.]
”You should try it,” Nelda suggested.
”Saltwater makes my feathers fall out,” SmithGuild said.
[Wow. Beachfront property is really wasted on you guys.]
BugleHead stood fetlock-deep in the gently lapping water.HoneyBeard trudged over, fresh soil obvious on his hooves and fingers.