I moved the carpet to the stone and made it land. Then, as I laid out the food on it, I remembered Midnight’s fish. I got Cure’s attention, and she wandered over, with her mouth full of melon. “Could you do me a favor and get some fish for Midnight?” Cure swallowed, then grinned widely.

  “Sure, Pike, Bass, Trout or Eel. What do Midnight like?” I looked over at Midnight to get her attention. However, she was distracted by listening to Miva tell a joke. “Well, knowing her preferences, I’d say Trout.” Cure nodded, then with a single tremendous leap, disappeared into the lake.

  I pulled out a picnic basket from my pouch and distributed plates and cutlery that I took out from within. “Here we go, everyone have a plate?” As everyone confirmed that was the case, I distributed the different foodstuffs onto smaller plates, so everyone could take what they wanted. I left one plate empty for the trout that Cure would be bringing. It didn’t take long before she returned with no less than four large trouts at that. I stored three of them. Then, after thanking Cure, prepped the last so that Midnight could have some.

  Midnight was more than eager to eat, and soon her happy purrs were so loud even the Torgols could hear it over where they were snacking on their melons. I gave her a few loving scratches behind the ears before I turned my attention to the food. A few moments later, my plate was filled with various fruits and also some sandwiches I prepared before going to bed last night.

  The meal progressed in relative calm, with the usual small talk one would expect from such an occasion. Down by the water, the Torgols were handing some melon seeds to several Leaf Folk. Meleri cleared her throat. I glanced over at her. “Yes, yes, I am getting there. Just let me finish my plate, alright? We’re not in a hurry, after all.”

  I finished my plate of food, then took a sip of juice. “So, the Torgols, a rather sordid affair. One that, for the sake of letting you keep your lunches down, I will be rather general about.” I paused for a moment to gather my thoughts.

  “Long ago, before the human-fae war even, the Torgols were the most common species in these lands. Every lake and river housed at least one tribe of Torgol.” I glanced over to where Cure was playing with some younger Torgols. “They lived happy lives, simple lives. Until the first human settlers arrived. As is standard fare with humans, when they discover something new, their first instinct is to subdue, dissect, capture for study, or destroy it. This was true for the Torgols as well.”

  Ivy looked up from her plate. “I remember old Tobin telling me of the Humans’ arrival once. They chopped trees for their houses without a care, and the local inhabitants, like the Torgols were treated as lesser beings. Torgols are just as smart as you and me. However, half their language is based on body language. Several words don’t physically exist in their vocabulary at all because certain gestures, expressions, or even pheromones cover those words. Those who can’t pick up on that only hear part of the sentence. For those people, they sound simple, like they are less intelligent, when nothing could be further from the truth. It didn’t stop the invading humans from treating them that way, though.”

  Ivy went back to eating, now in a more dour mood. I closed my eyes for a moment. “That’s not all, however. I won’t tell the details of what exactly transpired. But for the same reasons humans hunted Pixies, they hunted Torgols. And Torgols were far easier prey. Since they were quite trusting, and deceit was entirely unknown to them. After all, why would they need to lie to one another?”

  I took a deep breath. “The result was that Torgols fled into Fae lands to survive after losing dozens of communities. And after some negotiation, they received protection and asylum. It just so happens this lake became my jurisdiction when I took the forest as my domain. And so I was introduced to the Torgols and the Leaf Folk and informed of the pact. I have no issues with protecting them. Although because of the Leaf Folk, I have never needed to step up myself.”

  I picked up another clementine. “Suffice to say, they have experienced something no one ever should. Now then, enough of this dreary topic, this is supposed to be a day of fun not one of horrible pasts. Besides, while the Torgol might be living far from other people, they have improved their lot over the past centuries. As you will see once the sun sets.”

  Miva and Meleri once again looked curious, then glanced over at Ivy. Ivy looked up from the grapes she was eating, gave them a grin, then ignored their glances. They weren’t getting anything from her. “Alright then, keep your secrets.” Just then, two Torgol children ran over and asked Miva to play with them. She picked up another fruit, then glanced at me.

  “If you’d like to play with them, go ahead. However, no swimming. Miva can’t breathe underwater.” In response, the Torgol children just laughed. Then they pulled Miva with them towards the forest’s edge, where a bunch of other Torgols were playing with a ball.

  Meleri looked from Miva to me. “Couldn’t you just put a spell on her to allow that?” I shook my head. “The lake is so suffused with magic that most spells become unstable. At best, the spells' duration would be cut down significantly. At worst, it would abruptly stop working.”

  Meleri shuddered as she looked towards the waters. “I can understand why you wouldn’t want her to go swimming then. But, didn’t you say an excess of magic can do weird things with the environment?” I stuffed a clementine piece into my mouth. “It does. It’s what makes spells unpredictable down there. If the Torgols didn’t siphon magic from the lake, it would likely get even worse.”

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  Meleri looked out towards the water. “Judging by how happy they seem, despite being so isolated, I take it their lives are pretty nice here?” I followed her gaze. “The Torgols are fine. They aren’t as isolated as you think. You’ll see what I mean tonight.” I tossed her a clementine. “In the meantime, relax and enjoy yourself. There is no rush here.” Meleri looked at the clementine for a moment, then me, then broke into a smile and helpless chuckle. “Fair enough.”

  As the day continued, everyone scattered about the lakeside. Midnight was sleeping on my lap, while Midnight flew off to hunt, citing that she needed to keep her skills sharp. Meleri was taking a small walk through the forest together with Soot. While Miva and Ivy were playing with the Torgol children. I took off my hat, leaned back, and enjoyed the sensation of the afternoon sun on my skin. It was nice to just relax in silence every once in a while. Movement from my lap informed me Midnight was awake again.

  “Hope I didn’t wake you up.” Midnight lazily rolled over. “Naah, you didn’t Meowstress. I was getting too warm on one side, that's all.” Ah, that made sense. “Well, since you’re awake, do you think they’ll enjoy tonight’s spectacle?” Midnight purred as I scratched her tummy. “I think it will be a sight they won’t forget. And seeing as even Ivy is careful not to spoil it, I am sure she agrees.”

  Just then, there was a commotion from over by the forest. I looked over. Meleri and Soot were hurrying towards me, and I could see Meleri was carrying something. The two stopped next to the stone as Meleri sat down and carefully revealed what was in her hands. A small canine critter that was sleeping soundly. Soot landed next to it. “It’s Irenji” I looked at the pup. “Irenji? Didn’t he have another century in him?” Soot ruffled his feathers in response.

  I looked down at the pup, or rather the reincarnated Great Wolf. Meleri carefully picked it back up. “We won’t leave him to die, will we?” I shook my head. “That would be forsaking an old promise. That being said, you were always more of a dog person than I, and he seems to have taken a liking to you. So why don’t you take care of him?” Meleri looked down at the pup with a gentle smile. “Sure, I can handle that.”

  The small pup twitched a bit, then opened its eyes and looked at me, then up at Meleri. Then licked her hand while wagging its tail weakly. “I would say that he endorses the idea.” Meleri gently scratched the pup behind his right ear. Irenji growled in delight. “Give him a few days, and he should be able to talk again.”

  Meleri looked up from the pup. “That fast?” I nodded. “Great Animals like Irenji are a type of half-spirits. If they die of old age, they reincarnate. This is the third time I have seen Irenji’s reincarnation, and the wolf has likely reincarnated more times than that. This is the first time he’s endorsed being raised by anyone but another Great Wolf, however.”

  Irenji looked at me and growled softly. “I guess it was because no one else was around to take you in, wasn’t it?” There was no reply, not that I expected one. “Well, either way, welcome to the family Irenji, behave yourself.” Irenji yawned in response and put his snout under his tail before going back to sleep.

  Meleri sat down and placed the sleeping pup on her lap. “So Great Animals, huh?” I looked at her. “They are rare. There are usually only two of a single type of Great Animal in a region, one old close to reincarnation and a Great Animal that will be looking after the old when it reincarnates. It’s weird that another Great Wolf wasn’t around to look after Irenji.”

  Soot landed on my shoulder. “Well, he reincarnated early.” I reached up and scratched him. “True. Wonder what happened.” Well, we would find out in time, no doubt. I watched as Meleri slowly petted the sleeping pup. A low growl from my lap made it clear Midnight wanted my petting to resume as well. I reached down to her as well as up to Soot and soon happy purring and chirping were heard from them.

  About an hour later, Winter returned. She seemed quite pleased, so her hunt must have been a success. As she landed, she tilted her head at the sight of the pup. “A new friend?” she gave a soft hoot then swiveled her head to look at me. I shook my head. “It’s Irenji. Something caused him to reincarnate early. Meleri will be looking after him since the Great Wolf that was supposed to watch over him isn’t around yet, for obvious reasons.” Winter gave another soft hoot, then yawned and closed her eyes.

  “That’s good. I will be taking a quick nap. Mind waking me up once the sun sets?” She clicked her beak a few times. “Sure, though it’s not that far off now.” As she went to sleep, a trio of Torgols came rushing over. I recognized the two that dragged Miva off to play, and given the mischievous look on the third… “So, Miva having fun?” The third blinked a few times. “Aw, you knew?” Miva changed back to her usual appearance.

  She looked annoyed. “Well, kiddo, if you are going to trick someone, you might want to not stick around with people you have been seen with before. More importantly, though, is that you were still wearing the same clothes. Torgol clothes are, for obvious reasons, form fitting, not to impede their swimming. So your loose robes were a dead giveaway.”

  One of the Torgols grinned widely. “See? Told you! Friend Miva’s clothes, not Torgol, easy giveaway.” Miva grimaced. “Yeah, yeah, Medi, you’re right. Hey Morgana, we were wondering, how long will we be staying?” Ah, I expected that question. “Well, the original idea was to stay the night and return tomorrow morning in time for Eira’s arrival. So you don’t need to worry about leaving your new playmates behind immediately. That aside, the sun is setting soon, and I’d like you to be with the rest of us when that happens.”

  I turned my attention to the two Torgol children. “You two know why.” They nodded. The one whose name I didn’t know broke into a giggling fit before he replied. “Worry not, friend Morgana. We will be here, want to see Miva’s face.” Medi looked at him. “Sush Clari, don’t ruin the surprise.” Clari looked at Medi. “Right. Come, friend Miva, let's play some more until then!” Before Miva could protest, the two Torgols pulled her back to the other children.

  Meleri watched them go. “You think they’ll remember?” I pondered her question for a moment. “Oh, I don’t doubt it. It’s an important part of their way of life, after all.” One thing was for certain, it would be something that both Miva and Meleri would never forget.