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Frigid Freeze

With the last of autumn’s leaves having fallen just weeks ago, in record timing Father Winter had gathered his forces in less than two days. Two days was all it took for the mighty wind of the north to unleash his minions of snowflakes upon Gambino Isle. A place that rarely saw a large amount of snow, they were pelted from head to toe in a short time. Everywhere one looked, they saw white. The land that had once been a tropical island had at last witnessed the fearsome ice age.

Only the bravest of souls dared to venture out into the frozen landscape. The fear of being swallowed up in its depths too great. No one wished to become a frozen statue the minute they stepped outside. Of course, there was one group that held enough courage to face off against great old winter himself.

When the storm had died down, and only a trickle of snow fell from the black night sky, a shout rang out in the dead of night. Yet unlike other nights, this one did not pronounce fear, thievery, or murder. Instead it was that of pure joy.

Decorating the land in footprints as he dashed about the yard, with every shout he bellowed Tyson told the sleeping neighbors how happy he was. From the depths of his belly to the peak of his throat the cries came each one louder than the next. At last they had snow! Finally it had reached them!

“Tyson!” The hiss of his name sliced through the boy’s happy shouts quick like a bullet. There, standing tall like a beacon in the belly of darkness was Lillian. She almost looked as powerful as she seemed to the boy as she stood within the light given off from the kitchen. “Not so loud! Normal people are trying to sleep.”

“Ah….I doubt they can hear me, Lil. All our neighbors live a good distance from our house.” Tyson replied as he gave his sister the best cocky grin that he could. He was right of course. The makeshift family lived in a neighborhood where neighbors lived a good ways away that they were almost nonexistent. With the money these people possessed, what they wanted they could get. Since they paid for privacy that’s what they got.

The teen scowled from where she stood, revealing her dislike for this fact instantly. “Well at least tone down the volume for my head’s sake, will ya?” A chilly breeze suddenly whipped by and the lass cursed with rage, grappling at her heavy coat in hopes that all her pulling and tugging of it around her body would make it warmer.

Her trembling hands stopped their relentless struggle though when a voice drifted up from behind her. “Lillian….” It said in a deep melodic tone, “I do believe it would be best for you if you actually went out into the snow.”

Turning around when the voice gave a tug on her ears, Lillian looked down at Garg who walked to stand beside her. The gargoyle was resting on all fours as he spoke, his eyes glancing from Lillian then out to Tyson who had gone back to fooling around in the snow. “I think it’d be good for you to get out there. It’d be relaxing.”

“You just want me to freeze my tail off…” Lillian growled with distaste as she looked away from Garg.

A deep chuckle proved otherwise. “I believe that’s my line, Lily. Last time I checked you do not possess such a thing. Now…you should go enjoy yourself. Tyson may act peculiar on many days, I think his riled actions say that you don’t get snow often here.” Garg smiled, his fangs protruding from his lips. “If you go, I’ll go too.”

Lil shifted from side to side as she thought the beast’s offer over. “Really now? I thought you didn’t like the snow since it messed up your body.” She murmured while looking over him, studying the body that was made up entirely of rocks. “Won’t you erode?”

The lass’s worry was met with a grateful shake of his large head, “Nah. Not to worry. I won’t stay long. I may crack a bit but I can fix that later on. Now, let’s go outside and join your brother in a game of…what was it called…ah…a snowball fight?”

With that being said the duo stepped off the back porch and into the outdoor winter wonderland.

For hours they played in the snow. The adventure resembled something only one could find in a children’s storybook; it was just that good. The once glossy surface of snow purity had now become a battlefield with massive piles thrown this way and that. The casual snowball fight that began with Lillian tossing snow in Garg’s mouth had grown too vicious to continue after a half hour. Sad to say the siblings were far too competitive to play it without bombarding one another with snow to the point of bruising.

So, too tired to move another muscle, Lillian threw up the idea of snow-angels. It seemed simple enough. Unbeknownst to the Maevins though, a bulky gargoyle was just not made for something that took a little bit of grace. While Lillian’s and Tyson’s snow angels came out to resemble your typical snowy guardian, when Garg lifted his massive body from the snow the result was just one big hole. It looked like an asteroid had crashed into the ground when he got up.

After uttering an apology, Tyson quickly suggested they build a fort to lighten the stone guardian’s mood. Course, what would have taken four hours to build if left to the kids only took a few minutes with the gargoyle aiding his strength. The end result was a large fortress that even Garg could crawl around in.

“That was fun…” Tyson said as he exhaled tiredly, his body relaxing against the guardian’s as they sat in the safety of the snow fortress.

Garg nodded, his tail coiling around Tyson to pull him closer, “It was. I never thought snow could be like that. Even though most of the things I took part in, using your terms, I definitely ‘sucked’ at.” He huffed and rested his massive head upon his front legs, laying in the snow like a cat would on a couch.

The lad snorted and waved a hand in front of him dismissively, “Oh please. Everyone sucks at something. So you throw too hard for snowball fights and can’t make a snow angel…that doesn’t matter if you can make a mean snow fort.” He replied before gesturing at the snowy walls.

“If you say so…..” The beast grumbled.

He was met with a cheeky laugh, “I know so.”

“What are you two chatting about?” Lillian asked as she crawled through the entrance, a tray being pushed in front of her that held two cups of something that was steaming. Tea? At this hour? Upon further inspection, taking into account the little marshmellows floating up at the top, Tyson guessed it to be hot cocoa.

“And you guessed right.” Lil reached out and took Tyson’s hands in her own before handing him his mug. “Now be careful, it’s pretty hot but after our antics I think it’ll hit the spot.” She then joined Tyson in resting against Garg. Her kind hand that wasn’t occupied with holding her own heated mug reaching out to rub their guardian’s head lovingly. “I think you already know but daylight is right around the corner, Garg. You sir need to get some rest.”

Leaning into her touch the gargoyle grumbled his agreement. “In a moment….let’s just enjoy the little bit of time we have left.”

And that’s what they did. Sipping the hot cocoa, Lillian and Tyson chatted with Garg about the night they had spent. The two weaving tales of what they had done in years past when snow graced their lawn. None were ever has good as tonight. But oh boy, the next time it snowed, they’d show him how to make snow cones, how to build snowmen, and even more.

When dawn’s brilliant light broke over the old house Garg was already up on his pedestal while the children were tucked away, nestled in their beds awaiting the next night for the winter adventures they’d share. Just a few more hours….

Lillian and Tyson are out shopping for Christmas gifts and stumble upon a group of fellow labbies. They seem like a very interesting bunch.

It is New Years Eve! The city of Durem is filled with excitement and activity as people enjoy the upcoming year. Lillian and Tyson arrive to enjoy the festivities when they come across a certain pair. Will Lillian be able to keep her cool when she comes face to face with a grumpy youth?

Beware!

Lillian peered out through the curtains and into the inky darkness that surrounded their home. Off in the distance she could make out the faint yellow lights of the lampposts that sat on the main road. Fog as thick as a pipe’s smoke drifted over the ground like light waves in a sea.

Tonight was one of those nights when civilization seemed so far away from the house and Garg acting strange didn’t help ease her worry while stuck in isolation.

The young lass turned her gaze back to the gargoyle as he paced back and forth in the living room. There wasn’t much space in the cluttered room for his large form while on all fours but judging by all the books, statues, pots, and even chair that had been knocked over how much room he could fit in wasn’t that big of a concern. Something big was bothering the beast if it was severe enough to take away his common sense.

“So….we can’t get pizza because you don’t want us to leave the house?” Tyson growled from where he sat on the couch. His stomach gurgled from hunger and grief. The boy was just as anxious as the gargoyle but while the reason for Garg’s odd behavior went unknown Lillian knew Tyson’s anger was just from an empty stomach. “And…we can’t even call someone to just come and deliver it to us?” The lad asked as he attempted to sway Garg with the idea once again. But as soon as the gargoyle rounded on him with the darkest glare and scariest snarl he quickly shut up being the voice for his belly.

This time though Garg wasn’t about to just give the lad a glare and growl. He had been bugged too many times and this was an urgent matter. “No!” The stone beast roared as he slammed a clawed fist onto the wooden floor to compliment his rage.

Lillian cringed as she listened to the boards creak and cry against the weight. That was going to leave a mark…

“Neither of you are leaving this house tonight and NO ONE is going to come here just so you can eat!” Garg roared as his tail came crashing down on the nearest coffee table.

Lillian and Tyson both flinched with surprise as Marmaduke barked angrily from the kitchen where Lil had him securely gated.

“SHUT UP MUTT!” Garg bellowed with even more ferocity, this time he even barred his fangs in the direction of the large dog howling from the kitchen. Thankfully Marm quieted down just like Tyson had minutes ago and retreated to his safe-house under the kitchen table.

Boy oh boy did Tyson and Lillian wish they could join him under the wooden table to escape this display. Honestly…Tyson was pretty frightened by how Garg was acting and to see Lillian nervous over this shift in personality didn’t help calm his nerves. Garg, their normally calm and responsible stone guardian, was morphing back into that reckless being they had to wrestle with on Halloween Night.

Suddenly Garg had a change of heart..well..more like position because in the blink of an eye the gargoyle was out of the living room and bounding up the stairs. The wooden boards sobbed and begged for mercy as they were crushed under his weight. Lillian was all set to hear the steps break under Garg’s powerful feet but that treacherous sound had yet to ring out in the house.

Not wanting to loose their guardian both kids rose from their seats and ran after him. Up, up, and up they went until the two arrived on the roof a few seconds after the alarmed Gargoyle. Slowly and carefully the duo crawled out the window to join where their gargoyle stood overlooking their yard. He was at his usual roosting spot that normally sat in during the day.

Between gasping for air and helping Tyson onto the roof Lillian shot the creature a harsh glare, “What…the…hell?! Garg what are you thinking? Leading us up here and—“

“Someone is out there!” The huge shadow hissed as he perched on the edge of the roof. His large wings spread outwards into the motionless air before bending back to rest against his thick spiky back. “I can feel them….the cowards…slinking about in the night like cockroaches.” He growled under his breath as his head moved to examine the land before him. In the dark of the night the gargoyle’s eyes emitted an eerie glow that drifted like smoke from his eyes. The beast was quite a sight to behold and if Lillian wasn’t so frazzled perhaps she would have enjoyed it more.

Hazel eyes met resembling hazel eyes wide with fear when Garg’s seething words touched their ears. Lillian frowned and shook her head with great hope that she hadn’t heard him correctly. “What…are you talking about?” Cowards? Slinking? Thieves? There were thieves wandering about her yard?

A body shaking shiver grabbed hold of Lillian’s body and it was only quelled when Tyson took her hand. The lad leaned in to his sister, his warm fingers rubbing at her soft skin, “Don’t worry….our traps could work and stop them…They’re all over the yard…” He whispered under his breath in an act to calm his own terrible nerves.

Garg shook his mighty head at the question. His chin jutted out to gesture into the darkness, “I don’t know exactly but…but…” He snarled as if poison had seeped into his throat and was giving him a great deal of difficulty to utter one word, “They want to hurt you two…this family…they’ve been spying on us for days now…I didn’t want to worry you but they’ve gotten closer and…I don’t know if they’ll try anything. I don’t want you two leaving at night anymore. I…I can’t allow it if there is someone outside like this.”

Lillian felt her heart stop cold in her chest. Tyson’s mouth had fallen slack as he stared at the large beast with great fear. He wasn’t so hungry anymore….instead he felt ill. The boy shuddered as he found the courage to speak, “M-Maybe i-it’s just pesky squirrels? Y-You know how much of a pain they are…o-or just a family of deer?”

The lad covered his mouth just then when he was overtaken by coughing. It was becoming difficult to breathe as his throat constricted and clogged up with fear. What were they going to do if it was true? As much as he didn’t want to believe that Garg was right he knew that it was more than likely that the beast’s “spidey” senses were never wrong. After all Garg had a knack for catching these kind of people. He had shooed away many thieves during his stay at their home but never had these thieves tried to hurt them!

“Lil….” Tyson murmured quietly as possible, he didn’t want Garg to hear him...not when he was like this. Reverting back to the actions he took when he was little and frightened Tyson reached up to grasp his sister’s hand. Like a cobra his fingers squeezed and tightened around hers. “What should we do?” He hissed with worry.

The lass in question had been thinking the exact same thing. But now that this concern had been set free on the world. She’d have to act fast for an answer or be left standing like a lifeless scarecrow. “Come on. Let’s go check on the traps and then we’ll go inside to watch a movie.” Without further ado Lil grabbed Tyson’s hand and led him off the roof. Garg was too absorbed in his guarding to really care and she knew if there was a problem he’d be there to rescue them in a second. Lil just hoped that checking up on the traps would ease her and Tyson’s nerves.

That night Garg stalked through the yard and stood at his perch until the sun rose at dawn. And for the first time in a long time Lillian and Tyson felt fear. Fear that they would have to face their greatest nightmare, and fear that with this dangerous presence around Garg would slowly turn into a terrifying beast.

The sun rose silently over the houses on Gambino Isle to bring in the new day. Yet for a small family residing on the coast of the island today would not bring light and joy, but despair and the need for a grave.

Rays of sunlight overcame the darkness within a particular house. It painted tiger stripes over the bodies fast asleep in bed behind the shades and across their eyes, beckoning them awake. Perhaps the harbinger which was the sun possessed little mercy in the act of stirring the two awake. For fate spared none.

Lillian was the first to awake within the household just like any other day. After she had rubbed the sleep from her eyes and stretched her sore vessel that her soul resided in time was of the essence. First, the newspaper had to be retrieved from the porch. Then breakfast had to be cooked and served for her little misfit family. Afterwards, Marmaduke and Ghoulia had to be let outside for their regular morning outside time. Not o that but Tyson had to be brought to his first soccer practice too. Then Lillian knew she had to get started on her own choirs she had set for herself around the house mid-January. It was about time she finally got around to completing them. Just like the day before, it would be a busy time spent awake and tomorrow would be just the same. It was a routine that itself adjusted on weekdays, in total it was a circle that was kept in motion, unbreakable.

For some reason or another, Lillian felt deprived of the usual burst of motivation to complete the tasks she’d set out to do. Rather than a brisk walk down the spiral staircase’s steps to get her body in motion, each step she took this morning seemed to last at least a minute each. The walk down the staircase had become a long trek to a treasure that could only be the slick hardwood floor.

In a way, it was as if something was pulling her back to her room and back to bed. The ghost of mercy desired to keep Lillian inside and safe from the treacherous truth that lied outside in the fresh daylight. Yet cruel fate fought and won the battle for mercy’s whispers could not overcome the shout’s fate made. Afterall, mornings could not start for Lillian until the today’s paper was in the house.

The minute her feet touched the floor and kicked destiny into motion, the invisible bindings that had attached themselves to Lillian in an effort to keep her sedated and close to a comfortable bedroom were broken; shattered into millions of pieces that dissipated into oblivion.

Tick tock goes the clock. For time never ceases. Time never stops. Upon the hour, upon that day, you will see what living means.

A frown of disdain crossed over Lillian’s bare lips as the little rhyme ventured through her sleep-dazed thoughts. It had belonged to a silly song that she would sing as a child while dancing around her old home’s courtyard fountain. The reason to why it had invaded her thoughts at such a meaningless time escaped her as she neared the front door.

The beautiful cascade of color fell across the large burgundy wooded door. The culprit responsible for such an array of beauty was the various jewels that hung across the kitchen window. Greedy little things those polished minerals of the earth were. They sucked the light from the sun only so they could show off their own color upon the traces of reality.

Garg always spoke of how he wanted to see the sun’s rays. Since he was a gargoyle, never would he see the sun or its gifts to earth in his lifetime. What she was seeing now displayed upon her door, just something so simple and meaningless, would mean the world to the mystical guardian.

How many months had it been since the flying giant was brought to her home? The hours, the days, the weeks, the time they spent together had liquefied and formed into ball of memories. That ball was all that mattered, the memories that she had and the future tales that awaited them, was all they needed. Time was essence that no longer ruled her nor her family’s life. They were free.

Freedom! It rang strong and true in heart where the volume of its thudding worried her. Rarely did her heart beat so powerfully as if screaming for joy. Fear was a useless attachment onto her being now. Thieves, the shadowy figures that kept her up at night to shuffle upon her courage with heavy feet were a thing of the past.

A liberator had arrived to unlock the doors to the prison and escort them out into the new world. It was Garg, and upon his wings he brought possibility, love, and protection.

If only it could have lasted longer…

The door of truth opened with Lillian’s hand upon the knob and a rush of light’s realization washed away the illusion the young woman had painted.

For you see, nothing lasts forever. Forever is too long to last.

There, lying upon the ground, in a heap of stone that had spilt violently into several pieces was their protector. A piece of history, of time, full of life, swept away in a current that was too strong to swim against.

Was she screaming? Lillian couldn’t tell. For her body felt as light as air as she leaped across the porch and ran to the guardian’s side, or what remained of it. Gone, he was gone. Nothing was left. Swept away, swept away, in the end we are all swept away.

Hands as white as the clouds hanging in the sky above fell across the broken stone that had once been a being with a heart of gold. Lillian didn’t even recognize those frantic hands as her own as they clawed at the beautiful stone. His body had become the pieces to a jigsaw puzzle as they lay strewn across the ground. A broken wing laid to her right, while a horn was to her left, and staring back at her clasped tightly within her trembling hands was her guardian angel. His solemn eyes, the eyes that had held a bright flame of everlasting love, stared back at her.

I protected you, you should have protected me.

Her vision swam within the water that had filled her eyes once the sweet voice suited for a lullaby ghosted past her reddened ears. It drove Lillian to the ground, her legs that were only protected by a thin material of cloth ripping across the broken stone that lied beneath. Pain never came to claim the injury though, perhaps because it couldn’t get past the icy shell that had wrapped itself throughouly around her. Not even the sight of blood tore her thoughts away from what was in her grasp, what was broken and never to be repaired. Trembling hands that fit the ideal of a ghost clutched the biggest piece of Garg’s head close to her broken chest. Finally, a voice erupted from inside of Lillian to give way to a screech of anguish suited for a Banshee. Death was here, it had struck again, and back to the jail they would go to await escape nevermore.

A warm unlike any other then pierced Lillian’s shoulder and dragged her away from the pit of despair. It tugged upon her soul, recollected it, and rejuvenated it so she could see once more.

“Lillian, we can save him.” The calm voice spoke over the dread and darkness. “Let’s give him a chance.”

Tyson kneeled beside his sister, his small hand reaching out to take her closest trembling hand. Sitting in his outstretched hand that sought to join with hers was the magical object that one would describe as either a good-will angel or reaper of darkness. It was the soul bottle.

Together, with their interlaced fingers grasping the bottle, a solemn wish and a whispered, “We’re sorry.” was told to the Garg’s lifeless statue just before the bottle was placed ever so gently, as if it was the entire world, into the wreckage. It wasn’t before Lillian released the final remains amongst the rest, her tears still wet upon the stone when it joined the other pieces to the whole.

Neither knew how long it would take to absorb a soul, so they sat under Garg’s favorite tree and waited for the future to come. Side by side, the sibling’s solemn eyes watched as the soul of their protector, their friend, gathered within the bottle as the sun passed behind the tall trees.

Over and over again they thought of what they were doing. Of what would become of magnificent creature. It would be a second chance, a new beginning, a life to start over. The guilt ached within their hearts but something else blistered inside of them as well. Hope. For hope would keep them going and life would start anew; with every death there is a birth, and every loss has a gain.

The birds flying amongst the trees sang songs as a breeze blew across the land. Waves crashed upon the shore not too far away. The sun remained high in the sky still showering them with its warm and comforting rays.

“Well, he may be gone for now….” Tyson began as his eyes caught the sight of the bottle shimmering along with Garg’s remains in the sunlight. “But when he returns, he will finally be able to join us in the sun. We will finally be a whole, a circle, that will never break.” A breeze drifted by then, shaking the leaves upon the tree singing the final song. It was not the end but just a pause.

Another breeze, another song, another day, another love. Repeat, repeat I say, for the day will end upon this land and there will be no place to stay. Hold tight, stay strong, grip firm, keep holding on.

“What do you think he eats?” Lillian asked Tyson the next morning after the scare. They were sitting down to breakfast now. Lil was pouring cereal for herself and the tyke when a thought struck just as she was getting the milk out of the fridge.

Last night Reks hadn’t eaten anything and now, when he must have been starving, they had no idea what he should eat. He had yet to really string any words together so it wasn’t like he could just tell them what he was hungry for. Even without a stomach he had to have something.

When she rested their meal in front of Tyson Lil had yet to receive answer from him. She sighed heavily at the boy’s mood and shook her head. After Iorek scared her little brother he hadn’t really slept the rest of the night. So the anger he held from the event was only given greater heights with his exhaustion. This difficult attitude from the youngster was just what she needed on their second day with a new family member. Perfect.

Tyson turned his eyes to look over into the foyer where Iorek was drifting side to side. The gargoyle incarnated looked like a puppy that had just been kicked. Sullen and deflated…even his pointy ears were directed towards the ground. But rather than sympathize with him, the youth grunted his approval.

He deserved his distress. Iorek had terrified him last night and he rather have the raevan in this state until he felt necessary. As Tyson saw it, in this state he wouldn’t be wandering into rooms and scaring the hell out of anyone. “I think he can go a few days without food. It’s not like any of the other raevans had to constantly eat. He’s a rock monster and rocks don’t eat.”

Lillian rolled her eyes at his attitude as she ate her bowl of Cheerios standing up against the kitchen counter. “They also don’t grow a pair of wings and fly around the house, now do they?”

The boy huffed and shook his head, “He’ll eat when he’s hungry so stop worrying. Enjoy the peace while it lasts.”

“Oh come on, Tyson! Stop whining. Be happy that he’s here. You were so excited to be getting a raevan!” Lillian barked back as she placed the spoon down in her half eaten bowl. She cast a glance over to Iorek who hadn’t really moved from his original spot.

The table shook and the items on top of it rattled when the boy slammed his fist against it. “That was before Garg was the soul we took! If he didn’t die and we had someone else’s soul in that bottle this would be a totally different story! But it’s not and now we have some creepy creature prowling around our house!” The boy hollered with wrath and angst.
Lillian gritted her teeth and scowled at Tyson, scooting back her hair as she stood to tower over him. “He’s apart of this family now, Tyson. So quit your whining and think of him as so!”

While the two hollered and argued their attention had fallen away from the one they were heatedly discussing. Iorek had drifted to the side not paying much attention as to what was going on anymore. He had no idea what they were yelling and screaming about. As he moved about the clutter the raevan stopped short when something caught his eye.

A grouping of rocks sat unwatched on one of the tables by the kitchen. Tyson had been collecting them from around the home but had yet to store them in a jar like Lillian asked him to do.

Without even realizing it the raevan began to lick his lips. Casting a quick look into the kitchen the two children were now both standing and pointing fingers at one another. With them occupied Iorek was given the security to reach forward and take a few of the pebbles into his hand. He didn’t realize or really care that Tyson had gathered them because they looked cool or were an unusual shape.

The raevan didn’t know what possessed him to but he popped the rocks into his mouth. A delightful taste of salt washed over his tongue and pleased his pallet. Iorek flushed as a smile spread on his lips. His sharp teeth crunched into the rocks and chewed them as if they were a regular old piece of soft food. With a great gulp Reks swallowed his newly decided favorite treat. Maybe a few more wouldn't hurt...

He reached down again and gathered up another handful of rocks, eating them just like he had the first. It was lovely! The gargoyle didn’t know why but he loved the taste and texture the rocks had as he chewed them up and they slid down his throat.

Of course what came next almost made Iorek choke on his delicacy.

“What are you doing!?”

Reks turned to the voice and dropped the rocks out of surprise. He had been caught red handed and didn’t know what to do. The poor creature became as stiff as a statue when he was met with such an angry face.

“Those are mine! Don’t eat them!” Tyson hollered but before he could take the rocks away from Reks Lillian pulled him back by his arms.

She tugged him away from Iorek and walked over to the startled raevan. With a smile on her face Lil grabbed the remaining rocks that were on the table and took one of Iorek’s hands. She slid her hands over his fingers, brushing her warm tips over his cold stony skin until his hand was opened. “Here. You can have them. They taste good, right?” Lillian kept her voice low and gentle as she tried to calm Iorek down. She took one rock from his palm and placed it to her mouth and mimicked eating. "Aah...yum yum?"

“It’s okay, eat them.” Lillian said reassuringly.

As Iorek nodded and did so Tyson snarled and stomped his foot on the floor, “What are you doing, Lillian!? He’s eating rocks!! MY rocks!!”

His sister looked back on the boy and idly shrugged no longer concerned with his temper. “He needs to eat and it looks like this is something he likes....oddly enough. You can find more rocks outside.”

“But those are---“

“Come on, Iorek.” Lil laced her one arm with his and led him up the stairs. “Let me just get cleaned up and I can take you out to find more food okay?”

Iorek nodded shyly and sported a weak smile before eating a few more of the rocks, even offering one to her-which she promptly but politely denied.

As the two climbed the stairs they ignored the whines and protests of a frustrated Tyson. It was only day two. The boy would have to accept Iorek eventually…it just might take a little longer than originally thought.