An Unforgettable Summer

Chapter 6: Through The Marsh

The next day, Askaru helps his family build the nests. They try to be as discreet as possible and build their nests inside the big cave, keeping them simple but comfortable. The family works as a team, helping each other, and that makes everything easier and fun.
Meanwhile, Kátní talks with other animals. Although some animals are a little suspicious, everyone decides to give Chamti another chance. Some of them even tell the bear that he doesn't need to retrieve their food.
The days go by and the forest seems more peaceful than ever with the animals living in harmony and respecting the circle of life. Some animals help the bear retrieve food to return to the ones he has threatened.
Askaru and Tayarinne continue to teach their daughters many things about the forest lifestyle, such as how to keep warm if it's cold, especially at night, or how to spot an animal just by its scent. In addition, the parents continue teaching their daughters some hunting and food gathering methods.
The family also spends time with their friends, such as the foxes or the deers. Their children have fun with each other while their parents talk to each other. After all, the purpose of this great vacation is not just to learn new things, it's also to have fun and enjoy the summer.
The night before they leave, Askaru and Tayarinne talk to their daughters.
“So, girls? What did you think of this week?” Askaru asks.
“It was a lot of fun.” Tayarinne II answers with her cute smile.
“It was also very educational, don't you think?” Asks their mother.
“I enjoyed learning to build a nest.” Maine replies.
“That's really good, sweetheart. But remember these nests are simple. As soon as possible, we're goint to teach you how to build a real flyon nest.” Explains Askaru.
"I cannot wait." Syas Lilikiki. “But it was great to be able to learn more about other species. Getting to know other animals and their lifestyles in person is different from learning at school or reading the books in our library.”
"I'm glad you're enjoying it, Lili." Her mother smiles.
“We both are.” Askaru adds, also smiling.
For a few seconds, they just look at each other with pride and affection. This family has always been very close.
“Where are we going tomorrow, mom?” Taya II asks curiously.
"We don't have a set destination." She answers.
“Your mother and I have traveled a lot in the past, but there are also many places we don’t know.”
“Your father is right, girls. Who knows? Maybe we can find a place together.”
"But most importantly, no matter where we go, we'll be together."
They hug each other for a while, before going to sleep.
The next day, they wake up early to continue their summer trip. Sova watches them from the sky and flies to them.
"Hello, my friends." The owl greets them.
“Hello, Sova.”
"I see you're leaving early."
"True. But believe that we're gonna miss this forest.” Askaru says.
“The animals are all so friendly. Even Chamti.” Comments Lilikiki.
"That's right. Your visit has improved everyone's life in the forest. At least, since the arrival of that bear.” Sova yawns. “Now I have to go to sleep. I hope you have a good trip and remember that you're always welcome in the Forest Of Peace.”
“Thanks, Sova.” The family thanks him.
Sova flies to his nest and the family continues walking. Not long after, in the middle of the forest, the family stops to see a small group of animals that have been waiting for them, especially their deer and fox friends.
“Did you think we were going to let you go without saying goodbye?” Jelen is the first to speak.
“It was great to see you again and meet your daughters.” Jelen's mate smiles at her friends.
"Thank you, friends." Tayarinne thanks them.
“We will miss you.” Says Liska.
“Come back quickly.” Adds Lisky.
"Who knows? Maybe we will see each other again soon.” Replies Askaru.
The children also say goodbye.
“It was really cool to meet you.” Says Askar, the fawn.
“You girls have to come back so we can play more often.” One of the fox pups adds.
“We'll definitely come back.” Says Tayarinne II. “Right, Maine?”
"Sure. We can convince our parents.”
The group hugs each other tightly. This is a friendship that will last forever.
"Hey, Lili." The bear approaches the teenager.
“Hello, Chamti.” She greets him with her usual smile.
"I'm glad you went looking for me that day."
"Yeah, me too."
“If it weren't for you, your father wouldn't have helped me get my memory back. I will never forget you.”
"We won't forget you either, my friend." Askaru says.
“I really hope you come back one day to see the evolution of this forest.”
“What do you mean, Chamti?” Tayarinne asks curiously.
“I decided to share my knowledge with all animals.”
“Do you think that it's a good idea?” Askaru asks. "They've never dealt with magic before."
“I think magic will be very useful to everyone in this forest. Also, I'll be as careful as possible. I cannot let the same thing happen to this forest that happened to my old home.”
“I know you will make it, Chamti.” Lili supports her friend.
“Thanks, Lili.” He thanks her with a smile. "Thank you all."
"You're welcome, Chamti." The family hugs the bear.
“This is not a “goodbye”. This is a “see you soon”.”
“See you soon, friend.”
Finally, the family walks again with all their friends saying goodbye. When they leave the forest, they look back one last time.
“Can we come back here someday?” Maine asks.
“Of course we can, dear.” Tayarinne answers. "But now it's time to discover a new place."
"I can't wait." Lilikiki is excited. She loves meeting new animals and places.
“Hehe. Alright, family. Are you ready to fly again?”
"Yay!" The cubs reply happily.
"Very good. But first..." Askaru uses his magic and, again with his tail, he reverses what he did at the entrance to the forest. He points his tail at his own body and his majestic wings reappear, as does his beautiful feathers, returning him to his strong and confident flyon form. Then, Askaru points his tail at his daughters, returning them to their flyoness forms as well.
“Being a lioness is not bad, but I already missed being a flyoness.” Lili comments.
“Welcome back, my loves.” Tayarinne smiles proudly, happy to see her family back in their natural form. Then, she also uses her magic on herself to become a flyoness and be able to fly with her family.
“Now we can go. Are you all ready?” Askaru asks.
"Yes!"
"Let's go."
Just like when they traveled to the Forest Of Peace, the family flies together. And, once again, Askaru helps his queen and their youngest daughters when they are tired.
The flyons continue to fly, watching the nature below them. They approach a green, damp place and land there, Tayarinne reverting to her natural lioness form.
"What is this place?" Lili doesn't look very pleased. “I like to see new places, but this one looks… dirty.”
"It's not dirty, Lili." Her mother explains. "I've been to a place like this before. It's a marsh. Marshes are known to be quite wet and muddy. They are beautiful in their own way.”
“Looks like a good place to play.” Maine says, throwing some mud at her sister Tayarinne II.
“Hey!” Taya II does the same and the two cubs start playing.
“What kind of animal thinks it's a good idea to live in a place like this?” Asks Lili.
"Hello." A frog appears, causing the family to look at the ground behind them.
"Hello. Who are you?" Asks Tayarinne.
“My name is Skok. I'm a frog. And who are you? I've never seen you here before.”
“My name is Askaru. This is my family: my queen Tayarinne and my daughters Maine, Tayarinne II and Lilikiki. We’re flyons.”
"Nice to meet you. What brings you to this marsh?”
“We're on a trip and decided to stop here to see this place.” The lioness explains.
“Then I'm glad I came to you. You know? I'm the guide of this marsh. I know this place better than anyone else.”
“Do you think you can give us a tour, Skok?”
“Oh please.” Lili looks at her muddy paws.
"My pleasure. Come with me.” Skok starts jumping, leading the family through the marsh.
“Why are you jumping?” Asks Tayarinne II, curious.
“Well… This is what we do. As you walk and birds fly, we frogs jump.”
"Ok. I prefer to walk. Jumping must be tiring.”
Askaru and Tayarinne let out a light laugh upon hearing their daughter's comment.
“I want you to meet my friend Hlodavec.” Skok approaches a small den on the riverbank. “Hlodavec!” He calls.
A muskrat comes out of his den and approaches the frog. "What's up, Skok?"
“I want you to meet the new visitors to our marsh.” The frog points to the flyons.
The rodent approaches them, watching them very carefully. "So... You want to see the marsh, right?"
"Well. Yeah." Tayarinne responds.
"Very well." Now the muskrat smiles. “Welcome to our marsh. My name is Hlodavec. I'm a muskrat. I'd never seen any animals like you.”
“We are flyons.” Askaru says.
"Well... I'm a lioness." Tayarinne adds.
"Interesting."
“Vladivec. Do you gather food for the winter?” Asks Taya II, remembering what he learned in the Forest Of Peace.
“It’s Hlodavec. I don't actually hibernate, but I'm usually more active in the late afternoon and evening. Except when we have visitors like you. What do I eat? Just watch.” Hlodavec jumps into the river and dives in.
“Where is he going?” Maine asks.
"You'll see." Skok replies.
A few seconds later, Hlodavec reappears and swims to the coast, holding some plants with his teeth. He walks back to the flyons and sets the plants on the ground. “This is what I eat.”
"Disgusting." Lilikiki comments.
"What? Do you find this disgusting?” Hlodavec looks seriously at Lili. “This is the most delicious food in the marsh. Maybe the tastiest in the world. Taste it." He grabs a plant and offers the teen flyoness.
“N-No, thanks. I already ate before coming to the marsh.” Lili lies, not wanting to taste the aquatic plants.
"As you wish." The muskrat eats the plants. “Mmmmm delicious.”
“So what about you, Skok? What do you eat?”
"This." Skok sticks out its tongue to catch a mosquito and eats it.
“Okay, okay. I think we better keep walking.” Lili is uncomfortable with the disgusting things she has seen since she arrived in the marsh and continues walking. This is certainly a place she will not want to visit again.
“What does she have?” Tayarinne is confused by her daughter's attitude.
"I'll talk to her. I'll be right back." Askaru follows her daughter.
“So… Tell us. Where did you come from exactly?” Hlodavec asks Tayarinne.
As they continue talking, Askaru follows his eldest daughter. “Lilikiki. Wait."
"What is it?" The teenage flyoness stops, letting her father approach her.
“What happened back there? Why did you act that way?”
“I don't like this place.”
"And why not?"
"It's dirty and full of weird animals that eat disgusting things."
“I thought you liked seeing new places and animals.”
"I do. But not places and animals like these. Can we go somewhere else?”
“Let me ask you something. You love pizza, don't you?”
“You know perfectly well that I do, dad.”
“So what about hamburgers? Maybe… barbecue?”
"Dad. You know I love all those delicious foods, but we're not in CiAr right now.”
"Exactly. Lili. What is strange for you may be normal for others. Likewise, cooking instead of hunting or fishing can be awkward for some animals. Each species has its own lifestyle and we just have to respect that. You don't need to like eating plants or insects. But you are here to meet new places and animals. You are learning new things.”
Lilikiki is thoughtful, continuing to listen to her father.
"Lili. Let's go back. I promise our lunch won't be bugs or plants.”
"Heh. It's a good thing it won't." Lili smiles again.
“So what do you say? Are you ready to go back?”
"Yes, dad. And thank you." She nuzzles her father, purring.
"Anytime, sweetie." Askaru blushes a little, also nuzzling and purring.
The two walk together back to their family who are still talking to the frog and the muskrat.
“Hey. Is everything okay?" Tayarinne asks, worried about her oldest daughter.
"It's all fine, dear." Askaru answers. “Right, Lili?”
"Yeah." She answers, ashamed. “I apologize for reacted like that.”
“It's okay.” Says Hlodavec. "Well. Now I'm going back to my den. As I told you, we muskrats are more active at the end of the day.”
“Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.” Tayarinne thanks him.
“I just gave you some information. Here my friend Skok has much more knowledge to share. Right, Skok?”
"Sure. I'll continue to show you the marsh and all its wonders.” Explains the frog.
“Wonders? Yeah right." Lilikiki thinks. She accepts the marsh's lifestyle and nature, but she will never like this place full of disgusting things.
“See you soon. Or not. Have fun." The muskrat returns to his den.
"Thanks." The family thanks him. “Bye, Hlodavec.
"Alright. Are you ready to continue the tour?” Asks the frog.
“Please, Skok. We would love to learn more about the marsh and its inhabitants.” Asks Tayarinne.
Askaru's belly starts growling a little. "But uh... Can we have lunch first?"
"Of course. We can meet here after everyone has had lunch. What do you think?” The frog suggests.
The flyon family agrees and then they decide to go hunting. However, as Maine and Tayarinne II are still cubs, Lilikiki decides to watch them while their parents go looking for something to eat. Lilikiki could've gone hunting too. Even if she's not as experienced as her parents, she has already developed some hunting techniques that she learned from reading books and practicing with her father a few times, in secret.
While their parents are out hunting, the three sisters play with each other, pawing and biting playfully. Sometimes they also use their wings to hug each other.
After some time, Askaru and Tayarinne return and land next to their daughters with some mongooses they hunted, landing them on the ground.
“Cool! Food!" Maine and Taya II are happy and start eating. They were really hungry.
"What is this?" Lilikiki asks, curious about the animals her parents hunted.
“These are mongooses, sweetheart.” Tayarinne responds. You must have already read about these animals in the books in our library."
"I don't remember well."
“These are animals that walk both on land and in water, but they are usually more active at night.”
“Your mother and I were lucky, because these were on land.” Askaru explains.
"At least you didn't bring me those nasty bugs to eat."
“Hehe. Don't worry, dear. I'm sure you'll like the mongooses.” Says her mother.
The family eats and then meets with Skok to continue exploring the marsh and meeting other animals. The frog teaches them how some animals migrate and others hibernate during the winter. The family also observes several species of birds and insects and how all these animals somehow keep the balance of the circle of life in the marsh.
Maine and Tayarinne II seem to love this place. They are in awe of the many species of animals that live in the marsh. At the same time, they love to play in the water and mud, splashing each other. Lilikiki tries to stay away from these games. She wants to keep her fur dry and beautiful, not dirty and ugly. Plus, she's eager to go somewhere else, maybe somewhere that's not so dirty and doesn't smell weird.
When the day is almost over...
“I hope you enjoyed this visit to our marsh.”
"It's all very beautiful, Skok." Says Tayarinne.
"You can stay here as long as you want."
“Thanks, Skok. But we're only staying one night. We leave tomorrow at dawn.” Explains Askaru.
“Are you sure?”
"Yes, we are." Lilikiki responds quickly.
"And you already know where you're going to sleep?"
“Don't worry, Skok. We will find a place.” Askaru says.
"Okay. I loved meeting you.”
"So do we." They say together.
The frog leaves.
“Are we really going to sleep in this… marsh of dirt?” Lilikiki doesn't seem pleased with the idea.
“Don't worry, Lili. I think I know where we can stay.” Askaru says. “When we were visiting the marsh, I saw a place that we can use.”
"Well. Show us the way, my king.” Tayarinne gives her king a lick on his cheek.
Askaru guides his family to a place in the marsh where there is not much mud or water.
“I think I might try sleeping here.” Lilikiki says, not very pleased.
"It's just for tonight, sweetie."
"I know, dad."
“We can sleep snuggled up to stay warmer.” Suggests Tayarinne.
“Good idea, my love.” Askaru agrees. “It's a little cold here.”
The group positions itself in the center. Askaru and Tayarinne stand side by side and Lilikiki in front of them. Maine and Tayarinne II go to the middle, between their parents and older sister.
Then, Askaru, Tayarinne and Lilikiki spread their wings and hug each other, forming a circle, keeping their bodies warm.
“I hope you are enjoying this vacation.”
“It's being awesome, dad!” Maine is excited.
“Where are we going tomorrow?” Asks Lili.
“Your mother and I would like to show you two very different places, but each with its own characteristics and fabulous animals.”
"Cannot wait." Says Taya II, before yawning.
“Looks like someone is sleepy.” Comments her mother.
"We'd better sleep." Askaru suggests. “Tomorrow will be a new day of adventure and learning.”
"Goodnight, girls." Says Tayarinne.
“Goodnight, mom and dad.”
The five sleep snuggled on the wings of the biggest flyons.
During the night, Askaru wakes up to hear a slight sound not far away. He makes sure his family is sleeping and silently uses his magic to increase his eyesight, being able to see great distances. He can see a small blue light in the distance. Not wanting to wake up his family, Askaru uses his magic again and, with his tail, creates a small shield around the flyonesses to keep the temperature. Then he goes looking for the light to try to understand what's going on.
Askaru has to walk for a while, but the sound starts to get louder. He stops between two tall trees. “Something is not right.” Slowly, the flyon raises his paw and touches an invisible shield. "I knew it." With a smile, Askaru returns to using his magic and, with his tail pointed towards him, his body begins to glow and he slowly starts walking, crossing the shield.
On the other side of the shield, Askaru is surprised. The sound increased a lot. The marsh animals are having a big party by the river. Muskrats and mongooses are making music through magic, while birds light up the sky with many colors through magic. Insects just seem to be enjoying the party along with some reptiles and amphibians.
Askaru walks to the party, still in awe of what is happening there. Suddenly, Skok goes to him, surprised.
“How did you get here?”
“Hello, Skok. I don't remember you talking about this party." The flyon smiles.
"Well... This... This is supposed to be a secret."
“Do you have night parties with magic?”
"Well... Yes. Wait. Do you know how to do magic?”
"Of course I do. How do you think I got in here?”
“Many animals know how to do magic, but this is something we cannot share with anyone who visits the marsh.”
"I know. Magic can be dangerous when it's not well controlled or when an animal has bad intentions.”
“Please promise me you won't tell anyone about this. Not even to your family.”
“My family also knows magic. You can trust them.”
“It's not about trust, Askaru. One of you might reveal our secret by accident. This cannot happen."
"I understand." Askaru thinks for a while. "Okay. I won't tell anything... on one condition."
"Condition? What condition?”
“You have to let me join this party.”
“Hehe. Okay then. Follow me." Askaru follows Skok to the riverside, where Skok introduces him to the rest of the group. “Marsh friends! This is Askaru! Don't worry. He also knows how to do magic and promised not to tell anyone our secret. Tonight, Askaru will join us, at least for a while.”
“Can you do any good magic tricks?” Asks a mongoose.
“Just watch.” Askaru smiles and starts flying.
Flying around in the sky, Askaru's tail's tuft begins to glow. The marsh animals watch the flyon admired and curious, waiting to see what trick he's up to. Finally, Askaru moves his tail in the sky, releasing small colored explosions like a firework.
"Wow..." Everyone is amazed to see the beauty of his magic trick.
Over the course of a few hours, Askaru has fun with the marsh animals, all wanting to show a little bit of their magic tricks, especially involving lights, sound and small levitations.
At the end of the party, Askaru returns to his family. They're still sleeping. Askaru smiles at them and puts himself back in his position, snuggling with his family as the shield disappears.
The next morning, as the sun starts rising, the family wakes up.
"It wasn't a bad night." Lili comments.
“We should sleep like this more often. Don't you agree, my king?" Tayarinne talks to Askaru, but notices he's a little sleepy. “Did you have a bad sleep?”
"No. I... I'm fine. I just need some time to get more… awake.”
"Okay, my love.” She gives him a lick on his cheek, then talks to her daughters. “Are you ready to continue exploring the world?”
"Yeah!" Maine and Tayarine jump excitedly.
"I just hope it's better than this marsh." Comments Lilikiki.
"So let's go! Askaru, dear, you are our guide.”
"Yes..." Askaru says, still a little sleepy.
The family walks through the marsh again. They say goodbye to Skok and Hlodavec. Askaru still has time to dip his muzzle in the river to wake up better. Lilikiki takes the opportunity to wash her fur. Lili could use her tongue, but she refuses to lick up mud and moss.
After they leave the marsh, Tayarinne speaks to her king again: “Are you ready, my king?”
“Yes, my queen.”
Tayarinne points her tail towards an open space and Askaru follows her movements.
“What are you doing?” Lili asks.
“We're going to use one of the most complicated and dangerous spells in the world. We're about to open a portal.” Tayarinne explains.
"You must never try this spell unless you are sure what you are doing." Askaru continues. “Your mother and I practiced a lot and we can only make it work when we work together. We have to say the same sentence and think of the same place.”
In fact, they thought about visiting two places today, wanting to show their daughters different places. So they know exactly what to do and how to do it.
"Now be quiet while your father and I open the portal."
“Once the portal is open, we only have a few seconds to go through it. Do you understand?”
Their daughters nod in agreement.
"Excellent."
Askaru and Tayarinne wag their tails in a circle, pointing to the same spot, and say together: “Chci otevřít svým ocasem tento portál do vzdálené země, společně nezklameme a najdeme cestu.” As they say this spell, their tails begin to glow and a circled blue portal opens.
"We have to go, girls." Lili goes through the portal with her sisters, who are very curious to see what's on the other side.
“Now us, my queen.” Says Askaru, smiling at Tayarinne.
The couple's tails stop glowing and they quickly pass through the portal. After the family has crossed to the other side, the portal closes, disappearing completely.