Ashamin's flaws had lessened significantly since he had come to helovia, but swimming was still something he was not very good at. The water dragged at his thick beard and coat and weighed him down. His companions, with their long legs and slender bodies, were swifter and nimbler. They reached the shore and looked back at him with eyes that were wide in the dark. This island was an unexplored territory and they were eager to plunder its depths. Lochan was patient enough to wait for his bonded, but Rakt was already moving into the jungle-like foliage by the time Ashamin dragged himself on shore.

In preparation for the short journey he had left his coils on the opposite side of the shore, figuring that the last thing he needed was a damaging shock to his system as he went for a soothing night swim. He would return to it soon, however, and did not plan to leave it alone for long. The riptide isles had been a special request visit made by Rakt. The red cerndyr had been insistent that they go somewhere special that night, as if there was something he needed to show them.

And as it turned out, there was.

In the nimble embrace of the darkness they all gathered, wet with thin ocean water and clean with each other's company. Lochan's white eyes pierced the dark and watched his younger but larger brother with care; Ashamin's pitch ones blended with every shadow cast upon him. But Rakt was alight with the fire of the stars, twirling and dancing some beautiful dance he'd created. He leapt through the isles' mists with ease, cutting through their fog and causing it to fly from him whenever he touched down to the earth again. Gold stardust commingled with the thin veil of silver and began to move, to live, to breathe, until it created two wobbly images of ghosts. When Rakt finally stood still there was a look of utter peace on his face, one mirrored in the expressions of the apparitions he had conjured. Two other deer-like creatures, flashing in brilliant hues, circled the young companion.

Somewhere along the way Rakt had discovered a beautiful magic. On this special night he revealed it to them like an unfolding flower. Within was something delicate and unique to their trio. The moment the summoned deer faded, Lochan and Ashamin ran towards their brother and they all shared the breath of a family united by pride.

It was an intimate moment, a perfect one, but it was not fated to remain uninterrupted for long.

""