An Example of Freedom

Ashiel stretched out in the sunlight that warmed the steps of the terrace. Griff landed with a collection of items wrapped in deer hide and he cocked his head to the side. What was it Griff was wanting him to try this time? Were they at last going to try and make ink? His nostrils flared delicately as he caught the scent of pine and sure enough a collection of small pine branches, dripping with resin met his eyes. "Ah, ok, I think I have everything now. Anything else we need should be in your study."

Ashiel sighed and flopped on his side. "I was rather hoping to take the morning to enjoy a sun bath but if you insist."

"I do," stated the bird. "There are a few ways we can go about this. I have some resin and also hide glue, some carbon, some hawthorn…" Griff's voice drifted off as he rummaged through his supplies. "Hawthorn might be a simpler one to try but alas you have not yet mastered the art of fire. I have brothers from my old tribe, firehawks that could help, but I haven't seen them in ages." Ashiel knew the bird didn't mean brothers in the blood sense but it was still tempting to make a snide remark. He wasn't thrilled with the ink and quill methods of writing suggested by his companion but he tried to keep himself focused. It was not an easy method for a wolf to use and he'd crushed many a quill in his jaws but perhaps Malleus' companion would have a better time of it, if he was even remotely interested in any of this.

Ashiel scowled at his companion. He'd managed to run across a fire sparked by a lightning strike. He'd rescued some of the flame on the end of a smoldering branch but despite his efforts it had died. The frequent rains hadn't made it any easier but he'd learned a lot and hoped to be successful next time. He'd found a place in the castle just right for nursing a young fire.