Step into the Light [Redielle Pups and Red, Pack Welcome]

She was well enough now and the pups were old enough. It was finally time to take the brood of excitable pups out of the cave system for the first time. She figured they would start small. The ravine was full of enough wonders to keep five young minds occupied while also keeping them all safe from birds of prey in the sky.

If they behaved well, and no catastrophes of puppish proportions – stubbed toes, tripped over the steps – occurred, then they might well get to venture out into the wooded hillock. And then she and Red would go from there until the children were tired enough to sleep like five slick, pudgy rocks for the night.

As it was, it was nearing the end of naptime, about noon, when she nudged each child awake with her nose and soft, sweet words, starting with Ardyn.

“Come loves, we’ve got a fun day ahead. Are you ready to see the ravine?”

She slid to her paws and stepped from the alcove, waiting for each child to follow. To no one’s surprise, Ardyn was the first to scamper and toddle out in small front-end leaps. Her foreleg stopped further progress down the cave steps as she bent to speak to the five pups gently, but firmly.

“We’re going to start with the ravine, and I expect you to behave. If you do well here, we might get to explore the hillock today as well. No sneaking further down the ravine without either your father or myself with you. Understood?”

She waited for their agreement before she grinned and led the way down the steps, waiting at the bottom for each pup, ready to catch anyone who might trip.

Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think