Oooops!

I expect any modern spelunkers cringe at seeing him put his dirty, bare foot on that pristine formation!

They take the passage to their left.

And back to exploring dangerous unknown territory.

They turn from scouting unknown territory to exploring a wonderland.

It changes from frightening thing to treasure as fast as it takes to light a candle.

I have two other versions of this scene.

Yes, Nico is afraid of the dark - now that he knows that the dark extends further than is known.

After scouting Duravin's castle, Nicolas and Val return to the den. Nico pokes around more than he has before.

ink on paper

Overlooking the Target

Val has brought Nico to a the edge of the ravine where Duravin's castle is.

Criminal influence

Back in the den, still the first day they met.

At that comment, Nicolas thinks mischeviously of pulling Val's tail. But then he thinks better of it.

Nicolas has lots of ideas, but little decision.

He keeps arguing with himself: Will he stay away? Will he return for good? If he goes back for just a bit before running off, how will he explain his absence to a worried family? If he comes and goes between farm and thicket, how will he explain it? And so on...

The "I got married" scheme is one among several more or less bad ideas about how to proceed.

Some suggested I do a rated-G version of the story, so starting with this page it splits in two.

Nicolas is moping along the road, kicking rocks along the wagon ruts.

Yes, sometimes the chickens do shut up. ... for a little while.

Caught in the Act

"Heh, heh..."
I'm not sure the color improved it. If you have an opinion, let me know. When I get some opinions I'll delete one of the versions.

"Heh, heh"

Caught in the act of trying to get in to chase some birds.

Leyla, daughter of Megan.