They find Anthe's reincarnation, and this little imp is just as wild, as adventurous, and as fun-loving as her previous incarnation.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-03315-i027-do-better#@internutter/re-bkf-r6duuq -- Lessons
Kobolds, like Goblins, are remarkably prolific. Considering that their usual destiny is to end as a brief and crunchy squeak, this is entirely understandable. If they didn't breed like flies, there would be none of the species left. Whilst the Goblins have a complicated labyrinth for their departed souls, the Kobolds have a simpler arrangement.
You died? Okay. Here's a new body that can house your soul. Just about to hatch. Have another go at life.
And another, and another, and another... This, and the aforementioned brief, crunchy squeak, are why Kobolds aren't overly concerned with funerals. They tend to view childhood as a six-year break between whatever they had done and whatever they were going to do next.
Gikka of the Windbelly burrow remembered the sun in her dreams, and ventured from her burrow to see it. Thusly, the first thing she stole was a pair of glasses with smoked lenses. The sun was bright! It was also warm and familiar and made her want to wander.
They say that a Kobold without a tribe will go mad and... they are not entirely wrong in this supposition.
It is madness for a Kobold to leave their pack. It is madness for a Kobold to travel alone.
And it is certainly madness to try and pickpocket a Wizard.
Wizard pockets can contain anything. Magical items, gold, notebooks, pretty rocks, loose pudding, or, in this case, a snare.
The Elf who had been apparently meditating opened one eye and looked at Gikka as if meeting an old friend again. "Hello, wandering star. What were you hoping to find in there?"
With one silver thread tight around her wrist, Gikka briefly thought about a lie. I wasn't taking anything, I tripped and my hand fell into your pocket... That would not pass. For a start, Gikka had had to climb a backpack just to reach. Honesty may be the best for this Elf with the dappled hide. "Uh. Something interesting?"
"And you have found an interesting time." The Wizard smirked. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Wraithvine. And you are?"
"Very sorry I even tried," said Gikka. "My name is Gikka and I would like to live longer please-and-thankyou."
This seemed to amuse Wraithvine enough to grasp the silver thread. "I suspect you came above to look for adventure. If you would travel with me, I can show you all the adventure you can take. And I will do my best to see you into a long, long life."
It was that or face a Wizards wrath. Worse, Wraithvines wrath. "Okay. I won't pick your pockets any more."
"That's a start," said Wraithvine, and loosened the snare.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / Vaitekune]
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