The Custodian Chronicles: Finding Dragons

Badger Bonding

Though Cedrick didn't seem to need it, Elphacena kept true to her word and practiced with Cedrick every chance they got. It was intended to be a time to work and be ready for the part, but it turned into fun, magical nights. Each night, Elphacena just showed him a new style and watched, enchanted, as he quickly picked it up and danced with her through the night like a pro. She loved his instinctive style, and though she didn't admit it to him, she was quite glad she'd claimed him before. And even more glad he proudly bore their marriage token with such pride.

It only got better and better as the trip went on. Even his stupid games with Aleph were endearing because it expressed so well the man she fell in love with: strong, mature, sweet, and childlike (even when it bordered on childish). Though the experiences seemed to be making a maturity grow in him that Elphacena had seen before, but not so prominently, and that charming mix of powerful maturity and innocence made itself most visible when he dealt with Aleph.

Aleph was even more hyper than Cedrick was, and Cedrick tried to get it out of him by letting him teach him how to play Sparkleball then Zipperball. When Aleph first tried to teach Cedrick the sport, Cedrick was a bit too rough and knocked the ball into the forest where Aleph scampered after it. Cedrick chuckled and went after him to make sure he didn't get lost.

But Aleph had gone in deeper than Cedrick had expected. Cedrick's brow furrowed as he went in deeper, then he heard a little whimper in the canopy above him, and he looked up to see Aleph clinging to a tree branch.

"Aleph, are you okay?" Cedrick frowned and got ready to climb up after him, but Aleph shook his head franticly. "It's okay; I'm a good climber. I'll just..."

"Don't look." Aleph pleaded in a piteous whimper. Cedrick frowned then spotted what Aleph was afraid of. A giant badger sat on a limb opposing Aleph. The branch below had broken, and the ball was just above Aleph's head. Aleph was trapped.

"Shhh. It's okay, Aleph." Cedrick began to assure in a quiet voice, so the badger wouldn't wake up because not only was it huge, but its claws were even bigger.

Aleph shook his head. "No, no, you can't see." He insisted.

Cedrick's brows drew closer together. "Why not?"

A little, sad sniff came from the branches. Cedrick, at first, thought it was the badger, but then realized, it was a rather ashamed looking Aleph. "Because you can't see me like this; you're supposed to like me and think I'm strong."

Cedrick's shoulders slumped in sympathy and understanding; he knew exactly how that felt and had felt it every day of his life while trying to win his father's love. "Aleph," Cedrick tried to sound loving and assuring, "I don't think any the less of you because you got stuck. It happens to the best of us, and you were just trying to get the ball."

"I didn't see the badger, and when I did I got down and the branch broke." Aleph swallowed so hard Cedrick could hear it. "I-I'm s-scared, Cedrick."

"Don't be." Cedrick declared gently but firmly. "I'm not going to let you get hurt; you understand?"

With a sniff, Aleph nodded. "But why?" Aleph looked down at him.

"Because..." Cedrick said slowly to keep from waking the badger and assure the child. "I'm here to protect you. That's why; I like you, and I'm not going to let you get hurt. Hold still, and I'll get you." Cedrick looked around for a way to get Aleph down safely. "Aleph, I need you to go up, to where the ball was; I know it sounds funny but trust me."

Aleph nodded and holding the ball tightly made the climb, making a few leaves fall. One of these leaves fell onto the badger's nose and it sniffed it off, but, thank the Father, stayed asleep. Cedrick breathed a sigh of relief and nodded his encouragement to Aleph until he got to the branch Cedrick had directed him to. Another branch broke off. It was just a twig, but it made the Badger snarl, which made Aleph let out a little squeal of fright.