While petting a giant otter had been fun, Lucinda quickly decided being one was far more so. For the most part, the form wasn’t overly different from other furry forms she possessed. However, the webbed feet, and fin-like tail were certainly peculiar. They were also largely pointless properties on dry land.

For the purpose of rectifying that temporary pointlessness, the tree barriers were split apart so Lucinda, Varmia, and their respective companions could proceed to the lake. From the garden they travelled quickly through the intervening rooms, with even the ground-based travel proving to be enjoyable, as was often the case in a non-human form. The benefit of four-legged movement alongside an increase in Agility was a substantial boon.

As they emerged back into the large gathering area, their pre-made plan hit a slight snag when a voice cut across the background murmurs of those gathered.

“Varmia, Lucinda, there you are,” Yalia called out. “There’s another guest you need to meet.”

The otter that was the young Druid turned to Lucinda and whined quietly for her benefit. Three giant otters suddenly became two, and then just one. Lucinda noticed an unfamiliar man standing next to the circle leader. He was tall, had extremely short brown hair, bright green eyes, and appeared to have only recently come of age.

“Girls, meet Owilen. Owilen, meet our guest of honour, Lucinda; and my granddaughter, Varmia.”

“Hey,” the young man named Owilen greeted. “What’s up?”

“Hi,” Lucinda replied, bringing the man’s eyes to her – At least once they’d finished lingering on her chest. Had her own not lingered on his thin but well-defined physique, she might even have been bothered.

“Hey,” Varmia greeted. “You’re from the Circle of the Weathered Bough, yeah?”

“He is,” Yalia answered. “And yes, he was the reason for last year’s gathering there; the one you declined to attend.”

Varmia sent a sheepish grin towards Lucinda. “I was busy, okay?”

Rolling her eyes, and then snorting in amusement, Yalia departed.

“It’s cool with me,” Owilen offered. “It was a pretty fun party though, and we do have a lot of single guys back home too.”

Lucinda couldn’t help but giggle at the young man’s words. “Poor Varmia, she really missed out.”

“Hush, Luci!” Varmia exclaimed. “Or I’ll be forced to tickle you to death. Is that what you want!?”

“You wouldn’t…?” Lucinda’s alarmed expression was met with a wicked grin and two sets of waggling fingers. “Ah, not that I’m ticklish…” A topic change suddenly seemed like a good idea. “What’s your circle like?” she asked Owilen.

“Oh, it’s great. We’re in a forest too, but our trees are massive. Like 100 metres tall, easy.”

“100 metres!? Really?” It was a staggering bit of information for Lucinda, she doubted any tree she had ever seen was close to half that large.

“Even better: We live in tree-houses. Nice and high up, with great views, and platforms and walkways for wandering on and walking around. Cool, huh?”

“Yeah… That must be awesome! Where is it?”

“Southern Shelqa’fa. It’s the largest forest there, pretty easy to find.”

“Oh. You must know Gelrior, then?”

“Sure do. He even came to my gathering.”

“Hey,” Varmia said. “I said I was busy…” Lucinda shared some brief laughter with Owilen at the otter-loving Druid’s expense. Taking a moment to frown at Lucinda, Varmia continued. “Me and Luci were going to take a swim. You want to join?”

“Count me in,” Owilen agreed. “Uh, these are waterproof?”

Like all the other men at the gathering, Owilen wore an outfit crafted by Cro. His was more similar to Waflaw’s: A pair of not-quite knee-length shorts, that were somewhat baggy, and of a powerful turquoise colour.

“You don’t have dryads back home?” Varmia asked.

“We have one.” Owilen smiled wryly. “But, she doesn’t make clothes. In fact, she doesn’t do much of anything. Other than let us live in her forest that is.”

“Quite different to Fi and Cro,” Lucinda said.

Owilen chuckled lightly. “She’s nice though. Just a little… haughty? Can’t really blame her considering.” As they began moving to the lake, the male youngster directed a question to Lucinda. “You’re a Shifter, then? How you finding it?”

“Perfect!” Lucinda replied happily without delay. “There’s nothing I’d rather be.”

“A day spent here and she’s already forgotten what’s it like out there,” Varmia commented.

“Ah… Almost perfect,” Lucinda amended. “Are you a Druid?”

A wide grin spread across Owilen’s face. “No. But, keep guessing.”

“Ranger?” Varmia asked. A quick headshake followed her words.

“Beastmaster?” Lucinda asked, but received another silent negative. “Shifter!?”

Owilen dragged a hand through his hair as he smiled ruefully. “No, sorry.”

“Not a nature class then, yeah?” Varmia asked. “Do you really want us to go through all the others?”

The young man laughed loudly. “Ah, but I am a nature class. It begins with ‘W’.”

Their journeying ceased as the lake’s edge was reached; There were several people and animals in and around it as usual. Varmia frowned at Owilen, and then offered Lucinda a look that suggested she did not at all believe their newest acquaintance.

“I think you’ll have to tell us,” Lucinda suggested.

Owilen grinned from ear to ear as he made to reply. “Warden.”

“…Is that a class?”

“It’s new to me,” Varmia said. “You better not be making it up…”

“As if. Check this out.”

Still grinning from ear to ear, Owilen widened his stance, and then planted his hands on his hips. Without further preamble, he began shapeshifting. His already well above average height increased rapidly, while his thin but well muscled-form grew bulkier. Lucinda’s eyes widened when his shorts suddenly disappeared, but thankfully there was nothing underneath other than the same peculiar coloured skin that had spread to cover the rest of him.

As the changes ceased, the Warden was nearly twice as tall as Lucinda, and looked incredibly menacing. His feet were gone, replaced by thickened stumps; while his fingers were spindly and twig-like. Fortunately, even distorted as his facial features were, a reassuring grin remained on display.

“Change! Tree!” Marrow sent as she too observed the process.

“I think you might be right. This time,” Lucinda replied.

“Well, what do you think?” Owilen asked in a deep rumbling voice. He spread his arms wide, releasing a loud creaking of wood as he did.

“Shit… Did you just shapeshift into a tree?” Varmia asked.

“Pretty much. You jealous?”

“Not me. I think someone else might be, though.” Varmia grinned expectantly at Lucinda.

“Ahh, I guess? I prefer animals really… But, it is impressive!”

“What does it do?” Varmia asked.

“Quite a lot actually,” Owilen replied. “With the penalty that I can’t shift into anything else, or have an animal companion.”

“No companion!?” Lucinda exclaimed. “That’s terrible…” Varmia burst into laughter, while Owilen shot a raised eyebrow – or the tree shapeshift equivalent – in her direction. “Sorry! I mean it’s a shame. I’m not saying it’s a bad choice…”

“I agree, honestly. Life without my Ingala would be only half as fun.” Varmia’s otter released a squeaky coo from between her legs as she reached down to pet it.

“Fair enough,” Owilen said. “I had a previously unknown class in my list when I came of age. Not taking it was basically impossible. I’m enjoying it anyway. Who wouldn’t want to be this big?”

“You are pretty intimidating,” Lucinda agreed. “It’s a new class? How did you unlock it?”

Ah, I should have asked Gelrior about his…

A grin spread across Owilen’s face. “It is new. But, you’ll have to wait ‘till the feast to find out about unlocking it. I’ll be telling everyone then. Some already know, though.”

Varmia harrumphed quietly, but then adopted a grin of her own. “How far into the lake do you think you could throw a Shifter?” she asked, turning her amused expression in Lucinda’s direction.

“What? Why me? …Throw her instead! She’s smaller! And weighs less?”

The female Druid laughed loudly. “Both of us then; in giant otter form.”

“Some otter-hurling before lunch? Count me in,” Owilen said. “Who’s first?”

“The guest of honour, of course. Come on, Shifter: Shift!”

Lucinda’s desire to try swimming in her newest form had been barely kept at bay during the meeting with the young Warden – though the thought of being thrown into the lake was still somewhat concerning. With the pair of eager looks sent her way being as potent as they were, she soon opted to cease her worrying and shift as asked.

Ingala immediately perked up as Lucinda finished her shapeshifting. Unlike with some other animals, the giant otter had only reacted positively, with no signs of trying to assert dominance, even in a playful way.

“Ready, then?” Owilen asked, as he knelt down to bring his arms into reach.

Lucinda released an affirmative hum that might have revealed her nervous state had it been uttered with her usual voice.

“No holding back,” Varmia said, still in human form. “Send her flying!”

“Er, yeah. I don’t actually want to hurt her.”

That’s a relief…

Owilen’s wooden arms picked Lucinda up with ease, swiftly bringing her a considerable distance of the ground.

“Mmm, nice fur,” the Warden announced, as one of his hands began stroking Lucinda’s upper back.

“Careful, it’s magical.”

“Huh.” The stroking ceased abruptly. “Shit, sorry, Lucinda. I’m supposed to be throwing you, not feeling you up.”

“I don’t think she’s bothered if that tail wagging is anything to go by.”

Lucinda had to agree with Varmia’s statement, though it wouldn’t have been embarrassing to admit so. The female Druid’s words about such things being different in animal form were invariably true. Being petted was pleasant, but not an intimate action; unless the petter was trying hard to make it that way, at least.

Owilen adjusted his grip so both hands were supporting her weight. Considering how large his hands were, it clearly wasn’t difficult for him.

“You ready?” he asked.

Hesitating only briefly as she looked at the lake’s calm surface, Lucinda offered an encouraging hum in reply.

This is going to be fun… I’m sure of it…

The tree-shifted man hefted Lucinda a few times, seemingly testing her weight. Then, once satisfied, he turned to the lake, brought his arms lower, and then tossed her upwards into the sky with an impressive demonstration of physical strength.

Lucinda let out an ottery squeal as she tumbled through the air. The height of her flight was far above what she’d expected, making the lake seem so far away. Fortunately, Owilen’s aim appeared to be true, and her destination clear of other lake-goers. Her arc reached its towering apex in barely a second, giving her little time to contemplate things, and no opportunity to parse the words being called out by anyone in or near the lake. From there she descended swiftly, having just enough time to alter her fall with the help of her tail before she plunged headfirst into the water below.

The impact stung a little, but was almost immediately forgotten about as her shifted body demonstrated just how adept at water-based movement it was. She didn’t even bother swimming to the surface; instead, choosing to propel herself further away from it with the aid of her suddenly useful webbed-feet and fin-like tail.

A sudden underwater wave bought her attention upwards to see another otter had appeared. The one handed-wave it sent her way revealed who it was quite obviously. Varmia wasted no time in swimming down to her, and then proceeding onwards past her, while managing to flick her in the snout with her tail.

She’s probably a lot better at this than me…

Lucinda darted after the impudent Druid, her otter form gliding through the water with incredible ease. Together they explored the murky depths of the lake, which was far deeper than it had appeared from the surface. Unfortunately, no hidden treasures were lurking at the bottom for them, and as tempting as it was for Lucinda to try catching one of the many fish on offer, the feast was fast approaching.

After reaching the bottom, Varmia led the way back to the surface, while proving she was noticeably faster than Lucinda. Had the experience not been so fun, Lucinda might have been more bothered. Breaching the surface, she spotted Owilen, still in tree-form, sitting down by the shore, and was amused to see the three circle children surrounding him.

As they reached the group, the oldest girl, Natenza, called out.

“Don’t shift back! We can play the game!”

“Oh-ho, and what game would that be?” Owilen asked.

Looking incredibly smug, Natenza looked to the only male child. “Tell him, Quiln!”

“Uh… Spot the otter…?”

“Yes! And with three otters now!”

“Hum, that sounds like a good game alright,” Owilen agreed in his impressively deep voice.

“But we need to make it fair…” Natenza declared. “Can you throw them back in? Then if they wait before coming back, we won’t know which is which!”

“I like how you think, Nat. How about a round of agreement from the otters?”

Lucinda was only slightly late in releasing a loud hum alongside the two other otters. Natenza clapped her hands together and jumped in obvious delight, while the reactions of the other two children were somewhat more subdued.

“…Can you throw me?” Quiln asked, as Owilen stood to begin the strange game.

The towering tree-man laughed good-naturedly. “Sure, I can, Quiln. Just not too far. I’m sure you're a brave and hardy warrior, but I wouldn’t want to upset your parents.”

“Uh… Okay…”

Recalling how far she’d been thrown, Lucinda felt a pang of worry as she watched Owilen hoist the small boy upwards. However, she had no time to do anything except pray, as the shy youngster was quickly tossed into the lake. Quiln whooped loudly as he flew through the air, made quite a splash as he hit, and then emerged from the water laughing happily.

“Again!” he shouted out.

“Quiln…” Natenza said in a near whine. “We’re supposed to be playing the game… It’s almost time for the feast!”

The young boy’s happy expression turned into a sulk in the blink of an eye.

“How about one more, and then the otters?” Owilen suggested. “I can throw you as much as you like later, or another day.”

The third of the three children, Ivi, had remained silent since Lucinda had emerged from the water, but had managed to slowly wander over to pet her clumsily as she continued to watch the others. Another loud whoop soon filled the lakeside air, as Quiln was thrown back into the water, and after declaring how fun it was for all to hear, Lucinda, Varmia, and Ingala were hurled a significantly larger distance into the clear liquid.

Being the first to arrive underneath the lake’s surface, Lucinda waited for the other two otters to join her.

Do we need a plan? I didn't notice any differences between us… If the kids have played this before, there might be some way to tell, though…

Looking to Varmia for guidance – or the otter she assumed was Varmia – revealed no hint of a planned strategy. The second otter to arrive simply swam about under the surface languidly, lightly tapping Lucinda with its tail whenever possible, while waiting for the third to join them. Once all three were there, a motion to proceed to the shore began immediately.

“Don’t say anything!” Natenza shouted out as Lucinda and the other otters emerged from the water. “We each have a go at saying which we think is which, and then they shift back and we see who wins! I know who’s who, so I’ll go last.”

“Do you, now? I fear I may be outmatched.” Owilen laughed heartily. “What about you two? Any ideas?” he asked the younger two children.

“No! You can’t cheat like that! We take it turns!”

“Ah, sorry, sorry. Who’s first then?”

“Ivi’s first.”

Lucinda had to wonder how well the youngest of the three understood the game at hand, but remained motionless as she did so.

“Come on, Ivi,” Natenza encouraged. “Go over and pet which one you think is Varmia.”

“’Kay,” the youngest girl replied.

Their formation since emerging from the lake was a simple straight row. Lucinda was placed in the middle, with the otter she thought was Varmia on her left, and the other on her right. Ivi looked hesitant at first, but then dashed forwards towards the otter on Lucinda’s right.

Am I wrong…?

“Okay, Ivi, now which one is Ingala?” Natenza asked.

However, despite the question, the young girl continued petting the first otter she’d chosen.

“Ivi! You have to choose another one!”

“Hey, don’t worry, Nat,” Owilen said. “If she’s happy petting that one, let’s leave her to it?”

A sulky expression crossed the older girl’s face. “…Fine. Quiln’s next. Varmia, Ingala, and then Lucinda. Go choose!”

I wonder who her parents are? I don’t remember meeting anyone so bossy…

Quiln moved across to choose his otters, while Ivi upgraded her petting to a full-on hug. The young boy declared his selections quickly, picking the left-most otter first – from Lucinda’s perspective – and then her – despite her attempts to dissuade him with subtle head shakes – before finishing with the right-most otter.

“Owilen you’re next!”

“I can’t help but feel there’s some trick involved… But they all look the same to me. I’ll trust Ivi’s judgement for the first, and then… Quiln’s for the second, leaving the right-one as Lucinda.”

Natenza released a slow and surprisingly evil-sounding cackle for a such a young girl. “My turn! Varmia on the left, Ingala on the right, and Lucinda in the middle!”

Ah, crap… I was wrong!?

“Otters, reveal yourselves!” Natenza shouted out with a look of obvious glee on her face.

Lucinda’s silent fear was revealed to be disappointingly true as the otter to her right began changing shape as she herself did likewise.

“Sorry, Ivi,” Varmia announced, as the young girl was forced away from her hugging. “And sorry to the guys too.”

“Hee hee hee,” Natenza said. “I win!”

“Aww,” Quiln said dejectedly. His expression didn’t remain sour for long. “Can you throw me?” he asked Owilen, producing another burst of laughter from the immensely sized young man.

“Sure thing, buddy. Although, maybe I should start throwing Nat in until she reveals her secret?”

“Not telling!” the oldest girl announced smugly, before dashing off from the lake.

Lucinda giggled quietly to herself as she watched the fleeing victor depart, and then reverted to a smile as she noticed Ivi had switched her affections to Ingala.

“Wishing you grew up here, yet?” Varmia asked.

“Ah… It does look like it would have been fun. My childhood wasn’t so bad, though. Do you?”

Varmia released a barely audible chuckle. “The same, mostly. I’d have loved to. I did get to visit here once or twice too. But, my parents were nice to me, even if they did try and force me to become a Wizard, or a Fighter.”

“Your father?”

“Yep, he’s one of the best around if you believe his tales. Not sure I do, unlike Mum. She laps it all up like a sponge!” A sudden grin spread across her face. “Maybe you’ll meet them one day?”

“Umm…” Lucinda’s tried to keep her expression neutral as she scrambled for a reply. Fortunately, a sudden laugh from Varmia rescued her.

“Just a little joke,” her friend declared. Varmia’s eyes shifted to one side, bringing Lucinda’s with her. Ivi’s petting of the lone otter had been joined by Marrow, who made her eagerness to join in apparent with a few playful chirps. “Fancy another swim?” the young Druid asked, bringing Lucinda’s attention back to her. “Feast doesn’t look like it’s quite ready yet, and you still need some practice.”

“Aren’t you just a higher level…?”

Varmia flashed her a smirk in reply, before turning to the lake. “You coming or not?”

“Sure. Do we need any fish? I really want to try catching one…”

A thoroughly amused smile from the otter-loving Druid met her words. “Good luck with that.” Lucinda’s unhappy pout prompted further explanation. “They’ve adapted to Ingala, and she’s obviously really good at it. Or maybe I should say she’s been training them. She even asked me to stop anyone fishing here… Like it’s her own personal playground.”

“Hmm, that seems fitting somehow…” Lucinda beamed a cheeky smile at Varmia, who frowned suspiciously in response.

“Oh, I get you. Heh, I guess you’re right. She’s got a long way to go if she wants to become top animal companion here, though. Have you seen Gran’s companion?”

“No… What does she have, a Super-Duper Giant Otter?”

Varmia giggled. “Oh yeah, it’s at least 100 metres long, easy!” Lucinda was forced to giggle along with her. Then, once they’d calmed down again, Varmia continued. “It’s not an otter. If you haven’t guessed what, then I’ll let you find out for yourself…”

Their conversation came to an abrupt end as the female Druid shifted into her companion’s form. Lucinda quickly did likewise, and then joined her in leaping into the lake.