Neverwinter Forest darling dears o'mine

“Whoa! cried the Frostfur patriarch, his massive frame toppling heavily to the earth with a ponderous whump! — it happened so suddenly that Cypress startled visibly, his misty blue eyes flying wide as his fur spiked out to all sides like an agitated porcupine. The tenuous grip of skin and fur he’d clasped harmlessly between his puppy jaws was immediately lost as the corners of his mouth drew anxiously forward and his small paws pedaled skittishly backward. He was accustomed to playing with his father, but normally in those scenarios Scimitar was a mentor and a teacher, steady and strong and undefeatable. Guiltily Cypress turned a furtive glance upon Eshe — but she seemed pleased by this odd turn of events. For added reassurance the raven fledgling turned to Rannoch, whose broad chest was puffed with pride. Tentatively at first, Cypress’ tail began to wag, gaining force and momentum as his moment of fear abated. Of course it was a game — Scimitar was invincible.

Irritation flickered — Cypress’ reaction to pain or fear tended to manifest itself in frustration or anger — but melted away as he warmed to the game. Alongside his brother and mother, he showered his father in exuberant puppy kisses, his rump wriggling with such enthusiasm that he quite knocked himself off his own feet.