Sun Mote Copse he took his vorpal sword in hand

Sugar returned her sister's nod with a small smile. "'Course," she replied easily, now actively scanning the river bottom for any particularly comely stones. None caught her eye in her immediate vicinity, so she began to wade further afield from Avery, moving as slowly as she could to avoid stirring up too much of the sediment.

Her back was turned to Avery as she continued combing, only for something to come drifting along downstream, bobbing on the water's surface. It reminded her of the insect, although it was a different shape and size entirely. When it reached her, bumping gently into her leg, Sugar recognized it: a pine cone. Instead of reaching out to grab it, she let it bumble past her and continue its course downstream. Her black eyes followed its progress until it disappeared.

Sugar revolved a few degrees, now facing the shore, and was considering moving back to dry land when something finally captured her attention. There was a spot of color among the various shades of brown under the water. She moved toward it, waiting patiently for the murk to clear, then deliberated a moment before thrusting her snout underwater. Her teeth closed around the object, then she quickly raised her head and leaped toward the bank, giving herself a bodily shake.

She dropped her find and blinked. Sugar took it for a bright blue rock, unaware that she'd actually discovered a piece of sea glass. As it dried, the luster faded a little and revealed a surface pocked with white. She admired it for a few moments before abruptly remembering to flag Avery's attention.

"Ave," she called, "come look!"