Redhawk Caldera AQUACULTURE

Elwood kept a watchful eye on Nightjar as the boy bravely navigated out into the shallow water. He didn't have to go far before his paws left the sandy bottom, and Elwood reached out a leg protectively, in case Nightjar needed a quick rescue. As was the way of the wild, instinct kicked in quickly and he was soon paddling along with relative ease, keeping his face above the water all the while.

"You're doing it, NJ! You're swimming!" Elwood exclaimed, but even as the words left his mouth he noticed the panicked expression that flickered across his nephew's face. He was drifting perhaps a little further than he wanted to, so with a few long steps -- his strides slowed by the thickness of the water around him -- he positioned himself in front of Nightjar and used his snout to gently nudge the boy back towards a more manageable depth.

He was so absorbed in his task that he didn't notice Finley's arrival -- that is, until he heard Wildfire call out for Aunt Flea. Elwood then looked up sharply; his gaze landed on Finley and his face creased into a huge smile. His tail slapped the water behind him. He was happy to see that she was feeling well enough to observe their antics, but he quickly refocused on the splashing Nightjar. To their left, Pantaleimon slipped by with surprising skill, and he wondered where their newest packmate had learned to swim.