@lightsailing continued from [x]

In truth of reflection, Stephen would be hard pressed to be sure whom he had been attempting to placate in that moment – the young lord Blakeney, or the poor tortoise whom had startled the lad. As it was, the boy’s calm and apparent delight with matters soothed whatever remaining nerves he held himself, and Stephen could not contain his own smile.

“Yes, I rather suppose it is easy to lose track out here – and they are phenomenally quiet creatures!” They were rather surrounded by them in fact, most of them having wandered a bit more up the ridge in search of more low hanging foliage upon which to indulge. This one, it seemed, had found itself convinced that a shirt would make fine fare instead.

Reaching up, Stephen plucked a branch the tortoise would not have been able to reach on its own, and held it above the creature’s snout – drawing attention to it and hopefully, aiding his young companion in escaping the less than dire clutches of his newfound friend. 

“I’d never thought them capable of growing quite so large – it truly is a wonder, this place.” So many undiscovered secrets, nature unveiling countless marvels in one small stretch of islands. He’d meant to do more travelling today, but as it was they had time to sit and rest, which he’d allowed himself on account of his injury – since, they’d found so much in this spot, he’d rather lost the urge to move!