Okay, This could conceivably have gone into the School category, but I
decided Period was more appropriate by a slim margin. One of these days,
I'll write up a bit of a reference guide to my ever-growing fantasy
universe, since it is starting to become rather complicated...

Anyway, word count: 500

RedTails - Reckonings
The Missing Lynx
by Scarletdown (because my real name is too boring)


On the peaceful shores of the lagoon, a lone, small figure stood upon
the warm sands. Clad in naught but the light of the perpetual day here
in the Beastlands, Frelic awaited the arrival of his otherworldly
teacher.
This inner world had remained unchanged since his last visit two years
ago, when at the tender age of 11, the young Moors Elf was brought here
to bond with and begin his rigorous training under the stern guidance of
Lynx. He regretted staying away from the Beastlands for so long, but the
past two years had been too hectic for him to get away, what with one
adventure after another.

A graceful lynx padded down the beach, then came to a halt and
transformed into a humanoid form, still very feline and furry, but now
with all the alluring feminine curves which mortals find so attractive.
She wrapped her arms around the young Elf, her paws gently kneading his
soft smooth bottom and her muzzle pressing hard against his lips.
He returned the gesture of course, causing her to purr. "Mistress Lynx,
it's so good to be with you again. It has been such a long time..."
"Yes, my pet," Lynx purred, "far too long in fact. I fear you may have
forgotten much that I taught you those six decades ago."
Frelic blinked in confusion, "Six decades, m'lady? But, it has only been
two years since..."
She shushed him by placing a finger to his lips, "For you, it has been a
mere two years; but have you forgotten the time differential between the
Mortal and Immortal Realms?"
Frelic nodded as he recalled, "Ah yes, m'lady. 'Tis thirty to one, so
that one year on Niath is thirty years here."
"Correct, my pet. Your negligence saddened me, but we will address that
soon." Lynx took him by the hand and led him to a large flat rock at the
edge of the lagoon.
"What will the first lesson be?" Frelic asked.

Lynx set her furry butt down on the warm ledge, pulled her apprentice
over her lap, and conjured a riding paddle. "Your first lesson," she
said, giving his bare, upturned bottom a couple taps, "never neglect
your training." The paddle struck his behind, causing a loud SMACK and a
pained yelp to shatter the silence.
"But, m'lady," Frelic whimpered, "with all that has happened, I could
never find the time..."
She silenced his protests with another hard swat, "Time is never a valid
excuse. You wish to become a Wild Mage, you will make the time for your
training. It was two years by your reckoning, therefore your reckoning
will last two minutes..."
Frelic sighed and nodded, "Aye, m'lady."
"By your reckoning," Lynx growled.

"Oh, hell," he moaned, realizing too late what was in store for him.
Firmly held down, Frelic could do nothing but close his eyes as the
lesson commenced. As the burning pain quickly spread through his bottom,
he resolved to never again neglect the Beastlands.


-- Scarletdown