Page 92 of Grulen

“Crutaw.”

“You are persistent.A good quality.”

“Thank you.”Crutaw huffed.“The climbing portion keeps hindering me.”

“May I make a suggestion?”

“Please.”

Grulen demonstrated how to determine the best hand and foot holds.

“Concentrate less on going straight up.You want to make progress, but a straight line is not always the fastest.If you find easier holds to the side, so long as you’re still moving upwards, you’ll find you won’t work nearly as hard lifting your body weight and you’ll be faster.”

Crutaw bit his oversized lower lip.

“Really?”

Grulen nodded.

“Try it and see how it feels.”

Crutaw began hesitantly.The Svesti smiled as the youngling gained confidence and speed and reached the top.

“Yes, I did it!”Crutaw raised his arms to the sky.“Finally.”He hopped down the ramp at the side.

“Thank you, Grulen Jevax for your help.”

“Any time, Crutaw.You’re the one who did the hard work to achieve success.”

The youngling looked over Grulen’s shoulder and his face brightened further.

“Did you see me, Largon?”

“I most certainly did.You should be proud of yourself.”Largon smiled.“Why don’t you go get a snack and cool down?Rumor has it Tolvex and Emmy brought cookies.”

“Thanks.”Crutaw ran indoors.

“You gave him good advice.You’re a natural instructor.”Largon slapped Grulen’s back.

“Anyone could have done it.”

“However, you did it without hurting his confidence and pride.”

Grulen shrugged.

“If you decide you wish to help here, we would be honored to have you.”

“I’m not sure what or where I’ll be.”Grulen frowned.“I don’t know how much you know about my circumstances.”

“Quite a bit.After you contacted Traxen and Rachel, all the human females and their mates could talk about was how excited they were you were found and coming home.All of them had stories to share about their interactions with you.You are well respected and liked, Grulen Jevax.What I saw today with Crutaw reinforces the impressions they shared.”

“It’s frustrating that everyone else knows more about me than I do.”Grulen’s tail flicked.

“Understandable.Walk with me.”Largon led them through more of the courtyard and explained several of their security procedures.Grulen made a suggestion about the branches of a tree outside the courtyard being a security risk.Largon nodded.

“I have to be honest.This refuge would not be nearly as good as it is if not for the human females.They have provided cogent input and volunteered their time and energy to make it a home for the younglings.I will never be able to thank them enough.”Largon dipped his chin at a Wrestikan-Zuvgran female wrangling several younglings to one of the play areas.She waved one of her four red arms before she caught an energetic youngling by the tail to keep him with the group.Laughter rang out.

“That’s Herrah.Ronan rescued her when she was elevensolars.Until recently, she and a number of others lived in caverns.She advocated for relocation because she wanted the younger ones to experience freedom in the sunlight.She was correct.”Largon smiled.“Traxen surprised me with his offer to build and support Phoenix House.Even more surprising was the number ofInvictuswarriors that helped to make the younglings comfortable.Simple respect and courtesy would have been enough for them to feel safe.Receiving all that kindness after so much Zuvgran cruelty filled the younglings with joy.”

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