-Friends-

"Hello, Lillian, Vigarde! It's been a while, hasn't it?" Raphael said, grinning. The gentle morning light caught in his ponytail, making his alabaster hair glow. Vigarde laughed, a deep, rumbling sound reminiscent of thunder. "Indeed it has, brother! But that's understandable, seeing as you live so far away… A little less then a mile, right? Ha! I would've thought that even someone as gangly as you could walk that far!" Raphael shrugged sheepishly. "Times have been busy, brother…"

"Well, we're just glad you're here! Why don't you set your son down, and you and you're wife can come have a nice, long chat with us. Don't worry, there are guards posted at all the entrances to the garden; they'll make sure he doesn't hurt himself or wander off. Lyon's in there, too-you're son's never met him, has he? The last time you saw him, he was just a baby, and I think you left Knoll at home…" The four adults walked away, chatting amiably, and Knoll was left to explore his surroundings. Tall cherry trees, their boughs heavy with pink blooms, lined broad walkways that crisscrossed throughout the courtyard. Heart-shaped petals blanketed the cobbled path like newly fallen snow. Queen Anne's lace, violets, buttercups, and other blossoming plants grew in profusion, giving the air a sweet, pleasant odor. Knoll tottered blissfully along, admiring the beautiful scenery and occasionally making the greenery rustle with a bit of conjured wind. And then he heard the terrified cries. "Help! Bad doggy! Mommy, daddy! Help!!" Knoll froze for a second, startled, then sprinted towards the noise. A few seconds later, he slid around an old, gnarled oak and saw the source of the commotion. There was a broad clearing ahead, and several chairs and tables were strewn about it. On one of these tables, a boy of about five was cowering, curled up into a tight ball, his head buried in his arms. A large boar hound was attempting to get at him, barking excitedly. Drool dripped down its jowls, and its stumpy tail waved energetically. With a loud, frenzied howl, the dog threw itself against the base of the table, making it wobble crazily. The young boy let out a frightened squeak and held on for all he was worth, splayed out comically against the wooden surface. Knoll hesitated momentarily, than raised a hand to cast a weak fire spell. The child saw what he was about to do and frantically yelled "Don't hurt the doggy!!" The canine lurched against the table again, making it teeter back and forth. Knoll switched tactics after hearing the boy's plea, and switched the incantation for a small flare of light, which burst into marvelous existence next to the animal. With a startled yelp the dog took off, bounding away across the grassy yard, stubby nails sending dirt flying. The kid let out a relieved sigh and slumped tiredly against the table. Knoll rushed over, thinking the boy had fainted, but then the child popped up again, intelligent eyes sparkling brightly under his tufted, pale fuchsia hair.

"Wowie, that was sooo cool!! That was magic, wasn't it?! I can do some magic, too!! But only little bits, not as good as you yet!! You saved me, thank you so much!! You're my hero, you know that?!" Knoll blinked down at the boy, who continued chattering a mile a minute, and often about quite random and irrelevant topics. "I like lemon aid!! I have a pet frog!! My frog's name is Bob, wanna meet him?! I've gotta show you to my mom and dad, they'll probably love for saving me from certain doom and death and all!! Monkeys and bugs are nifty!! You're awesome!! My name's Lyon, what's your name?!"

"Uh… Knoll…"

"Doesn't that mean hill or somefin'?"

"Erm…"

Lyon jumped up into Knoll's arms, hugging him and squealing, and knocking his befuddled relative over. "We're gonna be best friends, you know that?! I just know we are!!" No sooner had the little kid fallen down then he bounced up again, tugging at his new friend's arm. Knoll grabbed him before he could run off, and started wiping off the tear stains streaking down Lyon's face. The young boy calmed down slightly and yawned as the older one looked him over. "You're not hurt, are you?"

"Nope, I isn't. I gave that doggy my sausage 'cuz he looked hungry, but then he wanted more and I didn't have none, so he chased me…"

"Why didn't you want me to hurt him? He was going to attack you!"

"Well, so what? Maybe someone hurt him, and then if he hurt me and I wanted to hurt him back… it wouldn't stop, would it?" Lyon said stubbornly, crossing his arms in defiance. Knoll laughed and tussled the little one's hair, and Lyon beamed up at him.

"I think you're my cousin, you know…"

"Cousin? Wuzzat? Well, it's time for my nappy!! Night night, friend!!" And without another word, the happy pipsqueak tumbled down onto the grass, exhausted, and fell fast asleep. At that moment, a guard and an old, withered looking man with a cane walked over. "I'm so sorry-the dog slipped past me-you two aren't hurt, are you?" The guard enquired worriedly. Knoll shook his head. "We're both fine." The elderly man cackled. "'Course you are, dang mutt's too soft to hurt a fly!! I'll teach that little mongrel a lesson, see if I don't!!" And the old man stalked away after his pet. The guard shook his head, glad that no one had gotten hurt, and returned to his post, and Knoll decided that a nap sounded pretty good right now…