🎀 Wisteria 🎀

Dalion Weird greeted his student with a bag of supplies, a raincoat, and high boots. “The wind suggests rain today, so protection won’t hurt,” he explained, as if it were a fact, not a mere assumption. Once outside the city limits, they ventured deep into the forest. During this walk, Dalion told Ivo about the peculiarities of the local flora and fauna, sharing advice and his own observations, trying to prepare his student’s mind for easier identification of various species, especially those plants and fungi that were dangerous to health. Closer to noon, they came to a seemingly cozy lake, but Dalion had already instructed his student to be as quiet as possible, and it soon became clear why: near the lake, they encountered several tigers. One of them, with white fur and larger than the others, was playing with small tiger cubs, while nearby stood a female of a “normal” coloration, and the carcass of another adult male lay nearby.
“This is an airi tigris,” Dalion explained, pointing to the white tiger, “or, as it is also called, the ‘tiger of Airisufir’ and the ‘noble tiger.’ The second name is somewhat ironic, considering the scene we are witnessing.” He nodded towards what was happening. “He killed another, claimed his female, and now he is drowning their offspring in the lake.” Dalion wiped his nose with a handkerchief. “Damn allergies… So, the airi tigris is one of the most dangerous creatures in these parts. Fast, powerful, agile, observant, and, most importantly, very intelligent – even avoiding traps. Few hunters can cope with such a creature alone.” As he finished his explanation, a downpour suddenly began. “Any questions?”