His heart dropped at the sound and he almost flinched. It didn't happen often...seeing a tiger for the first time and having it roar at him, and of course the first time he saw his mother move so fast...

Immediately his mother's voice came to him; Nothing is to be feared, only understood. Having actual terror in his heart made him feel uneasy, and he scolded himself for it. Now he felt he must face her after all. It wouldn't be the first time he took a risk just to prove himself...the light going out again in the castle made him more suspicious, but he made the decision to go down. "You wanted to do some observing, here's your chance." He turned and walked back the way he came, wincing at the horrendous cacophony she was making."I guess she found her party..."

He left his horse on the road and made his way down to the shore. He stood there in the mud and the weeds for a moment, watching her swim, then cupped his hands to his mouth and hollered out to her,

"ARE YOU ALRIGHT?"