"Well, actually, if you think about it, hatchling have almost the same needs as a human child.  They need to be fed, they need to get an education of sorts, and so on.  Though the method of teaching would be a bit different, they are almost the same." she said with a smile.

"The method of teaching is what I'm worried about. Feeding will be easy enough, but teaching is something neither Nathan nor I know how to do for a dragon," she said, pulling out a chair and nodding to another empty chair, "Why don't you join us for some roast? We can think better on a full belly."

Goldenscale shook her head.  "Thank you for the offer, but I just ate lunch." she said, though she did go over to the chair and sit down, folding her hands in her lap.

"So, what brings your here Ms. Lily," she asked as she took a few slices off the roast before handing a plate to Nathan, "We don't get too many visitors. Nathan usually goes to his friends' homes so I'm not too used to company."

"Well, I heard that you were reluctant to let Nathan be taught the way of nature, and I came to try and change your point of view on the matter." she said.  "But before I explain, I would like to hear your point of view."

"It's hard to explain without you knowing his father. It's because of his father, that I'd rather Nathan not learn the ways of nature. I know they're a good and peaceful way to live, but there's a darker side to it as well," She said as thw rold around her and GOldenscale turned grey and stopped moving, "His father is guardian of the sacred jungle. Nathan is a product of magic and love, but I don't want Nathan to be forced into the same duties as his father. Being taught the ways of nature might cause him to be compelled to fllow after his father. I don't want Nathan to be ricking his life for a task that has little to no importance left in this day and age."

She nodded.  "There is a dark side to nature, but it is not often shown.  I'm not sure if Nathan told you, but I am a nature spirit, though I do have a physical body.  There are others in the world that do the same jobs as his father.  He is the guardian of a sacred jungle, and I am the guardian of the forest nearby.  Maybe instead of following his father he might be able to follow another in the ways of nature.  He has already met three nature spirits, myself included, and I am sure he could choose any of them, even his father if he chooses.  He may be compelled to go down the path of one he knows though, since he doesn't know his father.  But anything he does will be of importance, otherwise the spirits wouldn't even bother." she explained.

"I know, but his father isn't a nature spirit. He is a creature made by Kyne to protect the jungle till the day comes where she returnes. As part of his mind itself, Nathan has some part of him that will want to protect that jungle should he learn Nature's teachings," she said, leaving her knife and fork to hang in the air as she moved around the table to Goldenscale, "When Nathan was born, his father warned me of this ingrained instinct. He left because he didn't want Nathan being influenced by it at such and early age. He still comes to visit form time to time, but in secret and while Nathan is asleep. Using the spell I'm using now, we get enough time to catch up with each other, but he still insists on styaing out of Nathan's life to protect him."

She nodded.  "That is kind of him to do.  Tell the keepers this and I will help them to find a way to teach Nathan within incorperating the teaching of nature.  Ahnah and I are currently on a journey to find the Arcanist and help bring Kyne back.  In a year's time, she should be back if all goes well, but just in case, we should teach Nathan what we can without nature..." she said, putting her hand up to her chin.  "He is young to want to do this, but we can only find ways to stall..."

"The keepers' values and teachings are that of Nature. If he is to become a beastkeepr, he will have to be taught the ways of Nature. If you are sure Kyne will be back by next year, then I will allow him to elarn. Should she not be back by then and he goes off to protect the jungle, I will hold it against you, and I will find a way to get back at you, evenif you are a dragon," she said, her eyes turning feline, "I hope you do keep to your word."

"If it so happens that everything fails, then I will return and you can do what you wish and I will not fight back.  My word is true, and if I fail, you have every right to get back at me for it.  I will not run.  All you need is to send for me and I will come regardless." she said.  "I have confidence it will succeed though." 

"Let's hope you do. I would like to be able to have my husband here to stay for once. It is hard living with him being unable to stay with us here," she said, walking back to her chair and sitting back down as the spell faded, "Well, it would do him good to learn. I guess I'll allow it."

Looking from Cathrine to Goldenscale and back, Nathan smilled as he returned to his piece of roast, unaware of the spell.

"I will do my best not to fail so that your family can remain safe and happy." she said with a smile.  "I'll have to make sure one of my nature friends keeps an eye on Nathan so that I can keep track of his progress, even when I depart.  And make sure everything is well here." she said.

"Thank you. As for the hatchling, I see no reason he shouldn't be aloud to keep it if he's going to be learning the ways of Nature. He'll learn to be more resposible while he's at it. Taking care of a pet, be it a dragon who will grow to be a companion, or a simple dog, takes a lot of resposibility, especially in the case of a dragon," Catherine said, starting to cut a serving for herself from the roast, "I might even learn something from him and the hatchling."

"Nathan just has to keep in mind that they need to be respected always and that they are a companion.  If he keeps that in mind, their bond will be much, much stronger.  It isn't often I see a bond so strong when so young."