He nods as he helps sand the wood.

Drake works on the sailboat, "Is there a reason you stay? I've noticed you don't exactly like this place either and you have the ability to leave."

"Familial obligations, mostly. Mom's got pretty poor health."


A year or two ago there were some rumors Daire's mom drowned. Obviously she didn't actually die, but maybe that caused health issues or something, she did 'drown' in a lake where the water would be dirty.

"I know I shouldn't say anything but there is a mage who can help you. She just doesn't know it yet. You've already met her," Drake responds, "If I'm right she has the ability to heal if treated with kindness but if treated ill she can bring a plague. You could also ask my mother for help. Though she is in ill health she is a skilled healer when it comes to our kind."

"I'll look into it." He finishes sanding the wood. "Though she doesn't have any magic- just got unlucky."

Drake frowns, "May I ask what happened?"

"We were wandering around in the woods- she likes to raise butterflies and moths, and Luna moth caterpillars were in season. There were leaves covering about a third of the water, so we accidentally fell in. I helped get her out." He explains simply.

"That's how you became a kelpie or am I wrong," Drake asks, "but that makes me wonder why your mother didn't become one too."

"No, the kelpie thing was a different lake. Nearby, at least somewhat, but a different one. It's by that giant maple tree that people hung a good 20 birdfeeders on." He shrugs.

"The maple tree by the willow," Drake asks stopping work on the boat and looks at Daire.