Eventually the day darkens and the exhausted children start going home one by one. A drained Peter waves goodbye.
“See ya tomorrow Aldrich.”
Aldrich waves back before turning his attention to Leah and her brother Hiram who are the last children present. They are busy helping Noriko as she packs up material used during the lesson. Upon finishing with her part, Leah speaks to Aldrich, who is also still packing away materials.
“I wish I could come along and visit your home Aldrich, but Ms. Noriko says no. Could you get her to say “yes” next time?”
“No.”
“WHY NOT!”
“Because I also don’t want you in our home.”
“You’re such a loser Aldrich. What could I possibly do wrong?”
“Nothing, I just don’t like the idea of you in my home. It’s called privacy. Besides we don’t really have anything to do inside anyways so you’ll get bored easily.”
“Well… if you say it like that then I ~guess~. One day though I’ll come visit, just a peek and you won’t stop me.”
Interjecting into the conversation, Hiram questions his sister’s curiosity.
“Why do you even want to see what his home look like?”
“Because I’ve seen everyone’s home but Aldrich and I’ve heard that the dragons live in special rooms that are unlike everyone else’s.”
“Come on Leah, how are their homes going to be any different from ours, and you forced your way into our friend’s homes, to which Peter’s family did not like so please stop.”
Thinking a little and reflecting on her misdeeds, she admits,
“Okay fine, I ~guess~ people want their privacy. I’m just curious ya know.”
Rolling his eyes, Hiram packs up and starts heading home.
“Come on Leah, let’s get home before dad does.”
Leah, following suit, waves goodbye to Noriko and Aldrich before setting off along with Hiram.
Finishing up with packing her bags, Noriko calls Aldrich to go home.
“Let’s get going Aldrich, we still have to make dinner.”
Aldrich, finishing up with his stuff, turns to leave with Noriko. Walking over the green hill that they had their lessons at, they approach a gigantic tree, also known as the “dragon roost”. Along the way Aldrich asks,
“Why do you take payment from everyone when you teach them?”
Noriko, looking quite surprised at the sudden question and then smiling, responds,
“It’s not payment, I’m simply taking the candy and money and they’re receiving my impressive lessons.”
As she says this, she pops in a hard candy she “received” from a child.
“Is that not payment?”
Chuckling she responds,
“Well you’re right. I’m having them learn what money means.
“Then should I also start paying you.?”
“Well you wouldn’t need to pay me because your mother does. I’m both your tutor and your caretaker. Besides it’s not like I’m taking a lot and the children’s parents know that I’m doing this.”
Pondering on this thought, they reach just outside of the dragon roost. The tree is incredibly large, reaching even the clouds. There are several entrances to the living structure. One of the main entrances is a doorway fit for giants. It is considered the “main” entrance, usually opened for ceremonies and events. The door that they use to get in is a minor door on the side. This door is considered the real main door. Plenty of traffic comes in and out of the entrance. Heading to the entrance, a several guardsmen stand outside the entrance, looking over and greeting people as they head in for the night. Mainly lightly armored Hivers, bee people like Kyrie, and stalwart dwarves make up the guards. Several of the guards recognize and greet the 2 as they get checked for anything suspicious.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
While being frisked and their baggage looked through, one of the dwarven guards speak to Noriko.
“How was the young master today Ms. Noriko?”
“Great, if not wild and young.”
“We appreciate your lessons. At home he is taught the stricter lessons of dwarven society and his duties as one of the few males of the Stonesiegward clan. Having a colorful lesson like yours has proven healthy for the young master.”
“I am glad to be of help Ms. Bree.”
After being searched, Noriko and Aldrich head inside. Inside the tree is an extremely spacious interior. At the center of the dragon roost is an opening that extends from the base of the tree to the tip of it. Along the sides is a massive grand staircase that spirals upwards to different floors all the way to the top. Also besides the stairs are elevators going up and down the tree. Despite the evening light, inside the tree is well lit. Plant-like appendages extend from columns and wall that light up the roost. Everything is incredibly natural with seamless design, appearing as if the tree itself grew the stairs, floors, inner structures, and lighting.
Heading to an elevator Aldrich asks Noriko,
“Do you value the candy and money that they give you? Is candy important to you or is the money you earn being my caretaker not enough and you have to get more from them, despite being only enough for small candy?”
Surprised at the again sudden question, more specifically about what’s Aldrich is talking about suddenly to which she quickly realizes he’s talking about the previous question Noriko responds,
“You’re still thinking about that?”
As she says this, she starts laughing quietly.
“If my mother isn’t paying enough I can pay as well. I could find a job too”
Noriko realizes the seriousness of Aldrich’s question and bursts out in tears as she laughs. Aldrich looks in confusion and states,
“It’ll be a problem if you aren’t being paid enough. I don’t think my mother would underpay you but it would leave a stain on her name if this goes on.”
Laughing even harder, Noriko holds her stomach as she stops herself from falling straight onto the floor. After a few moments of laughter, Noriko wipes away her tears as she slowly stops laughing. She responds to the young dragon,
“I’m not taking the money from the children because I’m not being paid enough to tutor and take care of you. I’m trying to teach them that everything has a cost. Nothing in the world is free and learning that early is going to do well for them in the future. If I simply taught them without asking for anything, they would take me for granted and perhaps future interactions too.”
Again Aldrich ponders on this as they finally reach the elevator heading upwards.
The elevator is powered magically with air and nature enchantments. Similar to that of symbol magic, enchantment magic is scribed onto certain pieces of the elevator and provides movement upwards and downwards. The nature enchantments hold together the elevator and provides emergency mechanics in case of any failure while air enchantments enable movement. The elevator itself consists of a platform and light walls to keep occupants from falling out. On the sides is a bench that one can sit on.
Heading inside, the elevator begins moving upwards after Aldrich and Noriko close the door to the elevator. Along the way up they see people of different races; elves, humans, dwarves, Hivers, and many others interacting and traversing the dragon roost. Flying races can be seen going up and down between the floors through the opening at the center of the dragon roost. Observing the flying races Aldrich asks,
“How do they prevent people from falling off the balcony?”
“Well there are several measures that take place to ensure that no one gets hurt. Air stream enchantment magic within the opening makes it so a person’s body becomes light enough to float. The flying races uses it to traverse the tree faster and more comfortably. Simply entering the opening will enchant your body so there’s that. I remember one time there was a time my niece sneaked her way into the air stream and floated away from her parents until a hive worker nearby took her back. I don’t remember some of the other ways they protect people from falling but I believe there is also an invisible safety net that catches people in case someone falls through. I think it detects quickly falling people or things and deploys a net to catch them before they hit the bottom.”
Continuing to move upwards, Aldrich and Noriko spots the main beehive that the Hivers live in.
“Look it’s Kyrie’s home. Too bad she had to leave early to meet her mother.”
A large yellow bee hiver dressed in a business like outfit with a square touchpad is commanding other bees, most of which are wearing heavy duty worker clothing with bright vests. Some other bees are flying around holding jars of honey and pollen as they enter different parts of the hive. Smaller bees are following an adult bee around as she explains the hive structure and buildings to the beelings. Large amounts of construction can be seen as different color bees mix around and perform various tasks. A landing platform can also be seen as bees and other flying races land and enter the dragon roost from the skies.
Aldrich looks at the new bees who are orange and exclaims,
“There weren’t this many bees before? They also weren’t orange. I wonder where they came from?”
Noriko responds with slight concern,
“Some of them are refugees from the human lands. Apparently they’re running from unprecedented attacks by human raiding parties. They came to live here rather than fight against the humans.”
Looking at them sadly, Aldrich watches them before leaving the bee floor.