I made it back to the lair before the sun set. Diana was asleep, curled around one of the eggs while her tail wrapped around the others. I didn’t bother waking her up, instead I plopped down next to them and fell asleep.

I woke up the next day remembering my rather vivid dream. I was surrounded by an army of my own childrens and piles upon piles of wealth. Paradise. Before being turned into a dragon I had never thought I would ever have children.

Too much money, responsibility and having to deal with diapers. But Diana was perfect! She was worth her weight in gold, I could guarantee that. Although I don’t really know how much she weighs.

Oh well! You never ask someone how much they weigh anyway. Actually. I glanced down at my belly and saw that it had gone back to its pre-pregnancy shape. Wait, was I pregnant or just kinda holding them in whatever was down there?

That was a strange thought that wouldn’t continue to exist in my brain. I rolled onto my back and stared up at the ceiling of my lair. It had been nice here but it wasn’t safe. Also living in the same area where three of my unborn babies had been murdered was not fun.

Moving day! I sprang to my feet and nudged Diana who after only a second hopped up and squealed. “My queen! Did you find us a new home?” I nodded then said. “Yes but I’m a king, remember?” She nodded but clearly was not listening to a word I said.

I tapped her with my tail and said. “Let’s grab the eggs and leave. I don’t want to spend a second longer in this place. Give me the jeebies.” Diana nodded and walked over to one of the four eggs.

She gently picked it up in her mouth and held it there. Interesting strategy. I just wrapped my tail around them and laid my tail down on my back. The mobile nest! Diana climbed over me and placed the final egg on top.

After securing her siblings she hopped off and we walked side by side, towards our new home. “So, my queen. What’s our new home like? Is it near the lake? Are there rat’s? Is there any food? You think that I’ll like it? I really liked our old lair although it was kinda big. Are gonna…” I placed a foot on her face, barley balancing on my two remaining legs as I said.

“Diana, please be quiet until we get there. I really don't want to drop the eggs.” She nodded and continued walking, enjoying the scenery even though I had just scolded her. I felt bad but these eggs kept trying to roll away!

After around 30 minutes we made it to the tree. It needed a name, one that fit its majestic figure. I turned to Diana and said. “Daughter, this tree is henceforth known as the Money Tree! Understood?”

She nodded and sprinted, leaping into the pond. I smiled and plodded after her, the eggs had even stopped rolling around. I walked over to the shore of the pond and set each of the eggs down.

I looked over to Diana and yelled. “Diana yell for me if you see anything! I’m going to start digging a small hole to keep the eggs in. Diana responded with something that I hope was a yes. Apparently even Skinks couldn’t talk underwater.

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I started digging and let my mind wander as I did. How were we able to speak? I suppose system magic would explain but surely it wasn’t our vocal chords. Why was Diana born with the ability to speak? I just talk in High Kroten and she seems to understand me. Maybe it was just because we were the same species?

I shrugged and looked at what I had accomplished. I had dug out a small hole that would fit the eggs and Diana comfortably. I would expand it later. I quickly grabbed the eggs and put them in the hole, making sure to form a small nest of soft mud for each of them.

After hiding the eggs I sat down, using my body to cover the entrance. We had started our day pretty early in the morning, the sun was just starting to rise when I sat down. The sky was beautiful, I enjoyed the view while also watching Diana play around in the pond.

The Money Tree would house me and my family for years to come, I was sure of that. I let my head rest on the ground as I looked over the mud flats. I could see the large boulder in the distance. Someday I would destroy that eyesore.

The lake was a thirty minute walk from the Money Tree which means I’ll need to find a new way to feed us for the next few days. Or are there any fish in the pond? I yelled out. “Diana, do you see any fish in the pond?”

Diana popped her head out of the water, a toothy grin on her face as she held in her jaws what looked to be a small version of the fish I had caught with her the other day. I couldn’t help myself and let out a small chuckle.

Diana proudly placed the fish in front of me before returning to playing around in the pond. Even though I had gotten a good amount of sleep, the sunlight combined with my relaxed state to undermine me. I drifted in and out of sleep a few times.

Everytime I woke up I checked on Diana and noted the increasingly large pile of fish at my feet. One of the more noticable few minutes was when I couldn’t see Diana anywhere. I had quickly turned to check on the eggs where Diana was curled up.

I woke up a few minutes after that and looked around. It was weird, the mud flats were usually alive with the sound of insects, birds and other creatures chirping and singing. But right now it was almost silent.

I slowly stood up and checked on my eggs and Diana. They were all fine. For some reason I felt on edge. I began pacing around, glaring at anything that made noise. After a few minutes my fears were confirmed when I heard an all too familiar chittering.

But it was different this time, I could also feel the noise. It was so loud. I quickly stood up to my full height and glanced around. My tail lashed through the air as I looked around. Then I saw them.

Over three dozen rats sprinting in the direction of the shore. I almost soiled myself at the sight of them. How were there so many? And what were they doing? I squinted my eyes and saw that they were all rushing at what looked to be some type of humanoid.

Finally! Someone I could make money off of. Although it looks like this humanoid’s life is about to be cut short. Oh well, that just confirmed that humans existed. So what if one died? I settled in to watch the fight, still making sure to be ready for anything attacking me.

The human and the rat’s met with the a resounding “Splat!” as one of the rat’s in the front was instantly killed, with a single punch the human had managed to destroy most of the rat’s body. From there the fight was completely one sided. The human didn’t even look winded by the end, covered in blood and surrounded by rat corpses.

He stared into the sky and let out a loud whoop before sprinting into the forest. I just stared at the site of the slaughter and thanked my lucky coins that the human hadn’t decided to attack me. Maybe I would delay meeting with any humans. Just until I got a bit bigger, and stronger. Humans were scary.