The rest of the night went by in the blink of an eye, mostly because I slept through it. I had a busy day ahead of me. I sat Diana down and said. “Alright, protecting your siblings is of the utmost priority. Understand?”

Diana nodded, hopping up and down as she stared at the eggs. I continued “We need to start planning this lair out, I want the eggs to be far away from the entrance. I started digging a tunnel a while ago but we need to do more. I want a network of tunnels built under this very lair!”

Diana smiled and nodded then paused. “My queen, how will we make sure the tunnels stay stable? We live in a giant mud flat.” I paused then said. “Well, we’ll just do the best we can.” Diana nodded and said. “Of course my queen!” I grumbled and walked away, towards my newest eggs.

They were small, but they would grow just like Diana’s egg had. I stared at the eggs for a few more seconds, a strange feeling welling up in my chest. The same thing I felt when I stared at large quantities of wealth.

Am I about to die? I shook the thought away and said. “Diana, it’s time to get to work!” We spent the rest of the morning digging a hole in the ground in the corner of the lair. While working Diana suddenly asked. “My queen, why do we live here?”

I stopped for a moment and asked. “What do you mean? Also I’m the king!” Diana nodded and said. “It’s in the middle of the mudflats and enemies can come from almost anywhere. Would it not be better to find somewhere more secure? Where we would be able to make that tunnel system you thought of.”

I looked at her more a few seconds before saying. “Diana… That is a marvelous idea! The eggs would be so much safer!” My mind raced as I began to think of my new dream home. I was the ruler of these mud flats, so it would have to still be here. And I like the water so I want to make sure it is close to the lake.

It also needs to be dry enough for us to dig tunnels. I turned to Diana and said. “Daughter of mine, I need to go on a trip. I don’t know how long it’ll take but I need to be able to trust you. I am going to leave my eggs with you. Dig a hole and hide them there, just make sure you don’t do anything dangerous.”

She nodded eagerly and said. “My queen, it would be my honor.” I frowned and said. “Thank you but again. I’m a king, not a queen.” Diana nodded and sprinted towards her siblings, making a strange trilling noise as she went.

I smiled and exited the lair, it’s time to go home shopping! I quickly set out, wasting no time. First I went to the shore of the lake and started walking around it. I wanted something near the shore as I really did enjoy the feeling of the water. Also everybody knew that maritime trade was how you got rich.

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I walked along the shore for an hour but the only option I found was a field of reeds that made a natural circle. It was hidden, kinda but other than that it was horrible, the mud was even wetter than usual and there was no protection from aerial threats.

Next I found a giant rock, in the middle of the wastes. It was large and I could probably hide under it pretty well but that was it. The boulder was as far as it could be from the lake and was too close to the forest for my liking. It was also way too big, what if it moved and squashed one of my kids? No this wouldn’t do at all, I kicked before leaving. Making sure to show my displeasure.

After that one I grew a bit bored but pushed on, thankfully it hadn’t been that long since I had left. I could barely keep my mind off how frightened Diana must be. The poor kid, although she seemed pretty cheerful when I had left.

As I was walking, enjoying the feeling of soft mud on my feet I heard a familiar chittering. I turned behind me and saw three large rats, one with a long scar running down its face. The egg destroyer! I grunted and sprinted towards him, ignoring the others.

It smiled! I could see it grinning as its little friends raced at me as it stood in the back, watching. I ran straight into the first one, both of us falling over as I scrambled to bite it. The rat managed to scratch me a few times but I bit his finger and let my venom slow him down.

After a few more bites he stopped moving and froze up, his limbs seemingly frozen. The second lackey vermin took advantage of me being distracted to bite down on one of my legs and rip off a large chunk of it.

I responded by wrapping my tail around its head and squeezing while still biting the paralyzed rat. I could feel the rat struggling until I tightened my tail’s grip and heard a muffled pop. I couldn’t stop smiling as I ripped out the other rat's throat and then turned towards the scarred one.

To my utter disappointment it had already booked it. I couldn’t even see it’s footprints. Nothing remained but the two disgusting corpses. I took a few bites out of each of them but my heart wasn’t into it.

After stomping on the corpse a few times I got back to work, this was just another reason to find a safer place for my children to grow up in. The next location was the best by far, a giant tree, easily hundreds of feet tall with a thick trunk.

The tree was atop a large hill, it’s roots coming out all over. And the best part of all, in my opinion was the large pond that would be perfect to lounge in while still keeping an eye on my children.

We could dig our tunnel system under the tree, and my children would be able to enjoy the shade as they played. I couldn’t stop smiling as I walked around the tree. This truly was the perfect location.

After committing it’s location to memory I set off, once again travelling back towards my now old lair. This new one would be much better, I could assure myself of that. Although until the tunnel system was dug it would be pretty defensless.

Thankfully the hill had seem dry, at least compared to the surroundings. Yes it would do, a perfect home for me and my children. But something needs to be done about those damn rats! I would have my revenge. I shall bathe in their blood then sell it! Nothing will stop my wrath! Not even money could repay this debt, only ripping that rat’s heart out as it struggles on the ground. Oh yes that would do quite nicely. Money!