I regained consciousness several hours later, alone. I had no idea of the time, and I supposed it didn’t matter. Hel, I had no idea what day it was, or even how the people of Chaia measured days, months, years, or even seasons. I stretched languidly and yawned. It was then that I realized that I was alone in our room. Our room. Wow. That felt so surreal to say.

Here I was, light years away from Earth, had been here about two weeks, and I already had someone to call my partner. Nothing like this had ever happened to me before. And she was beautiful, built almost precisely in the way I found attractive. And kind, fierce, strong-willed, and determined.

Idly, I wondered if my gods had anything to do with that.

I arose to find her, put my clothes on, covered the light stone and walked outside to find Talah-ma’at about to knock on my door.

“Talah-ma’at! A pleasant surprise to see you. How can I help you?” I asked the diminutive woman.

“Ivor! Yes, um. Well, you see… The thing is…” She sighed heavily.

I opened and propped the door. “Please. Come in. I was simply about to go get some food, but I would think that a chat with you is well worth delaying that.” I sat on the bed, and gestured to the chair. “Please. Take a seat.” As she sat, I smiled. “Now. Tell me what’s on your mind.”

“Ivor, I wanted to talk to you about my boys and the business with Talah-ahte.”

I looked down, ashamed. “I figured this would come sooner or later. I’m sorry, Talah-ma’at. I tried all I could.”

She reached out, grasping my arm, affectionately patting me. “No, no. Don’t worry yourself about it. It was done, and the water has flowed past. Truthfully, you have liberated me to follow my own path. And the boys? They will get over their sorrow in time.” She smiled at me, kindness radiating from her. “I have come with some questions. The boys have told me many tales of their short time with you.”

“Ah, yeah.” I rubbed the back of my head and neck, somewhat embarrassed. “Yeah, we have done a fair bit.”

“Did you truthfully call them your sons?”

“What? Well, yes. At the time, I simply saw three kids needing help. I’ve never been a father, but I figured taking care of them as well as possible was the least I could do. Why?”

“You’re not a father? Odd. You were doing a good job of it, I’d say. Better than the ash pile.” She fixed me with a rather pointed gaze. It seemed women everywhere were masters at making men feel a little self-conscious. “You actually seem to care for them, unlike him. You actually seem interested in their growth. Unlike him. You actually seem more concerned for their well-being than your own. Unlike the ash pile. You were a better father to them in two weeks than he was for their entire lives. I think I can trust you, Ivor. The Great Mother is right. You simply shine here. I have more to say, more to ask, but your belly has been protesting since you sat down. Come. I shall lead you to the feasting hall.” She stood and offered me a hand. I rose, taking it in my own, much larger, hand.

“Yes. I think food is good right now. I’ve lost too much weight, and could stand to see myself gain it back.”

“I don’t know, your woman seems to like you this way. She cannot keep her eyes off you.” She quirked an eyebrow and walked away, tail swishing from side to side. “Nor can most of the women here.”

I stopped, staring at the lady in front of me. “Hah?”

She looked back over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow. “You heard me. Let’s go.” And continued walking down the corridor.

I shook my head and followed her. This just kept getting crazier.

After the gods only knew how many twists and turns, we arrived at the feasting hall. There was noise and joyful chatter coming at me from every angle imaginable. Music seemed to be coming from nowhere, and the smells! Gods, the smells! Expertly prepared foods of all sorts were everywhere to be sampled and eaten at one’s leisure.

Suddenly I heard Blainaut exclaim “And there he is! Our man of the hour! Ivor Freyrsson! Come, my friend! Eat and be welcome!”

Hundreds of scaled faces suddenly turned my way, and I quickly became self-conscious. Talah-ma’at gently pushed me into the throng of Haarthuu. “Go, my friend! Make merry!”

I smiled awkwardly, waving at and greeting everyone who came up to me. It was overwhelmingly surreal. I shook hands with at least fifty people before I had gotten within ten feet of Blainaut.

“Blainaut? What’s going on? They’re treating me like some kind of hero or something. I just killed one of their best warriors.” I maneuvered to an empty seat next to the slender man.

“Quite so! You absolutely killed their best warrior, and in a most spectacular fashion! It turns out that our “esteemed” Talah-ahte was something of a bully, as well. He has sired several offspring here in the cavern, and most of those were with, ah, unwilling…partners.” He paused to shovel a tuber of some sort into his mouth. “Mmm! You simply must try these. So good.”

“So, I killed a man who was a bully, a father and a rapist?” Blainaut nodded. “Huh. I wonder what the boys think.”

Elizabet came over and stood in front of me. I smiled up at her. “Hello, love.”

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She grinned and sat in my lap, draping an arm around my neck, and wiggling around a bit to get comfortable. I gripped the chair and muttered the Strengthen spell as it began to creak in protest. I wrapped my arms around her comfortably plush waist and squeezed her gently.

“It looked like you were in my seat, so I improvised. I hope you don’t mind?” She smiled impishly at me.

“Oh, no. I’ll happily be your seat. I quite enjoy this, honestly. Unfortunately, I don’t have anything to help, ah, stabilize you at the moment, but that can change.” I waggled my eyebrows at her, and she blushed furiously.

I laughed at her discomfort and hugged her close. I reached out to the middle of the somewhat narrow table, and grabbed up one of the warm tubers Blainaut was eating, and bit into it. It was quite tasty, and I found myself eating several before I realized it.

The three of us talked for what seemed like hours until I heard a familiar voice pipe up in the distance. “Mr. Ivor! Mr. Ivor! There you are!”

I spun my head around towards the sound, and saw the milling crowd part before the three boys who were racing towards me. I braced myself for their anger, and watched them run up to me, stopping right beside Elizabet and I.

The three talked over each other in a jumble of questions and statements. “Mr. Ivor! Did you sleep okay? You slept for forEVER. Do you have any scars from the burns? That was so wild what happened, wasn’t it? Are you and Miss Elizabet gonna stay here with us? I’d like that. Are you okay?” They were all jumping around, talking animatedly.

All except Ahte-ukum. Ahte-ukum, who watched his father literally explode after I punched him once. Ahte-ukum; the only person who seemed to truly mourn his father’s death. Ahte-ukum, the sweetest and kindest child I had ever met, was standing there staring at me with a blank expression. His eyes still seemed puffy from crying.

I patted Elizabet’s thigh, and she quickly got up. The crowd had hushed, watching me and the boys. I slid off the chair and fell to my knees in front of the kids, tears slowly making their way down my face. I got myself down to eye level with Ahte-ukum, his brothers flanking him.

“I’m so sorry, son. Please forgive me. Please?” I lowered my head, tears dripping to the floor, making a soft plap, plap sound.

I saw two little three-toed feet shuffle in front of me, and felt a tiny hand on my shoulder. I hesitantly raised my head, and looked into the eyes of a small, scared, hurt child.

A child who should never have seen the things he had seen. A child who should never have experienced the things he had experienced. A child who should have had a kind, loving father who didn’t sell him into slavery.

A child whose forgiveness I now begged for.

He slowly leaned his head down, and made contact with mine. He placed his tiny hands on my cheeks and made me look him in the eyes as we both cried. “I love you, Mr. Ivor. Please don’t go away.”

I broke down, sobbing incoherently. I scooped the little boy into my arms, rocking him gently, holding him close. His brothers climbed onto my back, hugging me. All I could do was thank my gods that I still held the favor of three small, scaly children.

Elizabet stood, her hands over her mouth, tears rolling down her cheeks. She knelt down, and put her forehead on mine, sniffling. “They still love you, Ivor. Forgive yourself for this. The Haarthuu do.”

“Yes, Ivor. We forgive you.” Talah-ma’at stood before me, watching as I cradled her youngest, who had curled up, and was sucking his thumb. “My children obviously love you. You would do well to heed their words.” She came up, stroking my short hair. She leaned in, whispering in my ear. “But I know you cannot. You have a destiny outside this cavern. A destiny that will lead you into untold danger, and should you succeed, riches beyond your wildest expectations.” She stood and stepped away from me, and I nodded.

For now, I was content to hold these three children close. I had never been a father. Not until I came to Chaia. Now, I was a father to three little scaly boys. Three little boys who loved me fiercely. Three little boys who I loved fiercely.

I had entire species to free. Orcs and the Lizardfolk, these Haarthuu. Probably some Dwarves and Elves. And yes, definitely some Humans. For now, though? For now, I was determined to enjoy all of the hospitality of the Haarthuu.

The day progressed in a much brighter fashion after that. Spirits were high, and there was more joy to be found on the faces around me. Even Thaddeus was animatedly talking with the Elder. I had eaten so much food. Fruits I had never seen, multiple species of fungus, several whole fish, marinated and broiled strips of some red meat, and a whole plate full of the delicious little tubers.

Eventually, I began to get tired. Elizabet and I had eventually moved to a low couch, and had stretched out on it, her lying on my chest. I had sat around, talking and eating for hours on end, and my energy was slowly being depleted. I yawned and stretched. Elizabet looked up at me through her lashes.

“Is it time to go to bed?” She yawned.

“I think it is, my love.” I nodded, my eyes beginning to water.

She got up, pulling me to a sitting position. She rose, taking my hand and pulling me to my feet. “Let’s go to bed, then.”

We held hands, and went off to find someone to lead us to our room.

We found Talah-ma’at, who graciously offered to lead us to our room. She led the way, and we followed closely behind her.

“I do hope you stay, Ivor. And you, Elizabet. My children are fond of you both. And we are all grateful to you; even if you do not succeed in your task. You have helped to rid us of waste, and to show us that there is hope, at least.” We arrived at our door, and she opened it, leading us to our room.

“And now you must rest, my friends. I feel we will have much to discuss over the next few days.” She smiled and touched both our cheeks before she left.

As the door closed, I took stock of the room again. Nothing had changed, and upon checking under the bed, my Bag was still there. I knew it was my paranoia, but I would probably never be rid of it.

Elizabet removed her habit, and walked toward the bathroom, her nipples hardening in the cool air.

“I think I need a scrub. Would you care to join me?” The smile on her face promised much more, and I found it difficult to resist.

So I didn’t resist.

[SECTION REDACTED]

We emerged marginally cleaner, and quite a bit more exhausted than we were when we went in. I Drew the water off us, letting it drain into the tub, leaving us comfortably dry. We crawled into the bed, and she shoved my face into her cleavage again. It seemed this is where I was to sleep.

I certainly wasn’t going to argue. I decided to spice it up a little, and pulled her nipple into my mouth, and suckled as I lay there.

She gasped softly, “And that’s what I meant by you acting like a babe as well as sleeping like one.” She said through moans.

I stopped, and looked at her questioningly.

“Remember a few days ago when Ahte-tan said something about us wanting to mate? When you woke up for the first time right here?” She motioned to her cleavage. “This is how you slept that night.”

I smiled and resumed. She moaned a bit more, and I made myself comfortable in her arms.

Sleep found us after a couple more hours.