The silver I leave as a simple design running up the sides of the robe, but the gems are more complex. Infusing the gem powder into the back of the robe I work on making a pattern that looks like a phoenix. It is difficult to get it right, but luckily I can move the gem dust around using mana.
It takes me over a dozen tries before I get the pattern to look the way I want it. Then I start enchanting it, going with an even split between defenses and boosts to spellcasting. I put in immunity to fire, but only resistance to the other elements.
Complete immunity takes up too much space for me to put immunity to other elements in. If I did that, then there wouldn't be any space left for any other enchantments. While I could do that easily enough, I don't want the robe to be just a defensive item.
I would prefer if Lin had enough offensive power that she didn't need to worry about defenses. After all, the best defense is having everyone who wants to hurt you dead. Besides, the more powerful she is, the closer to being my equal she will be.
Her being my equal would make me extremely happy and it would make the war easier. Surprisingly, Lin wakes up before the kids do and comes out to join me. I am still in human form so she sits on my lap, curls up like a cat, and cuddles against my chest.
Once she is comfortable she actually falls back asleep, so I just sit and hold her. The robe is already finished, so I don't really have anything that I need to do anyway. As I am sitting there, I realize that there is a problem with our planned trip.
Neither of us knows the coast well enough to gate to it, meaning we will have to fly. Flying with the kids presents a problem, even with Nala and Albion shrunk it will be dangerous. Now I could fly over with Lin and then open a gate for the kids, but that doesn't fix the problem.
The problem can be fixed easily enough, I just need to make a saddle for myself. However, I am not quite sure how I feel about being saddled like a horse. Despite being happy with my new form, I still tend to think of myself as a human most of the time.
It has been getting worse recently, ever since I started sleeping with Lin. Then again, I have also been spending more time in human form so it is understandable. I am not sure if keeping a human-like mentality is a good thing or not, only time will tell.
Although, even if I was given the option to go back to being human I don't think I would accept it. I really like my new form and quite enjoy the power that comes with it. Besides, I wouldn't want to give up flying, it is way too much fun, not to mention useful.
I could probably still shapeshift into something with wings, but it isn't the same. After thinking about it for a while, I decide that wearing a saddle isn't that big of a deal, especially since it is for the kids. So, I start planning it out in my mind, I will use the remaining drake leather to make it.
If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
Thinking of that, I am almost completely out of materials, I will need to find more somewhere. I doubt anything survived the eruption, so going back to the island is not an option. It is too late now, but I should have killed the pirates another way so I could loot the place.
My musings come to an end when I notice Nala wake up and climb out of the fire pit. She stretches, then she unshrinks and comes over to beg for some attention. With a smile I reach out and start scratching around her ears until she starts purring.
The purring is loud enough to wake Lin, but she just starts scratching under Nala's chin. Nala is obviously in total bliss, but soon the other three wake up and demand their fair share. Luckily, between me and Lin we have just enough hands to give affection to everyone at the same time.
The petting goes on for a good half an hour before the kids have had enough and let us know they are hungry. So, we all have breakfast together and while we are eating I tell Lin about my idea of making a saddle. When I mention it I notice an odd look on her face, but it doesn't look like she objects to the idea.
Lin says "I think that's a good idea. I actually thought of it a while ago, but I was reluctant to say anything. I didn't want you thinking I saw you as a beast of burden. Riding you is quite fun, but not exactly comfortable."
"To be honest, I am a little uncomfortable at the idea, but I will get used to it. In what way is riding me uncomfortable?"
Lin says "Where your neck connects to your shoulders is a little wide to straddle comfortably."
"So, instead of a standard saddle I should do something more like a chair?"
Lin says "If you can, that would probably work better. Especially if you grow any bigger."
"Have I grown since you met me?"
Lin says "I think so."
Curious, I get up, move to where I have more space, and drop shapeshift. Then I curl my head around to take a good look at myself, it looks like I have grown a little. It isn't as drastic as the previous growth spurts, which is why I didn't notice.
At this rate of growth, I probably wouldn't have noticed until I couldn't fit through the door. I've gained a few inches of height and length, I've also bulked up a little bit. Individually, they are small changes, but when put together they do make a difference.
"You are right, I have grown some. Do you think I should put the seat near my neck or further back between my wings?"
Lin says "If it was just me I would say put it by your neck, but there is more room between your wings. That way you could put in a second seat or maybe a cushioned pad for the kids."
"Then that is what I will do."
Taking out the drake leather, I start fusing the pieces together and shaping them. The main part of the saddle is easy enough, but making it secure is more challenging. The muscles around my wings move a lot, so I need the saddle not to shift around when they move.
To do that I end up putting three bands on the saddle, two going around my belly and one around my chest. The two around my belly will be in front of and behind my wings to hold the saddle in place. The last one around my chest will keep the saddle from sliding back and forth.
Before I start enchanting it, I have Lin help me put the saddle on, which feels weird. However, despite me twisting around and jumping up and down, the saddle doesn't move. Since the design works, I have Lin help me take it off so that I can enchant it.