Of course, the Human was correct that there was a village for the Lizardfolk. During our venture towards such a place, night had fallen which frightened the Dryads enough for them to believe they were returning to the place from whence they came. However, they were almost instantly surrounded by the females of our group, cuddling and coddling their persons until they were more at ease with their surroundings. Even a few of the skeletal Undying formed a loose circle around them, their torches illuminating the world.

I, myself, had taken up a fallen branch from within the forest, and shaved it clean of any branches. Of which was the cause of some concern by them, as they believed it came from one of the trees we had passed. That is, until they touched it and noted the lack of life within such a thing, and as such, left me alone with the object. For I desired to transform it into a sort of walking stick, of which became as white as Aspen from my touch.

This intrigued her, as the stick was of a greying brown, and desired to know how it became like the colour of her own bark. To which I then explained to her as to what I was and still am to this turn, "I am a Lich, Aspen. As such, I am able to draw out the various energies of the world around my person. Instead of just taking it from my surroundings, I've used it on this stick," the object was then held up towards her dark eyes as I continued, "Therefore, whatever remained has been drawn away, leaving only a husk which desires something to fill it. So I did, but with my own energies and magicks."

"He's enchanted it," chimed in Amira, her tails wiggling as she wrapped her arms in front of my chest whilst leaning against my back and smiling at the Dryad.

"Enchanted?" came the other's voice, which was as melodic as a summer breeze flitting through the leaves of a mature Oak.

"Yep," she took up my stick which was slowly stretching itself into a staff at a height of two metres, "Our Lord gave us such a gift when we were young, and taught us its meaning, how to do it, and so on and so forth."

"Give me that," I growled, snatching it from her grip as I continued to send my own energies into it, "Do you not remember the last time someone tried to mix their magicks with my own? Especially when they weren't compatible?" The lights in my sockets flickered in a furious manner, as I tapped the object against her own metallic head.

"Ow," she pouted, clutching at the area in which the now snow white staff had touch her, then stuck her tongue out at my person, "Meanie."

To which the Dryad smiled whilst backing away from our persons, not at all sure as to what had occurred. Whereas I pushed Amira away, and trotted up to our Lord who was frowning whilst His eyes glowed a brilliant emerald. For we had encroached upon the territories of the Lizardfolk a while back, but they had not sent anyone to welcome our persons. Of which was the cause of His frowning, and turned towards my person just as I appeared next to Him.

"Brutus," He nodded towards my self, and continued forwards after signaling to everyone else that they should rest for a time. Yes. More than one voice was risen with concern over Him leaving everyone, but put aside their concerns when He pointed out my own self was near His side. Afterwards, He did move towards the area in which the Lizardfolk were to have been seen by the Beastfolk with my person close at hand.

However, what we witnessed was not what was to be expected. For the village itself was of broken huts of hardened mud which roofs of dried water weeds, but it appeared as though no one had been living in this vicinity for quite some time. Perhaps they vacated it when the felines had set up their own home, or were wiped out by some unknown force? None of us knew what had occurred, but He did have my person bid everyone to join His person.

After which He did have us search the huts and surrounding area. For there must be some sort of clue as to where they had gone, yes? Well, yes and no. For just as we had all gathered, did one of the skeletal Undying spy a collection of broken eggs within one of the huts, along with what appeared to be the heavy imprints of iron boots. Which meant only one thing to our Lord, "Humans have been here."

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"Well of course they have," Melephas chimed in with an incredulous look upon his features, "I'm standing right here, aren't I?"

I asked our Lord if I was allowed to slay the insignificant Human right there on the spot, whilst He cupped His illusory face with His hand. To which He replied with a, "No, Brutus, though I am sorely tempted to perform the action right now. For now, let him be."

"Yes, my Lord God," was my reply, though it was more of a hiss at this point, but he did not reprimand my person. Of which meant he did not care for the Human in my own mind.

Whereas He, Himself, strode forwards, and away from the village. Thus, causing all to fall behind His person, though a few of the skeletal Undying were sent forwards in order to scout the surrounding forests as we continued onwards.

No. Nothing of interest appeared before us, nor around us, as the Human had grown wise since the last time we had journeyed together. Thus, he did walk wherever the one before himself tread, desiring to save himself the trouble of becoming entrapped by that which was within the forest, much to our displeasure. For we found joy in his misery, as he was not like us.

In any case, we soon found the exit of the forest of Nubai, and gathered together underneath the naked night's sky. Whereupon we did take note that our Gardeners were uncomfortable outside of the forest's embrace. Yes. He did take note of such a thing, and came to an impasse of allowing them live within the forest, alone, or to have them journey with us in relative safety.

Upon inquiring as to their decision, Willow, the youngest of the trio, rushed towards Shauu's side in order to cling to her right leg. Of which led to the other two to begrudgingly step towards the group. Thus, causing all to know of their decision, as we each turned towards our Lord. Though, the Human had his hands behind his head as he strutted his body around the group, which only heightened my desire to strangle his person.

"Very well," came the rumbling of His voice, "We shall all continue forward until we find something of interest." To which he did turn around towards the southeast, if memory serves correct, and marched forward with us in tow.

*****

Brutus paused in his words, his attention now fixated upon his God who was now striding towards their persons. Whereupon he did reach down and quickly, but gently, lift a now startled Nox. Of whom then, after realising who it was that lifted her person into the air, cried out with joy whilst stretching out his little paws towards his father. Who then brought the child down towards his muzzle, whispering muffled nothings as the other clung to it whilst wiggling his tails in every direction possible.

The little hybrid then snuffled and nuzzled his father's face and neck, whilst being taken from the room itself. Yes. The Lich King made a move to follow, but was halted by Sarah. Of whom held a stern appearance upon her features. To which he sighed and inquired as to why she halted his steps.

"Why did you call the Ageless 'Father' when he's not?" she inquired slowly, her eyes narrowed, fists atop her hips, and her posture leaned forward so that she may not miss a speck of emotion upon the metallic Skeleton's own features.

Yes. There was not a way for her to truly discern a reaction from the other, save for his eyes. Of which flickered with some confusion, before brightening themselves as his mind recalled as to what she may have spoken of exactly. "But he is my Father, Lady Sarah. He created me and the rest of the Undying, did he not?"

"Yes, but he's still not your father." she crossed her arms in front of her chest whilst backing away by one step.

"Yes he is, Lady Sarah," his skull bobbed slightly, "Just as he is Father to all Undying, and a few children within and without Terra call him thusly. There's even San'yuu and Siuun who call him as such, and he picked them up from Asura many a century ago.

"You cannot have us call him anything else, if we so wish to claim him as our Father," his body then turned and strode out of the dining hall. Upon reaching the doorway, however, he did turn to address her once more before leaving fully, "A word of advice, Lady Sarah, I suggest you not try to press your beliefs upon others, as your son is not the first child of our Lord."

Upon so saying, he did leave her alone, where she clenched her clawed hands into fists, enough to draw a few specks of blood from her palms. Whereas her own lips were pulled back in a growl with eyes aflame. For she was the Ageless's wife, and was due the respect of one who was above all others throughout the Pantheon, but she was treated less so from he who was the Right Hand of the God King. Of whom should defer to her person, and yet... and yet he did not. So what does that make her?