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Chapter 14

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"It's peaceful here," said Mavis. "Thanks for bringing me along, brother."

"It was Emerald's idea. And Night-Sky's too, I suppose." Mandel replied. "But I’m glad to have you."

They were sitting on a sandy section of beach, watching the dragons fish. At the moment, the swimming dragons were treading water, waiting for the net to drop. Mavis had to admit that treading water wasn't what they were doing. It was more like hastily swimming in circles while thrashing their bodies through the water. Night-Sky was, surprisingly, doing pretty well. He wasn't as big as the green dragons but seemed enthusiastic. Edgar, the dragon holding the net, seemed irritable and, in Mavis's opinion, was deliberately procrastinating.

"Night-Sky's swimming still needs some work," Mandel said.

Mavis looked at him, questioning. "Is that you talking, or Emerald?"

“Me. Emerald is more about acknowledging attitude, progress, and effort, which Night-Sky obviously has in spades. Plus, she is way too nice to criticize him out loud. She’s more likely to offer a helpful suggestion.”

Mavis had had enough. She stood up. "What's that one's name?" she asked her brother.

"Oh. That's Edgar," he said.

"HEY EDGAR!" Mavis bellowed. "Yeah, you with the net! Get going! Chop Chop! They are waiting for you out there, dumb-ass!"

The green dragon whirled on her. His face was furious. For a moment, Mavis thought he was going to charge at her. Then he suddenly stopped and looked at her appraisingly. Edgar looked down. Kicking at rocks on the shore, he sullenly grabbed the fishing net and jumped into the sky. Gaining some height, he then flew out and over the swimming dragons. Just when it appeared that he was about to drop the net, he suddenly and impulsively diverted his course and began flying away. He still had the fishing net clenched in his jaws.

”Hey! He flew off with the net! “ Mavis exclaimed. “How are the rest of them supposed to fish now?”

Mandel shrugged. “If only these dragons knew someone in the new government to whom they could appeal. You know, to address their legitimate grievances against Edgar. It’s failing to deal with these civil inequities that make or break a kingdom,” he said.

Mavis gave him a strange look.

"I think you are getting better," Mavis said. "I am delighted to see that."

"Probably so," Mandel said. "But Edgar has me feeling a little angry right now."

“If the rest of them feel the same," she said. “I’d just gather this pack of angry green dragons, chase Edgar down, and give him a beating!”

“Emerald isn't opposed to that suggestion,” said Mandel, grinning.

"So a more direct approach then?" asked Mavis.

"Emerald wants us to hurry," said Mandel. "She's concerned Edgar will get away. Then the group will need to get a new net."

"I wouldn't worry about that." Said Mavis. "I've already contacted Mo-Rung. He's in the air, and he already has Edgar in sight. He's always ready for a good scrap."

"Tell him to watch out for those teeth," said Mandel. "Emerald just reminded me that green dragons are poisonous."

"Mo-Rung understands." Mavis said after a few seconds. "He will keep his distance until Emerald and the other green dragons arrive. He appreciates the warning."

Emerald and the other dragons ran up onto the beach. They looked angry and betrayed. One of the other green dragons, a female like Emerald, looked at Mavis suspiciously.

"Whats did you ssays to Edgar?" she asked accusingly.

Emerald shoulder charged the other female, knocking her back a step.

"Nothing we shouldn't have said to him long ago!" she growled. "He's been acting terrible for weeks! He's surly and uncooperative most of the time!"

"Needss ssex." said the female.

"I didn't see you stepping up to take care of that, Athena! " Emerald retorted. "I hope you're not thinking that was MY responsibility!"

"You knows I'm with Fenwick." the green female said. "You are the one thats brokes our even pairings."

Night Sky, who had returned to the beach with the greens, looked surprised and, if Mavis wasn't mistaken, a little hurt.

"I hadn't realized that you were with Edgar before," he said to Emerald.

"I wasn't," said Emerald, whirling on him in rebuke. "In his dreams, maybe!" She looked back at Athena. "Is that what he said? Did Edgar tell you we were mating?"

"Perhaps he exaggerated," Athena said, shrugging.

Mandel stepped over to Emerald and patted her lovingly. "Your virtue is not in doubt, Emerald. Let's worry about this later. We need to go get your net back," he said.

Four dragons jumped into the air: three green and a black. Only two were carrying riders. Mavis had opted to take Night-Sky up on his offer to try to give her a ride back to Mo-Rung. She was lighter than Albarad, and the black dragon wanted to try carrying someone. It was only after they were out over the lake's water that the dragon made her nervous."

"You can swim? Can't you, Mavis?" he asked. "We are over water."

"Are you planning to drop me Night-Sky?"

"No, but you're heavier than I thought. If we go down, I will be right there with you. But at least I can swim." Night said. Mavis couldn't help but feel a little pride sneaking into his voice.

"It feels good to learn new things and accomplish something for yourself, doesn't it, Night?" she asked, holding on tighter. "Don't worry. I can swim quite well. My first dragon, Aleena, insisted that I learn."

"I wish I could have met her. " Night said. "I have recently begun to realize that there are many things that we can learn from these dragons of humble beginnings."

"It's not how you begin," said Mavis. "It's how you finish. Aleena finished very strong."

With Mavis guiding them, it didn't take long for the flight of dragons to find the place where Mo-Rung had forced Edgar to land. The green dragon had dropped the net and was hissing loudly and lunging at Mo-Rung with his head, neck, and teeth. The red dragon had been able to keep him at bay with periodic bursts of liquid flame. Edgar's scales showed signs of blisters and blackened soot. He was also boiling mad to the point that he had lost his ability to reason. The other dragons' landing seemed to incite him further. Even vastly outnumbered, Edgar lunged and snapped at the new dragons who moved to encircle him. It was Emerald herself who charged in and grabbed him by the neck, pinning his head to the ground. He continued struggling, his tail thrashing at anyone attempting to close on him from behind. Mavis slipped off Night-Sky’s back, landing gracefully on the ground.

"Why did you take the net?" Mavis asked, shouting over the considerable commotion.

"Punish!" he shrieked. "No one shall eat!"

"Including you, you stupid dragon!" Mavis yelled back. "They can get another net, but you won't find it so easy to find new friends to help you fish after pulling a stunt like that!"

"Don't care! Will hunt alone. Don't need them." The dragon said. At least he had stopped his tail thrashing. Emerald released her hold on his neck and jumped back in case he decided to snap at her.

Surprisingly, it was Mo-Rung who spoke up for him.

"This dragon is probably lashing out because he is disappointed and frustrated." the red dragon said. Emotional wounds and disappointments can close your eyes to common sense. "

Mavis looked at her bond with surprise. In fact, so did everyone.

"Since when have you become so sage, Oh wise one?" Mavis laughed.

"Painful lessons can permeate the thickest skull." he countered. "I've had a few too many."

"How would you deal with this theft and betrayal?" demanded Emerald. "I'm not sensing a lot of repentance for HIS actions right now! We can no longer trust him."

"Take your net and let him go," said Mo-Rung. "Hunger will teach him lessons for free. When he learns them, he may be back with an empty belly and the repentance you seek."

"Why should we takes him backs," asked Fenwick.

"Because you are reasonable and not unkind," said Mo-Rung. "You are able to understand the ways of a wounded heart. And, eventually, you might miss his help."

"Not coming back!" shouted Edgar, leaping into the air. "Would rather eat skunks!" He flapped away unsteadily across the lake.

Night-Sky looked at Mo-Rung with curiosity. "I recall hearing stories in which you behaved quite differently," he said.

"Everyone grows up eventually," Mo-Rung said. "If they survive that long."

"Oh my!" Night-Sky suddenly said. "Albarad flew off to the capital with Lothinar this morning, and now he's on the moon!"

"Perhaps it's time I head back and look in on things." Said Mandel.

"Do they have tasty fish?" Asked Emerald.

"No, and we are definitely going to have to do something about that." said the Emperor.

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Daisy was pouting. She had tried to trade the gold button's location for a kiss but hadn't gotten it. Instead, Lothinar had found it without her. Ultimately, it had come down to the fact that Lothinar’s father, Albarad, had seen where she had been standing when she pushed it, so he told Zinariya the approximate area. Zinariya told Lothinar, of course, through their mind-to-mind connection. Daisy didn't think it was fair for the three of them to gang up on her like that. Then Candasar had more or less dragged her from Lothinat’s presence while he insisted on experimenting “alone” with the golden button she had found! In her opinion, he could have been a lot more grateful and appreciative.

Now, the dark blue-haired elf was looking at Daisy with concern.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

"I'm a little woozy," she said. "Thanks for asking. Bouncing back and forth to the moon was unnerving! I might feel better if you let me talk to Lothinar about it."

"I don't quite know how to tell you this, Daisy, but it's probably not your trip up and back. It might be Lothinar who is responsible for the woozy part of your feelings. He did warn you about his skin condition."

"Look, Candasar. You probably mean well, but look here at this little card Cantrell gave me. It's got the Emperor's seal on it and everything. If I show it to you, then you are supposed to grant me full access to anything I want to see. Right now, I want to see Lothinar." Daisy said firmly.

Candasar quickly reached out and plucked the card from Daisy's fingers.

"HEY! When I see Cantrell, I will report you for that!” The blonde said. “Cantrell specifically gave that to me!”

"I think Cantrell will understand," said Candasar. "Believe it or not, he was once in your position."

"He's in love with Lothinar, too?" Daisy said, her eyes growing wide. "No wonder he was able to resist my advances yesterday. They both appear to be quite heterosexual and, frankly, ooze masculinity. I would never have known. Wait. Cantrell's married! And I know for a fact, it's not to a man."

Candasar blushed. "Lothinar isn't interested in males. I'm his bond. I would know. Neither is Cantrell, for that matter. By saying that he had been in your position, I meant that Cantrell, at one point, had been exposed to a chemical that made him highly attracted to someone. In Cantrell's case, it was Lothinar's mom. She also has the same skin condition."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"I see," said Daisy. "What a relief!"

"Lothinar is married as well, Daisy," said Tundor. "He's married to Argent's niece."

"Uh, oh," Daisy said, raising her eyebrows. "Does Cantrell know about that?"

"He does," said Candasar. "It's fine because the original Ardwynn was killed to remove the taint."

"That sounds pretty bad. This story will probably just keep getting worse the longer you try to explain it, Candasar." Tundor interrupted.

"It sounds like Lothinar needs a new wife," said Daisy.

"Ardwynn is alive," said Candasar. "It was blue dragon magic."

"I certainly don't know anything about that; you all must live exciting lives," Daisy said, blowing a stray hair out of her face.

Candasar's elven eyes bored into Daisy's, trying, by force of will, to make her somehow understand. She began to speak more slowly.

"This is important. You have been exposed to a chemical. It made you fall in love with Lothinar. We have a good chance of getting you cured. We must keep you away from him and get you into a bath." She said.

"I just had a shower this morning. I'm more concerned that Lothinar might not understand just how dangerous Argent's niece might be. I, of all people, should know. Those people are crazy. Is it true that she is married to Lothinar? What was he thinking?"

Candasar shook her head and then nodded. She was beginning to despair about her chances of actually being understood.

Daisy kept going. "He's going to need a replacement wife then," She said. "All of Argent's relatives are no damn good! Cantrell's been taking them out pretty methodically. I'm prepared to console Lothinar after his impending loss.."

Candasar met Tundor's eyes. They shared a meaningful look. The broad white-haired dragon was standing in the doorway of the small room they were holding Daisy in while Lothinar was puzzling out buttons, effectively preventing Daisy's escape.

"You have to admit, Ardwynn's story is going to be a difficult one to explain to outsiders," said Tundor.

"I've seen this all before," said Candasar. "You should have seen Michelle when first exposed. Daisy is doing pretty well by comparison. She hasn't even tried to sneak past you...yet."

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"Ooh, this is tricky." Lothinar thought. The button was hidden under a little cover that had to be swiveled out of the way even to see it. Unfortunately, after he had cleared the room and pushed it, there had only been a sputtering sound. Nothing else happened. Then a red light had started flashing on a panel. Shortly afterward, a metal rod popped out of a hole in the wall. A metallic voice in an ancient elven dialect spoke. It said. "Attach approved legricity source." Lothinar was suddenly even more grateful for his mother's emphasis on teaching him old elvish. At the time, he was amazed at her proficiency in it. Of course, he hadn't realized that she had grown up speaking it. It was becoming useful now! It seemed the last two trips had been it. The transporter needed some more 'legtricity'. Now, with the transporter out of commission, Albarad, his father, was stuck in Chelseben along with Zinariya. At least Xerxes, the ancient caretaker of the place, said that, due to Zinariya's efforts, it wasn't about to descend and smash into the planet anytime soon.

Desperate times. Marg was missing and might show up at any time. He didn't want Zinariya to have to face her without him. Lothinar stretched out his hand. He raised a little power. Small arcs and sparks began dancing from his fingertips. Tentatively, he touched the metal rod that had presented itself. There was a snapping pop. Above him, the illuminated panel that lit the room went dark. So did some of the dials, indicators, and, more importantly, the gold button.

"Oops," he said.

"Oops Lothinar? This is certainly not the time for oops." Zinariya complained.

"I think I gave it too much, " he said. Now the whole thing went dark."

There was a strained silence.

"Xerxes says it's probably just a fuse. Whatever that means. There should be a small drawer off to the left. There should be little colored things inside it. Look for the melted one. I sure wish I didn't have to repeat all this stuff. It would be so much easier if you could talk to Xerxes directly." Zinariya said.

Lothinar thought about how his sword crimson could capture and store lightning. That must be what Xerxes was talking about.

"Found it!" said Lothinar. "Yep. One of these is torched. It's totally melted."

"Xerxes says that you will need something that will carry electricity. Something metallic." Lothinar thought about how his missing sword had been able to channel lightning. He dug around in his pocket for loose change. Nothing. Sticking his head out the door, he beckoned to Siophra with his eyes. She walked over.

“Do you have any coins on you?” he asked. “I need something small and metallic to bypass a blown fuse.”

Siophra shared a meaningful look with Tundor, who was standing across a doorway just down the hall.

“I knew we should have stopped by the bank first!” the muscular white-haired dragon said loudly, without taking his eyes off the room's occupants. He and Candasar were keeping Daisy busy, or at least out of Lothinar's hair, for the moment.

Siophra rolled her eyes.

“No, Lothinar. I have no coins. Not only have I had no reason to carry them for quite some time, but even you must realize that keeping little pictures of Argent’s face in my purse is going to reawaken old traumas! I’m going to have to insist that Cantrell begin issuing updated currency. I’m sure that I’m not the only one who is bothered by seeing Argent’s face everywhere!” It’s on every denomination! What a vain, arrogant bastard he was!”

Lothinar blinked at the sudden, raw outpouring of pent-up anger. Returning to the capital seemed to have taken an emotional toll on his aunt. He walked over, took her hand, and pulled her in for a hug. She responded stiffly but then melted, returning the hug. He heard her sniff back tears as he stepped back. She smiled at him.

“I’m sorry. I don't know what’s gotten into me today, Lothinar. I came here to help, and I’ve been nothing but a bother. Also, I shouldn't have acted that way about Daisy. If I had been more friendly with her, I could have helped you keep your distance.”

Siophra looked about conspiratorially. “What are you going to do about that?” she asked.

“I don't know yet,” Lothinar admitted. “Back in Silvantra, I danced with a few human girls one night at a party. Before you start, yes, I know that was a terrible idea. The point is that most of them eventually got over being exposed to me. It took only time and isolation.

“But not Michelle,” said Siophra. “You ended up having to bring her back with you.”

“She was very persistent,” admitted Lothinar. “She kept coming back and getting re-exposed somehow. Also, and I’m not trying to bring up a difficult subject, but Cantrell was able to break the hold my mother’s pheromones had on him by….uh inundating himself with Mavis,”

“Inundating?” his aunt smirked. “You are so very polite, Lothinar. I might have said..”

“It doesn't matter," he said quickly. " I doubt there is somebody else around that Daisy could use as a remedy for what’s happened. If anything, my pheromones seem to be even more powerful than my mother's. We need to try isolation first, at least from me. She also needs to take a bath. As soon as possible.”

“You're not interested in keeping her, I suppose?” his aunt asked. "She is pretty cute if I do say so myself.”

“She seems nice, but I’m afraid not. By the way, you reacted to Argent’s coinage; you, of all people, should be able to guess why.” Lothinar said with a frown.

Siophra reached up to touch her own face. She looked thoughtful... “I guess I can see your point, That might be awkward. But Lothinar?"

"Yes?"

"Someday, I may meet a handsome elf that I hit it off with that, mysteriously, looks a lot like you. Don't be expecting me to turn him down."

Lothinar sighed. "I'm starting to wish I had followed Vanquish's advice and left my face looking more appealing to dragons," he said.

"Now THAT face would have looked really interesting on the new coinage!" said Siophra enthusiastically.

"But I'm not the emperor." he protested.

"No, but you probably should be," she said firmly.

Zinariya interrupted through the telepathic bond. ”So, should I go ahead and tell Xerxes that he isn't getting his mung beans any time soon?”

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Just as Zinariya asked her question, there was a commotion down the hall, Lothinar saw an elf wearing a blue dress slide between Tundor's legs, pop to her feet, and begin running directly at him. Siophra looked back over her shoulder, then nonchalantly stuck out her arm, clotheslining her. The elf in the blue dress fell backward, tumbled, and rolled, stopping directly at Lothinar's feet. Laying flat out on the floor, she looked up at him and smiled.

"Did you call me Lothinar? I'm sure I heard you say my name. Do you need more help with the buttons 'cause obviously, I've got a knack for these sorts of things?"

"So sorry, Lothinar!" Candasar said, running up. "She got past us, somehow."

Tundor looked abashed. "She's quicker than she looks," he said. "It's Candasar's fault. She gave her the idea."

Lothinar grimaced but had to ask. "So Daisy, do you have any spare change?"

"Of course I do!" she said, climbing to her feet and reaching into a pocket of her blue dress. "What kind of coins do you need? I have most of them."

"Do you have a one-cent piece?" he asked. "I think a copper might work best for this situation."

"I sure do!" Daisy said. "But pennies cost one kiss each."

Lothinar paid. It was an emergency, after all. An angry Marg could appear on Chelseben at any time. Zinariya and his father were at risk. Lothinar burned through several of the small copper coins before he was able to power up the transporter with the sparks coming off his hand. At last, the metallic voice chirped out the message. "Ready for transport."

Lothinar pushed the golden button.

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When Tundor had changed into an elf and left her as the only dragon in the courtyard. Cantrell realized that Esmarilla had become a little jealous. He had also known her long enough to realize when she was trying to deflect. At the moment she was thrusting her own disappointments onto her brother.

“Vanador's going to be disappointed when he realizes what happened to our mother," Esmarilla said. "I think he was counting on her to unlock his ability to become bipedal. There was a lot riding on that because he wanted to try and patch things up with Michelle that Vanquish is inhabiting. Now that's clearly out of the question."

"And what about you? How are you taking your mother's demise? Are you wishing that she had shared the ability to transform with you as well?" Cantrell asked. He wasn't buying that this was suddenly just about Vanador.

"My mother's actions with Lothinar's group were unexpected. I'm really trying to understand the reasons why she did this. Before this, my mother was quite reluctant to unlock the ability to transform in others. Now before you know it, all of Lothinar’s bonds have the ability. Tundor even does too! I have to admit to being a little upset that she never offered that opportunity to Vanador or me. It's just surprising."

"It has been some time since she's been around," said Cantrell. "Things have changed."

"Lothinar changed everything," said Esmarilla. "He's breaking all the rules. Relationships between dragons and elves will never be the same."

”Did you actually want that ability?” Asked Cantrell. ‘Cause up til now, I didn’t have an inkling that you even cared.”

“You must understand that way back when, in dragon society, transforming into elves just wasn’t done! The others held my mother’s ability in contempt. It was…” she lowered her voice substantially. “Considered sexual deviancy. That's why Vanador took off when Michelle appeared."

“In that situation, I guess I can understand Vanador's reaction, but just because a dragon can turn into an elf doesn’t mean they have to start having sex with non-dragons,” Cantrell said.

"I suppose not," admitted Esmarilla. "I'm starting to see that there might be other reasons, like taking up less space, fitting inside buildings, requiring less food, sleeping in comfortable beds, giving hugs..."

"Wait, did you say giving hugs?" Cantrell asked.

"Yes, now that the social consequences are less severe, It would make it easier for me to give you one of those chaste and supportive hugs that you got from Daisy yesterday."

"You noticed that did you?"

"Yes, I did. I monitor your emotional state fairly carefully, especially lately. You're under a lot of stress, and your well-being is my job. Now that Mavis is out of town, I don't think it's wise to have to depend on the hugs of relative strangers. Daisy giving you a hug made me nervous. She was married to someone in the resistance, you know. What if she slipped a knife into your ribs? Did you even consider the risks, Cantrell?"

"Daisy has a sad and compelling story," said Cantrell. The way her family exploited her as a young girl is heart-wrenching. It's something I want to do something about for young women in this kingdom."

"I don't know if you should start taking on long-term projects like that, Cantrell. You said you didn't want this job in the first place."

"I may be stuck with it unless Mandel gets better," said Cantrell.

"I think you are forgetting about Mavis. This job almost made her crack. You had to send her away. If you stay here and try to reform the place you will probably have to do it without Mavis." said Esmarilla.

"Once we deal with the last of the rebellion, things will get easier," said Cantrell. "I'll bring her back."

"There is always going to be something new and very difficult. I'm really surprised to hear you even contemplating this." said the black dragon.

"I think that's sweet that you're jealous of Daisy hugging me," said Cantrell.

"Chaste hugs Cantrell. I said Chaste. Totally above the waist." Esmarilla re-emphasized.

"I'm sure you would make a lovely elf, Esmarilla. But you know I love Mavis."

"I'm way too old for you anyway, Cantrell," Esmarilla said with a dragon grin.

"Sooo," Cantrell asked. "What would be the equivalent of a hug, dragon to dragon, I mean. I wouldn't want to deny you the ability to express your support and affection."

"Fairly ferocious little love nips," said Esmarilla, matter of factly. "Do you want one? Where?

Cantrell stepped back in alarm.

"Perhaps we should check in with Lothinar and Zinariya; she may be able to teach you what is needed," Cantrell said seriously. "Hugs are good."

The black dragon grinned wickedly.

"Hey, What if a dragon wanted to hide in plain sight from a crazy emperor who wanted to kill them,” Cantrell asked, squinting at her. I’m wondering if there are dragons that tried that. Besides your mother, I mean. Is there anyone else that had that ability?"

"Only my mother would know," Esmarilla said. But an elf like that would be very, very old.” Said Esmarilla. So old as to be abnormally noticeable.”

”Old, like Zinariya’s recent acquaintance Xerxes? He’s that old." Cantrell observed. "That's how Zinariya described him to Lothinar at least."

"Damn!" said Esmarilla. "We need to warn them! I don't think he has grey hair. It must be silver!"

"You think he might be a silver dragon?" asked Cantrell.

'Yes! and Silver dragons are the worst!"

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Ivy looked at the sea serpent with skepticism. The thing was stupid. It had stayed on deck coiled around the fore-spar for three days and nights as the Sinspirilla tacked endlessly into the wind, trying to return to the mainland. The serpent had neither eaten nor drank. It hadn't even asked for water. Not that anyone could understand the strange hissing and gurgles that came out of its mouth if anyone even approached the sword. The red blade was still stuck in the deck where the sea snake had dropped it.

Pricilla came on deck. "I see she's still there. The pilot tells me we are only a few hours out of Dween. I hope turning around and making this trip back will be worth it." the Queen said.

"At least we aren't traveling along with that floozy Michelle," said Ivy. "I don't think we could have trusted Enderline not to develop feelings for her if she was around."

"That's not exactly a vote of confidence for my female charms," said Pricilla.

"Well, you have to admit you've been a bit moody and unsociable since shortly after the pregnancy began," said Ivy. Enderline seems to talk more with me than you these days. I think he's lonely."

"Hmm," said Pricilla. "I hadn't noticed."

"Well, so far, I've been blaming it on seasickness, but now, with us almost back in port, you're going to have to step up. Put on a cheerful face and all that," said Ivy. "I'll be all out of excuses to make for you. At least regarding Enderline."

"How did I ever stay married to him without you?" Pricilla asked snarkily.

"That was probably before you had so much good competition," said Ivy.

Pricilla's face twisted into a frown. Her eyes started to tear up. "I'm trying!" she said. "I thought I wanted this baby, but these conditions, traveling to and fro between Delora and Dween, and now on this ship. It's hard to get comfortable. I feel nauseous all the time. I didn't think pregnancy would change me this much!"

Ivy nodded. "I wonder if you are having a difficult time because half-elves normally can't even get pregnant. Maybe it's something physical. It could be some sort of elf-human uterus incompatibility.”

“When we get back, we should warn your sister about it. You really should have asked Michelle about this while she was still around. She might have had some of the answers you need.

"I was petty and stupid. I let my jealousy get in the way." Pricilla admitted. "Now I'm getting worried that I might lose the baby!"

“It’s that bad?” Ivy asked

Pricilla nodded. “I’ve had some spotting.”

"Let's get that sword back to Lothinar. He was the one that fixed you up in the first place. Perhaps he can help you again."

"How are we going to get that sword away from the sea snake?" asked Pricilla.

"We're not," said Ivy. We get the whole package to Lothinar and let him figure out what to do with her."

"How are we going to get her to Lothinar? She's got no legs! It's an overland journey, if you remember." Asked Pricilla.

"Can crawl!" Said the sea serpent.

"Whoops!" Said Ivy. "Her hearing is obviously better than I thought.

"Also, ssword ssays the Lothinar wills comes to hims ifs he knowses its is in the drys agains."

"What did the sword promise you that Lothinar was going to do for you Arjori?" Asked Ivy, curiously.

"Not just one thing!" she said eagerly. "Lothinar iss genie, likes in famouss, old sstories. Whens I rubs the ssword, I gotss three wisshess!"

"So what are you going to ask for?" Ivy asked curiously.

"Legs, Wings, and a bond." The serpent said quickly. "I wants to be a dragon!"

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