Blood and Scales

Chapter 10 – The Lizigoth Village

Aelia, Ardera, and the formerly missing lizigoth child made it back to the cave just as the sun started peaking over the horizon. Aelia breathed a sigh of relief as they entered the cool darkness of the cave entrance. When Ardera turned to look at her she finally understood why the pale woman had been so scared the previous day.

Aelia’s exposed skin was bright red, and starting to blister as though it had been held over a flame. Ardera winced at the sight, and searched her pack for a jar of ointment she kept with her for emergencies. As she went to hand it to Aelia, the burns were already looking much better.

“I’m never going to get used to how fast you heal,” she said, barely concealing her amazement.

“I think it’s crazy that you lizigoths take so long,” Aelia teased.

After searching the small cave to make sure that they were safe, Ardera put the child down, and brought out what remained of her trail rations. It consisted mostly of smoked meat and fish. Aelia didn’t think it looked particularly appetizing, but her thoughts were interrupted by a loud growling coming from the child’s stomach. Ardera laughed and gave her half of the meat, before offering a strip to Aelia.

“Ah, um,” she said, “no, thank you. I don’t eat… that.”

“Oh! Sorry,” Ardera flushed, which Aelia thought was adorable, before continuing, “What do you eat then?”

“I drink blood, Ardera,” Aelia whispered to the other woman after gesturing to bring her closer.”

“Ah. Well, I am fresh out of blood, unless…” Ardera started.

“Oh, no! I’m fine after,” Aelia hesitated, “Grunna.”

There was a palpable awkwardness that settled over the cave, accented only by the chewing noises of Ardera and the child.

After she had eaten everything she was given, the child started exploring the cave under the watchful eye of Ardera, and squealed in delight at the pool, before jumping in. Aelia and Ardera laughed at the young lizigoth girl swimming and splashing in the dimly illuminated pool. After a while, she stopped splashing, and floating serenely admired the glowing crystals that covered the cavern walls.

Aelia, and Ardera joined her in the pool, after stripping off their muddy clothes. Aelia made a concerted effort not to look at the beautiful lizigoth woman the entire time, while Ardera once again did absolutely nothing to hide herself. The child was confused by the odd behavior of the pale woman.

At first, she wasn’t sure what to think of the woman who didn’t have scales or a tail, possibly a little scared even, but the woman didn’t scare her anymore. The child’s mouth opened wide, as she let out a huge yawn.

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“Clearly, it’s time for some sleep,” Ardera remarked, fighting a yawn of her own.

Ardera left the cave, and came back with armfuls of plants which she fashioned into a sort of makeshift nest. Aelia lay down on it, and was shocked by how soft and cozy it was. The child leapt into the bed, and snuggled right up to her, much to Aelia’s surprise. Ardera joined the two of them, laying on the other side before pulling a cloak she had taken from her pack, over them all. Aelia and Ardera fell asleep hand in hand, and it was the best rest either had had in a long time.

When Aelia first set eyes on the village, after an uneventful journey through the swamp, she was shocked first by just how many lizigoths there were, and then by how large it was. She had wrongfully assumed that there would be no more than a few hundred, a small village, but there were huts as far as she could see. They were built onto raised platforms made of reeds bundled and woven together.

An incredibly complex maze of pathways and bridges led between huts made from hardened mud with roofs made of more reeds. It was a city. Waterways wound throughout the city as they walked filled with boats piloted by lizigoth merchants, some offering rides through the city in their boats. Strange lantern-like devices provided faint light everywhere they went, and the effect was magical.

Ardera grinned at her, amused by her awestruck expression, and started showing her around the city. The child hugged Aelia tightly around her neck. Ardera noticed that the child had grown quite fond of Aelia since the cave. She had to admit to herself that she had also thought it was sweet.

It almost feels like we’re a family, Ardera couldn’t help but think to herself, then she blushed at the thought.

As the trio made their way through the city, everyone they passed openly stared at Aelia, which made her a little uncomfortable, but no one was hostile and everyone got out of their way. After nearly a half hour of going over this bridge, between these buildings, and at one point hopping between pathways, Aelia was completely lost.

“Here we are,” Ardera finally announced when they were in front of a long domed building, “This is the nursery.”

They entered quietly, and Aelia, uncertain what to expect, was still surprised. Along the walls were hundreds of beds full of small children. The further back, the younger they seemed to get, the back of the room filled with cribs of tiny baby lizigoths. Some of them stirred in their sleep, while others were snuggled up hugging their too long tails. Aelia’s heart melted at the sight.

“Ah,” a plump lizigoth woman softly exclaimed as she reached out for the child who had fallen asleep in Aelia’s arms, “there you are! We’ve been worried sick about you child. And oh my, is that little Ardera I see?”

“Hello, Matron Grea,” Ardera said in a long-suffering tone. Aelia had to stifle a giggle.

The child sleepily protested being pulled from Aelia’s arms, but after she promised to visit again, the girl reluctantly let go. The lizigoth woman thanked them for their help and left to put her to bed. Aelia already kind of missed the small lizigoth.

“Were you like that when you were her age?” Aelia teased, pointing at one of the children holding their tail like a stuffed animal.

“Hardly,” Ardera huffed.

“Oh?” the woman turned, an amused smile on her face and one eyebrow ridge cocked.

“Good night, Matron Grea,” Ardera said through clenched teeth, her scales turning redder, as she pulled Aelia back through the door of the building before Matron Grea could continue.

Ardera pulled Aelia’s hands through the streets of the lizigoth village for quite a while before they finally stopped in front of another large building made of stone reinforced mud. Before either woman could react, a dozen lizigoths surrounded them, armed with spears, and holding the points right at Aelia’s throat.