hello this chapter came out later than expected as i was hoping for rouge or mejinzs to PR it but they were unable to so i am releasing this in an unedited state as it has been a while since i released a chapter. i will replace this when they have a chance to fix it.

so without further ado, Chapter 53 – Bathing

-------------------------Fafnir POV----------------------------------------

            “I’m not going to like this am I?” I asked Aesthyra who was edging away from the bathing hoard I set up in the corner of bathroom.

            “It’ll be fine… ” She nervously replied still staring at the pile of coins.

            “Well, I will just get it over with.” I sighed as I moved toward the bath hoard.

            “Ok, I’m… gonna go find mom,” she stammered as she quickly ran from the room.

            “Well that fills me with confidence.” I mumbled as I steeled myself for what’s to come. I laid down on the coins and shifted around as I had read. I heard a loud hiss causing me to jump up. I looked the pile and watched as the beetles starting to move about. I took a deep breath and against all reason I laid back down and waited as the small murder bug got to work cleaning my scales. After what seemed like an hour the constant hiss of the beetles died down. I jumped up and quickly got out of reach of the vile bugs.

            “There has to be an alternative, there are things I can handle, but that is not one of them.” I sighed as I eyed the infested hoard. I turned and headed towards the main cavern. Where Tanixathera was reading a book entitled, “Teaching Your Hatchling to Build A Liar; for the New Mother.”

            “Where do you keep getting these books from?” I asked after reading the title.

            “From the interdimensional library,” She offhandedly replied as she turned the page.

            “I see…” I said worried what the book meant.

            “Now that you are properly groomed we can begin.” She said as she dog-eared the corner of the book.

            “What about  Aesthyra, shouldn’t we wait for her?” I stuttered as I started to walk back.

            “She started on your project earlier so that she had somewhere to sleep.” she replied before she ate the book, “while this lair is nice, there are several flaws that need to be addressed.”

            “Like what?” I asked thinking about my nice home.

            “Well, for starters, there are no wards to prevent unwanted company, there is no access for lesser minions to bring you tribute, and you don’t even have rooms available for guests.” She explained

            “first, I have no idea how to make ‘wards’, second why would I need tribute, and u have rooms for guests.” I huffed

            “Aw, look at the little self-confident wyrmling.” She sarcastically replied, “the only rooms available are two human sized in the back, hardly a place where a dragon could say. You are also a god who will eventually, if you want, have a domain of his own. Having a minion entrance make it easier for them to come and give you offerings, like delicious food; I mean why hunt yourself if sad little lesser beings will feed you?” she said with a large toothy grin.

            “Ok…” I replied not wanting to get on the bad side of a psychotic dragon, “so what is the lesson?”

            “You are going to be helping my daughter design and build her wyrmling lair and when it is complete she will help you redesign yours.” She replied as she stood up and stretched.

            “What are you going to be doing…?” I tentatively asked

            “I need to go back to my own domain and deal with mortal problems.” She replied right before she vanished in a flash of light.

            “Why do people keep appearing and telling me what I need to do.” I grumbled as I head back towards the bathroom to deal with a minor pest problem.

-------------------------------------------------------  Aesthyra POV ---------------------------------------------------

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

            “Hello,” I heard a small voice call out.  

            “Hello, little one,” I replied as I tried to get a better look at the small creature which I couldn’t identify, “who might you be?”

            “My name is Azazel, are you here to see daddy?” the little girl asked  

            “Fafnir is your father?” I asked more than a little surprised.

            “Yes,” the little creature replied proudly.

            “I see…” the dragon muttered before looking me over again.

            “I see you found the littlest one.”  I heard mom say as walked towards us, “now introduce yourself.”

            “Sorry, my name is Aesthyra; it is nice to meet you.” I said as I tried to Identify the small creature.  

            “Azazel, why don’t you go with Aesthyra and show her around.” The mom suggested

            “Sure, I can show her lake.” She replied as she ran into the other caverns.

            “What type of creature is that?” I asked my mother

            “That would be Fafnir’s daughter.” She said with a grin

            “Isn’t Fafnir a bit young?” I asked drawing on my inherited knowledge.

            “Well she not his daughter in the traditional method.” My mother said I could hear the sadness tinging her voice.  “Azazel has been drinking the liquefied mana from Fafnir’s breath and one of the grater goddess rebuilt the little ones body after an accident.”

            “What kind of accident?” I asked with a little trepidation. I watched as mother seemed to space out for a few seconds.          

            “I will tell you when you are older; and don’t mention this to Fafnir or you will be punished,” Mom replied with one of her terrifying smiles, “so why don’t you let Azazel show you around so you can choose where your new lair will be.”

            “Yes mom,” I quickly replied now wanting to draw her ire. I started to move towards the cavern that the little Azazel entered

            “I’m ready.” Azazel squealed as she ran out of the cavern straight towards me. It only took a few seconds before she had launched herself into the air and, despite all expectations, landed softly on my back.

            “Let’s go to the lake,” she happily declared as she pointed toward the front of the cavern.

            We left the lair and Azazel guided us towards a crystal clear lake hidden under the canopy. I guided us through a break in the canopy and landed right at the edge of the water. It didn’t take long before Azazel launched herself from my back and landed in the lake with a loud splash.

            “Come in it is nice and cool.” The Azazel shouted after surfacing.

            I watched the wyrmling play in the lake for a few minutes before I decided to join the fun.

            We played for over an hour when i saw Fafnir land right outside the lake. “So this is where you were,” he chuckled, “let me guess azazel talked you into going for a swim?”

            “yes, the little wyrmling insisted that she show me the lake and before I knew it she jumped in.” I replied as I exited the lake.

            “I see, so where are you sleeping tonight?” Fafnir asked

            “I am going home with my mother soon.” I tentatively replied wondering where this was going.

            “Well oh mighty mama dragon left to go deal with ‘Mortal problems’ about an hour ago and I was told to help you make a lair.” he gruffly replied  

            “Why would mom leave me here?” I asked myself and then everything clicked, “she left me here to be with Fafnir.” I took a deep breath and looked at Fafnir, “do you mind if I stay at your lair until I make my own?”

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

as this is not PR i know that there are a few errors hiding in there so let me know what you think and comment.