Yggdrasil Fallen, LitRPG Series
Book 1, Part 2: Obsidian
Chapter 37: Broodmother
Jeff found himself staring down what he could only describe as the veritable depiction of a dragon that covered the books Andre had kept haphazardly spread around his apartment like an offering to an attention deficit super nerd god. Large glimmering red scales covered its backside, violently split by deep crimson, almost bloody spines that ran from its wicked clubbed tail, up its backside to wrap around its head looking like a gore covered crown of thorns. It stood on its haunches, back high and wide leathery wings spread threateningly as large, slitted reptilian eyes stared down at him menacingly. Despite the threatening pose, Jeff noted to himself that the creature had exposed its supposedly soft, silvery-pink underbelly to him. It opened its mouth exposing a terrifying array of jagged teeth, more resembling shattered short swords than any teeth he’d seen before. An acrid stench of rotten meat blasted through the cavern as the creature began to speak in a rather disturbing manner: its mouth agape like a confused turkey staring into a rainstorm, rather than the way Jeff had thought of as standard; like how he and “Dreki” spoke.
“Flame tossing wiseman you say, little guardsman. Why would you see fit to deign such a prestigious title upon a creature so frail and soft… so young as this one?” It rumbled in a surprisingly feminine growl
“He throw big fire, turn brother Caldros to ash. So says my sniffer.” Dreki answered, poking his nose with a long taloned finger while casting a sidelong glance at Jeff; who returned the look, stunned at the creatures words.
“…What.The.Actual.Fuck. I don’t remember having that conversation with him… and if he knew, why the hell would he ask me about it… is this dumbass brute smarter than he lets on?” Jeff thought to himself, while dismissing the ball of flame he’d been playing with.
“I see, while I do sense a strength of Blaze from him. It is nowhere near powerful enough to reduce one of our casters to ashes, as you say. Little creature, are the words spoken by my child the truth? Did you return one of mine to the eternal brazier?” She rumbled, her gaze unbreaking from Jeffs.
“Well, if you’re talking about that mother fucker I blasted so hard only his legs remained… I guess, yeah. I torched his ass straight back to the “Brazier” or whatever you’re talking about.” Jeff casually replied, sparking an intensely curious anger in the dragon’s eyes.
“It is not wise to be so disrespectful of the fallen, little one. Especially when it was one of MY children you casually slew.” She replied, her voice starting as a low growl, building to a loud angry roar. Her wings flexed, flashing forwards creating wind so forceful Jeff found himself struggling to maintain his casual footing.
“Yeah, Yeah. I get it: You’re big, tough and could probably crunch me like a blood and gore filled dog treat. Arf Arf. Bitch, could be a high quality bite.” Jeff shot back at the beast as the wind settled, allowing his cloak to once again restore his modesty.
“But, hey. If you’re not gonna do that, how about some fucking pants? Maybe a shirt and shoes? Dunno what the hell happened to my clothes, but I’m gettin really sick of walkin around with my dangle bouncing about like an over enthused ferret searchin fer something to eat.” He continued, his eyes not breaking the deadlocked gaze with the house sized, scaled beast. The dragon, if it were possible appeared stunned into silence; going so far as to sink down to all fours and folding its wings tightly across its back. The silence held between them for a long time, both searching each other’s faces for the slightest twinge, slightest break: a weakness to allow the other to riposte. Finally, the dragon spoke, its growling, feminine voice far softer and kinder than before.
“You, small beast are quite the bold one. A mere mouse scolding a tiger. You are correct: you would likely make the tastiest morsel of a snack, but if you’ve truly been blessed by my mistress as I believe I sense. It would not end well for me or my brood. Guardsman, please go and search our stores, see if we have any garments that would suit our visitor as he and I continue our discussions.” She spoke to “Dreki”, who offered Jeff a sidelong almost… sly grin before he nodded his head.
“Yes big broodmother, I go search supplies… see what fit little wiseman.” He replied, before turning and lumbering down the tunnel, out of the chamber and out of sight.
“I’m not sure about that one. His language skills are greatly lacking, but from what I’ve seen he has better judgement and skill than a vast majority of his broodmates. It’s a shame he turned out so large, with some proper training and education he might have made a decent caster.” The creature grumbled to herself before returning to Jeff.
“Now, little one. I believe its time to put grandstanding aside and have ourselves some proper introductions.” She said as her claws dug into the stonework beneath her feet, leaving deep rents in their wake.
“Uh, riiiiiight… well. I’m Jeff. No clue how I ended up here: one minute I’m swimming in a nice thermal pool and relaxing by some falls with my girlfriend. Next thing I know I’m melting through the rockface like some freaky sentient slime mold only to pass out. When I awoke, I found myself chained up like a gigolo conscripted into a sadists den of iniquities. There I met some glowing tattooed broad that called herself “Cinteras” who yammered on about some shit about ascended and seals or something like that. When she finally stopped talking, she “marked” me or whatever. Shit, that was rough… Anyways, I passed out like a panzy ass again and awoke with some freak deaky “powers”. Regardless, I’m pretty damn sure this is some insane hallucination brought on by some awesome fungi growing on that thermal springs rock wall and I’m just gonna wake up to Trin freaking out over me. Damn… an ice-cold beer sounds incredible, hopefully this trip ends soon so we can get back to the bar… hopefully the sun hasn’t set yet; could make a rough trip back to the trailhead.” Jeff rambled, the floodgates having finally opened. The drakes large unblinking eyes stared down at Jeff betraying any semblance of emotion for a long moment before dropping her jaw, issuing another blast of hot air that rank of fetid meat as she began to speak:
“I see, that is quite the tale you tell. If your words are true, then it would seem you were blessed in a meeting with our patron saint. We Salamen revere Cinteras as though she were the very matriarch of our entire brood and frequently offer prayer and sacrifices for her good graces. While our meager offerings very rarely bear fruit, there is the occasional hatching born with an innate aptitude for the conjuration and control of flames. I, myself have been quite blessed in those regards, to the point my flames have yet to be matched.” She paused, eying him hungrily before continuing:
“Little creature, do you think you harness the strength of soul to match my power? Do you have the guile to leave my nest with your lifeblood intact? Or shall I just consume your very essence to nourish my next clutch?” She finished with a draconic chuckle.
“Uh, sure thing. That sounds like a whole heapin load of fuckin fun. But ya know, usually before I let some heinously nasty ass dog breathed bitch deep throat me, I usually at least give em the courtesy of giving me their name.” Jeff replied, unshaken by the unveiled threat. The dragon set back on its haunches, muscles tensing, visibly taken aback by his nonchalance. The resumed their visual repartee, both refusing to break the frigid eye lock. She finally relented, looking to the cavern floor:
“I do suppose, that if my mistress has deigned you worthy of her blessing the very least I can do is offer my name. But do know that in circles such as mine, names are power and as such they are very rarely, if ever uttered in improper company. As such, my kind are even more rarely ever named; as those granted names are often ushered into the upper echelons of our hierarchy. While your kind names everyone and everything they encounter. We find and hold them sacred. That being said: find honor in the gift I am about to bestow upon you: I have been named Alessandras, high drake queen and Salamen brood mother.” She spoke first puffing her chest out with pride, swiftly followed by a slight proffered dip of her head as though she were bowing to Jeff.
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“Well, alrighty then. Can I call ya Allie? Seems that might make things much easier… you know, shortening that long ass name.” Jeff casually replied, eliciting a dark glower from the drake. Jeff’s stomach gurgled loudly, echoing off, breaking the silence that had fallen between, a look of surprised bewilderment playing across Alessandras’ face.
“First you apply insult to my given name, then you have the gall to growl at me in such a strange manner? Little creature, you are quite the bold one.” She started.
“Naw lady, I’m fucking starving. That was my stomach reminding me I haven’t had anything to eat since breakfast… which now that I think about it musta been a really long time ago. You got anything edible… or do you all just eat rats, groundhogs or what ever has the misfortune to burrow into this literal hellscape? And, just so you know. I wasn’t insulting your name, I was just asking if you’d be cool with me shortening it, giving ya a nickname.” Jeff cut her off, earning him another angry drakenoid glare.
“I think I understand, little one. So long as you bear no intended insult by it, you may call me “Allie”. As to your other problem, we Salamen prefer to consume our prey alive, flush with life essences. Feeding in this manner is not only thrilling, but we gain greater nourishment from them. I do not know what you require to feed upon, but I shall see what my servants can do.” She replied before issuing a bone rattling roar. Before the reverberating echoes of her call had a chance to fade four diminutive figures, which greatly resembled bipedal salamanders dressed as white veiled nuns quickly ushered themselves into the room from a narrow crack in the wall just to the right of where Allie sat. One of them stepped to the forefront and in a very soft, yet shrill childlike voice spoke:
“You summoned us my lady?”
“Of course, Sylan, have our hunters returned successfully or are they still on the prowl?” Allie asked the proportionally tiny creature, with a slight edge of annoyance.
“They have returned just a little while ago and have been penning the magma boars they subdued. One of the new hunters made the mistake of subduing an adolescent with excess force and we do not expect it to survive to feeding time. We have thought to leave it in the hatchery for when the new younglings arrive, but wished to confer with council before we made any action.” The creature spoke with a smooth eloquence that surprised Jeff.
“Huh, I guess there are more of these monsters capable of clear thought and communication and thought than I’d originally figured. Seems like Dreki and perhaps others like him are the only ones dumber than a crusty sack of nickels.” Jeff thought to himself.
“No, please end wounded beasts’ misery, remove its head, entrails and hide for our alchemists and bring the remains to my chamber. We have a guest who requires sustenance.” Allies voice cut through the room, interrupting his thoughts. With a deep bow the small Salamen responded:
“As you wish my lady, we will see it done in an expedited manner. Is there anything else you require of us?” Eying Jeff curiously, Allie spoke:
“Bring us a cask of the Gaaljan spirit we acquired in our raid last week, I would wager our guest might need something to wash down his meal.”
“Of course, right away my lady.” All four of the creatures bowed and quickly retreated through the crevice, once again leaving Jeff and Allie alone, her golden eyes locked on him.
“I must say little creature, I find that shroud of yours to be quite fascinating. With my sight I can see it is entirely composed of compressed Blaze energy, yet it does not seem to cause you any harm. Are you perhaps immune to the effects of fire?” She asked.
“So, you know when I said that I woke up with some freaky abilities? Yeah, this is one of em. It supposedly enhances the potency of my “Blaze” “Aspected” abilities, but I haven’t really had a chance to test it out… I only summoned it to try and cover myself up when I realized I was struck dumb and naked, walking down your razor walled tunnels. I’m not even sure if it offers me any kind of protection. It is kinda wicked looking though.” Jeff replied, lifting his arms causing the cloak to billow around him like a freshly stoked smokeless fire.
“I see. Well, that is quite the impressive spell you cast upon yourself. Is it a permanent fixture like a summoned item, or a magical effect?” she asked with a bit of thought.
“You know, that’s a damn good question. I hadn’t even thought to look!” He responded, triggering another deeply quizzical look from Allie. With a thought Jeff opened his menus and toggled to his character interface where he saw that the only filled equipment slot was the right head weapon which currently showed “Salamen’s Reinforced Scimitar” as being equipped. Though, as he gazed at his slowly spinning naked form he realized his Magma Cloak appeared as faint shimmering outline across his shoulders and down his back.
“Huh, that’s kinda really fucking cool… though why does it show the scimitar as equipped when its sitting in my inventory…?” Jeff murmured to himself as he closed out the interface.
“What is it you see little creature?” Allie asked.
“What do you mean?” He replied
“Your eyes, they began to glow much like our visionaries when a trance sets upon them. I’d thought you may be experiencing something similar… and your words that followed betrayed a sight unseen.” She answered.
“Oh, that… I was uh… checking something.” He said, feeling himself blush as he lied through his teeth, not wanting to reveal all his secrets to a creature he still wasn’t sure as to whether he would be a meal or friend to.
“I see.” She said, her eyes narrowing in suspicion, until just the horizontal pupils were visible. Jeff shrugged:
“Look, I’m still trying to wrap my head around all this shit. Theres so much hammering through my skull right now I barely have a tenuous grasp, much less any kind of actual understanding of what the fuck is going on. Like I said before: I don’t even know if any of this shit is real, could be a really fucking insane dream triggered by some epically wicked fungus. Fuck, I can’t even remember if I said that aloud earlier or if I just thought it. My fucking head feels like its about to explode like a gory 4th of July firework splattering my brain, blood and skull bits around your chamber for a deranged easter egg hunt at the Dahmer house.” Jeff verbally vomited with such force he found himself out of breath with tears streaming down his face by the end, once again leaving Allies eyes wide with surprise.
“Listen little one, I was merely asking out of concern. When our visionaries have a trance forced upon them, they are left catatonic for days after and if you were the same, I would find myself relatively unable to care for you. Calm yourself and prepare for food and drink. I hear my attendants approaching.” Jeff found himself stunned not only by her calm, gentle words but also by his out of character emotional outburst. She had spoken softly, almost caringly and as though her words were a summoning incantation the four attendants reappeared from the crevice one of them carrying a large wooden barrel, another carrying a large leather package and the last 2 toting the slick red carcass of a creature jeff assumed to be the cleaned magma boar, despite it being bigger than the largest bull jeff had ever seen.
“We have returned as commanded mistress. We brought the trappings of a shared meal, not knowing if you would be joining our guest.” The Salamen Jeff recognized as Sylan spoke to Allie. Gazing from Sylan to Jeff Alessandras answered:
“This form would be rather inconvenient to engage in such a meal, aside from the fact I had my weekly feast just yesterday. I will just accompany our guest in this affair.”
“Very well my lady.” Sylan answered as she moved to a wide-open space between Allie and Jeff and began opening the leather bundle, revealing it to be an overlarge piece of material that laid out like a picnic blanket on the cavern floor. From within she pulled out a bowl sized bone goblet, and a black stone knife that looked like it had been wrested from the very walls of the cavern itself.
“I apologize my lady, we only brought a single cask of the Gaaljan’s spirit, if I’d known you’d maintain that form for this meal, I’d have insisted upon a second or third to slake your mighty thirst.” Sylan began to speak, before being abruptly silenced by a deep rumble and angry sidelong glare from Alessandras.
“If I’d wanted as such, I would have requested it whelp. Remember your place and mind your words in the presence of strange guests. Some conversations are best left when better acquaintances are met.” Allie spoke in such a harsh, guttural tone Jeff found himself flatfooted, imbalanced at her sudden change from the almost softhearted beast she’d been only moments before. Sylan contritely bowed her head:
“Sincerest apologies my lady, I spoke of sensitive matters out of turn and am deeply remorseful of the disgrace. Do you wish to usher me back to the great brazier so that I may be reborn a better daughter?”
“And yet you highlight the point.” Alessandras growled
“You are forgiven this time, but do not let it happen again.” She finished.
“Thank you, my lady.” Sylan spoke, her bow deepening. She turned and picked up a large, flat surfaced boulder with what appeared to be shocking ease and placed it on the corner of the leather “picnic blanket”. The Salamen carrying the large cask placed it on the rock, cork up and plucked said cork out, replacing it with a blackened steel spigot and set it upright with the nozzle down. The two carrying the slick, bloody carcass walked over and laid it out across the smooth leather, rivulets of blood running off the edge as the carcass covered the entirety of the mat. With another deep bow all four of the servants quickly left the chamber.
“So… uh… how am I supposed to cook this thing…? Jeff asked, stuttering slightly, not wanting to offend Allies hospitality. She cocked her head to one side, and gazed at him curiously:
“What do you mean by “cook it”?” She asked, confusion tinging her voice. Staring at the massive, bloody raw, freshly butchered carcass with dread filling the pit of his stomach Jeff thought to himself:
“I guess its time to get a bit creative. Talk about “Hell’s Kitchen”.
“Ha ha ha, you’ve got a strange sense of humor! I quite enjoy it; we should get along famously!” A new voice spoke enthusiastically, directly into his mind as Jeff noticed a small flashing orange dot appear in the periphery of his vision.