fandomania | The Adventure continues... (Reply)

It is very dark in the tunnel. It takes us quite a few minutes for our eyes to adjust to it. However, our little black hatchling volunteers to lead us and warn us of any hazards on the way.

After what seemed like endless twists and turns, we finally get to the main chamber. It isn't as dark in there and it is nice and warm. We stand for a few minutes drinking in the warmth, while I look around for the other tunnel that Jasper told me of. It wasn't until I walked into the center of the chamber when I saw it. It was to the right of Jasper's hoard. When my children and hatchlings are ready to move again, I stoop down and take a dozen gold coins from the huge pile. That would be enough to cover any supplies we would need for our journey.

"STOP!!! HOW DARE YOU STEAL FROM US!!!! THIEF!!!! BURGLAR!!! HUMAN!!!"

"I am sorry, Alabaster, but Jasper gave me permission to take some of his gold."

"WHAT? I AM SURE HE DID NO SUCH THING!!! WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?"

"Your name is Alabaster Hardstone. And Jasper did give me permission. Ask him."

There was a few minutes of silence in which she communicated with her mate. All the while, she continued to look at me, her stare going from hostility to great surprise.

"SO YOU ARE HER! THE ONE WHO CAN COMMUNICATE WITH ALL OF DRAGONKIND. THE ONE WHO WILL SAVE ALL OF DRAGONKIND."

"I don't know what you are talking about. I am just an ordinary woman trying to raise my family just as you are trying."

"YEAH, RIGHT. AND I AM GOLDEN QUEEN OF THE ENTIRE REALM... ORDINARY WOMAN... HUH. OKAY, ORDINARY WOMAN, PLEASE TAKE MORE GOLD. I HAVE A FEELING YOU ARE GOING TO NEED IT." She took a mouthful of gold coins and thrust them on to me.

She then walked over to the warming sands and nudged a large green egg towards me. With that she simply said, "THIS IS MY LAST LAID EGG. PLEASE TAKE IT. IT WOULD BE AN HONOR FOR ONE OF MY CHILDREN TO SERVE YOU AND HELP YOU ALONG YOUR PATH."

Our Hatchlings:

¤

Our Eggs:

"You do me too much honor. But I will not insult you by refusing your generosity. I cannot deny that the gold will come in handy. I will raise your egg as best as I can and make sure that he or she will bring honor and glory to your family."

"I WOULD NOT HAVE ENTRUSTED MY CHILD TO YOU, IF I THOUGHT OTHERWISE."

"Thank you! May your cave always be warm and safe."

"NO, THANK YOU! MAY YOUR JOURNEY BE EASY AND QUICK."

With that, we bowed to each other. My children and I gathered up our burdens and herded our scattered hatchlings. With our black hatchling back in the lead, we entered the next tunnel.