Twisted: Chapter four

Ling looked up at the palace almost sickened.  Apparently in this world (or whatever it was) Browin wasn’t the elder of the West.  Instead he was the elder of the Northwest.  Which was very off-putting to her.  She wondered if Val and Zek were the leaders of their areas still or if there were different elders.  A part of her also wondered where Kana and Kyler were…

She took a deep breath before making her way for the doors.  She’d left Lyf back in the hut with the woman to watch and made the day and a half journey to the Northwest on her own.  As uncomfortable as she was leaving her drackling behind, she couldn’t bring her there.  Lyf was still hurt and the last thing Ling wanted was to have her child be in danger.  She trusted the woman enough.  She just hoped she was making the right choice.

Besides, if Browin was different, she didn’t want Lyf to see him. 

Carefully, she went to the doors where two very large muscular male dragons stood.  They narrowed their eyes at her, and one even bared its fangs.  “Who dares enter on our territory?”  He hissed. 

Ling stayed calm and collected.  “I am Ling.  A visitor from the far East.  I wish to speak to the elder in this tower.”  Jeez she was tired.  Since their accident, she’d barely slept more than a few hours.  Her body was still sore, she was hungry from not being able to stomach anything, and she was constantly worrying about Lyf.  She had to appear stronger than she was, and pray a fight didn’t come about.

The dragon guards both raised eyebrows and looked at one another before looking back at her.  “And what purpose do you have speaking with the elder?”  The other one asked snorting.

“A proposition,” Ling said with a tiny smirk.  “But it is for his ears only.  A way to expand his land.  Surely an earth dragon would like to have more dirt under his claws.”

The dragons once again looked at one another but nodding, “very well.  You may enter.  But he might not want to talk to you,” the first one said matter-of-factly.

“Somehow, I get the feeling he will,” Ling said walking past them.  Even if she wasn’t technically an elder here, she still radiated power and dignity.  She had too much at stake right now and she wasn’t about to blow it.

She entered the tower and looked around.  Rocks.  Rocks everywhere.  And dirt.  She wrinkled her nose.  It reminded her of how his room back home use to be before she moved in and cleaned it up.  She started to look around, trying to find any sign of the old Browin but honestly there wasn’t much to go off. 

It was strange to her how quiet it was.  Browin wasn’t typically a loud dragon but she still expected something.  Then again it was still early in the day.  He was probably still sleeping.  And as much of a hurry as she was, Ling knew better than to disturb him.  Maybe that’s why the guards let her in so easily.  They were counting on her waking him and having him rip her apart.  She wasn’t about to let that happen though.

Being use to his brooding attitude in the early hours, Ling made her way to the kitchen to get something to drink.  Some tea to calm her nerves would be nice.  As soon as she walked in however, she was greeted by a familiar face.  “Dill?”  She asked stunned.

The overly fluffy cat turned and looked at her, flicking his tail impatiently.  He frowned and raised an eyebrow, “who the hell are you?”  He asked in a huff.

She almost sighed in relief.  Same old Dill.  She smiled and bowed politely to him, “my name is Ling.  I traveled here from the far East and would like to speak to the elder who resides here.  But I understand he does not like being awoken.  I was going to make myself some tea and perhaps a snack.  Would you like me to make you something?”

The cat seemed surprised, flicking his tail some more.  “What would you make for me?”  He asked thoughtfully.

Ling just smiled, “I thought to make you some jasmine tea with extra heavy cream so that it’s more like milk with an after taste of tea.  Would you like that?”  She asked.

The cat perked up right away but quickly caught himself and tried to play it off like he didn’t care.  “I guess that’d be alright,” he said shrugging.  Ling laughed softly and went into the cupboards, starting to get out what she would need.  For a brief second, it reminded her of being back home.  She loved being in a kitchen, even if she didn’t get to do it often.  That wasn’t her area of expertise. 

It didn’t take long for her to make them their tea and like she promised, she gave the cat extra cream in his.  He sat there, happily drinking it.  She even thought she heard him purr a few times.  She said nothing as she sat and waited, checking the clock every now and again.  He should be up soon.

“You hurt?”  Dill asked breaking the silence.

Ling looked over at him, noticing he was eyeing the bandage on her right shoulder.  Shyly, she rubbed at the wound, “it’s nothing.  Just a scratch,” she said.  And it was just a scratch.  “I was attacked while flying.  It’s nothing to worry about.”

“Huh,” Dill said thoughtfully, drinking some more of his tea.  “Ya know, Bro is good with medicine.  Bet he could fix you right up if you wanted.”

Ling smiled weakly, looking down at her teacup, staring back at her own reflection.  “I’m sure he can fix all sorts of things…”

Twisted: Chapter three

Ling leaned down and gave Lyf a kiss on the forehead.  She smiled weakly and gently pet her daughter as she slept.  As soon as they arrived to the human’s hut outside of the city, she got to work making medicines.  She gave Lyf the first batch, cleaning her wounds and bandaging her up.  Then she tucked her into bed and did her own.  Now she was sitting contently by her bedside, watching her sleep. 

She still had no idea what was happening her.  She remembered flying.  She remembered being hit.  But then what?  Where was she?  And what happened to the city?

“I trust you’re feeling better?”  A kind older woman’s voice said. 

Ling looked over with a tiny smile and nodded, “yes.  Thank you.”

“My son tells me you claim to be the dragon elder of the East,” she said going over, sitting in a chair by the wall.  “I’ve never heard of such things.”

Ling’s smile melted away.  She thought maybe he was just crazy but for two of them to claim the same thing…  “Maybe not,” she said softly.  “But I speak the truth.  My name is Ling.  I’ve been a dragon elder for a long time now.  My daughter and I were performing blessings in the East when we were attacked.”  She explained shifting uncomfortably.  “I thought I’d found our way home but I fear I was wrong.”

“And why do you think that?”  The woman asked.

Ling frowned deeper, “because my home is not like this.  My home- our home- is a beautiful thriving city.  Humans live peacefully with one another and in the center is the tower of elders.  The dragon elders and myself live there and help humans from all over.  When we left a few days ago, everything was fine.  But this…  This city…  It’s not ours.  It can’t be.  It’s impossible.”

The woman frowned and stared at her for a while.  “You said you were attacked?  What did it?”

Ling shook her head, “I don’t know.  It came out of nowhere.  I didn’t sense it.  Didn’t see anything.  It just hit me and we fell.”  She recalled the accident again but this time there was a jolt of something new to the flashback.  “Actually,” she said softly, “I believe I recall a light.  A red light.  Right before we were hit.”

The woman’s frown only grew more concerned, “so you were hit by red light and then woke to find an unfamiliar world?”

Ling wasn’t sure if those were the words she would use but she slowly nodded anyway, “yes…  I suppose one could say that.”

The woman stared for a moment then let out a long sigh.  “I fear, perhaps, you were hit with a spell.”  She said standing up.

“A spell?”  Ling asked frowning.  “I don’t understand how you mean.”

The woman shook her head, “in my youth I was an apprentice to a wizard.  I was never any good at it so I retired within a few weeks,” she explained.  “But there was a spell I remembered reading about.  A spell that bended reality.”  Ling just stared in disbelief, which made the woman chuckle.  “I understand it sounds impossible.  Give me time to explain. 

“This spell I read about explained that a red flash of light would turn back time and alter things.  Now what exactly it altered varied.  But regardless, it would change things enough to change everything.  Like a ripple in a pond, all it takes is the tiniest of pebbles to create an affect.”

Ling was never big into spells.  She didn’t think something like that could exist.  “If what you’re saying is true,” she said softly, “someone cast a spell on me.  But why?  I never did anything to deserve that.”

“I do not know this answer,” the woman said.  “All I know is that if it is a spell, there is few things you can do to change it back.  Depending on the type of spell and who cast it, you may or may not return to your original world.”

Ling’s heart sank but she took everything the woman said with a grain of salt.  She straightened up, “I need to speak to my mate.”  She said sternly.  “He…  He can help me figure this out.  As I am right now, I can’t do this.  I don’t know this world and if anyone can find an answer, it would be him.”

The woman took a long breath in and out before nodding, “do you know your mate still exists in this world?”

“I don’t,” Ling said softly, “but our bond is stronger than magic.  I feel his presence still.  He is here.  Somewhere…”

“Then I will do what I can to help you,” the woman said with a weak smile.

Ling smiled back before raising an eyebrow, “why though?  What do you have to gain from this?”

The woman sighed and waved a hand, “have you looked around?  If there is a way of turning this great?  I would do anything…  While this spell may have only been aimed at you, the ripples have affected everything.  If I can give you a location or a loaf of bread to aid you on your journey, it is a small price to pay at the hope of turning things better.”

Ling smiled once more.  This woman was kind.  She would have to remember her when she went back.  “Then please.  I need to find him.  The dragon Elder of the West.  Browin.”

Twisted: Chapter two

Ling’s eyes were wide in both terror and confusion.  She’d followed the trail, she’d found the way, but this…  This wasn’t right.  She held Lyf closer against her, trying to keep her from seeing it.  Not that it mattered, Lyf was mostly asleep now anyways.

She’d found the city.  Or rather what was left of the city.  Where once stood a vast and great civilization now housed nothing but rubble.  Buildings were in pieces everywhere.  The remains of their home littered the streets.  Cautiously, she made her way towards the center, to where their tower was.  Her feet crunched as she walked over broken brick and bones. 

What the hell happened?!

She thought maybe, somehow, a war had broken out when she was gone.  But then why did it all look so worn?  Like a battle happened long ago and no one bothered to clean up the mess.  And if a war had started, why had no one sent for her? 

Lyf groaned in her arms, still trying to stay completely awake.  She was hungry and hurt and Ling knew she had to get her medicine before something bad happened. 

Tromping through the debris, her footsteps were the only sounds as far as she could tell.  Now the tears were back and this time she wasn’t sure if she could stop them from spilling.  She kept going until she finally made it to the center.  Her heart stopped and her body went cold and numb.

There was nothing.

While the rest of the city was a wreck, the center was unharmed.  Just a big patch of dirt and overgrowth.  No stone to even prove there had once stood a big peaceful tower.  Where was their home?  Their palace?  And then another thought raced through her mind. 

Where were the others?

She tried not to freak out, not wanting to scare her drackling as she frantically looked around.  This wasn’t right.  She had to be mixed up.  Maybe she'd turned in the wrong direction.  This wasn’t their city.  This wasn’t their tower. 

And then another sound was heard.  She froze and perked up trying to catch it again.  The faint sound of someone else walking in the rubble.  “H-hello?”  She called looking around, pulling Lyf closer.  She prayed it wasn’t whatever did this.  “Show yourself!”  She shouted with a hint of growl.

Slowly a human male emerged from behind a broken wall.  He looked shocked to see her.  Ling could have sworn she recognized the human.  A regular in their city perhaps?  She didn’t know the name if it was.  “Who are you?”  She barked at him, baring her fangs protectively.  She wasn’t normally this brutish but she was on the defense; especially with how confused and wounded she was. 

The human looked Ling up and down then glanced at Lyf before taking a cautious step forward.  “Dragon?”  He asked as though in disbelief.  “Where did you come from?”

“Never mind that,” Ling snapped frowning, “who are you?  What’s happened here?”

The human quirked an eyebrow, “what’s happened here?  This city was destroyed hundreds of years ago.  Where did you come from?”

Ling avoided the question, shocked at what they were saying.  “The central city.  Where is it?"

The human just kept staring, "central city?  You mean the city that meets between each realm?  This was it long ago.  But as you can see, it's not anymore."

Ling choked back some more tears, shaking her head.  He was wrong.  "The tower.  Where is the tower?  And the elders?  What happened to the dragon elders that were living here?” 

The human seemed more confused at that.  “Dragon…  Elders?  As in more than one in the same place?”  He let out a soft laugh.  “You must not be from around here.  Dragon elders do not associate with one another.  They stay to their territory.  You should know that.  You’re a dragon too.”

Ling frowned.  The dragon elders didn’t live together?  How did anything get done?  What the hell happened?  “I am not just a dragon,” Ling said standing proudly, which was not an easy thing to do.  “I am the dragon elder of the East.  And what ever happened here…  I was in an accident and am turned around.  Enough games.  Tell me where the inner city is where the elders live together.”

The guy looked at her like she was crazy.  “Elder of the East?”  He asked cocking her head, “there is no East.  There is the Northwest, south and Northeast.  The three realms are ruled by the three elders.”

Three elders?  Ling stared at him dumbfounded.  This was a mistake.  He must be confused.  There was no Northwest or Northeast.  There were the four realms and she was ruler over one of them.  This human was wrong.  He clearly wasn’t right in the head. 

To avoid anymore arguing, she just shook her head looking down at Lyf, “do you live nearby?  My young one needs medicine.”  She said looking back at him, “please.  I don’t have much but you are welcome to anything I have.”

He looked hesitant to let such a crazy beast into his home but slowly he nodded, “this way then.  And don’t even think of eating me.”

Twisted: Chapter one

Ling groaned and forced her eyes to open.  Trees overhead formed a canopy above her but there was a large dragon-sized hole amidst them where she’d no doubt fallen.  She winced and slowly sat up, her body aching in all the wrong places as she looked around. 

Where the hell was she?  The forest was calm and silent, not even a bug was making noise.  It was eerie.  She tried to piece together what had happened as she took a look over herself.  Nothing appeared broken, just very very sore.  She had several cuts and bruises but again nothing appeared any worse than that.  Dragons were typically durable though.  She was surprised the scent of blood in the air hadn’t attracted any sort of animal.  Then again, no animal would dare go near a dragonell and her young.

Ling’s eyes suddenly snapped open wide as she realized Lyf wasn’t with her.  Flashbacks seemed to hit her all at once.  They had been flying towards home to take a short break from their blessings when something hit them out of nowhere.  And it had hit hard.  Ling remembered letting out a painful screech as she plummeted to the ground below.  She also remembered her young one screaming and clinging to her for dear life.  But where was she now?

“L…  Lyf?”  Ling choked out frantically looking around.  The drackling didn’t appear to be in the place she was.  “Lyf?!”  She screamed louder as she stumbled to her feet.  Her muscles sent a wave of pain through her body and she let out a loud groan as she tried to gain her balance.  Maybe she’d broken something after all…

None of that mattered now.  She had to find Lyf.  “Itty bitty…  Lyf!”  Ling screamed again, her voice echoing in the trees.  A few birds fluttered overhead, fleeing from the area.  She felt tears welding up in her eyes as she took a wobbly step forward.  She tried to sniff out the child or even sense her aura but it seemed no use. 

“LYF!!” 

“Mommar…”  A teeny tiny voice said in silence.  Ling tensed, her heart skipping a beat as she spun around.  Nothing. 

“Lyf?  Lyf, where are you?!” 

“Mommar…  Up…” 

Ling whipped her head up towards the canopy.  At first she didn’t see anything, then there was a rustle as a tiny hand waved at her.  Lyf was lying down on a patch of leaves, nested between a couple branches.  She had some blood smeared on her forehead and a couple other cuts from what Ling could tell, but she was alive. 

“Lyf…”  Ling breathed, making her way under her daughter.  She was a good twenty feet or so up in the air but it could have been a lot worse.  Chances were the leaves cushioned her fall.  She smiled weakly, holding out her arms.  “Itty bitty one, can you fall down?  Mommar will catch you.  Promise.”

Lyf hesitated before slowly sitting up.  The tree branches buckled under her weight as a few leaves fell.  She was clearly sore like Ling was.  She panted softly, moving over to the edge of the nest before falling down.  Normally she was terrified of heights but right now she was still too dizzy and in shock to care.

Ling opened her arms wider and caught the girl, falling backwards in the brush.  She let out a pained yelp but held Lyf close.  She didn’t care about herself right now; she just wanted to make sure she was okay.  “Lyf, you need to stay awake, okay?”  She said gently petting her daughter’s head.  There was a little open gash on top but it didn’t look serious.  She still didn’t want to risk anything though in case she had a concussion. 

Lyf whimpered softly as Ling continued her check.  Even with her tan skin, you could see the purple spots of bruises along her body but, like Ling, she didn’t seem to be broken anywhere.  When she’d made sure everything was more or less all right, she gave her daughter a kiss on the forehead gently.  “Oh little one…  Mommar was so scared,” she whispered.

Lyf hiccupped before she started to cry softly, clinging to her mother.  “M-mommar…”  She whined which just about broke Ling’s heart.  How could she allow this to happen?  She didn’t feel anything.  Didn’t see anything.  And they'd been attack.  Lyf could have been killed because of her!  Angrily, she rubbed her eyes to avoid crying also.  There was no use in shedding tears and scaring the drackling.  They were alive and that’s all that mattered.

“Shh, Lyf, it’s okay,” she said kissing her some more, rocking back and forth.  Lyf continued to sob lightly as Ling looked around again.  They were in a forest but she wasn’t sure which one.  They’d been heading home when they were attacked.  And judging by the lack of light, it was probably sunset up above.  She wanted to fly up and see which direction they were facing but she didn't think she could muster the strength to transform. 

She continued to rock the young dragonell until she’d finally stopped crying.  It was odd.  If they were in their forest, that meant they were close to the city.  But Ling didn’t smell anything.  She didn’t smell humans or other animals and she certainly didn’t sense the other dragons.  Maybe the fall had taken more out of her than she thought. 

She kissed Lyf’s forehead again, wiping the blood off before slowly standing.  Lyf whimpered again and Ling winced as she looked in one direction.  The trees were shaded but she could still see the moss growing slightly more to one side.  “Okay…  We should go this way,” she said turning.  “If I’m correct, the city will be there.”  She said giving Lyf a weak smile.

“Hold on a little longer itty bitty one.  We’ll go home and get you all cleaned up.  Daddar will take care of us,” she said cradling the child as she started to make her way out.

Photo: Pre-Teen Lyf

Mommar, Daddar, to the rescue!

The scream echoed through the tower and penetrated all the rooms.  When Kyler heard it, he turned his head in the direction it came from and walked into a wall.  When Zek heard it, he raised an eyebrow curiously but didn’t move from his position.  When Val heard it, he was curious but knew it didn’t concern him. 

But when Browen and Ling heard it, they both immediately dropped everything and rushed to the source.

They met at the same time, entering the room at full force.  Ling was tense and fighting to keep her dragon contained inside, though it stayed on the surface waiting to be called out.  Browen’s usually gentle eyes were on fire, claws out, ready to destroy anyone who dared mean them harm.

They expected to find an intruder, a robber, a thief, something like that but instead they just saw their toddler of a dragonell standing up on her bed, screaming like a banshee.  She was gripping the baseboard so tight her knuckles practically matched her colorless eyes, her tail tucked under her dress.  She didn’t even look at her parents as she screamed again, staring down at her wooden toys.

Both Browen and Ling forced themselves to relax.  Taking a deep breath, Ling walked over to the drackling, sitting on the edge of the bed, pulling her onto her lap.  “Itty bitty one,” she said petting her softly as the child whimpered.  “What’s wrong?”

“Mommar!  There’s a monster!”  Lyf screeched, clinging to her mother tightly.  Browen sighed and looked around wondering where Kana had run off. 

“There is no such thing as monsters,” Browen said in a soft but stern voice.  That wasn’t entirely true.  There were ‘monsters’ out there but none she should be afraid of; and none of which were in the room currently.  He started to pick up her toys, to which she screamed (a little softer this time), pointing at the tipped over train.

“Daddar no!  It’ll get you!!”  Her eyes were wide in terror. 

Browen raised an eyebrow and looked at the train, slowly picking it up.  Lyf pulled at her mother’s hair, trying to hide in it.  Ling winced but didn’t stop her as a small, black spider was revealed.

“This is what you are scared of?”  Browen asked looking down at it.  The spider didn’t move.  Probably just as scared as she was. 

“Itty bitty, it’s only a spider.”  Ling said pulling her hair back from the girl, petting her once more.  “It’s harmless.”

“I don’t like it…”  Lyf said huffing her cheeks, her tail flicking in annoyance like a cats would. 

“Then I’ll get rid of it,” Browen said lifting his foot up to smash the thing.

“NO!”  Lyf screamed right away, stopping him dead in his tracks.  Both Ling and Browen looked at the little girl who flushed and tried to hide behind her mom again.  “Daddar don’t hurt it…”  She said in a muffled voice.

Browen looked at Ling, unamused, but he leaned down and scooped up the spider instead.  Lyf ‘meeped’ and hid behind her mom again as Browen left out the door to put the arachnid outside.  Ling couldn’t help but smile, kissing the top of her daughters’ head.  “That was very kind of you Lyf.”

Lyf huffed softly looking up at her mom, “I don’t like it…  But it dinit hurt me…  So I don’t wanna hurt it.”  She explained.

Ling only smiled more and nodded, “that’s still very kind of you little one.  I’m sure the spider is very appreciative.” 

Browen returned soon later, looking at his mate and their young.  “Better?”  He asked, needed to get back to his work.

Lyf smiled and nodded, climbing out of Ling’s arms, going over to her dad to give him a big hug instead.  “Thank you Daddar!”

“You are very welcome,” he said leaning down to kiss her forehead.  She then turned and sat back down by her other toys, playing with them quietly.  Both Ling and Browen glanced at each other before smiling.

Happy Birthday Lyf

Kana watched the egg with fierce determination.

Though the others had told her it’d be a while before it hatched, it didn’t seem to matter.  Almost as soon as Ling laid it, Kana was there.  They put the egg in a heat bed so it’d keep nice and toasty while the elders worked.  Dragons took years to hatch typically and while the circumstances were less than idle at first, they were starting to get use to the idea. 

Browen and Ling both had accepted that they would in fact have a child someday.  Even as a mistake, they were- deep down- very thrilled to be starting a family.  But again, it took time.  Patience.  Understanding.

All things Kana didn’t have.

Since Zek was training Kyler most of the time, the girl had a lot of free time.  She still helped out when asked and at night she’d sleep in Zek’s bed with him.  But most of her day was spent just sitting there, staring intensely at the nest, waiting for any sign of life. 

This had gone on for quite some time.

Most of the other elders, at first, had thought she was crazy.  They tried to get her to leave it be.  They’d check in on it every once in a while to make sure it was safe but other than that, there was no need to keep constant watch.  But when Browen realized egg sitting kept Kana from bringing in more strays…  He was all for the idea of having her there.

As time went on, they seemed to forget all about it actually.  The routine was basic.  Kana would eat with them before rushing off.  Then she’d join Zek for a lunch, doing some chores, then return to her duties of egg sitting.  Then she’d be there for dinner to give a very brief update, before retiring for the night. 

By now they were just use to it.  Ling even thought for a time that the egg was a dud.  There was talk of trying to have another in several years when they were actually ready. 

But being ready came faster than expected when Kana burst into the infirmary.  “Ling!  Ling!  Come quick!”  She screeched.  Ling winced; glad she wasn’t with a patient for once.  She was working on something else that was equally as delicate though.  She frowned looking over at the girl who seemed to be in a panic over something.  She was surprised the Halfling hadn’t gone to Zek though…

“Kana?  What’s wrong?”  Ling frowned, straightening up.  What if they were under attack?  What if one of Ling’s territories was in need of her aid?  She tensed and readied the worst when Kana started flailing about like a mad rooster.

“The egg!  The egg moved!”  She screamed.

Ling blinked, not realizing what egg she was talking about at first.  “Oh.  Kana dear, that’s nothing to be concerned over.”  She said turning back to her work.  “It was probably nothing.” 

“B-but it cracked!”  Kana said looking ready to cry.  That made Ling quirk an eyebrow but she still didn’t budge.  “It wiggled and then it had a crack!  It’s going to hatch!  You have to come!”  Kana said flailing even more.

Ling groaned and waved her arms, “Kana dear, calm down.  Like I said, I’m sure it’s nothing.”  But a part of her was thinking maybe it was something to cause concern.  It had been a long time; maybe it really was about to hatch.  “You return to the nest and I will fetch Browen.”

“O-okay!”  Kana said determined once more as she took off. 

Ling waited for her to go before letting out a long sigh.  She prayed to the dragon gods this was a false alarm.  The last thing she needed was to deal with being an elder and a mother. 

Setting her things aside, she made her way to Browen, relaying the message Kana had given.  Though she did it much calmer and less spastic.  After discussing whether or not they should go look, they ended up making their way down just in case. 

And apparently along the way, Kana had dragged Kyler, Zek and even Val into it.  “You all don’t have to be here,” Browen said right away, looking at his colleagues. 

Kyler looked over at them, grinning excitedly.  “We wanted to see the baby!”

“It’s a drackling, pup,” Zek corrected before yawning.  He’d just finished training Kyler for the day and was about to take a short nap when Kana barged in.  Ling shook her head, knowing they were probably wasting her time; but as she looked to the nest and saw the egg, she saw what Kana had freaked out over. 

Sure enough the egg was wiggling all around in the center of the nest.  It rolled back and forth, spider webbing the outer shell.  Ling’s heart stopped momentarily as the realization finally hit her.  Was she really about to become a mother.

With mildly terrified eyes, she looked over at Browen to see if he was having the same reaction.  He was much more calm about it but she could sense he too was having a slight panic attack thinking about it. 

The two of them edged closer to the nest, staring at the egg.  Kana was grinning from ear to ear as she watched it.  “Come on baby,” she muttered softly.  She was trying so very hard not to just jump in and help it out of the shell herself. 

It felt like hours went by before a piece of the shell actually broke off.  Every one of them waited eagerly (some more than others).  This would be the first time seeing a drackling be born in the mansion.  It was also the first time a drackling would be born belonging to two active elders.  At least as far as they could remember. 

Ling leaned down a little more as more of the shell started to break apart.  Dragon shells were very sturdy and took a lot of work to get out of.  There was a soft thud as a bigger chunk fell off and finally a limb poked out.  A small arm, waving furiously.  It had teeny tiny claw-like nails, trying to work its way out.

Browen leaned in closer now too as the others watched over their shoulders.  The drackling was now starting to make soft whines; angry at the process.  “Come on little one,” Ling said soothingly.  The egg seemed to like that, wiggling and little…  Happier?  Could eggs wiggle happily?  If so, this one was.  “That’s it,” she added, “a little more.”

The drackling started to move the egg even harder until finally a larger crack formed straight down the middle.  Kana gasped and watched, as it slowly broke apart.

Sitting in the center of the broken egg shells was a drackling, resting in human form.  She was small but already sitting back on all fours like a dog.  She had a tail with tiny spikes down the spine, unable to control all her dragon form yet.  Her skin was smooth and tan like her father’s; and her hair was a tuff of dark brown, coated in egg slime. 

She sniffed the air before sneezing and looking up at them.  Her eyes were pure silver and stared back at Ling and Browen curiously.  She made a soft whine before tapping her tail, wondering who they were.

“Well now,” Browen said after a long pause.  “That’s not something you see every day.”

Kana made a happy squeal that could shatter glass, making the drackling flinch and start crying.  Kana felt instantly bad about it and sunk back as Ling reached out and picked up the baby.  “Shh,” she said rocking her.  “It’s okay little one.  I’m your momma,” she said feeling so damn awkward. 

The drackling whimpered but looked up at Ling, slowly calming down.  She then looked over at Browen curiously to which he gave a weak smile, “and I’m your dad.”  He said feeling an odd sensation.  He loved Ling more than anything in the world but as soon as his eyes locked onto the drackling, it was like falling in love all over again. 

This was their baby.  They had made a baby together.  And it was very much the both of them wrapped into one tiny being.

“Whatcha gonna call her?”  Kyler asked wanting to get a better look but knowing better than to disturb Browen or Ling in any way.

The new parents looked at each other dumb founded.  They hadn’t thought that far ahead yet.  “Well…”  Ling said softly looking back down at the baby.  While she might have been a mistake, she was also a miracle. 

And she was theirs. 

“Lyf.”  Ling said confidently.  Browen made no attempt to argue.  He simply nodded with another small smile.  “She’s our little Lyf.”