Chapter One Hundred and Sixteen - Momma

Chapter One Hundred and Sixteen - Momma

Chapter One Hundred and Sixteen - Momma

Lawlyhoumad

Desired Quality: Someone who is nice to her children and who shows her all due respect.

Dream: To see her babies grow up big and strong and to one day grow large enough to eat the world.

I coughed into a closed fist, then, while grabbing the edges of my skirt, dipped into a curtsy before the majestic green mommy dragon before me. Its a pleasure to meet you, your, uh, dragonnessness, I said.

If Miss Lawlyoumad wanted to be respected then it was the least I could do. I was in her home, after all. Also, she was a very large dragon.

Oh, arent they just so precious, Lawlyhoumad said, I peeked to the side and saw my friends dipping in their own curtseys and bows, with Amaryllis being particularly ornate as she fluffed out her feathers in a big fan. Oh Im so proud of you Rhawrexdee, your first princess. And shes a virgin! The retinue is nice, I suppose. One of the trade offs of caring for a princess of course. The dragoness tittered, a sound like boulders merrily rolling down a hill. Oh, I have just the room to lock them all up in!

I looked up like a rabbit that heard a hawks cry. What? I asked.

Lawlyhoumad turned her gaze onto me, then her eyes focused properly and her head pulled back. A Riftwalker! She turned to her son. Sweetie, what did I say about bringing that sort home?

Not to? the large blue dragon said. He sounded like he was half his original size. Not that that wasnt still big. But mom, youre the one that made me come here.

Hmpf, talking back to your mom like that. And in front of guests no less. She shook her head before refocusing on me. What do you want, little Riftwalker?

I shifted in place. I hadnt expected to be put on the spot like that. Uh. Just to be with my friends, I guess. And to make more friends, of course!

She eyed me suspiciously for a while, then leaned in close. That is, her head stopped a dozen paces ahead of me, but I still had to crane my neck to meet her eyes. Youd better not be here to cause trouble for me and mine, understood?

Yes maam! I said. I promise! We just got together with Rhawrexdee cause he needed a bit of help, and I thought he could use some friends! Also, I didnt want him eating a town, but that was besides the point.

Lawlyhoumad turned to her son. Oh, sweetie, what sort of trouble did you get yourself into that you needed the help of these little ones?

Rhawrexdee pouted. It wasnt a nice look on a dragon, their cheeks were too flappy and their lips a bit too thin, so his pout ended up looking like a dog smiling. Still, it got the message across. We came to an understanding, thats all.

What sort of understanding? Lawlyhoumad asked. She laid down, one forelimb crossing over the other.

Rhawrexdee patted the ground. Well, you know how I always wanted more than just a normal harem of slave princesses?

The mother dragon rolled her eyes. Yes yes, one of those ideas that got in your head from those silly books.

Theyre not silly. And besides, its completely possible. I found this Riftwalker, and this princess, and Booksie here. And... the other one who made my hat and vest.

I do like the vest. Its quite fetching. You look very handsome in it, just like that cheating pile of filth father of yours did when we first met.

Rhawrexdee nodded as if the last part of that hadnt been said. Thank you. I think I like the idea of wearing some clothes to accentuate my features. But thats besides the point. I found this lot and got them to agree to teach me the art of wooing princesses.

Mmm. Lawlyhoumad said. And which one is Booksie? she asked with a purr.

Rhawrexdee tensed. Shes just one of the ones with the ears, he said. Shes not important.

Oh, sweet child of mine, Im a mother, not some ignorant golem. You cant hide these sorts of things from me.

Im sure, Lawlyhoumad said. And who are you others?

Amaryllis bowed. Im Amaryllis Albatross, of the clan Albatross, lady dragon, she said.

Ohh, the family that makes those delicious ships?

Amaryllis twitched. Thats us, she said.

Adorable! And what about you, the one with the cute ears?

Im Booksie, lady dragon, Booksie said. Im just a simple book store owner from Port Royal. Or, I used to be.

So humble. Ohh, and you share a hobby with my little Rawr-i-kins. I can just imagine you reading him to sleep.

Booksie flushed and looked away. Im not sure about, um, that, lady dragon. Were just friends.

Yes Im sure, Lawlyhoumad dismissed. She turned to me. And youre Broccoli Bunch, the Riftwalker.

Im more than just that, I think, I said. Id much rather be Broccoli Bunch the friend!

The dragoness huffed. Well see. Now. Whats this about Port Royal? Someone stole from my little Rhawrs girl?

I snuck a peek at Rhawrexdee, but he was looking on in interest without reacting, it was obvious that he was missing out on this part of the conversation. Meanwhile, Booksie was blushing up to the tips of her long ears, though she seemed to be composed otherwise. I might have been robbed, I suppose thats one way of putting it, lady dragon, Booksie said. My shop, where I sold my books from, was taken from me by some thugs. I was about to give up on ever winning it back when Broccoli and her friends showed up and agreed to help me, then we met your son and, ah.

And the rest is history. Yes, that does sound like Rhawr to play the part of the knight. She shook her head. Well, theres no helping it. Well see about finding a nice place for you girls for the night, then well rain terror and fire down upon Port Royal until those thugs show up to apologize or everyone is dead.

Ah, I said. Um. I was thinking, if your dragoness doesnt mind, that maybe we could use a more... focused strike? Maybe... talk to the bad guys before burning everything?

That doesnt sound nearly as amusing. And besides, the nobles have been belligerent lately. The daily tribute of sheep has been lacklustre of late. You know, sheep are important for keeping your teeth nice and shiny.

I frowned up at the dragon. But what about all the nice, innocent people? I asked.

She moved her wing joints up and down. What of them? Im sure we can nibble on a few as they run out of the fire.

That... that was not cool. Dragons arent supposed to be like that, I said.

She blinked. Pardon me, little Riftwalker, but I think I would be a little better at determining what a dragon is and isnt like than you.

I shook my head. Not if youre going around hurting people that dont deserve it. Dragons are supposed to be the coolest, most beautiful creatures ever, all magic and might and power. Youre supposed to be loyal friends and great protectors, the people everyone smaller than you look up to for wise guidance and protection. But burning down people just because it makes your job easier, thats just lazy.

You walk a fine line, calling me lazy in my own home, she warned.

I frowned right back. Im not the sort of person that can stand by and let injustice happen, I said. Even if that means being a little rude to a huge dragon in her own home.

Lawlyhoumad stared, then she let out a long, rumbling laugh. Oh, I had forgotten how annoying Riftwalkers are. Fine, I suppose we could do things the dull way. Eating the thugs should be enough to remind the little frogs whos boss. And besides, I like the idea of being seen as a glorious guardian queen.

I suspected that she might have misunderstood something along the way, but if it made it easier to convince her not to eat people, then I was all for it.

Now, come along. Its time for food and you really ought to meet my daughter. Shes far too much of a recluse.