Book 6: Chapter 216

Book 6: Chapter 216

Ive seen it all.

Jeffery glanced down at the flashing egg tucked underneath his arm. Does that mean you want to go back to the residence? the old man asked. He looked up at the dragons and phoenixes who were gathered around in a circle. In the center of the gathering, a dragon and phoenix were locked in fierce competition. They glared at each other as they munched on roasted bugs, the phoenix chewing despite her lack of teeth.

No, Garlic said, his eggshell flashing once. None of my ancestors have gone through what I have. None of them have seen a dragon and phoenix engage in an eating contest like this one. This is enough for me.

Jeffery furrowed his brow. The egg saw it all, had enough, but it didnt want to go home? And that means? the old man asked, dragging out the last word.

Im going to hatch, Garlic said.

The retired guide blinked. Oh, he said, his brow furrowing. He wasnt sure about the specifics of caterpillar eggs. Do you need me to do anything to help you? Theres a lot of phoenixes around; I bet one or two of them would be willing to sit on you until you hatched if I asked nicely.

Jeffery nodded and watched in silence as Garlic wreathed himself with silk, somehow creating a series of long spikes along its sides and spine. Even a hungry bird would think twice about eating the caterpillar. When Garlic finished armoring himself, he stopped spitting out silk and rested the upper half of his body on the ground. Perfect, Garlic said. Lets go over to Vur and Tafel. Now that Im no longer an egg, Tafel cant just throw me into that hole with the rest of the junk she hoards.

Well, she still can, Jeffery said but decided not to elaborate upon seeing Garlic stare at him. Lets go. Ill make sure you arent eaten by any phoenixes on the way.

Vur turned his head to the side, sensing Garlic and Jeffery approaching by feeling the winds movements. Luckily, Tafel was seated on his snout instead of standing, or she mightve fallen off from the sudden movement. She raised an eyebrow upon seeing the retired guide and silk-wrapped bug. Jeffery usually carried Garlics egg under his arm, and since the egg wasnt there, but a caterpillar was. Is that Garlic?

Vur nodded. Its covered in the same silk Geomi makes, he said. His thoughts traveled back to the giant caterpillar, and his stomach gurgled as he remembered the taste of Geomis legs. Then, he remembered the deal he had made to eat those legs. Garlic was a friend, not food. Vurs eyes landed on the pink pupa tucked underneath Jefferys arm. It seemed a little different from before, but Vur couldnt figure out what made him think that.

Hey, Tafel said, her eyes narrowing at Garlic. Even though the bug was still a decent distance away, the demon could hear him chatting with Jeffery. Do you think Garlic can understand Gronion? Itd be perfect if he could translate for us.

Vur turned his head towards the large beetle. After ripping open portals for its underlings to go through, it simply remained in place, waiting for the task to be completed. Gronion was a beetle, and Garlic was a caterpillar; would they really be able to understand each other? Then again, Gronion did lead an army of winged ants, so it wouldnt be unreasonable for it to speak caterpillar too. After all, bugs were bugs.Nêww chapters will be fully updated at novelhall.com