Summer, 1372

It was a sweet summer morning and Meratezagth and Kharriana brought the children out to the Kern Forest to play in the cool shelter of the big trees arching near the river. Rargesteyae and Asaewath were now six years old, and they were energetic, curious and talkative. Mera had brought along two large stags he had hunted that morning and now he began tearing the carcasses apart and roasting them while his mate played with the children. Asaewath immediately took to running circles around his mother, while Rargesteyae began exploring the large ferns growing by the riverbank. After amusing himself for a while but finally boring of his chase, Asaewath instead jumped atop a large fern that Rargesteyae was poking around, proclaiming proudly:

*I want to be the most powerful dragon there is! I want to be just like dad!*

Rargesteyae snorted.

“Mom’s stronger.”

*Dad’s a great hero! He rescued the Jutrstra!*

*Yah, but mom rescued dad.* His sister retorted.

*Rargesteyae’s right.* Mera laughed as he continued roasting, but was evidently still within earshot of his children. *Your mother is more powerful than I am.*

Kharriana simply observed the scene with amusement.

*See?* Rargesteyae raised her snout upwards at her brother balancing on the fern frond.

*Aww...* His brother deflated at the correction.

Rargesteyae stuck her tongue out at her brother. *You and your big mouth.*

Asaewath immediately jumped from atop the fern frond that he was sitting on and tackled her sister. *You take that back!*

*Hey!* Rargesteyae struggled, but soon managed to roll out from under her brother and push him to the ground. The two dragon whelps began wrestling across the grass.

*Children! Children! Don’t fight!* Kharriana quickly went over and pulled her daughter off while Mera went over to pick up his son. Asaewath and Rargesteyae struggled under their parents' snouts. Kharriana put a stop to the both of them with a glare that only a mother could give. Both children stopped and looked at her sheepishly.

*What are we?* The mother sternly asked.

*One happy family.* Rargesteyae and Asaewath replied in unison.

*We’re one happy family.* Kharriana shook her head. *Now does a happy family fight?*

*No.* Came the reply in unison.

*Good. We try not to fight. Now both of your apologize to each other.*

Rargesteyae and Asaewath looked at each other awkwardly. *Sorry.* They said to each other.

Kharriana nodded with approval. *Good. Never forget. You two are brother and sister, and that bond should be one of the strongest in the world. You are both in this world together, and of this world together, and both of you are a part of myself and your father.*

Rargesteyae nodded, while Asaewath slightly rolled his eyes. Kharriana eyed Mera peering over their son. *Let us play with them for a bit.*

The male dragon nodded.

Kharriana gently placed her daughter on the soft ground in front of her.

*Rargesteyae! It’s time for a snuggle!*

*Yay!*

Kharriana nuzzled her daughter’s belly. Rargesteyae giggled and play-attacked her mother’s snout.

*You’re a beautiful little dragoness aren’t you?* Mother nuzzled her daughter again. *One day you will also be strong and powerful and find a worthy mate and a rich and safe home, far from all these wicked humans. Isn’t that right?*

*Yes, mother.* Rargesteyae replied. *If any human tries to hunt me, I will eat them!*

Kharriana laughed. *You're a smart girl.*

Meanwhile Asaewath had managed to slip out from his father’s grip, and clamber atop Mera’s head, ending up clinging to his father’s nose horn.

*Dad!* The green dragon looked into his father's eyes.

*Yes, Asaewath?*

*Mom may be stronger, but you’re a Dragon Lord! One day, I’m going to be just like you, dad! Brave and true and fight for those that need help!*

*Oh, I certainly hope not, * Kharriana interrupted.

Mera chuckled. *Hopefully you’ll be smarter and better than I, Asaewath.*

***

After lunch, the children snuggled in around Kharriana’s forelimbs for a mid-afternoon nap. The female dragon carefully watched over her brood, gently bathing them with her tongue. Mera sat nearby, watching the scene with satisfaction.

*The children have gotten pretty lively and strong.* His mate finally stated as she watched her sleeping children for a while. *Don’t you think it’s time to look into moving?*

The male dragon was slightly taken aback.

*Logan and the others protected you when you were brooding. They kept the peace while you were laying, and they kept away as Asaewath and Rargesteyae hatched and grew. I think they’ve been good to us.*

Kharriana shook her head. *It’s not that they haven’t been good to us, it’s that I don’t think I can ever trust them.*

*You’ve never encountered the sea raids.* She continued. *Humans desperate for food or water or shelter, but also professional raiders greedy for treasure. They will be able to do anything to get what they want. Pretend to be your friend. Trick others to fight you while they scheme for your treasure or flesh. Innumerable humans coming in their boats like a school of sharks. They are violent, they are cruel, they are insatiable. They are a danger to everyone.*

Mera was slightly frustrated by this. They had argued over it periodically before.

*There will be other dangers elsewhere. Gryphons, duregaren, eagles, giant serpents, other humans that I haven’t made a deal with.*

*That is true. But they don’t already know the location of our home.* Kharriana sighed. *Look, I know you trust those human friends of yours. You are kind and you are loyal and those friends of yours are special: they did our people a great favor during that war. I want to trust them as well. But even your human friends are a minority among the humans.* She gave him that eagle glare she had when they first met at Mier's Forest.

*You saw how the townsfolk turned against their own when the plague hit. I care about our children. I just want them to be safe. *

Mera stood with mouth agape, trying to search for words, but failing to find any. Finally he went over and gently nuzzled his mate.

*I will look for a new home. I can’t promise you I’ll find a better place, but I will try my best. If that happens, we will leave, and I will end my deal with the Town of Stanton.*

Kharriana returned his nuzzles.

*That’s all I ask for.* She said, before laying her head down by her children.

Mera loomed over his mate and children as the reasoning sank in. It felt like he would be closing a chapter in his life. After nearly fifty years, his relationship with Stanton and his humans would be finishing. The male dragon finally sighed and nodded.

All good things must come to an end.

It was for the best.

He looked at the three figures, curled up in rest in front of him. Asaewath and Rargesteyae were sleeping soundly, Kharriana smiling as she watched the shallow breathing of their offspring.

Mera smiled, and bent over the three best things in his life.

*Asaewath. Rargesteyae. My children. Your parents love you very much.*

Meratezatgh gave each of the sleeping figures a gentle lick.

*We will do anything for you.*

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Cat Stevens-Where Do The Children Play?

Beautiful work by  TheRoguez!