You turn to the path that will lead you to Gaiawynd. It's short, and it leads to a sort of lean-to stone hut in the middle of a sand dune. There are several stone racks surrounding the hut, and a variety of things, like dried fruit and weapons, hang off of them on leather cords. It seems like a human could live here, but you seriously doubt it.
You cautiously walk into the stone shed. It's dark, but you can make out a slightly raised platform on one side of the room, and a lowered area on the other. On the platform, you make out two shapes and, as your eyes adjust, you see them in greater clarity.
The small green baby is curled up next to the large brown adult, which you assume is the mother. The adult rises to its feet, eyeing you, and the baby hides behind its legs. The brown is very muscular, and, as it paces toward you, you feel a chill run down your spine.
"What's your business?" the adult asks. "Tourist?"
Blinking, you nod. "Yes, I'm exploring Dracogrex."
The adult softens, and the baby comes out from behind her legs. The tiny green trots over, sniffs your feet, and trills happily.
"I'm Gaiawynd," the adult says warmly, but her eyes watch her baby warily. "This is Nirarli, my son. We welcome you to our home."
"Thank you!" you say, grinning. "Hi, Nirarli!" you say, kneeling down and letting the baby sniff your hand. "You're very cute, you know."
Gaiawynd paces over to stand beside you, and sits down. Her head comes up to your hips, but her horns nearly brush your chin. "Nirarli and I came here as refugees from our old home, which was destroyed in a huge flood. I was a warrior back when we lived with our clan. In fact, I was Leader of the fighters, and I led them into many a winning battle." Her eyes glisten as she relives her heroic fights. "However," she continues, mellowing, "most of us, including my mate, perished in the flood. I fled with nothing but my life, my weapons, and my unborn hatchling. I gave birth on the run. Nirarli barely survived, but he's strong. He made it."
"Wow," you say, "that's terrible. And yet, it's wonderful! I mean...different things...." You trail off, confusing yourself. "I'm impressed," you summarize.
Gaiawynd smiles warmly. "I'm stronger because of it. Someday I'll find the survivors of my clan, and we'll make a safe home here." Her eyes shine again, and Nirarli chirrups happily, climbing on his mother's tail.
"I wish you luck with that," you say earnestly.
"And I wish you luck with your ventures," Gaiawynd replies kindly. "Now, it's time for your bath, Nir." The little baby tries frantically to hide behind you, but a laughing Gaiawynd captures the feisty hatchling by the neck and tosses him with a splash into the lowered area on the far side of the hut. You see it's filled with clean water. "Go on, now, and enjoy your ventures."
Thanking Gaiawynd for her time, you travel back to the signpost to continue your explorations.
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| Name: Gaiawynd
Breed: Armora Color/Type: Brown Sands Gender: Female Age/Stage: Adult Adopted At: Jessie's Adoptables (closed, as far as I know) |
| Name: Nirarli
Breed: Armora Color/Type: Frosted Grass Gender: Male Age/Stage: Hatchling Adopted At: By me! ^_^ |
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