Solanna was in a good mood. She, Tracker, and several other kobolds had gone out deep into the forest to hunt. They had left long before the sun rose and were only now coming back to the clearing.

The hunt itself had been successful. They managed to catch not one, but two of those giant elk. Those, and plenty of other smaller creatures. However, with only having kobolds, they had to skin, gut, and dress the meat in the forest. Even so, they had to leave some of the tougher cuts behind so the rest could be carried back.

But, that wasn't the reason she was in such a good mood. No, there was something else. Her brother.

She had managed to convince him to come along under the guise of training and improving his bowmanship. He did not disappoint. Yedril had managed to score several rabbits and had even helped in taking down the two elk.

Solanna was proud of his accomplishments, and had no trouble praising him for his efforts. Though, it was obvious that it embarrassed her brother…

"I don't know why you are being so bashful," she said, shifting her heavily laden pack. "Even Tracker thinks you did well."

Upon hearing her name the kobold grunted. "Sick Master do okay. Too noisy still, need learn to be quiet!"

Yedril, weighed down by his own pack, groaned. "I'm not being bashful! I'm just tired of hearing you compliment me, especially when I didn't do that much!"

"Really?" She gave him that look. "Yedril, remember our conversation yesterday?"

"Which one? The one where you kicked me in the–"

Solanna gave her brother a light shove, one strong enough to cause him to stumble.

"Hey! Watch it, you nearly made me fall…" He let out a sigh. "Yes, I know which conversation you're talking about. The one where you said I don't need to be 'the best.'" He used air quotes around the words.

"Exactly. I told you, you only need to be good enough. And, well…" She gestured to his pack, there were several dead rabbits hanging from it. "You managed to snag dinner. And, add in the fact you are an excellent cook–"

"But not an excellent warrior," he grumbled.

Solanna rolled her eyes. "Listen, you don't need to be a warrior– And before you object, let me finish," she quickly added as Yedril opened his mouth.

She waited until he closed it before continuing. "I know you want to leave your mark upon the world. But have you stopped to consider that you don't need to be a fighter to do that? What about Zarrina? What does she want to do?"

They walked in silence as he considered her question. "She wants the same thing I do. And yes, we have considered that. But our home," he gestured towards the direction of the clearing, "is under threat. How can I not want to protect it?"

Letting out a sigh, Solanna decided this conversation wasn't going anywhere. Not that I can change his mind… I need to accept that.

She felt Falzan nuzzling her mind in comfort. Him and Zarrina had stayed behind to watch over the wounded. Or, to put it another way, they were getting a lot of attention. The two dragons were improving the mood of the elves and Solanna saw no harm in leaving them there.

The nuzzling, however, didn't last long. It seemed her partner was getting distracted by someone giving him scritches…

Speaking of which… I should go and check on Doram. I bet Julous will be there too. Most of the wounded hunters had already been released but still needed time to recuperate. There were only two that needed more time, Doram and the elf Felix had found alive.

Solanna winced after realizing she couldn't remember that hunter's name. He barely spoke but he always seemed to be rather cheery. He could often be heard humming or whistling some tune. But, he only ever responded to most questions with a gesture of some kind. It was a rare moment to hear him speak…

With regret for not getting to know the elf, she made up her mind. She would go and check in on him and Doram.

As the clearing came into view, she came to an abrupt stop. Her brother gave her a confused look as she started taking her bag off.

"Here, catch!" She tossed the pack into Yedril's arms, causing him to let out a grunt as he struggled to catch it.

"What–" he tried to say but she cut him off.

"I'm going to check on Doram." Solanna began moving once more.

"Gods, why can't you take it!? You can go see him afterwards," he called out, annoyed.

Glancing back to him, she gave him a wry smile. "Well, you wanted to be a warrior…"

Yedril gave her a frown. "Funny!" he shouted as she continued on ahead. "I'll get you back for this!"

"Good luck!"

Solanna entered into the clearing properly, coming in from near the kobolds' village. Over towards the colossal tree, she caught sight of Noria and Gillador. Curiously, they were making their way past her but neither seemed to notice.

It looks like they are in deep conversation… She gave a little shrug and decided to check in on Falzan.

Her partner was apparently quite cozy at the moment. She could tell he was enjoying himself. Still, the moment she peered into his mind, he became aware of her.

You back?! he asked excitedly. The poor dragon had some attachment issues, especially after everything that had happened recently. Solanna had feared he would never leave her side…

But it looks like I was worrying for nothing, she thought to herself before addressing Falzan. Yep! How is Doram?

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Doram good. He give good head scritches– Oh, and he warm.

That made her raise an eyebrow, but she would soon see what he meant. That's good. I'm on my way…

Her partner didn't respond but that was fine, she was indeed getting close.

Passing by the tree, Solanna looked over to the hatchery. It was a flurry of activity as dwarves, gnomes, and golems were working on the broken wall. There was hope that it could be rebuilt within a few days.

However, it wasn't the hatchery she was focusing on but the newly erected tent that sat nearby. That was the new healer's tent, set up just out of the way of the reconstruction but close enough that anyone could easily be carried there in short order.

Now we only need a dedicated healer… she thought to herself. The dwarves and gnomes had a few but healing wasn't exactly their races' specialty. And, with the lack of healers, the ones they did have were needed back in their homes.

For a brief moment, Solanna paused. The memories of what felt like a lifetime ago came flooding back. The dangerous trek she and her brother made to Bernel, the relief of Felix being able to help Yedril… And, of course, there was Falzan. She easily remembered the very moment the emerald dragon had hatched for her.

Gods, how long has it been? she wondered. A month? Month and a half? Two months? Just trying to think back to when she and Yedril left their home made her head spin. She decided it was best to not dwell on it…

And it was about then she reached her destination. The tent itself was nothing special save for being rather large. She made her way around to its entrance before pulling the flap open and ducking inside.

"Solanna?" Julous called out as she took in the interior. There were six cots set up close together with a small area near the front that had a desk along with a few chairs.

Solanna found the hunter standing nearby one cot in particular. "It's me," she answered. "But what are you still doing here? Weren't you cleared already?"

He gave her a smile and pointed towards the cot. "I came to keep this idiot company… Turns out that was unnecessary."

Making her way over, she looked down to see Doram resting with an emerald-colored dragon on top of him. He lazily scratched under Falzan's snout as the dragon purred in response.

Now I understand what he meant… "I see, and I feel slightly offended." She folded her arms and feigned pouting as she continued to watch.

Doram's eyes cracked open then. "Hey, don't blame me. I just offered to give him some scratches and he immediately jumped up onto me– And I'm not the only one…"

He gestured over to a cot on the opposite side with his free hand. "Arlen over there has the other one."

Arlen? She followed where he was pointing and found the previously nameless hunter. And, laying upon him was Zarinna. The quartz-like dragon was lightly snoring.

The hunter in question raised a hand and gave her a wave but otherwise stayed silent.

The sight made her shake her head. Yedril will be upset too if he sees her like that… Anyway, at least I know the hunter's name. That saves me from that embarrassment…

"What are you doing here?" Julous asked as she brought her attention back to him and Doram.

"Came to check in on you two, actually– And Arlen as well," she quickly added with a gesture towards the other hunter.

"I can understand these two, but me?"

That gave her a moment of pause. "Well… After everything, I wanted to make sure you were alright. I was in charge, after all."

Julous gave her a curious look. "I'm fine, as you can see." He gestured to himself. "Unless you mean up here," he added, tapping his head.

Solanna nodded. "Your mental health is important too, you know."

He sighed and looked down to Doram. "Seeing my friend nearly die and having to help with those bodies? Let's not forget about that poor, burned bastard. All in all, I'm getting through it. I'm just glad Arlen survived, we only lost that one hunter…"

Hearing himself being referenced, Doram tried to interject but Solanna beat him. "Do you… Do you want to talk about it?" she asked.

Julous went into deep thought then, clearly mulling it over. It took him several long moments to answer. "I suppose– Though, not exactly that. Instead, I have something more important to discuss with you."

She perked up. "Oh?"

His expression became serious, yet he began to fidget as he opened his mouth to speak. "This probably isn't the best place but… Ah, damn it all!" He suddenly approached her.

"Solanna, are you seeing anyone?"

Her jaw dropped open as the sound of a dragon roaring rang out nearby…

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eri took a breath and steadied herself as she rose from the bed. She still wasn't feeling well, but it was a far cry from earlier, and at least now she knew why. Still, there was much to discuss and much more to do…

"It looks like a crowd has gathered outside," Felix commented as he peered out the window.

"I bet it has…" She didn't need to imagine why, Kyrith was beyond his normal excitement.

Felix came back to her and peered into her eyes. "If you want, I can go and explain everything."

She shook her head. "No, I want to do it myself."

"Okay…"

An awkward silence fell between the two as both scrambled for what to say next. The news that she was pregnant was a joyous event but it left them to wonder… What's next?

Unbeknownst to Eri, they had reached the same conclusion. We'll have to get married now, won't we? She didn't hate the sound of it. In fact, quite the opposite. Her only issue was how fast everything seemed to be moving.

"Felix–"

"Eri–"

They both spoke at the same time, instantly cutting one another off. Silence pervaded the room as they stared into each other's eyes. Her heartbeat quickened and a sense of wanting, of needing, began to trickle through their bond.

Felix cleared his throat and gestured to her. "You first."

But it was clear now, they wanted each other. They needed each other. Eri reached out and pulled him into a deep embrace, letting herself take in his scent. "We'll have to marry," she replied, her voice muffled by his chest.

"I know," he said almost breathlessly. She could feel his desires for her building. It was protective, it was assertive… It was draconic. However, he barely separated from her, keeping her close as he slid his hand across her stomach. "I'm going to be a father. And you… You're going to be a mother."

"Gods, Felix. Hearing those words… I'm just so… So–"

"Stunned?"

"Yes."

"Me too."

Their mouths found one another as she closed her eyes. Eri wanted him as badly as he wanted her. Like a damn bursting open, their emotions were set free and flooded their bond.

In a haze, Eri felt their lips part as Felix whispered, "You're carrying our child." You are so beautiful…

It was too much, neither one of them could bear it any longer.

A shudder ran down Eri's back, as their emotions danced within their minds. "Perhaps… Perhaps the crowd can wait a little while longer."

Felix smiled, it was almost predatory. "You know, we haven't tried it with the bond yet."

She matched it. "Oh?" We'll have to change that then…

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