I walked back to our room from the market. I struggled with the bag in my hand as I opened the door I abandoned the bag next to the fireplace and walked to the bed seeing a note on the bedside table.

Katja,

I came back to tell you I will be gone a few hours yet. I know you wouldn't leave without talking to me so I assume you are with your mother. Please try and get some rest. I'm sorry I was angry over your hand. Your mother told me how you did it and I lost my temper with you. I will make it up to you. I will be back with news from Reina.

Sleep well my gem.

I smiled at the sweetness of the note. Oh, you are going to love my apology to you. I moved to the hoard hiding place and opened the door. I pulled the heavy bag out nearly dropping it. I put the bag on the floor in the middle of the room. Returning to the hiding spot I pulled out the large cloth ring stuffed with straw. I put it on the floor puffing from the exertion. Why does everything in this place have to weigh so much? I thought pulling the ring out so it was straight.

Moving to the bed and pulling the bedding off I sighed. This will be exsorting. I laid the sheet on the floor inside the ring and pulled all the gems from the hoard putting them aside. I scooped the coins around the edge of the sheet. Once the bag was empty I added some from my pouch that I'd got from being a Black Dragon.

Next, I ringed the outside of the nest with all the gems making a centerpiece best seen from the door with the pieces that brought us together. The emerald of me sitting on the rock takes the best place. Lastly, I moved the blankets to the centre and put down the pillows. I know making these things the centre point will mean nothing to a Dragon but as a human I feel I need to put my spin on it.

I stepped back and yawned looking at the dragon hide I'd made. It does look comfortable at least. I picked up the bag and my coin pouch and returned them to the hiding place with Topaz's hoard pouch. Next, I pulled the gift I'd bought him from the fireplace to the hide and laid on the bed I'd made in the centre. I smiled at the gift all wrapped up in its leather covering. I hope that Jade was right about the perfect gift for a Blue Dragon. I really need it to make up for going off to battle... My brain stopped mid-thought and my hands went to my belly. I put everything in danger... how could I do that?

Images of the fight came back in vivid detail then. I hit out and felt bone creak under the pressure of my blow, blood poured from a wound in the chest of the person I fought as the point of my staff pushed through the leather armour and into the soft flesh beneath with the strength my anger gave it.

I swallowed hard suddenly wishing I hadn't eaten that potato at the market. More images of death and pain were offered to those who dared to get close to me. A skull that caved as I put all my weight behind the blow with the top of my weapon. Shaking my head I tried to dismiss the images.

I need something for my mind to do. I moved to the edge of the circle and started to pile the coins up in neat little towers. Doing this I managed to hide the cloth ring better from inside it but it didn't settle my mind. Next, I opened the book from the bedside table and started to write.

Time blurred as the words went from brain to pen, to paper. I put all those images into words on a page and how angry I felt at the burning of my village. The pain on the faces of the ones dragged away by Dragons or humans scorched into my mind by the battle was washed away by the ink on the page.

I jumped as the door opened. Topaz stood with his mouth open as he stared at my handwork. He stepped into the room and closed the door staring at the gold and gems around me. "You added to the hoard." He whispered in that rumble of dragon language.

"I did. I made a hoard hide."

"Katja... do you know what this means?"

I smiled putting my book aside. "There are only two times Dragons make a hoard hide. One is for a long sleep. The second is when their wife is bringing children into the world. It's a statement to you Topaz, my sapphire in the night. Even with my anger, I can't put my life on the line again. It belongs to more than just me now."

He stood still as a statue the only indication he wasn't, was his breathing. It was quick like he was struggling to catch his breath. I lifted the leather-wrapped gift I'd made for him and he finally came to life. "The hide is a statement, this is an apology." He walked towards me slowly as I spoke and took the gift.

Unwrapping it took longer than I hoped as his hands shook but I waited patiently. Finally, the leather fell away from a fine leather bag with a gold clasp to hold it shut and a long strap so he could fly with it. I held out a key to the small lock that glittered with tiny amethyst. He opened the bag and inside were all new tools of his trade. Blades, bottles, and bandages are all neatly organised inside for fast use. He looked up at me from the bag his mouth open but nothing came out.

I kissed his scaled cheek breaking his inability to speak. "Katja... this must have cost..."

I silenced him with a finger on his lips. "Black Dragon business."

He put the bag outside of the nest and took my hands. "This statement means you are staying home?"

I nodded. "They can't take this place from me." 

"I accept your apology on one condition." I frowned. "We go and expand the hoard... I need my child surrounded in more than there is here."

He laid down around me curling around as much of hide as he could then moved the blankets and pillows to nearer his side. Then he pulled me and I smiled as I laid on the blankets with my head on the pillows.

I yawned which Topaz mimicked making an odd purring growl. His large-scaled hand went to my belly as his wing came down around me. "My gem... this is more than I dreamed I could have with you."

"You wanted this so badly I felt your need for it. You have given me everything I needed Topaz, a family, a home that can't be taken, and someone that loves me unconditionally. This is the least I can do for you." 

The warmth of Topaz's body and the softness of the blankets and pillows made falling asleep easier than it had been in the past. I drifted off with nothing on my mind.

Michi shifted on my chest as I opened my eyes. The room was dark and cooler now the fire had died back. The smell that had woke me led me to its owner standing next to the bed. "Eboni. Are you alright?" I whispered.

"Pups everywhere! So many pups. That Dragon led me to the pups and told me if I took this he would let me have as many as I want." She held up a silver coin.

"What did you say?" I whispered running my nails up and down Michi's back.

She watched the movement of my hand with interest. "Seems like you are making pups too."

I chuckled. "That is the plan. What did you say to him?"

She put her hands on her hips. "Not safe for pups. But I took his coin. Then he said he would wait for me to give him my hoard. I told him I had no money, then he asked me what I held as precious."

"Eboni, what did you give him?" I asked feeling excited.

"You know that necklace made of shells you gave me?" I nodded strokeing Michi's ear to keep him asleep when he shifted again. "Well, I put that around his neck. He hasn't taken it off since."

I smiled as she came closer. "That's wonderful. I'm happy for you."

She nodded curtly then sighed. "I got lost again.... I came to tell you Reina had her pups."

Michi sat up then making us both jump. "They are here? So soon?"

Eboni chuckled. "According to Topaz Rats are quick. But oh the noise. There are sounds like a bird and grumbles like empty tummies all over the room. Their sitting in a big pile of gold and gems. They asked me to tell you to come to them as soon as you rest."

Michi moved to go to Reina but I stopped him with a hand on his chest. "When did this happen?"

Eboni frowned for a moment then shook her head. "Not long. She sent us both.... ahhh he's still outside..."

"That's alright, go Eboni. We will go and visit soon."

Eboni nodded and darted for the door when she walked out I saw the Black Dragon with the pale eyes smile and put his arm around her. As the door started to shut they walked away in the direction of Reina's room.

"Why did you stop me from going?"

"Eboni would have a list of people to visit. We were the last and she can't remember when this happened. Reina will be exhausted right now and a whole host of people coming to her. So take your time and expect her to be asleep." He grumbled but nodded.

He got out of bed gathering up our clothes. "I didn't think of that." I smiled as I took my clothes. We dressed and had a drink before we left the room heading for Reina's. "What do you think she meant about the bird noise and grumbling?" He asked as we stepped out into the corridor.

"I don't know... probably the sounds Rats and Dragon's make." I said shrugging.

Michi sighed and pointed at Silver Elder coming towards us. "Ahh Duha. Reina was awake but she fell asleep."

"We were asleep when we got the news."

She nodded. "Kyanite is awake so go straight in. She will probably wake up at some point." She yawned patting me on the shoulder as she left. "Good luck with the children. It is quite noisy in there." She called as she went into her room.

Michi took my hand and led me to the room. He opened the door and there in the middle of the room was Kyanite. He lay in a bed spread out on the floor ringed by coins and gems. He lifted his head to look at us from his curled position in the centre and smiled. He lifted his wing to reveal Reina. She half stood half laid over something that made her fur move. Reina's eyes were closed and she seemed peaceful. Kyanite waved us in slowly to stop from wakening Reina.

We walked in and closed the door quietly. Kyanite stroked Reina's head. Her eyes came open and she sifted. The room was filled with odd noises. A strange squeaking chirrup noise with an undertone of a low rumble. Reina sighed. "I'm not allowed to move it seems."

I chuckled quietly. "Sounds like you have a whole pack under there."

"There are four of them." Kyanite said strokeing Reina's back. "Two Rats,  two Dragons. They are already a handful. We have had only mothers visiting us. Reina decided she didn't want everyone in here just yet."

Reina was nearly asleep again as he talked while Michi tried to see the things moving underneath her fur. "I'm grateful we were offered the opportunity to come then."

Kyanite moved his wing slowly around them again. "It seems you might need to come back to meet them. The other reason we asked for you was to ask you to gather the battle reports from Garnet. She won't come in here at the moment. If you could read them and give us the shorthand version."

The noise started up again and Reina sighed. "Basically I'd like to have to deal with as few people as possible at the moment." Reina said as the noise died down.

"We can manage this and some time off if you need it." Michi said eagerly.

Reina chuckled. "You won't sound so eager after having these guys."

She yawned. "Come back tomorrow evening. We will be more awake."

I nodded taking Michi's arm. "Then I will gather the reports and see you then."

I turned Michi around and pushed him out the door. Once outside we turned up the corridor to go back to our room. "They sounded cute."

I couldn't help but smile. "You really like children don't you?"

He smiled broadly. "I do."

"Well, you will have plenty of children to keep you busy."

He nodded. "Between Reina's children and Chea, I will be busy with babies. It will keep me out of trouble."

No one has told you about Katja then. I think this place is going to be alive with the sound of children soon enough. I thought smiling.