Sharda swept her gaze over her assembled family mbers. Vur was in his human form, sitting next to Tafel on the ground. Behind them, Alice and Mr. Skelly were with their legs crossed and their backs completely straight, their expressions frozen stiff. Mary was sitting underneath a tree to the side, holding onto a turtle shell that had two pairs of eyes peeking out of either end. Eldest, Bonnie, and Youngest were bunched together like peas in a pod, staring at the green dragon beside their grandmother. Next to the annoying trio, their parents were sitting on their haunches, but their dad was sleeping despite having proper posture and open eyes.
Wheres Sera and Vernon? Sharda asked.
They flew back to herBonnie pointed at Marypalace to pick up the staves we left behind.
Tafel swallowed and shifted her weight, inching closer to Vur.
Sharda nodded. And Alora? Where is she?
Vur pointed off to the side. She went to the cave Auntie took over.
Auntie? Sharda asked and tilted her head. She glanced at her daughter, Kaela. Your cave?
Kaela shook her head. No.
Then which aunt of Vurs is this? Sharda asked. Did Vernon have a sister?
Kaela shrugged and jerked her chin towards Vur. Ask him.
Auntie is Auntie, Vur said when Shardas gaze landed on him.
Sharda furrowed her brow. I have to et this aunt of yours, she said and climbed to her feet. Where did you say her cave was?
Between those trees, Vur said, pointing off to the side.
Sharda lumbered towards the spot where Vur pointed. When she reached the trees, she swept them aside with her paw, causing the earth to shake as they fell to the ground. Her head lowered, and when she was about to step inside, she ca face to face with a purple dragon.
Grandma! Alora said. Hi. I was just coming out to see you.
Alora? Sharda asked. What happened? Youre purple. And your face is black.
Oh, Alora said and scratched her head. I, um, fell into a puddle of red liquid and turned purple. And my face is black because this rude woman threw a lightning spear into my face! Alora moved over to the side, letting light into the cave and onto Lindyss, who was lying down. Sharda glared at Lindyss, and Alora grinned when she saw that, but when her grandmother turned back to face her, Aloras expression turned back into one of a hurt puppys. Look at how charred my scales are. It was a really strong lightning bolt!
Lindyss heaved a sigh and sat up. She raised her hand over her face, catching and pushing back the hairs blocking her view. Her fingers ran through her hair and down to her neck. She tilted her head from side to side, letting out a few cracking sounds before standing up. I greet the dragon matriarch, she said and dipped her head down.
Huh? You throw lightning bolts into my face, but you give my grandma a proper greeting?
Lindyss ignored Alora, keeping her gaze fixed on Shardas front claws. After having t so many dragons, they honestly didnt seem that scary to her anymore. They were like giant childrengiant children with sharp teeth and claws that could tear her apart at any mont, but still children nonetheless. Except for Grimmy. A shiver ran down her spine, and she almost smacked herself for thinking such nonsensical thoughts.
And who exactly are you? Sharda asked, tapping her front claws against the ground.
Lindyss raised her head. Im Lindyss the Corrupted One. Im Grimmoldessers servant of sorts.
Sharda rubbed her chin and humd. That explains it, she said. But why does Vur call you his aunt? Were you related to his biological parents?
Lindyss shook her head. He calls aunt for the sa reason he calls Grimmoldesser uncle. Its just his form of address for us.
Shardas expression stiffened. He calls Grimmoldesser what?
Uncle.
Alora blinked at her grandmothers dark reaction. Um, Grandma? Is Uncle Grimmy not actually related to us by blood?
No. Sharda said, her eyes narrowed into slits. Hes not.
Phew. Alora patted her chest and shivered. Thats a relief. Oh! Grandma! Grimmoldesser, he, he. Hes a bad person who punished for no reason! He threw into this portal with shadows and stuff and and. Alora burst into tears, wailing and sobbing into her front paws. I was so scared, Grandma!
Shardas eyes widened, and she glared at Lindyss. Lindyss shrank back, her shoulders feeling heavier than usual. H-harming wont do anything to get back at Grimmoldesser.
Sharda nodded. Youre right, she said and took in a deep breath through her nose. But itll make feel better. Her chest expanded, and frost leaked out of the corners of her mouth.
Wait! Alora shouted. You cant kill her, Grandma! She has this orbwait, no, she didnt do anything wrong! You can hurt her, but you cant kill her.
Is this the part where we run? Erin asked and swallowed. She was sitting on Lindyss shoulder, staring up at the impending dragon breath leaking out of Shardas teeth.
Can you polymorph her? Lindyss whispered. Even if only for a second.
If you lend so mana, Erin said. Maybe I can polymorph her for half a second.
Purple mana surged into Erin from below, and she raised her hand. She pointed at Sharda, who was still hesitating while making eye contact with Alora. Polymorph!
As soon as Erin shouted, a pair of translucent wings sprouted out of Lindyss back, and she surged forward past the rapidly shrinking dragon matriarch. Wool sprouted out of Shardas shrinking body, and her claws beca more rounded as her paws turned into hooves. For a fraction of a second, she beca a sheep. Then, she rapidly expanded, returning to her normal form, but by then, Lindyss had already escaped from the cave.
A loud bang rang through the air. Vur and Tafel turned to look at each other. That ca from Aunties cave, right? Tafel asked and furrowed her brow. I told you you shouldve gone with your grandmother.
Vur shrugged. Id rather sit here next to you.
Tafel pursed her lips, her cheeks tinging with pink.
Tafel! Lindyss voice shouted. Portal!
Tafel turned her head to the side, and her eyes widened at the elf flying towards her. A gaping maw was close behind, and Lindyss surged forward, narrowly avoiding the teeth snapping shut behind her legs. Portal to where!? Tafel asked.
Anywhere!
Tafel opened a portal in the air, and Lindyss surged through, disappearing from view.
Widen it! Sharda roared before Tafel could close the portal.
Tafel flinched, and the portal widened enough for Sharda to pass through. Then it closed, leaving behind a group of stunned spectators. A mont later, Alora popped her head out of the path of destruction that Sharda had left behind. Whered they go?
Everyone turned to stare at Tafel.
I, uh, just opened the portal to the last location that I had set, Tafel said and scratched her neck. While you were goneshe nudged Vurs sideGrimmy wanted to teleport him to the dungeon we found with the bloody chiras. So, thats where they are now.
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