Revaramek the Resplendent - Missing Chapter D (Patreon)

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Chapter D

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Revaramek stood in The Cathedral’s front patio as evening approached. The sun was low in the sky, painting the ever-growing city of Refuge in the fiery throes of day’s end. The flagstone path to the street was roped off, as was the expansive, shaded dining area, making it clear that the tavern was temporarily closed. That hadn’t stopped a crowd of gawkers from gathering beyond the wrought-iron fence lining the grounds. No doubt they’d come in hopes of catching a glimpse of Nyramyn and Korakos. Though word of the dragon’s family had long since spread through the populace, Revaramek had yet to introduce them to the city proper.

Shadows swept across the street as a duo of familiar, feathery gryphons circled overhead. Revaramek glanced up, watching Kurekka and Chir’raal spiral towards the ground. A small, green-scaled hatchling was nestled in Kurekka’s forelegs, watching the world below with wide, copper eyes filled with wonder. A smile parted Revaramek’s muzzle at the sight of his son. Korakos loved to fly, no matter who ferried him aloft. Revaramek was glad Korakos had taken so quickly to the gryphons. That would make the hatchling’s upcoming time away from his family easier to bear.

The gryphons soon swept in over rooftops and trees, preparing to land. A few in the crowd called out that they were carrying a hatchling, and soon all the gathered locals were craning their necks to look for Korakos. As they jostled about, the city guards manning the barricades formed a line to ensure no one tried to enter Mirelle’s property without permission. Not that Revaramek expected trouble. If anything, the guards were for the crowd’s protection, rather than the other way around. He shuddered to think what might happen if some overeager human snuck into the Cathedral’s backyard, and accidentally startled or frightened Korakos while Nyramyn was watching him.

Kurekka stretched his crimson-edged wings, flicking and beating them to navigate the last moments of flight. He wove between two towering trees, then extended his hind legs, touching down on the cobbled path just beyond the dragon. He hopped a few paces on his back paws, then dropped onto a single foreleg, clutching Korakos with the other. The little dragon wriggled and squirmed, scrabbling at the air even as Kurekka gently set him down. As soon as Korakos’s paws found the earth, he streaked across it towards Revaramek.

“Father!” The hatchling bolted over the flagstones, and threw himself against Revaramek’s front paws. “Father, Father, Father!”

“Yes, Korakos, it is I!” Revaramek beamed down at his son, letting Korakos wrestle valiantly against his foreleg. “Your especially resplendent sire! Did you have a nice time with the gryphons?”

“Uh huh!” Korakos took a step back, waggled his haunches, and then pounced Revaramek’s front limb. This time, he clung to it, sinking tiny claws in wherever they could find purchase. With a playful growl, he dragged himself up Revaramek’s foreleg like a cat climbing a tree. “We went hunting, and swimming, and I caught a frog, and the birds caught a huge silver fish, and…” He kept climbing as he rattled off a list of everything they’d done that day. “I found a big shiny rock, and it rained on us, and a crayfish pinched me, and I ate the crayfish, and I found another frog, and we went flying, and-”

“So that’s where he’s learned to climb people!” Kurekka gave an indignant sounding chirrup as he moved aside, making room for his mate. “He’s been climbing us like that all day, despite our many protests. You know, we don’t have scales like you do.”

Revaramek lifted his foreleg. Korakos slipped partway down, dangling from it by his front limbs. He blinked at his father, kicked his hind legs against the air, and then gnawed at Revaramek’s scutes. The old dragon chuckled. “Yes, I’m sure you’ve been horrifically maimed by his tiny little claws. Why, how could you ever survive such a terrible prick?”

Kurekka clacked his beak, glaring at Revaramek. “I ask myself the same thing, whenever I’m stuck with you.”

Revaramek cackled, easing Korakos to the ground. “That’s not bad, bird.”

Behind them, Chir’raal soon alighted upon the pathway. He landed on all fours, trotting to a stop. The bigger, gray-fathered gryphon shook his black-barred wings, then folded them back. “Mirelle really needs to clear more space for us to land. There’s scarcely room for the three of us here, and it’s a pain in the ass to navigate around those damn trees.”

Kurekka tossed his head. “Yes, love, I’m sure Mirelle will be ever so eager to chop down her ancient trees and ruin her shaded patio, just so you can have a slightly easier landing pad.” He waved a tan-furred paw at Korakos. “And don’t say ass around the child!”

Chir’raal only glared at his mate. “He doesn’t understand me yet, anyway.”

“But that’s the key word, isn’t it? Yet?” Kurekka nudged Chir’raal with his beak. “If Rev returns from his trip and little Korakos says, welcome back, ass-”

“Then I shall laugh my ass off.” Chir’raal flicked his tail, beak parted and ears splayed in smug gryphon smile. “Anyway, you’re lucky I didn’t crash into you, landing on this narrow pathway.”

“Which is why we normally land on the street.” Kurekka nibbled at Chir’raal’s ear, gently soothing him. “It’s just that-”

“It’s the slack-jawed rabble, that’s the problem!” Revaramek pointed a wing tip towards the crowds. “They’ve all come to gawk and goggle at my magnificence.” He perked his frills. “Shall I have them all rounded up and flogged for their insolent obstruction?”

Chir’raal gave an appreciative warble. “See that you do.” He glanced over his wings towards the crowd, lifting his voice. “Next time I’m landing on you lot!” Scattered laughter spread through the crowd. Chir’raal sighed and hung his head, his wings drooping. “No one ever takes my threats seriously anymore. I miss the days when I was much-feared raider, striking terror in the hearts of-”

“Sick children, at best.” Revaramek reached out to pat Chir’raal’s head. “Poor bird, doesn’t frighten anyone anymore.”

Chir’raal snapped at the dragon’s paw. “Cut that out!”

Kurekka brushed a wing over his mate. “I’m afraid that’s the downside when you become a city’s savior. Suddenly they actually like you! Such a horrible burden to bear, I know.”

“Yes, yes.” Chir’raal snorted. “Can we just go inside? I suddenly need a drink.”

“I’m sure Mirelle can arrange that,” Revaramek said, leading the gryphons towards the grand front entryway. He glanced back at his son, now busy stalking one of the gryphon’s tails. “Come on, Korakos.”

Korakos abandoned his hunt to trot alongside his father instead. “Where are we going? Where’s momma?”

“She’s in the back yard.” Revaramek smiled down at him. “Remember where we ate all that food, the first time you met the gryphons? Nyra’s resting back there.”

The Cathedral’s double front doors were vast enough to allow even dragons easy admittance, when opened completely. Intricate scenes of drunken revelry were carved all across them, with inebriated celebrants of all species enjoying one another’s company. There were images of humans and va’chaak clinking glasses together, urd’thin drinking from horns, dragons and gryphons tipping back whole barrels, and so on. Revaramek pushed them open, and set the stoppers in place for the gryphons.

“There’s my boys!” Mirelle called out from within the great tavern. Her voice echoed amidst the rafters as she approached the group. She quickly hugged Kurrekka around the neck. “Councilman!”

Kurekka huffed, but returned the hug. “Must you call me that? It’s bad enough when Jekk does it.”

“Which is exactly why it amuses me to call you that.” Mirelle ruffled up his feathers, then turned to hug his mate. “And Councilman’s husband.”

Chir’raal warbled his amusement. “Hilarious, Mirelle.”

Mirelle playfully mussed up Chir’raal’s gray and black plumage the same way, then turned her attention towards the wide-eyed hatchling staring up at her. “And my favorite dragon is back, too!”

Revaramek tossed his head. “I only went out front for a few minutes, Mirelle.”

Mirelle rolled her eyes. “I was talking about your son.”

“Oh, Mirelle, it’s alright.” Revaramek flicked his tail, grinning. “You don’t have to spare his feelings, he can’t understand you yet.” He scooped Korakos up in a foreleg. “By the way, birds. I hope he didn’t give you too much trouble.”

“Quite a bit of it,” Chir’raal said, clicking his beak.

“None at all,” Kurekka said, almost at the same time. They glanced at each, and after a moment, Kurekka shrugged his wings. “No more so than you’d expect for an energetic little hatchling, anyway.”

Chir’raal flicked a wing towards his mate. “I’ve designated Kurekka to chase Korakos down whenever he runs off. Which is always.” He shook himself, then splayed his ears, glancing at Revaramek. “Not that he isn’t a lovely little thing. I’m just too old to be chasing children around.”

Kurekka nipped at Chir’raal’s ear. “We’re practically the same age. You’re just lazy.”

“Yes!” Chir’raal gave an appreciative chirp. “I am! Which is why you’ve been volunteered to chase after him while he’s full of energy. And I, meanwhile…” He put a paw to his chest. “Shall heroically care for him when he’s feeling sleepy, and in need of cuddles.”

Revaramek swished his tail, bumping it against Chir’raal’s haunch. “What about when I’msleepy, and in need of cuddles?”

Chir’raal made a show of preening a wing. “I don’t know… I wouldn’t want to make your mate jealous.” He lifted his head. “Speaking of which, how is she?”

Revaramek couldn’t help but smirk. “Sleepy, and in need of cuddles.” He hobbled across the tavern on three paws, carrying Korakos. “More seriously, she made it through the surgery quite well. But she’s still medicated, and she’s been dozing a lot all afternoon. Even when she’s awake, she’s not always fully aware, I don’t think. The healers said that should last until tomorrow.”

Kurekka swiveled his ears towards the dragon, listening intently. “And do they think she’ll heal properly, now?”

Revaramek nodded. “Her wound should finally close properly, yes. Of course, in the long term…” He swallowed, trailing off. Even in another language, he did not like speaking of Nyra’s illness around Korakos. “You know.”

Kurekka nodded. “One thing at a time, Rev.” He rubbed up against the dragon in a show of affection and support, tickling at Revaramek’s scales. “It sounds like she’ll be feeling a lot better in the short term, at least.”

“At least once the pain fades.” Chir’raal padded towards the bar. He craned his neck, peering over it. “Speaking of pain, dear Mirelle. Have you got any wine back there for a poor, old achy gryphon who spent all day chasing around a rambunctious hatchling?”

Mirelle slipped behind the bar, digging out a drinking bowl. “Didn’t you just get done saying you’d made Kurekka chase him?”

“No.” Chir’raal flattened his ears. “I said I’ve designated him to do that. As in, from now on. Because today it was my responsibility, and I’m so sore I don’t ever want to do it again.”

“He exaggerates, as usual.” Kurekka joined him at the bar. “The only time he had to chase after Korakos was when I was busy hunting our dinner.”

Chir’raal playfully batted his mate with a wing. “And lunch!”

“Oh, please.” Kurekka pushed the other gryphon’s wing away. “When I returned with that deer, you two were both fast asleep.” He glanced back at Revaramek. “They were adorable. Chir’raal was all curled up and Korakos was fast asleep in his forelegs.”

Revaramek made a cooing noise at the gryphon. “Awww, sleepy Uncle Chir’raal.”

“Shove it under your tail, lizard.” Chir’raal snapped his beak. “Besides, I had to chase him all over the damn swamp just so I could put him down for his nap!”

Kurekka only stared at him. “I find that exceedingly hard to believe. If anything, youwere the one who needed the nap.”

“Well, you’re right about that part, at least.” Chir’raal accepted a bowl full of wine from Mirelle. He took a drink, then gave a happy sigh. “Rev, don’t wait on our account. Take the poor boy to see his mother. We’ll join you shortly if Nyra’s up for it.”

“Very well.” Revaramek made his way to the door, cradling his son to his chest. “Now, Korakos, your mother-”

“I wanna see Momma!” Korakos wriggled, valiantly struggling for freedom from his father’s oppressive grasp.

“That’s where we’re going.” Revaramek kept a firm grip on him. “But remember what we talked about, before we left you with the gryphons? Your mother’s had her wound treated, today. She’s very sore, and she’s had medicine to make her feel better, but it also makes her sleepy. And she might…” Revaramek pinned his ears, trying to decide how best to explain. “She might say funny things or act a little strange, for a day or two. You need to be gentle with her, and be quiet whenever she’s asleep. Understand?”

Korakos peered up at his father, then gave a single, solemn nod. “I’ll be quiet.”

“Good.” Revaramek set him down on the wooden patio outside the Cathedral. “Let’s see if your mother is still awake.”

Nyramyn had spent most of the afternoon dozing off and on. She was awake again when Revaramek went to await the gryphons out front, but he would not have been surprised to find her fast asleep already. Korakos trotted along at his side as they crossed the yard, towards the pine trees walling off Mirelle’s private garden from The Cathedral’s patio and public area. Nyramyn remained on the sprawl of blankets where Revaramek had left her. She was still awake, and as soon as she saw Korakos her eyes lit up, and her frills lifted.

“My son!” Nyramyn pushed herself up, her legs wobbling a little. “There’s my lovely boy!” She took a few hesitant steps, swaying slightly.

“Hi momma!” Korakos hurried ahead, bounding through the grass. “You’re all wobbly!”

“Yes, she is!” Revaramek raised his voice loud enough to ensure Nyra could hear him. “Which is why she should wait there, and let us come to her.”

Nyra huffed, settling back on her haunches. She held her forelegs wide, and Korakos bolted towards her. Just as he reached Nyramyn, Korakos leapt at her belly with a gleeful sound, half playful snarl, half delighted squeal. Nyra snatched him out of the air mid-pounce, hugging him to her chest. Korakos giggled and wriggled and Nyramyn laughed with him, though her muzzle soon contorted into a pained grimace.

“Oh, love, don’t make your mother laugh so hard.” Nyra curled her head down to lick him. “Her belly hurts.”

“But I didn’t do nothin’!” Korakos returned her licks, tiny hatchling tongue darting across her nose.

Revaramek followed Korakos over to Nyramyn’s side, stretching a wing to drape it across her. “I told him he needs to be gentle with you, while you’re recovering. And be quiet while you’re sleeping.”

“But she’s not sleeping now!” Korakos batted at his mother’s muzzle, then craned his neck, trying to see her stomach. “Is your scar healed now?”

“Not yet, love.” Nyra gently set Korakos down, then eased onto her side. “But your father’s human friends have given it a chance to heal, at last.”

Korakos scrabbled around Nyramyn, running towards her belly. He skidded to a stop on the blankets, staring at the bandages affixed to her side. “What’s on you?”

“That’s a bandage.” Revaramek grasped Korakos’s tail in case his curiosity got the best of him. Nyra certainly didn’t need a hatchling poking and prodding at her freshly stitched wound. “Your mother had an infection, and they had to…” He trailed off, unsure exactly what to tell Korakos. But when the little hatchling stared up at him, patiently waiting, he decided just to tell the truth. “They had to cut the bad part out, to clean the rest of the wound.” Korakos’s eyes widened and he sucked in a breath, but otherwise remained silence. “Then when it was clean, they closed it up with stitches. The bandage helps keep the stitches safe, and clean.”

Korakos scrunched his muzzle. “What’s stitches?”

Revaramek chuckled. “I’ll show you, later. If you want, I can teach you how to help me change her bandage.”

“Yeah!” Korakos spun in a circle. “I wanna help momma get better!”

“Me too, little one.” Revaramek ran his paw down the hatchling’s velvet soft wings. “Me too.”

Korakos soon turned his attention back to his mother. “Did it hurt when they cut the bad part out?”

Nyramyn winced, splaying her ears. “Not at the time. I was asleep when they did it.” She curled her neck, staring at herself. “But it hurts now. I think the medicines are wearing off.”

Revaramek reached for her forepaw, gently squeezing it. “You certainly seem a little more coherent, at least. But we’ll get you something more for the pain, shortly. That should help you sleep through the night, as well.”

“I certainly hope so.” Nyramyn licked her nose, beckoning Korakos back around in front of her. “Did you have fun spending the day with the big, funny looking birds?”

“Yeah!” Korakos trotted around to the front of the blankets, then idly stalked and pounced imaginary foes while recounting his adventures. “We went hunting, and fishing, and swimming, and flying, and I went on patrol, and I took a nap, and I found a frog, and another frog, and a fish, and a crayfish pinched me, and-”

“And you ate the crayfish!” Revaramek settled onto his haunches alongside his mate.

Korakos nodded three times. “Uh huh, uh huh, uh huh!”

Revaramek made a grand sweeping gesture with a forepaw. “And don’t forget the big, shiny rock.”

Korakos stared at his mother, dropping his voice into something deadly serious. “I found a big, shiny rock.”

Nyramyn gave a mock gasp. “Big, and shiny?” She glanced up at Revaramek. “Just like your father’s ego.”

“Nonsense, Nyra.” Revaramek shook his head. “An ego can’t be shiny.”

“Yours would certainly find a way.” Nyramyn laid her head across Revaramek’s paws. “Did the birds feed you enough?”

“Uh huh!” Korakos hopped around on his paws. “We ate a deer, and a really big fish!”

“And then you took a nap with Uncle Chir’raal, right?” Revaramek curled his tail.

“Yeah!” Korakos lifted one leg, hopping on three paws as if emulating the way his father carried him a few moments earlier. “Uncle Chirble makes a good bed.”

Revaramek burst out laughing. “Yes, I bet he does. And I think I’m going to have to start calling him that.”

“Please don’t.” Nyramyn snorted, but didn’t bother to lift her head from Revaramek’s front paws. “I’d much prefer we not irritate the creatures in charge of watching Korakos for us when we’re…” She trailed off, then quickly amended herself. “Busy.”

A twinge of pain hooked itself deep into Revaramek’s heart. All too soon, they were going to have to tell Korakos they were leaving. And worse still, they were going to have to leave him behind. Revaramek took a quavering breath, steeling himself. For now, though, he wanted to enjoy their time together.

Revaramek lowered his head, and gave Nyramyn’s ears a few loving licks. “As you wish, love.” He turned his attention back to Korakos. “So, you had fun? Would you enjoy spending the day with them again, once in a while?”

“Yeah!” Korakos walked over, and flopped down against his mother’s head, tail draped across Revaramek’s foreleg. “The big screech birds are fun!” He crinkled up his little green snout. “But they smell funny.”

Revaramek cackled. “They certainly do!”

Nyramyn snorted again. “Don’t you dare tell them he said that, either.”

“Oh, don’t worry, love.” Revaramek gave her ears another lick. “Before long, he’ll learn to speak the local tongue, and then he can tell those stinkbirds how much they stink to right to their smug beaks!”

Korakos giggled and swatted the blanket, as if for emphasis. “Right to their smug beaks!” Then he lowered his voice, as if in imitation of his father. “You stink, stink birds!”

Nyramyn gave a frustrated groan. “Well done, Revaramek. How excited your friends will be to spend time with our son now that you’ve taught him to insult their odor.”

“Well, you said it yourself, Nyra.” Revaramek shrugged his wings, holding back laughter. “They’ve got an odor!”

Korakos slapped his paw down again. “They’ve got an odor!”

“No, love, they don’t.” Nyra lifted her head just enough to nuzzle at Korakos. “They only smell funny because we’re not used to their species. Please don’t say those things to your father’s bird friends.”

The hatchling ignored her completely, carrying on a conversation with an imaginary gryphon. “You’re a stinky stink bird, stink bird!”

Nyra sighed, laying her head back down. “Yes, this is going to go over spectacularly.” She flicked her tail tip against Revaramek. “I need more medication to deal with the latest troublesome habit you’ve taught our child.”

Revaramek stroked her neck. “Let me go and see what I can find for you. The healers have gone home for the evening, but they’ve left me detailed instructions and a pile of terrible-tasting things for you to eat.” He ignored Nyra’s disgusted snort, and looked up at the sky. The setting sun was now hidden somewhere beyond the city, but its last brilliant light edged the scattered clouds in vibrant shades of fiery red and purple. “You could probably take the medicine meant to help you sleep soon, if you wish.”

Nyramyn tilted her head against her paw without lifting it. “A deep sleep sounds wonderful. But we need to watch Korakos until he burns off all his energy.”

“Let me worry about that.” Revaramek turned his attention to his child, now endeavoring to climb one of the nearby pine trees. As he scaled it with his claws, he chattered nonsense at a crimson-feathered bird, perched on a high bough. The bird eyed him warily, issuing a derisive sounding peep. “Korakos, don’t climb any higher than you can safely jump down without someone there to catch you.”

Korakos froze, then slowly turned his head to stare at his own wings. He stretched them to their full extent and gave them a slow, cautious flap. “When will-”

“When you’re older.” Revaramek snapped his jaws for emphasis. “Until then, don’t you even think about jumping out of trees to test your wings.” He pointed towards the blanket Nyramyn lay upon. “Now, climb down. Carefully. And come sit with your mother while I go inside to find her medicines. I don’t want her to have to hobble around after you.”

“I’m not hobbling.” Nyramyn glared up at him, though her drowsy, half-lidded expression stole the fire from her gaze. “I’m limping. There’s an important distinction.”

Revaramek patted her forepaw. “Yes, of course there is, dear.”

“Hobbling is what the elderly do.” Nyramyn curled her neck to watch Korakos ease his way back down the tree trunk. “Limping is what the heroically injured do.”

Revaramek lifted his frills. “Heroically injured?” His muzzle parted with a grin. “Now you’re sounding like a proper hero from an exciting tale. Never let anyone forget your injury was earned heroically, saving our son from that dreadful swamp.”

Nyramyn gave him a sharp look. “I won’t.” Then she softened her tone, and stretched her neck to give his paw a gentle lick. “I learned from the best, after all.”

“That you did, love.” Revaramek stroked her jaw, still smiling. “That you did.” When Korakos hopped down from the tree trunk and trotted over, Revaramek patted the blanket alongside Nyra. “Come here, Kor. Wait with your mother.” The hatchling settled in against his mother’s forelegs, and Revaramek lowered his head to lick Nyra’s nose. “I’ll be back soon, love.”

“You’d better be.” Nyra pressed into his tongue, then lapped at Korakos’s head and neck. He giggled and leaned into her affection, purring. “Or I shall Korakos to bite your nose when you fall asleep.”

Revaramek gave a mock gasp, covering his nose with a paw. Korakos playfully bit at the air a few times, until Revaramek set his forepaw down. “Wouldn’t be the first time. Very well, then, back in a flash.” He withdrew his wing from Nyramyn’s back, and turned towards The Cathedral. “Or at least, a relatively small number of flashes.” He cocked his head. “Not exactly sure how long a flash is, actually. Perhaps I should ask Mirelle-”

Nyra swatted at his webbed tail. “Just go!”

Revaramek hurried away from his mate and child, casting a glance back at them. It still buoyed his heart to have his family in his life, again. Though he’d shared every single day with them since they found their way here, sometimes it still felt too good to be true. As if this was all just some beautiful dream, he dared not wake himself from. Sometimes Revaramek feared that any moment, the world around him would shatter like a hammer through glass, and he would awake once more to find himself alone. The thought made him shudder, his scales clicking. He forced it from his mind, and padded into The Cathedral.

Inside, Mirelle was busy sharing a drink with the gryphons, and regaling them with some tale or another. Revaramek swiveled his ears towards them, listening just long enough to determine the chronicle was of little interest. “Oh, Mirelle, tell them a better story.” Revaramek a put a paw across his chest. “You know, one with me in it!”

Mirelle arched a brow. “Well, I suppose I could tell them about the last time I kicked you in the-”

“Can’t hear you, Mirelle, being a devoted mate!” Revaramek lifted his voice loud enough to drown her out. “Now where did those healer’s leave Nyra’s medication?”

Mirelle rolled her eyes, pointing to the long table nearby laden with medical supplies. “The same place it was the last time you asked.”

“How’s she doing, anyway?” Kurekka twisted his head around to regard Revaramek as the dragon walked past. “Would it be alright to go and greet her, or should we wait until tomorrow?”

Revaramek paused to give Kurekka a wide-eyed stare. “How do you birds do that?”

Kurekka blinked. “Do what?”

“Twist your head around all the way.” Revaramek tossed his head. “You look like a damn barn owl!”

Chir’raal made the same gesture, swiveling his head to glare at the dragon over his wings. “We do not look like owls!”

“Oh, gods, Mirelle!” Revaramek backed away. “They’re both doing it! And you’re right, when there’s two of you doing that, you don’t look like owls.” He hissed at them. “You look possessed! Mirelle, quick, help me banish these demons!”

Chir’raal gave an aggravated squawk. “Shove an entire urd’thin under your tail.”

Revaramek cackled. “I rather doubt the urd’thin would appreciate that anymore than I would!”

Mirelle glanced between the gryphons. “You two do look a little odd when you’re both doing that.”

“Nonsense.” Kurekka swung his head back around towards Mirelle. “We don’t twist our heads around any further than dragons do. He can look back over his wings, too.”

Mirelle drummed her fingers against the counter in consideration. “Maybe, but his neck is a lot longer. It looks more normal when he does it. When you do it, I’m half afraid your spine is going to snap.”

“Exactly!” Revaramek turned away from the gryphons, walking to the table with Nyra’s supplies. “Anyway, birds, yes. Now is as good a time as any to go and see her. She’s mostly coherent again at the moment, but she’ll be sleeping soon. In fact…” He glanced back at them across his wings. “Make yourselves useful and help me carry some of this stuff.”

“See?” Kurekka pointed at the dragon. “Right there! He’s doing it too!”

“Oh, please.” Revaramek jerked his head back around, and made a show of sorting through jars of herbs and liquids, bandages and salves, and other supplies. “I didn’t turn my head half as far as you do. Mirelle, will you get a little food for Nyra, please? She should eat something with her pain-numbing herbs.”

“Sure thing, Rev.” Mirelle made her way to the kitchen, pausing at the door. “I’ll bring it out as soon as it’s ready.”

With the gryphons’ help, Revaramek soon returned to Nyramyn with an assortment of medical goods. Korakos jumped up to his feet and ran circles around the larger, feathered creatures. With Revaramek acting as translator, they each greeted Nyra, asked how she was feeling, expressed their sympathies for her discomfort, and so on.

Revaramek decided just to let them all converse while they waited on Nyra’s food. He did not mind acting as a go-between, as it gave Nyra a chance to get to know Kurekka and Chir’raal a little better. Nyra talked with the gryphons all about their day with Korakos. During the conversation, the hatchling clambered all over the two gryphons, jumping from one to the other and back again. Revaramek was glad to see Nyra smile at their patience and gentleness with her son. Moments like this would go a long way towards putting her at ease when it came time to leave their son in the gryphons’ care.

Mirelle soon emerged from The Cathedral carrying a platter heaped with steaming meats. She brought it around to Nyra, and set it before her. The delightful aromas spoke of spice-rubbed goat, and mutton roasted with mint, and apples. Mirelle sent the gryphons to fetch Nyramyn some water, then gestured at the food.

“Alright, Rev.” She gave him a hard look. “You said food for Nyra, so I’ve only brought enough for her. The rest of you can have a snippet or two, but that’s about it.”

Revaramek reached out and speared a hunk of meat with a claw, offering it to Korakos. “That’s fine, Mirelle. As wonderful as it smells, I ate a little while ago, and the birds ate with Korakos.”

The gryphons soon returned with water, and Nyra drank deeply. When her thirst was quenched, she helped herself to the goat and mutton. At Revaramek’s insistence, Nyra ate slowly. The healers had warned that her stomach may be prone to upset for a few days. Revaramek knew it was that better she grew frustrated with him for being overly cautious than to eat too quickly, than to risk tearing her stitches when she retched it all back up. In the end she could not finish her meal, anyway, and offered the rest to everyone else. Revaramek split it with Korakos and the birds, while passing Nyra’s compliments onto Mirelle.

After Nyramyn finished her modest meal, Revaramek prepared her next round of medications. The healers had left him detailed written instructions, as well as several dragon-sized mortars and pestles. While Revaramek mashed herbs and powders together, Korakos continued to treat the gryphons like his personal playground. He climbed up Kurekka’s back, jumped onto Chir’raal, and eventually, leapt from the gryphon’s head onto Nyra’s.

“Korakos,” Revaramek said, a hint of sharpness in his voice. “Don’t jump on your mother while she’s healing.”

“Sorry, father.” Korakos slid down Nyra’s neck, only to leap from it and set about attacking Kurekka’s tail feathers.

Nyra chuckled. “I’d rather he not jump on me after I’ve healed either.”

Revaramek shook his head, his tone solemn. “I’m afraid there’s only so much I can do.” He offered a wooden bowl with a bitter-smelling green slurry in it. Hints of yellow and red flecked it. “Here. This is for the pain.” He sniffed it, then quickly skimmed the directions again. “I think I did it right.”

“You think?” Nyramyn curled her forepaw around the bowl, drawing it close. “If you’ve poisoned me, Korakos is going to be very cross with you.”

Revaramek swallowed. “Perhaps I should taste it first. Or at least, triple check…”

By then, Nyramyn was already licking it up out of the bowl. She scrunched her muzzle, flattening her ears. “Ugh. It certainly tastes just as bad as before, if not quite the same.”

“It’s a different formulation,” Revaramek said, half muttering to himself. He poured over the directions, making sure he’d followed every step correct. “Before you eat any more, just let me-”

“I trust you, love.” Nyramyn ate another mouthful, forcing herself to gulp it down. “I know you did it right.”

“I trust you too, but mistakes happen.” He read through the rest of the instructions, certain he hadn’t missed a single step, or miscalculated anything. Revaramek sighed, turning to the next set. “I’ll mix up the sleeping medicine, too.”

Nyramyn licked darker green residue off her pale green muzzle. “I hope that one tastes better.” She pinned her frills back. “Because this one tastes like…” She trailed off, and her gaze drifted to Korakos, openly staring at her. She quickly amended herself. “Something quite unpleasant.”

Korakos crinkled his muzzle. “Momma’s medicine smells yucky!”

“That it does, little one.” Revaramek carefully read the instructions for mixing the next concoction. He gathered the herbs and was soon mashing them together. A pungent aroma exuded from the bowl, leaving his nostrils stinging. “Oh, wonderful. This one smells even worse!”

Korakos gave a gasp. “Is that why the gryphons eat? Is that why they’re stinky?”

Revaramek burst out laughing, shaking his head. “No, my lovely child. They’re funny smelling by nature! I think they’re born that way.”

Chir’raal clacked his beak, his ears splayed, eyes fixed on Revaramek. “You’d better not be laughing at us.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Revaramek poured a measure of water, and another of some odd smelling spirit into the mixture, then resumed grinding it all together. “I was just telling him a joke.” He flicked his tail. “A dragon joke. You wouldn’t understand. Right, Mirelle?”

Mirelle held her hands up. “Oh, no. You leave me out of whatever…” She gestured between them. “This is.”

Revaramek shrugged his wings. “Mirelle doesn’t understand, either.”

Chir’raal kept glaring at him. “You’re just lucky your mate doesn’t know us well enough for Kurekka and I to pin you down like the old days and-”

“Can’t hear you, caring for my mate.” Revaramek sniffed at the second bowl, struggling not to scrunch his muzzle in distaste. “I think this is ready whenever you are, love. Supposedly it will put you to sleep and keep you that way all night long.” He retrieved the empty container from Nyra and set it aside. “Although, I don’t know how long it will take to kick in. Before you eat it, perhaps I should help you pay another visit to the little dragon’s room. Just in case.”

Nyramyn gave him a blank look. “There’s a chamber just for small dragons? Why does Mirelle have that, and why would I need to visit it? If it’s that small, I doubt I would fit.”

Revaramek scratched his muzzle. “Yes, I suppose that’s a difficult phrase to translate. Perhaps I should have said, little girls’ room?”

“Oh, I definitely wouldn’t fit in that. Wait…” Nyra blinked, then sucked in a breath. “She has a room where she keeps little girls?” She gave Mirelle a horrified look. “Why?”

“She doesn’t keep them in it,” Revaramek said, trying not to laugh. “They just visit it when they-”

“Why does she have a room for little girls to visit?” Nyramyn tilted her head, then recognition dawned in her eyes. “Oh, I understand now.” Unfortunately, it was the sort of recognition. “It’s just where stores people’s children when they visit her bar. I hope she’s at least got some toys or something in there for them.”

Revaramek rubbed his muzzle, sighing. “No, love. There is no such room. It’s just a human expression. I was trying to say I should take help you walk behind the trees for a piss before you sleep.”

“Oh.” Nyramyn chuckled, scratching at her neck with a wingtip. “Why didn’t you just say so, then? And why do humans call pissing the little girls room? What an odd expression.”

“No, they don’t call pissing that, that’s what they call the place…” He glanced at Mirelle, then back at Nyra. “Well, the females occasionally call it that. The males would call it…you know what? Nevermind. It’s just a thing I heard them say now and then.”

“Humans are strange.” Nyramyn bumped her muzzle against his chest. “And you are even stranger.”

Revaramek cupped her cheek, smiling. “I shall take that as a compliment.” He turned his attention to the other three. “Would you all watch Korakos for a moment? I’m going to take Nyramyn behind the pine trees real quick.”

Mirelle arched a brow. “She just had surgery Rev, I don’t think she’s up for a romp just yet.” She smirked. “No matter how quick you are.”

Revaramek tossed his head, laughing. “I’m just taking her for a piss, Mirelle.”

Kurekka chirruped, fluffing up his feathers. “We don’t all need to know what weird things you are into. Just go!”

“Hilarious, bird!” Revaramek glared at him while helping Nyra to her feet. “Absolutely hilarious.”

Revaramek helped Nyra to a private spot, and then back again. Once she was settled back down, Revaramek presented her with the sleeping medicine. As she begrudgingly consumed it, he rinsed out the other bowl, then filled it with water and returned it to her so she could rinse her mouth. Korakos padded up to her to sniff at the medication. He immediately yanked his head back, his muzzle crinkled up, tongue protruding in a sign of hatchling disgust.

Nyra glanced up at him, halfway through her dose. “My thoughts exactly, little one.” She ate another mouthful, then nudged Revaramek with her muzzle. “If this is going to put me to sleep, I should say farewell to your friends.”

“They’re your friends now too, Nyra.” Revaramek smiled, stroking her neck.

Nyra soon smiled with him. “So they are.” She pushed herself to her feet, wobbling just a little. Then she mantled her wings, draping one partway across Revaramek. Nyramyn lowered her head, her forelegs parted, and brushed her muzzle against the blankets in formal bow. “Thank you all for your help.” She lifted her head just enough to look towards Mirelle. “For your hospitality.” Then she turned her gaze to the gryphons. “And for caring for my son, today. And…for the friendship you’ve all been so eager to share with me.” Nyra lowered her head back to the blanket, hissing at Revaramek under her breath. “Hurry up and translate while I’m bowing, so I can lay back down.”

“Certainly, Water Ally Nyramyn.” Revaramek translated for her, speaking swiftly.

“Please tell Nyramyn that she’s ever so welcome.” Kurekka matched Nyra’s formal gesture. After a moment, he swatted Chir’raal with a wing, and the other gryphon bowed alongside him. “It was our pleasure to care for-”

“I’m just going to tell her all three of you said she’s welcome and you’re happy to help.” Revaramek did just that, and then patted the blanket. “She’s sore and ready to lay down, but formality dictates she await your reply.” Nyra eased back onto her belly, and Revaramek gave her neck a lick before glancing at his friends again. “I suspect she’ll be fast asleep not long after she finishes that bowl.”

“In other words…” Chir’raal nipped his mate’s neck. “We should get the hell out of here.”

Revaramek rumbled laughter, shrugging his wings. “Not my exactly sentiment, but close enough. Thank you again for watching Korakos.”

“Happy to do any time.” Kurekka waved a paw at the little dragon. “Farewell, little dragon! We’ll see you next time.”

Chir’raal slunk forward to give Korakos a gentle nuzzle. “Goodbye, tiny hunter. See you soon.”

“Say goodbye to the birds, Korakos!”

“Bye, Stinky Birds!” Korakos reared onto his hind legs to hug Chir’raal’s head. Then he trotted over to Kurekka, and did the same thing when the other gryphon dropped his head down as well. “Bye!”

When Korakos returned to his mother, Revaramek took his place. He hugged each of the gryphons under a wing, holding them close for a moment. “It’s wonderful to see you two getting on so well with my family.”

The two gryphons returned his affection, with Kurekka nuzzling him, and uttering a happy purr. “It’s wonderful to see you with your family.”

“Yes, it is.” Chir’raal patted Revaramek’s forepaw. “It was ever so tiring watching you mope about all the time!” He laughed, and wriggled out from under Revaramek’s wing, then grinned back at the dragon. “I am quite happy for you, honestly. And for them. We’ll be back to check on everyone tomorrow.” He swished a wing in the air, beckoning Kurekka forward. “Come along, dear. I should like to use the last of my strength to make it home, so that I can flop onto the bed.”

“Flop onto each other, more like,” Revaramek said.

Kurekka tossed his head. “Oh, please. Like we’ve got any energy left for that after spending all day babysitting your rambunctious little spawn.” He clacked his beak, and then leapt into the air. “See you tomorrow!”

As Chir’raal followed his mate into the sky, Revaramek waved a wing after them. “Good night, birds!”

When the gryphons had vanished over the near horizon, Mirelle stepped forward. “I’m gonna head home soon, as well. I gotta make sure The Cathedral is locked up for the night, but then I’m going to go take a bath, and get comfortable in my own bed, I think.” She wrapped her arms around Revaramek’s neck, hugging him tight. “I’m glad things went well for her, so far. If you need anything at all, you know where to find me.”

“Thank you, Mirelle.” Revaramek circled a foreleg around her to gently return her hug, rubbing her back. “Your support today has meant more than you’ll never know.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Mirelle hugged him a moment longer, then pulled back to playfully tap her finger against his nose. “Just remember that next time you’re getting on my nerves. Instead of pushing it further, maybe…” She smirked. “I dunno, don’t?”

Revaramek cocked his head. “I don’t know, Mirelle. That sounds like a very tall order. But I shall give it serious consideration.”

“See that you do.” She turned towards Korakos, and held her hands out towards him. When Nyra beckoned her forward, Mirelle approached them, then crouched down to pet the hatchling’s head. “Good night, Korakos.” Then she smiled up at Nyramyn. “And good night, Nyramyn. I hope you’re feeling a little better in the morning. If you need anything…” She trailed off, waving at Revaramek. “Well, go on, translate.”

The dragon sighed, the sound thick with mock indignation. “She says good night to you both, and that we can wake her if we need anything. And she hopes you feel better tomorrow, Nyra.”

Nyramyn lowered her head in gratitude again. “Please tell her-”

“I know, I know.” Revaramek grunted. “She says all the usual things, Mirelle.”

Mirelle arched a brow as she straightened up. “Good enough, I suppose. Alright then, I’ll see you all in the morning.”

Revaramek nodded. “Good night, Mirelle.”

Mirelle waved as she turned and walked away. “Good night.”

“Finally!” Revaramek lifted his voice just enough for Mirelle to hear it. “I thought she’d never leave!”

Mirelle flashed him a rude gesture and kept walking.

Nyramyn licked the last of the herbal compound out of her bowl. She cast Revaramek a sidelong glance. “Does that hand signal mean what I think it does?”

Revaramek snorted. “Worse, probably.”

“Oh, good.” Nyramyn passed him back the empty bowl. “I shall have to learn it, then.”

“Now, Nyra.” Revaramek stacked the empty bowl into the first one, then gathered up his remaining supplies. “It would be terribly rude of you to make those gestures to our host!”

Nyramyn lapped up some water, seeking to cleanse the bitter taste from her tongue. When she paused to catch her breath, she shot her mate a dirty look. “I think we both know who the recipient would be, and it isn’t Mirelle.”

Revaramek only shook his head, sighing. “And after the gryphons went to such trouble taking care of Korakos.”

Nyramyn just snorted. “And you wonder why we’d tell you to go…” Her gaze shifted to Korakos, staring up at her. “Do unpleasant things to yourself.”

“Yes, I was wondering how you were going to get out of that one.” Revaramek stroked Nyra’s foreleg. “Speaking of unpleasant experiences, I’m going to have to change your bandages before I sleep tonight. I can do so now, if you prefer, so as not to wake you once you’re asleep.”

Nyramyn shrugged her wings. “May as well wait until I’m slumbering. We’ll see if that horrible sludge I just ate was worth enduring the constant urge to vomit it back up. If it can’t keep me asleep through your poking and prodding, I might not bother eating it again tomorrow.”

Revaramek offered her a lopsided grin, his frills perked. “You’ve never complained about my poking and prodding before.”

“Only because it’s over so quickly.” Nyra laid her head down up on her paw. “And then you’re the one who’s fast asleep. Perhaps you’ve simply missed my myriad complaints about your all too brief performances.”

“Perhaps so, love.” Revaramek patted her forepaw, then returned to sorting through his supplies. He laid out some clean bandages across the blanket, and selected a jar of salve, and another of resin. “They’ve using this sticky stuff to keep your dressings stuck to your scales, so they don’t have to figure out how to tie it around you.”

Nyramyn flicked her webbed tail tip against the blanket. “Yes, yes, the humans are very clever. Just don’t let Korakos get that stuff all over him. I don’t want to wake up and find him affixing pine needles, leaves, and frogs to himself.”

Revaramek chuckled, glancing at the little dragon. Korakos was now busy stalking his mother’s tail tip, and paying them little attention. “I think he’d just eat the frogs.”

“Nonetheless.” Nyramyn swished her tail, and Korakos pounced on it, only for her to swish it back the other way and send him tumbling over the blankets. “If I wake to find him covered in bandage sap-”

“I think it’s called resin, actually.” Revaramek arched his neck, grinning. “You see, resin means-”

“I’ll call it what I like, and if he’s coated himself in by the morning, I shall smear it across your…” She waggled a claw tip towards his hind end. “Everything, and then smother you in pine needles.”

Revaramek only tilted his head. “I’m not sure how that would help clean Korakos up.” He patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry, I won’t let him make a mess of himself.” He glanced at Korakos as the little dragon inspected the medication bowls. “Or at least, if he does, I’ll be sure to bathe him before you wake.”

“See that you do.” Nyramyn snorted, her eyelids drooping slightly. She curled her tail gently across Revaramek’s, softening her tongue. “Thank you, Rev. For taking care of me.”

“That isn’t something you need to thank me for, Nyra.” Revaramek stretched his neck to gently lick her nose. “But you’re welcome, just the same. Try and get some sleep, love.”