“Which are?”
I sighed.Of course she’d want to know.“Extreme heat for a prolonged period of time.When a clutch is fertilized, the mother will deposit the eggs in a volcano, usually choosing one that is active.”
“The eggs are placed in a volcano?Wouldn’t the magma kill them?”
“It acts as an incubator, and when the hatchlings are ready, they can easily break free.”
“And not be burned, right?”
“Correct.Although, as they mature, some lose their protection against the magma depending on their ability.”
“Abilities being?”
“Mine is of changing my shape.”The one she knew about.I didn’t mention the others I’d gained during my lifetime.“Some can breathe fire?—”
“Like the stories.”
“There are myriad forms a dragon’s innate skill can take.Some project lightning, blow ice, spit acid.Nessie, for example, can breathe water like air, and manipulate it as if it had substance.Even turn it into a drill that can bore through rock.”
“So very cool.I take it from what you said that the mom of those young dragons is dead.”
“Yes.”If it was Tiamat, as I suspected, she’d perished a long time ago, but I feared her twisted legacy might live on in her hatchlings.
“And their father?”
I shrugged.“I am unsure of his identity or fate.”Knowing Tiamat, likely she’d had him killed once she got what she wanted.However, ever since finding out about the hatchlings, I did wonder at his identity.Tiamat had wanted a strong male to fertilize her clutch, and at the time, I believed myself to be the most viable male.After my rejection, she must have found another.
“Those poor babies with no parents.At least they have each other.”
“They do and don’t.”
“What do you mean?”
“They were born in different countries, and while they know of each other, only the youngest has travelled to visit one of the others.”
“How sad.I’m glad you’ve reached out to them to let them know they’re not alone.”
“Why would I do that?”
She stared at me.“You’re telling me you didn’t take them under your wing?You left them to fend for themselves?”A note of censure hued that statement.
“They are not my problem.”
“They’re defenseless babies!”
“Hardly,” I snorted.“Hatchlings are born with the practical memories of their mother.Language, customs both of human and dragon.While the newly hatched are somewhat vulnerable, being small and without wings or defensive ability, they grow quickly.Much more quickly than you could even imagine.”
“And?Still seems mean to leave them fending for themselves.”
“They aren’t alone.All four are surrounded by a bevy of attendants.”
“All I hear are excuses.I didn’t take you for heartless.”
“Dragons aren’t like humans.We don’t get emotionally involved or attached.”
“I find that hard to believe.All living things feel, and the more intelligent a species, the more they care about others of their kind.”
“Are you really going to chastise me because I lack human emotion about matters?”I snapped.
