Mothers Strength

We started our family tour by looking around the various interesting rooms in the castle.

"Hmmm, now where should we start… Ah! I know there is something really interesting in the throne room." Mother said after a bit of thought.

We then departed for the throne room, which is found quite deep within the castle. Passing various rooms as well as small gardens built in the castle. Though everything in these gardens have long since died by this point.

"Ooookayyy here we are, the throne room! Trust me, I have a feeling you will like what is in here."

She proceeded to push the extremely heavy looking large doors open with ease. As we walked through the room, I noticed great stone pillars lined either side of the room that were decorated in artwork similar to that found in the entranceway.

Then I realised what my Mother was talking about before we entered. At the end of the room was a large golden throne encrusted with jewels. It was stunning.

"Haahhh…"

"Kyuuuuu…"

Mother was also lost in its beauty, even though she has probably seen the throne multiple times before. Though I cannot blame her, I feel like I would react like this no matter how many times I see it.

"Is it not absolutely stunning my dear Alicia? Haah, gold truly is the best. Grandmother has a mountain of gold in her lair, possibly even more now since I have not seen her in a while. Unfortunately, I have only been living in this place for a year or two, so I have not been able to gather any for a gold mountain yet. Haah, definitely a dream for the future."

Great-Grandmother has a mountain of gold…. I would seriously love to see that. Strange I don't remember my love for gold being this strong…. Oh well, no use thinking too hard about it.

Eventually Mother and I managed to pull ourselves away from the throne room and began to go to the next room of interest.

"Oh by the way Alicia, you know you should be able to start speaking soon."

With that shock statement, I looked up at her wanting more information.

"Hehe, you don't have to look so shocked you know. All dragons are born with certain level of intelligence that is far above that of most other children. One thing they are born with is an understanding of the Dragon language, that is the reason I know for certain that you understand me. That and you are incredibly easy to read Alicia hehe."

Interesting, barring that last part Mother has answered one of the questions that I have had since I met her.

"Dragon children cannot speak at first as the knowledge that is implanted in there brains needs a bit more time to be processed in order for them to speak the language, But it doesn't take more than a few days for them to start speaking normally."

Honestly that is a massive relief. I will finally be able to communicate normally again. Oh! I can speak with Mother as well! I wonder if she will praise me and give me strokes when I first begin to speak… haah that would be ni…. Wait, what am I thinking… a-anyway it will be nice to finally talk words instead of squeaking.

Before I realised it, we were at the next room. It seems to have been a large library. However, there is something strange about this place. While the shelves and everything around them seem to be in an awful condition, the books themselves seem to be in pristine condition.

Although this was rather mysterious, I was never really a person who read a lot so I quickly tugged on Mother clothes to ask if we can move on.

For some reason when my Mother saw that I wanted to move on without looking at any books, she nodded proudly with a smile. She was saying strange things like "Truly a daughter of mine", I wasn't sure what she meant so ignored her words and we moved on.

We visited a few more rooms but there was nothing to interesting in them. There was what looked like a big kitchen and an armoury with ancient weapons that were falling apart. But nothing that caught my interest very much.

We then moved to the city. We passed through the courtyard and went out through the gates. One thing I found interesting about this place was that there are walls protecting the castle, as well as walls protecting the city. It seemed smart as if the walls of the city fell, then they would then be able to fall back behind the walls of the castle.

Not that either the city or castle walls could hold off any enemy in the state they are currently in, the majority of it looked like it could collapse at any minute.

Anyway, once we got to the city Mother took me to a place that was apparently formerly an armour and weapons maker. It seemed quite cool but, like in the armoury in the castle, all the equipment seems to be in an awful condition due to their age and lack of maintenance.

Mother then took me towards a place that used to be a public bath house.

"Hmmm, maybe we should bathe together later. After all, for our species a boiling hot bath feels amazing. Kuku and it will be another great Mother and Daughter bonding experience…"

"Guuuu...." I let out a nervous noise.

I am very wary when she becomes like this. She would definitely use that opportunity stroke me and touch my fluffy red hair on my back and tail.

We visited a couple more places before we left for the forest entrance. The only thing worth noting though out of the places we saw was a massive water fountain in the middle of what looked like the main city square. It had long since stopped working, but it was still really pretty.

Then at last we exited the gates of the city walls and out onto a large grass plane that is between the walls and the forest. We walked about halfway into the plain so I could clearly see the forest.

I could not see very far in though due to the densely packed trees that lets hardly any light reach the ground inside.

"This is our last stop Alicia, have you enjoyed the tour of our little kingdom?" My Mother said while looking at me expectantly.

And I honestly have really enjoyed the trip around my new home. And there is also so much left to explore. After all mother only showed me some main landmarks. But most of all I got to spend the day with Mother so I….

AAHH!

Where are these massive waves of affection coming from every time I think about Mother!!

I start rolling around on the floor hoping that thoughts will fall out of my head, while my mother smiles and looks at my strange antics.

"Ara ara, what are you doing Alici… hmm?"

The aura around Mother suddenly changes. Her loving and sweet aura switches with another one, one that is intimidating and dangerous. Her usually kind eyes have turned sharp and serious.

Thankfully I was not the cause of this sudden change in attitude in Mother. Her stare was pointed at the dark forest in front of us.

"Alicia, you shall stay behind me and do not try to fight whatever comes out of that forest. No matter how much your instincts tell you to try and fight them, you are not strong enough to take them on."

Mother looks at me to get confirmation that I will do as she has told me to, and I nod to let her know I understand.

Although I was interested in what was apparently going to come out of the forest. I judged it would be pointless to try and argue back because of her "not taking no for an answer" tone.

Suddenly, I sensed something coming from the point Mother was staring at. On cue, out came several hideous monsters.

These monsters basically looked like huge ants. When I say huge, I don't just mean in comparison to my current… stature. Mother was also so much smaller than these behemoths. They also had two scythe like limbs and their whole dark body looked like it was covered in a hard carapace.

They looked incredibly fearsome. However, just as Mother predicted, I was not scared. Everything in my body was telling me to try and fight these monsters. I remembered the words that were said to me moments ago though and resisted as hard as I could.

"Well done for resisting the urge to fight."

I looked over at Mother, she was looking at me with loving and proud eyes that I have seen many times in the couple of days I have been with her.

"Worry not this fight will not last long." She said calmly

Just as she finished her words, fire appears out of no where and envelops her.

"KYUUU!" I shout out of concern.

However, my concern soon turned to awe.

"Hehe, what do you think, my dear Alicia?"

She appeared out of the flames wearing full crimson red armour. It seems to wrap perfectly around and hug her wonderous body. Of course, the helmet seemed to resemble that of a dragon's head, which made it look even more intimidating. In one hand she also carried a large great sword that looks way to big for her to carry, I could see that it had some symbols along the blade that were glowing a fiery red. I could feel immense power coming from this huge sword as she slung it over her shoulder.

"Kyuuuuuuu…"

I realise my first thought should be where the armour, sword and fire that covered her before even came from. But all I could think right now was….

SO COOL! MOTHER IS SO COOOOL!!

"Hohoho, yes your Mother is amazing!"

I could tell my eyes were giving away my thoughts as she laughed cockily.

OH I SOOOOO WANT TO FIGHT HER! Tch suppose she has to fight them first though… shitty bugs… trying to steal Mothers attention…

I looked at the Giant Ants in contempt and disgust.

Mother saw this and giggled, but turns her attention back to the advancing enemy.

"Now, let me pay you back for interrupting our first family outing!"

She then disappeared in front of my eyes. I wondered what happed but soon after I heard a loud explosion. I turned my head to see an absolute massacre occurring with insect body parts flying everywhere.

And so, I witnessed my first battle in a new world.