Terror Fifty-One - Homecoming

Terror Fifty-One - Homecoming

Terror Fifty-One - Homecoming

How long is it going to take? Felix asks.

I shrug. I dont know. I could guess, but it probably wont be very accurate. I think it would be... about two days by wyvern to go from home to Montele?

The capital is that close? Esme asks. Doesnt that mean that the Dark Goddess could launch an attack at any time?

I mean... yeah, Mom could do that at any time regardless of how far a city is from home.

I think Esmes about to reply, but Livonas twists her long neck around so that shes looking down at us through a gap between her fingers. We will be arriving at the castle in the morning, the dragon says.

We wont stop for the night? I ask.

She blinks. Must we?

Uh, well, we might want to stretch our legs and use the little girls room. Or what passes for one around here.

I have some food, Felix says. She reaches into her pockets and pulls out some fruits and leftovers wrapped in cloth. I have no idea when she grabbed all of that. I dont mind sharing.

Thats nice of you, I say. Well need water, too.

Liovanas huffs. Then we will be stopping by the shore, she says before turning her head away and back against the oncoming wind. Dont worry, child of the Goddess, I will fly us swiftly, as the goddess has demanded of me.

Esme looks at me, eyes narrowed in suspicion. Are you actually the Dark Goddess' daughter? she asks.

Yeah, Im Moms daughter, I confirm with a proud smile. Shes the best mom ever.

Shouldnt you be more scaly then?Read latest chapters at nov(e)lbin.com Only

Mom doesnt have scales, I say. Thats only in the pictures and statues people make of her. I think she doesnt mind because it means that she can walk past someone without being identified as... herself.

People can tell when a gods around, Esme says. Its described as a strong feeling.

And none of the gods are clever enough to hide that? I ask.

Esme frowns and rubs at her chin. Thats possible.

I nod. Moms real clever.

She cant be that clever, Esme says. Shes the God of Darkness! Shes... evil.

Well, yeah, but shes been being evil for thousands of years. Moms fought off a lot of gods who tried to meddle in her business and shes still just as strong as ever. Obviously you dont stay that strong while having to fight gods without being real clever.

Esmes frown deepens. And now were going to be seeing her?

Yeah, I bet Moms going to be right there waiting for me to arrive. I scoot around so that Im facing Felix. Shes going to like you, both of you, so dont worry.

Almost there, child, Livonas voice rumbles.

Oh, okay, I say before I yawn and tug my cloak on closer. Can you wake me when were closer?

I can.

I nod, and before I can think to ask another question, Im drifting off.

A shake of my shoulder wakes me up. Its brighter, the world bathed in morning oranges as the sun still works to claw its way over the horizon. Felix is next to me, holding out a third of a long pastry towards me. Breakfast, she says.

Where did you even get that? I mutter.

The inn, she says.

I blink. Youve been hiding this for a couple of days?

Yeah.

Didnt we get dunked in that lake? I ask as I take the pastry. Its hard.

It dried up, she says. Shes holding another bit, bite marks already visible on it. Still good.

Esme is chewing contemplatively on Felix other side. Its not great, she says.

I shrug and start to chew while taking in our surroundings. Livonas really has flown through the night. I dont recognize our exact location, but were definitely in the Land of Monsters. I can see mountains to the west, smoke churning out above them, and spare woods below us where I can sometimes spot some motion between the trees.

Were close to home, I say.

Joy, Esme mutters.

Felix laughs. Dont be that way, Miss Esme, Im sure Valerias home is very nice.

It is, and it doesnt take more than ten minutes until they get to see it. Livonas, it seems, wants to give us the full tour, flying the long way around the castle.

A dozen towers, each as big as the cathedral back in Montele, but far taller and made of a black stone that reflects light strangely. The main castle is far, far larger, a complex of buildings linked together by towers and covered in arched roofs, monstrous gargoyles posed on the edges to guard the castle.

Smaller bird monsters take off, swarming out from beneath the eaves of some of the towers like a black fog to join us in the air. I see beady eyes inspecting Livonas and the three of us, reassuring caws telling the other monsters that alls well.

Whoa, Esme says.

Home is pretty impressive, I agree.

We come around, Livonas wings spread wide, and with a heavy lurch we land before the castle, the battlement and walls towering above even Livonas.

And at the front, on the bottom-most step leading to the entrance, is Mom.

***