As we relaxed in our cave, Mother started to prepare a hearty meal for us. The aroma of roasting fish and steaming vegetables filled the air, making our stomachs growl with anticipation.
"I'm starving!" Kaidorix exclaimed, his forest green scales gleaming with excitement.
"Me too!" Vyraxys and Nyxoria chimed in, their eyes fixed on the food.
Father chuckled and ruffled Kaidorix's head. "Patience, young one. Mother's almost done ready the carcess."
As Mother finished preparing the meal, we all gathered around the table, eager to dig in. The food was delicious, and we ate in comfortable silence, savoring the flavors.
After the meal, Lyriath suggested, "Let's have a family storytime! Father, tell us a story about when you were young."
Father's eyes sparkled, and he began to spin a tale of adventure and bravery, his voice weaving a spell of enchantment around us. The kids all listened with wide eyes, mesmerized by the story.
As the afternoon wore on, we all enjoyed each other's company, feeling grateful for our loving family and the warmth of our mountain home.
"When I was a young dragon, about the 5 of you and Lyriath's age," Father began, "I lived in a vast desert, where the sands stretched as far as the eye could see. I was always getting into trouble, exploring every nook and cranny, and getting into scrapes with the other young dragons." We all giggled at the thought of their father as a mischievous young dragon.
"One day, I stumbled upon an ancient ruin hidden deep in the dunes," Father continued. "I was determined to explore it, despite the warnings from the elder dragons. As I ventured deeper into the ruin, I discovered a hidden treasure trove filled with glittering gems and precious artifacts."
"Wow!" Vyraxys and Nyxoria exclaimed in unison, their eyes wide with excitement.
"But the treasure wasn't the most surprising thing I found," Father said, a sly grin spreading across his face. "I also discovered a hidden underground oasis, filled with lush greenery and a crystal-clear spring. It was like finding a little piece of paradise in the middle of the desert."
We all "oohed" and "ahhed," imagining the wonders of the ancient ruin and the hidden oasis.
"I spent hours exploring the oasis, marveling at the beauty of the plants and the tranquility of the spring," Father said, his eyes gazing into the distance. "It was a magical experience, one that I'll never forget."
As Father finished his story, the kids all applauded, eager for more tales of their father's adventures.
Mother interrupt said, "that your injured you little brother Zephyr by awaking the giant And he fought a giant and get threw into the air and his father let say beat the living hell out of him And how did I know this well his eldest brother Kaidën told me about 30 years ago!"
Father's expression turned sheepish as Mother continued, "Yes, and if I recall correctly, you were lucky to have escaped with your life. Kaidën said you were quite the reckless young dragon, always charging into danger without thinking."
We all giggled at the thought of their father getting into trouble, and Father chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Ah, well, I may have been a bit of a wild card back then. But I learned my lesson, and I made sure to be more careful after that."
Mother raised an eyebrow. "Careful? You call getting thrown into the air by a giant and having your father discipline you 'learning a lesson'?"
The kids all burst out laughing at the image of their father getting scolded by his father. Father smiled, laughing along with them. "Okay, okay, maybe I didn't learn as quickly as I should have. But I grew up eventually, and I became a bit wiser."
Mother smiled, shaking her head. "I'm glad you did. I wouldn't want to have to deal with a reckless dragon as a mate."
Father sighed and looked at me "and to be honest, I wasn't the bright, intelligent one among my siblings that go to my eldest sister Elyria!"
Mother chuckled and playfully nudged Father. "Oh, Aetherius, you're being modest again. Your siblings may have had their strengths, but you had your own unique talents and abilities that made you special."
Father smiled, looking a bit wistful. "Perhaps, but Elyria was always the clever one. She could solve problems and puzzles with ease, and she was always reading and learning new things. I, on the other hand, was more of a wild card, always getting into trouble and relying on my instincts to get me out of sticky situations."
We all laughed at the thought of Father's adventurous spirit, and I grinned, feeling a sense of pride in his unique qualities. "I think being able to think on your feet and adapt to new situations is just as valuable as being book-smart, Father," I said, trying to reassure him.
Then a loud thunder stormed his, and my wolf-fox ears ring loud, and I curled myself in fear and shivering.
Father noticed this and wrapped my whole body with his wings unfold, and I began to calm down.
The warmth and security of Father's wings enveloped me, and I felt my shivering slowly subside. The sound of the thunderstorm was still loud, but it was muffled by Father's wings, and I felt safe and protected. I leaned into his warmth, feeling grateful for his presence.
"Shh, Tharros, it's okay," Father said softly, his voice rumbling through his chest. "The storm will pass soon. You're safe with me."
As I calmed down, I noticed that the others were watching us with concern. Mother was standing nearby, her eyes fixed on me with a gentle expression. Lyriath, Vyraxys, and the others were all looking at me with worry, but as they saw me calming down, they seemed to relax as well.
Kaidorix, Kieraxys, and Niamon were a bit more energetic, but they were still quiet, watching the storm with wide eyes. Lyrixa and Nyxoria were snuggled up close to Mother, looking a bit scared but safe.
Father chuckled and rubbed his head and said "well want more of my adventures story?"
We all nodded eagerly, and Father smiled, settling in to tell another tale. "Alright, let's see... where was I? Ah yes, after the incident with the giant, I had to learn to be more careful and strategic in my adventures."
The storm raged on outside, but inside our cave, we were all cozy and warm, listening to Father's stories. I leaned in a bit closer, curious to hear more about his exploits.
"So, what happened next?" Lyriath asked, his eyes shining with excitement.
Father grinned mischievously. "Well, that's a story for another time... or is it?" He winked, and we all laughed, eager to hear more about his adventures.
I ask curiously, "Will you finish the story tomorrow?" Father smiled and nodded. "Yes, Tharros, I'll finish the story tomorrow. The storm is passing, and it's getting late anyway. Let's get some rest, and I'll tell you the rest of the story when we wake up."
We all nodded in agreement, and Mother began to help the younger ones get settled in for the night. As the storm finally began to subside, they drifted off to sleep, their minds buzzing with excitement for the next part of Father's story.
I sleep under Father's Wing since he has been doing this since I was a few days old, mainly because I was scared.
As I settled in under Father's wing, I felt a deep sense of comfort and security. The familiar warmth and protection of his wing wrapped around me, and I knew I was safe. It was a habit he'd maintained since I was a hatchling, and I cherished the feeling of being close to him.
With a contented sigh, I drifted off to sleep, surrounded by the gentle sound of my family's breathing and the distant rumble of the storm fading into the distance. Father's wing remained wrapped around me, a constant reminder of his love and protection.