No_Creative_Name
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AR Chapter 357
🕑 Added 2025-04-02 04:00:11 +0000 UTCMy mind raced through what she’d said. Gravid. Children. Keel children, or would they be something different? The initial thought that crossed my mind once I’d internalized the meaning to her words was the idea that it would have been too long for them to be mine. I quickly pushed that thought from my mind. Obviously they would be mine or she wouldn’t have said as much. Breathing deeply to control my emotions, I pushed my magic back out into the bath to make it flow more easily.
“You’re still carrying the eggs?” I asked, confused and concerned. “Isn’t that a problem?”
Sybil sighed as she lay back and let the coarse sands scrub the filth of the day from her body. “Nobody knows. There has yet to be a single egg laid by a Keel. Took and Ytte are wholly uninterested in mating at this time, and though Shemira and Vefir have enjoyed the time they spend together, she assures me that there has been no sign of her becoming gravid. Foire has not entertained the thought, while Joral and Percral might have spent time with some of the khatif. I do not know if they have mated at all, but I can ask.”
I flicked my tail dismissively, but as it was under the sands, Sybil couldn’t see. “Don’t worry about them. Are you feeling healthy? I’m sure Vefir has attended to you, what has he said? Have you been ill? Do you need more food to ensure they continue to grow?” I had dozens of questions more to ask but fought to keep myself as calm as possible.
“I am well, though somewhat lethargic. There is naught to worry about, I assure you, my Zaaktif. Vefir has sent life into the eggs and found that they are vivacious and alive. He says there are three, though they are significantly larger than khatif or keelish eggs.” Sybil reassured me with a gentle smile.
I scooted forward and took her into my arms. With our tails, sitting like a human simply wasn’t possible, and instead we lounged with just our heads out of the sand. My mate leaned into me, though I felt her tail twitching in agitation or something against my legs. After sitting in comfortable silence for a short time, I spoke again, “I’m happy you’re ok. I know you don’t usually like to just guess things without evidence, but do you have any guesses about when you’ll lay?”
Sybil sighed as she pushed back into me a little more firmly. “I think I’m close. I’ve carried the eggs for twelve weeks, and I think that three more will bring me to the time for me to lay them.”
“Interesting.” I replied. “Why do you think that is?”
“I just think so. You asked for a guess and I provided it. Perhaps spending so long on the campaign against the ants would have served to retard their growth, but I cannot say anything for certain.”
Unthinkingly, I growled low in my throat and, instead, lifted Sybil higher out of the sands, just enough for the bottom of her belly to protrude from the sand. Looking, I supposed I could see a slight lump there, just between her hips, and as I held her suspended in the sands, I began to sing to my unborn children, drawing deeply on [Nurturing Enunciation]. There weren’t any keelish or Keel songs I could think of, and I didn’t want to sing something human to them, so I merely sang wordlessly as I felt my magic seep into Sybil.
After so long without any use for the [Skill], I’d forgotten how much it drew from me, even with my massive sonilphon. Disregarding any discomfort or effort, though, I drained myself entirely in addressing my children. I couldn’t say that I had any idea what they would look like, do, or want, but I didn’t care. They were mine, and they’d be treated as my children.
Once I was forced to cut off my [Skill], Sybil twisted from my grasp, instead slowly shifting herself back and forth as she had to force herself into the sands of the bath.
“I wish that you had waited to do that.” She grumbled, though with a smile on her face. “I have been looking forward to this bath for the past twelve weeks.”
“I’ll be able to make you the perfect bath once again soon. My apologies, lady Zaaktifi and mother of the new generation.” I smirked, joy filling me as I saw my mate shake her head in teasing disbelief.
“I am glad that you are not unhappy about this turn of events. I do not believe that either of us thought this would be possible so soon.”
Before responding, I realized that I agreed. Every powerful creature struggled to have more children in some way. I couldn’t say anything regarding the huge creatures like the ufudoluk or whatever horrors lurked in the depths of the oceans, but they must have trouble making young, or else they would rule the lands and seas. Though Keel weren’t nearly so large as the Indlovu, I knew by looking at my own stats that a single Keel was far stronger than a regular human, or even a regular Speaker.
❮❮ That is true. I’ll tell you that I blessed your union immediately after your mate’s ascension to Keel. Historically, the Keel have struggled to lay any clutches, and the presence of three eggs like you have here is a particular anomaly. Even so, I hope they grow well for you. ❯❯
“Why didn’t you speak to me, but instead through a notification?” I asked Nievtala aloud, letting Sybil quickly understand what I was doing.
❮❮ I’ve overextended myself as Nievtala these past months. I do not regret it, but as such, my ability to influence the world has been significantly impaired. In fact, my ability to perceive the world has fallen by no small amount either. Don’t expect any grand showings of my divine splendour any time soon. ❯❯
“Sounds good. And I thank you for the blessing of fertility.” I bowed my head, Sybil immediately following suit and offering a quiet prayer of gratitude. “How long will Sybil remain gravid before laying, and how long will we need to care for the eggs before they hatch?”
❮❮ She was right when she said fifteen weeks. Threes and fives are sacred to me, such as the three stages of my people and the five Phrases of my Words of Power. It will be quite some time before the eggs hatch after laying. They require constant care, much more than those of keelish or khatif. It will be at least three times as long that the eggs need to grow outside of their mother’s body than within. ❯❯
“So a bit more than a year from conception to hatching?” I asked.
❮❮ Correct. ❯❯
“Alright. Thank you, my goddess.” Nievtala didn’t respond, neither as a goddess nor Administrator, but I felt a sense of satisfaction from her. I nodded to Sybil and said, “We’ll need to set up a nursery before too long.”
Comments
No_Creative_Name
.... I don't know what you're talking about.... Edited, thanks, haha
Veldorn
"She was right when she said fifteen weeks." But Sybil said fourteen weeks.
