Lin says “You’ve been busy lately, haven’t you?”

  “Well, maybe a little. I am trying to make sure everything is stable so that I can leave for a bit on a trip.”

  Lin says “Oh? Where are you planning on going?”

  “I plan to visit a few tribes and then spend some time on the land bridge hunting drakes and something called a dragonfish. They will be the key to my next evolution.”

  Lin says “I see. You will be back in time for the wedding, right?”

  “Of course! I would never risk missing the wedding!”

  Lin says “Good answer.”

  Zamart laughs and says “He knows he wouldn’t survive missing the wedding!”

  Both girls laugh at Zamart’s comment and I wisely keep my mouth shut since it is true. Besides, I am positive that by now Lin will have come up with a way to track me down. I have the cloak, but she knows how that enchantment works so I’m sure she could beat it.

  Lin says “What’s that look for?”

  “Oh, I was just wondering if you had already figured out a way to beat my cloak and track me?”

  Lin says “What if I have? Why would you be thinking about that?”

  “Zamart’s comment made me think of it. It is fine if you have, I don’t mind you knowing where I am.”

  Bella laughs and says “Good answer.”

  Lin says “To answer your question, yes I have. I use it occasionally just to check and see how you are doing. Besides, if you go through another gate it will allow me to track you down and fetch you back, or at least try to join you.”

  “That’s fine by me. In fact, if you want to make something that makes it easier to track me I will wear it.”

  Lin says “I might just do that. By the way, when did you get so smooth?”

  “Why are you surprised? Isn’t this what you have been training me for?”

  Before Lin can answer, Bella and Zamart bust up laughing, but I make sure to hold in my laughter. I most certainly don’t want to piss her off by laughing, but it isn’t easy to keep in. From the smile on her face I am guessing that Lin is also holding in laughter.

  “So, are you coming to the southern empire with me?”

  Lin says “Of course I am. Are we leaving right now?”

  “No, we will leave in the morning. Or maybe a bit later, I want to be there to have dinner with the emperor and talk about some things.”

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  Lin says “Alright, sounds good.”

  Bella says “There are a couple of elves who have shown artistic talent, I will speak with them while you are gone.”

  “Sounds good. As soon as we get back from the southern empire I will move the castle to the trade city. That is where the summoned are gathering and it will allow you to use your tattoo room. Also, I will make around fifty more tattoo guns as soon as I get back.”

  Bella says “Fifty? It will take me a long time to train that many!”

  “I don’t expect you to train all of them. Just the first group, once they have some experience they can train more.”

  Bella says “That’s a relief! That should be much more manageable.”

  Lin says “Don’t forget that I will be back as well and able to help.”

  “Not at first you won’t. The kids will most likely stay with the castle, so they will keep you busy for at least a couple of days.”

  Lin laughs and says “That’s probably true!”

  “Oh, you could ask the kids. I think Mulan will be interested, but I’m not sure about the others.”

  Lin says “I will ask them. I know Mulan has the artistic talent, but I’m not sure about the others. It hasn’t really come up.”

  Bella says “We can come up with some kind of art project that they can all try, that should let us know who has the talent.”

  Lin says “I can do that. As long as it is something like a game they will all join in enthusiastically.”

  “You don’t even need to do that. Just let them catch you doing it and they will want to try it. They may be growing up, but they are still curious about everything.”

  Lin says “True enough. We will think of something appropriate.”

  “It’s not that hard. Just let them catch you drawing up new tattoo ideas. Not only will they want to try, but you can get a feel for their interest in tattoos in general.”

  Bella says “That’s a good idea! Did you have kids before coming here?”

  “No! I’ve never had kids, nor did I ever want any.”

  Lin says “What about in this life? Do you want kids?”

  “I don’t really. It wouldn’t be fair. After all, we know I am not going to live long. That means I won’t get to see them grow up and it would leave you to raise them alone.”

  Lin says “I suppose that is true, but what if I am willing to raise it alone?”

  “Then we could discuss it, but I don’t think it is even possible since I am not even close to being human anymore. Besides, if it was possible, I would think you would already be pregnant. After all, we haven’t used protection at all, unless you have?”

  Lin says “No, I haven’t. I also haven’t done anything to improve my chances. I wouldn’t do either without discussing it with you first.”

  Bella says “Not to butt in, but she would not be raising the child alone. I would help and so would Myria, not to mention all those loyal to you.”

  Lin says “That’s true, especially the kids. They would love to help raise another sibling, but that still doesn’t make up for not having a father, which was Ash’s point.”

  Zamart says “I really have no place in this conversation, but I did find an interesting story in one of the books. It tells of a dragon that shapeshifted and got a human woman pregnant, so I wouldn’t say it is impossible. Even if it is now, it may not be once Ash evolves into a true dragon.”

  “That’s good to know. We can discuss it more later, but for now we will just keep going as we are. If you happen to get pregnant, then we will call it fate and just do the best we can.”

  Lin says “Alright. I can agree with that. Just so we are clear, while I wouldn’t mind having your child, I am not pushing for it either. Although, I do think it would be a shame for you not to leave a legacy in this world.”

  “I understand and I promise to think about it when I have the time. I will try to be ready by the time you want to have this conversation, but keep in mind how bad I am at these kinds of things.”

  Lin laughs and says “I am well aware, don’t worry. As long as you keep your promise not to run away, everything will be fine.”

  Bella says “That was a smart promise to get out of him!”

  Zamart laughs and says “Especially since Ash is well known for always keeping his promises.”