After the last of the rats had been killed I collapsed to the ground, right in the tunnel entrance. My vision was blurry although I couldn’t tell what it was from. I fell asleep almost instantly the second my stomach hit the rocky cavern floor.

  I woke up the next day to the smell of dried blood and feces. I yawned and stood up, turning to check on the horde of hatchlings behind me. Most of them were still sleeping and I noticed that many had evolved. I smiled at that and turned towards the enormous pile of corpses.

  I ate one, enjoying the feeling of being full for the first time since I had entered the city of Tiat. There had never been enough food to spare. But now it seemed like we would have quite the supply.

  After eating I carefully stepped over the hatchlings, looking for Marlow and Jaems. I found both of them in the coma that only skinks that are evolving go through. They were taking an awfully long time but everyone was different.

  I shrugged and walked into the cavern, looking around to make sure nothing was going to jump me before beginning to drink from the stream. I was quickly joined by a large crowd of windclaws and bruisers.

  They awkwardly waddle around, still uncomfortable with their new forms. I smile at them and say. “I’m proud of you all. The enemy won’t get away with this.” Hundreds of hatchlings had died in the fighting.

  They would get a good burial, although it might just be in a cave. The ground outside is frozen, impossible to dig a good hole in. I’d make sure it was a nice cave, especially since this cavern was going to be our home for the foreseeable future.

  After drinking I walked over to a slightly raised area in the cavern and climbed up. I laid down and sighed happily. It was nice to just sit and relax for a bit. Now I gotta plan what we’re gonna do next.

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  Should we continue exploring the caverns? I’m too large for most and by now a good amount of the bruisers wouldn’t be able to fight effectively. Maybe I can send some of the new windclaws on a scouting mission? It’d be nice to have somewhere a bit warmer to live. Perhaps I can guide them to the valley? No, it’s too close.

  Should I just go back to the lake? The supply of fish was almost limitless, and the rats won’t be a problem for our army. But we might have to deal with humans. No, I can deal with humans. We need to get away from these skinks. And it’s been too long since I’ve visited the graves of my kids. I’ll bring the hatchlings' corpses with me as well, they’ll join my kids.

  But we’ll have to go right through the Tiat’s lands. But maybe that’s good. I can try to grab as many goblin farmers and goblins as I can. Maybe even steal a broodmother on the way. We need a way to keep increasing our population. And I don’t think I’m going to cut it.

  There's no one to really consult with. I’m the only adult here. James is smart, I’ll talk to him. It’s nice to have such a dependable son. Oh my goodness they’re gonna look so cool when they evolve! I wonder what they’ll choose? Eh it won’t matter, I’ll always love them. Unconditional love, the core of parenting.

  I should write a book about this shit! “The joys of loving your child and killing anyone who tries to hurt them!” A perfect title. Nothing but raw honesty. I rolled onto my back and closed my eyes. Tears started to stream down them as I remembered all of the kids I’d lost. All the grandkids as well. I’ve lost so many.

  I slapped myself with my now blunt tail and said. “Focus on the ones that are alive, Aya! Get to work you lazy poor person!” I frowned at having accidentally dared to call myself poor but ignored it.

  I stood up and said. “Gather round everyone! Wake up everyone that’s awake as well.” It took a few minutes but all five hundred skinks were arrayed in front of me. Everyone except for James and Marlow. I turned towards a nearby window and said. “Where are my kids?”

  He shrugged and said. “They’re still evolving, my Queen.” I frown then shrug. “Alright, I want someone watching every single tunnel entrance at all times. No hatchlings though, they’re getting back to fishing. If you see one of those nasty naked things yell. Everyone else you can chill but if someone sees a naked rat you go and help them. Work together.”

  I hop off the rock and call over eight of the nearby windclaws. They walk over and I feel a frown forming on my face. “Boys, I have a special mission for you. It’s dangerous, you will most likely die.”

  They stare at me in a mix of confusion and horror. I sigh and say. “I want you to leave the mountain and go back down into the plains. I want you to try to find out if some of the farmers are still loyal. And if they have troops guarding the mountain.” The wind claws nodded and sprinted away. I walked over to the largest tunnel. I stared into its depths for a few seconds before smiling and saying. “Alright, time to kill some rats.”