No swamp. As far as she could tell, there was no swamp, no damp place, no dangerous spots on the trail, no obstructions, no planks as sole guides, no rules to follow.

The surroundings rushed past Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit. Faster than they ever had; safer than they ever had. The lizardwoman got hurt from neither speed nor her clumsiness.

She was unbothered by all in the arms of the nightmare. Yet she wasn't tranquil. Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit felt the warmth and power flowing through the dark scales she was nestled in.

Waves that kicked against her very being, dug so deep she wouldn't be surprised to learn that her entirety had been infiltarted, maimed, changed and spat out of the whirling madness.

There was a mighty heartbeat that steadily pushed raw power through incomparable vessels. A smell she identified as dangerous. Or rather, the words she knew didn't suffice to describe her feelings properly.

The situation she was in was deplorable. Was of the kind that gave her no chance, Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit felt it clearly. Nothing was in her control any longer.

Apart from the tinier than average scales and other features they shared, their identities couldn't be further divergent. This was a king while she was a bug. Less than a bug, she came to correct herself in time. Plus...there is hate.

For her tribe, nightmare was an umbrella term reserved for all unknown creatures they lacked knowledge of. There were weak nightmares, strong nightmares and true nightmares all over the swamp the tribe called their ancestral home.

And that nightmare was beyond them all. So much beyond anything she knew, the lizardwoman was left in the fearful dark on her own. Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit was convinced of that notion just as much as she was suffering from a lack of proper explanations.

If it went according to her inclinations, she'd ask the nightmare things. All kinds of things. Yet the realisation made her fear for her illness. The latter had grown far worse over the span of half a day.

We kill the weak, fear the strong. Yet this nightmare was beyond such simple categorisation, beyond what she was meant to understand. Good nightmare? Is that a thing?

Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit stiffened up. She'd felt the nightmare's attention rest on her and panicky closed her eyes. Just like the many times before, fear grasped her heart without reason yet nothing happened in the end.

Attention waned but fear remained. Of the unknown, of what the nightmare truly was, of her future, of the menacing surroundings, of what'd become of her. Of everything. The world around her was spinning!

No! Suppress your illness! Don't anger the nightmare! The screams in her head repeated themselves over and over again, split and merged back randomly, yet Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit failed to pierce the veil hiding her options.

The lizardwoman remained unmoving, mostly ignorant to the happening of the outside world. Only the hatchling in her arms disturbed the stillness from time to time.

Suddenly there was no wind whizzing past her any longer. Like a dream, the howls went deadly still as did the voices in her head. They'd come to a stop, yet for her, struggle just began.

"You spoke the truth? Back then. That you'd die before the young?" The nightmare's voice sounded strangely confused. There was another emotion quite bleak in essence that she couldn't pinpoint yet knew was nothing good.

"Did you imply protection or merely expressed an inclination to watch after the young? Think before you answer. The former is beyond your destiny, like reaching the stars in one fell swoop.

The latter is manageable. Yet that in itself doesn't mean you're qualified. Merely part of the pool." Then he leaned in, the nightmare's unfeeling eyes piercing through her very essence.

"Or...your demand for survival got the better of you. Which is it," the nightmare asked slowly, each word wrapped in a strange power that dug deep. Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit felt the shudder rocking her spine increase in intensity and frequency.

She was sure that no answer was the worst answer. She had to make a decision, soon too. Powerful arms dropped her to the ground while an impatient finger dug into her shoulderblade.

Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit tentatively focused her eyes for the first time in what felt like ages, finding herself in a small cave she shared with the nightmare. Except for the hatchling in her arms, she was left alone with the mighty creature.

Looking at the nightmare in terror, her gaze was attracted to the beautiful scales neatly covering each part of the imposing body. They were so tiny and delicate she'd to look closely to notice them.

A tight-fitting coat of unknown material featuring wild motives in yellow and black covered the upper body down to the knees. Except for the coat, there was no other piece of cloth obscuring her gaze.

But that didn't mean Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit's eyes perceived what stood in front of her. Patches of darkness travelled all over the body, sometimes of greater, sometimes of lesser intensity.

For some strange reason, they looked painful. Can't be. Impossible even. For such a strong creature...essentially what each and every lizardman wants to become. The tail...is sexy. No! ...nonononono!! Out. Thoughts, out!!

She blanked out for a second. After finding focus once more, Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit swore to behave in the future, yet at the same time, her curiosity proved to be too strong to undermine. She kept looking. And flinched. Argh!!!!

Within these patches, she found scary eyes staring coldly at her like she was some rancid slab of meat. Yet each time Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit's attention closed in on those eyes, there was nothing unusual she remembered from that darkness.

Her perception was real, her brain took notice of the unspeakable strangeness. But at the same time, she didn't have the tools necessary to burn those memories into her frail brain.

Then the darkness gave birth to darkness, extending infinitely. A prison for her soul it had become in an iffy, for she couldn't withdraw from the deadly attraction calling out to her and dragging the lizardwoman's mind deeper in.

"Was this all talk and no bite?" The nightmare's sudden question dispelled the misconceptions, leaving Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit panting and gasping for air as sweat freely drenched her body. Her heart threatened to burst into a million pieces.

"No." She uttered eventually, finding that the choice of tone and arrangement of words spoke for themselves already. There was only one answer she could give!

"No, I mean it just as I said. I. Will. Die. Before!" Under the urge of a sudden impulse, she looked up, properly homing in on the nightmare's face.

Surprisingly human features greeted her. Only a pair of horns, a mouth with two rows of terribly sharp teeth and gently pointed ears made sure she understood the nightmare wasn't part of the fabled group of bipeds told of only in tribal tales.

While Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit might've had the chance to calm down due to finding no truly incomprehensible owner for that pair of powerful arms, the nightmare's ash-coloured eyes didn't allow for that.

They gave her the feeling of an endless well. So deep, it was better she only perceived her own reflection on the surface. The nightmare...must hide who he is for my sake. It truly was a strange feeling.

"The young conquered yet another stranger, I knew it. But as mentioned, you look weak and inexperienced to such a degree I don't know what to do with you, lizardwoman.

Are you worthy of my employment?" While his words were harsh and laced with annoyance, Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit was sure the nightmare hid an amused shine in his eyes.

At first she'd thought a creature of such power would shower others in perpetual scorn. Yet the moment the nightmare's eyes were drawn to the hatchling, Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit distinctly relaxed.

She recognised that gaze. It was just the same kind she regularly noticed on the reflection in the water while handling the hatchlings.

Yet compared to her, the nightmare seemed awkward and exceptionally stiff. Your actions sure could need some training. The nightmare's face jolted back to hers, his vertical ash-coloured eyes unreadable.

Just as she believed her end nearing in big strides, he turned his head. "Don't freak out." She didn't quite understand it, but she would soon. The nightmare stomped down once and a myriad of letters burst out from the booklet he wore on his waistbelt.

Much clearer than the shaman's, Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit noted. Of greater arcane might too. Her tribe's shamans would require the help of a ritual and extensive prayer to conjure but one such letter, albeit very crooked and illusory.

The shamans also didn't understand any of my proposals, spitting and laughing at me all the time while labelling me a bloody inept. In a certain sense, it explains so much.

On the contrary, the nightmare in front of her didn't do as much as stomp on the ground to warrant such a spectacle. Comparisons are odious. Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit caught herself red-handed succumbing to that bothersome illness and grew stoic as a result.

"Most take this little show really bad. Though they seem to suffer from some ridiculous misconceptions, this alphabet isn't a stranger to your people. Part of your heritage, actually. Older than the dragons too."

The nightmare showed her a slight smile that made her gulp nervously. "Come...," his hand muscles tightened in an inviting gesture. The cave shuddered and a big double-winged door appeared at the furthermost end.

"...and follow me. Don't be shy." Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit gulped once again, bit on the lower lip and splashed out. The door seemed to eat her whole but then she was already at the other end, left to gawk at the impossibility her eyes showed her.

Dreamy, was Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit's first impression. That's not real. Can't be. "Welcome to Aethernum, little one. Follow me, I'll bring you to your quarters. That's...this way."

The lizardwoman failed to notice his strange lack of confidence while the nightmare saw her through the walk. The castle easily bigger than any mountain she'd ever glimpsed upon came closer surprisingly fast.

While steeping through the magnificent entrance that followed what she believed was a short excursion on invisible clouds, Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit noticed two distinct gardens to her left and right. Runed. Everything here is runed!

One side rekindled her meagre knowledge of herbs and the like and almost made her drop to the ground and worship the place. Staring at the other, however, resulted in every fibre of her being demanding of her to take to her heels.

If Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit got already stunned by the entrance, what followed brought only numbness to her brain. Artefacts of considerable power lined the walls.

Paintings so enormous she failed to see the entirety even when inclining her head lorded over the lizardwoman, as did some menacing statues she believed were enchanted guards.

The stuff of nightmares ready to butcher whoever intruded into these holy halls. A ruler's castle, her thoughts were in absolute awe as she barely dislodged herself from a gargantuan fresco depicturing some kind of hellish landscape.

She understood some more things, but at the same time, she also didn't. It surely was not of continuity. A ruler that obviously fears no thief if that's still a thing here.

The piece of art held a similar attraction to the nightmare's darkness, which she'd come to respect greatly. Forbidden ground, she almost shouted out loud when encountering her first puppet.

Its movements were so life-like her heart didn't stop beating furiously for the rest of the trip. This, she was sure, is a place of learning, of pilgrimage, faith and procession. And eternal prison.

Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit could feel her knowledge increase only by merely shallowly gazing at the statues, frescoes, paintings and occasional books she encountered.

Many a time, she froze in her tracks, spellbound. Then it was the nightmare who tore her away from the dangerous knowledge, his lips possibly featuring a permanent scowl. Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit wasn't completely sure of that.

Then she stopped yet again, this time on a rare blank patch of an ever-extending wall. That nightmare is evil. Really, really evil! Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit couldn't stop shivering. Makes my illness worse! Much worse!

Thoth was now even less sure what to do with the lizardwoman. At first, she didn't deign to humour him with her attention. Which might not have been that bad since he had no inkling which topics to talk about.

Then she wasn't very impressed by the opening of his door even though her knowledge amounted to scantly little. Not many were capable of such calm, that Thoth had to admit. Third, the garden she saw in passing almost made her break down.

This gave him ample food for thought. A garden of all things? What about the door then?! Am I so out of touch with mortals? Last but not least, once surrounded by homey walls, she couldn't tear her attention away from his collection.

Thoth knew that any mortal out there could learn a lot from these mostly miscellaneous items, but there was no lack of danger involved. Only the worthy would get the privilege, the others lost their souls. Interested but not ready.

Such was his conclusion. If not for his timely intervention, she'd have died countless times already. But that wasn't the strangest aspect of the nanny on trial. It was her inexplicable thoughts about an illness where he could testify that she had none.

And beyond that, he was...angry. Very angry. A mud-dweller perceiving my efforts as lacking...how dare she! Yet Thoth knew the lizardwoman whose name he still had to ask for was right, which only made his temper worse.

Some part of him wanted to eliminate the puny creature desecrating his holy home by her mere presence. Yet reason told of the importance of a second opinion.

If I make fewer mistakes, the young grows up better. Has a brighter future. Yet...must I really seek stinking reinforcements? Thoth mulled over his options with plain disregard for pride as he shooed his mortal guest down some dark hallways.

The lizardwoman could go back to the crystallised forms of knowledge when she was free. As for now, she definitively was not. Nor was he.

Some now and then Thoth took the wrong turn, opened unknown doors he failed to remember, dragged her up or down some floors he was sure he would have liked to keep a secret.

Last time he refused to let the castle lead him was countless years ago. And Aethernum never stalled. It grew like any other living organism. It got emotions too. Of which he was too ashamed to think of.

Following Thoth's terribly outdated mental map made sure they ended up everywhere except where he wanted them to. Aethernum might've helped. Yet Thoth knew his pride wouldn't have allowed for that. Not then, not now.

Probably laughing its chambers off. But a whole floor adorned by all kinds of statues on the loo sporting the most imaginative poses he would've never thought of didn't exactly do his pride any good.

He was showing this...to a guest...after all. It was even worse as the lizardwoman in question approached every single piece of questionable art with interest and sparkling eyes. Might think I like these expositions.

Or worse, she does. Thoth choked on the thought and made sure they found other hallways to explore. She visibly deflated when seeing rather normal items, finding them uninteresting.

Thoth refused to think much about her preferences. They were hers alone. Though the young...a potential witch doctor for a nanny. Seems like her talents are going in this direction.

The baby was awake now, curiously staring at the landscape paintings filling both sides of the hallway and the impressive fresco at the top.

Many more doors Thoth passed while fondling the cutie pie ever so happy to reward him with giggles and smiles. Then he found himself at the end of his tether and simply instructed the next double door to take them to their destination.

The baby had to be cared for and fed soon, so his misplaced pride was a worthless price to pay. "There we are." Thoth gestured to a door close to an intersection. "Your room.

Let me tell you some rules, miss...?" "...Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit. This isn't the place we were passing by earlier." "Nosey Swamp Eater? Talk about strange names..."

Thoth shook his head at her evident confusion. The lizardwoman knew nothing about her ancestors' language, a hole in knowledge about history he'd see filled soon.

"No, the door brought us here for the walk would've been much...longer." Thoth refused to look at her as he told a white lie. Instead, his warm gaze landed on the baby who still held a close grasp on his armband.

Thoth had often acted upon his intention to take that back, but the baby wasn't one to buckle easily. If you're this happy, take the darn armband. Can't lose it and it keeps you safe. But the sheer power...

He would never admit that the idea of her eventually making a scene held so much sway over his decisions. "Now come. To your room." The two soon entered by the unassuming door.

Behind lay some extensive plains, a mountain range and a lake close by. Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit showed the desire to return to that lonely door so misplaced in all this green vastness.

Under Thoth's urging, she finally followed him further in. Close to an ancient willow, the lizardwoman saw a simple hut. Inspecting it told her that all essential items for a prolonged stay were there and then some more.

It came with a powerful protection circle no sane creature would ever dare breach, a bed, some other indispensable furniture, enchantments that provided fresh water in the desired temperature and a smaller room she could use as a kitchen.

The loo was outside. "You're not abandoned here. If you wish to bask in the miraculous young's glory, you have to deliver results. Weakness is a sin. Underdeveloped perceptions, excess curiosity and no warning instincts dangerous.

To the young...," Thoth stared deeply into her eyes, his mouth curling up into a dangerous grin. "...and by extension to you." Without her learning some more, he wouldn't let her come often into contact with the young.

Thoth wanted his treasure to grow up fine, not become a corpse on a roadside the second he looked away. Sa'nout Scarl Ri'kit barely listened to him. He felt like she was here, yet at the same time was far, far away.

The lizardwoman stood there like a stupid duck, doing nothing except following him when demanded. Thoth shook his head, murmuring something about the shallow Races and the ease with which they could get hoodwinked.

Yet he didn't want to make the baby wait longer unnecessarily. Thoth gave her the key that'd allow her to move freely in designated places and shoved her past the wooden plank serving as a primitive door.

The Races always needed time for everything. While Thoth respected that need, he didn't intend to get lost in unproductivity. The baby should go to sleep soon, but was way too chipper to do so.

The lack of romping about was one reason, a growling stomach the other. He had his most welcome work cut out for him! While heading to the next door, Thoth complained that even devils had lost the concept of punctuality.

That or nobody remembered him any longer, which was another possibility. Once the baby food had run out, Thoth swore he'd milk them dry if they had no replacement on the ready. Bot literally and figuratively.

Past the door, the two arrived at his personal quarters, now remodelled exactly as he hoped they would. The available space had quadrupled, making room for some new additions.

There was only one empty corner modelled after his study. This was bound to become the baby's workplace once it had grown up. Whatever it did there, Thoth wouldn't care as a couple thousand enchantments kept her safe at any time of the day.

The bath hadn't been spared too as there was a small part exquisitely shaped for somebody the baby's size. Thoth also nodded contently once he inspected the materials compromising the addition.

Said material was very magical in nature. With the influx of mana, it would grow proportionally, which was perfect for accommodating a still growing organism.

Yet the biggest change of all happened to his bedroom. There stood another kingly addition to his own there, a bed easily triple in size and coloured in a slight shade of pink. Girlish colours, or so he'd once heard.

In his eyes, talking about colour was stupidly subjective. "Now to the enjoyment," Thoth said to nobody in particular. A leap and soft landing later, he was on the bed, the baby beside him and free of his control.

Now I'm really happy about what is to follow. Hehehe~ "Buggybuggybuggyyooooo~." "Wahehehihihjj~!" Again, again and again! It never gets old. "Buggybuggybuggyyooooo~." "Wahehehihihjj~!! Wahehehihihjj~!!!"

It didn't take long for innocent, vibrant cuddles to rock the bed, accompanied by merry laughter, refreshing giggles and ever-changing instances of fooling around.

The baby was so cute, Thoth melted time and time again. When she finally tired out after a while of happy playing, Thoth looked at the bundle, his shiny, ash-coloured eyes drenched in love and care.

Unbeknownst to him, he sported a broad grin on his face, mellowing out his strict-looking, scaly features. Gotta check on Nosey Swamp Eater and her martial abilities...seriously what a name to have.

An hour passed. Or maybe later? Another three hours went by. Still not in the mood. Watching her sleep was just too rewarding. Another hour slipped by. But now I must, lest the young wakes up.

Never before had it been so hard to exit his personal quarters. Never before had he cast an additional spell on the doors leading there. And never before had Aethernum sent an impulse rolling his way, worriedly asking him if he was sick.