"Good to hear that things are going well with you two" Kos replied. "Also, at some point, after Sasha's egg has been laid, I was thinking of going on a trip to some old ruins. It's probably not a totally safe venture, but I know that some of my father's friends are interested in it. I'll be contacting my brothers about it too."

---

"That's good. I look forward to it!" Aura replied. "Say, what do you think Avera and my brother are up to?"

"Are you sure that's wise? After all, Nyx and Larek's egg would probably have hatched by then, and Larek might not want to leave" Jammy said, "And doesn't Avera have a hatchling too?"

Sasha thought for a minute, "Perhaps you could include Railing" She said, "If you wanted more people along to explore"

"I don't know about Larek, but the others might want to come along. Unless Veax is in one of his moods. I never really understood musicians. Hmph. Anyway, Avera and Caex have a hatchling, but knowing my brother, he'll probably want a break at some point. For a few days, at least. Railing's welcome to come too, if he wants" Kos replied.

"Well... If I remember Bela's first pregnancy with a human infant, then I can guess that Avera's been sick most of the day and very moody. So I think Caex will be happy for our return," Ryland said with a chuckle.

"Well, I guess we'll see in a minute" Aura replied. After putting Steele back in his stable, they opened the door to the farmhouse, Caex quickly went to greet them.

"Thank the gods! We could use some help around here. Auryn's being fussy, I'm still cleaning up the mess he made with his peas, I finished several hours of farm work just an hour ago, and Avera's been... well, see for yourselves."

Ryland nodded. "Right, Aura, why don't you go play with Auryn for a little while and I'll get the mess cleaned up. Caex, go take care of Avera," He said, hearing someone throw up and then start crying.

"Thanks. I'll get right on it" Caex said. "Avey! Just hang on! I'm getting some towels and another bucket!"

Aura found her nephew seated on a tiny cushion on the table. He was proud of how far he could throw those peas his father had fed him.

"Looks like someone's energetic today!" She picked him up and lifted the young blue dracon into the air, much to his delight. "Yeah, you really are a bundle of mana, aren't you?" She held that thought, realizing that his unusually large size and activity for one so young might actually have to do with the magic used to help conceive him. On the other hand...

"Caex! What did you feed him, besides the peas?"

Caex was busy helping his wife and was occupied cleaning up some of the vomit. Nevertheless, he gave his sister an answer. "Some of that pineapple stuff from the market! You know, from couple of days ago! I crushed it into very small pieces and fed it to him myself!"

Aura set Auryn down for a moment. After taking a taste of the fruit, she realized what was wrong.

"This stuff has been soaked in sugar! No wonder he's wild!"

Avera had crawled back in bed and curled up sniffling. Why didn't anyone warn her it would be like this?! Her emotions were up, down and sideways and then she hadn't been able to keep anything down since Ryland and Aura had left. Plus she felt absolutely wretched that Caex was having to run about and deal with everything.

Ryland was cleaning the peas up and laughed. "On the bright side Caex, he's going to sleep really well once the sugar's run its course!" He called.

"I think Railing would like that" Jammy said with a nod, "Three years trapped means he missed a lot of things, and the friends he had before, have moved on and gotten lives of their own."

"What ruins are they?" Marx asked

Sasha settled back, content to listen as they talked.

---

Nyx woke from her nap, stretching .She checked on the egg, and satisfied it was alright, she began to sort out dinner

Caex ran back to Avera. "I didn't know it would be like this, if that's any consolation. We'll have to get you some kinda medicine or something that can mitigate this nausea. Er... I guess this is a mammal thing?" After realizing how that sounded, he hoped that last one wouldn't get him slapped or yelled at.

Aura sighed. "Keep him away from any added sugars until he's a bit older. If we have to make baby food, I'll gladly help." She returned to Auryn and wiped some crushed pea from the side of his snout. He looked up at her, their eyes meeting.

"Just be a good boy and I'll tell you the story of how your grandpa Adykon went to the Lost City and stopped an evil wizard" he seemed to understand her well enough, although it as her tone rather than her words which cued him in.

---

"Where this all began. The Lost City. It's where my father became a hero, and where he met my stepmother. It's a common destination for adventurers, and no matter how many times it looks like the ruin has been picked clean, there's always something more to find. It was Dememoras' old capital from thousands of years back" Kos explained.

---

Larek returned from the fields. After washing up, he gave his wife a kiss and a warm smile. "Farm is going well. How's the best mother-to-be in the world doing today?"

Avera looked at Caex for a moment then started bawling again, burying her face into the pillows. Ryland finished cleaning and went to check on Caex and Avera. "...Should I call my mother?" He asked.

"If you think it best, sure!" Caex said, gently touching her right shoulder. He knew his own mother could get broody when gravid, and sometimes emotional, but never like this.

Aura finished feeding and cleaning Auryn, who was just starting to calm down. "You were right about that sugar crash, Ryland." She picked the young dracon up and took him to his bed.

"I'll tell you that story some other time, okay? I think it's time for you to get some rest." Either he understood her or he was just tired from the effects of the sugar wearing off. Either way, Auryn fell softly asleep.

Aura went back downstairs to check on Avera. The dracon female had friends who were gravid before she was, but this had rarely caused anything near what Avera was going through. "So, Avera... sister... how long have you been feeling like this?" The words seemed odd, but strangely fitting. A human had married her brother, and now, she needed some help. No matter her species, Aura had to at least try to make things better.

"Yeah, probably best," Ryland said, going to contact Danae. Avera managed to stop crying just as Aura asked about how long she'd been feeling like this, suddenly feeling angry and almost snapped at her but managed to reel in her emotions. "S-Since you left earlier," She hiccuped. Danae teleported to the house and ran inside, dropping a parcel off in the package. "Alright, I'm here, tell me what's been happening?" She said, walking into the room.

"Yeah, probably best," Ryland said, going to contact Danae. Avera managed to stop crying just as Aura asked about how long she'd been feeling like this, suddenly feeling angry and almost snapped at her but managed to reel in her emotions. "S-Since you left earlier," She hiccuped. Danae teleported to the house and ran inside, dropping a parcel off in the package. "Alright, I'm here, tell me what's been happening?" She said, walking into the room.

"I imagine that as knowledge grows of things in the ruins, adventures know what to look for" Marx said, "And things that were once hidden come to light. It seems like a good place to go"

---

Nyx smiled, returning his kiss, "Just perfect" She said "Just starting dinner"

"That was fast" Caex thought, realizing that Danae's response time was much like his own mother's. "Yeah, Avera's been feeling sick and having some wild swings in her emotions. It's linked to her pregnancy" he explained to Danae.

"And I just put Auryn to bed. My brother fed him too much sugar. He's alright now" Aura added.

"Look, it was an honest mistake. I'm sorry if he caused a mess" Caex replied.

---

"Yeah. I don't know what I will expect to find there. I know there's a statue containing the spirit of a vicious god, but Aerta told me not to touch that one. Long story. Have you ever heard of the Lost City?" Kos said.

---

"Excellent. What are we having?" Larek wondered.

"Well, mood swings are normal, but it makes sense she'd feel them worse because of the magic. And the brew is still a new recipe so there's that too. Has she eaten anything today?" Danae asked, going and sitting next to Avera, stroking her hair back as she started crying yet again.

"I think so, but she hasn't been able to keep anything down lately" Caex replied. "And as much as I hate to say it, I've been feeling a bit bad too."

"Sympathy pains, I guess. Not quite the same as what you might have later, when she's in labor" Aura replied. "That's rare for a male. I can't imagine Kos getting those. Veax, on the other hand... yeah." She turned to Danae. "Anything you can do would be greatly appreciated. And if you could warn us about anything else we have to look forward too, that would help even more. We... most of us don't know as much as about human females as we should. Well, maybe Ryland does."

"I haven't read much, there isn't much literature out there, or at least that I've been able to find" Marx said, "I think Railing was planning on explore it, but obviously didn't get there"

---

"I was thinking a stew" Nyx said, "it's easy to make, and always good" She said, "Unless you want something else"

"I figured. My stepmother was once married to an archmage who was responsible for watching ancient threats, such as those which resided in the Lost City. It's a legend to most, but few dracons know anything about it for sure" Kos replied. "So, you think Railing will be up for it?"

---

"A stew sounds fine. Just make sure to give yourself a bit more than usual, since you are eating for two" Larek explained.