Pirapancam I was in my garden preparing for the arrival of Merna. Though I have heard words of her whereabouts and everything she has done, she and I still have not seen each other face to face for a very long time. I longed to embrace my daughter telling her how much I love her and missed her. I was not told when she had her first shift, that was hidden from me. What I do know is that the other birds know of her existence and what she means to me. I sat in the gazebo waiting for my beloved daughter. Everything had been prepared with tea biscuits and sweets. It was not often but sometimes Merna would indulge herself with a few bits of chocolate and mint. My mind wandered into the past events of Merna's existence. I question everything that I have done. Was keeping her from her kind a positive effect on her growth and development? She seemed to be thriving now, not afraid of what she was confronting. Was Cancer correct? By keeping Merna hidden from the truth, was that more detrimental to her? Or was I being selfish by hiding her from my siblings? Soft footsteps could be heard from behind me. turning my head there was my beloved daughter Merna. With her came Chaos, Ashur and my sister's granddaughter Ime. “I was not expecting all of you to be coming with Merna! Please forgive me for not being prepared.” I said with a warm smile to my guess. “That is nonsense my beloved sister!” Chaos embraced me, “we have news that we all want to say to you all at once!” Each of them sat down in an available spot, Merna making sure that she was to my right side as she had done since she was a wee child. Merna was grinning ear to ear radiating with joy. She exclaimed to me that all three of them were her mates. She did not know how things were going to work out, but each of them agreed with her when she stated that they were going to work on things, making everything work. The thought of her having multiple mates did not surprise me. What did surprise me was that it was my sister's granddaughter who was brought into the fold. When I inquired how Iravu handled the news, I was told that she supported the mate bond encouraging it! If I thought I was overprotective of my kin and children, Iravu took things to a whole new level. She was not easy to get along with nor did she allow many to join the bloodline. It could be the fact that Merna's lineage did consist of the paravai and dragon. If things were based upon Merna's temperament, I am sure my beloved sister would have killed my daughter without the remains to be found, if that's what my dear beloved sister should have desired. Merna was hesitant, she fiddled with her fingers, and I could tell that she had a question. She's always been filled with questions wanting to know more. My Seer had warned me, Cancer had told me that it was important to tell Merna the truth. I dreaded the thoughts of telling Merna how she became part of my existence. To tell her this would mean I would have to admit to my ill manners. it is not easy to confess to something that you know was wrong. “You want to know who your parents are?” I was looking at Merna with tear filled eyes. My dear beloved brother cleared his throat, “Actually it is I who would like to know. you have kept many secrets my dear beloved sister, it is time that you reveal this one. Many not only I have been questioning myrna's bloodline. what the Triad coming here it would be best if you spoke the truth now. I am sure that the Triad are going to want to know just as much as we do.” Chaos kept his tone low and steady. I studied my nerves, taking a sip of my tea. glancing at Myrna I could see that even she wanted to know. For the longest time, she told me that she did not care. She had gone this long without knowing, she figured that they were long past … part of the sands of time. In truth that is very possible! Yet out there, there might still be a blood relative of hers. it may not matter to her but her blood kin May want to get to know her, if she allows it! “To tell you what happened, I have to take you to the second purge … when I was in fear of my very existence. When Parppavar and Mannel had plotted to kill me and those that were dearest to me.” I told them what my Seer at the time had spoken of. in the bowels of the Abyss, I would find an egg. this would not be just any ordinary egg, that infant that is protected by the shell would be a very special child. Of the first of her species. a true hybrid from very powerful bloodlines. I did as my seer has suggested. I ran hiding from everyone! Knowing that if anybody knew what I was doing it would place them in a great deal of danger. So I ventured into the abyss. On my journey, I found out I was carrying a child of my own. A daughter that my so called siblings did not know of. I did not know how long I had travelled until I found the egg that my Seer was speaking of. When I did find the egg, I searched the location to see if the parents were nearby. I did not want to take the egg if the parentage were gone for a bit and we were heading back. So I sat there waiting patiently. When I knew there was no one coming, I placed my unborn child in the egg. From that point, I opened a portal and sent the girls far away. When I had healed I ran back to the paravai telling them of the plot Parppavar and Mannel had been working on. We could not save everyone but we would be able to save as many lives as possible. We sent an equal amount of healers, labourers and fighters to locations that would house them. One of the locations is Earth. Leaving only enough fighters to deal with Parppavar and Mannel. We chose to keep everything hidden, undocumented. If they were capable of getting so close to wiping out their whole species, we could not take the chance they would find them in separate locations. This was our safeguard! I swallowed the lump that was forming in my throat. Before I left to find the girls, I inquired if any of their kind birthed golden eggs. They told me what I had figured! Gold eggs are a golden sun dragon trait. I paused to take a drink of my tea as I could sense Chaos’ judging eyes on me. The egg that I had found was the shape and size of a paravai. Even the symbols on the shell indicated that. The colour of the egg told me that it was a dragon. It was very clear that my assumptions were correct, the parentage of the egg was that of a very powerful neruppu paravai and a golden dragon. The issue was, no golden dragon had been announced since the arrival of Alround. It was true that Alround was not the only golden dragon, there were others. I could have taken the egg to one of them to see if the offspring was theirs. Yet I decided to do as my seer, at the time, suggested to me. To place my unborn child in the egg, and send them as far away as possible. This will save both of them, preserving the next generation to come. I lowered my head, ashamed of what I had done. Moving my head to the side when I felt movement. Merna wrapped her arms around me, “thank you for saving me. Against all odds, I am here because of you. I understand why you did what you did. And because of that, I am a strong, bull headed, individual that does not take no for an answer!” Merna was quick to forgive me, but if her bloodline should find out, they may not be as forgiving of my actions. Chaos grumbled in my mind, ‘if one of her parents should go for your blood, I will not stand in their way! What you did was wrong, even if you were doing it to protect the next generation. It gave you no right to take what was not yours! You should have hunted harder for her blood relatives!’ As long as I had Merna, I did not care what my punishment might be! My guest had left leaving Merna and myself to be on our own. “Mother, I have a request!” Merna began, “your so call siblings have taken many … I know I will not be able to get to every single one of them but those that were stolen, I would like to bring them here if I can manage it. They will need sanctuary for the time being, until we can finally deal with what is coming!” “I do not like the sounds of this!” I was being honest with my daughter. “For a very long time I have been watching them. They are careless and believe they are impenetrable. I believe that once everything is set up, I will be able to get too many. I know what is to come will be devastating and destructive. I am going to take every measure to reduce the damage and blood shed. I have seen in dreams what could be … Draco and I have spoken a lot and have devised a plan that could reduce the damage yet get the results we all deserve. I just need a place for the hybrids to hide! It was your tale that gave me the idea!” Merna gave me a wickedly sweet smile.