Palms & Claws- Chapter 4
Posté le 3 mars 2026 --- 1 522 mots
Echo was stumbling on her words, her whole world and mission was breaking apart. She was realizing how the whole story of the captive princess was nothing but a mere « scam », and that the princess was… technically okay and in with this. Ironically, she was feeling relieved by such news.
E : I… I can’t believe it… It’s actually… A good news ? I mean… I’m glad to see you’re okay madam, perdon my disturbance…
S : Wait, you’re not going to attempt to rescue me or anything else ? Are you seriously relieved to see the mission you went on never had an end goal ? Don’t you want to try to free me for your glory like all the other knights ?
Sirook felt lost, and still scared, bloating herself into the arms of her dragonness, seeking some safety, fearing Echo might try something.
E : What ? Why would I want that ? I’ve went on this quest because I’ve heard a lady was in distress, and I’ve got a motto it is to never let a sister behind.
Zandii slowly got out of the bed, adjusting her bra and standing up to approach Echo. She remained in her half-draconic half-human form. Her expression changed from the mix of surprise and anger at first into a sort of smile.
Z : I wasn’t expecting you that early, Echo. Seeing you that close, I must say, you’re looking even more like quite the persistent adventurer.
E : Wait, how did you know my name ?
Z : Oh I’ve been watching you, I’ve been observing you since your first attempt. I’m observing every single adventurer that attempted this mission. And you are, I must say, a very particular one.
Sirook seemed know to know what she was talking about. She has seen Zandii watching the adventurer but had no idea of the plan of thoughts her wife might have on this new advnturer.
E : I… I’m not even sure I’m fit to answer right away… And I apologize for the disturbance of your moment.
Z : Don’t fret, if you were a threat I would have taken care of you way before. But I must say, I’m not in my best attire to discuss… If you’re enclined, may you wait for one hour to let me prepare myself and Sirook to discuss more at peace ?
Echo was so lost in her inner thoughts, she agreed right away. Following the steps of Ihrto, the bookkeeper kobold, who was the closest to the room, she walked to a more calm room. He led her to a sort of big room with red velvet felt sofa, an other kobold was serving her a cup of black berry tea to wait the arrival of the couple.
The room felt luxurious, with ornated walls and larges spaces. Probably for when the dragonness wants to be in her feral dragonic form, perhaps, thought Echo. Still puzzled by the scene that unfolded before her eyes and the direction her quest was taking. She wasn’t expecting that the princess was laying with the dragon. Of course, she heard multiple stories about the shared love of human and dragons, and she would be lying if she said she haven’t tried herself that kind of relations. But she wasn’t expecting that plot twist of « The princess were never captive of the dragon ».
Still, she was impressed by whole refined and well maintained the keep was. She hasn’t seen much creatures serving there, so far only two guards and the bookkeeper, surely there are more critters managing this place, her mind was wandering. The fruity tea was warm, and delicious, reminiscing of the black tea she used to drink as a teen, a weird memory, but it was a popular teen where she’s from.
Finally, around 40 minutes laters, the couple arrived. Sirook was dressed in black and red long dress with gold linings while Zandii was wearing a deep cyan top and a leather pair of pants. Both holding hands, the couple stepped in with mixed feelings for each. Zandii had a confident walk, looking at Echo with a semi-hidden smirk.
The three girls sad down around the large wooden table near the window of the room, overlooking the hidden garden. Each with their cup of hot beverage, they look at each other for half a minute before Sirook broke the silence.
S : So... Echo… I guess you tried to enter here for the glory of liberating the « princess » right ? And now, you know the secret.
E : I mean… I don’t really care about the glory nor the money ? It’s secondary to me, it was a matter of liberating a sister in need, of freeing a women from what I thought was a dangerous situation. I didn’t even knew about the fact the dragon, sorry I don’t know your name, was a women actually.
S : Wait what ?
Z : Indeed, that’s what I was thinking while I was overlooking your actions dear Echo. The name’s Zandii by the way, and this is Sirook who as I think you’ve understand, is my wife now.
S : Darling… are you sure it’s right to say that to her ? No offense madam, but I still doubt your intentions were to free me for just helping out.
E : But it is true, I don’t care about fame nor money. In all my actions, I’ve tried to help those in need, I… I try to cope with some feelings.
S : Feelings ? What do you mean ?
Echo was hesitating to say it all, but somehow felt safe in the presence of Zandii, she didn’t know why, but she felt like she found what she was looking for deep down within her.
E : I’ve always wanted to help people, whether it is my small tasks or saving other, It’s something I feel is my purpose. I cannot explain why I felt attracted that much to this place, but somehow… I feel at home ? Sorry if my words come out weird, but seeing your kobolds made me feel, like this was what I was meant to be ?
Z : Aaah, I knew I was right, I knew I made the right choice sending the stories of the princess to your ears. I knew it was a safe choice…
Sirook, at the same time, broke the character she was playing and started smiling at Echo.
S : We made the right choice dear…
E : What are you saying ? Are you implying you sent out the story of your captivity to my surrounding so as to bring me here ? Hoping I would feel at home here ? What’s your plan in doing all of this ?
S : When you say you feel like being a Kobold was what your felt like you were meant to be, what makes you feel that ?
Echo was unsure at first, but slowly reminiscing of some memories, she felt like every piece of the puzzle was coming together.
E : I… I’ve always disliked my human body ? I don’t feel protected and feel kind of weak at that, I was somehow weirdly jealous of my old roomate at the academy, a dragonness who went by the name of Yvvia. To be fair… I’ve wanted to learn some shapeshifting magic, with sadly numerous fails so as to be more of a Kobold. I’ve tried gluing scales to me or painting by plated armor to make it look like scales… I can see now how « at home » I felt here.
Z : Didn’t think you’ll get it that fast, but yes, this is a haven for those who didn’t feel like humans, a place for those who want to be something else.
E : Former humans are numerous across the kingdoms, I’ve seen a lot across my journey, but I was never able to find someone who could… satisfy what I wanted to be. Are… Are you one who could make me a kobold ?
Z : As I’m sure you’ve come to understand, many of the kobolds around here are former humans too. So, my dear, yes I am, I can fix your body and make it what you oh so want deep down within you. After that, you can either go free around the land. Or stay here, with the den of other kobolds here, in the Keep.
Echo couldn’t believe her ears. What she thought was a quest to save a lady in need, was a quest to save herself from the human body she was resenting. That was her true quest. With no doubts now in her hand, her mind cleared from the initial fog, she confidently look in the dragoness eyes and said the words she wanted to say for so long.
E : « Please… Make me into a kobold, that’s all I want now. I’m ready to stay here leaving my life behind and to be an additionnal kobold to your castle, lady Zandii.