The Universe Of Tomorrow

Scales of Love and Destiny

The gnome's eyes widened at the last item. "An egg, you say? How peculiar! But, ah, yes, I think I have just the thing." He scurried off and returned with a softly glowing crystal. "This here's a Heat Stone. Put it close to your egg, and it'll keep it warm as a cozy hearth."

We exchanged glances and nodded. "We'll take it," I said.

As the gnome packaged our items, I couldn't help but feel a tingle of excitement. We were getting closer to finding a suitable place for the egg to hatch, and each step felt like a step into the unknown.

"Anything else you'll be needing?" the gnome asked, handing us our package.

Lysandra looked at me, her eyes asking the unspoken question. Did we have everything we needed for what lay ahead?

I shook my head. "I think we're set, thank you."

After paying the gnome and stepping back out into the bustling street, we looked at each other with a sense of accomplishment. With supplies in hand and a map that marked out secluded spots ideal for a dragon's nest, we were more ready than ever to undertake this new chapter in our adventure.

"As ready as we'll ever be," Lysandra mused, echoing her words from earlier but with a newfound weight.

I nodded, my hand protectively patting the bag that carried the dragon egg. "To the future, then, and whatever it may hold."

Before we could leave the town behind, Lysandra glanced down the road and caught sight of a sign that depicted a blazing anvil. "Wait, there's something I need to take care of. Would you mind making a quick detour to that blacksmith?"

I nodded. "Sure, let's make it quick, though. The egg won't wait forever."

As we approached the forge, the sound of hammer striking metal filled the air, accompanied by the heat of the forge and the smell of molten metal. A female Dragonborn blacksmith, her scales a deep emerald green, was lost in her work, pounding a glowing piece of metal into shape.

Lysandra's eyes met the blacksmith's for a moment, and I caught her lingering gaze travel up and down the blacksmith's form. Realizing we didn't have time for distractions, I nudged her lightly.

"Ahem, business," I whispered.

Lysandra cleared her throat, pulling her eyes away and focusing on the weapons that lined the walls. "I'm in the market for a new battle axe. What do you recommend?"

The Dragonborn blacksmith set her hammer aside and grinned, exposing her pointed teeth. "Ah, a warrior with good taste. Come, let me show you what I have."

As Lysandra discussed materials, balance, and price with the blacksmith, I couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency. We were running against the clock, after all. Finally, Lysandra lifted an axe from the wall, its blade shimmering menacingly in the light of the forge. She swung it a few times, testing its weight.

"This will do," she said, handing over some gold coins to the blacksmith.

"May it serve you well in battle," the blacksmith replied, her eyes meeting Lysandra's one more time. There was a mutual understanding there, one that I sensed was part of the Dragonborn's unspoken code.

"Thank you. It will," Lysandra affirmed, attaching her new weapon to her belt.

We left the forge, the heat quickly dissipating as we hit the cooler air outside. "Got what you needed?" I asked.

She looked at her new axe and then back at me, her eyes meeting mine. "Yes. Now let's go hatch a dragon."

With renewed vigor, we set off, leaving the town and its distractions behind. Now, armed and supplied, we were ready to face the responsibilities and adventures that lay ahead. And somewhere safe and secluded, a dragon egg awaited its time to hatch.