Chapter 132. Group therapy

We all watched Dríade fly away with the Bee woman leaving us with the entire ensemble.

[She will be fine my love. We should probably deal with this first.]

"Right." I straightened myself up silently thanking Tarakona for breaking the stupor we had all been in. "Helayt this is Tarakona my Dragon mate and another Livestock on my farm. She joined rather quickly after we returned from our last trip here. She has taken to the Centaur customs quite well and is a happy sister wife to Zeldi."

Zeldi joined in ignoring her birth mothers attempts to pull her away. "That's right. Sister Tarakona is an amazing mate and as per our agreement that I must have a herd first we're both pregnant!"

That sparked a lot of shouting from the gathered Centaurs with the loudest comment being how I could 'preform' in a lot of colourful ways.

Helayt held her head like she could feel a headache coming along before she stamped her hoof down so hard it silenced the crown. "Daxel darling, can you please return the weapons back to the forge? I doubt we'd be able to harm a Dragon anyway and I would like to hear more of how our daughter has gained ones favor enough to be her guardian."

There were a few grumbles from the crowd and a few choice words about slaying a Dragon but they were all silenced with a hiss from Madu.

She didn't drop her hood and instead let her snakes peak out from holes in the sides while each one hissed and revealed their fangs. "I have remained silent because you are Zeldi's family and other members of the village but if anyone threatens my fellow sisters again I will leave statues behind as warnings."

That took everyone's attention from our Dragon to look at her and by extension Voras who was snarling ever so slightly. It was only because I knew the Arachnid woman that I noticed the slight waver she had about being the center of attention.

Helayt quickly looked at Zeldi only for my little mare to smile back. "That's Voras and Madu. Both are Masters Livestock and fellow mates. Madu also might be pregnant but we're waiting a bit longer to confirm that."

There was a wave of everyone looking away when they realized there was a Gorgon present, but surprisingly Helayt didn't join them. Instead the mare turned to me with what looked like respect.

"I got lucky." I said to the unspoken question.

"Luck would get you another mare." Helayt said back. "But not one but three more livestock? That is much more than luck."

I shrugged. "I actually think I'm up to six now."

Yenem tried again to pull Zeldi away but my stubborn mare didn't move.

[This wasn't how I wanted this to go but I feel it was expected. I will leave so that there is no drama. Zeldi, enjoy the time you have with your parents.]

"Oh no you won't." Helayt snapped back at Tarakona before realizing just who she had said that to. Her ears pinned themselves down but she didn't back down. "If you are part of Zeldi's family then you are as much mine as well. We have discussed that Zeldi wouldn't be part of a traditional herd so this was expected."

Daxel came up besides his wife and tried to whisper unsuccessful. "We didn't expect anything like this though."

"Would you rather she be vulnerable and alone husband?" Helayt sighed. "Go return the villagers back to their homes, I'm not expecting them to accept this but we must think about our daughter and I for one would much rather believe she is safe."

Daxel gave one last look up at Tarakona and only pulled away when Zeldi joined him. "She's a friend father I promise. She also makes wonderful ice sculptures."

I could feel a blush building in my cheeks as the memories of creating a few ice sculptures came to mind.

Zeldi managed to get her father to return back to the village with her and Yenem as well as all of the armed Centaurs leaving only Helayt behind. I hadn't seen Anna or Gally as part of the group but then again there wasn't a real need for either of them to throw themselves at a Dragon for any reason.

"We had originally planned to introduce Abelha to you over the day in hopes she would agree to join you on your Deed." Helayt said with a sigh. "We were definitely not expecting this if any of the stories about Deed owners she told us were correct."

"Remind me who Abelha is?" I asked trying to wrack my brain. The name came up as a blank no matter how much I thought back.

"She is an unbound Livestock that came through the village some time ago. We kind of ambushed her so that we could get some more insight into what Zeldi was going through and how to help. She agreed to stay long enough to meet you once we explained that our daughter was one as well." Helayt admitted.

[The Bee woman that Dríade kidnapped.]

Tarakona helpfully added.

"Yip. Well there goes that idea then." Helayt deflated.

"I doubt that." Madu came forward only to stop when Helayt took an involuntary step back. Fortunately my Gorgon didn't take any offense to the action.

"Dríade is a Dryad. If this Abelha is a Queen Bee like I think she is then Dríade is already trying to coax her into joining us. So in that regard you have done an amazing job securing another member of our little group." Madu praised.

As she moved Helayt got a quick look at a certain Fawn who was trying her best to hide behind Voras. The Centaur flinched and for the first time I watched anger crowd her features before she could properly quell it.

I opened my mouth to say something but could find no words to say. It wasn't like I could explain to her why Tilty was here without Zeldi's backing.

Thankfully Helayt powered through her anger but still gave me a rather pointed look to say she knew who that was.

"I will go rally my sister mates and husband to prepare a picnic. That way you can explain everything that has led you to this outcome." She said with even more emphasis on outcome. Tho wonder she had previously displayed at my collection of girls was also nowhere to be found.

I gave a nod as she trotted off to join the rapidly shrinking group ahead of her.

"Well that could have gone better." I humored myself as I started to stretch. A lot of the anxious energy I'd had finally able to leave.

[It could have gone a lot worse though.]

"Yeah I know Tarakona but if they'd just seen a Dragon appear beside their village and gone 'yeah that's fine' then I would have thought they were mad. You are an exception as I'm sure your mother's introduction was much more Dragon-like."

[I hate that you're right.]

There was obvious resentment in her voice but she didn't dwell on it for to long.

"Well I think it went well." Madu laughed slithering up besides me and nuzzling into my side. "Sure they did threaten us but that was to be expected. Now we get to have a picnic! I love picnic's. There's sun, food and cuddles in the sun!"

Voras let out a sigh. She had dark circles around her eyes that Zeldi's milk wasn't removing. "We need to be on our best behavior Madu. This is Zeldi's family after all and we want to make a good lasting impression. That does mean no stripping."

We all looked towards Tilty who whittled under our combined gaze.

"I'd have said she should hide until we get back to the farm but I feel that advice is no longer viable." My Arachnid continued.

"I hope you know what you're in for Tilty." I said with only a little guilt.

"Are you going to help me at all?" She whimpered still trying to hide behind Voras.

"I promise to stop them killing you if that helps?" I offered. "But you knew what you were doing when you ordered Zeldi's kidnapping. Your best hope is having Zeldi herself on your side when the time comes."

It was very obvious that none of the girls here had any sympathy for the Fawn. Too many bad memories.

[Let's find a place for this picnic then. I doubt it will be hard for them to find us when they are ready and we should include Dríade if we can find her.]

"And the queen bee." Voras added. "She would be a fine addition to the farm."

"Of all the girls I was expecting you to be the least interested in sharing." I said. "I mean Madu I understand because you knew her but... Wait do you know her as well?"

"No I do not. She is not someone the has traversed the Underdark while I was there and she doesn't seem like she has been shackled by anyone." Voras answered.

"What she means by that is she must have a way of dealing with people trying to capture her." Madu added inclining her head towards Tilty. "Don't think she's all fluffy and cuddly Clovek. Some girls hide knives in strange places."

"Noted. I will not underestimate her."