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Krista yawned noisily. Shi didn't want to wake up. Shi was far too comfortable. Carefully, even though shi was still mostly asleep, the grey dragoness rolled off hir back onto hir side. Shi had to be careful for two reasons. One, the swell of hir tummy signified precious cargo shi dared not bring harm to. Two, there was a little human tucked in against hir side. The large dragon grunted as shi landed on hir side, pulling Emily against hir supple front. The young lady's head found its way between the large, yielding breasts. The youthful human squirmed softly, disturbed from her own slumber and unhappy that she had to wake.

But then she remembered what day it was. It was her turn. Immediately, Emily's eyes flew open and she grinned, pulling away from the large dragoness. The nude girl giggled and slipped carefully from Krista's caring embrace and sat up on her knees, leaning in against the plump swell of her protector's belly.

"Mmm, good morning." Emily cooed.

Krista groaned a little and squeezed hir eyes tightly shut. Hir tail curled around, finding its way along Emily's back, pressing her against the warm, soft dome.

"It's too early." Krista complained.

"I know, but maybe I can help you wake up." Emily said. She grinned as she slipped her hands down further, running them along the grey lady's impressive manhood. It was far too large for the human to fit in her in a more traditional manner. Maybe someday she would be able to, but for now, she resorted to the usual methods. Small, delicate hands massaged over the steadily stiffening rod, guiding it up until the girl had brought the head to her lips. A long, low rumble came from the dragoness as hir little friend pleasured hir. It was a lovely way to wake up after all.

The drake gently rolled back onto hir back, legs spread wide. Shi didn't have to do anything. Emily would take care of it all. And so she did. The young lady kissed at the swelling rod in her hands, licking slowly across the end to tease its owner. When it was clear she had the dragon squirming in need, Emily smiled and pressed her lips to the gargantuan shaft, slowly spreading them over the head. It had taken a great deal of practice to get to this point, able to do what she was about to do, but her patience had served her well. And Krista too.

The dragoness hissed and moaned as shi felt the warm, moist embrace of little Emily's mouth, then her throat. It always impressed Krista that someone so much smaller than hir could pull off such a feat. Steadily, methodically, Emily had worked her way down over the two foot long rod until her nose bumped against the gravid swell above. The head of the drake's member was lodged firmly in her belly. The human groaned softly and groped at her own stomach, reveling in feeling the bulge in her abdomen. Krista was similarly pleased, running a hand over hir own middle. The other cupped one of hir large, weighty breasts. Shi giggled softly as a firm twitch of the trapped shaft made Emily jerk.

That was Krista's favorite part; getting all the way in and giving it a good twitch.

The grey lady purred deep in hir throat as shi did it again, barely moving hir legs. Emily huffed and grunted as the bucking rod moved her. She began trying to retreat off the monster in her jaws, slowly pulling back all the way until the head was back in her mouth. There she lingered again, licking and kissing over the smooth peak, never removing it from her lips. And then she swallowed again, pressing back down over the slick, sleek rod. Krista moaned happily and shivered. Shi curled hir tail around, guiding the tapered tip to the nude lady's backside. The agile appendage caressed the curve of Emily's rump appreciatively, then pressed her forward, making sure she sank back down over the dragon's shaft.

This time, Emily would not be able to pull back. Instead, Krista forced hir rod to tense repeatedly, steadily, rhythmically. Shi huffed softly, moving the hand on hir breast to join the one tracing over hir belly. Shi could feel the one curled up inside beginning to stir and wake. His movement was quite lovely. Krista squeezed hir passenger gently, encouraging him to turn about while shi kept the girl between hir legs nicely filled. As if they spoke a silent language, the hidden figure obliged.

Krista moaned louder as shi felt hir stomach stretch. A pair of small hands became visible in hir soft tummy. Other odd distensions deformed the ordinarily smooth orb and shi explored them. Hir breath quickened, deeply enjoying the attention from both inside and out. Emily struggled gently, not in discomfort, but to just try and do something to keep going. The muscular tail behind her made it impossible to pull free. Sensing the human girl's frustration, Krista curled hir tail around the lady's waist, and began to pull her off the throbbing shaft. It was a short trip. In seconds, the girl was being pressed back over the bulging spire. She moaned and grunted feeling it bottom out in her belly again.

Krista growled quietly, beginning to pump her little friend over hir shaft repeatedly, quickening the pace. Inside, hir passenger was busy wriggling away, becoming more energetic and spirited. A puddle began to form between the dragon's legs as hir quivering folds soaked hir thighs. Oh shi was close. Hir growls grew louder and louder as shi pumped Emily over hir length faster and faster. The wriggling mass in hir belly stretched hir more with every passing second, squirming until it felt as though he was unhappily trying to escape. Shi absolutely loved it when they pretended to be unwilling.

A roar split the relative silence. Krista's form stiffened as shi unleashed a heady flood of seed into Emily's waiting stomach. The girl gagged softly and clenched up around the powerful hose. Her belly bloated out immediately, growing with every heavy pulse of ooze the dragon had to offer. Krista's tail slowed as shi lost hir grip on the girl's bulging abdomen and shi relaxed, hir chest rising and falling steadily. Emily managed to compose herself as well, at least long enough to pull the monster shaft from her throat. She panted fiercely as she held her stomach with both hands. This was what she enjoyed about pleasuring her dragon the most. Often, she pretended she was with child once she was done. Silently, she was envious of Krista.

The young lady leaned against the grey drake's groin and stomach as she struggled to catch her breath. The taste of the dragon's seed still on her tongue and lips.

"Better?" Emily asked.

Krista smiled, keeping hir eyes closed.

"Oh yes, much better." The dragoness cooed.

"Then I guess it's time to make the switch. I know how much you don't like kicking someone out, but I'm rather eager to get in," Emily said, letting a grin spread across her lips as she continued, "If you want, I could just climb in there and push Quinn out for you."

Krista shook hir head, propping hirself up on hir elbows to look over the lovely, motherly dome of hir belly.

"Oh no. No ma'am. I'm not falling for that again. Last time I put two of you in there at the same time, I ended up not being able to get either of you out for months. Not that I'm complaining, I rather enjoyed it. But it's not fair to everyone else. Everyone gets a week." The dragoness said firmly.

"Oh alright," Emily said, rolling her eyes as she caressed her bloated tummy, "Was just a suggestion."

"And I thank you for the suggestion but we've got a good system going. Now, you may want to move. Quinn's gonna be right where you are in a moment." Krista said.

The dragoness laid back down and spread hir legs, huffing and moaning anew in short order. Hir hands moved to the still gently active swell of hir belly. The dome contracted gently, urging the passenger within to start making his way out. Krista continued on like this for a few moments until shi shuddered and clenched hir teeth. A good push saw a young man's head pop free of hir moistened petals, hidden by the weighty swell of hir scrotum. He wriggled and grunted, trying to make progress on his own before another contraction pushed him further. His dark russet hair, matted down by the slick sheen of the dragon's honey, was the first thing Emily saw. She reached forward and began helping pull the young man out. With a noisy, lewd sound, the two humans landed on their backs, pressed against one another, breathing heavily.

Krista sighed and opened hir eyes. A hand brushed over hir now trim stomach. Shi hated feeling empty. Thankfully, shi wouldn't have to for very long. The dragoness propped hirself back up and looked down at the two humans between hir legs, grinning at them.

"Welcome back to the outside world, Quinn. Sleep well?" The dragon asked.

"Wonderfully." Quinn said, still sounding a little groggy. He offered Emily a gentle yet passionate kiss before pulling himself up into a seated position. He pulled the girl into his lap and embraced her from behind, running his hands over her gravid stomach.

"I wonder how long it will be before I get to have something actually growing in here." Emily said.

"I'm not sure, but no matter how long it takes to get you there, I'll be here to keep you company." Krista said.

"And so will I. At least, when we're both outside," Quinn said with a smile, "Ready for bed?"

Emily nodded and leaned forward onto her hands and knees. The weight of her sloshing, gurgling stomach hanging under her stole her breath away. She adored it. Without any real ceremony, the lovely young lady bowed her head to nudge up under the dragon's sac, and press on to the waiting folds beyond.

Krista hissed and laid back down as the girl showed her eagerness. Just as the powerful musculature urged Quinn out, the same passage gripped Emily and began trying to pull her in. A strong contraction, more powerful than the ones that pushed out, drew the lady in up to her chest in a single, hearty 'gulp'. Quinn grinned and crawled forward, giving Emily a gentle push just as the next 'tug' began to draw her in. That saw the girl's seed-filled stomach slip into the dragon's warm embrace. Krista let a low, gentle moan rise up out of hir as shi reveled in the act of claiming another. With Quinn's help, shi would make short work of Emily. Already shi could feel hir womb begin to stretch anew.

Quinn gripped Emily's legs and pressed on, waiting until the large dragon had relaxed and was ready to 'swallow' again. It wasn't his first time helping someone enter. And his efforts paid off. Krista spent as little time without a passenger as could be managed. Shi shivered feeling the last few inches of the girl, her feet, glide effortlessly into hir folds, then up through hir passage. In moments, Emily was deposited in the drake's womb, curled up as if she were Krista's child.

In a sense, she was, as was Quinn.

The grey lady sighed happily and squeezed hir belly, full once again, and oh so happy to be so once more.

"Mmm, welcome home, honey. Enjoy your week." Krista said.

"I'm sure she will," Quinn said, "Now, I saw that she had given you her usual 'morning greeting'. Might you need the other side pleased?"

Krista grinned with a nod, rolling carefully onto hir side, tail hoisted. Quinn chuckled and moved in close, pressing against the lady's intimate region. His own length needed no time to stiffen. The trip out helped him along. He ground himself against the large lady, enjoying the sound of hir moans. He wouldn't be able to properly sate hir, at least not if he was walking in to this cold. The fact that shi had just birthed him and then taken Emily in had gotten hir more than halfway there. He just needed to help finish the job. And he did with great zeal.

Quinn rolled his hips, finding the warm, inviting grasp of the dragon's womanhood wrap around his length. It wasn't as form fitting as Emily, but it certainly felt lovely, and he wasn't about to miss a chance to please his dragon. Krista hissed again as shi was taken by the smaller human, enjoying his enthusiasm. Shi pressed back against him, but carefully. Shi didn't want to knock him over. Hir tail curled around behind him, pressing him against hir to make sure shi avoided doing exactly that.

The two lovers pressed against one another, flesh caressing flesh as they lost themselves to the passion of the moment. Quinn adjusted himself side to side, making sure to not focus too hard in one area. He was at something of a disadvantage and experience taught him that he needed to 'play the field' with Krista. That was something shi appreciated. He grunted as he added strength, his thighs slapping against smooth hide. The dragoness worked to control hir breathing. Emily meanwhile turned about, giving the drake's belly a good stretching. She knew how to help Quinn make their dragon scream.

Krista gasped and clutched hir abdomen, adoring the girl's efforts. Shi wriggled and moaned, trying to keep from getting too out of sorts for the young man pumping into hir. Quinn heard the lady's noises of passion and pressed on, thrusting with greater and greater strength. Emily pressed outward with all the strength she possessed. With the two humans working together, Krista was pushed quickly to climax. Shi cried out and tightened hir tail around Quinn, forcing him as deep as he could reach. A warm splash soaked his form once again, just as he tensed and loosed his own thick contribution into the dragoness.

Emily settled down feeling the walls convulse and squeeze around her, hugging her all the tighter. She smiled and gradually began to drift off, quite content to be in her dragon's belly. Quinn panted and slowly relaxed, slipping free of the drake's embrace. Before he could get too far, Krista reached down and picked him up, pulling the young man into a firm embrace. His face was pressed into hir cleavage, not that he minded. He attempted to return the hug, but his arms couldn't reach nearly far enough around hir.

"You two make a pretty dangerous team," The dragoness said, "Making me want to just lay here and let you both have your way with me."

"I just wish I could please you properly." Quinn said, his voice muffled as he nuzzled into the warm, inviting chest.

"You do pretty well enough. And who knows, maybe you'll get up the courage to try what Emily does. Or maybe you and she both will eventually develop enough to take me properly." Krista grinned.

"We'll just have to see on that. I don't think I'm quite there yet!" Quinn laughed.

"Well whatever the case, much as I'd like to just lay here and let you two pleasure me endlessly, we need to get the day started. And I think a quick bath would be just the thing to wake us both up." The dragoness said.

Without another word, the large grey lady climbed to hir feet, still holding Quinn to hir bust, and padded across the smooth, stone floor of the cave towards a small pool of clear water. A little stream flowed into it from deeper in the cavern, and it flowed out through some as-of-yet undiscovered exit Krista hadn't tried that hard to find. Shi eased into the cool water and shuddered a little. It was already doing a great job of waking hir up. Quinn tensed as well as the sudden shift in temperature kissed at his legs. Suddenly, he was wishing he was back in the dragon's belly all over again.

As if shi were a mother bathing hir child, Krista took care to help the human in hir arms cleans himself. Shi even stopped just long enough to let him have a little breakfast, nursing the young man on one of hir breasts. It was another aspect of this whole arrangement shi deeply enjoyed; the constant occupation of hir womb ensuring shi was always producing the rich, sweet milk that had become so very popular.

Eventually, they both were satisfied with their cleanliness and climbed out of the water. They dried, Quinn dressed, and the two strolled out of the cave. Krista never cared for clothing. Shi preferred to leave everything on display, especially hir stomach. The dome shifted gently from time to time, forcing the dragoness to keep a hand cupped against the motherly swell almost constantly. Gracious shi loved this so very much.

---

The little village was waking up alongside the dragoness and hir human friend. The two of them walked along the short path connecting the mouth of Krista's cave to the main drag of the tiny hamlet. It was a sleepy little place, home to only a couple dozen, and they all were quite happy to see the grey lady, not at all bothered by the fact that shi was completely naked.

"Good morning Krista, Quinn!" Called out a young lady gathering kindling for the fire she was tending.

"Morning Hannah!" Krista called out happily, "Almost done with the morning batch?"

The woman, clad in a long, simple dress with an apron over her front nodded.

"Just about," Hannah answered, "I've got one whole loaf set aside just for you. Tried something a little different this time. I added some fresh herbs to the dough. It smells fantastic, and I'll bet it tastes even better."

"Oh I can't wait!" Krista beamed gleefully.

"I'm off to go herd the sheep. We're moving them to the south pasture today." Quinn said, leaning in to give the dragoness a hug. He only came up to just above hir waist, so his hug was limited to the grey lady's gravid tummy. And he couldn't even reach all the way around it.

Krista returned the affection and smiled down at him.

"Alright, have a good day. Join me for lunch?" Shi asked.

"I'd love that." Quinn said, then pulled away, waving as he turned to take a different path.

Krista was then left to wander on hir own. Shi didn't really have a proper, defined job in the village. Shi just sort of helped out wherever shi was needed. Since there wasn't anything already planned out, shi had some free time, so shi wandered over to the little produce stand run by the couple of farmers. They didn't really sell what they harvested as much as they traded or simply gave what was needed. Krista almost always ate for free.

"Hello miss." Gregory said, adjusting his straw hat.

"Hello!" Krista said brightly, "What's new today?"

"Well we just got back from picking the peach trees. Got a good haul from'em. Cabbage and radishes are fresh from the field, picked'em this mornin' myself." The young man said with a smile.

"Could I have a couple of peaches? Oh, and be sure to send a head of cabbage over to Hannah for me? She's letting me try a new recipe she's working on." Krista said.

"Can do. I was gonna put together a little basket for her anyway. You just pick what you'd like." Gregory said.

"Thanks!" The dragoness said and began perusing the bushel before hir. After a moment, shi selected two of the largest and juciest looking peaches shi could find. They were rather small compared to the rest of hir, but then shi didn't expect them to fill hir. They were but a little snack.

"Come back tonight. The wife is busy getting ready to make a bunch of pies with what's left of them after everyone's come and gotten theirs." Gregory said.

"Oh I can't wait!" Krista's eyes widened in excitement, "Thanks again!"

The two waved as the drake turned to wander off, not aimlessly though. Shi had a specific destination in mind. There was a cottage near the center of the little village and in front of it was a table under the cover of an open air roof. Several chairs lined it, and one of them was especially large, made just for hir. The lady strolled over casually, enjoying the crisp morning air along the way as shi nibbled on one of the peaches. As shi approached, a young man, strong, tall, and in possession of a fine, thick beard, stood from sitting at the table.

"Good morning, Krista." Graham said.

"And good morning to you too, Graham." The dragoness said, bowing softly, partly out of respect, and partly to be silly. It brought a little smile to the man's face.

"Care to join me? I was about to have breakfast." Graham asked.

"I'd love to," Krista said, easing hirself into the oversized chair, which happened to be just the right size for hir, "What's on the agenda for today?"

Graham turned to walk back into the cottage, returning a moment later with a tray carrying a bounty of food. They almost always ate breakfast together, so he was usually prepared for the appetite of a dragon. They served themselves, dining on the fruit and bread provided.

"It looks like it's going to be a quiet week," Graham said, "Two of the fields will be harvested soon. The sheep were just sheered recently so the wool is being worked. Oh, and it looks like the saplings to the south are just about to the point where we can remove their supports."

Krista nodded, trying hir best not to simply devour everything Graham politely declined to eat.

"Quiet week. Nothing wrong with that. Anywhere I can be of help?" Shi asked.

"I've been thinking about tackling that irrigation idea again. I was looking at it last night for the first time in a month, fresh eyes and all that. I think I've figured out a way to make it work. I'd love for you to take a look at it for me, maybe help me with the digging." Graham said.

"Sounds interesting. I'd love to see what you've come up with." Krista said, making sure not to speak with hir mouth full.

Mornings usually went about like this. Krista and Graham would eat breakfast together and talk about the recent and upcoming activities around the village. Graham was the one everyone looked to for leadership, even though there wasn't an official title that he held. He just seemed to have a mind for organizing and prioritizing. And everyone respected his judgment. He had an air about him that suggested he was an old soul, in spite of his youth and strength.

The two went about their usual chatter, passing details of village life back and forth. After all, when it was Graham's turn, Krista filled in for him. It only made sense that shi would need to be kept aware of all the goings-on. As they talked, the young man slowed and his face took on an expression that morphed from confused to concerned. Krista slowed as well, reading his expression then turning to gaze in the direction he was looking, because he wasn't looking at hir anymore.

A few dozen yards down the road outside the village were two figures, stumbling and clinging to each other for support. They looked in bad shape. Without either human or dragon needing to say anything, they were both on their feet and moving quickly towards the newcomers. As the two raced to assist, others from within the village turned to notice. The moment Graham and Kirsta reached the two stumbling figures, they collapsed into the two pairs of arms. They didn't seem to notice right away that one that had come to their aid was a dragon.

"Easy there, just rest," Graham said, trying to gently lower one of the pair, a young man, to sit on the ground, leaned against the grey dragoness, "We're here to help. My name is Graham."

"T-Tobin... my name... is Tobin," The young man said, fighting to get the words out, "This is Sasha. Please... you must listen."

Krista had collected the other figure, a young lady who looked so exhausted she could barely keep her eyes open. They both looked terrible; battered and bruised, their clothing ripped almost to shreds, light stains of blood on both skin and fabric, dirt and mud caked on their faces, hands and feet. They had clearly been through a terrible ordeal, and what was worse, they both were dangerously gaunt.

"Don't try to speak. You need rest." Graham insisted.

"You must... run..." Tobin croaked.

"Run? Why?" Graham asked.

"They are coming. The bandits. They... attacked our village. No one else... survived. They're... tracking us." Tobin said, showing great difficulty in doing so.

Graham frowned, then looked to Krista. Their eyes met and they shared a look that communicated far more than just a simple emotion. Graham looked back to the broken man panting in his arms.

"You need to rest and eat. My people will look after you." Graham said.

Sasha slowly lifted her head, gazing tiredly at him, then turned to bring her eyes to look on Krista. She squinted for a moment, trying to bring everything into focus, and once she did, her eyes widened in fright.

"D-D-Dragon!!" She cried. And then she fainted. Her traveling companion was not far behind her.

Graham and Krista both sighed and hoisted the two unconscious travelers off the ground. They were so malnourished it was frighteningly easy to carry them. Two beds were made for them in Graham's house and food prepared should they wake and have enough strength to eat. Their wounds were cleaned and bandaged and the mud and dirt was washed from them so they could enjoy the comfort of being clean. Meanwhile, unrest was growing amidst the small hamlet.

"They spoke of bandits tracking them. And their village was destroyed, their people killed. Could they find their way here?" Someone asked.

Graham nodded with a serious look.

"I think we have to assume they are on their way. It's impossible to know how soon they'll be here. I think it's time to consider the ritual." Graham said.

Krista nodded, "I agree."

"But it's too early! It's only been five years since the last ritual!" Someone complained.

"I know," Krista said, "It's far too soon. But I'd rather go ahead and start over now than risk anyone being hurt or killed."

"There's still the matter of what to do with the travelers." Graham said.

"They're not our people. They wouldn't understand." Called out someone from the group.

"That's very likely. But I would still like to at least offer them the chance to join us." Graham said, turning to look to Krista as if to ask hir what shi thought.

The dragoness nodded back to the young man.

"I can't in good conscience not offer them the option. They have nowhere to call home, no people to return to. If they do not join us, very likely they will die. And I cannot turn my back on someone in need like that." Krista said.

"But we don't know them," Emily said, simply voicing a concern everyone had on their minds, "What if they join us, then turn against us? What if they hurt you, Krista?"

The dragoness smiled warmly, already knowing what to say to put that fear to rest.

"They'd have to do quite a lot to hurt me, and they're in no condition to. By the time they've joined us, I hardly think they'd want to even try." Krista said.

---

Tobin woke to find himself nestled in a soft, warm bed. He was still incredibly tired and his stomach was very angry with him, but he wasn't nearly as miserable as he had been that morning. He began gazing about the room, finding a window nearby with a few rays of golden light peeking through the gap in the rough curtains. He looked over to the other side of his bed to find Sasha in a similar state, still fast asleep. He sighed and relaxed, letting himself drink in the comfort for the time being. They were still in danger, but it was difficult to care about that when he was in such a comforting place.

"I see you're awake." Said a voice from somewhere in the dimly lit room.

Tobin sat up quickly with a start.

"Who's there!?" He cried.

"Shhh. Lay back down. You're safe here. And you'll wake your friend," The voice answered, sounding as though it was moving and soon a dull figure welled up next to the bed, "Try to take it easy. You've had a long day, even though you slept through most of it."

"Who are you." Tobin said, trying to keep his voice low for fear he might have disturbed Sasha.

"I'm Graham. We met when you arrived. We brought you inside, cleaned you up, tended to your wounds. You looked a lot worse than you actually were. We feared you might have been wounded so badly you would die. Thankfully, it was mostly light scratches and scrapes. You must be hungry. Let me get you something to eat." The man said.

The dull figure moved off, then returned a few moments later with a plate of fruit and bread. Immediately, Tobin reached out and took it. He began tearing into the meal as if he were a wild beast.

"Thank you!" He said in a hushed voice.

"You are quite welcome," Graham said, "Though, you might want to slow down. It would be a shame if you gave yourself a stomach ache. That and I'd prefer if you didn't choke."

With great difficulty, Tobin restrained himself and slowed his efforts to devour the offering.

"Where are we?" Tobin asked.

"You're in my village. We don't have a name for it. We've been isolated from the rest of the world for so long we don't usually receive guests." Graham answered.

"And the dragon? How do you protect yourself from it?" Tobin asked, remembering Sasha's cry of surprise just before passing out.

Graham chuckled and pulled a simple chair close to the edge of the bed, deciding it would be best to sit while they spoke.

"We don't protect ourselves from the dragon. In fact, shi protects us. Hir name is Krista and shi has been friend of the village for as long as any of us can remember. In fact, I have a hard time remembering how we all came to be in hir care. It's the way of things, I suppose." Graham said.

"Shi makes you forget?" Sasha said, having come around but remained still with her eyes closed, fearing she might need to pretend to be asleep.

Again, Graham chuckled and shrugged softly.

"It isn't hir intention. It's just a by-product of life with hir. If you decide to stay, you'll likely begin to understand in a few years." He said.

"If we decide to stay? No, we can't. The bandits I told you about are coming. They'll be here soon. We all must leave. Now. Or we'll all die." Tobin said. His voice was calm but forceful, that of someone who spoke from experience rather than panic.

Graham had gotten up from his chair and collected a second plate, offering it to Sasha. She dove in with the same zeal as Tobin had initially.

"I'm afraid we can't leave. This is our home. If the bandits you spoke of are indeed on their way here, and they find this place, then we will deal with them accordingly." Graham said.

"If you intend to fight them, you'll be killed. Slowly. They relish torturing their victims." Tobin said.

"Well," Graham said as if to correct himself, "I should explain it won't be us that fights them. It will be Krista. Shi has dealt with bandits and mercenaries and other thugs like that before, and shi has always come out of it just fine."

"Forgive me," Tobin said, "But I fail to see how a single dragon, even one as large as your friend, can fend off a band of a dozen bloodthirsty men. Surely some will slip by hir and begin killing and pillaging."

Graham sat back down, lacing his fingers together and resting his chin on them.

"That is something I wanted to speak to the two of you about. Krista has a means of protecting everyone in the village. It's rather... unorthodox, but it's highly effective. Shortly after you both passed out and were brought here and cared for, the entire village gathered and we discussed our options. Tonight, we will perform a ritual that is usually reserved for once in a great while, a few dozen seasonal cycles. It is difficult to explain so I would prefer to show you the ritual. But before I do that, I have a question to ask of you both." The young man said.

Tobin and Sasha looked to one another, not quite sure what this stranger was talking about. Mention of this 'ritual' made them nervous. Had they stumbled upon some sort of cult? Were there demonic forces at work here?

"What did you want to ask?" Tobin said finally.

"I was wondering," Graham said, "Since you have lost your home and your people, if you would like the opportunity to join our village. It's very small. There are only just barely more than a score of us. The both of you would make us twenty-five, including Krista. It's a peaceful place but everyone pulls their own weight. Sometimes it's hard work, but we all look out for one another and we have all agreed, if you choose to join us, we would welcome you with open arms as brothers and sisters."

Again, the two newcomers looked to one another, still very unsure about this place they had discovered. If their dragon was as tough as they suggested, perhaps they could both flee in the ensuing chaos and finally be free of the bandits. They would be lost in the wilderness again, but then they would be able to take their time and live off the land properly rather than rush to outrun the horrors chasing them.

"Could we have some time to think about it?" Sasha asked.

"Of course. Just please don't take too long. The ritual will begin tonight just after sunset, which is not long from now. I wouldn't ask you to make a decision without knowing all we can tell you. You are welcome to witness part of the ritual and decide if you want to participate. If you decide you do not want to join us, very well. Krista will hide you where the bandits will not be able to find you until shi has dealt with them. Then, you will be free to leave after you've regained your strength." Graham said.

"That's very kind of you," Tobin said, "It's far more gracious than what our village would have decided."

"I'm happy to surprise you then," Graham said with a smile, "Now, try not to wear yourself out. And if you need more to eat or drink, someone will be waiting just outside to tend to your needs. I'll come and collect you when it is time for the ritual."

"We don't know how we can possibly thank you for taking us in like this." Sasha said.

"It's no trouble at all. And if you do decide to join us, then you won't ever have to thank us. We look after our own here." Graham said. He smiled, offered a slight bow, then took his leave so that the two travelers could talk in private.

Tobin and Sasha ate their fill and talked, weighing the pros and cons of the offer. There was concern that they had stumbled across some sort of strange cult. And the truth of the matter was the village could perhaps be referred to as such. If it was a cult, it wasn't like any the two strangers had ever heard of. As the sunlight faded and the room grew darker, the two found they could not in good conscience simply walk out on those who had taken them in, not without at least hearing them out.

Graham returned not long after the last rays of the sun had grown so dim they could scarcely see inside the room. The young, strong man entered carrying an ornate lantern, bathing the room in a warm, welcoming glow. He was dressed differently now, clad in a simple white robe that looked as though it would have been a fine thing to wear seated in front of a fire on a cold winter night.

"Have you come to a decision?" Graham asked.

Tobin and Sasha looked to one another before turning back to their host.

"We're still undecided. We would like to witness this ritual of yours, if that would be acceptable." Tobin said.

"That would be just fine," Graham said with a kind smile, "There are robes in the dresser just over there. If you would please change out of your clothes and put them on, I'll take you to join the rest of us when you're ready."

"Our clothes?" Sasha asked, "You want us to take off our clothes?"

"I do apologize if the notion of being dressed in nothing but a robe like this is distasteful. It's part of our way. But look at it this way, we're all doing the same thing, so you shouldn't feel awkward about it at all." Graham said with a soft chuckle.

The two travelers looked to one another and nodded, moving towards the dresser to do as they were asked. Graham set the lantern down on the chair he had used earlier, then stepped back out, closing the door behind them to offer privacy. In but only a few moments, they opened the door again, dressed just as Graham was. He instructed them to collect the lantern, brought a second one over so they both would have one, and then picked up a third for himself from the table in the room just beyond the door. With all three now ready, they emerged from the house.

Outside, in the center of the little hamlet, the rest of the villagers had gathered. They were all dressed in the same white robes and each one had their own lantern. Murmurs of greetings and relief passed through them as Sasha and Tobin walked into the crowd, showing that they were in better health than when they arrived. Graham waited patiently as the community greeted their guests properly. When they died down, he lifted his lantern higher to draw their attention to him.

"My friends, brothers and sisters, as everyone here has been told, our home is in danger. A band of bloodthirsty men who delight in the suffering of others is on its way. Krista has taken the liberty to scale the mountain and search the lands for sign of their approach. Shi sighted them not far from here, making camp. When they begin the hunt again tomorrow, it will not take them but half a day to reach us." Graham said.

Hushed whispers drifted through the twenty or so people.

"So it's true?" Asked a young lady.

"I'm afraid so. We do not have any weapons. We are not trained in the art of combat. We cannot hope to best these men. Our only defense now is the ritual. True, it's far too early. We still have so many more days ahead of us before it is the proper time, but we have no choice. Krista has graciously accepted this. In fact, shi is insistent on the point." Graham said, daring to let a hint of a chuckle escape him at mention of Krista's eagerness.

The crowd joined in on his chuckle.

"Shi assures me that there will be no ill effects, no risks, no discomfort to any of us or hir. The only trouble we will see is that we have not made the necessary preparations for the village to sleep in our absence. Krista has promised to do hir best to keep everything in tidy order, but given that these bandits may wish to destroy what we have built, we must be prepared for a difficult return. However, I would prefer a difficult return to none at all." Graham said.

A few hearty sounds of agreement sounded around Tobin and Sasha, the two of them still wondering what this ritual was supposed to be.

"We've suffered the loss of the village before, and we've always rebuilt." A young man said.

"Exactly. It's why we created our small stockpile deep in Krista's cave. It will give us enough to survive off of and materials to start rebuilding. It will give us a fresh start. Now, let us join together as a family, children of the guardian, and seek the protection of the great mother." Graham said. This would have confirmed the fear that Tobin and Sasha thought they had stumbled upon a cult if it wasn't for a few snickers that passed through the group.

The group turned and began walking, gently coaxing the two outsiders to join them. They were all so very friendly and kind, and not in the strange, off-putting, mindless manner the stories portrayed cultists. The group moved along the dirt road at a casual pace. Nothing was said as they all moved as one. It was a solemn, reverent moment, almost as if it was a funeral procession. And the tomb they were all gathering in welled up before them. The mouth of Krista's cave swallowed the group without any difficulty. Tobin and Sasha huddled together, worrying anew about what this ritual might entail.

The grey dragoness sat atop hir nest, a neatly collected pile of straw with a handful of cushions strewn about it. It was surprisingly comfortable if somewhat primitive. The village had yet to figure out how to build a bed that would support hir bulk. Shi watched quietly as the group filed in, forming a half circle around hir as shi stroked hir plump middle.

" So we're all ready?" Krista asked.

"Tobin and Sasha have requested to spectate for the moment, before making a decision about joining in." Graham said.

The dragoness nodded and offered an awkward, half-embarassed smile to the new pair. It was the first time in a great long while shi had done this in front of someone who had not seen it before. Shi understood how strange it would look to those not in the know.

"Then we should go ahead and get started. It's going to be an early morning tomorrow and this takes a good while to finish." Krista said.

Without another word, the grey-scaled lady reclined atop hir nest. Shi shifted back and forth, putting hirself into a posture Tobin and Sasha found strange. Hir legs were spread and knees bent high enough to plant the soles of hir feet on the ground. Both of hir hands moved slowly across the round middle shi apparently enjoyed fawning over. Wordlessly, one of the group, a young man, stepped forward and began casting off his robe. He was a handsome fellow, a fine creature to look upon. Ordinarily, the newcomers would have averted their gaze, but they found they couldn't. They were drawn to watch by the mystery of the ceremony.

"Ready when you are, Krista." Quinn said.

"In your own time, honey." The dragoness said, taking a breath as shi braced.

The young man knelt before the scaled lady's parted legs and leaned forward. His hands found their way to the drake's groin and began massaging the womanly features just beneath the fertile orbs hanging low enough to conceal it. A low moan rose up from the beast as shi tensed, trying to remain still. The dragon rolled hir hips and pivoted hir legs, bowing hir knees outward to offer the lad an easier time entering. With very little effort, Quinn sank his hands and forearms in, relishing the warm embrace he had only just left hours before.

"Didn't think I'd be going back in here so soon." The man chuckled.

There wasn't an answer from the dragoness. Instead, shi simply lay as still as shi could muster, clenching around the intruding hands. In only a few moments, Quinn's arms had been pulled in right to his shoulders and his head and vanished into the dragon's hungry vulva. Tobin and Sasha watched in shock. They could not believe their eyes. A grown man was literally crawling his way into a dragon's womb. It wasn't just Krista pulling him. He was actively helping hir by pushing with his legs. In but only a few moments, his hips were ringed in the pink flesh of the dragon's womanhood. Shi hissed and shuddered, hir belly swelling under hir palms as shi worked to tug him in deeper.

Krista rolled hir hips again, and with an audible, wet 'gulp' of a noise, Quinn was drawn in right up to his knees. The great, grey lady moaned again, louder this time, as hir stomach churned and swayed powerfully. The young man mostly concealed began pulling himself in, and with the help of the young lady he'd traded places with that morning, his feet were drawn completely out of sight. Krista's petals closed again behind him and shi sighed, relaxing there in hir nest.

"Ooo, okay, that's two down, a bunch more to go." Krista said, catching hir breath quickly.

"What is this!? What ritual is this!? And what do you mean two!? We only saw one!" Tobin cried, trying to keep himself as calm as he could in spite of his incredulity.

Graham stepped closer to the pair, clearly astonished, confused, and possibly horrified by what they had just seen.

"Krista is taking us into hirself, as a mother would carry a child. Shi has done this for us many times before. It is a means of extending our lives and protecting us from those who would wish harm upon us. In a sense, shi is our mother and we are hir children. And two, because Quinn was not the first of us to enter. His wife, Emily, was already inside. We each take turns, spending a week cradled in hir loving embrace. Emily had only just begun hers." The young man said.

The rest of the group turned to look at the pair, now concerned that perhaps they were offended or put off by the idea. Tobin seemed to be having difficulty accepting this. Sasha on the other hand, though puzzled, appeared to be taking it in more easily.

"Shi... carries you. All of you. To protect you." The girl said.

"That's correct," Graham nodded, "The ritual requires we all join as one large brood, and shi regresses us to children. Shi then carries us for nine months, sometimes longer depending on a number of factors. We slowly grow back up inside hir until we are adolescents. Then, shi gives birth to us. Sometimes all at once, sometimes a few at a time so some of us can prepare the village for the rest of us if necessary. Shi has protected us for centuries the number of which we've lost to time. We love hir. Just as shi loves us."

Tobin opened his mouth to say something, but he couldn't find the words. Sasha spoke up in his place with a different sentiment than he had in mind.

"Shi truly cares for all of you as if you were hir children?" The young lady asked.

Graham nodded solomnly, then turned to look at Krista. The dragoness nodded to the newcomers, then closed hir eyes as shi fought to keep hirself composed. After all, Quinn and Emily were all too happy to have the space to themselves for the time being.

Sasha looked back to Tobin, searching his face for some sign that he understood what had been explained. He looked back to her, the two of them staring each other down. After a moment, their seemingly silent conversation finally became audible.

"If what they say is true, and this dragon can drive away the bandits, we wouldn't need to run anymore. Their village is small, but it's happy and healthy. I think we should consider it." The lady said.

"We don't know anything about these people, Sasha." Tobin protested.

"They took us in, gave us shelter and food, mended our wounds, and now they're offering us a chance to join them. All without asking anything in return. How many other villages do you think would be so quick to help complete strangers?" Sasha replied.

"Sasha, we can't just-"

"Has it occurred to you that maybe they've used the same argument, not knowing anything about us, before choosing to offer us a place in their community?" Sasha asked, cutting Tobin off.

"Did you hear what he said? Everyone spends a week inside the dragon. Why? For what reason?" Tobin asked.

"Because we enjoy it so much." Graham said, risking interrupting their conversation.

"Because you enjoy it so much. Or because shi has bewitched you to want it so badly." Tobin said, with a touch more malice than he wished. Immediately, he winced realizing what he said.

Graham smiled, showing the wisdom of someone far beyond his apparent years.

"I suppose that's how one could view it. I've admitted that we've long forgotten how we came to his arrangement. Shi has extended our lives to such a degree that we've forgotten almost everything of what came before. That could be cause for concern. But I assure you, there is nothing malevolent at work here." The young man said.

"They were all lost," Krista said, slowly sitting up, holding hir stomach, "They were of all ages, ranging from just entering into adulthood to the very old. They were fleeing a different village as it burned. It was no one's fault. A terrible cataclysm befell their land. The ground opened up and vomited fire and stone. Dozens of such villages were destroyed and all in them slain. These few managed to make their way to the outskirts of the destruction. They were all tired, and they had breathed in too much smoke and ash. They would have died."

The entire group turned to look at the dragoness, stunned into silence. As they relayed the origin, flashes of memory began to return to them all. It was like remembering an entire piece of music after hearing just the first few notes.

"Yes," Graham said, "Yes, that's right. I had lost my wife. I knew of a legend about a dragon not far from our home. I gathered as many of us as I could to find you, to beg you for help. You found us, saved us. You gave us a second chance at a better life."

The dragoness nodded with a distracted smile, still fighting off the sensations of the movement in hir stomach.

"I took you all into me and left that place. I brought you here, and helped you settle a new home. I didn't want to remind you of it because of how terrible it was, the horror of flame and ash consuming everything." Krista said.

"So you let their memories fade." Tobin said.

"Yes." Krista replied.

"It wasn't to keep them from knowing the truth about you. It was to help ease their pain." Tobin said. He turned to look at Sasha.

"Maybe shi could do the same for us." The girl said.

Again the two remained silent for a time, gazing at one another. After several long, thoughtful moments, Tobin lifted his gaze and looked to the group, bringing his eyes to fall back on the dragoness.

"How long would it take for us to forget? Would we still remember when you release us?" The young man asked.

"It would take several rituals for you to begin to forget. Everyone here is free to leave at any time. If you so desire, you can leave immediately after the village returns." Krista said.

"No," Tobin said, "No, I don't think that will be necessary. But the offer is appreciated. I think Sasha and I would be willing to try it. If you'll still have us."

Graham smiled and lifted a hand to rest on Tobin's shoulder.

"We never changed our minds. Now, if you're to join us, I think it's best that you and Sasha go next. The rest of us will join you as the night progresses." The village elder, given youth and strength again, said to the newcomers.

Tobin and Sasha nodded and though they were still somewhat reluctant, they allowed themselves to be ushered over to Krista. It was a slow trip, given a snail's pace as the villagers all took turns embracing the two, welcoming them and offering words of comfort and support. Graham managed to convince the crowd to let their introductions and congratulations wait until they returned, and helped Tobin and Sasha forward. The pair knelt in front of the drake, hir large form looming over them. Krista's tail curled about to wrap around behind them both. It tugged them forward, pressing the pair into the large, swollen, wriggling dome of hir stomach.

"Don't worry. I promise I'll take good care of you. You're going to be my babies after all. And a mommy's got to look after her kids." Krista smiled.

The soothing words, the warm touch of comfort, and oddly the rhythmic motion of the dragon's belly worked to calm Tobin and Sasha. It was almost as though the act was designed to make them more receptive of the idea. Or maybe that was just a happy by-product. Regardless, they let themselves melt into hir embrace before reluctantly pulling away to let the dragoness recline again. A lady with both male and female genitals would have disturbed them both, but of all the things they had experienced in the last few days, this was a minor concern. They both removed their robes and cast them aside, huddling together for warmth in the relative coolness of the cave.

Tobin leaned down and began to mimic the act he watched Quinn perform only moments earlier, opting to make sure it was indeed safe for Sasha. He was amazed by the warmth and strength of Krista's grasping petals. He found he had a difficult time resisting, to the point where if he had changed his mind, he would not have been able to get away easily. A moan and a slurp brought the young man's arms in up to his elbows, forcing his cheek to press against the dragon's aching shaft. It was rigid, radiating heat, and pulsing as it drooled ever so softly. Clearly the act of devouring someone with hir womanhood was rather arousing for the lady. Quietly, Tobin wished to just get on with it so he wouldn't have to press against the symbol of male virility any longer.

His wish was granted as another good slurp dragged his head into the deep, dark environs he would be calling home for however long Krista deemed fit. As soon as he was free of that phallic presence, he oddly found its absence mildly disheartening. He found himself claimed by a desire to lean into the masculine flesh and caress it. Was shi already changing him? The thought quickly passed as he began to feel drowsy. It was his first time, so he had not expected the steady pulsing of the tunnel around him, its massage as it dragged him in, and the constant thumping of the dragon's heart from somewhere not far away to be so relaxing. His form fell limp as his chest was sucked in with a lewd squelch.

Sasha watched as her husband vanished. She listened as Krista voiced hir noises of passion, though muted and stifled in hir attempts to not let hirself be overcome. It was one thing to let hirself enjoy the 'changing of the guard' as it were. But when the ritual was to be enacted, shi didn't have the luxury of letting hirself get caught up in it too early on. Hir stomach swelled anew, bulging larger with every passing moment. Sasha watched the odd lumps rise and fall, move along the surface, and otherwise deform what would have been a smooth orb. She was mesmerized by it. In moments, she found herself pressing forward, running her hands across the writhing mass.

"Ooo, that's a good girl. Momma likes that." Krista said with a breathless chuckle. Shi wanted to encourage Sasha's affection, not for hir own greedy purposes, but to help ease her into what would be her new lifestyle. Of course, that did tend to serve the dragon's on greedy purposes, but that was just a happy bonus.

Tobin felt the fatigue of his journey, injuries, and hunger well back up in him. The rest he had gotten through the day and the food he had been provided all melted away like a crude veneer. The underlying exhaustion returned in force and he let himself give in. After all, it was surprisingly comfortable, what of him had been consumed. His hips glided in while Krista crooned and huffed, and then his legs followed. By now, Emily and Quinn had taken hold of him, offering their mother some assistance. Gently, though with greater haste than would otherwise be possible, Tobin's feet were tugged out of sight into the moist, undulating tunnel. Krista sighed and relaxed visibly as shi felt the last of hir third passenger spill into hir womb, now able to rest hirself.

"Tobin? Can you hear me?" Sasha said to the grey dragon's stomach.

"I can hear you." Tobin said, sounding groggy but otherwise fine.

"Are you okay? Is it... comfortable... in there?" She asked, not really needing him to answer but wanting to hear him give his approval.

"It's nice. So warm and soft. Better than any bed. Quinn and Emily are very friendly. Come in. It's okay." Tobin cooed as if he were intoxicated.

Sasha pulled away from the dragon's belly, not wanting to--but knowing she had to, and settled back between Krista's thighs. With no sign of displeasure, the girl leaned in and wrapped her arms around the dragoness' length, brushing her cheek up and down along its heated shape. Krista shuddered softly and smiled. Clearly Sasha was accepting all of this much more quickly than her husband, but he'd come around eventually. The young lady pulled away from the throbbing mast and dove lower. The two, large orbs dangling below the base of that rod got their own squeeze, firm but not too tight. And then the girl pressed onward, slipping her hands into the waiting folds below. She didn't even wait for her arms to be consumed before pressing her head in.

Krista chuckled at the girl's eagerness and squeezed hir eyes shut. Shi puffed a few quick breaths then clenched, working to tug Sasha in. That first good effort saw the girl slurped in right up to her hips. From there, Quinn and Emily reached back into the tunnel they had slid in through and began drawing the fourth occupant in. Krista felt this internal assistance and relaxed, allowing hirself a chance to moan and writhe in the glorious sensation of the ritual. In but mere moments, Sasha's dainty feet were pulled out of sight and the dragoness panted, holding hir now much larger belly. It was so vast it would fill hir lap next time shi sat in a chair. And there were still twenty more to go.

"Welcome to your new home kids. I hope you don't mind sharing your room. It's going to get a little crowded in there." Krista said with a dazed smile.

One by one, the rest of the villagers eased their way in. Each one took great care to not overwhelm the poor dragoness, but not much could be done to prevent that. Each new passenger saw hir pushed that much closer to orgasm. The pile of white robes grew larger and larger, the lanterns going out one by one as their owners extinguished them, then made their way inside the dragon's womb. Soon, Krista lay on hir back, hands clutching hir monstrous belly. Beads of sweat rolled down hir form as shi gazed at the enormous swell. Graham pressed in against hir side, his head resting against one of the big lady's soft, comforting breasts.

"I know it's far too early for the ritual, but at least it's pleasant." He said.

Krista nodded tiredly with a smile.

"Yeah, at least it's fun. You ready to go in, honey?" Shi asked.

"Always. Part of me wishes I could stay in there forever, listening to your heartbeat, feeling you all around me, safe and warm for all eternity." Graham said.

"Don't tempt me," Krista giggled, then craned down to give the young man a kiss on the top of his head, "I love you."

"I love you, too." Graham whispered.

Reluctantly, the young man pulled away from his mother's chest and slipped around between hir legs. He began his entry and Krista gave up trying to resist the coming orgasm. He was the last one. Shi didn't have to be awake to take anyone else in. Shi cried out as shi felt every inch of his form glide into hir. A palm pressed against hir vast stomach, the other gripped hir painfully rigid shaft, pumping away furiously. Each jostling stroke only served to help sink Graham in further. His head, shoulders, then chest all cleared the entry without trouble. His shapely backside gave the dragoness reason to shudder all over again, hir imagination conjuring all manner of explicit things shi would like to do with him when they could once again.

That was all it took. Krista arched hir back and roared. Hir voice shook the cavern. Shi clenched down hard on the young man half lodged in hir tunnel. The sudden grasp forced him deeper quite suddenly. The quivering folds gushed around him, soaking the hay of hir nest. Hir shaft bucked in hir grasp and painted a thick, creamy smear across the curve of hir tummy. Hir whole form tensed as shi trembled, then finally fell limp, panting furiously. Shi was knocked out by the mighty climax. Hir body finished its task of devouring Graham and sealing him, and the twenty-three others, into hir womb.

It was too soon. But that was okay. They all seemed to enjoy the ritual. Krista certainly did. Shi'd wake up mad at hirself for passing out there at the finish line. Shi always wanted to be able to stay awake through the whole thing and just bask in the fullness. Shi'd get a few hours in the morning, but after that, shi'd start shrinking. They were hir babies after all, and that meant they had to regress. At least shi'd get to enjoy a bigger than usual belly. A litter of twenty-four whelps, even at their smallest, was still bigger than one or two adults curled up under hir scales.

And shi'd only get bigger from there. If shi had been awake, shi'd have pleasured hirself all over again at that thought.

---

Krista woke the next morning, bleary eyed and exhausted. The night's activities had left hir so spent that hibernation sounded like a fine idea to hir. Unfortunately, that was not in the cards for hir. Shi attempted to roll over, but shi found it difficult. Hir stomach was still quite massive, even though it had shrunk quite a lot. With more effort than shi wanted to expend having just woken up, the dragoness managed to sit hirself upright. The heavy swell far more than filled hir lap as shi sat with hir legs crossed, at least, they would have been if the bulge hadn't forced them apart. The dome was smooth and firm. Shi couldn't make out the individual form of any one passenger. If they weren't all infants at this point, they would be soon enough.

A series of loud, strained grunts escaped the grey dragon as shi hefted hirself onto hir feet. It would take a good deal of getting used to, but shi'd eventually be able to handle the weight. Krista cradled the gravid orb and winced as hir stomach growled angrily at hir. Shi was absolutely starving. For a moment, shi considered hir options. There was plenty of food still in the village, put away into the protected stores. Shi could waddle hir way down there and stuff hirself silly, then crawl back into hir nest and nap for a week. But no, shi couldn't do that. Shi had a reason for being up and mobile. Shi had work to do to get ready for the coming attack.

The lanterns were gathered, all of them either blown out, or burned down until they extinguished themselves. The robes were collected and piled off in a corner of the cave. The dragoness waddled hir way out of the mouth of the cavern and peered around. There didn't seem to be anything shi needed to take care of. It looked like hir children had handled the preparations the day before. Shi turned and waddled back inside, running hir hands over the huge, warm swell of hir tummy. Now that shi was up and about, shi was getting back to the pure enjoyment of carrying all hir babies, as well as two new ones. There were a couple more things shi had to make sure of before shi could say shi was ready for the bandits.

"Don't worry little ones. Momma's gonna take real good care of you. Those mean old thugs won't get you. I promise." Shi cooed to hir belly with a smile. Hir stomach rumbled again. It would be hard resisting going to get something to eat until it was safe.

Hours later, the sun had crossed much of the sky and dipped down behind the tall mountain the dragon's cave was carved into the base of. It cast a narrow shadow over the mouth. It seemed idealic. The serenity was broken by a number of horses thundering down the dirt road. Cries and shouts of rage and malice joined the sound of a stampede. The bandits had arrived a bit later than expected. They immediately began charging through the little hamlet, causing mayhem and mild destruction. They found it odd that no one was in the road to run in fear of them. The twelve men slowed their efforts as a few climbed off their horses and began exploring the huts.

"It can't be an abandoned village. It's too well kempt. No, whoever lives here must have fled ahead of us." A particularly burly man said, clearly the leader of the band.

"It must have been those two we've been tracking," Another replied, "They got here before us and warned the locals."

"Obviously," The burly man spat with disdain, "I'm not a fool. Keep looking. They may only be hiding."

"Yes sir." One of the horsemen said, and resumed his search through the village.

The leader watched his men go about their work, hauling valuables out into the open to make it easier to gather later, stacking bails of straw to light and burn down whatever would catch. As they worked, the leader let his gaze wander. He stopped when he caught sight of a trail leading out of the village. He climbed off his horse and walked towards it, then stopped and knelt. His eyes dropped to the dry, dusty soil and he studied it carefully. The impressions of many feet were still there. A savage grin crossed his lips and he stood.

"Gather the men! I know where they went!" The leader cried. He drew his sword, a vicious, curved, jagged looking thing, and began following the trail the villagers had left.

The eleven others all dismounted, those who were still on horseback, and turned to race after their master. They charged forward along the path, screaming and bellowing to terrify anyone they might find. What they found was a cave.

"They're in here! The footprints lead inside!" They cried.

The leader's malicious grin broadened as he took his time, walking slowly behind his crew. The mass charged into the darkness, then stopped, lowered their weapons, and looked around, trying to see in the gloom of the darkness. Their leader's smile slowly melted as he heard their cries fade, walking in and standing in the mouth.

"Where are they?" The thickly muscled man questioned.

"I dunno, sir. The footprints lead straight here, nowhere else. It's like they just vanished." One of the men said.

"People don't just vanish! Search the cave! See if there's a hidden passage that leads out! If you find anyone, kill them!" The leader barked.

A renewed cry filled the cavern and the men resumed their search. The leader stepped in further as he growled, kicking over one of the lanterns. Something about this didn't feel right. He gazed at the strange nest, the pile of robes, and the lanterns. There was no where else they could have gone. As the wheels in his head turned, and began to click, the sound of heavy stone grinding on stone reached his ears. The already dark cavern grew darker still as a solid thud shook the floor. A large stone slab had slammed across the opening. It didn't create a perfect seal; air wouldn't be an issue. But it was blocked well enough that a man could not squeeze out.

"Cave-in!!" Someone cried from the middle of the group. A sudden panic began to sweep through the band.

"No!" Barked the leader, "That was no natural act! It was deliberate!"

"That's right, boys," a new voice rumbled through the cavern, "You walked right into a trap. Pretty foolish if you ask me. You've all been very, very naughty. I can't let you leave, not until you've been punished."

The men spun about, moving towards the center of the space, backs to each other for defense.

"Who are you!?" Cried the leader.

A loud roar filled the cavern, driving a stake of fear into the heart of every man trapped within its rocky walls. A large, clawed hand slammed into the leader's chest, knocking him to the floor and pinning him there. He coughed and sputtered as his men struggled to make out what was happening in the darkness.

Krista leaned in close to the struggling human to speak and let hir hot breath wash over his face. He jabbed his blade into hir hand and arm only to find the edge dulled and chipped after several strikes. The dragoness didn't seem to notice.

"I'm an angry mother looking to protect and feed hir babies." The grey lady growled.

Without another word, shi gripped the bandit's arm and shook the blade free. Hir claws tore at his clothes, ripping his leather armor from his form until he was mostly uncovered. After all, shi couldn't have him pulling a knife from an unexpected place. Krista opened hir jaws wide and in the gloom, he could vaguely make out the cavernous maw before him. He knew what was coming and struggled anew, screaming in fright just before those jaws crashed down over his head. His voice was quickly muffled as Krista swallowed him whole. His legs kicked as shi gulped and shoved, stuffing him down hir throat. In but only a few seconds, shi had finished him off, able to feel him squirming about in hir belly.

The dragon then turned to look at the other eleven men turned towards hir, their gaze drawn there by their leader's screams, and now his muffled noises coming from hir stomach. They couldn't see hir nearly as well as shi could see them. And with so many, shi'd have fun picking them off one by one. Shi prowled around the group, taking hir time in deciding who to choose next, then struck.

Hours later, the grinding of stone on stone returned. The heavy slab blocking the cave entrance was removed by way of the mechanisms the village and Krista had built. Sure, shi probably could have moved the slab all on hir own, but only if shi wasn't carrying three dozen people inside hir, twelve of which were still full grown and churning about in hir gut trying to claw their way to freedom.

The dragoness dragged hir enormous stomach back to hir nest and flopped onto hir back, panting for breath. Hir hands pressed against the heavily active dome as it gurgled and sloshed, hands, feet, and faces deforming and distending the scaled bulge.

"Ooooh, I feel like I'm gonna pop!" Krista complained loudly, "Worth it though... you'll keep my babies fed for a good long while. Now... settle down in there, I'm gonna have a nap."

Again the idea of hibernation sounded lovely, but shi likely would only be asleep for a few hours before waking again. Shi would need to tend to the village, and now shi had the new acquisition of twelve strong horses to take care of. The town would make good use of them. The dragoness loosed a hearty belch that shook the stone walls before slowly drifting off. Nine months all by hirself. It would be lonesome not having someone to cuddle, but then shi had a lovely, round tummy to fawn over. That made up for it in spades.