#dreaming

"What's a Zeena?" He asks.

"Xena's a warrior princess. She goes around and helps people."

"I don't think anyone has ever heard of her."

Oh, there it is, that hidden ding! Is that pooka messing with her?!

She cannot see him from on her back, but she can FEEL his giggle.

"Hey!" A laugh.

"She throws a frisbee!"

"A bad-ass frisbee."

"I -like- Frisbees." His tail beats a rhythm on her side.

"Do you think Eggy will be happy back home?"

"I think so. I hope so."

"Should we ask him?" Head tilting curiously.

"Well, the Seer said she thought so. So far as she could tell. I can talk to some things, but not chimera. I'm not very good at whispering."

And finally they come to..why is there a Chimera ON the trod? It's not unheard of, of course, but they normally have to be invited

The Chimera in question is not a friendly looking one, a great reptile with five heads each on a writhing neck.

"Holy crap," Siv says "it's a Hydra"

"Is THAT it's momma?" He slides off Dagmar's back, so that her arms are free. He does not sound certain.

"No, I don't think so." She hands the bag with the egg to Connor. "Hold this. If I tell you to go, run home as fast as you can."

Siv's hand goes to quill, her rapier

"Yes." He answers, but perhaps she's too busy watching the monster to hear the lie in it.

Cradling the egg carefully.

"Yes." Firmly. "You need to stay safe."

"Is that one lizzy with five heads or five lizzies with one body?" He wonders

A grunt as she eyes the creature.

"Normally, Hydras are not nice. Savage lasshing beasts that ravage towns. Brutish nightmares, and not easy to defeat" Siv says remembering her lessons

"But if someone invited it, maybe it IS nice. It has silver feets."

Noting that it IS on the path.

"And they grow extra heads. Don't want to cut those off." She draws Flyswatter.

"Maybe."

The Hydra does not charge, but it closes, the heads weaving.

"Beast, let us pass."

"Please." Connor pipes up. "AND Thank you."

"No!" "no.. no no no..." It sounds like an echo as it speaks "We need the egg... need the egg... need egg... need"

Siv's brows shoot up. She did not expect it to be intelligent and talking

Eyes narrow. "Need? Why?"

It speaks the truth, or at least what it thinks is the truth

"Would you truly care what a nightmare wants?" The creature says

"One of her best friends is a nightmare" Siv remarks defending her lodgemate

"You said need, not want."

"Nightmares are important. They make the day brighter." He adds. Even though he doesn't much LIKE 'em.

"I did... " "Did .. did" "And do... " "Do..." The Hydra says "I shall tell you a story, for I can see... see see that two of you are warriors... warriors.. and the third.. " A hiss of frustration "The third might run run run with the prize"

"He's the fastest squire on four legs" Siv says "And rover approved"

"Knight tested, Rover Approved." He chimes to an old Cereal slogan.

"Do not dither, our time is not generous. I would return this Egg to its home and family. Convince me quickly to listen to you."

"Once there was a beast," The creature's heads chant more in unison, giving an odd harmonizing effect "A Hydra...and it was feared, and terrible. But it was a beast! A dark sorcerer came, a twisted son of pan, and with amulet and power bound it to slavery! And set it out to slay his enemies...." The Hydra continous "It was hungry, it was angry at being bound. It... WE.. were a monster..."

Siv looks intrigued

And so far Gwydion boon comes true

"I'm listening."

"We went after our target, risking the cold winds of banality not because we were brave, but because we were compelled. We were doomed to either kill the sorceror'ss enemy, or be killed ourselves.. or both..For who has mercy for a ravenous monster?"

Siv doesn't mention how Sylvi and Kerri seemed to champion Dirk's cause