We sat down on the grass next to a tree I often used as back support when I was reading outside.

- I don't know how much you've been told, but... - I started, but got interrupted.

- Nothing - she butted into my sentence.

- Ok. Then from the beginning. I was trapped by the High Queen, unable to use my skills. She also blocked the memories regarding me in everybody's minds. Fortunately, The Great One found me, with a few others, and they were able to free me. Then we ran away and prepared for a battle. We fought and killed Ixa, but to use the empire, The Great One transformed into her and is now ruling the empire. Nobody, and I really mean nobody, can know that. Just you, me, Will, Daniel, and Tihana. That's the list for now. Nobody else. I know I'm repeating it a lot, but we can not afford this information spilling out of our circle. For everybody else, we now cooperate with the High Queen. That's all.

It took a moment for her to digest everything, but she eventually nodded. Very slowly.

- So what now? - she asked then.

- The Great One, and I, are trying to keep him on the throne, so he can change the empire. That's all for now. Otherwise, we just grind as we always did. Get stronger, because the danger is right behind the corner - I said.

A smile appeared on her face.

- I missed hunting! - she said. - I'm gonna hunt. I'll hunt a lot!

As she spoke that, her head turned to the side because she caught on some rustle coming from the nearby bushes. It was Tam, who was the source of the noise. He emerged from his new, hidden, kingdom.

- Bawk! - he said to us.

- What do you mean, leave? - I asked. - It's my fucking garden!

- Baawk! Bawk!

- Yours? Don't make me laugh. You should come home because Tihana is worried about you - I added.

- Bawk! Bawk! Baawk!

I rolled my eyes.

- Enough with the drama. So we forgot about you once... Just let it go - I sighed.

Ki'rai watched our argument in silence.

- Bawk! - said Tam.

- Oh, come on! - I shouted. - We have a guest, and you should finally meet her.

- Celestine Carter. Who is that person? - Ki'rai rejoined the conversation.

- A friend.

My short answer only made her smile.

- A friend? Will you be having babies? - she asked then.

I saw sparks in her eyes as I snorted out loud.

- What?! No - I growled. - Stop talking like that.

- Bawk! - Tam added his two cents.

- Shut up! - I growled at him. - I'm done with you two. I'm going home.

I stormed off, but they followed me. The chicken wouldn't shut his beak, while Ki'rai decided to give me a break, and just leave.

I kept ignoring him on our way back, and as we entered the day room, a noise coming from the kitchen reached us, so that's where we went.

The girls were working on preparing the dinner, but they stopped briefly since I showed up.

- Where is Ki'rai? - Tihana asked.

- She left - I explained.historical

- What is that? - Celestine asked, lowering herself to have a better look at Tam.

- Baaaawk! - he yelled at her, spreading his wings widely, and flapping with them. - Bawaak! Baw-awk!

- Shut up - I growled at him. - How the hell is she supposed to know you are not a 'what' but a 'who'?

- Bawk! - he insisted.

Tihana sighed heavily hearing our argument. Meanwhile, the brunette was completely confused.

- Ok, ok. I'll explain if you shut up - I said to him.

- Bawk! - he agreed.

- This is Tam. He is a mysterious, legendary creature.

- Bawk! - he immediately agreed.

Tihana rolled her eyes and returned to work, but Celestine came closer, crouching down next to the bird.

- H-hello... I-I'm Celestine - she introduced herself, still clearly uncertain how to behave in the very weird situation she found herself in.

- Bawk! - he responded.

- He says: 'Nice to meet you'. - I translated.

- It's nice to meet you too - the brunette added.

- Bawk! - demanded Tam.

- For the love of me, she is not going to bow to you! - I yelled at him.

- I heard that. You are not a god - Tihana said, while working, catching on to my little world scheme.

I ignored her, then pushed the chicken with my foot away because that damn idiot kept demanding a bow from Celestine.

She, a bit surprised, stepped back.

- He is just fucking with you - Tihana said to her. - After all, he is not so different from his owner.

As she spoke those words, she briefly glanced at me. I showed her my tongue, which made her roll her eyes.

- Bawk! - Tam yelled again.

That was the straw that broke the camel's back.

- Enough of this! - my daughter suddenly yelled. - You two, out of my kitchen! We, the sane people of this house, are making food here, and you two...

She didn't finish, briefly losing her words, because she wanted to say 'idiots' but caught herself, before going too far with her words.

- Just go! - she added quickly.

Her yelling made Tam shut up his beak, and I grabbed him from the ground, then took him to the dining room, where we waited for the girls to bring the food. He was angry and wasn't speaking with me, which actually was amazing because I already had enough of his ridiculous demands. They were funny at the beginning but then got out of control.

A few long minutes later, the girls arrived with a big bowl of mac'n'cheese, which we all happily ate in silence, because Tihana's face was showing clearly, that she wouldn't tolerate any stupid arguments at the table.

Celestine found it funny, as she had problems holding her laughter, watching us - me and Tam - glare at her over the table, as we tried to eat the food.

After all, my daughter was an important person to both me and the chicken, so we didn't want her to be angry at us for real. At least not for too long...