Epilogue: Yip

Yip returns to the mountain where Dragon Mistress Aranthia, The Great Worm, Devourer of Mortals, she who rains fire made her domain.

When Yip arrived the other Kobolds came to see, "Yip bring treasure?" one asked and Yip sadly shook her head. At that the mood immediately became dour. The other Kobolds all knew that Yip was doomed.

Yip entered and stood before Dragon Mistress Aranthia, The Great Worm, Devourer of Mortals, she who rains fire and bowed.

"Dragon Mistress Aranthia, The Great Worm, Devourer of Mortals, she who rains fire, Yip has returned," Yip says cowering slightly. Aranthia stirs.

"Who?" she asks.

"Yip... Your humble and loyal servant!" Yip answers.

"Oh... Why were you gone?" Dragon Mistress Aranthia, The Great Worm, Devourer of Mortals, she who rains fire asks, annoyed.

"Yip was tasked to bring treasure," Yip reminds her.

"Did you?" Dragon Mistress Aranthia, The Great Worm, Devourer of Mortals, she who rains fire asks.

"No..." Yip answers and braces.

"Ugh... always so incompetent. I can't rely on you for anything... I'm hungry! Get me something to eat and then go back to whatever you do around here!" Dragon Mistress Aranthia, The Great Worm, Devourer of Mortals, she who rains fire demands and Yip tenses and then stands, nodding quickly and running off to find food as Dragon Mistress Aranthia, The Great Worm, Devourer of Mortals, she who rains fire lays back on her hoard and sighs. "Tiring insects," she mutters and glances at another Kobold currently shining some of her jewels.

"You what's your name again?"

"Yap ma'am," the jeweler answers.

"When you're done with that job I have an itch on my back scales, I need you to scratch it," she commands.

"Yes, Ma'am. I will get Blue Yip and Tall Yap to help," she says and Dragon Mistress Aranthia, The Great Worm, Devourer of Mortals, she who rains fire sniffs arrogantly.

"Did I ask?" she growls.

Meanwhile Yip has returned to her work unharmed, though among the other Kobolds her failure is known and she is shunned by those few who are still considered to have successfully served Dragon Mistress Aranthia, The Great Worm, Devourer of Mortals, she who rains fire. Being considered to have failed Dragon Mistress Aranthia, The Great Worm, Devourer of Mortals, she who rains fire is of course for a Kobold a terrible, if extremely common dishonor and Yip like most Kobolds spends the rest of her life suffering from the terrible shame of her failure.