Queen of the Amazons.

Stepping through the door your eyes take a moment to adjust to the lower light. Once they do you look around the long building. There are columns on either side of you with intricate pictures carved into them. You can't quite make out the pictures as it is too dark to see them well enough, but you believe them to be various dinosaurs. There is an area in the center of the hall for a fire as well, but it is warm enough that no fire is going at the moment. At the other end you see a woman sitting on a throne. You suppress a chuckle as it looks like a scene out of a movie. You follow Aella to the woman.

"Mother, this is John" Aella gestures at you "This is Yvette, Annabel, Dawn, Nadine, Rene, and Jane" she adds impressing you that she remembers each of their names.

"So this is the one who defeated my daughter in single combat" Lira says smirking as she looks you up and down.

"Yes mother, this is the one" Aella replies in a tone that suggests she's been getting teased about this.

"Thank you for inviting us, but no one was defeated that day if I remember correctly" you reply with a slight bow.

"Do not pretend you were not holding back in that fight" Aella counters.

"That may be the case" you reply "but that does not mean I would have defeated you. Skill in battle does not determine the victor every time. Something as simple as luck will often enough decide who wins a fight" you reply.

"Luck or skill matters not, in that moment I knew I couldn't defeat you without help. It just so happened that you had help as well. I am curious though" Aella says with a raised eyebrow "why did you not fight with everything you had in that moment" Aella asks. Lira seems to be enjoying this conversation you notice before you answer.

"Truthfully I do not enjoy killing and will avoid it if I can. I knew I was trespassing and in the wrong, so I was hoping to avoid a fight in the first place, or at the very least avoid the injury or death of either of us. Though to be fair we did not know your people inhabited the Green. If we had we would have figured out a way to contact you properly" you respond "plus I was a little stunned by your beauty" you add with a smirk. Aella looks stunned by your final statement and opens her mouth to respond, but instead closes her mouth to remain silent as a blush overtakes her. Lira laughs.

"To think I'd see the day my daughter Aella would blush from the words of a man. Truly a wonderous day" Lira says with an amused look on her face. Aella's blush only deepens in response making Lira laugh again.

"So, John" Lira says focusing on you again calmly "it is my understanding there is a certain dino you have tamed. May I meet her" Lira asks.

"Certainly, she is right outside as we speak" you gesture. Lira stands up and you take the opportunity to compare her to her daughter. They are similar height with Lira just being slightly taller. Their bodies are also very similar, with Lira's having some intricate tattoos. They both have dark brown hair, but you can see some grey hairs mingled into Lira's hair. You've never been a good judge of age in this world, but she'd seem to be in her late forties possibly. Her body is certainly attractive though. With large breasts and hips drawing your attention immediately as she walks towards you. You escort her to the doors and make a show of pausing before the doors.

"I have to warn you" you say addressing Lira with as serious a look on your face you can muster "make no sudden movements or show any sign of aggression. I can not stress how dangerous this creature is" you say holding back a smirk as you give Aella a quick wink, who does her best to hold back her own smile before swinging the doors open.

Before you is Bruce and Lysandra laying on their sides. An even larger group of children has formed, and they are climbing all over both of them. Seemingly having developed some random game that requires them to climb up and jump off of various parts of the two dinos. Streaking past you is Copper carrying several children at once on his back. He spots you and lets out several barks before speeding around a hut and out of sight again. Several adults wave to Lira for a moment, and return to rubbing either Bruce or Lysandra's bellies. More adults stand around watching the fun. The sound of laughter and contented rumbles of Bruce and Lysandra's purrs fill the air.

"Yes" Lira says with a bemused smile on her face "truly one of the most dangerous predators I've ever witnessed" she says chuckling.

"You can approach her mother. She enjoys having her chin scratched" Aella nudges Lira forward. Lira walks forward and kneels next to Lysandra. She whispers something to Lysandra before reaching out and scratching under her chin. Lysandra's rumbling purr intensifies as her mouth opens letting her tongue hang out. Several moments pass as Lira pets and scratches Lysandra. You notice a look of almost wonder on Lira's face, and stealing a glance at Aella you notice a single tear streak down her cheek as she smiles watching her mother. Lira finally stands up and walks back past the group into the building. All of you give each other a look of curiosity and follow her back to her throne. Lira sits down with a sigh and then smiles at you.

"I wanted to thank you for allowing me that closure" Lira tells you. You look around your group and they seem just as confused as you.

"I apologize for our ignorance, but what closure are you referring to" you ask. Lira again sighs.

"Here in the Green we live a life as close as we can with the natural world. We are hunters, as are many creatures within this forest, but sometimes we are hunted as well" she begins. Your heart drops immediately as you start to understand.

"Two years ago my husband was part of a group that had gone out hunting. They unfortunately came across Lysandra, as you have named her, and my husband did not return. I have never blamed Lysandra. She has only done what it is in her nature to do. Seeing her healthy and happy...well...it is good to see that my husband was of some use" she smirks. Aella lets out a snort and turns away for a moment to recompose herself.

"Sorry" Lira continues "my husband was a...prideful man. Our marriage was a bit in haste I think, and I will just say he was not a good leader. I will leave it at that as I do not wish to speak poorly of the dead. There is a tradition however. When one's loved one is killed in the Green their close family is to either go kill said animal or capture and release said animal if you choose to forgive the animal. As I am the queen it has been...difficult...to be allowed to go capture such a large predator. It has been a situation that has been unresolved for a long time now, and this was an opportunity to resolve it" she says sitting back in her throne. You look around your group unsure how to exactly feel about this situation. You're happy it has nothing to do with a prophecy, and you feel a little guilty for such an assumption. Yet, you also feel a little guilty that Lysandra killed the queen's husband, while also feeling ok about it because she doesn't seem to be all that sad about it. Similar looks of confusion permeate the group.

"I...um...er...I..." you stammer. You pause and take a quick deep breath to calm yourself as the Queen and Aella smirk at you. It is time to be a bit more diplomatic you realize.