The collar reluctantly gave way under Valstrath's continued working. Finally freed, Slygotha laughed aloud, her voice changing as she retook her natural form. Her one stored spell from before reverted to something like a black gemstone embedded into her chest, looking very like a black hole swirling over her heart. She didn't want to release it just yet, it was practically self sustaining when compressed, and she knew there was work to do.
"My wyrmlings, you have behaved admirably in the face of danger, and rescued your Broodmother from a cruel punishment. Alas, the beasts also stole all of the hoard. There is nothing worth going back to with all my gold gone..." Several hot tears hissed as they splashed the water. Slygotha took a moment to compose herself before continuing. " Reaper, Gugol, Nevitha, and Trogdor have all been captured. Gugol may have died. I cannot let them think that I will simply roll over for them like some trained pet. We will seek revenge. This place will serve to hide us in the heart of the jungle. Sadly, it is too tight among the trees for me to wander freely here, as a dragon. But, I will teach you what magics I can here, and how to master your human forms so we may begin our plan of vengeance. We will infiltrate human society. We will use our wiles to find what we want. Directly confronting our antagonist will result in failure, for they overpowered us before with sheer numbers and machines, and they will again. No, we must do what we do best, and manipulate our prey." Sighing, Slygotha commented," your father was always better at emulating human behavior. He always said that I tend to be a bit too cold for a human female to act."
Nidhogg squealed with delight at the reappearance of her beloved Broodmother. She burrowed happily against her side, humming contentedly. Slygotha opened her arms to recieve all her children, allowing them and herself a brief respite before beginning the work at hand.