"It takes between four and five months. I just hope we are awake to see it and we don't wake up one morning to find our hatchling lying in a cracked egg" Larek said.

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"You need to take care of yourself too, Tran. Or at least, think about yourself a bit more. Selflessness is a good thing, but even a good thing can go too far" Orna replied, gently scratching his back. 

Orna than turned to Jammy. "How are his feet? Has he been keeping his claws well? You're his mother; this is the sort of stuff you should be nagging him about" Orna teased, patting Tran on the back.

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"Yes, I suppose it is wise. Very wise" Kos replied, not wanting to say something he would later regret. He turned back to the chess game. "Check."