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DKP 6-22 A dragons need
🕑 Added 2021-03-21 03:45:37 +0000 UTCSarah tapped her foot impatiently as Thayle’s officers began to snicker.
“You’re serious?” Thayle asked. “You want me to drop everything so you can take me dress shopping?”
“I simply want to get you a few more things to wear,” Sarah replied. “Your sister was excited about the idea.”
“Your sister?” Mingfe laughed and glanced to the others before addressing Thayle. “Run along, child, your mother is calling.” This brought a chorus of laughter from the others as Thayle's face went bright red. She excused herself to go outside and address Sarah silently over the bind.
“Sarah! What are you doing?”
“I told you. I want to take you into the city before the shops close. We don't have time for you to finish your meeting; I need you now.”
Thayle looked aghast at her answer. “I can't believe you. You scold me for not behaving in a matter befitting of my rank, then walk right in and treat me like a child before my commanders?”
“They understand I am the eldest dragon and have come to collect you for another purpose.”
“Sarah, they don’t know how your dragon order works or why I am bowing to it. I haven’t told them anything about it other than you miss it,” Thayle corrected. “All they saw was me being treated like I was a girl of five.”
“Oh, I see,” Sarah replied with a forlorn face. “I only wanted to do something human with you and didn't mean to diminish you before your officers. I assumed they understood how our relationship was organized.”
“I’m not even sure I understand how our relationship is organized,” Thayle replied. “I have never met a woman with such a need to care for other women before. I am beginning to think you need to have more children.”
Sarah stood tall, her face taking on a hurt expression. “Well, unfortunately, that will not happen, no matter how hard we try.”
Thayle saw the pain in Sarah’s eyes and felt it over the bind. This was a sore spot; another secret Sarah was keeping to herself. Thayle was beginning to realize they had rushed Sarah into their relationship without genuinely getting to know her. She carried deep emotional pain, and being exposed to the bind was bringing them to the surface. She had no concept of how to deal with any of it except to bury it, as Gersius did. This desire to take her shopping was probably Sarah trying to cope with some element of her confusion. Just like the need to care for her wives was a way of coping with the loss of her place in the dragon order.
In many ways, Lilly had a much easier time of it. Not only was she younger and not scarred by ages of pain, but she had a much slower introduction to emotions. Perhaps Sarah's binding should have been one way for a while to give her time to feel the emotional pain slowly. It worked for Lilly, allowing her to explore feelings without being drowned in them. What was done was done, and Thayle had to deal with what was here and now. She stepped up and took Sarah's hand, using whispers to avoid Gersius or Lilly hearing over the bind.
“Sarah, did you want to have more children?”
Sarah looked away, and Thayle saw the flashing light above her head, indicating a strong decision was being made. Sarah wasn't sure what she wanted, and it was causing great confusion. The last time she spoke about it, she was resolute that having more children was not an option. She felt terrible pain over having to slay her daughter and losing the rest to the curse. She would rather be barren than take that risk again, but something had changed.
“It's Lilly's enthusiasm to have children, isn't it?” Thayle asked. “You are feeling her deep desire over the bind, and it's affecting you.”
“Maybe I am feeling something of it,” Sarah agreed. “I am sure It will pass.”
“No, it won't,” Thayle sighed and took her other hand. She was conscious of the eyes all around, watching the two women share whispers and an obvious tender moment. With a sigh, she leaned in close to speak softly in Sarah's ear.
“If Balisha can give Lilly the blessing, she can give it to you.”
Sarah felt in terrible conflict but nodded silently and looked down into those loving eyes. “Will you please let me take you shopping. I want to spend time with my wives and buy you things.”
Thayle smiled and relented. Sarah needed this time to explore her human side, and it would be cruel to deny her. “I don’t know any woman who would turn down a lover who asked a question like that. Let me tell my commanders I will be back later, and we can go.”
Sarah cleared her throat and waited as Thayle returned to the tent. She struggled not to smile to hear Mingfe tease her about being tamed put in her place. Thayle stormed out a moment later and glanced to Sarah, who couldn't resist a slight smile.
“Oh, don’t try to hide it. I can feel how pleased you are over the bind,” Thayle said. “Honestly, you dragons and your pecking order. It means so much to you to be acknowledged for your place.”
“As is only right,” Sarah said and turned to lead her away. “This is why I want to buy you some things. I want people to see and recognize your place above them. I want them to see how radiantly beautiful you are and know that you are a dragon empress.”
Thayle struggled to be angry, but Sarah took her hand to lead her away, and the love washed over her. She couldn't help but be reminded of Lilly, who held hands instinctively when she was nervous. It was a habit learned from Gersius and one she now valued greatly. Sarah was against this simple show of affection at first, but now that she had assumed a matronly role, she liked to have such control. Neither of them could wander off or get into trouble if Sarah had them firmly in hand. She was taken back to their private chambers, where Lilly waited anxiously with a smile.
Sarah picked out outfits and went to the table to get some face paints. She spent some time shadowing Thayle's lovely eyes and adding some color to her lips. She explained that she wanted to flaunt how beautiful they were as jewels in the emperor's crown. She was a little daring, adding a soft blue to Lilly's lips to match her hair and shadowed her eyes with a darker color that made her look innocent. Thayle questioned where Sarah learned to apply paint sand was surprised to hear that Sarah used to wear them when she held court. Many dragons had taken to paints and adornments, often wearing lavish outfits laced with precious metal and jewels.
Thayle wasn't sure why that surprised her, but it did prompt a question. “Why are we dressing so finely to go shopping?”
“Because I am putting you on display,” Sarah said as she finished Lilly's paints. “Now go outside and wait for me a moment.” Lilly and Thayle smiled, and each kissed one of Sarah’s cheeks before going out hand in hand as Gersius walked in. “And don’t get your dresses dirty,” Sarah called after them.
“Yes, mother,” they called back as Gersius laughed and came up behind her.
“You like it when they call you that,” he said as his hands came around her waist.
Sarah turned to face him, smiling wide, and settled into his arms. “They are acknowledging my age as a dragon and bowing their heads to me.”
“So you have become first,” he suggested.
Sarah smiled wider and nodded her head as she realized he was right. She was the top female in their relationship, the alpha in their bed. It was to her chest they clung when they slept at night, not the other way around. It was to her they came for hugs and to sit in her lap to seek comfort.
“It is only proper,” Sarah said. “I am the oldest by far.”
Gersius smiled and traced her cheek with a finger to brush away a hair. She looked into his eyes with a smile and leaned in for a kiss. She savored the touch of his lips and the feel of his hands firmly holding her waist. Her wives might bow to her, but she would bow to him, and that thought made her excited.
“I really must be going,” she said after they parted.
“Why are you making them wear paints?” he asked as she looked deep into his eyes.
Sarah smiled and ran a finger down his chest. “Because they are beautiful, and I want the world to see it. I want them all to see your wives and know what a powerful man you must be to keep three such beauties to yourself.”
“You are very keen on people knowing their place and standing.”
“I am an ancient dragon,” Sarah said. “And men will bow before you in respect of a beautiful wife or fear of a terrifying dragon. They get to choose.”
He leaned to the side and ran a finger on her cheek. “Why do you have blue lips on your cheek?”
“Oh, that girl! She kissed me before running off,” Sarah said as she went to a mirror to wipe her cheek clean. She smiled to see there was a darker red on the other side and quickly cleaned that too. With a quick kiss for her husband, she hurried after her wives and found them just outside the tent talking to a woman.
Lilly was doing all the talking as a tall and beautiful brown-haired woman of Ulustrah laughed and swayed. Sarah recognized her as Taylin, a good and faithful woman with a strong heart. She and Lilly were friends of a sort and spent some time speaking. Since Taylin was often in the meeting tent, this also meant she spoke to Numidel, and that gave Sarah an idea.
“Child, are you ready to go?” Sarah called as she approached.
Lilly looked up with a smile and eagerly offered her hand so Sarah could pull her along. Thayle took the other, expecting them to go directly to the city, but Sarah stopped to look at the young Taylin.
“You are Taylin, are you not?”
“Yes, Lady Sarah,” the woman replied with a gentle bow.
“Numidel would like to speak with you. He is rather fond of talking to you and asking questions. You should spend more time with him.”
Taylin looked up in confusion as Thayle and Lilly exchanged smiles.
“I will try and see him tonight if I can finish my duties in time,” Taylin replied.
“I believe we have the power to manage that,” Sarah said as her eyes came to Thayle.
“Your duties are done for the night,” Thayle said as she got the hint. “If your captain asks, tell her I ordered you to assist Numidel with whatever he needs.”
Taylin beamed with a broad smile before dipping her head. “Yes, holy champion.”
“Hmm, I rather like that title for you,” Sarah said with a glance to Thayle. She turned to see Taylin was still standing there, so she gave the woman some encouragement. “Off with you, girl, I have to take my daughters shopping.” Taylin laughed and scampered away as Sarah turned for the city walls and drew her two charges along. They could hear music and singing in the distance as Lilly began to feel very conflicted to be going into the city.
“Is it safe to go into this city?” Lilly asked as a bit of nervousness spread through the bind. Sarah could see she was thinking of Thayle’s abduction and gave her a reassuring squeeze of the hand.
“No more worries about that,” Sarah insisted. “Our camp surrounds half the city, and thousands of our soldiers are inside already. Not to mention neither of you are allowed to leave my sight. If our enemies want to strike at us, they will have me to contend with.”
“But Gersius always talks about not taking risks,” Lilly insisted.
“Child, our husband was the one who suggested this. Now, I need some things for my wives, and I need you there to get the fittings done. So no more worries, let’s enjoy our time together and be a family.”
That made Lilly smile as she looked ahead to the gates. The lane was crowded with soldiers and citizens coming and going, but all parted ways for the noblewoman of great beauty walking hand in hand with two equally beautiful princesses. Sarah smiled to see their gazes falling on them and headed directly for the gates of the city. There six guards lounged about, not paying much attention until the three approached. One of the guards nudged another and pointed, and in seconds they were collecting to approach them.
“Here now, what has three women of your station walking a farm road in the early day?” one of the guards asked before looking close as Sarah to see the fire in her eyes. “What in the divines?” he mumbled and stepped back.
“Just tell them who we are,” Thayle said silently over the bind.
“Hush, child. I will handle this,” Sarah replied silently and turned back to the men. “I am here to shop with my daughters,” she replied dryly. “Do you have some cause to impede my progress?”
“What is wrong with your eyes?” the man asked again as the others started to point.
Sarah realized her eyes still blazed with the red fire, but that only made her more brazen. These fools might know that the camp contains dragons, but they had never seen one in human form. Still, she decided to enjoy this game and leaned forward, talking in a noble voice with a sharp tone. “I am a fire weaver of great power and reputation.”
“Fire weavers are dangerous,” one of the guards said as he stepped back. “She might lose control and burn the whole city down.”
“I don’t lose control,” Sarah snapped. “Would you care for a demonstration?” The man shook his head and threw his arm wide, indicating they could go in. Sarah threw her head back and pulled the two along, leading them into the city without another word.
“That was diplomatic,” Thayle said once they were inside.
“Why didn’t you just tell them who we were?” Lilly asked. “The whole city knows our names.”
“Because they didn’t deserve the privilege of knowing who we were. Those louts singled us out because we were women,” Sarah said. “I will not have men disrespecting my daughters. Besides, I want to get our business done, not draw crowds.”
“You like calling us daughters too much,” Thayle said with a smile.
“Only in terms of station,” Sarah replied. “I know full well you are my wife, but as I am an ancient dragon, and you bear the title of daughter to me as per our order.”
“I like it,” Lilly added. “But I am an adult, and your wife and I sometimes feel how Gersius does about it. He has a strong aversion to the idea of calling us his daughters.”
“That’s because he is a good man, and good men do not think such of their daughters,” Thayle said as she looked around the street, eyeing the shops.
“Looking for something in particular?” Sarah asked.
Thayle shrugged and turned back to Sarah. “I like a little sweet treat once in a while, and Lilly is fond of bread.”
“I am more than aware of her fondness for bread,” Sarah replied and turned them around a corner. This street was packed with people, forcing them to pick a more careful route through the crowds. As they entered the throng, Lilly began to feel uncomfortable over the bind prompting Sarah and Thayle to look her way.
“What’s this feeling all about?” Sarah asked, looking down on Lilly.
Lilly looked around at the masses of people and used the bind to point out just how many of them were looking their way. Many were the townspeople, but some were soldiers in their army, taking careful note of three women as they passed.
“I wonder why some men look at us like that,” Lilly said silently over the bind.
“They are looking at us like that because we are dressed as vividly as possible. We stand out from the crowd and draw attention.”
“You should draw attention,” Sarah said. “I want people to see what jewels you are and know that you are his and mine. It will help establish his rule to have such treasures at his side.”
“Hmm, and what about the jewel that you are?” Thayle asked. “You do realize that you look no older than us? Men are just as likely to desire you as any of us.”
“Why would they desire me?” Sarah balked as the realization dawned on her.
“Now you understand how I feel,” Lilly said. “Humans see this form and forget that you are a dragon. They think all sorts of things about you, and some of them are bold enough to approach you about them.
“I suppose I was never around humans who hadn’t seen me as a dragon first. Even this camp knows me as the dragon first and the woman second.” Sarah paused to consider her next thought. “I have also always been the one on top. I have never had another who could be called my head.”
“We should not have dressed so boldly,” Thayle suggested, but Sarah quickly cut her off.
“You are a champion of Ulustrah and general of her armies. You're the wife of the dragon emperor and an ancient red dragon. You will dress not a stitch below your station. That's why we are here; I need more clothing to work with when I choose your outfits.”
“But we are drawing too much attention,” Thayle said as she looked around. “Lilly is already uncomfortable about the stares, and you hadn’t considered they might be for you. What if Lilly is right and they start to approach us?”
“I will deal with that,” Sarah said with a pleased smile.
“I see,” Thayle teased. “You do know that red hair is very popular among some cultures. Men see it as exotic and a sign that a woman is sexually aggressive.”
“What?” Sarah said in a shocked tone and turned on Thayle. “Are you trying to upset me?”
“Sarah, you are a beautiful woman, dressed to draw attention, walking down a crowded city street. Look around you. How many other women do you see with long red hair? You and Lilly are novelties, the rarest of rare treasures, and some men can’t resist trying to acquire rare things. You need to be prepared for men to approach you, and you can’t be angry at them for doing so.”
Sarah looked about the crowds and finally admitted inside that perhaps they could have dressed more modestly. “I see your point,” she said at last. “But I am still proud of who you are and keen to ensure the world knows it. They may not know who you are now, but people will talk, and they will learn. Then your reputation will grow as they comment on how ravishing you are. I will deal with anyone that accosts us and attempt to be polite. Now you two stop worrying about it. You are here to entertain me and provide me with more suitable clothing to dress you in.”
“Yes, mother,” Thayle replied with a roll of her eyes.
Sarah smiled at Thayle’s remark and glanced at Lilly, who was smiling back. She located a street full of dress shops and began to browse, looking for one the dealt in fine fabrics. When they all failed to meet her standards, a shopkeeper told her about another store. It was in the upper city on a wide street with gardens. She made her way directly there, ignoring please from Lilly and Thayle to stop for bakery goods or cooked meats. She insisted they didn’t have time to dawdle and pulled them along, eager to get them measured up.
The guards at the upper gate accosted them too, but at least they were stopping nearly everyone who tried to enter. Sarah spoke to them like a high noble and played the role of queen perfectly. The men bowed heads and confirmed the shop's location for her, even falling over themselves to offer her a man to escort them. Sarah politely turned them down and went on her way, enjoying every moment. Outside the shop, she smiled wide and squeezed Thayle's hand as they looked at the display window.
“What are those?” Lilly asked as she pressed her face to the glass.
“Corsets,” Sarah replied, looking directly at Thayle. “I am getting several for the both of you.”
“Sarah,” Thayle said in shock. “Have you ever worn one of those?”
“No,” Sarah admitted. “But I have seen how they enhance the figure of woman, and I want to see how they look on you.” She was pleased by Thayle’s sudden blush and hurried them inside to find out.
For the next few hours, they were stripped, measured, and dressed repeatedly. Sarah walked with two attendants picking out colors and fabrics for the outfits. She wanted the gowns embellished with delicate silk laces and ribbon and even bought extra lengths to amend some of the garments they already had. When the torturous ordeal was over, Sarah insisted they wear a new outfit to surprise Gersius.
Lilly was laced into her first corset that lifted her chest high. It was layered in soft blue and white with lace around the base flaring over her hips. Her skirt matched the blue and fell about her ankles in ripples. Sarah pulled the corset tight, causing Lilly to grunt as her beautiful figure slimmed ever more and accentuated her chest and hips. She then turned on Thayle with a wicked smile. Thayle was dressed in red trimmed with black lace and wearing matching black lace gloves. Her raven hair made her look the part of a sultry noblewoman as it fell about her shoulders. Sarah grabbed a firm hold of the strapping of her corset and smiled.
“I have been waiting to pull these strings long enough,” Sarah said as she grabbed firm hold. “Are you ready to show me?”
Thayle nodded, unable to speak as Sarah pulled, and the corset tightened around her waist. She let out a groan like Lilly as Sarah checked the figure and then took firm hold of the laces and pulled again. Thayle cried out as her stomach crushed inward and her chest was shoved out. The corset had bracing in the back, so she would have to stand with her back slightly bent, presenting her chest forward.
“I can barely breath,” Thayle remarked as Sarah pulled again.
“There, is that tight enough? Sarah asked as Thayle was turned to look in the mirror and see just how small her waist had gotten. “You look like a beautiful and seductive princess,” Sarah whispered in her ear. “Your beauty will be unchallenged by any but Lilly.”
Thayle smiled and took a shallow breath as Sarah motioned for some of the women to come forward. They held some cloth and a small box inside of which were red gemstones on a metal hook.
“What are those for?” Lilly asked as Sarah took up a red stone hung in a gold frame. Sarah reached up and grabbed Thayle's ear as one of the women gently applied a cloth to the back of it. Thayle yelled and gritted her teeth as Sarah pushed the earring pin through Thayle's ear, the cloth catching the blood. Sarah took up the other one as Thayle turned her head and closed her eyes. She groaned again as Sarah pushed it through, leaving the gemstones dangling from Thayle’s ears.
Sarah then called for a second box containing blue stones and turned to Lilly, who shook her head and backed away.
“My daughter, come her,” Sarah commanded, but Lilly backed further away.
“It’s going to hurt!” Lilly cried.
“Only for a moment,” Sarah replied. “Look, your sister is already over it.”
Lilly glanced at Thayle, who was holding one of the cloths and looking at the stone in the mirror.
“I don't want it to hurt,” Lilly said, still refusing to come forward.
“Child, you have been stabbed a dozen times, beaten near to death, and had your wings broken, twisted, and then cut off. Are you going to tell me a little prick at your ear frightens you?”
The attendants of the shop glanced at one another in alarm as Thayle tried not to laugh.
“Can’t I just wear my necklace?” Lilly asked.
“You are royalty, and you need to pierce your ears,” Sarah insisted. “I assure you it won't hurt for more than a few seconds. I will heal it right after if it hurts any longer.”
Lilly looked unconvinced but moved to where Sarah could reach her. She closed her eyes and shook as Sarah took firm hold of an earlobe and pushed. Lilly cried out as if her arm had been broken and tried to dash away. Sarah held her in place so the attendant could catch the blood as Lilly twisted in anguish.
“If you get blood on your new dress, I will be very cross with you,” Sarah scolded as Lilly frowned deeply. She grabbed the other ear, and Lilly cried out even before Sarah pushed, dancing on her toes when she did. A minute later, the blue gems hung from her ears, and she smiled at them in the mirror.
Sarah paid for the outfits by weaving coins from her lair to the counter, much to the shop attendants' shock. She then had the extra outfits packed and paid to have them delivered to the camp as she took her daughters by the hand and paraded them into the street.
“Now I can dress you more appropriately,” Sarah said with a pleased smile.
“You could have told us you planned to pierce our ears,” Thayle said.
“I wanted it to be a surprise,” Sarah replied. “Besides, I didn’t want Lilly worrying about it all evening.”
Lilly squeezed her hand and let out a sigh. “I didn’t like that it hurt, but I do love them. Gersius once told me about all the ways you could wear your treasures. He bought me a necklace, and Thayle bought me a bracelet.”
“Once the hole sets, you can take them out and put them back in without having it cause pain,” Sarah said. “Then you can change them to suit your outfits.”
“So I can have more?” Lilly asked.
Sarah smiled and nodded. “Child, I am going to buy you dozens more. You two are my joy in life now, and I want to take care of you.”
“Are all older dragons this motherly?” Thayle asked.
Sarah nodded. “When I was Lilly's age, the elder dragons were very patient and parental. We tend to leave home very young, so the ancient dragons became a sort of surrogate parent. They even chose who we would breed to, though we could argue the choice if it truly displeased us.”
“And you dragons just go along with this?” Thayle pressed.
“Of course we did,” Sarah said. “It is our tradition from the very beginning. The oldest always rule over the younger, their wisdom guiding and helping shape our lives.”
“I like having you to guide me,” Lilly said. “I wouldn’t have gotten this far without Thayle or Gersius to guide me in human ways. Now I have you to guide me in the dragon ones as well.”
“You are very young for a dragon,” Sarah said. “You instinctively know you need a firm hand to lead you. Now, as for your sister, she is going to fight me.”
Thayle shook her head. “I am an adult, and I don’t need to be cared for.”
“We already discussed this in the dream. You told me you would accept,” Sarah reminded.
“Yes, when we get the valley and have our home,” Thayle reminded. “Right now, I am not sure I can bow to you like that.”
“I am not asking you to bow like that,” Sarah corrected. “I am aware this isn't the time or place for you to let go. What I want to do for you here is help you rise to the height of your station and shine as no woman has before.”
“I don’t know if I want you to do that,” Thayle replied honestly.
Sarah nodded in understanding and gave her a sincere look. “Even if it made you happy?”
“How am I going to be happy with you making all my decisions?” Thayle asked.
“Oh, don’t exaggerate. I don’t make all of them. I only guide you onto the path set before your feet. You are going to be one of the most powerful women in the world. You need to rise to your station, and I would be grateful if you would let me help you do so.”
Thayle looked up at Sarah as she smiled back. “I didn’t think I was doing a poor job.”
“Thayle, you are not doing a poor job at all. You are the leader of an army and a dragon knight. Everyone in that camp respects you as such, but please, I know how to elevate you even higher and set you above them all. Take my hand and my guidance, and men will call you empress without a second glance.”
Thayle smiled. “I never wanted such titles. I just wanted to love Lilly, and then Gersius, and now you.”
Lilly blushed, and Sarah felt them over the bind as she held their hands. She could feel the love they had for one another and how much being together meant to them. “See, I am making changes myself,” she said, holding up the hands. “I scolded you for this a few days ago. Now I understand why you do it. You can teach me about love, and I will teach you and Lilly how to be a queen of queens.”
Thayle nodded and looked up with a gentle nod. “I will follow your lead.”
“Thank you,” Sarah said. “Now, you two wanted something sweet to eat. Let’s find a bakery and get you some treats.”
The women smiled as they asked for directions to the nearest bakery and found Mullins bakery on the very next street. The heady scents of bread filled the air as the women looked at the treats on offer. Thayle settled on some bars covered in raspberry cream, and Lilly bought a slice of gooseberry pie. Sarah paid for their treats and freed their hands so they could nibble as they walked. A few men dared to approach, but Sarah intercepted them all and informed them that the ladies were wives of a powerful man and a very dangerous woman. Lilly giggled to see Sarah chase them off as Thayle covered a finger in raspberry cream for Lilly to taste. When the treats were consumed, she took them to a nice tavern in the gardens and sat down with a bottle of wine for the girls and tea for herself.
“Tea, really?” Thayle asked with a smile.
“I happen to like tea,” Sarah said. “It was very popular in the colder north to have warm drinks.”
“I suppose it would be,” Thayle conceded and then sipped at her wine. “But a good wine is lovely.”
“I have a fondness for wines as well, but I only drink them when the occasion calls for it,” Sarah replied.
“We should find a wife who worships Vellis,” Thayle replied. “Their order is well known for its wines and beers. They like to plant and maintain vineyards just so they can make wines.”
“If we are meant to have such a wife, the divines will send her to us,” Sarah replied.
The two women sipped as they talked about how wonderful it was Sarah had joined their family. Sarah admitted she was happy and that being out with them made her even more so. She hoped they would allow her to take them out in the future, especially once the wars were over. Lilly and Thayle readily agreed, but Thayle requested they dress more modestly or bring armed guards.
A tavern maid arrived a moment later with a kettle still hissing on the boil and poured Sarah a tea that filled the air before it with steam. Sarah stirred her blend for just a moment before picking it up and raising it to her lips.
“Sarah, be careful that's hot,” Lilly said as Sarah smiled and began to sip. Both women watched as she drank a good bit then set it down with a smile.
“Child, there isn't a tea in all the land hot enough to burn me,” Sarah replied. “For that matter, it can't burn you either.”
Lilly looked skeptical, but Sarah reminded her that she was unaffected by the fire in the keep. She then held out her tea so Lilly could try a sip. Lilly cautiously took the cup and nervously dared a small sip. She smiled to realize it was hot and wonderful but caused no discomfort and handed it back.
“You see, my being in the bind has blessed you both.”
“In more ways than that,” Thayle said and looked around the tavern room. “I have been thinking about your nature and this need to have others to take care of. How are you going to feel when one of us has a child?”
Sarah set her tea down and sat straight-backed in her chair to ponder the question.
“Are you asking if I will have trouble calling you a child when you are raising one of your own?”
“Our own,” Lilly said and put a hand over Sarah’s wrist. “Every child we have belongs to all of us. We are all mother to them.”
Sarah nodded but explained that Dragons often felt the calling anytime after one thousand five-hundred. It was common for a young dragon to have a brood but still be a child in the older ones' eyes. She also explained that they used the term child differently anyway, and Thayle needed to stop putting so much of her human emphasis on it.
Thayle sipped her wine then held it up to look over the glass as Sarah. “I only ask because you have a need for this order. You even encouraged Lilly and I to behave like children.”
“That’s not what I said,” Sarah corrected. “I encouraged you to play, not become children.”
“Only children play,” Thayle argued, but Sarah wouldn't hear of it.
“Why can’t an adult play?” Sarah asked.
“Because we have responsibilities,” Thayle argued. “The world doesn't provide for people freely; you have to work for that. Even children don’t get to play for very long. They work the fields and do chores alongside their parents in most homes.”
“But what if I did the work,” Sarah suggested. “I will care for our home, cook the meals, clean your rooms. I will provide a space where you are free of all that.”
“You mean Lilly and I will no chores in the house?” Thayle asked.
Sarah sighed and took a moment to think it through. “I might need some help from time to time, but for the most part, I want to do everything.”
“Sarah,” Lilly interrupted. “We can’t ask you to do that.”
“No, you can't,” Sarah agreed. “But I can choose to do it. I have been searching for a place in this family since I first considered joining it. You two are such a natural balance for one another that there is no room for me as another flower of love. I need to find my way to express my love for you, and I have a dragon's desire to act as a caregiver for the younger of my race. I choose you two to be my charges, and I will care for you. In this way, I can express my love by allowing you two the freedom to do what you do best, love.”
Thayle set her glass down with a new appreciation for Sarah’s point of view.
“I know I already agreed to your desires in the dream, but now that you have expressed it so clearly, I want to say thank you.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Lilly replied. “Thank you seems inadequate.”
“Well, we don't need to worry about it now,” Sarah said. “Unfortunately, we have a long road ahead of us, and we are not sure how many years we may have to spend at court.”
“I forgot,” Lilly said as her mood dipped. “I keep thinking we are going back the valley the moment we win. I forget we have to stay here and rule the empire.”
“Only for a time,” Sarah assured. “And with my great speed, we can vacation in the valley when we want.”
Lilly sighed and took a sip of her wine when a voice caused them all to turn. They looked up to see a man in fine coats and a feathered hat standing before them with his chest puffed out. He removed the hat and dipped in a gentle bow.
“Good evening, noble ladies. You must forgive me, but I am not familiar with what family you belong to?”
Lilly looked confused and went to answer, but Sarah held up a hand. “We are not from this city, only passing by to another destination and stopping to get a few dresses. Our family name is Vahlantier. It is an old house from the north.”
The man looked skeptical but placed his hat back on his head and stepped forward. “Surely you are a prize on your husband's arm. Are you all sisters then?”
“I told you that you looked young,” Thayle said over the bind, but Sarah ignored her comment.
“These are my daughters,” Sarah stated firmly. “I am Sutehrisa Vahlantier, matron of the house. May we have the honor of your name?”
The man dipped his head with a smile. “Count Rendris, of house Dumon. It is an honor to meet you. Will there be a chance to meet your husband?”
“I am afraid not, Count Rendris. My husband did not come into the city with us.”
He nodded and looked down at Lilly and Thayle. “Two daughters of your house and of a fine age. I would if you would allow me the great honor of learning of one of them?”
Lilly looked to Sarah in panic as she took a sip of tea with a perfectly calm demeanor. She set the cup down, forcing the count to wait until she was ready to reply.
“And what do you imply by learning?” Sarah asked.
The count smiled and explained a desire to escort one of them to a private room where they could have a more intimate conversation. He tried to explain the benefits of such an encounter, but Sarah was on her feet in a moment, her hand around his neck.
“You stay away from my daughters!” Sarah growled and lifted him from his feet single-handed.
“Sarah!” Thayle cried and jumped up, grabbing at her arm to try and free the startled man.
“My daughters are noble hearts and gifts of the divine!” Sarah continued. “They are not here to be battered for favors with worthless houses!”
“Sarah, let him go!” Thayle pleaded as she tugged at an arm that was as strong as steel.
“Sarah, please,” Lilly said over the bind, causing Sarah to turn her head. “Please put him down.”
A nod was the only reply they got as Sarah dropped the man to his feet. He stumbled back a look of outrage on his face, but the flames in Sarah's eyes now burned brightly, and he wisely chose to flee.
“We need to go back,” Thayle urged. “You are not ready for this.”
“I just wanted to spend some time with you,” Sarah said.
“And you wanted the attention,” Thayle added. “Well, you go it and have proven you are not ready to handle it. Your anger came right back the moment you felt one of us was threatened.”
“He boldly asked for your company in his bed!” Sarah hissed.
“You dressed us up and put us on display. Of course, some noble assumed you were trying to barter your daughters for favors.”
Sarah closed her eyes and sat down, putting her face in her hands as she felt terrible upset over the bind. Lilly came to her side and put an arm around her shoulder, encouraging her to be calm.
“I did the same thing when a man threatened Thayle,” Lilly said. “I was going to kill him in the street.”
“Both of you are terrible at dealing with aggressive men,” Thayle said and looked about a crowded common room that was staring their way.
“I couldn’t control it,” Sarah said. “I was so offended by what he suggested.”
Thayle went to the bind to speak and urged them to look around and note how many were watching. It was time to go back to camp, and they needed to pick up some guards as they went to ensure a safe passage.
Sarah agreed and left some coins on the table before rushing out with both women. Once in the street, they hurried through the crowds grabbing soldiers from their camp to help escort them. Once they had a dozen, the group marched down the street, going directly to the gate. The crowds parted to allow the formation to pass, and the three quickly found themselves in the tents walking with a very distraught Sarah.
They arrived at the meeting tent to find Gersius still hard at work, going over plans for the division of the armies with Gams. He looked up the moment they entered, and his gaze went directly to Sarah.
“What happened?” he asked.
“Sometimes I hate this binding,” Sarah sighed as Thayle took her hand and sat her before Gersius at the table. She held her head down as Thayle explained what happened to a Gersius, whose mood didn't seem to alter. He asked a few questions and then commented on their new outfits, expressing his approval for their beauty. Then she felt his gaze on herself and looked down even more.
“Sarah,” he said softly. “Thank you for protecting them.”
She looked up in shock, her lower lip trembling. “You are not angry with me?”
“Why would I be angry at you?” Gersius asked. “You did exactly as I hoped you would. You bonded more closely and proved your heart beats fiercely to protect them. I am glad you are here. They need your protection.”
“Be careful about encouraging this,” Thayle said. “She is more than capable of killing ten men with her bare hands.”
Gersius nodded to Thayle in acknowledgment but squatted down to look up into Sarah’s eyes.
“I do need you to show more restraint, but I am glad to know how you feel,” he said. “I will send men to find this count and explain the blunder he made. If he has wisdom, he will let go of any grudge he might now be nursing. If not, then he can address his complaints to me. He will find you are far more pleasant to deal with.”
Sarah smiled and let out a deep breath. “I am making the mistake that the awe men pay my dragon form applies to this one. I should have taken guards to mark us as people of importance from the camp.”
“Perhaps,” Gersius replied. “But one day, you will be able to shop with them and need no guards or escort because the whole empire and all the lands around will know who you are.”
Sarah cleared her throat as he stood and took her hand, leading her to stand before him. He gave her a gentle kiss and then, without missing a beat, asked her opinion on the division of strength and putting a significant amount of the women in the southern army. Sarah was immediately wrapped up in the planning as Lilly and Thayle looked over one another in their new outfits.
“You look pretty in that,” Lilly said as she ran a hand over Thayle’s bare shoulder. “But does your corset hurt as much as mine?”
“Yes, please let’s go and take this off,” Thayle groaned.
Hand in hand, they walked into the private room in the back, leaving Sarah to help plan the march. It was a sign of things to come, as Sarah found her place and took as much of the burden away as she could. Lilly and Thayle did what she wanted and climbed into bed together, careful not to do anything their lovers would feel too strongly. Together they laid side by side, Thayle's back pressed to Lilly's chest as they imagined and laughed at what it would be like to live in Sarah's vision of their future home.
Comments
Sorry this was late, I am having issues sleeping do to a medial problem. I should be recovered soon and not be so tired while trying to write.
