Omnixius
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DKP 6-17 A shared belief.
🕑 Added 2021-02-12 20:10:23 +0000 UTCThe morning was damp as a slight wind ruffled the endless rows of tents. Gersius ordered the army to sit in place and wait for the newly liberated women of Ulustrah to arrive. Extra horses and wagons were sent south to help speed their arrival, but most would have to walk the whole way. To ensure their safety, Sarah and Numidel flew back and forth, so one of them was with the women at all times.
Today Sarah was in camp as they struggled to deal with recent events. Gersius challenged the divines to act or see their plans come to ruin. They finally acted, showing Gersius was supported by nearly every major divine, and the message had been profoundly displayed before tens of thousands. These people were now running back to their homes carrying word that Gersius was chosen of the divines, and the Father Abbot was lying. They called him the and Thayle the dragon knights while cursing Dellain as the usurper who stole the title. Gersius saw an opportunity and rushed to act, encouraging them to spread the word that he was here to save the empire, not burn it. He also gave them a message to deliver that he needed their support. His army needed foodstuffs, tents, bedding, and most importantly, gold. He asked them to carry the message forward in the hopes that the people would be generous. It had already born fruit, with many of the assembled mass offering a few coins that quickly added up. One wagon was laden with gold now, and another was rapidly filling.
The army was overjoyed to have avoided such a bloody fight and even more to know the women were on the way. It led many to heartfelt prayers and tears as the threat of having to kill innocents melted away. They all needed a moment to pause and digest what had transpired, so he ordered the delay, eager to give the army a chance to rest.
His image in the camp was also changed. Before he was a great man and general, now he was looked on as a prophet. A man to whom the divines answered and who was willing to risk his life to save tens of thousands of innocents. Now when the men and women of the army saw him, heads bowed, voices praised, and flowery titles like divinely chosen and hero of the gods were spoken.
He accepted the praise with grace while silently hoping it would stop. He wasn't after such titles or the praises of men. To Gersius, the only goal was the people's safety and the restoration of an empire that could protect them. He didn't even want the title of emperor, instead wishing more than anything for a quiet home to raise a family. He often dreamed of being hidden away in Lilly’s valley, where they could be alone to live and love.
The stress of the moment had taken its toll on him as well, and the constant comments and praises left him weary. Thankfully Sarah had remained in camp last night and eagerly sought his embrace. She shared her fire with him, mixing her very essence with his until all he knew was her love. She drew Lilly and Thayle in as well, calling them her beautiful flowers as she tenderly consumed them. Now they lay in bed as the sun began to rise, the fires of the night smolder away.
Gersius awoke to the sound of kissing as Lilly and Thayle leaned over him from either side, their gentle lips pressed together. He watched them reach for each other with tender care, pulling closer to wrap in a warm embrace. To his right, Sarah stirred and looked up, watching the moment with a smile. She caught his eye and reached up, wiping the long raven hair from Thayle's rear, and gave her a firm squeeze. Thayle moaned into her kiss as Gersius reached up and cupped Lilly's bottom and gave her the same thrill. The kissing went on for nearly a minute until the two finally separated, and Thayle looked down on Sarah.
“Unless you intend to finish what your starting, you had better stop.”
“I didn’t think I was starting anything you two hadn’t already planned on doing,” Sarah remarked.
Thayle smiled and sat back, turning to her side to lay across Sarah’s chest and look deep into her eyes.
“That was just a good morning kiss,” Thayle whispered. “I like my wife to know how much I love her to start the day.”
“I see,” Sarah replied. “But you have two wives.”
“I do,” Thayle cooed softly, her lips hovering over Sarah. “And now it’s time for her kiss.” She settled down and pressed her lips to Sarah, filling her with just as much passion as she gave Lilly. It took on a more profound feeling when Sarah reached up and wrapped her in a firm embrace, trapping her in the kiss until Sarah was satisfied. Lilly turned on Gersius giving him a good kiss as well, pressing into him as firmly as she could.
“And now to the turmoil of the day,” Thayle said with a sigh as the kiss ended.
“Don't look at it like that,” Sarah countered. “Every day is a challenge, to be sure, but look at what we have and remember those challenges brought this about. Maybe you should wonder what reward waits after the challenges of the day.”
“Thayle smiled and leaned in to give her another kiss. “That was very insightful, thank you.”
“The divines are trying hard to meet all your burdens with blessing,” Sarah said in a soft voice while running a hand down Thayle’s cheek. “They love you even more than I do.”
Gersius saw Thayle's aura glow with happiness as she got up and moved to the end of the bed. Sarah snapped a finger for Lilly, who smiled and took her place beside Thayle so Sarah could brush their hair.
“So what do my daughters have planned for today?”
“More training,” Lilly replied. “I want to see if the followers of Balisha have gained any of yours and Gersius’s fighting skill. I am going to spar with them and lead them in some of the more advanced techniques.”
“Hmm, I might want to stop by and see a bit of that,” Sarah said. “I am interested to know if our binding has made the gift that powerful.”
“It’s done something,” Gersius said. “The whole camp is still talking about the change of hair and eye color.”
“And none of them have asked for the blessing to be removed?” Sarah questioned.
Lilly went to shake her head, but Sarah told her not to fuss and resumed brushing.
Gersius thought about the followers of Balisha and how proud he was they chose to stay, proudly wearing the mark of Lilly's blessing. Many were now saying that the change was a sign from Balisha that they were chosen as holy warriors. He decided to let them believe that while praying to Balisha for guidance. Thus far, she hadn't given any vision suggestion that she was offended by the remarks, so they stayed. It bolstered the belief that they were in the right and this war was a just crusade, emboldening them to stand firm against their enemies. He found himself hoping they had indeed gained some insight into combat through the bind, so he could shape them into an order of elite fighters.
“I will find out,” Lilly said, tossing him a glance as she read his thoughts.
“None of my women of Astikar have manifested these changes,” Sarah said as she worked through Lilly’s hair. “I wonder why.”
“I suspect it has something to do with Lilly,” Thayle offered as she took Lilly’s hand. “She puts all her heart and emotion into these things. She may have caused a change unintentionally.”
Sarah nodded as she finished and moved on to Thayle. “Emotion does effect blessing,” Sarah agreed. “Perhaps her strong emotions allowed her to draw on the binding more deeply and gift that to her followers.”
Lilly turned her head, looking back to Sarah as her words made a thought come to mind.
“Sarah, when are you going to show me how to draw on my dragon strength in human form?”
Sarah sighed as the brush ran through midnight black silk. “I forget you don’t know how to do many things yet. I have become so busy I haven’t been able to spend the time I need teaching you and Shadros.” She paused to consider her Shadros before resuming the brushing. “I feel terrible about him. He lost his mother before she could teach him even some of the basic things. He knows nothing of our history or abilities. I really must find time to spend with you both.”
“We need to find time to think about what is happening,” Thayle said as Sarah brushed a small tangle out. “Word is spreading to every hamlet and village in the empire that the divines chose Gersius and were willing to show it. The road ahead might be a very different path than it was a few days ago.”
“I share your hope for an easier road,” Sarah sighed. “But hearts are often hard to change, and those who were not there to see it firsthand will call it a wild tale.”
“We will know more when Jessivel returns. I sent him ahead to test the mood of the surrounding towns,” Gersius added as he picked through his clothes and sniffed.
“Is something the matter?” Sarah asked.
“I need time to do laundry,” Gersius replied. “I will go to the stream to get water and wash my clothes.”
“You will do nothing of the sort,” Sarah corrected. “I am the matron of this family; I will see to it your clothing is washed.”
“You are my queen, not my maid. We have labor in the camp to handle the chores if I want it done,” Gersius corrected, but Sarah gave him a firm stare.
“I am aware you humans typically allow your females to handle things like meal preparation, cleaning, and laundry. I will endeavor to learn how such tasks are done and see to them myself.”
“You don’t have to cook,” Lilly said. “The kitchens do it for the whole camp.”
“Never the less I want to know how,” Sarah replied sternly and finished brushing Thayle’s hair. She moved around the chair where a black dress hung over the side and held it up with a smile.
“What is that?” Lilly asked as she came closer to see.
“The dress you are going to wear today,” Sarah said and held it out.
“But, that’s your dress,” Lilly said innocently.
“And you are going to wear it,” Sarah reiterated. “I want to see what you look like in black.”
Lilly smiled as Sarah set it aside and began to dress her in her underclothes. The two women glowed with happiness as they shared little touches and even a kiss. Then she helped Lilly step into the dress, pulling it up and tying the back. A wide wrap was added to her waist and pulled tight, accenting Lilly's figure. Her shoulders and arms were left bare, the dress seeming to hang from her chest.
“I approve of this,” Thayle said as she watched Lilly turn about.
“We need to do something about that hair,” Sarah said as she ran it through her hands. “I wish I knew how to braid.”
“I can show you that,” Thayle said. “If you really want to learn, you should talk to Lilly's wed mother, Ayawa.”
Sarah laughed and turned to Thayle. “I am not so sure that woman approves of my joining your relationship. She seems troubled by it.”
“I am sure she is,” Thayle remarked and looked to Gersius. “Didn’t you tell Sarah about Ayawa’s beliefs?”
Gersius ran a hand through his hair as Sarah looked to him for a reply. He sat and explained Ayawa's beliefs and how her people blamed men and dragons mingling as the cause. Thayle added some information of her own, speaking about how Ayawa argued against her meddling in their relationship.
“So she doesn’t approve of men and dragons forming a relationship,” Sarah surmised.
“I have her blessing,” Lilly said. “She gave me the crown to prove it and told me she was happy for us.”
“But her opinion hasn’t changed,” Sarah pressed. “She still worries that this mingling of our kinds will lead to another ruin.”
“I suppose she does,” Gersius said. “I have spoken to her about it, but the belief is part of her culture now. They lost everything and never recovered, and they strongly believe it is because men and dragons mingled and formed relationships, like ours.”
“Hmm,” Sarah said as she went to the wardrobe and began to poke inside. She drew out a green dress with golden weaves and motioned Thayle to come to her side. She began to dress Thayle as well while giving the conversation some thought.
“Has it ever occurred to you that our enemies might believe the same thing?” Sarah asked, causing heads to turn her way.
“What do you mean?” Gersius questioned as he put on a pair of pants.
“What I mean is, we know they do not want Balisha to return and believe she is the one who cursed the world. The enemy Numidel and I faced boldly told us he wanted to strip the human form from dragons so they could not mix with men. It is this very thing they are trying to stop,” Sarah said as she turned Thayle to face her. She ran a hand over Thayle's cheek, looking deep into those mysterious eyes. “They don’t want us to take humans as ours and love them. They fear the outcome of Balisha returning and us to share even more.” Thayle smiled as Sarah lifted her chin to look into her eyes. “Now that I understand what it feels like to be in your arms, nobody is going to take that away from me.”
Thayle looked down as Sarah kissed her forehead and returned to the topic. “What if we are what they fear? A family of humans and dragons, sharing our gifts across the bind?”
“Why would stopping Balisha’s return be so vital to them then?” Gersius asked as she put on his shirt. “Why not strike directly at us, and cut the problem off?”
Sarah turned Thayle about and began to tighten the dress on Thayle, fitting it to her form and lacing it up. Thayle was turned loose so she could help Gersius with his shirt. She answered as her fingers worked through the buttons.
“Because so long as Balisha lives, the danger remains. Balisha dared to do what Solesta forbid. She allowed a dragon and a human to breed and produce a child.” Gersius looked up and met her gaze as she smiled ever so slightly. “This brought about the ruin of both our kinds and the rage of the earth mother. They must believe that if Balisha is allowed to return, it will all happen again, and this time none of us may survive.”
Gersius glanced at Lilly, who looked frozen in shock. Sarah glanced at her as well, her smile spreading as they all read his thoughts.
“You never know, Balisha might give her or I the blessing,” Sarah said, causing him to focus his attention on her again. “But you must remember, a child that is of dragon blood may carry the curse, and I would hate to you see you suffer the pain I did.”
Gersius nodded as he remembered the story of how Sarah's daughter returned to the lair consumed by the curse and seeking to slay her own mother. They all felt a sudden pain from Lilly, who looked aghast at the idea and shook her head in fear.
“You don’t think a child we have with Gersius would be cursed?” she asked.
Sarah stared at her with a firm gaze, the smile fading in an instant. “Child, we know nothing of what such a mixing of blood will bring. All we can do right now is follow the path the divines have set for us and trust it leads to a solution. Who knows, restoring Balisha to the world might be the answer to the curse. She may be able to lift it and free the dragons from their bondage.” That seemed to brighten Lilly's mood a little, but a twinge of fear still lurked in her heart.
“I want to speak to Ayawa. I would like to hear her side of it directly,” Sarah said, moving the conversation along.
“I hope you are not offended by her beliefs. She is a noble a trustworthy friend with legitimate concerns,” Gersius said. “She means you no harm or threat.”
“I don’t feel threatened by her beliefs. I simply wish to explore the idea that her beliefs might be an insight into our enemy. It could give us some advantage for the future.”
Gersius gave her a sideways glance, and she promised not to lose her temper when she spoke to Ayawa. Once they were dressed, they parted to their various tasks, using the day of rest to catch up on much-needed chores.
Sarah and Gersius sat in a special prayer service as the small number of the priests of Astikar that remained chanted in a deep voice to the god above. They praised Astikar for showing his hand and affirming their path. With renewed vigor, they would march ahead, knowing the god was with them. Sarah spoke to them as well, calling on them to fan the fire of their faith. She led them in a final prayer adding the power of her high voice to the chant creating a wonderful blend of tones.
Next, they spoke to Lengwin, who was smiling for the first time in many weeks. He looked like a man who found a renewed purpose, energetically going about his tasks. They discussed the meaning of the divines and the hope that such a display would change everything. Gersius was cautiously optimistic, but Lengwin was sure it would have a mighty impact. He believed the people saw the contradiction of claiming Gersius was the enemy while at the same time imprisoning the women of Ulustrah. Now that news was spreading, those hearts would no longer be conflicted. Gersius would be seen as the champion, and the Father Abbot, the villain. With the hearts of the people on their side, the war was all but one. Gersius was diplomatic, assuring him that his reasoning was sound while never fully committing to the belief.
When the discussion broke down to logistics, Sarah bid them farewell and made her way across the camp to where Lilly worked with her followers. She arrived in time to see Lilly fighting with a sword in each hand, dancing with one of the women. Lilly looked graceful as she used a very defensive style, trying to provoke some measure of reaction from her opponent. The woman in question had short soft blue hair that floated just above her shoulders. Her skin was pale as moonlight, and her lips painted a deep blue in color. Sarah noted that there was something else that they all wore. On every cheek was a stylish dragon, a blue on one cheek, a red on the other. The woman used a relatively long sword that required her to hold it with both hands. She wisely tried to use her strength to batter Lilly's weapons aside, putting her grip to good use.
Lilly went for a rapid dash, moving around the woman in a circle and making quick slices. The woman responded by stepping away and holding her sword at an angle to deflect the attacks. A smile spread over Lilly's face as she crossed her weapons and caught the heavier sword, driving it up and slashing out when the weapon was high enough. Sarah gasped as the woman turned into the rise, using her shoulder and arm to ram Lilly and throw her back. Gasps and cries sprang up from the others as Lilly staggered back, clutching her bruised chest. It was an advanced move that Gersius had used against Sarah in their duels.
“High priestess, I am sorry!” her sparring partner cried as her sword clattered to the ground. “I don’t know why I did that.”
“So, it’s true,” Sarah said under her breath and made her entrance, walking up as Lilly sang a little song of healing.
“I didn't mean to harm you,” the woman said in a panic.
“You didn't harm her,” Sarah scolded from behind, causing all eyes to turn to her. “You did exactly what she wanted you to do.” The woman looked confused until Lilly finished her healing and assured her Sarah was right.
“Are you sure?” the woman asked as Lilly reached down to pick up her dropped weapons.
Lilly laughed and stood tall, meeting Sarah's gaze with a smile. “What do you think?”
Sarah wasn't sure how she wanted to answer that question. It was a useful blessing from a military point of view. Certainly, Gersius would be happy to know he had his elite force. But, it meant that these men and women carried the dragon blessing in great strength. What else would they be capable of in the weeks ahead? How had Lilly given them such power when she could not give it to the women of Astikar?”
“I don’t know how I did it,” Lilly’s voice echoed in her head. “But it will help us in the days ahead.”
Sarah nodded and stepped into the ring, holding out a hand to beckon for one of Lilly's swords. Lilly handed her a weapon, and Sarah challenged any of them to step into the ring with her. The first two came willingly, but Sarah defeated them so easily the rest saw no reason to risk humiliation. Sarah had to start calling them out and demanding they face her. She had dueled Gersius twice now and was familiar with his many styles, but she knew styles long lost to the world. She wanted to test them and see if any displayed knowledge of her techniques. After the tenth battle, she realized that she was too skilled and not giving them enough time to adequately display their skill. She asked Lilly to pick twenty of them and pair them up to spar while she observed.
Lilly quickly selected pairs, even pitting a few men against women, and then turned them loose in a contest of first to three hits wins. Sarah walked around the field, watching as they cut and parried, dancing in the forms of combat. It wasn't long into the match when she saw one of them use a reverse block, then another a jumping slash. She knew those were not methods Gersius employed and could only have been gained through her.
“I have seen enough,” Sarah said and thanked them for their efforts. She pulled Lilly aside and assured her they had indeed learned from both Gersius and herself.
“This is good, right?” Lilly asked, feeling Sarah's apprehension.
“I am sure it is, but it is unexpected and unprecedented. We should watch how this develops carefully.”
“Gersius will be thrilled to know they are gaining your fighting skills,” Lilly urged.
Sarah looked back to the followers waiting nearby. They were indeed gaining some insight, but they were clumsy, slow, and unpracticed like Lilly was in the beginning. It would be several years before they had the level of practice necessary to be effective fighters.
“I am learning quickly,” Lilly offered as she read Sarah’s thoughts.
“You are equally connected to the bind and directly to him. They are unequally connected and only tangentially to him and I through you. I doubt they will learn as quickly. I will speak to him about focusing your training to help bring one or two of the styles up to moderate ability and worry about the rest later.”
Lilly nodded in agreement, and Sarah excused herself to pursue other matters. She was careful to keep her mind clear as she departed, knowing Lilly would read her thoughts. When she was safely away, she allowed herself to ponder how to embrace emotion as Lilly had and if in doing so, her blessing would grow stronger. It was a notion she would have to meditate on later. For now, she wanted to seek out the next part of her day, the woman Ayawa.
She found them outside the meeting tent where their private tent was set. Like Lilly, they were sparing, but this was a very interesting match. The man Tavis was side by side with the woman they called Gedris as the two attempted to breach the defense of the dark-haired Ayawa. It was apparent Tavis was far better than Gedris at the dance, but Ayawa was as sight to behold, fighting with great skill using only short blades.
Sarah waited patiently as the woman moved from stance to stance with fluid grace, taught muscles following the steps with practiced ease. When at last she struck back, her two opponents were defeated in moments.
“How does she do that?” Gedris groaned as Ayawa held a blade to her throat.
Tavis looked to the one under his guard, pressed to his chest, and laughed. “She is faster than us.”
“No, you assumed she couldn't reach you both in one move, and the girl takes too long to switch from attack to guard,” Sarah said, alerting them to her presence.
Ayawa looked up, and for a moment, her eyes full of distrust. She relaxed her arms, freeing her loved ones, and turned to face Sarah with a firm gaze.
“And to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit, Lady Sarah?”
“Sarah will do,” she replied. “I am told you, and I are family through Lilly. You are her wed mother after all.”
Ayawa nodded, but her gaze never moved or betrayed a hint of emotion. Sarah was rather impressed by the stone-faced woman but wasn't going to let her be the only one who was unmoved. She took on a stern look of her own, matching her gaze with one that betrayed nothing of her feelings.
“I am told your people's history is one of ruin and pain. Gersius tells me you blame the dragons for your loss.” She studied that face that seemed only to harden to steel as she sheathed her blades with a fluid motion. Tavis came to her side, but she paid him no attention, her gaze transfixed on Sarah.
“My people are but a shadow of who they once were,” she said at last. “We had an empire grander than the one we now march through. Our society believed in and worshiped the earth mother, and she guided our steps, ensuring we were always in balance with the land.”
“And she doesn’t guide you any longer?” Sarah asked, wondering if the earth mother had turned on them like she did everybody else.
“No,” Ayawa replied with a hint of anger in her voice. “Our people's religious cast were known as the shaman, and none of them survived the war. We fought over what little was left, slowly destroying ourselves until there was nothing left to fight over.”
“And you lay this loss at the feet of the dragons?” Sarah asked again, trying to gain some insight. Ayawa hesitated, and Tavis interceded on her behalf.
“Her people blame the mingling of men and dragons for the devastation, not dragons alone. They accept the blame for their part in the fall.”
“I see,” Sarah replied and took a long breath. “I want to make something clear. I have not come here to cause a conflict or question your beliefs. I have come because of what happened to me while I was in the dream.”
“We heard your account of what happened,” Ayawa said. “What has this to do with what my people believe?”
Sarah folded her arms and took a tall, regal stance, staring at Ayawa as if the answer was obvious. “I believe our enemy holds the same ideas as you do. I think they fear Balisha's return because it will lead to men and dragons mingling again, and that will cause a second fall.”
Ayawa twitched now, the rock that was her countenance breaking for just a moment. It was clear the woman was touched by the idea that somebody who thought as she might be their enemy. Sarah wondered if perhaps Ayawa would question her loyalty to their campaign, seeing the other side as more just.
“I can assure you our enemy is not a southern warrior,” she said at last.
“I never believed he was. He is a dragon of great age and power who blames Balisha for the near extinction of our kind. He made it clear that humans make us weak and that being allowed to mingle with them would lead to disaster. I told you in the meeting that he wanted to take this form from us, I can only assume you agree.”
“You can’t assume that,” Gedris interrupted, causing Ayawa to hold up a hand to silence her. “That's not how you feel,” she implored, but Ayawa shook her head, and Gedris held her tongue with a sigh.
“Are you here to test my loyalty?” Ayawa asked. “Because Tavis and I have laid our lives on the line for Gersius many times, and even Gedris has taken great risks to support his cause.”
“I am not testing you. I am simply hoping that I am right and our enemy thinks as you do.”
“Why would you want that?” Tavis asked with a hint of irritation.
Sarah took a moment to soften her voice and avoid sounding angry. “Because if he does, then understanding it as you do might give us some insight in how to defeat him.”
“What if he’s right?” Ayawa asked. “The priest Gersius killed spoke the truth. He warned that the path Gersius was on would lead to death in the millions. Perhaps men and dragons mingling will lead to another disaster.”
Sarah felt her blood boil and had to bite back the anger that surprised her. The notion that this love she had found could be wrong made her want to rage. Surely this love was meant to be. The very divines supported their relationship and Gersius. That thought brought calm as she realized how true the words were.
“The divines showed us who was right,” she replied. “They stand behind Gersius and his wives.”
“They stood behind Balisha before,” Ayawa pointed out. “It didn’t change anything.”
“An excellent point,” Sarah agreed. “But we have to trust in the divines. What happened in the past was not what they wanted.”
Ayawa smiled ever so slightly and took a relaxed stance. “We don’t know what they wanted,” she said in a pleased tone. “All we know is they picked sides and waged a war so terrible the earth mother herself awoke from her ancient slumber and turned on us all. She filled the land with horrors birthed in her rage to hunt men and dragons alike.”
Sarah could only nod, thinking of the final days of the war. That was when the land began to shake, and mountains moved from their foundations. Rivers dried up or changed courses as lands sank under oceans. Then the beast spilled out of the deep places of the world, horrors like the bandersooks or vile aberrations like the giants.
“If you feel this way, why did you give Lilly your crown?” Sarah asked.
Ayawa frowned and folded her arms, matching Sarah's stance. She looked annoyed, eyes narrowing as if Sarah had just hurled an insult.
“I did it because they needed each other,” she said at last. “He has wanted a family for years, but the order refused to let him rest. It cost him one relationship, and we saw the effect that had on his heart. When he looked at Lilly, there was renewed joy in his soul, and her love for him couldn't be denied.”
“Thayle says you scolded her for trying to keep them together,” Sarah pointed out.
“They had broken and were drifting apart,” Ayawa said with a sigh. “I had to wonder if it was for the better.”
“Yet you braided Lilly’s hair and gave her your crown after Thayle meddled and brought them back,” Sarah surmised. “You changed your mind.”
“I didn't change my mind. I simply accepted the truth; they needed one another. If Lilly wanted him so badly she was willing to accept being bound, then they may as well be husband and wife.”
“You saw the love they shared and judged with your heart, but you still fear where it will lead,” Sarah said as her gaze wandered. “I do too, but I can't turn away from it. You have to understand that I have never seen a dragon so full of happiness as Lilly. Even before the fall, we were often a dour and emotionless lot. Lilly is like the light of a star shining in an empty sky to lead the way.”
“Why did you decide to get involved in their relationship?” Ayawa asked.
“Ayawa,” Tavis said in a hushed tone.
“Leave her be,” Sarah said. “She has asked a question, and I want to answer it.”
Tavis looked her way and nodded as Gedris watched with a worried expression. Sarah began to pace, attempting to look relaxed as if the question hadn't touched her at all.
“I was chosen by Astikar to be his wife,” she said as they watched. “I was supposed to be his reward for so bravely taking on such a dangerous mission. However, the divines saw a new opportunity in Lilly and changed his course, making her his first wife when it was supposed to be me.”
“So you don't love him. You are just doing what you are told,” Ayawa accused.
Sarah turned around with a snap, angry at such an accusation. She loved him with all her heart, and those two flowers she called wives were her greatest treasures. She wanted to shred the woman for her careless words but remembered her promise to Gersius and restrained herself.
“I do love him. Remember I was taken away when he turned his heart from Astikar. I am no longer duty-bound to be his dragon. I have found my way into his love on my own, and I have never been happier.”
“Why would they change the course?” Gedris asked, trying to steer the conversation in another direction. “Wouldn’t you have been the better dragon to take to Calathen?”
Sarah wanted to scream yes, but she bit back her dragon nature. She loved Lilly and wouldn't dream of implying she didn't deserve to be the dragon who walked through the gates.
“We believe they changed the course so that he could have all three of us. If he had come for me first, the path would have changed, and he would never have met Lilly or Thayle. The divines wanted their champions under his banner and given to him as wives for a reward.”
“Then worrying about humans and dragons mingling is pointless,” Gedris said. “The divines ordained this and set it in motion.”
“Correct,” Sarah agreed.
“The dives ordained it the last time too. Do not forget it was Balisha who set this in motion and brought about the fall,” Ayawa argued.
“But,” Gedris began as Tavis squeezed her arm.
“There is no way to be sure,” he said. “The divines were fully involved last time, and the world still fell. Now they can't be involved like they were, yet they are trying again. Let's hope they get it right this time, or the earth mother may destroy us all.
Ayawa shook her head as a pained expression came upon her. “Some of the tribes of my land believe she won’t ever forgive us, that we are forsaken doomed to wander until we die out. They believe she has ordained that the time of men and dragons is over, and she is waiting for us to die off.”
“And who will she replace us with?” Sarah asked.
“The sprites, probably,” Ayawa said with a toss of her head. “They seem to be connected to her like we once were.”
Sarah had her doubts the sprites were meant to replace men and dragons, but how could she be sure? The Earth Mother was something of a mythical being even before the war. She was said to be asleep at the center of the world, dreaming of good things. To the dragons, this was simply their lore, but none of them prayed to her or sought her attention. She was as regular as the sun rising and regarded more as a form of magic than a divine. Still, when the world shook, they all agreed it was the earth mother awakening to the devastation being wrought on her dream.
“Has any of this helped you?” Ayawa asked, bringing Sarah out of her contemplation.
“Yes, as a matter of fact, it has,” she replied and gave pause. “Tell me, what blessings did the earth mother give your people?”
Ayawa let out a sigh and listed off a few of the rumored abilities. They could run for great distances, even across water, without breaking the surface. They could predict the weather, sing for rain, and identify when and where it was good to plant. They could heal using a mixture of blessing and herbs much as Thayle did, but the one ability her people spoke of only in whispers was the ability to shapeshift into spirit animals.
“Spirit animals?” Sarah asked with a hint of surprise.
“Each land had a totem animal, and its shaman could assume the form of the totem,” Ayawa replied.
“Interesting,” Sarah said as she tried to remember if she had ever heard of this before the war. She didn't travel in the south lands very much, preferring to make her lair in the northern wilds. If her people did have a transformation, what was its source? Maybe one of the gods slain in the war, but which one, and why?. “If I may ask, what was your people's totem?”
Ayawa looked angry now, her eyes narrowing as her jaw clenched.
“I have more training to do. Gedris isn’t up to the task of storming a city,” Ayawa replied.
Sarah nodded and gave them her thanks before turning away. Why had asking such a simple question caused insult? Was she trying to hide what her totem was? She pondered that thought for a good hour before Lilly returned and joined her side. Lilly was aglow with happiness but immediately picked up on Sarah’s mood, reading the questions that haunted her mind. They sat in the meeting tent for two hours discussing what it all meant before Sarah grew annoyed and pushed it aside.
“Do you think her transformation works like ours?” Lilly asked innocently
Sarah wondered the same thing, but Ayawa was too angry to even discuss it. Perhaps there would be another time when they could approach the subject. In the meantime, she wanted to fly and look for the advancing women and relieve Numidel to return to camp. She gave Lilly a hug and bid her take care of Gersius and Thayle, wishing them love from her. Lilly followed her into the changing ring and took her clothes, sharing one final kiss before Sarah changed and took to the sky.
The day was full of questions and surprises, but now she wondered if history was repeating itself? Would their relationship be the catalyst that led to a second fall? She tried to imagine a world where they turned back and fled to the valley, avoiding the enemy and living their lives. She quickly realized how foolhardy that would be because she and Lilly would lose their human forms. It was only then she realized the flaw in her logic. How does a dragon kill a divine and take her place? Wouldn't that mean the gorromogoth had to be divine? With that thought, she flew south, searching for the armies and praying they were not wrong about their foe being a dragon.
Comments
WhiteRabbit
They called him the and Thayle -the “Thayle smiled - no quote taught- taut
