Omnixius
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DKP 5-37 A king for the queen.
🕑 Added 2020-10-16 23:12:44 +0000 UTC“Lilly, come back!” Gersius called as she ran from the chambers with tears in her eyes. A deep, welling of pain filled his heart to see her run from him a second time. Thayle stood nearby, a look of concern on her face as he turned to her for help.
“I just want to do what is right,” he said. “Sarah does not think like us at all.”
“That's because she is a dragon,” Thayle said firmly. “Lilly was just the same when you found her. I seem to recall you telling me about the story on the road. When you asked her if she would eat that little girl you met in the farmhouse. She said before you, she would have eaten her in a moment, but since meeting you, she felt differently about it.”
“It isn't the same. Sarah wants to kill men because they believe in a lie,” Gersius stated, unable to understand why Thayle was using that example.
“Gersius, Sarah doesn't know how to feel compassion as you do. Lilly learned that from you because of the bind,” Thayle said. “Just because Sarah can think logically and carry herself like a noblewoman doesn't mean she isn't a dragon. She has the same disconnect about the value of human life that Shadros does. Lilly is right; Sarah needs the bind to feel your emotions so she can grow.”
He put his face in his hands and let out a sigh. “I don’t need trouble like this now. I have to begin the march of Calathen, and Yarvine is working hard to turn the camp against us.”
“I am going to deal with that next,” Thayle said. “She won't be a problem for us any longer.”
“That leaves mobilizing the army to begin the march,” he replied. “How did your efforts go?” He listened as Thayle gave him an alarming report of Alayse and her rejection of Thayle's authority. He was shocked to learn of the second attack on the temple and that Thayle had once again taken a raven priest in one on one battle. None of it did anything to soothe his concerns, but at least the second company was coming. His worries mounted when Thayle informed him of the message she ordered sent by scryer.
“You are threatening to remove them from their offices?” Gersius asked with a serious tone.
“I have asked for their support in a mounting problem of critical importance, and they have said nothing. I can only assume they do not have the spine to make such a decision, and I refuse to wait any longer,” Thayle replied.
He moved to stand before Thayle putting his hands to her shoulders. He was saddened that she carried such burdens and faced these challenges. She was about to tear her order apart to meet these challenges, and it was going to change her.
“I won’t change,” Thayle replied, reading his thoughts. “But you need to. You know we’re right, Sarah needs you, she needs us, in order to grow.”
“I promise to talk to her when she has calmed. Would you speak with her in the meantime and see if you can help her understand my point of view?” he asked, hating to put yet another burden on her shoulders. She nodded as he bent down to kiss her lips before smiling. “I am glad you are back. I have missed you terribly.”
“It was only a couple of days,” Thayle said with a smile and then looked to the doorway as the presence of Lilly pressed on their minds. She arrived at the open door with red eyes and a pout on her face.
“Sweetheart, please come in and talk to us,” Thayle beckoned, but Lilly shook her head.
“I ran into a messenger from Gams,” Lilly said with pain in her voice. “He was on his way here to tell us they found something important, and we need to come to see it.”
“What is this about?” Thayle asked in confusion.
Gersius hated to see how angry Lilly was, but he nodded and led Thayle to the door as he told her all about the lower tunnels and the body they found. He ordered the work increased to see just what his family was trying to hide, and perhaps something that would help.
He stopped in the hall and took Lilly's hand. She looked away as he reached up and brushed the hair from her face.
“Thayle is going to talk to Sarah for me. When her anger has faded, I will try to open up to her again. Do not lose hope.”
“She needs the bind,” Lilly muttered.
“I know,” he replied. “But I need time. Trust in the divines. If she is meant to be our wife, they will make it so.”
Lilly nodded, and he took her hand to walk back rooms where the excavations were going on. The place was empty of men, but their activity was evident. A wall had been broken open, and hundreds of buckets lay in a pile in the yard outside. Beyond them was a hill of soil and rock, brought out of the tunnels and dumped in a back area.
“This was a major undertaking,” Thayle said as she examined the amount of material.
“He had men working night and day in a line passing up buckets,” Gersius said. “He used the weavers to make any large stones light enough to lift out.”
“So, this keep was an ancestral home to your family,” Thayle said as she looked down the stairwell. “It has symbolic meaning to you then.”
“My family built this during the age of the last dragon knight,” Gersius said. “It was important to a mission they were conducting.”
“That would explain a lot,” Gams said with a grumble as he entered the room behind them.
“What does it explain?” Gersius asked, confused by the odd statement.
“We cleared the whole of the stairwell. It runs under the keep and into the bedrock of the mountains. It came to three rooms that appeared to be empty. However, I think you should see what we found.”
Gersius raised a brow at the cryptic reference, but they fell in, following Gams into the stairwell. He took them down the ancient steps, buried in time and history for reasons unknown. Gersius touched the wall as they passed, thinking of the generations of his family that used this passage. What were they doing in such a hidden place?
“Why would anybody want to seal this tunnel?” Gersius asked.
“They did more than seal it,” Games replied as they got to the bottom and a large round room made of smooth bricks. There were two side chambers with nothing in them but loose rock and buckets. The left chamber had a hole broken through the wall revealing a space beyond. The whole area was illuminated by lanterns lying on the floor, but Gersius quickly blinked to bring up the dragon sight. Gams motioned for them to follow and led them to the hole in the wall.
“There was a doorway here, but somebody took the time to chisel the stone frame away and then cut stones to hid it. They did an amazing job. My men only discovered it by accident, when one of them noticed a loose stone.” He led the way, taking them to the opening and then stepping inside. The room was circular with dry air that smelled of dust. Along the walls were shelves laden with books and scrolls.
It’s a library,” Thayle said.
“Why would anybody go to such lengths to hide a library?” Lilly asked.
“It is a special library,” Gams replied. “It’s full of letters and transcripts about what was happening in the empire. We’ve looked over more than half of the documents so far. Most are logs of the last few years of this keep. One of them talks about the arrival of the book.”
“What book?” Lilly asked as she looked around.
“A full copy of the dragon knight prophecy,” Gams replied.
Every face in the room turned to look at him as he led them to a wall. He pulled at the shelves causing them to pry away, revealing a nook hidden behind. There, resting in the space, was a small book bound in brass and tied with string.
“There were only three copies made,” Gersius said.
“One of them is in Calathen, and one of them is in Thorah’s temple,” Gams replied.
“Where is the third one?” Thayle asked.
“Lost,” Gersius said with a nod. “My family had it. They were transporting it to the silver isles. The ship left the docks for the final leg of the journey, but it was lost in a storm.”
“They lied?” Thayle asked with a smile.
“They must have been mistaken,” Gersius said. “My family does not lie.”
“No, they lied,” Gams said and moved to a nearby table. Spread over the dusty surface were a number of letters yellowed by time. “This dispatch says they intentionally hid it to protect it from the heads of Islak Velhathsa.”
“Velhathsa?” Thayle repeated. “What does that mean.”
“Holy Protectors,” Lilly said as the gathered members looked to her.
Gams gave her a sideways glance as he studied her. “How do you know that?”
“Those are dragon words,” Lilly replied as she leaned over to see the letter more clearly.
Gams nodded and moved to a table where a scroll was spread out. He leaned over it and pointed to a line and then read it out loud.
“We must hide it from them, or they will banish the truth from our order. They work in secret in every faith, striving to make sure she never returns. They fear her more than death or dishonor, for her arrival means their power will break.”
“Who are they talking about?” Lilly asked.
“Hush, let him read more,” Thayle urged softly.
Gams cleared his throat and moved his finger to another spot.
“They have killed him. The hope of our people is dead. They tried to kill his dragon too, but she has escaped. The falcons discovered their plot and have been slaughtered, though they made them pay heavily for each life. They are coming for any man they suspect knows the truth. You must bury our secret and abandon the keep. They must have no reason to search it, or they may find what we have hidden away. She fled to the east, and I am going after her. He told me where she laired once, and I pray I will find her there. Good luck, Aston, may Astikar's light pierce, even this darkness.”
“Aston,” Gersius repeated. “Aston was one of my ancient relatives.”
“How far back do you know your family line?” Thayle balked.
Gersius sighed. “Almost two thousand years, I suppose. My family considers their past to be sacred. They keep logs of any major events or members.” He paused as he looked about the room and tried to think of the timeline. “That means they hid this room and abandoned the keep only return to it later.”
“And in their second occupation, they filled in the stairwell and left the last lord of the keep entombed within.”
“What happened during his reign?” Thayle asked.
“The first founding of what would become the raven guard,” Gams replied. “They had a different name and worked outside the order as more of a mercenary unit. They weren't officially brought into the order as a proper body until the most recent Father Abbot.”
“What does all this mean?” Lilly asked.
Gersius looked to Gams as the older man shook his head and replied. “It means there is a secret group operating in all the faiths that are working against the return of Balisha. They murdered the first dragon knight and will stop at nothing to kill the second.”
“Why does everybody hate Balisha?” Lilly asked. “All she wanted was for dragons to learn love. She never meant for any of this to happen.”
“Lilly, people blame her for the destruction of the previous world. She was the one who wanted men and dragons to mingle,” Gersius said.
“And she was right,” Lilly insisted. “Sarah has told me all about the previous world. Everything men lament losing was made possible by Balisha's dream. Look at our love and what we have accomplished. How can anybody say this is wrong?”
“I am in full agreement with you,” Gersius said, walking to her and taking her hands. “I am eternally grateful to Balisha for the gift of your human form. I will never stop singing her praises for the love she has allowed me to have through her sacrifice, but the rest of the world does not see it that way.”
Lilly sighed and looked at the ancient book. “I want to read it. I want to read it now.”
“The book is very old and needs to be handled with care,” Gams said. “Parts of it are already damaged from the long ages of sitting down here. I wouldn't take it out of the library. The dry air has helped preserve much of these works.”
Gersius nodded and carefully removed the book, taking it to the table and setting it down. He untied the cords and gently opened the cover to see the age-old script on yellowed pages. He looked across the lettering and realized it was not one he was familiar with. It resembled dragon but was different somehow.
“Can you read this?” he asked.
Lilly looked over the pages, and her mouth fell open. “I can,” she said after a moment.
“Why did you say it that way?”
Lilly moved closer and traced a line on the page. “This is nellistic; an old language meant to bridge human and dragon. My mother made me learn every letter of it. She was insistent that I be able to read it. I hated this part of her training. I never believed I would need it.”
Thayle and Gersius exchanged glances as Lilly continued to trace the page.
“We really have to meet her mother,” Thayle whispered.
“She is a very strange dragon,” Gersius agreed as Lilly turned a page.
“This reads like a man talking about his final hours,” Lilly said. “He knows he is about to die and is lamenting that he failed Balisha.” She looked over a page as a tear formed in her eye. “He is in pain over his failure, but the divines are whispering to him and telling him what to write.” She turned the page and read some more.
“He shall rise in the east close to the borders of the wild ones. He will bear the mantle of Astikar, a great general though they will deny him the title. He will be sent against them in an effort to snare him. Blood of his heart will be the bait used for the trap. A city will fall by deception. The mockery of the falcons will open the gates, and the people will lament their destruction.”
“No more,” Gersius said as he shook his head. “I do not want to hear anymore.”
“Love, what is it?” Thayle asked.
Gersius shed a tear as he closed his eyes. “My sister was in the city that the Doan took. She was why I was racing out and nearly fell into their trap. If I hadn't waited for more men, they would have killed us both.” He took a moment to get control and then continued. “The mockery of the falcons can only mean the raven guard. They must have gone to the city and tricked the people into letting them in.”
“Then betrayed them by opening the gates,” Thayle said.
“That’s why the city fell so fast,” Gersius said. “I was right, I had the time, but they betrayed me.”
“It isn't your fault,” Thayle said, clutching at his arm. “You didn't know they were working against you.”
Gersius looked up as tears flowed and took a staggering breath. “I need to leave this place. Let Lilly read the book in peace. I need to be away.”
“Of course,” Thayle said and pulled at his arm. “But don't forget we have reports that your sister got away. Hold on to that hope, and let's let Lilly read the book.” Thayle took him away as his mind spun to know that the cities destruction was a trap for him. She led up the stairs and into the yard, sitting him on a large stone as his emotions ran wild. He paused in his thoughts as gentle fingers came to the side of his head. He looked into those mysterious, angled eyes as she knelt before him.
“That was a trap,” Gersius said. “And I nearly fell for it.”
“You had no reason to suspect treachery that early,” Thayle insisted. “You were only doing what you thought was right.”
“They were trying to get me killed with all those missions. They knew I was going to be the dragon knight. I was too blind to see the truth, Another of my failures.
“Gersius, stop,” Thayle insisted. “The Father Abbot and these other conspirators are behind all of this. We already know they were planning this for years. I am sorry for your pain, but you were the man chosen to take this mantle, and you have done it brilliantly.”
“Except for Sarah,” he sighed and looked up into her eyes. “I have hurt her just as I hurt Lilly.”
Thayle shook her head. “No, you are just trying to make sure you don’t hurt her. Your desire to honor her properly is admirable but perhaps the wrong approach.”
“The wrong approach?”
Thayle smiled and ran a finger down his cheek to trace his lips. “Gersius, you need to open up to her. So much of your problems come from your ability to bury your feelings deeply. You need to face some of these fears and pains to deal with them. Sarah can't be put off much longer, or you may lose her, and Lilly will be wounded to the core.”
“I don’t have time to deal with all these problems and face a new relationship,” he argued.
“Stop,” Thayle insisted. “No wonder your family filled in those tunnels, the trait of burying pains must run in your blood. You need to listen to me and focus on Sarah for right now.”
He laughed at the joke and threw his head back. “I wish Lilly was here to fly.”
“Come on,” Thayle insisted. “Let's get you some wine. I will find Sarah and see if I can't get her to see reason. Maybe she can take us both up, and we can talk together.”
Gersius was taken to the dining hall where Ayawa, Tavis, and Gedris were already seated and having a conversation. He sat with them and relayed what was discovered below the keep as Thayle ran off to find Sarah. He watched her go with a sense of hope. He did want to love Sarah, but why was he finding it so hard to say so?
Thayle sighed as guards fell in beside her to follow her across the yard. She made her way out of the keep to the camp used by Gersius's army and the meeting tent where Sarah's private chambers lay. She told the guard to wait outside as she went in to find Sarah pacing like a caged animal as Numidel tried to soothe her.
“You did take a very harsh position,” Numidel insisted. “Do we not worship the god of mercy?”
“They have betrayed their oath to Astikar,” Sarah snapped. “There is no reason to show them mercy.”
“You are being too quick to judge,” Numidel argued. “Why can’t you try to see it his way?”
“Because his way is wrong!” Sarah shouted.
“You're looking at it as a dragon,” Thayle said as she approached. Sarah turned to face her with rage in her aura and eyes. She clenched her hands into fists as Numidel shook his head.
“Maybe you will listen to her,” he insisted. “Divines knows you never took my council as reason.”
“Because you think as they do,” Sarah said. “You always protect human lives, even when they are not worth protecting.”
“Probably because he learned the value of human emotion,” Thayle said. “Something you are struggling with as we speak.”
Sarah turned and folded her arms. “When did you get back?”
“Hours ago,” Thayle said. “I am almost sorry I came back. It has been one battle after another, and I grow weary of the fight. What has you so upset with Gersius?”
“Your husband is stubborn and arrogant. He wants to show mercy to his enemies.”
“He wants to show mercy to men who believe a lie and are being misled,” Thayle corrected.
“How they came to be enemies is not important,” Sarah argued. “Men who follow Astikar have to know these orders are wrong. They are choosing the safe path to avoid having to stand their ground. They are cowards who betray their oaths to Astikar and should be purged.”
Thayle knew Lilly thought like this in the beginning, but she rapidly changed. Without the bind, Sarah couldn't feel the empathy necessary to see how cold and reptilian her logic was.
“You do realize that many of the men of Astikar in this camp stood against us once. We showed them the truth, and they switched sides,” Thayle pointed out. “Gersius wants to preserve the order and allow those who are deceived a chance to repent. It is the right thing to do, given the circumstances. I am sure this belief does not extend to the raven guard. You can kill all of those to your heart's content.”
Sarah looked away and growled as Thayle came closer. She didn't want to argue over who was right or wrong. Instead, she decided to switch her approach and take Sarah by surprise.
“Do you have any idea how close you just came to being my wife?”
“What?” Sarah asked as she looked back. “What does that have to do with anything?”
Thayle stepped right up to her, looking firmly into her eyes. “He decided to ask you to join us.”
“He did?” Sarah whispered.
“He was waiting for my return so that we could ask you together, but now he is not so sure,” Thayle replied. “He is worried your tendency to show great rage will ruin the harmony of our relationship.”
“I am not sure I want to be his wife,” Sarah snapped. “Maybe Tavis is better suited to me. He understands the nature of fire.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Thayle quipped. “You know Gersius is the only man who can match you. You wouldn’t be here fuming in anger if he wasn’t. You’re accustomed to getting your way and can’t stand it when he denies you.”
Sarah looked away with a snarl and paced as Numidel laughed.
“What are you laughing at?” she yelled.
“You,” he replied honestly. “You have the door wide open before you, and you can’t see it.”
“That's because she needs to be bound,” Thayle said. “Lilly couldn't see the truth until the emotions she was missing started to flow. Without the bind and the connection to his heart, she won't be able to see it either.”
“I can see the truth just fine!” Sarah shouted.
“Then why are you the only one who disagrees with him?” Thayle asked.
Sarah looked about as if trying to think of an answer as Thayle let out a sigh. She walked to Sarah and held out her hands.
“What is this?” Sarah asked.
“Put your hands in mine,” Thayle said. “You need some reminder of love.”
“I don't need love,” Sarah replied, her voice starting to crack.
“You need it more than Lilly did, more than any of us do. You made a sacrifice and gave up thousands of years of your life for this moment, and it's about to pass you by.”
Sarah looked down at Thayle’s hand and didn’t move as Numidel came closer.
“Sutherisa, do as she says, please,” he asked of her softly.
Sarah took a deep breath and put her hands into Thayle's. Thayle wrapped her fingers up and rubbed with her thumbs. She looked at the light of Sarah's aura to see the pain and hurt mixed with a decision. Thayle knew what that decision was and decided to tackle this another way.
“Sarah, I want you to see yourself as my wife. I want you to see Gersius as your husband. Put aside your anger for now, and just try to imagine being a wife of this family.”
Sarah nodded, and Thayle continued. “As his wives, we follow his lead. He has listened to your concerns but chosen a softer approach. You made your arguments, but he chose to stay his course. Now it is your job as his wife to accept your husband’s decision, right or wrong, and stand by his side no matter the outcome.”
“But he is wrong,” Sarah whispered.
“Is he?” Thayle asked. “Is forgiveness not the greatest of blessings?”
“But they have offended Astikar,” Sarah insisted.
“Your unshakable devotion to him is why you're his champion, but you know as well as I do, Astikar wants you to bow your head to Gersius. Maybe, just maybe, Astikar wants you to learn something from Gersius.”
“But what?” Sarah pressed.
“Love,” Thayle replied. “I think this reward isn't for Gersius alone. I think the love you're going to receive from us is to make up for all those years. I think this reward is more for you than for Gersius. Astikar might want to temper the fire of your fanatic devotion and make you into an even greater being.”
Sarah looked away as Thayle squeezed her hands. “I love you,” Thayle whispered. “Lilly loves you, and Gersius has said he loves you now. He wants you, Sarah, but you keep frightening him away. He doesn't want to battle you over every decision. You need to learn how to follow.” Sarah closed her eyes, and Thayle nearly praised Ulustrah when she nodded.
“I know I am too hard of heart,” Sarah admitted. “But I want what I saw in the dream. I want him to feel like that about me.”
“He will,” Thayle insisted. “Listen to me, Sarah. You're going to change. Once we bind you, emotions you never knew of will awaken. A month from now, you will be ashamed of the argument you had with him.”
“What am I to do?” Sarah asked.
Thayle thought about it a moment and had an idea. She originally wanted to fly so they could talk, but now she had a better one.
“I want you to go to our room. Sit on the balcony and have a glass or two of wine,” Thayle said. “I will talk to Gersius and Lilly and bring them up to you.”
“And then what?” Sarah asked in alarm.
“Then we admit the truth to one another and put an end to this charade. Honestly, Sarah, I am in no mood to fight with you and Gersius like I did in Eastgate. You two are going to admit your feelings and get this over with or so help me; I will lock you in a room together until you make love.”
Numidel laughed as Sarah blushed and cleared her throat. “I will go if you think this is the best course of action.”
“It is the only course of action,” Thayle said. “Wear something nice and easy to take off.” Numidel chuckled again as Sarah looked away, obviously distraught.
Thayle left only when she promised to go to the room in the next few minutes. Numidel went with her to give Sarah space and offer his advice on the developing situation. He was sure she wanted this but was afraid of what it would mean. He congratulated Thayle on her wise deduction that Sarah was used to getting her way. She would indeed have to learn to bow her head and take a no gracefully. Thayle explained all the challenges they faced and the pressure Gersius was under. He was worried that he would not be able to devote the time to Sarah that she needed. In light of her current frame of mind, Thayle was inclined to agree. Still, she realized the bind was what Sarah needed, and they had to take the chance. She followed the pull of Gerisus and found him in an outer hall talking with Lengwin.
“Good, I am glad your both here,” Gersius said as they walked up.
“I need to speak with you alone,” Thayle whispered, but he shook his head.
“A meeting has been called, and I need you both to sit in and offer any insight you have,” Gersius said. “We are gathering now. Tavis and Ayawa are already inside.”
Thayle sighed and looked to Numidel, who smiled and nodded. “It can't be helped. A little more waiting won't hurt her.”
Inside the room, the heads and commanders gathered around a table as Gersius laid out his plans for the march. He spread out a dozen maps and carefully laid out the steps they would take. It took several hours for him to covey the plan's full scope and how they would march as three unique forces, each supporting the other. He discussed contingencies, and alternate plans, going to great lengths to capture vital towns and cities.
“Why are we focusing on capturing towns?” Jessivel asked. “Would it not be faster to bypass them?”
“I am capturing them because I need gold,” Gersius replied with a firm tone.
“You intend to pillage the cities?” Jessivel pressed.
“We're going to raid the lands like the Doan would?” Captain Sallins added.
Thayle saw the confused look on the faces gathered around the table and shared it herself. What did Gersius need gold for?
“We are not pillaging,” Gersius replied with a shake of his head. “We are going to take care and focus on the nobility. If these lands are going to make us fight to pass, then they can pay us reparations. I need that gold to get to Calathen. I have mentioned this before, and I want to make sure we all understand it. This is very important.”
“This seems like a dark turn,” Lengwin said. “Has this war taken its toll on you?”
Gersius stood tall and paced a few steps. “I need you all to trust me. I want to keep my plan a secret until it is too late to do anything about it. If I explain any part of it, the enemy will know what I am planning.”
Lengwin nodded. “I have learned you don't do anything without a good reason. I trust you.”
“I do, too,” Jessivel added.
“I am sure you have a good reason for it,” Ayawa said with a frown. “But, the people might not see it the same way.”
Just as Gersius nodded, the doors to the room swung wide in a loud thunk. Lilly stormed into the hall, striding right up to the table, and put the book of prophecy down for all to see. Gersius looked at the book then up to Lilly in shock.
“Lilly, you know that book was to stay in the library.”
“I needed to bring it with so I can prove the truth to you and put an end to this tiring game,” she said. An uncomfortable silence hung in the room as looks were exchanged before Thayle finally spoke up.
“What did you find, sweetheart?”
Lilly looked right into Gersius’s eyes as a smile spread over her face. “You are supposed to have three wives.”
Tavis choked on a laugh as Ayawa shot him a look of disapproval. Thayle and Gersius both exchanged glances and then turned back to Lilly.
“What are you talking about?” Gersius asked.
Lilly leaned over the book and opened it carefully to a page she marked with a string.
“Much of this book is damaged and hard to read,” she said. “But I found something interesting here.” She looked up and spotted Numidel. “Would you read this for me?”
“I will read it if you wish,” he said and walked to the edge of the table to lean over the book.
“This is written in the old shared language,” he said as he ran a finger over the words. “In the hall of the old city, he will set up his empire. He and his three will command the new lands and will march out to meet the reborn threat. To each of his three will go a command. First to the daughter of the silver moon. Second to the empress of the black tears. Third to the queen of the red star.”
Gersius looked up and met Lilly’s triumphant smile as she swayed silently.
“It must be wrong,” Gersius said, not sure what he was supposed to say.
“By the divines, you're more stubborn than Shadros!” Thayle cried. “It can't be wrong. Lilly is obviously the daughter of the silver moon, and I am the empress of the black tears,” she added, pointing to the marks on her cheek.
“And Sarah is the queen of the red star,” Numidel said as he leaned away from the book. “Your third wife.”
“Could we be misunderstanding it?” Gersius stammered.
“A queen must mean a woman who is a priestess of Astikar,” Lengwin pointed out. “The red star can only mean him, and he has but one priestess in all the land.”
“Who stood before most of the people in this room and told you she was known as the queen of the red star,” Thayle said and locked his gaze. “No more games, Sarah is meant to be your wife.”
“I know,” Gersius admitted. “Are you sure you want her, though?”
“I told you I love her,” Lilly insisted.
“I do as well,” Thayle admitted. “There is no reason to keep putting this off. I understand your concerns, but you are causing her more pain by making her wait.”
He nodded and looked down at his maps as a hand ran through his wild brown hair.
“Have you been playing with this idea for a while now?” Ayawa asked.
“Gersius knows we all want her as a wife, but he won't take her,” Lilly said. “He is afraid she will cause some kind of problem for us.”
“That's too simplistic a way to look at it,” Thayle interjected. “Sarah will cause problems for sure, but she will change over time and correct her behavior. A month from now, and we never regret having taken her.”
“I never wanted two wives, and now I am to take a third?” Gersius stammered.
Gedris leaned into Ayawa and pulled Tavis to her side. “Well, I think it's wonderful. You should be grateful the divines chose you to be her husband.”
Gersius looked up with a smile and gave her a gentle nod. “I will consider it.”
“Will you stop being so foolish,” Ayawa snapped. “If I can take a second wife, you can take a third. The book says you are going to do it anyway, so why wait?”
“Can you honestly imagine me with three wives?” Gersius asked in disbelief.
Ayawa laughed and leaned over the table to point at him. “I would never have bet you would marry at all. You were so dedicated to your god and your purpose. Now you are married to two women. One a priestess every bit your equal in devotion, and the other a dragon and priestess of a lost goddess. Are you going to tell me it is impossible you could have three wives?”
Gersius put a hand to his forehead to steady his thoughts. He needed to know more about this prophecy, and it was Lilly who he hoped could answer him. “What else does it say?”
“Does what say?” Lilly replied.
“The book, the prophecy,” he remarked, his tone harder than he intended drawing a hand to his arm from Thayle.
“She didn’t write it. She was only telling us what it said,” Thayle whispered. “You are under too much stress, and it is coming out. Take a deep breath, and remember you are loved.”
“You are right. I am sorry, Lilly. I should not have spoken so harshly. Does it say anything more?”
Lilly nodded and opened the book to another page.
“Four thrones will sit on raised steps. One for each of the dragon bound. For each will be bound equal one to another.”
“You are not only destined to marry her; she will join your bind,” Ayawa said.
“We would have to go back to the nexus,” Gersius sighed. “But we don't have time. The march has to begin soon.”
Thayle stepped up and took his arm, causing him to face her. “That isn't true,” she said. “Ulustrah told me we could have done it ourselves. She said we just needed to add one last line to the binding. I told you about it when we camped along the lake, but you have forgotten.”
Gersius thought back to the days after, where they sat on the shores of the lake and meditated. He did recall Thayle telling them about the bind and what Ulustrah said.
“Am I being foolish?” he said as he looked at Thayle.
“You are. I would slap you if we were alone,” she replied, drawing a giggle from Gedris.
He smiled and looked to Lilly. “I am sorry. I have let my stress blind me. I admit I love Sarah. I just worry what that love will bring.”
“More happiness than you know what to do with,” Lilly said. “Now, can we finally tell her, please?”
“We are sure she is ready?” Gersius asked.
Thayle lowered her hand to take his and held it firmly. “She was very wounded that you wanted to wait. She wants this more than anything in the world right now. A lot of the frustration she is showing is because of this. If you are worried, we can talk to her again and make sure this is what she wants.”
“I think what she wants is obvious,” Tavis said as he righted his hat on his head.
Gersius gave him a sideways look and then glanced between Lilly and Thayle. “I think we should all go talk to her together,” he said as he looked into Lilly's eyes. “Let us go see if she really is the one the book is talking about.”
“Who else could it be?” Lilly asked.
Gersius smiled. “Many strange things have happened of late. I would not be surprised if ten priestesses of Astikar showed up in the next week.”
“That would certainly cause some confusion,” Lengwin laughed. “But we all know where the truth lies.”
“Where is she now?” Gersius asked.
Thayle smiled and pointed out the window. “She is on the upper terrace overlooking the countryside.”
“Why is she in our bedroom?” Gersius asked.
Thayle put a finger to his lips and tapped. “She needed a space to be alone, so I told her to go there. I gave her a bottle of wine to sip and soother her nerves. Consider it a gift.”
“Just like you did for Lilly,” Tavis laughed. Thayle gave him a wink, and he laughed harder as Ayawa hid a smile.
“If you gentlemen will excuse me. I have a prophecy to fulfill,” Gersius said.
“Make sure you test her fire before you come back,” Ayawa called as he walked out with his wives, each holding an arm.
They found her standing on the balcony with a glass of wine in hand. She wore a simple red gown trimmed in gold stitching that left her arms bare. She leaned on the railing, looking over the camp, unaware of their presence. When she did notice, he was only two meters away, smiling slightly at her sudden discomfort. Her eyes twitched for a moment, and she tightened her grip on the glass before taking a final sip. Her aura was alive with light, and Gersius watched as it flowed to all three of them. He took note of how his wives' light flowed back, dancing in love they sincerely wanted to express.
Lord Gersius,” Sarah said with a slight bow of her head. “I hope you are not upset that I am in your quarters.”
“Sarah,” he began, using her name softly. “You are welcome here.”
“Good,” she said with a slight smile and then looked about as the three stared at her. “Is there something I can do for you?”
“Oh yes,” Thayle said with a smile, causing Lilly to giggle.
Gersius joined her smile and stepped forward as Sarah’s aura began to twist in discomfort. “Something of importance has come to light, Gersius began. “I feel this new revelation must be shared with you immediately.”
“Of course,” Sarah replied as her nervousness grew.
Gersius gave her a moment to twist in discomfort before begging. This was not the way he envisioned this moment, but perhaps it was for the best.
“This fortress belonged to my family, and they hid a very special book in the lower library. It is a copy of the dragon knight prophecy. Lilly has been working on reading it for hours now and has discovered something about us.”
“Us?” Sarah asked.
Gersius turned to Lilly as she released his arm to hold on to his hand. “Gersius will have three wives. One is the daughter of the silver moon.” She leaned over and nodded to Thayle, who continued.
“The other is the empress of black tears,” Thayle added and then looked up with a smile to Gersius. Sarah looked to him as he locked her gaze firmly.
“The last is the queen of the red star,” he said. “It would appear the woman who carries this title is destined by my wife.”
Sarah's hands shook, and she had to set her wine on the balcony. Her eyes flashed to Thayle for help as she smiled.
“Sarah, we all know the prophecy is talking about you,” Thayle said. “You are the only woman in all the land who can hold the titles of queen and priestess of Astikar. You named yourself queen of the red star in the first meeting with Yarvine.”
Sarah looked into Gersius's eyes as his wives released him, and he stepped forward to take her hands.
“They told me about your conversation on the road. I know what you said to them and that you want to know love. I have been uncertain for a little while now, but I think I know why. I need to hear it for myself. Do you love us?”
Sarah took a few rapid breaths as her face trembled, and she tugged at her hands.
“Sarah, it’s time,” Thayle said. “Love is calling to you. Please don't turn away.”
Sarah looked him in the eyes and struggled to speak. “I do love you.” she finally got out. “But I admit I am not sure what that means.”
“I will show you,” he replied and ran his thumbs over her hands. Sarah looked down at the sudden sensation as he spoke again. “Are you prepared to dedicate your life to being a wife in this family and share your true name so we can bind you to our heart?”
Sarah began to shed tears as she nodded her head. “I will give you my name,” she whispered as her head fell. “I will give you anything you ask of me.”
He reached up and lifted her chin to look deeply into her trembling eyes. “What is your name, my wife?”
Sarah closed her eyes as and took a deep breath. “I suppose there is no point in being so frightened. My name is Ciralinndralha.”
“It sounds like Sarah,” Lilly giggled. “That is the perfect name for her.”
“It’s a very pretty name,” Thayle said. “Mine is Jillisephony.”
“I am Azurastra,” Lilly added.
Sarah looked to Gersius, and he smiled. “I am Lorozrithel.”
Sarah nodded her head and finally looked as if she was calming. “I am ready to be bound. I have wanted this ever since the dream, do not make me wait any longer.”
“Kneel for us,” Gersius said and held her hand while she got down. They placed their hands over her head as she closed her eyes and shuddered. Three voices echoed with ancient power as the magic older than the world was evoked. Above them, thunder rolled and a red light shown in the clouds as if the divines were giving their blessing. Sarah felt the chains of their love wrap about her heart as they ended the chant with the final words. “And to her, we bind ourselves.” The ground shook for a moment as they were bathed in red light. There was a crackling sound as Sarah's eyes went wide, and the sensation of three minds flooded in, filling her with their love. They stepped back, smiling as Sarah remained kneeling, trying to catch her breath.
“I can hear you,” she whispered. “I can hear your thoughts, feel your hearts, know your dreams.” She looked up at Lilly. “You are such a pure soul, and you want a kiss.” Lilly smiled and nodded her head. “And you,” she said, looking to Thayle. “You want a lot more than a kiss.”
“I have some desires I would like to see fulfilled,” Thayle admitted and concentrated. Sarah blushed as she stared into Thayle's eyes.
“I will… I will need some time to adjust to that,” Sarah stammered.
“I will help you adjust,” Thayle said soothingly.
“I am sure you will,” Sarah replied, her voice gaining strength. She looked up and saw Gersius holding out his hand. He pulled her up and then put his hands around her waist. She trembled at the first touch of affection as he hovered just inches from her face.
“You are my wife now,” he said. “And I want you to know; I love you.”
“You love me?” Sarah asked softly.
Gersius nodded and leaned forward, pressing his lips to hers. He held the kiss as she trembled, and gentle hands came to her shoulders.
“Welcome to our love,” Lilly said as she hugged Sarah.
“Welcome to where you always belonged,” Thayle added, hugging from the other side.
Gersius had to wipe the tears from Sarah’s eyes as she smiled weakly.
“So, what happens next?” Sarah asked.
Gersius stepped aside so she could see the bed behind him, and she stiffened. Lilly's hands came to her shoulders as she hugged Sarah from behind.
“You will never regret this,” Lilly whispered. “What is about to happen will change your life.”
“I am too frightened to do what needs to be done,” Sarah replied in a weak voice.
“Close your eyes and let me help you,” Lilly said as Sarah nodded and closed them. She jumped as Lilly pulled at the shoulders of her dress, slowly pulling them away to reveal the woman underneath. When the material fell about her feet, strong arms lifted her up and carried her away. For the next few hours, Sarah's world changed as she took her place in their love and learned just how empty her life had been.
End of book 5
Comments
Sam4005
gg on book 5 and like markus said, thanks for writing this
Markus Weber
thank you so much for shareing this gem of a story!
WhiteRabbit
hid it -> hide it truth, Another-> a Congrats on finishing book 5!
I can't believe I have written five books of this already. The worst part is I am not sure I am even halfway over. I think book 6 might be the halfway point, but I can't really be sure. Anyway, thank you all for reading and supporting me. I can't put into words what this journey means to me. Suffice to say I love this world and it's characters, and I want to write in it forever.
