Omnixius
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5-36 Kneel before me
🕑 Added 2020-10-10 17:16:24 +0000 UTCThe room was quiet as Thayle sat in meditation, thinking about the events hours before. The city was in an uproar with guards patrolling the streets in groups of twenty or more. Many shops had closed early with rumors that some kind of monster was walking the dark lanes. She was the monster, of course, choosing to walk boldly out the main gate to the gawking stares of the people on the street. She changed forms in a secluded alley but could not extinguish the flames in her eyes. She retreated to her room at the inn and bolted the door. All she could do now was wait for the presence in the bind to grow.
She hadn't been idle, instead opening her heart to Ulustrah and begging the goddess for forgiveness. She realized that her role as guardian of Lilly and Gersius's love was over. Her new role was commander of the army, and she needed to step up to the position. It was her turn to learn from the teachers sent to help her. Gersius and Lilly both tackled problems head-on, one with firm diplomacy first, and force if necessary. The other with anger and quick action, never giving a problem a chance to grow.
Neither of them would take the kind of abuse she had endured. Had Lilly or Gersius been present when Alayse drew a sword, there would have been blood spilled. Thayle had allowed two problems to grow and fester because she hated to be hard like Gersius, or quick to lash out like Lilly. Alayse and Yarvine needed to be put in their places and brought to heel. Only a show of strength was going to do that now, and her feelings on the matter were moot. Ulustrah chose her to lead, not flounder, while Gersius fought her battles for her.
As Lilly's presence grew in the bind, she decided it was time to act like Ulustrahs's champion.
“Forgive me, my goddess, but I must do what needs to be done,” Thayle whispered into the waters of her bowl before setting it aside. Adjusting her armor's fit, she made her way out of the room and into the street. It didn't take her long to find a group of women of Ulustrah rushing down the lane on some errand. She stopped them in their tracks and stood before them with eyes still glowing of blue fire.
“Who are you?” one of them asked before another answered.
“That’s the champion of Ulustrah!”
“Be at ease daughters of the goddess,” Thayle said in a commanding voice, abandoning any pretense of gentleness. “I wish to know what became of the messengers outside the city?”
The woman looked at one another as if uncertain how to answer before the group leader spoke.
“They were rescued and brought into the temple.”
“And what of their reply?” Thayle asked. “I want to know every detail you are aware of.”
The woman looked unwilling to speak, so another answered. “The primes have ordered the temple guards to take over protection of the temple, and the second company is to march to join Gersius and his two wives on their war with the Father Abbot.”
“So Alayse finally has her orders,” Thayle said with a smug smile. “Did this reply say anything about the two wives?”
The women looked between one another, and none of them had an answer.
“I heard one of them is a dragon,” a girl blurted out. “She can use the weave to take a human form magically.”
Thayle wanted to laugh at that comment but held it in check, unwilling to let her stern visage drop.
“And what of the other wife?”
“All we know about her is she is also a dragon knight,” a woman said. “Gersius and this wife are be addressed as the dragon knights, and will soon be emperor and empresses of the dragon empire.”
“And that Gersius is a priest of Balisha now,” another added.
Thayle nodded in satisfaction, the path was set, and Alayse was to march to her banner. It was time to make sure the unruly woman knew Thayle was the one she would kneel before.
“You are dismissed,” Thayle said with a wave and walked on, moving ever closer to the temple of Ulustrah. The grisly work of cleaning up after the battle was still going on. Wagons outside the gate were being loaded with bodies, and laborers were busy scrubbing blood from the yard's stones. Many of the tents were in tatters, and women were busily tearing them down. The walls were scantly defended, with most women at work cleaning up the mess. The gates were wide open, but three women in full plate armor immediately barred her entrance.
“You are forbidden entrance to the temple of Ulustrah,” a woman with short red hair said.
“I am forbidden?” Thayle asked in a sharp tone. “For what reason?”
“You sold your faith to some monster for power,” the woman growled. “Governess Captain Alayse has said you bear those marks for your betrayal.”
Thayle could see there was no point in arguing with them, so she decided to handle it Gersius's way, with a diplomatic threat.
“Stand aside, priestess, or I will move you aside,” Thayle threatened her eyes still blazing with blue light. The women didn't move, and all three of them put hands on swords.
“If you draw those weapons, I will make you regret it,” Thayle growled, her patience with her order running out. “As aUlustrahs' champion, I order you to stand aside.”
“Your rank has been stripped. You hold no title in Ulustrahs order any more.”
“Is that so?” Thayle said, deciding to play the game a little longer.
“It is, under the authority of Governess Captain Alyaise, you have been stripped of your rank and barred entrance to Ulustrahs temple. Your presence defines her holy place.” The three women closed ranks and formed a wall of shields. “Now begone, in the name of Ulustrah, leave at once!”
Thayle shook her head in dismay; perhaps it was time to deal with this Lilly's way.
.
“It pains me to refuse your demands, sisters of Ulustrah,” Thayle said, drawing worried looks from all three. “Next time, don't stand so close together.”
They exchanged glances as Thayle's hands went up, and green chains raced out, wrapping all three women in their binding might. She tied them off with a fraction of Lilly's power so the chains would hold for a while. They struggled against the magical binds as Thayle walked past them into the lower courtyard. Most of the people in the yard were to busy with the cleanup to notice the altercation outside the gate, the few that did quietly moved away, crumbling under her withering glare.
The temple was a shambles, with laborers chopping and hauling away the vines and shattered doors. Several stonemasons were inspecting the stone archway where the steel hinges had been torn from the rock. They looked up as she approached and noted the fire blue eyes, choosing wisely to back away. Thayle walked right past them into the main temple service room, where Alyaise was standing by the alter talking to two other women in full plate armor.
This room was as bad off as the camp outside. Nearly every pew or bed overturned, and blood still stained the floor. Somehow the alter seemed untouched, probably because the bowl was the real prize. Thayle walked right down the middle of the room, her silver armor clinking as she passed others who did nothing but stare. Thayle was sure they all heard the orders, that she was stripped of her rank and titles and forbidden entrance, yet not one of them dared to try and enforce it. She would deal with such cowardice later, for right now, there was an angry beast to tame. When she was done, Alayse would be publicly apologizing for her foolish pride.
“You have no authority to bar my access to the temple Governess Captain Alyaise!” Thayle shouted, her voice echoing in the vast chamber. Every heard turned to see Thayle walking up the central aisle now only a few paces from the steps.
Alyaise looked up with a deadly glare in her eyes and locked them on Thayle.
“You are not welcome here, you and your taint despoil this temple!”
“I am the champion of Ulustrah, and you and your armies have been ordered to support the Dragon Knights and the new dragon empire,” Thayle yelled back.
“Who told you that?” Alayse demanded, her frown deepening.
“None of your concern,” Thayle said. “You have orders to support the dragon knights.”
“I will support the dragon knights,” Alyaise yelled. “I will march to join the armies gathering outside Calathen when I have secured our most holy temple.”
“The temple will be far more secure in the hands of the temple guard,” Thayle accused, drawing gasps from the onlookers. “You are best suited to a bloody charge where you can kill freely.” Alayse put a hand to her sword as Thayle put a foot on the bottom step, the two women glaring at one another with rage. “What's the matter?” Thayle asked. “Don't like your blood lust called out?”
“Get out of this temple,” Alayse said in a low voice. “Our past will protect you no more.”
“I am here because you are still here,” Thayle retorted. “You were told to march and join Gersius and his two wives.”
“I know what my orders are,” Alayse said, her hand tightening on the hilt of her sword. “I will execute them as I have been instructed. I will aid in the coming war, and then serve as a special unit in the protection of the Dragon Empire.”
Thayle nearly blinked to hear that bit of information. Obliviously Alayse hadn't shared that information preferring to keep it to herself. If she was meant to serve the Dragon Empire, then she was even more at a disadvantage.
“Then, you are loyal to the new dragon empire?” Thayle asked a tone of smugness in her voice.
“I am. Unlike you, I understand duty and honor. I will do as I have been commanded for the glory of Ulustrah! I will swear my loyalty to the Dragon Emperor and his wives when I meet them.”
Thayle smiled as she climbed another step. She studied Alayse's face, watching the eyes that were full of anger. Her hand was firmly on the hilt of the sword at her waist, clenching with an iron grip. Thayle then glanced at the two women who stood beside Alayse. They scowled at her in anger, the looks on their faces full of contempt and disrespect.
She smiled now, knowing they were on the verge of violence and reached over the bind. Lilly replied and changed her course as Thayle took on a haughty expression and pointed to the floor.
“Then prove your loyalty,” Thayle said. “Kneel before your empress!” she added in a commanding tone. All three women's faces twisted with disgust, and Alyaise drew her sword a couple of millimeters, exposing a sharp edge.
“You do not order me, betrayer. I obey the primes and Ulustrah!”
“And the dragon Emperor!” Thayle yelled back. “You are ordered to put yourself and your armies at the disposal of the Dragon Knights and the Dragon Empire!”
“And I will do so!” Alyaise shouted back. “I will not shame myself as you have.”
“You are aware three people rule the Dragon Empire?” Thayle said in a mocking tone. Alyaise only stared as her face flushed with rage. “Gersius, the priest of Balisha is the Emperor and highest authority of the empire, Lilly, the dragon, is the first dragon empress and highest authority of Balisha's will.”
“I know of the dragon emperor and his two wives!” Alyaise yelled back. “Why do you waste my time with your vile words? Why should I not kill you and be done with it?”
“Who is his second wife, Alyaise?” Thayle demanded.
Alyaise looked at the two women beside her, and they both shook their heads.
“None of you know,” Thayle said, putting her hands on her hips. She smiled as Lilly spoke over the bind; the timing could not be better.
“It is probably the red dragon. Her name is not known to us,” Alyaise
retorted.
“You know the name of his second wife,” Thayle replied.
“I have read the orders a dozen times,” Alayse replied. “There is no mention of her name.”
“You foolish woman!” Thayle shouted in the dragon voice. “Do the primes have to spell everything out for you? Are you so blind that you can't see the obvious?” The two other women stepped back at the shock of the dragon voice, but Alayse stood firm, her eyes full of hatred. Thayle could only shake her head in disbelief. This wasn't arrogance or pride. This was a refusal to see Thayle as anything but a lover who scorned her. Thayle allowed a long silence to pass before she continued, climbing the last steps to stand directly before Alayse.
“Her name is Governess commander General Thayle, Empress of the dragon empire, and emissary of Ulustrahs love, and you will kneel before me!” she yelled, her voice echoing off the walls.
Alyaise stepped back, drawing her sword in rage, “I will bear your lies no more!”
“Don't you dare!” a voice boomed out, shaking the very building as Thayle smiled.
Alyaise and the three women looked past Thayle and began to tremble.
“Ulustrah give me strength,” Alyaise muttered as a great dragon with blue scales snaked its way through the shattered doors and down the aisle. Her eyes glowed with the same blue fire that burned in Thayle's as they focused squarely on Alayse.
“I am Lilly, wife of Gersius and Thayle, the dragon knights,” Lilly said as she came to stand right behind Thayle, her great head looming above and glaring down at the three women. Alyaise stood frozen and could only look up at the towering form before her. She glanced down at Thayle and back at Lilly, her mouth hanging open in shock. “You hold a weapon against your Empress and my loved one. I could kill you now as is my right as wife to Thayle,” Lilly said. “But I can sense from Thayle that she wishes you to live, so I will let her decide how to deal with you.”
Alyase looked at Thayle with an expression that could only be absolute shock.
“You, you are his second wife?” Alyaise asked in a voice that cracked and strained.
“I am,” Thayle said, folding her arms over her chest in a show of contempt. “Now, kneel.”
The two women beside Alyaise dropped to a knee and bent their heads instantly. Alyaise looked to them, and with trembling hands, dropped her sword to the ground. She shook as her knees began to fold and finally fell to the ground putting her hands to the floor, bowing low.
“Forgive me!” she whispered in a weak cry.
Lilly and Thayle exchanged pleased thoughts as they watched the woman tremble on her hands and knees.
“So, this is the woman you were talking about?” Lilly asked silently.
“Yes, this is the woman I once loved, but only briefly. She is rather stubborn,” Thayle replied.
“I have to admit; I saw you kissing this woman in one of your dreams.”
“You never told me that?” Thayle silently returned in shock. “What else did you see?”
“She has a small red mark on her left hip,” Lilly said.
“That means you saw her without her clothes. Naughty dragon peeking in my dreams.”
“You told me I could watch your dreams!”
“Yes I did, sweet Lilly, I just wanted to tease you.”
They both looked back to Alyaise, who had begun to stand back up.
“Nobody told you to get up!” Lilly roared, before turning back to her thoughts.
“I enjoy making these people uncomfortable. You should have seen the people outside when I landed.” Lilly added.
“I enjoy seeing you make them uncomfortable. I am sorry I had to ask you to land in the city. I am sure people are panicked. Thankfully the temple defenses are in shambles, or they might have opposed you.
“My love, I don't care what the people outside think. I am a dragon and if they want to be afraid, let them. Besides, now I can give you my good news sooner.”
Thayle smiled at the thought. “Oh, please wait until we’re done here. I need a moment to make sure my sisters understand the role I play now.”
“I understand, I will wait for you outside the door,” Lilly said as she turned to walk back down the aisle.
“Make sure you tell them who you are,” Thayle sent silently “I don’t want anybody attacking you.”
“I will be careful not to kill any of them,” Lilly replied. “But if that woman draws a sword on you again, I will be anything but careful.”
Thayle watched her go with a sense of warmth at Lilly's protective nature. She turned to glare at the three women who still held their position kneeling with heads down.
“Get up all of you!” Thayle barked.
The three women stumbled back up and looked relieved to see Lilly moving away from them.
“How did you become a dragon knight and an empress?” Alyaise asked.
“I am not here to answer your questions. I am here to make sure your army is going to be at the meeting point on time!” Thayle said in a commanding tone.
“We plan to leave no later than the morning. We are fully mounted and will be there the eve of the fourth day at the latest,” she said, struggling to look at Thayle.
“Very good,” Thayle said in a stern tone. “I hope for your sake, I won't ever have to remind you of who I am. You have been a fool to put your personal anger with me above the obvious truth! You are gifted with the power of the goddess herself to see it!”
“I am sorry for my words and actions,” Alyaise said, still not able to hold Thayles Gaze.
Thayle held her gaze firm but decided to show a little mercy. “I forgive you, but I expect better of you in the future. Lilly or Gersius would have killed you for some of the things you said to me. Lilly wanted to kill you when she arrived, but I made sure she would hold her wrath.”
Alayse looked down and nodded her head, the shame too great to bear. Thayle could see it flaring out in her aura in great gouts of color. Alayse was still confused, and anger flared up as well, as she struggled to put their past in check.
“I need you to make a proclamation and announce me as the champion of Ulustrah, one of the dragon knights, and soon to be Empress of the Dragon empire. I expect you to inform all of your company that I am married to Gersius and Lilly. Then you will admit you were wrong about me.”
“But why do your eyes glow with the same fire as the dragons?” Alayse asked.
“Because Lilly loves me,” Thayle replied. “Ulustrah bound me to their hearts, and now I share in Lilly's power. The wings and horns you saw earlier are a gift of that binding. I can draw on the power of her love and infuse myself with the essence of a dragon. Ulustrah wanted it so, and thus it is. I expect you to accept this fact and convey it to those in your command.
“How is this possible?” Alyaise said, still not comprehending.
Thayle began to feel sorry for the stunned woman. She was struggling to understand the sudden shift in power. Thayle carried titles and authority well above the woman who had always been her superior. Alayse was not accustomed to the dynamic of their torrid relationship being so reversed. She decided to show a measure of mercy and speak to her a civil voice.
“It is a long story. Get your soldiers to the meeting point, and I will find time to tell you the whole of it.”
“It will be done,” Alayse said without looking up.
“Good,” Thayle said with a smile. “I look forward to seeing you there. I wish to introduce you to my husband and wife without you holding a sword against me.”
Alyase went wide-eyed at being reminded that she had held a sword against Thayle. She glanced down to see it still sitting on the floor at her feet as her aura twisted in pain.
“I am so sorry!”
“You had better be,” Thayle said in a threatening tone. “Now, where is the meeting place you were told to go?”
“The east road right before the river just south of the horn of the mountains,” Alayse replied. “I am told Gersius will pass through there on his way to the empire.”
Thayle nodded in agreement. Gersius would be passing through the main road, boldly walking directly into the empire lands. He wanted to show that he didn’t fear the Father Abbot and didn’t feel he needed to hide his movements any longer.
“Good,” Thayle replied. “When you arrive, you will be added to my command. Prime Yarvine travels with us as a spiritual adviser only. I want you to be fully aware that I am in charge of the women of Ulustrah. You answer to me and anyone I directly appoint over you.”
“I understand,” Alasye replied, finally glancing up.
Thayle took a deep breath and sighed. “I am returning to set some affairs straight in our war camp. Be on the road in the morning. Don't make me come looking for you again.” All three women bowed to Thayle as she turned and walked away.
She found Lilly laying in the yard, her long neck over the wall as she sniffed at a wagon full of bodies.
“Don’t eat any of them,” Thayle said over the bind.
“I wasn’t going to eat them,” Lilly said quickly as she lifted her head to look down at Thayle.
“Get me into the air,” Thayle said as she climbed the saddle. “I need to be away from this place so I can clear my head.” She came to Lilly's side and climbed into the saddle. Once seated, Lilly stood and beat the air with her wings, carrying them above the city and into the countryside.
“So, that is the woman that once had your heart?” Lilly asked as Thayle brooded silently.
“I was very young, but if not for her, I might not have fallen for you,” Thayle said. “Alayse is the one who opened my eyes to loving another woman.”
Lilly laughed. “You loved me from the first day you met me. You stared at my aura every chance you got.”
“Your aura was something new and powerful. I was enchanted by it.”
“You were destined to be mine, my love. I would have found a way into your heart one way or another,” Lilly laughed as they flew into a darkening sky.
“So, what is this good news you have for me?” Thayle asked to distract her mind.
Lilly turned her head about on her long neck to look Thayle in the face before telling her.
“Gersius has changed his mind. He wants to make Sarah a wife.”
“He has?” Thayle said in surprise. “What in the name of the divines finally changed his mind?”
“He had another vision, and in it, Sarah was crying on a beach. She confessed to him that she was the reward Astikar took away from him. She was always meant to be his and was hurting because he didn't love her.”
“She was the reward that was taken away,” Thayle repeated. “No wonder he changed his mind.”
“He was still two minded about it, but we talked, and he agreed it was silly to deny it.”
“I can’t believe it,” Thayle said with a smile. “Sarah is our wife.”
“Not yet,” Lilly said and lifted her head high. “He refused to take her until you were back. He said it would hurt your feelings to take her while you were away.”
“That’s our husband,” Thayle said with a smile. “He can be very considerate sometimes, but how does Sarah feel about it?”
“She doesn’t know,” Lilly said. “He wouldn’t let me say anything about it. She has been trying so hard since she came back. She spends nearly all day at his side, helping him with all his problems.”
“How has Yarvine been?” Thayle asked.
“Gersius has kept her busy in meetings and using Sarah to keep her on the defense.”
“Using Sarah, how?” Thayle asked.
“He has them both in the same meetings so Sarah can argue with her. Then he plays the role of the mediator and looks like he is trying to cooperate when really all he is doing is stalling her.”
“Why would he bother?” Thayle wondered as Lilly’s aura twisted in concern. “Lilly, what are you not telling me?”
“Something happened while you were gone,” Lilly said with a sigh. “Yarvine confronted Gersius and barred his entranced to the keep. She was very mean and had a bunch of women with her who were on her side. She was suggesting that Gersius was a bully and was using the women of Ulustrah.”
“She wants to see a bully, wait until I get back. I am sick of dealing with problems softly. That woman will learn her place!” Thayle shouted and then took a moment to clear her head. “I can't believe I let this go for so long. I will deal with Yarvine when we get back. She will acknowledge me as Ulustrah's champion and head of all her forces, or I will cast her out.”
“I am sorry I had to tell you this. Gersius has done an amazing job of keeping her distracted and making her feel like she has some say. Whenever she asks where you are, he tells her your busy with other tasks for him.”
“Which is true, so it doesn't show in his aura,” Thayle said with a nod. “Still, he doesn't need to include or answer her. I will decide if she is welcome in a meeting or not. There will be no more question as to who is in charge.”
“You’re angry about Alayse,” Lilly suggested.
“I am angry at myself,” Thayle replied. “I need to step up and lead, not bend for every person who challenges my authority. Neither you nor Gersius ever backs down from a challenge; it's time I did the same.”
“You handled those women in the temple well,” Lilly pointed out. “I will help you handle Yarvine if you need it.”
“I want you to eat her,” Thayle said. “But Ulustrah would frown on that. I will deal with her in another way.”
“Sarah offered to step on her by accident,” Lilly mentioned.
Thayle smiled to think of that and focused on the image of Sarah being a wife. With that happy image, they flew through the night talking about who would get to make love to her first. In the end, they agreed Gersius should be first, but they would share her afterward. As the dawn greeted the world, Lilly flew into the hills and looked for the old keep. They followed the pull of Gersius in the bind and eventually came over the mountain to see the long plains leading up to the keep. Lilly landed in the tent ring, and Thayle jumped down, eager to get things done.
“There you are,” Mingfe cried as Thayle looked up. Mingfe stormed across the yard to stand before her with hands on hips and a frown splitting her face. “That prime has been questioning me about where you were, and what my role was to you. She said I am to turn Shadros over to her authority, or she will cast me out of the order.”
Thayle let out a deep sigh as Lilly turned to look down on the two women.
“I will deal with her,” Thayle replied. “She won’t bother you again.”
“You had better act quickly,” Mingfe replied. “She has nearly half the women in the camp, believing you are unfit to lead.”
“I think we should go with Sarah’s plan,” Lilly suggested.
“Then I would have to lure her to someplace where Sarah could step on her,” Thayle groaned.
“If that is Sarah's plan, then I will lure her,” Mingfe volunteered.
Thayle shook her head and led Mingfe to the side as Lilly changed. The two women looked on as Lilly shamelessly walked out of her cloud naked and came directly to Thayle.
“I missed you,” Lilly said as she put her arms around her and stole a kiss.
“Sweetheart, please get dressed,” Thayle remarked and took a dress off a nearby post. She helped Lilly into it and then entered the meeting tent where Lilly’s guards waited.
“I forgot we had guards now,” Thayle sighed. “I don’t like where this is going.”
“You should have had guards weeks ago,” Mingfe scolded. “He was nearly killed on the road right outside of camp.”
“But inside the camp?” Thayle asked as the guards fell in line behind them.
“Your husband has seen a danger, and you two are his greatest pressure points. A wise enemy would strike at you to get at him,” Mingfe pointed out.
“I suppose your right,” Thayle agreed. “Let’s talk about something less stressful. How is Shadros coming along?”
“Ha! You call that less stressful?” Mingfe laughed. “He is the most stubborn man I have ever known. I asked him to learn how to use a weapon, and he has refused. He trusts in his strength as a dragon over everything else, and does not see a need for a weapon.”
“I felt the same way,” Lilly interjected. “That was until a few battles where I was too big to follow my loved ones.”
“What battles were those?” Thayle asked.
“That time you ran into Lengwin’s temple in Avashire, and then the time we were attacked in that narrow hall in the city.”
“Oh, that time, they blinded you with substance,” Thayle nodded. “That was horrible.”
“My eyes hurt for three days,” Lilly remarked.
“This only proves my earlier statement about guards,” Mingfe said. “You went into that city alone and were ambushed. You should have brought guards with you.”
“And we're back to this,” Thayle sighed.
“You three are the heart of this campaign. If the enemy could strike at any of you, it would crumble and die.”
Thayle had to agree she was right, but deep down inside, she wanted to run away from it all. Having to face Alayse with such venom was not sitting well with her nature. Knowing she would have to be even firmer with Yarvine was causing her emotional pain. Lilly reached over to take her hand and squeezed with a smile. She knew Lilly was feeling her discomfort and decided to put it away for now. She would deal with one problem at a time and put them to rest once and for all.
“How did your mission go?” Mingfe asked as they turned down a lane of tents.
“About as poorly as could be expected,” Thayle said and recounted the whole tale. She admitted not rising to her role as general and allowing people to challenge her authority. In the future, such challenges would not go unanswered, even if they insulted or caused harm.
“Good,” Mingfe said with a smile. “The women who arrived with Yarvine think you are too weak. They want this Chiune to lead the army.”
“I will deal with that too,” Thayle sighed as they entered the portion of the camp set aside for the women of Ulustrah.
“We should find Gersius right away,” Lilly insisted when she felt him getting further away.
“We will go see him in a minute,” Thayle replied. “I want to get some reports on what has been happening while I was away.”
“You will not like them,” Mingfe replied.
Her words were true, as every captain under her command reported some measure of tampering or outright assuming of authority from Yarvine. She even ordered many of them to report directly to herself as appose to Thayle or Chiune. As the various leaders reported in, it painted a dark picture, one she could no longer hope to ignore. A visit to Jaylis also proved fruitless. He had no word from the primes about Yarvine and informed her that Gersius had demanded he resend the request. Thayle found it odd that such a reply was delayed. She took Jaylis aside and explained that she wanted him to demand Prime Arlin respond to her request. Even he didn't know, she needed a reply soon, or the primes would need to replace one of their numbers. She also asked him to acknowledge that he knew false messages were being sent by scryer somehow. If he didn't reply, she would assume he was compromised and would ignore any messages from Eastgate in the future.
“I can’t send that,” Jaylis stammered with wide eyes.
“You will send it and be quick about it,” Thayle snapped. “If I don't have a reply by morning, the primes will no longer be a factor in this war. I will assume direct control of the order of Ulustrah, and I will decide who will be called a prime.” Jaylis's face drained of color, and his aura flashed with a terrible decision. Thayle wondered why he was even considering if he should send the message or not. She stepped closer and looked him firmly in the eyes. “I am coming back here in one hour to test your truth. If you can't honestly tell me you sent that message, I will cast you out.”
He nodded, and she walked away, struggling to hold her face calm even though her nerves were fraying. Mingfe waited outside with Lilly and the guards as the two talked about Shadros.
“Did you get a reply?” Lilly asked.
“No, but I will before morning,” Thayle replied.
“How can you be so sure?” Mingfe asked.
Thayle’s eyes darkened as she looked up and met the woman’s gaze. “Because if the primes don’t reply, I am removing them from their offices. They will no longer be a voice for Ulustrah, and as such, I won’t need their advice.”
“It has come to this,” Mingfe said with a nod. “There will be bloodshed in this camp when you assume such a command.”
“So be it,” Thayle said with a bitter tone.
“Maybe we should see Shadros first,” Lilly said. “I don't want you to be so angry when we talk to Gersius. This was supposed to be a happy moment.”
“Talking to the man who has publicly threatened to kill Prime Yarvine is a happy moment?” Mingfe asked.
“If he killed her, I would be happy,” Thayle replied.
“My love, please,” Lilly said and took her hand again. “You know what is about to happen.”
“What is about to happen?” Mingfe asked.
Lilly smiled and pulled Thayle along. “Common, I will tell you all about it as we find Shadros.” They traveled the camp as Lilly whispered the news, telling Mingfe all about the visions and his decision. As they began to leave the tents and approach a rocky hill, Mingfe began to laugh.
“Gersius is certainly blessed,” she said.
“What makes you say that?” Thayle asked.
“Most men who achieve notice of the divines are paid in titles, land, prestige, or wealth,” she pointed out. “But Gersius has been paid in wives. Each of the divines he has aided has contributed one wife to his bed.”
Thayle smiled and nodded as Mingfe laid it bare. “I suppose we are all meant to be his rewards.”
“I like being a reward,” Lilly said. “It means I am valuable, like a treasure.”
Mingfe looked at her and dipped her head in agreement. “In my lands, a man would say that no treasure is as valuable as a devoted wife.”
“I suppose this is because of the choices he made,” Thayle added. “He wanted to retire years ago and start a family but kept on because Astikar needed him. He put his duty to his god above his desires, even as the years began to fade away. He always answered their call, even as his heart's desire went unfilled.”
“And now he has more wives than he knows what to do with,” Mingfe agreed.
“Oh, he knows what to do with us,” Lilly replied innocently.
Mingfe started to laugh as Thayle blushed a deep red. They rounded a large rock to find Shadros sitting in his human form with five priestesses of Balisha standing guard.
“Why is he out here?” Thayle asked.
“And why is he being guarded by my soldiers?” Lilly added.
Mingfe growled and closed her eyes.
“ You're hiding him from Yarvine,” Thalye surmised. You refuse to turn him over.”
“She wants him turned over as if he was a weapon for her to use,” Mingfe replied.
“He is a dragon and will not be turned over to anyone against his will,” Thayle stated.
“I would kill her myself before I did that,” Mingfe said and turned to Lilly. “I asked your followers to offer him the protection of your goddess. As the queen of dragons, I felt they could tell Yarvine to go jump off a cliff.”
“And if she insisted on taking him?” Thayle asked.
Mingfe smiled and folded her arms. “I have already given him permission to eat her.”
Lilly giggled as Thayle smiled. Shadros looked up with a sour expression as Mingfe strolled through the line of soldiers and walked up to him.
“Why have you brought them?” he asked. “Are they here to gawk at me?”
“Nobody is here to gawk at you,” Mingfe scolded. “You are a friend, and I have brought them here to help.”
Shadros stood from his stone and looked at them with his dark amber skin and black hair. His eyes looked piercing as Thayle and Lilly approached, holding hands and smiling.
“Have you changed your mind about learning a weapon?” Mingfe asked
“I do not see why I need to know how to use a human weapon,” Shadros said, his face twisted in a frown.
“You do not see the wisdom in knowing how to fight?” Mingfe asked.
“I am a dragon. What use will I have for your tiny weapons?”
“You spend most of your time in human form. Sooner or later, you will be forced to fight in it,” she pointed out.
“Bah, I can change form in a few moments!”
“Can you change form in an enclosed space? What if you find yourself trapped as Lilly did?” Mingfe countered.
“I am not foolish enough to become trapped!” he spat back.
“Oh, he hasn't changed a bit,” Thayle sighed. “Still sharp-tongued and eager to disagree.”
“She does have a point,” Lilly interjected. “I thought I would always be ready to fight because I was a dragon, but several times now, the battle came when I wasn't ready. I thought it was silly when Gersius wanted me to learn the sword, but now I am grateful he taught me. There are going to be times when you have to be in this form, and your life will be in danger.”
“Only because you have forced me to travel with you,” he replied. “You and Sarah should take your dragon form and keep it. Then you would be in no danger.”
“Sarah and Numidel know how to fight as a human. You are the only one who doesn’t,” Lilly shot back.
“And I will remain so,” he boasted.
Mingfe scowled at him and his arrogance. “You are a stubborn mule who makes Gersius look easy-going by comparison. You can take the spear and learn how to fight with it, or I can throw it, and you can fetch it for me!” Mingfe barked.
“You wouldn’t dare!”
Mingfe smile and turned in a quick twist tossing the spear many yards away.
“Now go get it and bring it back to me!” she yelled, pointing at the distant spear.
His nostrils flared in anger as he paced away to fetch the spear, mumbling curses and threats as he went. Mingfe
“That was mean,” Thayle laughed. “I thought you were giving him some reward for taking his human form.”
Mingfe smirked and watched him pick up the spear. “Oh, he gets his rewards, but he is still stubborn as a mule. He doesn't complain about going home so much. He has a new complaint I hear every night.”
“Which is?” Thayle pried.
Mingfe gave her a wink. “Getting his reward.”
“I see,” Thayle said with a smile back. “He is fond of that, is he?”
“Isn’t every man?” Mingfe laughed. “His being a dragon only makes him worse. He had no idea it would feel the way it does. Now that he knows, he can’t resist me.” She quieted down as he skulked back and held the spear out for her to collect. “Shall I throw it again, or would you like to hold on to it for a bit?”
“I want to see him fetch it again,” Lilly called as Thayle tried to hide a smile.
“Enough! Show me your foolish human fighting then,” he relented.
Mingfe nodded and started to show him how to hold the weapon. When it was clear he was doing it wrong on purpose, she just commanded him to do it right.
“You should not need to be commanded. You are making this hard on yourself!” Mingfe scolded as she adjusted his feet.
“Why are you still resisting?” Lilly asked as he looked up. She saw a confused look on his face that faded away with a sigh.
“I do not understand why I am here. I want to go home, but I want to stay.
“I felt that way too,” Lilly said. “Then, Gersius set me free, and I was terrified of leaving.”
“Why?” he asked.
Lilly held up the hand that still firmly clasped Thayle's. “Because of this. Because I knew there was something more to it, and that this was my only chance to find out. I don't regret any of it, and when I learned how important it was, I wanted to be bound again, this time for good.”
Shadros nodded and looked to Mingfe, who smiled beside him.
“Why do you keep me bound?”
“I will set you free if it is what you want,” Mingfe said softly. “You can go home and forget all about us. In a hundred years, none of us will remain, and your life will be as it always was.”
“But why?” he asked again.
“Because we need it,” Lilly answered for him. “We are cursed to be unable to feel certain emotions. The bind allows us to feel them again from the person we are bound to. You can't grow without the bind. It isn't to keep you a prisoner. It's so you can heal and break free of the chain.”
“What am I supposed to feel?” Shadros asked.
“Love,” Lilly replied as Mingfe put her hand over his and made him meet her eyes.
“I love you,” Mingfe admitted as he staggered a step back.
“I am a dragon,” he stammered.”
“You are all the same,” Thayle remarked as Lilly smiled.
“Then let me love a dragon,” Mingfe replied. “Let me be the one who shows you what love is.”
“My mother said she loved me,” Shadros said.
“I am sure she did,” Mingfe went on. “But you don’t know what that means. Let me show you.”
“I feel something,” he whispered. “It hurts.”
“Love can and will hurt,” Lilly said. “When I couldn't stand against the truth anymore, it hurt so badly I thought it was going to kill me.”
When he lowered his head and went silent, Thayle squeezed Lilly's hand and turned her around. “It's time for us to go. They need to be alone. You guards wait around the rock,” she added to make sure they had some privacy.
As the two women walked back, Lilly beamed with excitement. “He is changed,” she said. “I bet he's free of the curse now and can feel love.”
“It would seem so,” Thayle agreed. “But he has a man’s heart, not a woman’s. He will need more care to bring to full flower.”
“Mingfe knows how to deal with him,” Lilly laughed as they slipped into the camp.
They walked through the tents with Thayle taking a few moments to talk to a few women. Finally, they made their way into the first yard of the keep, intent on following the pull of their husband.
“Does he feel angry?” Lilly asked as they got closer.
Thayle reached out and jerked back in alarm. “He is raging.”
As they entered the second yard, the sensation only got stronger and distant shouting could be heard.
“Oh, what has that fool Yarvine done this time?” Thayle growled and released Lilly's hand to stomp into the final yard. People were standing like statues as they looked at the keep to hear the shouting echoing from inside. Thayle raced into the lower halls and down the tunnels to the meeting room, following the battle of words. When she threw the last doors open, she went to order the woman to silence but stopped dead in her tracks. Gersius looked up with a face of rage as Sarah stood defiant before him with arms folded over her chest. She threw her head back and stormed out, shoving past Lilly and Thayle without so much as a word.
“What was that?” Thayle asked when Sarah was out of hearing.
Gersius turned away and let out a low growl. “Lady Sarah wants to hold all followers of Astikar accountable for their actions under the Father Abbot. She wants the right to judge and execute the ones we capture in battle as we march.”
“She does?” Lilly asked. “But that isn’t like her.”
“It is exactly like her,” Gersius said and sat at the table. “She wanted to kill the prisoners, and she wants to kill the boys who serve the Father Abbot directly. To her, all of this is an insult to Astikar and needs to be purged. When I pointed out that Astikar allowed all this to happen, she flew into a rage.”
Thayle came to his side and put a hand on his shoulder. She could see the turmoil in his bind as a decision flashed over his head.
“Lilly told me what you decided,” Thayle said. “But it’s changed now, hasn’t it?”
Gersius nodded with a deep exhale. “I can’t,” he replied. “She isn’t like you or Lilly, and I do not want a wife who is going to battle me night and day.”
“You can't change your mind!” Lilly shouted. “I was the same way! She will change once she is bound and starts to feel the emotions she is missing! We just saw Shadros admit he was changing because of it.”
Gersius looked up with pained eyes. “I am sorry, Lilly, but the answer is no.”
Comments
I had fun writing this chapter. I saw this scene coming for a long time and knew this would be Heather's first death.
WhiteRabbit
Common, I -> come on
Sorry it was late. I will hopefully be caught up enough now to stay ahead.
