Omnixius
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DKP 5-24 Who do you love?
🕑 Added 2020-07-10 20:08:42 +0000 UTC
Sarah and Gersius were the talk of the camp as people discussed the duel they witnessed. For many, it was a display of grand skill, that caused a few more women to come forward seeking to join Astikar. For Lilly and Thayle, it was another matter entirely, one they were not sure how to approach. Sarah was a lovely creature to be sure, but she wasn't at all like Lilly. There was no air of innocence or naivety about her. She was strong, committed, dominant, and somewhat motherly in her approach to them. In many ways, she was more like Gersius, and he the only one in the camp who could weather her storm.
Sarah saw everything through the light of logic and tried to understand emotion by applying logic to puzzle it out. That logic led her to see embracing emotion as a form of folly. In many ways, Sarah shared Solesta's point of view, and that worried Thayle immensely. Why was Sarah helping them when she considered the kinds of emotions Lilly embraced to be a mistake? Still, she admitted feeling lonely and had agreed to be called her dragon. All of this was a clear sign that she was changing or at least exploring the concepts that Lilly understood.
What mattered most was that Sarah was feeling the first stirrings of love. Her light betrayed the secret she was keeping, and those feelings caused her to flee. Thayle decided to leave her be and have time to think. There would be plenty of opportunity in the next few days to pry into that heart.
Lilly was excited at the prospect of another woman in their life. She saw no reason why they should limit their love to only themselves. If another woman came along that they all could love, why not go ahead and do it?
Thayle laughed at her simple understanding of it and explained the pitfalls of carelessly opening one's heart to another. Gersius reiterated that he didn't need or even want a third wife. He expressed how much he loved them and how his life was already overfull with happiness. They both made love to him for his tender words and laid in his arms talking about Sarah anyway.
Lilly shared her deep feelings on the matter, that she believed dragons lived pointless lives, and rescuing Sarah from that was important to her. She felt that it was her duty as a dragon of Balisha to help other dragons come to know love. She desperately wanted Sarah to know it, and to find the kind of happiness they had.
That was easier said than done when it came to Sarah. Lilly was wounded and vulnerable, with no appreciation of the world. She needed Gersius to take her by the hand and guide her. Sarah was the opposite of weak and had seen more of the world than any of them. She needed nobody to take her by the hand, and would likely be insulted if they tried. What Sarah needed was a man who could match her in wits, strength, and determination. She was too proud to bow her head except to a man of great power and ability. Thayle and Lilly both knew who that man was, but he wasn't interested.
Gersius was willing to admit Sarah was beautiful but had no desire for her. When his aura flashed with the truth on that statement, Lilly looked away. They both saw the duel and the light that flowed from her to him, but his hardly moved. There was only a slight attraction on his part as he enjoyed the moment. It ended the second the duel was over, and he saw his wives. He was content with what he had and honored the commitment of their marriage. He wouldn't even consider Sarah unless he knew for sure she could love them equally.
Finding out how Sarah felt about them was the task she and Lilly were set to now. If they could get her to share light with them, then there was hope. If not, they would have to find another man to help her.
They lost the very next day because Sarah went out of her way to remain distant. Making it clear she wasn't ready to talk. Thayle tried four times to corner her, but she excused herself every time and hurried away.
She spent the next morning talking to the women of Ulustrah and putting some advanced ones through sparring practice. Despite the extraordinary events, they were still marching to war, and making her army ready took precedence. Afterward, as the camp began to make ready to move, Mingfe approached and pulled her aside.
“Your husband owes me a duel,” she said sourly.
“I am sure he will give you an honest fight when he has time,” Thayle assured her.
Mingfe nodded but began to smile with a curious look to her eyes. “You do realize I was standing right behind you. I saw the truth of her light.” Thayle looked up with concern, but Mingfe raised a hand. “I doubt many of the others noticed. You and Lilly walked a good dozen paces closer than the rest, and I approached when it became clear he cheated me of my honor”
“Then you know,” Thayle said, looking away. “I suppose I am glad. I don't know how to approach this, and I could really use someone to talk to. I tried to talk to her yesterday, but she is avoiding me now.”
“I could offer you advice, but what is it you want?” Mingfe asked.
Thayle looked back with a smile. “Lilly wants her to join us. Gersius doesn’t feel the need to have a third wife.”
“And what do you want?” she pressed.
Thayle looked away and took a few steps. “I want to love her, but I am worried she isn’t interested in us.”
“By us, you mean women,” Mingfe clarified.
Thayle nodded and paced back. “She admitted that she was lonely and considering taking a husband and a wife, but we haven't had a good chance to talk about what that means to her.”
“She is an old and wise dragon. I am sure she understands what it means for one woman to take another woman as a wife.”
Thayle smiled and let out a little laugh. “I have to be sure, or Gersius will refuse. He has made it clear he won't even consider her unless she can love Lilly and I like she does him.”
“Then you have two mountains to climb,” Mingfe said. “You must learn the truth of Sarah's commitment, and you must win him to your side. I saw little of his light going to her; he was excited about the challenging duel, but nothing more.”
“He will accept it provided it isn't a hindrance to the war effort, and she can love us equally,” Thayle said.
Mingfe narrowed her eyes and let a light hmm at that answer. “You should let this go.”
Thayle was shocked by the sudden change of opinion. “Why do you say that?” she asked, desperate to know why.
“You just said everything I needed to know. The war is more important to him right now, and he has no time to pursue her. She only responds to him, which indicates she isn’t near as interested in you. If he has no time for her, and will not accept her unless she is also interested in you and Lilly, then she is a mountain best left unclimbed.”
“We don’t know she isn’t interested in us,” Thayle argued. “She just admitted that a relationship with a woman could be possible. We need to give her time to explore that and warm up to it.”
“Have you seen any of her light coming to you?” Mingfe pressed.
“Well, no,” Thayle admitted. “But that could be for a lot of reasons. She might be holding back over something.”
“You will regret bringing a woman into your relationship that only has eyes for him,” Mingfe cautioned. “She already scolds you like a mother, are you sure you want to take this risk?”
Thayle understood Mingfe's point of view, but Thayle had already seen how this worked with Lilly. Lilly fell in love with Gersius first, and then when that love blossomed realized how important Thayle was to her. Sarah needed to walk the same path learning how first to feel love, then exploring the potential to have multiple lovers. If anything, the time Sarah spent with them would help her understand how that love worked.
“I can see your point of view, but I still have to try. Lilly is desperate to show Sarah that dragons can have so much more to their lives. She wants Sarah to have love and to share it with her. I just need some way to get Sarah to spend more time with Gersius.”
“If you wanted that, then why did you get in the way?” Mingfe asked
Thayle looked back with confusion. “How did I get in the way?”
Mingfe laughed and put a hand to Thayle’s shoulder. “Sarah asked to be his dragon, and you were insulted.”
Thayle went wide-eyed as she saw the golden opportunity that had passed her by. “I wasn't insulted, I was hurt that she sees him as the more important one.”
“The world is expecting a man to come, so naturally, they will embrace him readily. You will have to work to make them aware that you are also a dragon knight. As much as it pains me to admit this, his position will be the greater, until you have a chance to shine your light.”
Thayle looked down and nodded her head. “And Sarah knows it. I got jealous and missed my best chance to put them together.”
“I ask this again, are you sure you want her in your relationship?”
Thayle nodded. “I know in my heart Sarah will blossom into a beautiful flower like Lilly did. What I need to figure out is how do I get her to bloom. I can't even get her to talk to me.”
“Is she not your dragon? Make her honor her vow and tell her you want to ride and then talk to her,” Mingfe replied
Thayle nodded; it was the only way they were going to have time to talk. “Then, that is what I shall do. Oh, Gersius wants to talk to you as well. He has a maneuver he wants you to teach the women. He has already explained it to me, but I will let him tell you.”
“Good, I want a chance to twist your husband's ear over his shaming of me,” Mingfe growled.
Thayle laughed and headed off as the camp came down. Today was the day she would confront Sarah and learn the truth, and see if there was any room for her in their bed.
Gersius spent the morning marching near the middle of the column, talking with Mingfe, who was still angry at him. She wanted a proper rematch and demanded he fight to the fullest of his ability. He had to promise her a match to get her to move on to the topic he wanted to discuss.
“Do you think you can teach them that?” he asked.
Mingfe nodded her head. “It is a simple thing, I will start having them practice, but what do you need such a maneuver for?”
Gersius looked at her with dire eyes. “The land leading to the golden gate is flat and open. We are going to be exposed to everything they can throw at us.”
“We will suffer greatly getting to the gate then,” she said with a look back to the women who made up their army. “Many will die.”
“Not if I can help it,” Gersius replied.
“You can't,” Mingfe said. “You have to get into the city, and that means we have to cross the walls. Even if they perform this formation perfectly, it will only last long. The gates will take you hours if not days to bring down.”
“I have another plan for those,” he answered with an approving nod.
“You should have Sarah melt them from the walls,” Mingfe suggested.
“There will be no way to protect her if she is that close and exposed,” Gersius said. “Even Sarah won't last long under that kind of withering fire.”
Mingfe was silent a moment and then looked at him with intensity in her eyes. “Assuming we pull this off and manage to open the gates, how will you exploit the gap?”
“I don’t know yet,” he replied. “That part of my plan still haunts me.”
“I will see that the women are ready to put your plan into motion,” Mingfe replied with a sour note in her voice. “The women of Ulustrah will get you to the gates, and die to give you the time you need.”
He hated hearing those words, but the only end to this conflict would be in Calathen, which meant paying the price in life. He thanked her and moved further ahead, passing the weavers who grumbled as they walked along under heavy guard. Another idea came to him, and he turned to address them.
“Which one of you knows how to use a blood bolt?”
“A bolt of Daghost,” A woman corrected. “Only a commoner calls it a blood bolt, and every weaver knows how to use one.”
“Is there anything more powerful than that?” Gersius asked.
“Certainly,” she replied. “But there are trade-offs. Kellions crushing blast is much more powerful, but takes a lot more focus and has a quarter of the range.”
“A simple shock wave is even more powerful, but will scarcely reach ten feet,” a man added.
Gersius took a moment to think about what he needed and made a silent calculation. “I need to deliver as much force as possible at three hundred meters.”
The weavers looked between themselves and began to argue over the bolt of Daghost and the crushing blast.
“It won't reach a hundred meters,” the woman argued. “Only the bolt will go that far.”
“If several weavers worked together, they could empower the blast to longer range,” the man insisted.
“Three hundred meters?” the woman balked. “All of us together couldn’t manage that.”
“But the bolt is far weaker,” the man countered. “I doubt he is asking this question because he wants to knock over a single man.”
“I am not,” Gersius interjected. “Are you saying the bolt won't do more than topple a man?”
“It can bring down a horse if needs be,” the man replied. “But it works by delivering its energy in a very narrow point, like the thrust of a sword. Anything large and all you will do is put a scratch on the surface. Crushing blast can bring down the wall of a house or knock over a stout tree, but it takes a lot longer to cast and isn't useful in combat when you're about to be cut open.”
“And the range is limited?”
“Very limited, I'm afraid. You would need to be no more than twenty meters to your target.”
“What did you mean about empowering it to increase the distance?”
The woman sighed as the man shook his head at her and went on. “Weavers can empower each other as some priests can. It takes practice and coordination, but if you weave the same spells together and stand in the right places, you can combine the energy. This can double or triple the effects.”
“Which will get you no more than a hundred and fifty meters at best,” the woman said. “Half the distance you need.”
“I am afraid she is right,” the man said. “You can add more than three weavers, but doing so is often pointless. Any more after three add little to the effect while drastically complicating it's casting.”
“I thank you for your time,” he said and moved on. That path looked like a dead end, but something in his mind told him he needed to explore it more. He searched out Numidel, who walked at the very front, talking with the leaders of Astikar about the past and the road ahead.
“If I may, I would like to speak to you,” Gersius said as he arrived.
“Is this another private conversation?” he asked.
“No, I just need to know something specific about dragons.”
Numidel nodded. “Of course, what do you need to know?”
“How does your weaving work? Lilly said you could do it as men do, but it's weaker, why is that?”
“Our connection to the weave, I suppose,” Numidel replied. “You humans are like wells of water, you overflow and add to the weave around you. You and all things that live are the strongest sources of the magic of the weave. As such, when you reach out and gather the weave, it flows to you strongly. We dragons are different, we are like bottomless holes, and the weave's magic falls into us to be consumed. When we reach out and call the weave to ourselves, much of it is lost to those holes.”
“Then how do you work great magics?” Gersius asked. “Lilly said you could consume the metal of your hoards?”
Numidel nodded. “We can indeed, and that is how most dragons work our magics, though a dragon will rarely do such a thing. To cast even a minor weave at full power would destroy more metal than any dragon is willing to part with.”
“Can you make a weave more powerful by using more metal?”
“Of course, there is no limit to a dragon except how much metal is on hand and how much they are willing to lose. Some older dragons used vast quantities of metal to make mountain float so they could lair in the sky.”
“You are serious?” Gersius asked in awe.
“Very,” Numidel said. “But as I stated earlier, the cost is exceedingly high, and few dragons are willing to pay it.”
“How much of the weave do you know?” Gersius pressed.
“I know the weaves common to most dragons. Wards and summoning, a few minor tricks.”
“Does Sarah know more?”
“A great deal more, females have a lust for magic, but she is focused on fire weaving for reasons I am sure you understand.”
“Of course,” Gersius replied with a nod. He looked down the long row of marching people to where he could barely see Sarah in her dragon form following the wagons. His plan was coming together, but how would he exploit the gap? He trusted in the idea would come to him before he reached Calathen, or they would die at the walls of the city. With that tortured thought, he took one last look at Sarah and wondered what she was thinking.
Sarah plodded along with Lilly and Thayle on her back. The three hadn't talked much that morning as Sarah struggled with her tangled thoughts. For the first time in thousands of years, she had truly enjoyed herself. The duel with Gersius reinvigorated her and made her feel emotions long dormant, from elation to frustration to anger and admiration. He had proven his title as the best swordsman in the army and fought her to a standstill. She had to end the battle when her feelings began to well up and cloud her judgment. All sorts of wild thoughts ran through her mind, and she had to flee to drive them away.
Now his wives rode on her back, asking strange questions about what she was feeling. Something about the whole situation felt awkward and embarrassing, more emotions she cared not to indulge in.
“Sarah, talk to us,” Thayle implored. “What are you thinking about that has you so in turmoil?”
“I am not in turmoil,” Sarah lied. “I simply have nothing to say.” She heard the two women laughing and turned her head to the side so one eye could look down on them. “What is so funny?”
“You are,” Lilly said. “You haven’t been yourself since the duel with Gersius.”
“I have been fine,” Sarah argued. “I had a stirring match for a change, and I was pleasantly surprised.”
“How many of the men in the camp did you duel?” Thayle asked.
“All the men I could find in and around the training field. Most of them lasted only a few seconds,” Sarah grumbled. “I am rather disappointed at how poor they are in the dance. A captain of Astikar should have been able to hold me off for thirty seconds, at least.”
“Gersius is gifted with the blade,” Thayle said. “He can beat Lilly and I together, even though we share his skill over the bind.”
“If you share his skill, how can he beat you?” Sarah asked.
Thayle shrugged. “We know how to fight, but we don't have the kind of muscle memory he has. He knows the moves so intimately he doesn't have to think about them. Lilly and I have to think and work our way through the move, which makes us much slower.”
“He is impressively fast,” Sarah agreed. “Even in the world before the war, there were few who could challenge me, let alone hold me at bay.”
“You looked happy while you were fighting him,” Thayle said. “How were you feeling in when he started to press you?”
Sarah was quiet a moment as she pondered that thought. “I was enjoying the moment,” she admitted. “It was stirring to be matched by such a man. I rather hope we can find another like him.”
“So, you won't have to be lonely?” Lilly asked.
Sarah nodded. “I am struggling with feelings stirred up by watching your relationship, but having you to talk to makes it better.”
“Speaking of that, are there any women in the camp you would like to meet?” Thayle asked.
“Women?” Sarah stammered. “I suppose I did say I would consider taking a wife as well. Truth be told, I am rather nervous about that. I want what you two have, but more controlled.”
“What does that mean?” Thayle laughed.
“I feel you are too bold with your relationship. You show it openly.”
“Sarah, Lilly is my wife, and I am not going to hide that fact. I am rather proud when people see her take my hand and look at my funny. I love her, and I like to flaunt that she loves me.”
“I have trouble understanding that,” Sarah said. “I would prefer a woman who could share such emotion with me but be more reserved in public.”
“Why does that bother you?” Thayle asked.
Sarah turned her head back to look at them and let out a sigh. “I was a queen once. I am no stranger to formality and decorum. I want to put on the proper appearance before others while sharing things that should be private in private.”
“Are you suggesting Lilly and I are misbehaving?”
Sarah brought her head close. “Were I in your relationship, I would correct you two immediately and bring you to heel. You show to much of your hearts for one another where others can see it.”
Thayle huffed and pointed a finger back at Sarah. “You wouldn't even be considering this if we didn't. If we kept the light of our love hidden from your eyes, we wouldn't be having this conversation. You need to drop all this pretense of doing everything properly and learn to follow your heart.”
“I am trying,” Sarah growled. “But, it eludes me.”
Thayle softened her voice and glanced back to Lilly with a nod. “Bring your head closer,” she said.
“What for?” Sarah asked with raised brows.
“You are my dragon, now bring your head to where we can reach you,” Thayle said as she and Lilly reached up with open arms. Thayle smiled as Sarah lowered her head into their embrace so she and Lilly could hug her and caress her jaw.
“You need to learn to show affection like this,” Thayle said. “Now, be honest, are there any women in the camp you want to meet?”
“Wouldn’t it be better to find the man first?” Sarah asked as they clung to her.
“Not necessarily,” Thayle said. “You can begin sharing your love with a woman now, and then she can help you find a man.”
“I see,” Sarah replied as Lilly stood up so she could lay her head on Sarah’s jaw. Her great red eye fixated on Lilly as the blue hair woman smiled with closed eyes.
“Well? Anyone?” Thayle pressed.
“I don’t think there are any I would consider,” Sarah stammered as her aura said she was lying.
“You should think about it,” Thayle said with a smile. “She might be right under your nose, and you haven't noticed it yet.”
Lilly smiled wide and tried not to laugh as they talked silently over the bind while tormenting Sarah.
“I can’t believe you and Gersius did this to me,” Thayle said. “But I have to admit this is fun.”
“Is anything happening?” Lilly asked.
“Her light is in flux. She is struggling with a decision, and she lied about the woman,” Thayle said.
“I need to turn about to make sure I am still walking straight,” Sarah said as the two women clung to her. Lilly and Thayle let her go, and she quickly pulled her head high and looked ahead.
“I will consider if there are any women I might want,” Sarah said.
“Oh, women?” Thayle teased. “So potentially more than one?”
“That isn’t what I said,” Sarah corrected. “I meant there might be several I would like to meet to choose the one I want.”
“Why not choose two or three?” Thayle suggested
Sarah turned her head just far enough to look down with one eye.
“I could choose two?”
Of course, you could,” Thayle said. “Lilly and I would happily take another wife if she was loving and kind.”
“You would?” Sarah stammered.
“Did you think our relationship was full?” Thayle asked as Sarah's light began to twitch and flare up around them. Lilly watched it rising in great waves all around, making a colorful display.
“I just assumed you had all you wanted,” Sarah said. “A husband and a wife, the number is complete.”
“Gersius said we could take another wife if she was beautiful and special like you,” Lilly said innocently as she shot Thayle a smile.
“Oh, you devious little dragon,” Thayle said over the bind. “That was genius.”
“You can have another?” Sarah said, turning her head to look away. Around them, her light turned a soft white, and it became hard to see as it swirled and danced to them.
“It's coming to us!” Lilly said, excitedly over the bind.
“All this time she thought you and I were all we would have,” Thayle said silently. “She must have made a strong decision to put away any feelings for us. Now that she knows, those barriers are breaking down.”
“But her light went to Gersius,” Lilly said.
“He isn't us,” Thayle replied. “I bet that's why she is upset about how we display our love. She assumed we would never love another woman because of how strongly we loved each other.”
“That’s silly, I can love her too,” Lilly replied over the bind.
“So could I,” Thayle said. “But this motherly tendency needs to be put away. She talks to us too much like a parent.”
“I like it,” Lilly said. “She is an elder dragon, and it is our way to bow our heads.”
“That may be for dragons, but I’m not sure I want Sarah telling me what I can and can’t do,” Thayle argued.
“She will soften up once she shares some love,” Lilly insisted. “Look at how quickly I changed after Gersius made love to me.”
“I am surprised you remember that night considering how much wine you drank,” Thayle laughed.
“I was nervous!” Lilly shouted in her mind. “Even more so that I had to go to you and admit I wanted to share his bed.”
“You did fine,” Thayle reassured. “I am so proud of you for taking that step.”
“Why are you two suddenly so silent?” Sarah asked.
They looked up from their private conversation and saw the aura flashing over Sarah’s head as a decision weighed on her mind.
“We were just thinking,” Thayle said and wondered how daring she could be. Gersius wanted them to find out how Sarah felt but not invite her in. However, the situation was too good to pass up. Sarah's reaction to the questions only proved she was thinking about them. Her light now flowing to them was all the evidence she needed.
“Sarah,” Thayle began. “Do you ever think about our relationship?”
“You as my dragon knight?” Sarah asked.
Thayle smiled and shook her head. “No, I mean ours as in Lilly, Gersius, and I.”
Sarah came to a dead halt in the road as her aura twisted in colors of pain and uncertainty. They felt her shudder beneath them as she stood looking straight ahead.
“What happened?” Lilly whispered.
“She is in turmoil,” Thayle whispered back. “That question struck a nerve.”
“I do not think it is appropriate to discuss such things,” Sarah said, sounding each word out. “I am uncomfortable.”
Thayle sighed and stood in the now motionless saddle. “Bring your head down here.”
Sarah shook it no, and Thayle spoke more firmly. “Sarah, bring me your head.”
“We should get moving again.”
“You can outpace the horses tenfold. If you sat here for two hours, you would catch them in twenty minutes, now bring us your head!”
Sarah shuddered again and slowly brought her head around, lowering to where Lilly and Thayle could see the glowing red tears falling down her cheek.
“Sarah!” Thayle said in alarm. “Why are you crying?”
“I am ashamed,” Sarah said. “I don't know why this is happening to me. This weakness keeps coming on me, and I can't control it.”
“Give us your head sweet dragon,” Thayle insisted with arms raised high. She and Lilly stood to cradle the massive head tightly as Sarah continued to shed tears.
“I don’t want you to see me so weak,” Sarah sobbed.
“You and Gerisus are too much alike,” Thayle growled. “He hides all his pain inside until it threatens to tear him asunder. Sarah, why didn't you tell us you were thinking about us?”
“I can’t,” Sarah said. “I don't' even know why I am thinking about you. I see what you have, and I tell myself it's not right, but Lilly looks so happy, and I want to know why.”
“Because we love each other,” Thayle said as she stroked the top of Sarah’s snout. “Lilly was like this, too; she kept saying she was a dragon and shouldn't feel this way.”
“How do you make it go away?” Sarah asked.
Lilly laughed and laid her head on Sarah again. “You can't,” Lilly said. “Once you start feeling it, it has to run its course. Sometimes it fails, but sometimes it grows until it consumes you.”
“Like it, did you?” Sarah asked.
Lilly nodded her head. “Sarah, would it be alright if Thayle and I spoke to Gersius about you?”
“About me, how?” Sarah asked in alarm.
Lilly lifted her head to look into the closest eye. “About sharing our love with you.”
Sarah was a statue for almost a minute as Lilly held her gaze with a smile. “You would share this with me?”
“If you want us too,” Lilly said. “You have to want it and be willing to give it back. Gersius will insist that you be able to love him, Thayle, and I equally.”
“I...” Sarah began but stumbled on her words. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“What’s not good about it?” Lilly asked.
“We are marching to war, and there are more important things to worry about.”
“She really is like Gersius,” Lilly laughed.
“They are practically the same person,” Thayle said, joining her in the laugh.
“Don't you laugh at me!” Sarah barked. “Your husband has a good sense of what needs to be done. He always takes charge and sees to it that things move forward in an orderly fashion. He is committed and focused on his task, and knows how to empower others to help him complete it. He is an amazingly good leader, an excellent smith, a master of the blade, and…” She paused, never finishing the sentence. Lilly and Thayle smiled wide to hear Sarah admitting how she felt about Gersius.
“He’s a good dancer,” Lilly reminded.
“Yes, he is,” Sarah said as she closed her eyes.
“Sarah, what were you just about to say?” Thayle asked.
“It was nothing,” Sarah replied and tried to pull away gently, but the two women clutched at her.
“Sarah, we want to know what you were about to say,” Thayle demanded. “
Sarah sighed as a fresh tear rolled down her cheek. “He is a good keeper of a dragon’s heart. He has proven he can be trusted with the greatest gift any dragon could give.”
“What is that?” Thayle asked.
“Her true name,” Lilly answered and Sarah nodded gently.
Thayle saw her aura twinge with fear to think of giving another her true name. This was part of what was tearing her up inside. She was afraid to surrender and give them complete authority of her soul. She knew this was part of what made Lilly's relationship special, but she was terrified of it.”
“Sarah,” Thayle asked softly. “Would you tell Gersius your true name if he asked you?”
She pulled her head away and let out a deep rumbling sigh. “We should get walking.”
“Sarah,” Thayle called up. “If you run from this, you will never forgive yourself.”
“I am afraid,” Sarah admitted.
Thayle nodded. “Lilly and I both were, but neither of us regrets it. Now, answer me honestly, if he asked you would you tell him?”
She hung her head as the light of a decision flashed over it. “Yes,” she replied.
“That’s all we needed to know,” Thayle said. “We should catch up with the others.”
“Are you going to tell him?” Sarah asked.
“That depends,” Thayle replied. “Do you love me?”
Sarah lowered her head to look Thayle in the eyes. “I don’t know what that means, but I do know I want to be in your arms again.”
Thayle and Lilly held their arms up, and Sarah carefully surrendered into them.
“You take some time to think about this,” Thayle said. “If you want to spend your days with us, we will talk to Gersius about it.”
“I am not sure that’s a good idea,” Sarah argued. “We shouldn’t burden him with this when he has so many important things to do. If he has no interest in me, this will complicate his thoughts.”
“Sarah, he told us you were beautiful and powerful and that he cared about you,” Lilly said.
“He did?” Sarah asked with a swallow.
“Yes,” Lilly said as she leaned in. She planted her lips to the side of Sarah’s jaw and gave her a tender kiss. “Now, tell me the truth, do you want more kisses?”
Sarah fixed an eye on her and nodded softly, so Lilly began to plant slow tender kissed down her jaw as Thayle moved to stand in front of her head.
“We will give you a few days to think about it,” Thayle said. “When you are sure, Lilly and I will talk to Gersius, and tell him we love you.”
“You love me?”
Lilly lifted her lips with a smile. “Of course, I only kiss my lovers.”
Thayle smirked as Sarah’s aura twisted in turmoil before her eyes came back to Thayle.
“It looks like your Lilly’s lover now,” Thayle said.
“I didn’t do, I mean, I wasn’t trying to be a lover.”
Thayle smiled and leaned over, gently planting her lips to Sarah’s snout. “And now you’re my lover,” Thayle whispered.
“What does that mean?” Sarah asked her voice a low croak.
“It means we will freely share our affection with you as we do with each other. We will seek to hold your hand, be in your arms, and kiss your lips.”
“You can’t,” Sarah said. “You must talk to Gersius first.”
“So, you don’t need time to think about this? We have your permission to ask him now?” Thayle pressed.
Sarah relented with a sigh. “You have my permission.”
Thayle released her and took Lilly’s hand. “Alright, I am done tormenting you, why don’t we catch up to the column and we can talk.”
Sarah Lifted her head high and began to move forward her light dancing erratically. Thayle let her walk in silence for a few minutes as she and Lilly spoke silently over the bind. Lilly was terribly excited and wanted to tell Gersius right away. Thayle cautioned her to be patient; they needed to handle this carefully with Gersius, and not rush into things. Lilly then spent the next ten minutes talking about how much she wanted to hold Sarah in her arms. Thayle smiled to see the love dragon lost in her desire to spread that love to those around her.
As Sarah caught up to the column, Thayle spoke to break the silence. “How long have you been thinking about us?”
“Since the dream,” Sarah admitted. “I suppose it crossed my mind earlier than that, but the dream was where I really started to feel it.”
“Why didn’t you say something sooner?”
Sarah laughed and turned her head about to speak softly. “What was I supposed to say? I want to sleep in your bed?”
“I would have said yes,” Lilly replied.
Thayle laughed, but Sarah shook her head.
“Child, you need to learn proper boundaries. A woman does not openly approach a husband and his wives and ask to join their bed.”
Lilly shrugged as Thayle interceded. “I understand your point of view, but you could have come and spoken to me privately. I would have understood.”
“I wasn't sure what I was feeling. To be honest, I am still not sure. I know it's something new, and it's twisting inside me, tying me in knots, but I have no concept of what to do with it.”
“You need time is all,” Thayle said. “You took a bold first step and admitted what you wanted, now trust us and let us talk to Gersius for you.”
“I am terrified he will say no, and petrified he might say yes,” Sarah admitted.
“My wife, don’t be so upset,” Lilly said encouragingly.
“I am not your wife yet, Little dragon. We are only talking about the possibility.”
Lilly smiled. “You are my wife in heart already. Sooner or later, Gersius will call you his wife too.”
“This feels wrong, and yet I know I have to walk this path. My dragon nature is crying out to deny these feelings and run away to find a cave to hide and sleep.”
“That’s fear talking,” Thayle said. “You have to stand strong and trust us. You will never regret taking the title of wife.”
“I don't know. Maybe this was a mistake? We shouldn't be talking about such things.”
“Sarah, it is out in the open now. You're free to show us how you feel and not have to worry about us judging you. Lilly and I accept you, we want you, and we hope you want us.”
Sarah glanced back at the road as she allowed the wagons to pull ahead again. “You do realize I am older than every person in this army added together?”
“Which is why you need to do this,” Lilly said. “It's sad that so much of your life has gone by without somebody to love you. Let us love you now, so no more time is wasted.”
Thayle admired how Lilly drew on her personal experiences with love and used them as beautiful tools to help Sarah along. She would have made a powerful priestess of Ulustrah, but Balisha needed her more.
“What do you think Gersius will say?” Sarah asked.
“He will probably say, I love you,” Lilly replied. “He is a very good man, and we told you he already said you were beautiful.”
“When did he say that?” Sarah asked.
“You don’t remember the comment about your radiance?” Lilly asked.
Thayle could see Sarah thinking as her eyes narrowed, and her pace slowed again. She was trying to puzzle out if Gersius had been dropping subtle hints and letting her know he wanted her affection. Thayle wondered herself, considering how boldly he told Sarah he cared for her and wished he could bind her to see what was going on in her heart. She wondered now if that was Gersius begging Sarah to tell him she wanted a relationship.
Sarah finally spoke as she chose her words well. “I wish to know what this love is, but I am afraid to seek it from anyone but you three. You are the only ones I trust.”
Thayle felt nothing but compassion for Sarah. Giving Gersius her true name was terrifying, for Sarah so proud and ancient, it had to be more so. Naturally, she saw how Gersius honored Lilly's name and never abused it. He proved he could be trusted, and that gave her a measure of peace.
“Sarah, we will tell you our names as well,” Thayle said. “We will bind you in equally so that you have just as much control over us as we do you.”
“You have explained it to me, but you have only to command me never to command you, and the power is lost.”
“Huh,” Thayle said. “I never thought of that.”
“Neither did I. I want Gersius to do that to me,” Lilly said.
“So do I,” Thayle laughed.
“You want what?” Sarah said in shock. “Why would you want to give him absolute power?”
“Because I love him,” Lilly said. “And I already know he won't use it.”
“But, you will be defenseless!” Sarah pleaded.
“I don't need a defense from Gersius,” Lilly said. “I try hard to have no defenses where he is concerned. Thayle told me that if somebody is deserving of your love, you won't need to protect it.”
“Gersius will probably refuse to do it anyway,” Thayle said. “He loves us too much to take our power away.”
Sarah nodded and looked back to the road. “I suppose that is more of what I can’t understand.”
“You are understanding,” Lilly said. “Look at all the pain you are in. That’s love trying to get out.”
“Why do I hurt so badly inside?” Sarah groaned.
“Because you are doing just what I did. Denying yourself the right to feel it. You keep saying I am a dragon, and I have no need of this feeling, yet deep down, you desperately want to be wrong.”
“What am I supposed to do?” Sarah asked.
Lilly smiled and looked to Thayle, who nodded back.
“Sarah, stop and bring your head to us again,” Thayle said. They waited for her to comply and then gave the wagons some time to move away. When they were sure there was enough distance, Thayle gestured to Lilly to speak.
“Sarah, you are in love, and you need to admit it. This pain you’re feeling is that love waiting to be put into words and action. You need to look at Thayle and I and tell us the truth.”
“What truth?”
“Tell us who you love,” Lilly said. “Admit it to yourself and us so you can stop denying it and act on it instead.”
Once again, Thayle admired Lilly's tender work, using the exact process she used on Lilly as they sailed up the river. Once Lilly admitted it, she found it much easier to act on it. However, Sarah was not in the same position, and fear was holding her back. She shook her head as her eyes ran with tears, unable to answer the question.
“Sarah, it’s now or never. You have to do this for yourself. Who do you love?” Lilly pleaded with a face that looked heartbroken.
“I...” Sarah began and had to swallow. “I love… you. I love all three of you.”
Lilly and Thayle saw the truth flash in her aura, and they reached up to cradle her head again.
“Welcome to love,” Lilly said. “It will hurt for a little bit, but Thayle will help you heal, and we will talk to Gersius and make him aware.”
“I still think this is poor timing,” Sarah said. “He has so much on his mind.”
“Uggh, they are both the same,” Thayle groaned as she rubbed Sarah’s chin.
“Stop thinking like him and focus on what you need,” Lilly said. “I worried about all the same things, but it turned out to be pointless. He was desperate to love me back the whole time and was waiting for me to tell him it was alright. All we did was drive Thayle crazy, trying to make us admit the truth.”
“Oh goodness, you two made me angry,” Thayle agreed. “But let's not get ahead of ourselves. We need to talk to our husband and see what he thinks. He has made his comments about Sarah's beauty and grace, but thus far, he hasn't made any move to build a relationship that wasn't professional.”
“He’s already seen her naked,” Lilly interjected.
Sarah froze again and looked between the two women in alarm. “He told you about that?”
Thayle sighed and turned to Lilly. “Did you have to say that?”
“What? It's the truth, and he glows with a warm light whenever I mention it.”
Thayle put a hand over her face as Sarah flared with embarrassment. “Sarah, please don’t be upset,” Thayle began. “He didn’t brag or say anything improper. He simply told us what happened so we would be aware.”
Sarah closed her eyes, let out a deep breath. “I am embarrassed of that moment. I hope you won't hold it against me.”
“I peeked in his mind to see it,” Lilly replied.
“Lilly!” Thayle remarked. “You’re not helping here.”
Lilly smiled and gave Sarah another series of pecking kisses as Sarah shuddered. Thayle took charge of the talking and suggested they walk again and keep pace with the wagons but back far enough where nobody would hear them. As they got into position, Thayle went to assure Sarah that this was all going to work out when Lilly happily pointed ahead and called out to Gersius.
Sarah went wide-eyed as Thayle tried quickly to tell her they would keep this secret for the moment. He walked down the line to meet them, and Sarah stopped so he could address them all.
“Lilly, I need you to climb down and change,” he said.
“Why?” Lilly asked from where she leaned over the side.
“We are close to our destination, and the scouts say the road is clear. I want to fly ahead to the fort and meet with the others to prepare for our arrival.”
“So climb up,” Lilly said. “Sarah is faster than me.”
Gersius shrugged and grabbed hold of the ladder, climbing up as Sarah shook and looked about nervously.
“So what have you three been talking about all morning?” he asked as she settled in behind Lilly.
“Oh, just girl stuff,” Thayle said with a smile.
He didn't press it any further, and Sarah took to the sky, beating her great wing to carry them on all the while trying not to glance back at him. Thayle and Lilly smiled wide to see Sarah's light telling the tale but knew their silly husband didn't have the sight on. On they flew heading south under Gersius's guidance as he was oblivious to the love drowning him in light.
Comments
WhiteRabbit
only last long -> last so long Sarah Lifted her -lifted great wing-> wings them on all the-> on, all flew heading-> flew, heading
