Omnixius
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DKP 5-20 A dragon alone
🕑 Added 2020-06-19 17:08:45 +0000 UTC
The sky was shaded in purples and blues as the storm clouds blew over the camp, pouring with rain. The dawn was still two hours away, leaving the landscape cast in gloomy shadows.
Gersius sat just inside the doorway of the meeting tent listening to the rain as it soaked the landscape. Lilly sat to his right, leaning into his side as he held her close. Her head was on his shoulder, watching the rain with him while stroking Gentle Thayle, who slept soundly across their laps.
“I have always loved the sound of the falling rain,” Gersius said in a soft voice. “In my home in Tarishan, the mountains catch the clouds, and we get rain often. I used to sit at the window outside the gardens and listen to it for hours.”
Lilly sighed and looked down at the woman asleep in their laps. “It hardly ever rained in my valley,” she said. “It snowed from time to time, but that never stuck unless it was deep into the winter.”
“It's the mountains,” Gersius said. “Just as the mountains in my homelands block the clouds from leaving, your mountains block them from getting in. I bet it frequently rains in the Greenwall forest.”
“I like flying through storms,” Lilly added. “When it's a good firm rain like this, and the lightning is far away, I would fly through the spray of the clouds and be awash in their tears.” In the distance, thunder rolled, and they looked out into the curtains of rain and mist. Gersius took a deep breath and rubbed Lilly’s arm as he spoke again.
“Once I started shedding blood to keep the lands safe, I always valued the rain. To me, it was the divines washing away the stains and giving the world a chance to heal. It was always a moment of cleansing and renewal as if I was forgiven.”
Lilly lifted her head and looked into his eyes. “What do you have to be forgiven for?” she asked. “You have done nothing but try to protect others and honor your god. You never choose the battles that came. You did what you had to do to keep the land safe, so your people could enjoy the rain as you do.”
He smiled as she leaned in and kissed him, pulling on his bottom lip softly. When she leaned back, he was able to look deep into her eyes. Even in the darkness of the morning, those eyes were intensely blue, reminding him of the skies outside.”
“Your thinking about my eyes again,” Lilly said with a smile. “You love their color.”
“Maybe because they are the color of the rain,” he replied.
“Hmm, maybe,” she said with a smile. “But I see them in your mind, do you always put the dragon sight away?”
Gersius nodded; he loved the darkness and the peace it brought. He used the sight only when needed and allowed the darkness to hide the world when he could.
“You value the darkness,” Lilly said as she blinked her eyes. “Then, I will share it with you.” She looked out into the storm and put her head back to his shoulder as she too embraced the shadows.
For several minutes they sat there holding one another as Thayle slept looking into the storm and hoping it would never end. Gersius knew they couldn't break camp in such bad weather, and a storm like this would turn the roads into deeply rutted bogs. Even with the weavers to lighten the loads, the horses and wagons would sink and make travel a nightmare.
“Saved by the rain,” Lilly said as she read his mind again.
“Do you ever stop listening to my thoughts?” he asked.
She smiled and shook her head. “When they stop being so beautiful, I will stop listening.”
“I taught you that word,” he said as she rubbed her arm again. “You were so innocent back then.”
“Are you saying I am not innocent now?”
He smiled and listened to more distant thunder. “You are very innocent, but back then, you were something pure and untouched. A flower of great beauty never before seen by man. I was in awe of you, and what you are, and never did my heart dream you would be mine.”
She smiled wider and stroked the side of Thayle’s head as she listened to his words.
“If you wanted to make love again, all you had to do was ask. You don't need to sweeten me with pleasing words. I know how much you love me.”
“This is making love,” Gersius said. “Sharing a beautiful moment in the quiet of the morning where our hearts can be at peace. So long as the rain falls, there is no war, no conflict, and no road to walk. All there is to do is make love by sharing the peace it brings.”
“I hope it rains forever,” Lilly sighed.
“Someday, Lilly. You and I will stand in the terrace gardens of the palace watching the rainfall. We will be at peace, and there will be time to share our love when and how we want.”
She sniffed and lifted her head once more to look into his eyes. “Thank you for coming for me, and suffering to keep me safe. Because of what you did, I can dream of that moment and the love we will share.” He nodded and leaned in for another kiss as the thunder rolled in the distance, the rain keeping the war at bay.
Neither of them noticed the dark shape standing just outside the doorway to the changing ring as Sarah listened to every word they said. They went on sharing oblivious to her pain as her tears came just like the rain.
The rain stopped an hour after sunrise, leaving the camp embraced by the coolness of the storm air. The sky was still cloudy, but patches of blue began to show through as the sun fought to gain dominion over the land.
Gersius, Lilly, and Thayle went about their morning duties, praying, teaching, and training as the camp began to wake up. He ordered the army to stay in place, preferring not to exhaust men and animals to move a scant few miles down the muddy roads. Thayle saw it as an excellent opportunity to put her and Lilly's plan into motion and quickly organized men and women to begin their tasks.
By mid-afternoon, the sun ruled the sky, and Sarah was on the move. She walked across the camp, searching for her quarry among the tents of the women of Ulustrah. Many of the women saw her passing, but few did more than acknowledge it with a bowed head or a quick turn away. She was the mightiest dragon in the camp, and few were willing to approach her.
She found where the women trained, even now led by the one they called Mingfe as Shadros stood by watching with a disinterested glare. She wondered what must be going on in his mind and if he was as confused as she. Surely he was thinking over the things he saw in this camp and struggling just as she was to understand them. A moment later, she was beyond the training grounds and approaching three little trees that sheltered two women beneath their branches.
Thayle sat on a rock under one of the trees with a book in hand. Lilly was on her feet, seeming to dance as she chased something flying in the air beside her with an open hand. Sarah was surprised to see women of such noble standing wearing simple common dresses as they quietly passed the day. She frowned as she got closer to see Lilly was chasing a butterfly like a girl a fraction of her age.
“Will you leave that poor thing alone,” Thayle said, not looking up from her book. There was a tone in her voice as if this was a common request, that Lilly frequently ignored.
“I just want to look at it. It has such pretty blue wings,” Lilly replied as she continued to chase it about with a single finger, trying to get the poor creature to land on it.
Thayle turned the page of her book as she smiled. “It doesn't want to land on your finger; it's probably frightened.” Sarah arrived unnoticed and stood by silently watching them until Thayle looked up. A smile crossed her face as she quickly set her book aside. “Sarah, how are you this morning?”
Sarah stood tall and straight with her head, tilted slightly back. “I am doing well, Governess Commander Thayle.”
“I call her my Thayle,” Lilly interjected while still pursuing the butterfly.
“Please, we discussed this just call me Thayle, or my Thayle if you like.”
Sarah looked down at the raven-haired woman and nodded. “Very well.” Lilly finally gave up with the butterfly and joined Thayle standing by her side and taking her hand. Sarah noted the ease at which Lilly showed little emotions and felt a sadness in her heart. It was quickly replaced by the desire to laugh when the butterfly landed on Lilly's head.
“Is there something we can help you with?” Thayle asked, causing her to flinch.
Sarah quickly regained her composure and folded her hands together. There was indeed something that needed discussing, and she hoped Thayle was the one to ask. “I wanted to talk to you both about something of a personal matter. I hope that since I have become your dragon that you might consider aiding me in my problem.”
“Of course we will, whatever you need, you come talk to us,” Thayle replied
Sarah paused a moment, not sure how to continue. She wondered if her feelings were foolish and showing them even more so. Her mind tried every excuse to convince her this was the wrong path. However, her prayer the night before had been answered and told her to walk it. Even more, the display she witnessed this morning as the rain fell only made her desire to know the truth grow. She gathered her strength and took a breath; it was pointless to wait any longer. “After meeting you three, I have been in turmoil about what makes you work.”
“I am not sure I understand?” Thayle said in confusion.
“What I mean to say is, I have seen these relationships before, and they always seemed pointless. Not only can you not breed, but you also run the risk of what Lilly went through. I admit that in Lilly's case, these obstacles have been overcome, but in general, dragons and humans can not mingle their blood. I simply can not grasp the purpose of a relationship at all.”
“And you do now?” Thayle asked.
“After the incident with Lilly's dream and seeing Gersius's need to protect her, I have realized something about me has changed.” Sarah turned her back and walked a few paces away. She couldn't believe she was about to use a word that once held no meaning to her. After all, a dragon does not feel this way, but looking at Lilly and seeing how happy she is, there was no denying it any longer. “I am lonely.”
Lilly and Thayle were silent a long moment, the lack of reaction, making her feel embarrassed. Surely they understood what she meant by that and were not judging her?
“Why are you, lonely?” Lilly asked, finally breaking the silence.
Sarah looked back and struggled to keep her face relaxed. “I am a stranger to the feelings you so easily show. I have what might be called patience and tolerance for humans, but you see them very differently, and openly embrace their natures. With you, it is not tolerance. It is acceptance; you see them no differently than you do a dragon.”
“I see them as humans still, but Gersius and Thayle have shown me they can be much more than the rodents we think of them as. They can give us something we never dreamed possible and show us a life where we don't have to be….” Lilly paused and looked away as she considered what Sarah just said.
“You were going to say alone,” Sarah finished for her.
Lilly nodded and squeezed Thayle's hand for assurance. Sarah noted the gesture and wondered if Lilly gathered some strength from it. Something about this bond they shared made Lilly more than just a dragon, and more worthy of being first.
“So, watching us has started to make you feel lonely?” Thayle asked.
Sarah nodded her head. “Yes. I have come to realize just as Lilly has, that there is something to be gained by sharing one's life. This revelation tears me to the core because not only do I not understand it, but now I see the time I spent waiting in that temple as wasted.”
“Sarah,” Thayle began her face taking on a concerned look. “I have never seen your aura so full of pain. How long have you been thinking about this?”
“Several days,” she replied. “Even before Lilly's dreams began, I was already in conflict. In particular, I find the relationship you two have with Gersius to be the most troubling.”
“Why would our relationship be any trouble?” Lilly asked.
Sarah looked around a moment before standing tall again. “I feel there is something in him that brings you both great joy. I have tried to understand, but I lack the breadth of emotion to comprehend it. Hours of pondering how I might rectify this lack of understanding have led me to only one conclusion. I have to consider seeking the company of a human man.” She paused again, looking down. “and perhaps a woman.”
“You mean like I did?” Lilly asked.
Sarrah nodded again. “Until I met you two, I would never have considered a relationship with a man and a woman. I have seen men in the past with two or three wives, and they are rarely as harmonious as your relationship. I have never seen two women get along so well, and care so much about each other. This has shown me that it is possible to have such a relationship, and I find myself thinking about it more every day.”
“So, Lilly’s relationship with Gersius and I has made you aware you could have the same sort of thing?” Thayle said with an approving nod.
Sarah took another breath and stood as tall as she could. “Not so much that I could, but that I want such a relationship. I envy her relationship with you and wonder why it works so well?”
Thayle smiled and stepped forward, towing Lilly behind her. She reached up with her empty hand and took Sarah's. “The reason Lilly and I can love so strongly and not fight over Gersius is simple. There is nobody to fight over in our relationship. We love each other as much as we love him. Gersius loves us just the same, seeing no favorite between us. We are his wives, and he treasures us both. Now tell me what is really going on in your head. I feel like you want to know something, but you're afraid to ask.”
Sarah felt her heart speed up as Thayle's fingers wrapped around her own, and their eyes met. She struggled to keep calm and maintain her image of self-control even as her legs wanted to shake. “I... I wanted to know how you came to be this way with Lilly,” she said in as steady a voice as she could muster.
Thayle smiled and ran a thumb across the back of Sarah's hand. She explained how she preferred women over men but that she loved Gersius all the same. She also described Lilly as a fire that drew her in like a moth, hopelessly mesmerized by her beauty and innocence. She insisted that there was no choice but to follow and see where that road led. Lilly blushed, as Thayle described how beautiful and innocent she was, smiling widely and looked away. Sarah took note of it all, wishing she understood why that reaction had come. What was Lilly feeling in this moment that brought her such joy?
“Then you came along, and I saw another woman just like her. I can't believe you dragon women are all so beautiful inside and out.”
“Sarah is prettier than me,” Lilly said. “Her face is so perfect, and I love the color of her hair.”
Sarah felt something strange to be called beautiful, and to hear Lilly say she was even more so. It had come so naturally and easily, not like the platitudes she once heard from men when they came to her court. How long did they stand there singing a litany of praises, and she felt nothing? Yet, this child of a dragon can remark off-hand and stir something inside?
“Are you alright?” Thayle asked.
“I am fine,” Sarah said, regaining her composer and glancing down at the hand Thayle still held, that thumb gently making circles. “Please continue.”
“I spent all of my time and effort trying to help her and Gersius come together. It was a difficult task because so many terrible things happened in the early days. I had to work hard to keep them talking and growing closer, and somehow in the process, I got mixed up in the relationship.” Thayle released her hand and walked away, pulling Lilly with her as she went to lean against the tree.
Sarah felt a sense of loss that her hand was free and wondered why. Was that touch an act of love? Was it another of the simple ways they so easily expressed themselves?
“I was so close to both of them that when they discovered Lilly couldn't get pregnant, she turned to me for help. I couldn't help her the way she wanted, so I offered her the one thing I could giver her.”
Sarah stepped a little closer, wondering what that might be. “What did you offer her?”
Thayle blushed and looked down with a smile. “I offered to have the children for her.”
Sarah’s mouth fell open for a second before she regained her composure. This human offered to help Lilly have a family that Lilly herself could not provide. Why did they make so many sacrifices for one another? What was the motivation that drove them to behave this way?
“It was a hard decision, of course. I am afraid to have children, and at the time, I believed I would have to step down as a priestess, but I would do anything for Lilly and Gersius.”
Sarah nodded her head to show she was listening. This was a common factor in their relationship, this willingness to do anything for one another no matter the cost.
“So, you faced your fears out of your love for them?” Sarah asked.
Thayle smiled and looked up again. “I did, and they decided, they wanted me to join the relationship as a second wife. Gersius had been coaching Lilly for days to soften me up for it. When the time came, she asked me to join as a wife, and I had to admit I deeply wanted to.”
Sarah turned to face Lilly, who was feeling around on the top of her head now vaguely aware the butterfly was there. “So, you are the one who brought her into your relationship?”
Lilly looked up, aware they were talking to her. “I did, but only because Gersius said I could. He and I talked about it, and we agreed Thayle was wonderful, and we both wanted her. I would never have done what I did without his approval. I may be a dragon and not fully understand relationships, but I knew he had to approve. To pursue her without him would have been an insult to his love for me.”
“But didn’t you worry a second woman in your relationship would unbalance it?”
Lilly looked like she didn't understand the question. “Why would it unbalance it? I love her.” The answer was simple and pure, as if there was no question at all, only the truth that Thayle belonged in their love. Lilly finally managed to brush the butterfly, causing it to take to the air and watched it go before returning to the conversation.
“I have observed that most humans pair up male to female,” Sarah said. “As I said earlier, a second female seems unbalanced unless she is seen as a lesser partner.”
Lilly shook her head, her bright eyes glittering in the sunlight and put her arm around Thayle. “I love Thayle with all my heart. I want her to share everything with me, especially him. I want her to love him as I love him so we can be the family he wants.”
“He wants?” Sarah asked.
Lilly nodded. “Gersius deeply desires a family and has been trying to start one for years. He was about to step down when the Doan attacked. He started this painful crusade because he wanted to end the war quickly and make the lands safe for his children. All his heart desires is a small farming estate where he and his wives can live in peace and raise their children. He does not aspire to greatness, but he never refuses to answer the divines call, and they call him night and day.”
“So you and he made a family, but you needed her to provide the children. However, you now possess the blessing to have them yourself. You no longer need her.”
Lilly took a step forward and stood closer to Sarah. “You're wrong, I need Thayle with all my heart and can't survive without her. I have her to thank for all the love I have with Gersius, and that he is even now thinking of me. I know because I can feel it across the bind, his heart reaching out for me in his love. Thayle kept me from running away twice and helped me see the truth in my heart that I refused to admit. She became my truest friend and the teacher of my heart. I rely on her for understanding and guidance, and her gentle heart never tires of loving me. I will never give her up, she is mine, and I intend to keep her forever.”
“I am Lilly’s treasure,” Thayle said proudly.
“I heard this in the dream, but I do not understand how is she your treasure?”
“I am a dragon and very greedily want to keep her. She is as valuable to me as gold, and I consider her mine. When I started to understand love and feel the pain that can sometimes come with it, Thayle was there to help me. I so badly wanted her to love us, but she resisted for a long time. She cared about us so much, she denied herself for fear she would damage the love Gersius and I had. She was worried as you are worried that she would unbalance things, but her heart knew the truth. It was when I fell apart in Numidel's temple that she finally admitted she loved me. She said it to distract me, but I knew she was telling the truth.”
Thayle looked up with wide eyes. “You knew what I was doing?”
Lilly looked at her and nodded. “Not right away. I thought about it in the days after and realized what you were up to.”
Sarah turned to Thayle. “So is your love stronger for Lilly than it is for Gersius?”
Thayle shook her head. “I deeply love Gersius. He is my husband and the keeper of my bind. Our binds may be equal, but Lilly and I treat them as if he was our keeper. We bow our heads to him and allow him to lead us as the man he is. As far as we are concerned, we have no power to touch him, and he will decide our path.”
Sarah let her mouth fall open, and she didn't try to close it. “You have submitted yourself to him completely?”
“It was an easy thing to do. I saw how he treated Lilly while she was bound. I spoke to him at length about his feelings over having her bound. I saw the great care he took not to abuse or betray her trust in him. The bind is sacred to him, the ultimate test of trust and love, and he will never fail it.”
“So, you let him bind you too?”
“I did. I have to admit I was terrified when he did it. But I knew it was the right thing to do, and I knew he was the right man to give such a gift too.”
“How is he the right man?” Sarah asked.
Thayle smiled and stepped up to retake Lilly's hand. “He understands and respects the great gift Lilly, and I have given him. He has the ability to take our free will away any time he wants. He holds our hearts in his hand and cherishes that gift above all others. He never uses his control or even suggests that he could. He will discuss things with us, and try to sway us to his way of thinking, but never force his will on us.”
“But why give him such control?” Sarah asked.
“It is our way of saying we trust him completely, and he sees it as exactly that. A lesser man would not see it in such a way. A lesser man would abuse that trust and use the command for base reasons. Gersius is no lesser man. He is a champion of virtue, with a heart that is perhaps too kind. You saw how he was resistant to use the bind even to tell Lilly to sleep. He, in turn, trusts us with complete control of his heart and shows just how much faith he has in us. We would sooner die than betray that faith, so precious is the gift.”
Sarah looked down in thought. “I see, you have strongly established your trust in one another by being completely vulnerable.”
“That is a good way of looking at it,” Thayle said.
Sarah looked up again and faced Lilly. “But you were forced into the bind. You didn’t do it out of trust.”
Lilly nodded and explained how she came to be bound and the anger that came with it. Then she explained how he guided her through her first encounters with other humans, holding her hand like a father with his daughter. As she grew in her understanding, so did his attitude toward her. He eventually confided in her and shared his feelings. She told Sarah about the party at Pinehollow and how she danced in his arms. Then she discussed Whiterun and the tragedy there. Sarah new some of this already, but to hear her recount it sent chills down her spine. She was reminded yet again what he suffered to protect a dragon. Lilly then went on to recount how he felt responsible for what happened and decided he was not worthy of holding her bind. He set her free and encouraged her to go home. Sarah lifted her head a bit in surprise at this portion of the story. “He set you free of the bind?”
Lilly nodded gently. “Several bad things happened, and he felt it was his fault; by keeping me bound, he was causing these things. Now that I think about it, that was one of his first displays of love for me. He loved me so much he set me free so he couldn't hurt me.”
Thayle squeezed Lilly’s hand and played with her fingertips as this admission. Sarah saw the little smiles and the way their fingers mixed so eager to be together. She focused on the story at hand and asked the question that needed answering. “But you are bound to him now. How did that happen?” Sarah asked.
Lilly told the story of how they discovered Gersius had inadvertently sent that dragon to her valley. He was indirectly responsible for her wings, and the discovery was nearly the final blow. She turned to Thayle and smiled, running a hand down Thayle's cheek. She recounted how Thayle came to their rescue and saved Lilly from making a terrible mistake. Sarah heard of the heroic effort Thayle made to save their love even as a woman named Ayawa told her to stay out of it. Lilly admitted that when she finally felt love, it was the pain that often came with it. She was so overcome by it she begged Thayle to take it away, but Thayle only encouraged her to embrace it and let it grow.
“This is why I love her. She never gave up trying to help me. She fought with me over and over about what I was feeling, and eventually made me see the truth.”
“What was the truth?” Sarah asked her mind reeling with the pain and suffering of the story.
Lilly looked back at Sarah and blushed slightly. “I wanted him to bind me again. I wanted to be his and have that connection to his emotions. I needed it really. It was breaking down the curse and allowing me to feel love. He had already proven to me he could be trusted with it. So Thayle helped me ask him.” Lilly then explained the scene in the cliff garden, where she finally admitted how she felt. He admitted his feelings back and offered to let her bind him instead. Sarah understood the power of that moment but was taken aback when Lilly explained how they chose to bind each other instead.
“Now I see why you two are so close,” Sarah said as she looked to Thayle with a nod. “You shared all of these moments of her growth and helped steer her to where she needed to go.”
“I only helped her do what she wanted to do,” Thayle replied. “I would never have forced her down a path she didn’t want.”
“Yes, but you were there sharing in it all. You were the one she confided in and grew to trust with her vulnerability. As a dragon myself, I have some idea how that must have felt. To turn to a human and tell them I feel weak and vulnerable.”
“And lonely,” Lilly added with a playful smile.
Sarah looked to Lilly with her mouth hanging open as she realized the truth of that statement. “I suppose I have done the same thing. I have come to you with my fears and confusion, hoping you can take me by the hand and lead me the same way.”
“You have,” Lilly said with a broad smile. “But you could not have picked a better human to show your weaknesses too. Thayle has a gift for helping people find love.”
It was Thayle who spoke now in a soft and reassuring tone. “What is it you really want? Just companionship or a deep relationship?”
Sarah shut her mouth and straightened up. “I want what you have with Gersius. Now that I have seen it, I deeply desire it. I want a man I can share my name with and trust him to keep it safe. I want to share the kind of link you three have with each other, a complete understanding of your hearts and feelings.”
“You want to be bound to him, and belong to his heart,” Lilly said.
“Yes,” Sarah said with a shake of her head. “And perhaps a woman too. Somebody to be a friend and companion like you two have with each other.” She felt the pain inside starting to well up and was afraid she might cry again. Admitting how she felt was causing some kind of reaction, and she had to turn away to hide her shame.
A hand came to her shoulder as Lilly stepped up to her and whispered. “When you find the right man, you will never regret letting him bind you. It is impossible to explain what the binding link does for us. You have to experience it for yourself.”
“But where am I to find such a man?” Sarah asked. “How many Gersius’s are there in the world?”
“Not many,” Thayle said. “But we will help you look. It just so happens that Lilly and I are planning the perfect event for you to do so, and it’s happening tonight.”
“What is happening tonight?” Sarah asked as she turned about. Thayle smiled and took Sarah's hand again, her thumb tracing circles across it as Sarah struggled not to breathe as fast as her heart was beating.
“We are planning a party, there will be food, drink, music, and dancing,” Thayle said. “We plan to get the men of Astikar to dance with the women of Ulustrah so that they will do some talking. It will be the perfect place to meet some of the men and get to know them better.”
“I see,” Sarah said, her mind beginning to race.
“Do you know how to dance?” Thayle asked.
Sarah nodded her head. “I do, but my dances are from my era. I am not sure they will be the same.”
“You should spend the rest of the day with us,” Lilly said. “If we are going to help you, we need to get to know you better. Thayle can answer your questions, and I can teach you to dance.”
“That’s a good idea,” Thayle agreed. “It would help to know more about you if we want to find a man you can trust.”
“I don't want to intrude on your personal lives, I should be going,” Sarah stated.
Lilly reached out and grabbed her other hand and looked her in the eyes. “I think you should stay and practice dancing with us so you will be ready.”
Sarah yanked her hands away as her face flushed, and her words came out in a jumble. “I don't think that is a good idea. I was planning to fly tonight and look for the rival dragons.”
Lilly looked at Thayle and smiled. “Why do women always try to run from me when I start stalking them?”
Thayle laughed and shook her head. “Your beauty and openness intimidate them.”
“I am not trying to run from you. I just don’t want to be in the way while this party is going on,” Sarah protested.
Thayle laughed. “Lilly still hasn't learned boundaries. You may as well give up now; she isn't going to let you go now that she wants you around.”
Lilly let Thayle’s hand go and used both hands to pull at Sarah, leading her back to the trees. “Come, my love, let's sit down and talk more about what we can do to open that heart of yours.”
Sarah struggled briefly, but Lilly was determined to keep her and took her back to the trees. For the rest of the afternoon, Sarah spoke with them about their relationship while Lilly led her through dances. When the sun began to set, she finally escaped and fled to her tent, wondering if anyone would notice if she flew away.
“What do you hope to accomplish with this?” Mingfe asked as Thayle walked with her to her private tent.
“An improvement in moral we hope,” Thayle said as Mingfe led the way inside. She hadn’t been in Mingfe’s tent before and was amazed to see two large trunks thrown open and billowing with clothing. “Why are we here?”
Mingfe smiled and walked to one of the chests. “Because I have something I think would look better on you than me,” Mingfe said as she began to rummage through the clothing.
“I couldn’t take one of your outfits,” Thayle said and then froze as Mingfe pulled it out.
“Are you sure?” Mingfe asked with a smile.
Thayle looked the garment over with wide eyes smiled. “That shows an awful lot of skin.”
“It is very hot in the desert,” Mingfe reminded. “Billowing dresses that cover the skin do little to keep a dancing woman cool.” Thayle nodded and walked to the dress, taking it from Mingfe's hands. “You will look stunning in this,” Mingfe said as Thayle held it up and looked in the mirror.
“What will people say about me?” Thayle asked.
Mingfe smiled from over her shoulder and shook her head. “More importantly, what will Lilly and Gersius say?”
“I’m wearing it,” Thayle said as her mind began to race.
“I never doubted it,” Mingfe replied. “But, I have one more piece you must wear with it.” She dug back into her chest and produced a fine silk cloth hung with golden beads and so thin she could see right through it.
“A veil?” Thayle asked.
“In my lands, a woman always wears a veil when she wants to impress,” Mingfe said as she reached up and tied it around Thayle's face. Thayle looked into the mirror and saw how the black cloth made her eyes stand out and smiled softly.
“Come, let me get you dressed,” Mingfe said. “I have paint for your lips, and a powder for your cheeks.”
“I need to get Lilly dressed,” Thayle said as Mingfe led her to the bed.
“I have already sent some women to Lilly to make sure she is ready,” Mingfe replied.
“You did?” Thayle asked.
Mingfe nodded with a smile as she began to unlace Thayle’s outfit. “I will weave your hair and plant flowers in it. I grew some this morning just for you.”
Thayle smiled and let out a big gasp. “And here I thought you were against the idea.”
“Not against it, just wondering what you hoped to accomplish. I was surprised when Lilly came and asked Shadros to hunt with her to find deer, and he agreed. I had to spend two hours with that dragon, bartering with him to get him to accompany me.
Thayle looked up as her dress came away and slid over her hips. “Is he coming?”
Mingfe nodded with a smile. “He has even agreed to give me three dances. I spent some time teaching him just as you did with Sarah.”
“You saw that,” Thayle said as Mingfe held the dress open, and Thayle stepped into it.
“I saw something,” Mingfe replied. “But I am not so sure what it was.” Thayle smiled as the woman pulled the dress up around her waist and cinched it with a golden belt. She felt like a girl back in the temple, dressing one another as they flirted and played. “So, what is Sarah to you?” Mingfe dared to ask.
Thayle looked up as Mingfe reached around her chest and wrapped it with the second part of the outfit. “She is a dear friend who came to us for help.”
“Did you give it to her?” Mingfe asked.
“Of course we did,” Thayle replied.
“And what did she think of your help?”
Thayle turned her head to look at her with a curious glance. “Are you implying something?”
Mingfe smiled and shook her head. “I am implying nothing. I simply wonder why the most powerful dragon anyone has ever seen was dancing with Lilly under the trees.”
“Lilly was teaching her how to dance for tonight,” Thayle said.
“I am sure that is all it was,” Mingfe said.
Thayle shook her head. “That is all it was. Lilly and I are trying to help her with a personal issue. Besides, even if we did take an interest, Sarah and Gersius don't get along very well. They work together, but they argue a lot.”
“I argue with Shadros every day,” Mingfe said. “And he is still taking me dancing.” Thayle went silent as Mingfe pulled back her hair and began to bush it out. She smiled as a bowl of flowers was brought in, and Mingfe began to weave her hair carefully. “Tonight the camp will see you as a woman, and not the governess commander,” Mingfe said. “Maybe, just maybe she will too.”
Thayle looked into the mirror to see Mingfe smiling behind her as the flowers tied into her hair. She wondered now if maybe that was why Sarah came to them and shared her heart.
Lilly sat on a bench as four women of Ulustrah worked on her hair and painted her face. She felt silly with them fluttering about her as they worked and wondered where Thayle was. The women had arrived with a dress that they said Thayle wanted her to wear. Lilly was rather fond of it from the start and readily changed donning the elegant outfit that tightly hugged her waist.
“She is so pretty,” one of the women remarked as she shadowed Lilly’s eyes. “I am rather jealous of Governess Commander Thayle.”
“She is a beauty,” another woman said as she worked on Lilly's hair. “Like a princess of the camp, all sweetness, and loving eyes.” Lilly blushed as they complimented her, and the women laughed.
“Stop that now, your making it hard to get the color on your cheeks right,” a third woman said.
“I can't help it,” Lilly said. “You keep saying I am pretty.”
“A pity she hadn’t come to the temple to join as an acolyte,” the woman shadowing her eyes said. “She would have been very popular with the other girls.”
“Very busy you mean,” the woman braiding her hair said. The other women laughed and smiled wide as Lilly blushed, deeply embarrassed by their comments.
The tables in the meeting tent were carried outside to be used for food as the kitchen wagons ran at full capacity, butchering and cooking deer and pheasants that were hunted that morning by men and dragons. Several dozen women volunteered to help cook, and the whole space was a hive of activity. Loaves of bread were baking, honey cakes were piling up, and every table had flowers on display.
Inside the tent, seven people were tuning their instruments and going over the songs they would play. Gersius was dressed in his nicest pair of pants with his flowing white shirt and dark coat. He was amazed at what Lilly and Thayle had done in so short a time. Rows of chairs were placed inside, and men spent all morning laboring to make benches so more could sit. Thayle wanted all the injured women brought in so they could be a part of the festivities. Volunteers were selected who would walk through the women to fetch them food and drink and keep them happy.
Lengwin had come to compliment him on the idea, and Gersius laid all the credit at his wives' feet. He had done nothing but give them his approval, and they planned it all, then set it in motion at a moment's notice. He realized the rain had made all this possible, though the roads were wet and rutted, the grass of the field would keep the mud down, and the tent would be a dry space to dance.
As the sun began to set, the women of Ulustrah worked in teams to hang wreaths of flowers all along the meeting tent. Inside these, they worked together to summon a ball of water that glowed with a soft white light, illuminating the interior to a comfortable brilliance. Some of the walls were lifted high to allow people and, more importantly, airflow to pass through the tent. Lilly set her acolytes to blessing drinks with frost to chill them and to blessing the air of the tent overall to cool the space.
Men and women began to gather in their finest, if somewhat simple clothes. Many of the men didn't bring fine outfits to march to war, and equally, most of the women had to resort to their ceremonial robes of green. Still, they wore ribbons in their hair and painted lips as they gathered in anticipation.
“You look rather nervous,” Numidel said as he approached wearing a vivid blue coat. His softer blue beard making him look like a noble and kindly king.
“I am wondering where my wives are,” he said. “Lilly is obviously in our room, but Thayle feels farther away.”
“I am sure they plan to be here,” Numidel said. “They did work hard to put this together at the last minute.” Gersius nodded and looked about the room and smiled as men and women began to talk, and the musicians practiced a song to make sure they had the right timing. “Lilly asked me to do some hunting for them. I believe we have over a dozen deer cooking over the fires.”
“It was ingenious of them to use you and Shadros to increase what we could hunt. You are like hawks prowling the skies, able to bring down even the largest animals.”
“Well, not the largest, but certainly a few deer. I was tempted to bring back a couple of cows, but I suspected the farmer would take umbrage with me.”
Gersius nodded with a smile. “I am sure I would have gotten a letter of complaint in a day or two.”
The band struck up a simple tune, filling the air with a soft melody as the wine started flowing, and more people began to talk. The benches and chairs were filled with the injured women who nibbled on honey cakes and chatted with some of the men who were eager to meet them. All in all, it looked as if this was going to do a lot to ease tensions. Still, he felt nervous without his wives at his side, and then he looked up and saw Lilly.
It was the sound of other people gasping that made him follow pointed fingers to see her standing just outside the flap of their private space. She wore a silver dress of metallic hues that cinched at her waist. The top was ruffled with silver lace and rose just high enough to cover her ample chest modestly. Her shoulders and forearms were bare, but she wore delicate lace gloves, and her silver necklace, with the blue stone hanging above her breasts. Her lips were painted a soft pink, and a similar color just barely darkened her cheeks. Around her eyes was a faint hint of blue, magnifying the effect they had. Her hair was pulled up and pinned back in a delicate braid. Woven into one side were feathers of silver, black and white, gracing her head like the wings of a dove as she nervously smiled.
“She is magnificent,” Numidel said.
“I have never seen her so beautiful before,” Gersius replied.
Lilly walked in gentle steps, making her way to him as every man she passed turned to stare. She arrived before him and bowed her head as her smile grew and then looked up with a pleading look.
“Would you like to dance?” Gersius asked as she blushed and raised her hand so he could lead her to the floor. The music changed as the first dancers took their positions, and the crowd watched as he and Lilly stared into each other's eyes. They swayed about the open tent oblivious to the others around them. She felt alive and happy over the bind as if dancing was all she lived for. Others began to join them, as the men and women set differences aside and sought to share in the love on display. They danced for several minutes to a slow merry tune, as the night's festivities began in earnest.
“I love dancing,” Lilly whispered in his ear as they circled one another, his hand holding hers aloft.
“I know you do,” he replied. “Thankfully, there will be much dancing in our future.”
“There will?” she asked. He nodded as he bowed, stepping back before meeting in the middle to take her waist.
“We will be the rulers of an empire. There will be many state functions that we will have to attend, and all of them will include dancing.” She smiled as she spun around, so her back came to his chest, and he walked her a few paces.
“I want to dance with you every day,” she said.
“Maybe not that much dancing,” he laughed as the song finally came to an end. Their eyes met, and they smiled at each other as Lilly leaned forward to kiss him. As they parted, they felt a presence in the bind and looked up to see Thayle had arrived.
“Oh, she is so pretty!” Lilly exclaimed.
Thayle wore a black dress of flowing silk that dragged on the ground. It was hemmed in vivid orange and tied to her waist by a corded golden belt. Her top made Gersius take a second look to see that her entire stomach was bare. The material wrapped her chest alone and went up to a choker about her neck. Between her breasts was an open oval showing a clear line where they met. Her lips were painted in a soft or red that barely showed through a silken veil. Her eyes shadowed in a peach color that made her look mysterious over the veil. Her hair was braided in one long rope that hung down her left side, woven full of small orange blossoms. She smiled nervously as they looked on her, and Lilly practically ran to scoop her up. Thayle was dragged to the dance floor to be Lilly's next partner as the music began.
Gersius walked to the side to stand with Numidel while his two wives locked eyes and arms as they began to dance together.
“They look good together,” Numidel said over his glass of wine.
“They belong together,” Gersius replied. “I have never known two women who loved one another as they do.”
“Probably because they have a strong husband who anchors their love,” Numidel suggested.
Gersius shook his head. “Thayle already preferred women, and Lilly had no idea she wasn't allowed to love her back. By the time I realized how she felt, I was in love with Thayle too.”
“Sounds as if it was meant to be,” Numidel said.
“It was,” Gersius agreed. “The divines told us so. They picked Thayle expressly for this purpose, and she has given it her full heart.”
The two women spun around one another; their eyes never glancing away as they caught the attention of nearly every watcher around the tent. Lengwin joined Gersius to speak about what a success this was turning out to be before a high priestess of Ulsutrah approached him and beckoned him to join her on the floor.
“I believe you have been summoned,” Gersius replied with a smile as Lengwin was led away. “Remember, you are a holy man.” Numidel laughed as Lengwin made a face as if he had been scandalized, and Gersius only waved him on. He and Numidel were approached by two women who very nervously asked if they would dance. The men nodded and stepped out to join the dancers on the floor as the song changed, and the dancing went on.
He enjoyed his dance with the woman as she smiled and blushed, leading her through the steps with perfect precision. As they turned about, he noticed a pair of dancers that seemed to be struggling and couldn't believe who they were.
“Mingfe is dancing with Shadros,” Gersius said over the bind.
“Thayle and Lilly finally looked away from each other to see the two struggling along as Mingfe pulled him through the paces.
“He isn’t very good,” Lilly replied silently.
“She made him practice for hours,” Thayle said. “The problem is she is leading.”
“Should I ask her to dance so she can have a few good songs?” Gersius asked.
“No,” Thayle said over the bind. “I know exactly how to fix this.”
Thayle spun Lilly closer until they were right next to Mingfe and Shadros and made them an offer.
“Would you mind switching?” Thayle asked. “I will trade you, Lilly, for him.”
Mingfe harumphed and nodded, giving up his grasp to sweep Lilly into her arms and carry her away. Thayle stepped into the grasp of the angry dragon and met his eyes as she smiled sweetly.
“Not enjoying the dance?” she asked.
“This is rodent foolishness,” he growled. “I do not like being forced to behave this way.”
Thayle nodded as she practically dragged him through the steps. “Shadros, you are missing a golden opportunity here to take charge and be in control.”
“What are you talking about?” he asked.
Thayle smiled and looked into his eyes. “This is a dance, and in the dance, the man leads. Mingfe has asked you to take control of her and lead her through the steps. This is your chance to be the one in charge for a change.”
“I am supposed to be in charge?” he asked.
“Yes,” Thayle whispered. “But I am the one in your arms now. Here is your chance to put me in my place. Take charge of me and carry me through the dance, I will have no choice but to obey.” She smiled as his hand tightened around her waist as he took command, leading the steps. He swung her about a smile on his face to see her following his directions for a change. The dance flowed smoothly, and she followed him with earnest until his aura glowed with satisfaction. The song ended, and Thayle stepped back her smile wide. “Now, don't let her push you around. You are the male, and you lead the dances. Make her go where you want to go, and she will follow.”
Mingfe returned with Lilly holding her hand as the next song started.
“I believe this belongs to you,” she said as she handed Lilly back over.
Thayle nodded and took Mingfe's free hand and turned to Shadros with a nod. “And, I believe this belongs to you.”
Shadros nodded back and took up Mingfe’s hand, pulling her into his arms as the next dance began. She was swept away by a renewed man who was determined to lead her through every pace.
“How did you get him to dance better?” Lilly asked.
Thayle laughed and took Lilly's hands. “I reminded him he was a dragon.” Lilly looked confused, but she let it go as Gersius arrived.
“You two did an amazing job. How did you organize all this so quickly?” he asked.
Thayle smiled and took his hand. “I asked for volunteers when we first mentioned it. I already knew who was going to do what and how it was going to happen. I just needed a good day to get it all done. Thanks to the rain today was the day.” Gersius nodded as Lilly took his free hand and put it around Thayle's waist.
“Go and dance with my Thayle,” she insisted. “I want to see her smile.”
Gersius carried Thayle into the dance, sharing his light and his love as they stared at one another. Every song they switched, Gersius dancing with Lilly, then the two girls together, then back to Thayle. Lilly refused to dance with anybody else and spent her quiet time talking to Numidel.
“I wonder where Sarah is,” Gersius said as he spun Thayle in a gentle circle.
“She hasn’t shown up yet?” Thayle asked and began to look around.
“I haven’t seen her.”
“Lilly, go and see if Sarah is in her tent,” Thayle said over the bind. “If she is, drag her out here right now.”
Lilly smiled and scampered off to find Sarah as Thayle shook her head. “She came to us earlier with a burden on her heart. She is starting to feel lonely, and it would appear we are to blame.”
“How are we to blame?” Gersius asked as they bowed to each other.
“Sarah sees our relationship and has decided she wants one just like it. She wants a man and a woman, and she even wants to be bound.”
Gersius was shocked to hear that as he considered how often Sarah spoke poorly about the bind. As the music ended, he went to ask a question when his voice caught in his throat. Heads turned, and whispers circled the room as Sarah arrived with Lilly holding her hand. She stood as tall as a healthy man, wearing a black dress that washed over her hips like water over smooth stone. The stomach was cinched tight, and a latticework of lace and boning lifted her chest, the milky tops exposed to the night air. Her hair was pinned up in a regal looking wrap at the back. On the top of her head was a golden tiara decorated with red stones. Similar stones hung from each ear and around her neck hung strings of gold, studded gems like dew on a spider's web. Her lips were painted the same color, and her eyes glowed with the light of her dragon heritage. She looked like a queen about to hold court, and every person in the room went silent in supplication.
“Oh, that looks delicious,” Thayle said as she took the woman in.
“Delicious?” Gersius repeated with a chuckle.
Thayle smiled as she continued to look at the queen arriving at her ball. “You know exactly what I mean.”
“I already saw her naked. I didn’t need this to inspire me.”
Thayle smiled wider and let out a light laugh as they walked across the room to stand before Lady Sarah.
“Sarah, you look absolutely beautiful,” Thayle said. “That dress is even more daring than mine.”
Sarah looked at her dress as if unsure what Thayle meant and then looked up. “I am not showing near as much skin as you are.”
“You don’t have to,” Thayle said. “It’s so tight it practically is your skin.” Sarah looked at her with heavy brows as Gersius stepped up and met her gaze.
“You look like a queen,” Gersius replied. “A woman fit for a grand hall and a king's ransom for a chance to dance with her.” Thayle smiled at him and nudged him as Sarah struggled to reply.
“What was that for?” he asked over the bind.
“You save that silver tongue for Lilly and I,” Thayle said silently. “Sarah is here to look for a man who might be worthy of her. You go dance with Lilly; I want to help her meet some of the officers.”
“If you will excuse me,” Gersius said as he bowed gently to Sarah before leading Lilly away.
Sarah nodded in return and then turned to Thayle in a panic. “What do I do now?”
“Sarah, relax. You look amazing, and every man in this camp is going to want to dance with you.”
“I am not looking for every man. I am looking for the right one,” Sarah argued back.
Thayle smiled and took her hand, tracing gentle circles with her thumb. “Then allow me to introduce you to some.” She led Sarah to the officers, introducing them, and helping her bridge the gap. It took some effort, but she eventually got Sarah onto her feet and dancing with one of the men. As the night wore on, Thayle introduced her to more and encouraged her to dance, but something didn't feel right. The dances looked clumsy, and Sarah was distant, judging each man as unfit to be her partner.
“I see you are trying to tame a wild beast,” Numidel said as he joined Thayle’s side.
“Why is nobody good enough for her?” Thayle said.
Numidel looked around the room and sipped at his wine. “It took a man of exceptional quality to tame Lilly’s heart. Sarah will need a man at least that great or greater.”
“But how do I find that man if she won't open up to any of them. I can see her aura from here; she hasn't enjoyed a single one of these men's company all night.”
“Perhaps the Lady isn’t impressed by this kind of dancing,” Numidel said.
Thayle looked at him with shock in her eyes. “Are you suggesting she needs to take one to bed?”
Numidel choked on his wine and shook his head violently. “No,” he croaked out and cleared his throat. “I am suggesting she would prefer a test of martial skill. She is a warrior at heart, where I am more akin to Lengwin. She will likely be more impressed by a man who can wield a sword than one who can smile in a dance.”
Thayle nodded as the dance end, and she looked around for the next man to try his luck.
“I am done for the night,” Sarah said as she arrived.
“We have hours yet to dance,” Thayle said. “There are plenty of men.”
“All of these men are intimidated by me,” she said. “They stumble over their words as often as they do their feet. I haven’t had a decent dance or conversation all night.”
“Maybe you should sit the next one out and get a drink,” Numidel suggested.
“Why don’t you two dance together?” Thayle asked as she turned to Numidel. “I have seen you dance, and you are not likely to be intimidated by her.”
Numidel looked into Sarah's eyes, and she shook her head. “You and I have no more business together, and I would rather not.”
“That wasn't my fault,” he began, but Sarah held up a hand.
“We agreed it had to be done and forgotten, let us keep it that way.”
“Alright,” Thayle said as she looked around her mind wondering what that was all about. She suddenly spotted somebody she knew wouldn't disappoint her and licked at her lips. If all she wanted was a good dance, then he was her best bet.
“Come with me,” Thayle said and took Sarah by the hand.
“I really have grown tired of this,” Sarah said.
“Just one more dance,” Thayle insisted. “Then you can go back to your tent.” Sarah groaned and followed along as Thayle walked right up to Gersius.
“I believe you owe this woman a dance,” Thayle said.
Gersius turned around and met Sarah's eyes as she frowned back at him. She looked angry, and her aura reflected it, but Thayle spoke over the bind and pressed him.
“Just give her one good dance,” Thayle said silently.
“I was just about to dance with Lilly,” he replied, using his voice and making Sarah frown even deeper.
“Sorry, Lilly is mine,” Thayle said and quickly took Lilly into her arms, spinning her away.
Gersius looked into Sarah’s emotionless face and nodded to the open space. “Would you care to dance?”
Sarah looked out to the floor as something inside called out, compelling her to fight against her anger. She nodded her head and held out her hand.
Thayle and Lilly smiled as Gersius and Sarah began to dance. Her aura slowly went from angry to confused, to slightly happy as Gersius boldly took her through the steps. They talked about her night, laughing as she explained some of her earlier dances. A minute later, Sarah smiled as she was twirled by a strong arm that caught her firmly to his chest. The song ended, but they stayed together, dancing to the next one, and the one after that. Lilly and Thayle danced nearby and watched as Sarah's aura began to glow with happiness and joy. They both went wide-eyed as that glow began to break away and drift to Gersius, showering him in her light.
“What does that mean?” Lilly asked as they watched while trying to dance. Thayle smiled wide and looked across the floor to Mingfe, who was herself still dancing with Shadros. The woman looked up and smiled then nodded to Gersius and Sarah.
“It might mean nothing,” Thayle said with a smile. “But then, it might be the beginning of something wonderful.”
Comments
WhiteRabbit
Thanks for the chapter
WhiteRabbit
Please, we discussed this just-> this. Just joined Thayle standing-> joined Thayle, standing “Why are you, lonely?”-> no comma composer-> composure could giver her -> give her divines call-> divines' call Lilly, and I have-> Lilly and I have moral we -> morale
Big chapter today, I have a lot of story to tell and the end of the book is coming. So expect some bigger chapters in the future.
