Gersius watched as Lilly led her first morning prayer session with the new acolytes of Balisha. She introduced them to Balisha's song by singing in her beautiful clear voice. Gersius never tired of hearing her sing and often wished she knew more songs. Thayle remarked about it as well, promising to one day teach Lilly how to use that silver voice for more than prayers.
After prayers were done, he spent an hour instructing the acolytes as he did Culver. He took them through the various exercises for clearing the mind and centering the soul. He explained the nature of the divine and the connection a human could form with them. Many of the faces were blank, and some still traumatized by the previous day's bloodshed.
While Thayle thought to address her acolytes about the incident, neither he nor Lilly thought to address their own. Fortunately, all the acolytes of Balisha remained. He realized this was because they were warned of the road ahead. These were the ones who were committed to the cause and to learning about the goddess. They would stand firm when tested. Three of Thayle’s left first thing in the morning, unable to endure the path ahead. With them went a particularly timid priestess who cried over holding a sword.
These were replaced by five priestesses from remote temples. They arrived to join the swelling ranks of Thayle's army with concern in their eyes. With them came a small surprise for Thayle, but one Gersius was already counting on. Seven women in simple farmer’s dress wanted to join. They were determined to lend their aid to Ulustrah in her time of need. When question they learned, these women were silent priestesses.
There was a small protest from some of the other priestesses who said it was improper. Gersius knew that was a mistake. The number of silent priestesses vastly outweighed the number of active ones. If the silent ones could be gathered to the cause, Thayle's army would swell by leaps and bounds. Fortunately, Thayle saw the need as well and made a very public proclamation that any man or woman of Ulustrah would be accepted, silent or not. It needed to be this way. She could not afford to turn anyone away. However, he knew that these women came with an extra burden on Thayle's heart. These were wives and mothers, and their deaths would be doubly hard.
They would need armor and equipment, but most of the temples had extra. Thayle ordered all the extra equipment from every temple brought to the estate. The silent women were equipped and folded into the army as if they never stepped down. Even now they drilled with Thayle and Mingfe.
Mingfe trained the general group leading them through basic combat drills. Thayle taught those who showed skill and were ready for more advanced lessons. She even enlisted the help of some of the priests of Astikar to act as sparring partners for her advanced students. She wanted them to train against the very sort of soldiers they would be facing. Thayle was determined to impress upon them just how skilled in combat the order of Astikar was. To their credit, the priests of Astikar offered advice on how to get around the shield wall they presented. They helped teach Thayle's women how to break Astikar’s formations.
Gersius met with Lengwin while Thayle trained. Lengwin's numbers grew day by day as well. Every temple of Astikar in his area of influence sent men and material. It arrived daily and joined his camp, boosting the number of men on hand to seventy. Lengwin was now dispatching riders to temples ahead of them with instructions to be ready to meet the Dragon knights. Gersius approved of the strategy and hoped it would bear fruit.
As the army marched he, Lilly, and Thayle would fly ahead to towns in their path and attempt to enlist their aid. With any luck, Thayle's temples would already by mobilized and ready. Prime Arlin said he would make every effort to contact these temples in advance and order them to Thayle's cause. The temples of Astikar were going to be another matter. Once they were outside of Lengwin's jurisdiction, they would be dealing with a different High Priest who might be hostile to their cause.
Lengwin said the first High Priest was an aged man named Volithar. He was slow to anger and quick to forgive with a gentle heart. However, he was a staunch follower of the chain of command. Lengwin wasn't sure if he would aid them or side with the Father Abbot out of duty. They would know soon enough once Lengwin's riders began to arrive at the man's temples.
Gersius took some time to organize the militia that was slowly gathering as well. This ragtag group of volunteers needed to be made combat efficient. If he threw them at a regular army, they would fight like a mob and be slaughtered. For this task, he went to Lengwin's priests and asked for volunteers. He wanted five men to each take a portion of this group and train it as a small unit. These would then fight as cells under the command of a priest of Astikar. Twelve men volunteered to help, and Gersius selected the five most suited to the job.
Now the task at hand was finding some way to feed and shelter them all. The priests of Astikar were used to war campaigns and came with their own tents and equipment. Everyone else needed to be considered and adequately cared for. He made further requests of the tentmaker, but the man was already overstretched with the first order. Gersius bought whatever was available and ready regardless of color or condition. This gave him ten more tents of various sizes, but many needed mending and repairs. This work would have to be done on the march as his army slowly made its way to Calathen.
He hoped they would find more tentmakers in the towns ahead. He would place small orders when he flew in with Lilly. By the time the army reached them, the tents would be ready.
Food supplies would also be made ready. They wanted to do much of this through the priestesses of Ulustrah. As they flew ahead, they would meet with these women and give them special instructions. The women would be tasked with going to local farms and orchards to richly bless the crops in exchange for a share of the accelerated harvest. This share would be gathered with the other supplies to be collected when the army arrived. Once in the army, they would supplement the camp with whatever they could bless and grow quickly. Thayle explained that mature fruit trees and berry bushes could be blessed into a full fruit with a few women working together.
He also planned to make use of the hunters in the militia. Many of the people who joined were skilled with the bow and experienced trackers. They would be sent out to bring down deer or other game to feed the growing army.
If his plans unfolded as he hoped they would be marching in two days. He looked to the southwest as if he could see the distant city of Calathen. Soon, he would be marching on the city he once called his home. Soon, he would be emperor, or he would be dead.
Thayle took careful note of the mood of her soldiers. Some of the acolytes and one of the priestesses were gone, and this took a toll on the rest. Fortunately more arrived that morning with a handful of silent priestesses. She immediately welcomed them into the dismay of others who challenged the propriety of it. Thayle put a quick and resolute end to that challenge. She declared that anyone who wanted to fight for Ulustrah, silent or otherwise would be welcome.
Morale was terrible, and many approached training with heavy hearts. She knew that her order attracted the gentle souls who would rather bless a love than raise a hand against another. Somehow she needed to impress upon these people that they no longer had a choice. The war came for them no matter how gentle they were, and they would fight or be crushed.
The departure of several acolytes upset the rest. Thayle heard them whispering in the gardens saying crazy things. All of them were sure they would be marched into the spears of the enemy. This foolishness needed to stop before they all fled over imagined dangers.
When drills were completed, she released the women but had Mingfe gather up the remaining acolytes. She took these girls to the field outside the estate and lined them up. Some still had watery eyes, while others fidgeted nervously. She could see that they were frightened and she wanted to reassure them.
“I regret to say that what you saw yesterday is likely to be a common sight in the future. We are marching to war, and many people will try and stop us. There will be more bloodshed in our future, and must learn to live with it.”
She walked along the line to stand beside Mingfe.
“I know a lot of you are scared. What you saw was a horrible thing. Most women join the order of Ulustrah because they don’t want to fight. Our order is prized for being gentle and caring, but we have been put in a terrible position. We can no longer be gentle of heart or caring of soul. Our temples are under attack, and our sisters slain because we know the truth. Fools like those men in the road are going strike at us all the way to Calathen. If any of you want to leave, you may go. I have no place for women who cannot stand strong when the fighting starts.”
“Begging your pardon Grand Priestess, but do you expect us to fight?” asked a young girl from the back.
“Not all of you, dear child. Mingfe will instruct those of you who wish to learn to fight. Those of you who do not have the strength to fight will serve as aids in the camp. You will help by setting up the tents, carrying water, and using the minor blessings you know to aid the others. You will not be expected to fight.”
The girl nodded and took a deep breath.
“You must be strong, girls. Even if I left you behind, the fighting might come to you. The temple of Astikar was attacked because they refused to follow the insane order of their Father Abbot. They have proven they can reach even the far city of Avashire. You are not any safer here than you will be with us.”
She paused to look at them. Some seemed stoic and strong, others trembled and looked as if they might collapse at any moment.
“We leave in two day’s. You have until then to decide where your path lies.”
Thayle dismissed them and returned to the guest house to find Lilly and Gersius.
Gersius and Lilly stood at the table in the bedroom. The table was covered with maps showing the route they planned to take. Lilly was pointing at towns and drawing lines with her fingers as he nodded.
“Why don’t we fly to these towns here and have them meet us on the road at this city? It is right on the way.”
“Those towns are very far apart. It may take a full days flying to reach them all,” he said.
“None of us needs to sleep. We should take advantage of that and fly through the night,” she suggested.
“I swear she has done this before,” Thyale said as she got to the table.
“She is gifted with some good ideas,” Gersius agreed.
“It’s an advantage they won’t be expecting. It only makes sense to put it to good use,” Lilly replied.
“Flying through the night to reach distant towns might even be easier. People will be asleep and won't panic at the sight of a dragon overhead,” Thayle added.
“And we can all see in the dark,” Gersius remarked.
“Plus we can reach twice as many towns,” Lilly pointed out.
“These dragon gifts do have their advantages,” Thayle replied.
“We could go farther ahead as well and give those towns more time to prepare. It will make it easier to arrange tents, food, and weapons if I can give them a few more days.
“It’s a good plan,” Thayle remarked. “We should fly out tonight.”
“I agree,” Gersius said with a nod. “However, today, I need to visit the city.”
“What for?” Lilly asked.
“I want to see if we can get additional cloth for tent repairs,” he said.
“Didn’t he say he was giving us materials to repair them?” Thayle asked.
“He did, but I want enough cloth to replace a dozen tents. This way, I can build some of our own on the march.”
“Ahh,” Thayle said with a nod. “I suppose Lilly and I will be going with?”
“If you wish,” he replied.
“Can we go without an escort this time?” Lilly asked.
Thayle laughed and shook her head. “I doubt it. Mingfe would scold us all if she found out.”
“I will take a few priests of Astikar with me,” Gersius said. “Why not pick a few of the women to escort you? It would help to show them you see them as capable.”
Thayle agreed and took Lilly to pick their escorts. Mingfe insisted they take two each and minutes later they marched down the road to the city with six guards.
“What happened to two?” Gersius asked.
“Mingfe did,” Thayle said with a shake of her head. “She would have sent ten if I hadn’t argued with her.”
Gersius glanced over his shoulder at the soldiers behind him “They look capable,” he said.
“They are from my advanced group,” Thayle said. “All of them had some training with the sword outside of the Order of Ulustah.”
“Four was probably a wiser decision,” he said with a concerned look.
The two women felt a sudden anxiousness over the bind and shared a glance before Thayle put a hand to his arm.
“What’s bothering you?” Thayle asked.
“I spoke with the guards who dealt with our guests yesterday,” he said.
“And?” Thayle pried.
“They tell me that two men escaped. One of the bodyguards, and the son.”
Thayle let out an annoyed sigh. “So the man who caused that entire scene is alive and angry at us.”
“He may also be the head of his family now,” Gersius pointed out. “His father died in that battle. Unless he has brothers, he may now be a powerful man with a grudge against us.”
“I should have eaten him,” Lilly said.
“So the vile young man who is offended he didn't get to abuse our wife is still out there plotting against us?” Thayle summarized.
Gersius shook his head as his anxiousness grew. “I hope he has siblings. With luck, he will be locked in conflict over succession.”
“I hope they kill him,” Thayle said with a growl.
Gersius stopped and turned to face her. He put a hand to each arm and held her firmly.
“Please, don't let things like this bitter your heart. Your love and kindness are one of the facets of you I treasure.”
Thayle looked into his eyes and nodded slightly. “I can’t hide from my duty anymore,” she said. “But I will try not to change.”
Gersius pulled her into a hug and kissed the side of her head. He held her a moment before turning her loose and resuming the walk.
They walked on in silence for a few minutes before he spoke again.
“Why don’t you two explore the city a little. Take a moment to find a bakery or a tea house.”
“I thought we were just visiting the tent maker?” Thayle asked.
“I want to visit with Lengwin as well. We can meet back at the estate when you're done.”
Thayle took his hand and squeezed it to try and reassure him. He looked down at the gesture and smiled. Lilly took his other hand and surrounded him with their love as they walked the rest of the way to the gate.
Once inside they split up with Gersius taking the priests of Astikara and Lilly and Thayle taking the four priestesses of Ulustrah. Lilly wore her blue dress with the leather top while Thayle was in a dark outfit with a green highlight and trim.
Together they wandered the streets trying to forget the escort and enjoy the city. Some people recognized them, and a few even approached and praised the dragon and dragon knight.
They wandered into shops and explored the market stalls. Lilly was particularly interested in a man that sold incense. She found the smoky scents intoxicating and begged Thayle to get her some.
Next, they wandered through a crowded market bazaar, and Lilly pointed out all the colors of fruit. She smelled all the scents of the spices and stopped to gawk at the wares of a glassblower.
Eventually, they found themselves wandering down a street when Lilly began to look around.
“What is that?” Lilly asked.
“What is what?”
Lilly listened intently to the city around her and focused on a strange sound that came from someplace ahead. She practically dragged Thayle around the corner until she found the source. A group of street musicians played for a gathered crowd with a particularly stunning beauty strumming a harp.
Lilly raced to the crowd and stood on her toes to see the musicians.
“I remember this from the party at your temple. I never got a chance to ask the question I had.”
“What question?” Thayle asked.
“How are they making that noise?”
“Sweetheart, this is music,” Thayle laughed.
“What is music?” Lilly asked.
“Sometimes I forget what you are,” Thayle said with a laugh. She pointed to the closest musician who was playing the dulcimer. “You see that thing in his hands?”
Lilly nodded and stared at it as the man plucked at strings.
“That's a musical instrument. These people all have different types, and each type makes a different kind of sound. They are playing them together to make the music you hear.”
Thayle didn’t need to see Lilly’s face to know she didn’t understand. She could read Lilly’s confusion over the bind and wanted to laugh again. She was about to explain more when the woman at the harp opened her mouth and began to sing.
The sweet tones of her clear voice carried over the crowd, and Thayle felt a profound emotion sweep through Lilly. A joy mixed with sadness and regret. They stood there for the entire song, and by the end, Lilly was crying.
“Sweetheart, whatever is the matter?” Thayle asked, turning Lilly to look at her.
“I had no idea there was something so beautiful,” Lilly said. “First you, now this music. How many beautiful things are there in the world?”
Thayle was speechless as to how carelessly Lilly compared her to the most beautiful things. She wanted to sweep Lilly up and kiss her but didn't want to draw the stares of the crowd.
Lilly turned back as the musicians began to play another song and her sadness deepened.
“What do dragons live for?” she asked. “Why are our lives so pointless?”
Now Thayle understood what was upsetting her. Lilly discovered another experience she treasured and realized how empty her life alone was. Thayle leaned into her and wrapped her arm around Lilly’s back.
“Your life wasn't empty, sweetheart. You were living the life you were meant to, and you were happy.”
“I was happy only because I didn't know about music, or dancing, or bread, or love. I never knew how much I wanted to be held and kissed. I never understood that I was alone and that nothing I did mattered.”
Thayle squeezed her waist and rocked her gently.
“Sweetheart, you didn't have the range of emotions you have now. You can't judge what you were by who you are now. You would not have been able to appreciate these things before. Your binding to Gersius opened your heart and allowed you to understand. All you can do now is be grateful to the divines for sending him to you. They chose you to be saved from your curse and enabled you to share in these joys.”
Lilly looked over to her and smiled. “You and Gersius always thank the divines for everything. I hope I can be as faithful as you are someday.”
Thayle smiled. “Lilly, if you keep complimenting my beauty and my faith, we are going to have to go back to the estate so we can be alone.”
“Why?” Lilly asked innocently.
Thayle concentrated on a mental image, and Lilly suddenly blushed and smiled. She turned to face Thayle and ran a hand down her cheek. “Only if you promise to let me rub your feet.”
“Wait,” Thayle said with a raised brow. “You will only make love to me if I let you rub my feet?”
“Ah, huh,” Lilly said with a nod.
Thayle laughed. “Sweetheart, you have no idea how to bargain.”
The woman began to sing again, and Lilly turned back to gaze in wonder. They listened to the song for a minute before Lilly leaned over to whisper to Thayle.
“I wish I could sing like that.”
“Lilly, you can sing,” Thayle said. “Don’t you listen to your voice when you pray to Balisha?”
“That’s just a prayer,” Lilly said. “It’s not like this.”
Thayle shook her head as Lilly failed to equate the two. She heard Lilly sing every day in a beautiful high voice that moved the heart. Just because it was in prayer to Balisha didn’t make it any less of a song. She already told Gersius that she wanted to teach Lilly a proper song, but now the need was more important. She made a mental note to find time to show Lilly she could sing every bit as beautifully.
When at last the song ended, and the musician's bowed, Thayle was able to pry Lilly away. They walked down the street with Lilly talking about how pretty the woman's voice was. As they rounded a corner, they were recognized by several women who came rushing over.
“Lady Dragon,” one woman said as she fell over herself in a curtsy. “Divines bless you and you as well Dragon Knight.”
“The divines have blessed me greatly,” Lilly said with a glance and smile at Thayle.
The women didn't seem to notice, and they began to pester Lilly with silly questions. They asked her how she became a dragon and how she met Gersius.
“I didn’t become a dragon,” Lilly said. “I was always a dragon.”
“Surely you're a princess or a noblewoman? This is a magical curse put on you by a witch?”
Lilly looked at Thayle. “What is a witch?”
Thayle laughed and patted Lilly’s arm. “Let me answer them.”
“Ladies, Lilly is, and always was a dragon. This isn't a weave or a curse.”
The women were silent a moment, and then they went on as if they hadn't heard a thing. They pointed out that her human form was beautiful, and a jealous sorceress must have done it.
“You three aren’t listening,” Lilly protested. “I am a dragon. This human form is a blessing from the Goddess Balisha. She gave us this so we dragons can mingle with humans and learn about you.
“Why would she do that?” a woman asked.
“Because you humans are frightened of our dragon forms and won't accept us unless we come to you like this.”
“So your not a princess?”
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“No!” Lilly protested. “I am a dragon. I am in my blessed form so that you won't be afraid of me. You need to thank Balisha for her gift of the human form to us dragons.”
“Hmm,” Thayle mused. “You wish you had faith like Gersius and me?”
Lilly smiled at her and turned back to the women.
“You must not be fooled by this form. This is my magical form. The dragon is who I really am.”
“But you seem so human,” a woman said.
“What does that mean?” Lilly asked.
“I mean you don’t behave like a wild beast,” the woman said.
“Hey!” Thayle interjected. “Lilly isn't a wild beast. Even in her dragon form, she is articulate and intelligent. If you could stop being afraid of it for a moment, you would see she is just as beautiful as a dragon as she is a human. More so if you ask me.”
The women were hesitant to continue and simply bowed their heads and excused themselves.
“How dare they call you a wild beast,” Thayle said before Lilly whipped her around.
Gentle hands came to the sides of her face as Lilly's soft lips pressed to hers. Thayle went to protest but couldn't find the strength to resist. When Lilly pulled away, she was panting. “I want to go back to our room. I need to be alone with you.”
“I have no objections,” Thayle whispered as their escorts giggled behind her.
Lilly smiled and took her hand. She led Thayle back through the city and down the road to the estate. When they arrived, Gersius was in the front yard talking to Kilgian. He called out to them, but Lilly only waved and called back. “I have something to do.”
Gersius and Thayles eyes met, and he shook his head slightly before going back to talking with Kilgian.
Thayle was hauled up the stairs, but Lilly began trying to undress her even before they reached the bedroom.
“Lilly, what has come over you?” Thayle said.
“You really think my dragon form is beautiful?” Lilly asked as she pulled the laces of Thayles dress.
Thayle's mouth fell open as she understood. “Sweetheart, I love your dragon form. It is as beautiful to me as the stars in the night sky. It--” she went to continue, but Lilly pounced on her, pressing her lips to Thayle, driving her to the bed. For the next hour, Lilly ravaged her and left her heaving for breath as Lilly's arms folded around her and held her tightly.
“I love you, my Thayle,” Lilly whispered.
“Lilly, I had no idea you were worried we didn’t think your dragon form was beautiful.”
Lilly kissed the back of Thayles head. “I know you find my human form attractive, but I am the dragon. It means a lot to me to know you don't see me as a monster.”
Thayle nodded and settled into Lilly’s arms. “Sweetheart, I love your dragon form. I would not have given you so many kisses if I didn’t. Your dragon form is so beautiful to me that I want to kiss it every time I see it.”
Thayle wasn’t prepared for Lilly to throw her on to her back and pin her arms down.
“Why must you make me love you so much?” Lilly asked.
“I was just telling you how I felt?” Thayle said with surprise.
Lilly smiled and descended on her and Thayle was swept away in Lilly's renewed fervor. Another hour went by, and Thayle was sure she could take no more.
“Are you two about done?” Gersius called from the stairwell.
“Gersius, save me!” Thayle cried. “Lilly has gone feral. She won't stop loving me!”
Gersius walked up the stairs to find them both in bed with Lilly coiled over Thayle.
Lilly growled at him as he approached and clutched at Thayle tightly.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Mine!” Lilly said in a firm voice as she huddled over Thayle.
He laughed as Thayle looked up at him.
“What is going on here?” Thayle asked.
“The dragon has claimed you as hers,” he laughed.
“She’s all mine!” Lilly said again.
He stood beside the bed and looked down at her with a smile on his face.
“I thought you said you were going to share her?”
“I changed my mind,” Lilly said. “I want to keep her to myself.”
“I am being fought over by a dragon?” Thayle questioned.
Lilly smiled and clutched at Thayle firmly. “Your all mine, he can’t have you unless I say so.”
“So I need your permission to make love to our husband?”
Lilly nodded and laid her head on Thayles chest.
Thayle stroked her head and let out a sigh. “You’re a silly dragon.”
“You’re mine,” Lilly said. “I loved you first.”
Thayle smiled and kissed the top of her head. “Alright, I'm yours.”
Lilly smiled broadly and let out a deep contented sigh. She jumped slightly when a firm hand went down her back.
“What are you doing?” Lilly asked as she looked up into his eyes.
“Thayle may be yours, but you are mine,” he said.
She smiled even wider and lifted her head for a kiss. He gave her a gentle press and stroked her back as she laid back down.
“I suppose you can love her too,” Lilly said.
“Thank you,” he said.
“Are you going to lay claim to all the wives?” Thayle said
“All what wives?” Lilly questioned.
Thayle ran her fingers through Lilly's hair. “I imagine he will take at least a dozen more. A man like Gersius is never satisfied with any less than ten.”
“I am more than satisfied with the two I have,” he said.
Lilly looked up at him with wide eyes. “Do I get to make love to them all?”
“You sure do,” Thayle teased.
Lilly looked around as if thinking and then turned to Thayle. “We should go look for one. We could take another one tonight!”
Thayle burst out laughing and put a hand over her mouth as Gersius shook his head.
“You promised me you wouldn’t give your love to anymore,” he reminded her.
Lilly looked back at him. “But she is for you too!”
“I love how innocent she is!” Thayle laughed. “She has no concept of how any of it works.”
“You need to teach her,” he said.
“Why do I need to teach her?” Thayle asked. “She’s your dragon.”
“She needs to learn from another woman,” he argued. “You need to teach her or she will bring home every pretty girl she finds,” he said.
Thayle shrugged. “I like pretty girls.”
He shook his head at her and went to the desk. “You two should get dressed. We need to fly to one of the remote towns. Lengwin says his messengers were driven off.”
“A city has refused to cooperate with us?” Thayle asked.
“They did, and they are behaving very strangely,” he said.
“How so?” Thayle asked.
“Your temple is the one that drove them off,” he said.
Thayle blinked a few times and sat up dislodging Lilly.
“Did the riders deliver one of my letters?”
“They did,” he responded.
“And they refused to answer my call?” Thayle asked.
“That is what the men reported. They were told by the woman in charge that they would not accept your letter.”
“That's ridiculous,” Thayle said. “They don't have the right to refuse me!”
“This is why we need to fly out,” he said as he looked down at a map.
Thayle rolled off the side of the bed as Lilly tried to pull her back down.
“Get up, sweetheart,” Thayle said with a sweet tone. “I will keep you warm later tonight.”
“We were going to fly out tonight,” Lilly reminded her.
“We will find more time to cuddle after we visit this town,” Thayle promised.
“Maybe we can find a new wife there?” Lilly asked as she too got up.
Gersius groaned, and Thayle smiled as she walked around the bed to stand before Lilly.
“Love, I was only teasing you about taking more wives.”
“You were?”
Thayle nodded. “It could happen, but we can’t take just any woman. She needs to be special and fit into our relationship. I will keep an eye out for a woman of special quality and point her out if I see one.”
Lilly smiled and took Thayle’s hands.
“I want her to be beautiful like you,” Lilly said.
“I love you,” Thayle sighed. She realized she would never tire of Lilly’s innocent compliments.
They dressed in their armor and belted on weapons determined to make a show of their arrival. Moments later, they were in Lilly's enclosure, and she became the dragon Azurastra. After her lovers were secure, she spread her wings and took the sky. For fun, she circled the estate once to the awe of the onlookers and then flew off.
The town they were looking for was at the very edge of Lengwin's authority. It was a modest town with a low wall and a few watchtowers. Gersius estimated it was perhaps five hundred people in size as they flew over.
“I can see people pointing at us,” Lilly said as she circled the city.
“Good, I want to make sure they are watching,” Gersius said before pointing to a patch of land outside the wall for Lilly to land. She touched down and folded her wings as Gersius and Thayle climbed down and walked a dozen paces. Thier they waited for the town to send emissaries.
“Is this taking unusually long?” Thayle asked.
“This is taking alarmingly long,” Gersius said. “Lilly, can you see over the wall from here?”
Lilly lifted her head high and used her keen sight to peer into the town. The wall was the height of a tall man meant to slow an attacker than keep them out. Lilly could easily see the rows of men lined up inside with bows in hand.
“Get under my wings!” Lilly yelled as she jumped forward and stretched a wing over them. She hid her head underneath with them and braced for the inevitable.
“What is it?” Thayle cried in alarm, and then they heard the whistling of arrows. Lilly cried out as a dozen thunks were heard and several arrow points came through the membrane of her wing.
“They are firing arrows at us!” Thayle yelled.
Gersius took stock of the situation and made a decision. “Lilly, Walk backward and get out of range.”
Lilly did as he instructed and walked back while holding her wings out over them to protect them. Eventually, the arrows stopped, and Lilly lowered her wings to reveal dozens of arrows sticking out of her hide. Most were lodged in scales, but a few caused bleeding wounds.
“Why would they attack us?” Thayle asked as she began to yank arrows out of Lilly.
“They must think we are a threat,” he said as he helped.
“Our wife is full of arrows!” Thayle argued. “They are damn right we are a threat!”
“Ow! Ow!,” Lilly bellowed as Thayle yanked several deep ones from her wings.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. They have to come out first,” Thayle pleaded.
Gersius went to place his hands on Lilly and realized he had no blessing from Balisha. He sighed in frustration as Thayle was forced to heal, drawing on Lilly's strength to accomplish it.
“Well, at least we know we can pull on her power when we need it,” Thayle said.
“I need to know some blessing!” Gersius shouted. “I am a priest in name only. It carries no power or authority.”
“Giver her time,” Thayle said. “I am sure she will give you something.”
“What happens if your the one who is badly injured and needs healing?” Gersius asked.
Thayle nodded that she’d understood the point.
“I don't have anything to use in defense or attack. If I was a priest of Astikar, I could at least hurl a hammer.
“We can talk about this later,” Lilly interrupted. “What do we do now?”
“How many men did you see over the wall?” he asked.
Lilly lifted her head high again and counted.
“Eighteen with bows. I see seven priests of Astikar and four of Ulustrah.”
“What?” Thayle asked. “They are working together?”
“It looks like it. The women are standing with the men,” Lilly answered.
“This doesn’t make any sense?” Thayle said. “
“We need to find a way to talk to them,” Gersius said.
“We need to let Lilly rampage through them!” Thayle argued.
“I like that idea,” Lilly agreed.
“We don’t need to slaughter a town to get them to cooperate,” he said.
“It will stop the arrows,” Thayle suggested.
Gersius shook his head and looked up to Lilly.
“What are they doing now?”
“The priests are on the wall pointing at us,” Lilly said.
Gersius looked out and could see five figures on the wall. They were too far away to make out any details for his eyes, but Lilly saw it all.
“They don’t seem to want to leave the protection of the wall,” she said.
“So what are we supposed to do, stand outside arrow range staring at one another?” Thayle asked.
“I am going to walk over and talk to them,” Gersius said.
“No your not!” Lilly bellowed. “What happens if they attack you?”
“Then you can rampage through the town while Thayle rescues me,” he said.
“I don’t like this plan,” Thayle said.
“I am the logical choice to go forward. You can shield me from a distance and heal if needs be. Lilly can blast them with ice and push them back while you do.”
“If they so much as throw a rock I am attacking,” Lilly said.
“Just give me a chance to speak to them,” he said.
Lilly looked at Thayle, who gave her a nod.
“Fine,” Lilly growled.
Thayle put a hand on his shoulder. “Be careful.”
He reached up a hand and lifted her chin. “I have never had a moment like this.”
“A moment like what?” Thayle asked.
“I have risked my life many times, never have I done it knowing someone I loved worried about me.”
“If they hurt you, Lilly isn’t the only one who is going to rampage through that town,” Thayle whispered.
He smiled and started walking.
He set his gaze on the far wall as he approached. He knew they were watching him and hoped a single man would open dialog. As he got closer, he saw arrows sticking out of the ground and realized he was in range. He could see them more clearly now as they gestured his way. Two of them turned to one another and spoke before jumping down from the wall. As he approached, so did they with hands cautiously on weapons.
Gersius could tell that one was a man and one a woman. He smiled slightly as they got close enough to see they were of Astikar and Ulustrah.
When they were twenty paces apart, the two stopped and spoke.
“Hold there,” the man said.
“I am Gersius the,” he started, but the man cut him off.
“We know who you are. You and your dragons aren’t welcome here.”
Gersius nodded. “I can see we are not welcome. I have come to ask you why.”
“We will never obey the commands of traitors,” the woman said.
Gersius studied her and realized he had an opportunity here. She could see the truth of his words, but he needed to know what he was accused of first.
“I am not aware of what you are talking about,” he said. “What have I been accused of betraying?”
The man pointed a finger and answered. “You betray your brothers, your Father Abbot, and your god,” he shouted. “You should be ashamed to wear that armor.”
Gersius nodded. “I no longer serve Astikar,” he said. “But I still seek to right his order and save the city he calls his capital. I have searched for and found a dragon. I will fulfill the prophecy of the dragon knight and unite the empire.”
“Ha!” the man laughed. “The dragon knight is a hero of Astikar. You can't be the dragon knight.”
“Not to mention he comes to save Calathen not attack it,” the woman said.
Gersius nodded again. “You are a priestess of Ulustrah, ask me. Ask me if I am the dragon knight.”
The woman looked to the man, and he gestured to go ahead. She stood tall and set her shoulders. “Very well then. Let's end the lies and reveal the truth.”
Gersius nodded.
“Are you the dragon knight?”
“I am,” Gersius said. “Chosen by the divines to rebuild the empire, and restore the faith of Balisha to the land.”
The man chuckled and bounced a little at Gersius’s arrogance until he turned to the woman. The look on her face was one of shock and disbelief as her lip trembled.
“What is it?” the man asked.
“He’s telling the truth,” the woman whispered.
“Now,” Gersius said with dire eyes. “Watch my aura as I speak and note every word!”
The man looked from the woman to Gerisus and back again as if panicked.
“The Father Abbot has lied about me. He betrayed my men, my quest, and tried to murder me. He has barred the gates of Calathen to prevent me from claiming my title. I am going to Calathen not to burn it down but to unite the empire and restore the order of Astikar to its glory. I came to your town only to find out why you refused the order of your high priest and grand priestess. However, if you so much as fire one more arrow at us, I will not hesitate to fight.”
The man glanced at the woman who trembled visibly and looked over to him with heavy brows. “Everything he said was true.”
“But, how can that be?” the man stammered.
“Why do you find this so hard to believe?” Gersius asked.
The man glared at him with searching eyes. “Not a two weeks ago we were attacked by a dragon,” he said. “It attacked the farms just east of the town.”
“We combined forces and marched out to meet it,” the woman added. “When we engaged it, the beast fled but not before shouting that Gersius would come and make us pay.”
“A dragon attacked here claiming to be with me?” he asked.
“It said specifically you would make us pay,” the man said.
“Look at my aura,” he said firmly. “I have no idea who sent this dragon, but it was not me.”
The woman nodded her head. “he speaks the truth.”
The priest of Astikar put a hand to his head as if dizzy. “A rider came a day ago with a strongly worded letter demanding we submit to your authority. We assumed you were trying to negotiate our surrender.”
“That rider was only here to gather support for my army,” Gersius said. “I am hoping to build a large enough force that the king regent will order the city of Calathen to surrender and not fight.”
“We have been lied to,” the man said.
Gersius then glared at the woman. “He also carried a letter for your order.”
“He said he had a letter, but we refused to accept it,” she said.
“Why?”
“We already received a letter of warning,” the woman said.
“What letter?” Gersius asked.
The woman twisted nervously. “We received a letter not three days ago warning that a fallen priestess had taken authority of the order and was marching under your banner.”
“A fallen priestess?” Gersius asked again.
“Yes, a woman who bears a mark of shame,” she said.
“And where did this letter come from?” Gersius asked.
“It was delivered by special messenger from the temple in Avashire.”
“Rachel!” Gersius growled.
Gersius turned and pointed to the Thayle and Lilly.
“Do you see that woman there?”
The priestess nodded.
“That is Grand Priestess Thayle. Governess commander General of Ulustrah’s first army!”
The woman gasped and confirmed that Gersius spoke the truth.
“She bears a mark of forgiveness because she turned a blessing to save the dragon's life and my own. She was forgiven by Ulustrah herself and chosen to lead Ulustrah's forces in the war.”
“Against the Doan?” the man asked.
Gersius shook his head. “You have no idea what is going on?”
The two shook their heads.
“Ulustrah and Astikar are at war with one another,” he stated.
“What?” the woman said with a hand raised.
“Impossible!” the man added.
“The order of Ulustrah has thrown its full support behind me!” Gersius shouted. “The Father Abbot is determined to stop me at any cost, even if it means war with Ulustrah!”
“Tell me he is lying!” the priest of Astikar demanded.
“I can’t,” she whispered.
“But what about the dragon?” the man asked.
Gersius shook his head. “The only dragon I have with me is there,” he said as he pointed. “Her name is Lilly, and she is cooperating with us to help us achieve our goals.”
“We have been deceived at every turn by members of our own orders,” the woman said.
Gersius studied them both a moment and decided to ask a question.
“This dragon that came here, what did it look like?”
The Women covered her face as she started to cry, and the man showed an uncharacteristic concern for her wellbeing. He put his arm around her and whispered to her gently before answering him.
“It was a red, slightly bigger than the blue you have there,” he said. “Jet black horns that stick out like a bull and breath like the fires of a forge.”
“And you drove it off?”
The man sighed as he held the crying woman. “It fled almost the moment we engaged it. We didn't understand why. We were just glad it left.”
Gersius sighed. “May I ask the others to approach? Or do you plan to keep fighting?”
“The dragon is safe?” the man asked.
Gersius shook his head. “I will let them explain it.” He turned to face Lilly and Thayle and waved them forward.
Thayle approached directly, but Lilly stood back a little so as not to frighten them. Gersius recounted the stories and the two filled in some details. Thayle raged when they got the letter and realized Rachel must have sent it.
“How many more did she send?” Thayle barked. “Who knows how many temples she poisoned!”
Gersius had to calm her down and remind her that Prime Arlin also sent letters. Her temples were far more likely to take the primes word over Rachels. There would still be places like this that didn't get letters, but the damage Rachel could do was minimal.
The other priests and priestesses from the town were brought out, and they all explained their sides of things. When the truth was established, all were deeply shaken.
“I am Captain Hern of Astikar,” the priest said, finally introducing himself. “This is my wife Elisha,” he added, holding his hand out to the woman who stood beside him.
“Your wife,” Gersius said with an approving nod and a glance at Thayle.
The woman looked embarrassed and couldn’t hold Thayles gaze.
“Feeling a little guilt?” Thayle asked.
“I know I am to step down Grand Priestess, but we have decided not to have children right away,” the woman said.
Thayle smirked. “My husband and I have the same agreement,” she said.
Elisha looked up with an “Oh; you're married?”
Thayle smiled and walked up to Gersius, taking his arm. “I am.”
“You two?” Hern said with a shocked smile.
“Us three,” Thayle replied.
“Three?” Elisha asked, looking around.
Thayle turned to look over her shoulder and held and arm up. Lilly wasted no time in lowering her head into Thayles embrace. Thayle kissed her jaw and smiled as she held her two loves.
The eyes of the assembled group grew wide as they saw the display of affection.
“You're married to the dragon?” Hern gasped.
“We are,” Gersius said. “Lilly is very loving.”
Thayle started to laugh at the shocked expressions and decided to end the charade.
“What you don't know is Lilly can change her form. She has a beautiful human form.”
“She can change form?” Elisha asked.
“I would show you, but there is nowhere to dress,” Lilly said, causing them all to gasp.
“Why are you surprised she can speak?” Gersius asked. “The dragon that attacked you spoke to you.”
“It is still shocking to know,” Hern said. “And you say she can appear as a man?”
“A woman,” Thayle corrected. “Almost as beautiful as she is now.”
“We are cuddling after this,” Lilly said, drawing looks from the gathered crowd.
Elisha stepped forward and looked all around them with wide eyes.
“The lights of your aura's are amazing. It flows through each of you like a river. I have never seen such an effect. You are looped by red bands and joined in the center by a light that beats like a unified heart.”
The other priestesses stepped forward to see it and made remarks about the display.
“Now that we have your attention,” Gersius began. “I have some questions.”
Hern looked to his wife and then fell to a knee before them.
“Forgive us for the insult we have paid you, and the harm we caused,” he said.
Gersius nodded and bid the man to stand. “Now, how did you not know your orders were at war? The Father Abbot sent messengers to Avashire and beyond.”
Hern shrugged and looked lost. “We received no message.”
It was at this moment a young man in armor stepped up and took off his helm. He bowed his head and glanced up at Hern.
“That isn’t true captain Hern,” the man said.
“What isn't true?” Hern asked.
The young man looked up and struggled to hold the Captains gaze. “A rider came through over two weeks ago with a message from the Father Abbot. I met him at the city gates, and he was in such a hurry he handed it to me and rode on. He said it was a proclamation for all members of the order and it wasn't sealed, so I read it.
They all stood by silently as the man began to describe the contents of the letter.
“It condemns the order of Ulustrah as enemies of Astikar because they support Gersius. It orders us to seize their temple and to send their women bound and gagged into custody.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Hern asked.
The man shook his head. “We all know how much you love your wife. I could not bring myself to present such an order before you. I burned the letter and have kept the secret ever since.”
Hern walked up to the man and placed a hand on his shoulder. “You tried to protect me from this, for that I am grateful.” He turned to face Gersius and his wives. “But in turn, we nearly caused equally as great a calamity.”
Gersius shook his head. “The blame for this sits on the shoulders of the Father Abbot. He has created the circumstances that make a situation like this possible.”
“Not to mention this other dragon,” Lilly said. “They are using fear of dragons to turn people against us.”
“It makes sense,” Thayle said. “A few dragon attacks in our path, and nobody will be willing to approach us. They will see Lilly and run in terror or march out to attack.”
Gersius shook his head. “This only proves the Father Abbot sent that dragon to Lilly’s valley.”
“For all we know it was the same one,” Thayle said.
“I hope it’s the same one,” Lilly growled. “I would like to pay him back what he did to me.”
Gersius looked at Thayle with concerned eyes. “It proves something else, something we now need to prepare for.”
“What’s that?” Thayle asked.
“The Father Abbot knows we are here.”
Thayle and Lilly shared a glance as the reality became apparent. The dragon was attacking towns to turn them against Gersius. There would be no reason to do so unless they suspected Gersius was near.”
“Then our road has gotten more dangerous,” Thayle said.
Gersius nodded. “The road to Calathen is going to be covered in blood.”
That somber tone settled on them all as the sun sank in the sky. This town was taken peacefully in the end, but how many more would meet them with arrows? How many of them were going to have to be taken by force?