Gersius stared at the canopy of the bed above him. Pressed against his cheek was the silky softness of Lilly's silvery-blue hair as she quietly slept nestled into his left side. To his right, the raven black hair of Thayle rose and fell with his breathing, her head resting on his chest. His right arm curled around her, and held her tightly to him.
There in the stillness of the night, he wondered about his life. Weeks ago he went into a valley in the middle of the wilds to fight a dragon determined to die. Now she was asleep in his arms after a night of passion. In those wild days of uncertainty that followed, he met a second woman. She was a kind, and loving woman who devoted herself to helping him and his dragon know love. In the process, this woman found herself wrapped up in it. She too was asleep in his arms. After a night of many firsts, she was now his wife in far more than just words.
Despite all this, his mind was troubled. While his life filled with tremendous blessings, the burden of duty now weighed heavily on his shoulders. Soon men and women would die in a bid to bring about a prophecy that he only started in an effort to save lives. So many had died already for his prophecy, so many terrible prices had been paid.
He stroked Lilly's soft hair and tried not to cry. He thought of the pain she had endured because of him, and what he was trying to do. That she still loved him after all of that was a blessing he found impossible to imagine. She welcomed him into her heart and relished his presence in his life. She treated him with love and respect he knew was hard-won from a dragon.
Then there was Thayle. A strong and devoted woman and priestess of Ulustrah. She hid away in her little temple to hide from her feelings and her fear of loving a man. She worked hard to keep the love he and Lilly had alive. If not for Thayle, Lilly would be gone, and he would be alone. Thayle never given up on them, and poured all her strength into bringing them back together. She was an incredibly devoted woman, and called him husband as well.
These were great blessings, but there were dark days ahead. Lives had been lost almost everywhere he went, and even now, his presence here put innocents in danger. He held his wives and feared for their safety. He worried what terrible prices might yet need to be paid, and which of them would pay it. He couldn't bare the thought of his choices bringing them more harm, or divines forbid, losing one of them.
Soft fingers came to his lips, and he looked over to see Lilly's open eyes.
“No more bad thoughts,” she whispered. “You woke me up.”
“I am sorry,” he said and planted a gentle kiss on her head.
“Think about building that house in my valley, and all the trees and flowers Thayle is going to grow for us.”
He smiled at her and nodded gently.
“Think about the babies we will have. I want to name one of the girls Selvina.”
“Selvina?” he asked.
“Yes, it was the name my mother used, or part of it anyway. She called herself Hellicana Selvina Orthan.
“I thought you said dragons did not have proper names?” he whispered.
“They don’t. My mother said they only took long names when they had to. I never needed one, so I didn’t have one.”
“Your mother must have called you something?” Gersius asked.
Lilly smiled and closed her eyes. “You promise not to laugh?” she asked.
“I promise,” Gersius said.
Lilly looked at him and sighed. “She called me, stinky tail.”
Gersius didn't laugh, but Thayle certainly did. She only quieted down when she felt Lilly's embarrassment over the bind.
“Sweetheart, mothers always give their children silly pet names,” Thayle said. “My mother called me tangle weed because my hair was always tangled.”
Lilly smiled, and Gersius stroked her back.
“I did not realize you were awake,” he said to Thayle.
“You two like to have conversations right on top of me,” she replied.
“So what do you think of Selvina for our daughter's name?” Gersius asked.
“I think we should name our first daughter that,” Thayle said.
Lilly reached her hand over and wrapped her fingers into Thayles over Gersius’s chest.
“Thank you,” Lilly whispered.
“Your welcome, sweetheart,” Thayle replied.
Gersius let them share their moment and then asked a question.
“Why did your mother have a name?”
“She said she needed one, and that he gave it to her.”
“He?” Thayle asked.
“My father, I guess. I don't know, she never said,” Lilly replied.
“You know, your wings are healed. We could go see your mother. I would love to ask her all these questions you never thought to ask,” Gersius said.
There was a moment of silence and then Lilly began to cry.
“Sweetheart, what is the matter?” Thayle asked.
“I forgot I could go see my mother again,” she whimpered. “I thought I never would.”
Thayle squeezed her hand firmly, and Gersius stroked her hair.
“You are safe, Lilly. Everything is going to be alright from now on. You will never be alone again, and when you go to see your mother, we will go with you,” Gersius whispered to her.
She buried her head into his shoulder to try and stifle her crying. “I can fly again!” she wailed.
Thayle began to tear up as Lilly's joy, and happiness flooded the link.
“It is so powerful,” she whispered to Gersius.
“You wanted to know what it felt like,” he said to her, pulling her in close.
Thayle smiled at Lilly and concentrated.
“Sweet dragon, you can let go of your pain now. Just let us love you,” Thayle said in her mind.
“Thank you, Thayle, for all you have done. I would not be here without you,” Lilly replied silently.
“I only helped you understand what you wanted, Gersius saved you.”
“We all saved each other, many times now,” Gersius added to the silent conversation. “Now go back to sleep my wives, I want to brood in peace.”
Thayle closed her eyes and Lilly snuggled in closer and followed.
Gersius laid awake the rest of the night not feeling the least bit tired. He drew from Lilly's love and her gifts. He didn't need to eat or drink as a normal human did. He could stay awake for days at a time and need only the barest of rests before he felt refreshed. Conversely, he could sleep for days, quietly letting time pass him by.
He pondered why they shared this blessing with her. His mind kept going back to the day he helped Thayle heal Lilly. Thayle told him she saw the flow of power. He was channeling power from Lilly in a loop back to her. He didn't doubt Thayle but still found that hard to believe. He was deeply in love with Lilly, but she was a dragon, not a divine. In a petty moment, he felt grateful that he had channeled Lilly's power. He still had moments of resentment for Astikar. He knew his anger was misplaced, and he respected the God. But in his heart, he was still angry over what had happened.
He wasn't sure why Astikar answered his calls at all. He hadn't been praying or giving Astikar anything of himself. Yet, for some reason, Astikar chose to respond, always giving him access to power he knew he didn't deserve. Of course, Astikar also answered the call of the Father Abbot and Dellain and his raven guard. He seemed to take no notice of the condition of men's hearts. He allowed the most wicked and violent of men to draw on power alongside the most pious and devoted of them. It was a thought that often wandered in his mind.
When he had exhausted himself trying to understand it, he devoted his thoughts to what he had to do next. Calathen was the goal. To get there, he would need an army. Even now the Father Abbot was turning the city into a fortress. The wretched man hunted him everywhere he went. He undoubtedly had many a trap lying in wait to snare and kill him. He wanted Lilly as well. The vile man had put a bounty on her head and sent assassins after them.
Gersius considered that notion as he thought about revealing her later today. Once she was in the open, the bounty hunters would be coming. He was grateful that Thayle was at his side. She had proven to be invaluable, both as a friend, a warrior, and a lover. She would help protect Lilly, and where his brothers might be able to predict his movements, they would certainly not be able to predict hers.
He looked at her sleeping face and saw the mark she bore. It was a single black tear under her left eye. Her skin was forever stained to show that she had failed Ulustrah but been forgiven. To him, it was not a mark of shame but a mark of love. She had earned that mark by putting Lilly, and his life above her vows to Ulustrah, and it angered him greatly that she had been mistreated for it.
The morning was almost here, and with the dawn would come a whole new chapter in his life. He was going to boldly declare himself and Thayle as the dragon knights, and he was going to show the people of this land the dragon he dearly loved.
He prayed he wasn’t making a mistake, but then there was no path forward that did not force him to reveal her. In this quiet moment, he closed his eyes and opened his heart to Balisha the queen of dragons. He asked her for no boon, guidance, or blessing. He simply opened his heart and let his power flow to her instead of from her. He fought for her and her shattered religion. There wasn't a man in the land who called her Goddess, besides himself, of course, and he needed to change that.
So much was riding on the next few decisions he made. So many lives could be ruined if the choices were poor ones.
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When the rays of the morning sun began to illuminate the room, he felt no better about the choices to be made. However, he knew he couldn’t put them off any longer. They needed to be made, and today he would make the first one.
When the women finally stirred, they began their typical morning activities.
Thayle brushed Lilly's hair, a ritual the two women had gotten into. Thayle loved to brush Lilly's long hair, and Lilly loved to have it brushed. The two radiated a warm love between them that he could feel over the bind. Thayle glanced over at him and caught him watching them. She smiled and blushed a little as she went back to her brushing.
With hair brushed the two women dressed with Thayle helping Lilly into her plain farmers dress. Thayle herself put on simple linen pants and a green shirt. He wore similar linen clothes. A shirt and pants tan in color and with no extra adornments.
Both of them would wear armor to show who they were. He had arranged with High Priest Lengwin to get a suite of ceremonial armor for the event. A messenger had been sent last night to the temple of Astikar, and the armor had arrived a few hours later. It came with a note from Lengwin explaining where he wanted Lilly to land.
He felt bad putting on armor meant for a high commander of Astikar when he no longer served the God. He had no choice, however, as there was no armor of Balisha. He realized the people wouldn't know any better. They were expecting the Dragon Knight to be a priest of Astikar anyway.
When the rest of the estate's members left for the city to go to the proclamation, they would sneak out and fly to the hidden packs and bags they had secreted in the forest.
Thayle would wear her armor of Ulustrah. It was important the people see her as a priestess of Ulustrah. He wanted them to know that she had been chosen to be a dragon knight and that her order was not to be abandoned. They would show the people that Astikar and Ulustrah had both been chosen, and should stand united.
When they finished dressing the bell from the ground floor rang. A priestess carried up a tray of foods that the kitchen staff had prepared for them. None of them ate a scrap of the food. He wasn't sure if he would have eaten even if he felt hungry. Significant events like this were best done on an empty stomach.
Dressed and ready, they paced in their room, watching out the windows. When at last they saw the acolytes departing he knew the time was upon them. The first step on the road to Calathen would be taken, and the course would be irreversible now.
When they were sure they were safe, they went out the little gate behind the garden, and Lilly changed for them. Her massive wings still amazed him. Despite all the hours she had carried Thayle and him aloft in the sky he was still in awe of them. The sound they made when they beat the air, like a bed sheet on a clothesline flapping in a stiff breeze. The rush of air, when she raced through the sky, was always amazing, but nothing compared to when she dived. When Lilly folded her wings and dived through the sky, he was sure the wind would tear him from her back. Just thinking about it made his stomach twist.
He was grateful he couldn't feel the cold anymore, another gift from his dragon lover. He was sure that the air where she liked to fly was cold as a mountain top, and at the speeds, she flew it would freeze a man solid in minutes.
They soared the sky briefly before they settled in the clearing surrounded by trees. None of their bags had been disturbed. It was all right where they had left it. Lilly quickly dusted off the saddle and placed it over her back. He had to help her when she struggled with the buckle, but in moments, they were ready. A glance at the sky told him everything he needed to know. The sun was high, the time was upon them, for better or for worse, the dragon knight needed to be born.
Lengwin looked out over the gathered crowd, and for the first time in many years, he felt nervous. Hordes of people had come to hear the proclamation, and learn about the great secret the order of Astikar was keeping.
He had chosen a massive plaza along the east wall where a stone stage already existed. With great care, he negotiated a nearby courtyard be left empty and the gates opened. He had the men removed from the walls to avoid any accidental arrow fire when Lilly arrived. If all went as planned, she would land in the empty yard and walk through the gate right before the gathered crowd. He carefully penned out the plan in a letter he had delivered with the armor. He hoped it would all have the desired effect.
He looked over at the wall to his left and saw the priests and priestesses of Ulustrah gathered. They looked every bit as uncomfortable as he felt. They had many more acolytes than actual priests, but still, their numbers matched his own nearly man for man.
Behind in were rows of chairs and cushions. Gathered on these were the nobility, the heads of merchant houses, and masters of trade. They represented all the people of importance in the city. Many of these people were no friends of Astikar or Ulustrah. They were here because they had influence and resources. Though he had no desire to entertain such men, he needed their cooperation for what was to come next. He hoped they could be swayed by the message Gersius would deliver.
He gazed over the masses of people and steadied himself. The courtyard was empty. The gate was open, and the walls were cleared. He had done all he could to be ready for this moment. He had even taken the precaution of inviting the priests of Vellis to the proclamation and warned their temple master that what he had to say could potentially lead to injuries. He hoped the people wouldn't panic when Lilly dropped out of the sky and walked through the gate right before them.
He looked to the sky and saw it was time. He walked to the front of the stone platform and took a deep breath.
“People of Avashire,” he began in a loud commanding voice. “You have been called her today to bear witness to a mighty event. A new age is upon us all and a hero has emerged. A man and woman who together will lead the lands into a new era of prosperity and peace.
He paused to let his words sink in.
“We, unfortunately, live in dark times. The kingdoms of the old empire are plunged into a terrible war. Across the land talk of traitors, dragons and worse fill every tavern and common house. There is a conflict between the faiths and chaos in the noble houses. Many men lose heart, and in the confusion that follows, they commit crimes and acts of violence.”
He paused to take another deep breath.
“I am here to tell you that my own order, the brothers of Astikar, have fallen from grace.”
This statement caused a rumble of whispers and a few shouts.
“We have been led astray by a man who is not fit to sit on the throne of our God. I am going to lead a movement to uproot him and his wicked ways from my order, and I will supplant him as the Father Abbot!”
This caused jeers and calls from the crowd, and gasps and whispers from the people of important sitting behind him. He looked to the members of Ulustrah's temple to see them studying him carefully.
“Please be silent!” he ordered. “This is but the beginning of the amazing things you are going to witness today.”
The crowd took a moment to calm and then went silent. He took note of the stares of disapproval the priests and priestesses of Ulustrah were giving him and silently prayed this was going to work.
“I do not say these words lightly. I was empowered to say them by the man who is going to save the city of Calathen, the old empire, and my brothers. The man who has been chosen to ascend to a higher calling and who stands alongside a woman. A great Grand Priestess of Ulustrah herself. She too has answered this higher calling, and stands ready to lead the empire into a new age. Together they are a force to be feared and respected. Together they will bring order to the lands of the old empire by reuniting them as the Dragon Empire reborn!”
The crowd was silent, not even a bird called out. He studied the faces that looked more confused than anything else and spoke his final words.
“You are gathered here today to witness the arrival of the dragons knights, on the back of a dragon itself!”
There was a brief pause, and then people began to laugh. It swept through the crowd, and more and more people joined in pointing at Lengwin and laughing. Even the nobles and people of important behind him began to laugh, and some of them started to get up to leave. Clearly, the joke was over.
A roar drowned them all out, and a shadow passed over the crowd as they went deadly silent. People looked up but were blinded by the sun. A noise was heard like a sail in a stiff wind beating at the air. A second roar echoed off the walls and chilled the hearts of the people, and then finally somebody screamed.
Lilly flew directly over them all coming up from behind Lengwin her great wings unfurled and her eyes blazing like blue fire. Some people cowered where they stood, and some people fled into doorways and alleys as Lilly flew back up and began to circle.
Shouts of 'dragon!' filled the air as Lilly flew over them again and headed for the empty courtyard.
“There's somebody on its back!” a woman called out, and it was quickly taken up by calls of confirmation and dispute. “No, there are two people on its back!” another person yelled.
Lilly dropped behind the walls into the courtyard, and for a brief moment, only her wings could be seen as she flapped to settle in.
With great intention, Lilly hit the ground hard. She wanted them to feel her impact and hear the boom of her arrival. She twisted her head to look back at Gersius and Thayle, who both looked stern and determined.
“Shall we make an entrance?” she asked.
He smiled at her and nodded as he put his helmet on.
She intentionally stomped her feet to shake the ground as she made her way to the gate. She relished the screams as her great head passed through the gate, and the gathered masses finally got a good look at her.
With deliberate effort, she stalked into the open area before Lengwin and just for fun, let her eyes pass over the terrified gathered crowds and made a low, threatening growl.
“Lilly, do not overdo it,” Gersius said over the bind.
“I am so enjoying this,” she silently responded a hint of glee in her words.
“We need to win these people hearts. I cannot do that if they are fleeing in terror,” he reminded her.
Gersius rode tall in the saddle with Thayle perched directly before him. They both glared down at the assembled masses and waited for Lilly to come to a halt.
“Should we get down?” Thayle asked across the bind.
“No, my loves. Stand on my back, make them see you are in charge,” Lilly responded.
Gersius nodded silently to Thayle, and with deliberately dramatic movements, they both stood up and faced the thousands gathered to see them.
“Some of these people have wet themselves. I can smell it on the breeze,” Lilly said across the bind.
Gersius had to struggle not to laugh before he went to speak.
“People of Avashire I mean you no harm. I come in peace to your land to deliver to you a message of hope!” he yelled.
Thayle stood beside him, and he took her hand in his. “We are the dragon knights, chosen by the Gods themselves to usher in a new order for a new age. We have chosen your city to be the first place we reveal ourselves because a man of good and noble heart resides here.”
He turned to High Priest Lengwin and gestured for him to climb up. When he did Gersius made him stand beside them.
“This man tells you the truth. The Brothers of Astikar have been led astray. Their Father Abbot schemes and distorts the truth. He has refused to allow us to enter the city of Calathen as is our divine right. We are the dragon knights, and we will not be denied that which is ours.
The crowd was deathly silent.
“Many of you have been told that dragons have attacked cities to the south. Whiteford was the sight of just such a scene. And many of you have been told that the temple of Ulustrah is in league with these dragons, and is helping a great enemy of the people. Orders have been giving to attack the faithful of the Goddess Ulustrah, to seize her temples and her servants. I tell you now that all of this is a lie.”
He waited a moment to give the people time to absorb what he said.
“I stand before you on the very back of the dragon that was in Whiteford, and yet you are all safe. I stand before you holding the hand of a Grand Priestess of Ulustrah, and beside a High Priest of Astikar. Neither of them condemns the other. Neither of them believes in the lies that have been spread.”
“Gersius is the one who attacked Whiteford!” somebody yelled from the crowd. “Yes, Gersius betrayed Astikar!” another called out.
Thayle and Gersius felt a sudden flash of anger, and they both called out to Lilly across the bind.
“Lilly no!”
“What do you rodents know of Gersius?” Lilly bellowed in her dual voice.
People in the crowd gasped and screamed, and many in the front rows fell back.
“It can speak!” a man shouted as Lilly lifted her head high on her long neck.
“I have met this Gersius. He is a noble and good man who was deeply committed to his faith. It was his brothers and the Father Abbot that lied to and betrayed him. High priest Lengwin tells you the truth, the order of Astikar rots from within, and I have come here to help him save it!” Lilly growled at the crowd.
“But Gersius is traitor!” a man shouted.
“Do not ever condemn the man named Gersius in my presence again!” she roared.
“Lilly stop!” Gersius cried out in his mind.
“I came here to save your kingdoms. I came here to help your people win this terrible war. I came here because Gersius asked me too. But this Father Abbot has refused my help and has instead ordered my death. He refuses to let me go to Calathen, to march through the golden gate and fulfill the prophecy of the dragon knight. What kind of a leader of men would deny the people who are dying all around him the salvation they need?”
“Never mind Lilly keep going!” Gersius encouraged.
“I could kill you all where you stand, and only the three people on my back could do anything about it. If I was the monster you all think I am, you would already be dead. No, I am a friend to the humans of these lands, and I am here to ensure both Astikar and Ulustrah stand together not apart. You must abandon these lies the Father Abbot has been spreading. You must aid both temples in setting things right, and you must get me to Calathen so I can save the people of the empire!” she slammed her foot on the ground making it shake and accentuating her point.
The crowd was silent for a moment, and then people began to clap. Lilly and the others looked to the left to see the faithful of Ulustrah clapping, a sentiment that soon spread through the rest of the crowd with people beginning to cheer and shout.
Lilly let them go on a moment then she roared and froze them all in their tracks.
“I want to make sure you all understand. I want to make sure you do not allow your hearts to be swayed. I am here to help you because of Gersius. I do not kill you because of Gersius. I am a friend to your kind because of the man called Gersius. Never again curse his name; let it be praised instead.”
The crowd was silent a moment, and then somebody called out. “But where is Gersius?”
Thayle looked up at the man whose hand she held and let it go so he could use it to take off his helmet. He handed it to Lengwin and retook Thayles hand.
“I am Gersius,” he shouted to the stunned crowd.
Thayle now spoke up as whispers spread through the crowd.
“The order of Ulustrah has given Gersius it's full support. He has been to see our prime, and he has the backing of the highest of our authority.”
The mumbles grew again.
“People of Avashire!” Gersius called out. “I have not attacked you. The dragon has not attacked you. We have come here in peace and in good faith to show you that you have nothing to fear from us. We have come here to show you that Ulustrah and Astikar are not at war and that those rumors are lies. We have come here to tell you that we are going to Calathen and we are going to rebuild the Dragon Empire. The Doan will be stopped, and the threat of war sweeping your lands will come to an end. If the Father Abbot wishes to stand in our way, then he will be swept aside, and high priest Lengwin will take his place and lead the brotherhood to renewed glory!”
The crowd was silent, and Gersius began to feel they had made a mistake.
“All hail the dragon knights!” a loud voice called from the side. Gersius turned to see the Kilgian raise an armored fist and repeat it. “All hail the dragon knights!” quickly the chant was picked up by more of the priests of Ulustrah and then the priests of Astikar. Like a wave, it swept across the crowd. In moments the people were all chanting praises to them.
They stood on Lilly’s back as the whole of the city recognized them as the Dragon Knights.
“I suspect you have started a war,” Lengwin said as the chanting went on.
“No, this war started long ago. I have finally started fighting back,” Gersius replied.