*************
Chapter 47
*************
Mavis couldn’t stop crying. There was a reservoir inside her that was filled with grief. It was overflowing and seemed to be leaking out of her eyes. She had stayed in the back room while Siophra and Ardwella were discussing Ardwynn’s motives for having Tundor attack her. She had heard their theories but rejected the idea that it was to avoid pursuit. Ardwynn had wanted her dead for personal reasons. Growing up in the court as two girls of similar age, they had a long-standing rivalry of sniping at each other. Ardwynn had a mean streak, just like the rest of her family, but had never dared to take it this far before. Now that she had every reason to believe that Mavis and her twin had been illegitimate, she could act as she wished. She had tried to kill her.
Actually, by most metrics, Ardwynn had succeeded. If not for the black and white dragons and the sacrifice of her own bonded dragon, her dead body would have been taken away by Cantrell's men, just like Aleena's had. She cried some more. She cried on her clean laundry, and her black mascara flowed down and dripped on some of her favorite skirts. She threw them away. Her tears of sorrow turned into ones of cold fury. She had better things to do than wash clothes. She needed to find Mo-Rung. She was ready to make some changes. The big red dragon wanted to vent his rage and get revenge for Aleena's death, and she was the elf who was going to help him get it. He just needed a little help to find the correct recipient of his rage.
It was a long walk back to the nest. Mavis hadn't realized how spoiled she had become by Aleena's carrying her back and forth. She had taken so much for granted. Her elite upbringing had somewhat inoculated her against feeling gratitude. Now she was seeing things in a new way. Not only was she grateful for her life, but she had a vast debt to repay. Aleena would be avenged.
Staying out of sight behind some tall reeds, Mavis spotted Candasar sitting on the nest. She was talking to Mo-Rung. The red dragon seemed to be describing the confrontation between Esmarilla, her brother, and himself. Candasar was trying to calm him down. She was too far away to hear everything, but Mavis thought that she heard the word Firestorm mentioned several times. Mavis didn't see the little dragon anywhere. That was concerning. Mo-Rung suddenly headed off away from the shore. Mavis slipped out from behind the reeds and went after him. He looked like he was trying to follow tracks but then stopped, confused. She took the opportunity to sprint up behind him and jump up on his back. He spun his head around. His teeth were bared in a mask of surprise and fury.
He stopped short of biting off her head.
"What are you doing, Mavis?" he said angrily. "Warn a dragon before you jump on him. I could have killed you all over again."
She shuddered involuntarily, remembering her brief and violent encounter with Tundor.
"I am going to help you look for Firestorm."
"I do not need your help! I don't know why Aleena chose your life over her own, but that choice does not make me more fond of you."
Mavis, in spite of herself, began to cry again.
"I don't understand it either. I didn't ask her to, I promise! But I can't just sit around feeling sorry about what happened. Let's go find your daughter together. I want to help!"
Mo-Rung rolled his eyes.
"Yes, I, too, need to be doing something. Candasar wants me to sit on the nest. I refused. If you feel that you must come, then I will allow it."
"Aleena loved you very much, you know." said Mavis.
The dragon scoffed.
"Do you even know what love means?" he asked.
That stung her. The old Mavis would have taken offense and argued about definitions. But the new Mavis decided to think about it before she answered. She thought about it while the big red dragon prowled through the hills and low scrub, occasionally stopping to sniff. He checked the ground. Sometimes he doubled back and started off in a slightly different direction.
At last, Mavis replied. "I used to think love was about emotional and physical passion, but now I think that love might be putting the welfare of someone else above your own."
Mo-Rung snorted. "Using that definition, do you still think Aleena loved me? Giving her life to you. Leaving me to care for our children alone, without her?
Mavis decided to think about it some more. She rode along in silence. The dragon's broad red back bounced and shifted as his massive muscles moved up the mountain.
"I thought I loved Cantrell for a while. I even had sex with him because he seemed so lost and unhappy. He was in love with Ardwella. I thought that physical act would help him break free."
She paused, "But sympathy is not really love, is it?"
The dragon laughed at this.
"I think Cantrell would be offended if he thought that you slept with him for charity."
"I told him as much! I barely knew him at the time. He was considering killing himself to be free of her." she answered angrily.
"That's pretty extreme. It's a good line, though. I'll have to remember it." Laughed the dragon. "Have sex with me, or I'll kill myself!"
"He didn't even ask! I was the one that suggested it." she protested.
"You sure are easy!" said the dragon. Then he laughed again.
"It was sex for medical purposes! said Mavis. "I provided the cure! It worked, didn't it?"
"Hooray for you!" said the dragon. "I'm sure he is grateful."
"That's where it gets kind of confusing" said Mavis.
"Why is that?"
"Because," she blushed. "The sex was good. Really really good. I had only been with younger elves before. They didn't really seem able or willing to take the time to..."
"Spare me the details of your elven sex partners," coughed Mo-Rung.
"Anyway, Cantrell was very thoughtful and considerate."
"That's good to hear," said Mo-Rung laughing. "My interests in him differ quite substantially from yours. He seems a sound tactician"
"I suppose that must play into it, somehow," said Mavis thoughtfully.
"I mean militarily. Militarily! You know, regarding fighting and battle strategies!"
"Ok," Mavis said. "Now we are back talking about the kinds of relationships I've had with males before. One of us was always trying to outmaneuver the other. Win the conquest. Defend the castle."
"Your relationship with Cantrell isn't like that?" asked Mo-Rung.
"No, I think Cantrell really wants what's best for me. For you. For us. That's why we kind of broke up and he wouldn't bond with you just because Aleena was bonded with me. He has enough integrity to not take the easy way out if it hurts his friends."
"Are you going to try and go after Lothinar a second time then?"
"Surprisingly, no. I'm certainly not planning on it. I was interested in Lothinar, just like Ardwynn was. We have always been in some sort of rivalry. Even as kids. It was an unspoken challenge between us. She won." said Mavis.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
"She told me just before she killed me that he never even knew that I existed. I think she might have been right."
"Ouch," said the dragon
"But that's exactly what I meant when I said that my relationships with males were ones of conquest and defense," Mavis continued, "I was trying to take Lothinar's castle, and he just ignored me. It was kind of humiliating for a princess of the crown,"
"So that you know, Candasar says that Lothinar is oblivious," said Mo-Rung.
"I've experienced that, yes. Now, I realize that my being with Lothinar would cause him more problems. I'm a mess right now and probably will be for a while. My father will certainly disown me just as soon as Ardwynn tells him that I'm not really his daughter. " I wouldn't want to put anyone through that."
"Not being the Emperor's daughter counts as a good thing with just about everyone around here right now...."
Don't forget that who you end up with isn't just up to you. Ardwynn captured Lothinar's heart. I heard she was very persistent even if ultimately she wasn't entirely sincere."
"Yes, but for me trying to consider other people's feelings like Cantrell does is going to take some getting used to."
"It sounds like you may be off to a good start. said Mo-Rung. "Let me tell you something else that you should consider"
"I'm listening," said Mavis.
"You said that Aleena loved me. But that's not exactly true."
"Then why were you together?"
"There are a few reasons, but they involve a lot of water dragon politics. It comes down to Aleena's commitment to choosing a good male to have children with. She is... or was.. a lot like Candasar. She wanted to have children that would not be trapped as mere water dragons. I could give her those,"
"Oh, exclaimed Mavis. It's like when Candasar waited for a dragon who was like Tundor before she chose a mate..."
"I actually gave her that advice," said Mo-Rung.
"Allena didn't have passionate feelings for me. Respect yes. I am quite a bit older, remember? But she asked to breed with me to achieve her goals. She wanted that more than any feelings she might have had for other choices more her own age. She was largely an outcast before. She was a lot like Candasar, but perhaps not as famous.." he chuckled darkly.
"And now she is dead. Someone is going to pay for that. After I find my daughter, all I am going to want is revenge."
"Well, actually, said Mavis. "That is actually the thing I wanted to talk to you about."
--------------------------
They really needed to make bigger doors in this place, thought Esmarilla. It's just not fair that there is only one way in and out for those of us in plus sizes. Living in this temple and town could be inconvenient. It didn't seem to have been constructed for active larger dragons. It really wasn't Starett's fault. with visitors from the human capital coming soon, they were doing all the construction they could. She walked into the dragon temple to overhear a loud conversation in progress.
Vanador was having an argument with the old priest Womber. The old man looked more than a little afraid. The fact that Vanador had just confirmed that Womber had been talking to Siophra on her visits to the temple had infuriated the white dragon. The fact that Siophra had not shared her thoughts about that happening also confused him. Siophra wasn’t herself. How could she be after her ordeal? He would have to pay closer attention to her.
"You must realize that she has been through unbelievable horrors during her captivity". Vanador said.
"I didn't realize that she is the one that was held c-captive by the emperor. ” Womber stammered.
"Then you are in the habit of making sexual advances to unknown females in this temple, those that possibly would feel uncomfortable refusing you due to your position?"
"My position isn't what it once was.” He said glumly. “I have far less influence than you think”
"Perhaps that is for the best," said Vanador.
"But I feel that I must clarify," said Womber, not leaving well enough alone. "They were not necessarily sexual advances. Perhaps we should call them friendly advances. And then, uh, technically, she isn't a young maiden, but a very...um..Well, she's older than me. You know she's not likely to make friends her own age around here. Perhaps she would appreciate an older man's perspective...."
Vanador just stared at him. A thread of smoke began to waft from one nostril. Womber's knees began to knock together.
"In her present mental state, I would advise you not to do anything to cause her to take offense," warned Vanador. "She is quite capable of taking care of herself and has a very good backup plan if that doesn't work out"
"Ah, I see, you are referring to your very large self? Because you are intimidating “
"No, actually. I might kill you if I caught you harassing her. She is not in the emotional condition for it, and my tolerance for people abusing my bond is long past. I had to endure that for far too many years and was unable to take action. I'm afraid I have what some people might call a very bad temper for things like that. As you mysteriously still live, my sister Esmarilla has already shown exceptional restraint in not removing the problem. If you bother her again, then I will give you to her for judgment"
"How is she going to get back to normal and heal if you prevent anyone from talking to her?”
”Her family is doing that. As am I”
"Really, because I was a priest for a long time, and I think she looks lonely. Very well, I will keep my distance," sighed the ex-priest. "I had hoped you might be the nicer one...."
"I usually am." said Vanador. "This time, I am making an exception."
-------------------------
Lothinar ran outside the cottage and around to the little dragon peeking in the window. She dropped to the ground and then jumped at him. It caught him off guard, and it knocked him down.
"I've been calling you and calling you, and you have not answered!" exclaimed Firestorm, "I hopped and glided all the way up here to find you. It's a very long way, Lothinar. Do you know that?"
"I'm sorry little one. If you let me up, I can try to explain. Well, actually, I'm not sure that I really can. Perhaps Ronniflass can do a better job."
"She had better start 'splaining' then. I got hungry coming all the way up here. Do you know that skunks are terrible to try and eat? That's a smelly snack!"
The half-elf was staring at the little dragon in shock and surprise. She looked anxiously at the skies and into the nearby woods.
"How did you find us, Firestorm? she finally asked. "Are more coming?"
"I followed Lothinar's thoughts to locate him. When I go in his direction, they are clearer and louder. " the little dragon said smugly. "I can even follow him when he is having a dream! By the way Lothinar, that dream you were having last night was sure exciting. All of those images of you playing leapfrog under the blankets with Ronniflass were fascinating."
The half-elf blushed brightly. She looked away, not meeting his eyes.
"I was asleep. I thought we didn't...." Lothinar stopped, then looked questioningly at Ronniflass.
"I'm sure it was just a dream, Lothinar.... don't give it another thought," she said with a goofy smile.
"Everyone is looking for you!" said Firestorm. Why did you leave without at least telling Candasar where you were going.?
Ronniflass looked very uncomfortable.
"It is my fault. I was very selfish and wanted a chance to talk with Lothinar alone," she said.
"Oh, that's right Candasar said that you are the one that fell in love with Lothinar because he far moans. I think I heard him doing that last night. It didn't sound that interesting to me."
Lothinar was shaking his head. "I think some of this I'm starting to remember...."
"If Candasar is bonded to me, why were you able to find me and not her little dragon? he asked.
Firestorm stopped and thought about it for a second.
"I don't really know, but since you gave me wings and that healing, I've been able to hear all your thoughts. I think we are bonded."
"I'm sorry, Firestorm, I didn't ask you if you wanted to do that. I suppose that when I healed you, I bonded with you."
Ronniflass gave him a confused look. "That's not possible"
"It's usually not" Said Candasar as she flew in over the trees and made a quick landing in front of the cottage, skidding to a stop. "Only Lothinar could somehow find a way to bond with two dragons at the same time! Somehow, at least for the moment, only one of us can communicate over a long distance through the bond at a time. This little one has been taking up all of Lothinar's communication ability"
"How did you find us then, Candasar? Asked Ronniflass.
"Easy! I just followed them," said Candasar gesturing over toward the trees which were being pushed aside in front of a lumbering red dragon. On his back was a beautiful elf.
"That's not fair, Candasar!" Mo-Rung called out. "I did all the hard work tracking this little imp! and you beat me to her in the final uphill stretch."
"We really need to get you some wings, Grandfather!" said Candasar smugly. "Now that Lothinar has been found that's a possibility again."
Lothinar was still looking at the beautiful elf on the dragon back. She looked very familiar.
"Are you Ardwynn? he asked her, his eyes full of hope.
Mavis looked surprised. Then she shook her head.
“No, I’m not, and you should definitely know the difference,“ said Mavis.
"Lothinar has not been himself since I pulled him from the water," said Ronniflass.
"Ronette said Candasar, You may have saved him, but you are in a good deal of trouble back home. McDonald is furious!"
”He is no longer my concern,” said the ex-milk maid.
“Well, I suggest you don’t go asking him for a referral when you are looking for your next job, then.” Scoffed Candasar.
"We have been able to figure out that this all started when we gave you a ride the other night. You were exposed to a chemical Lothinar has in his sweat. It made you fall in love with him."
The half-elf looked confused. Her face fell. She ran back into the house. Lothinar thought he heard her crying.
"Look Lothinar", said Candasar. "This is quite a mess and is going to take some unraveling. We should go back to let everyone know what is going on and that you and Firestorm have been found"
"She told me her name is Ronniflass. She is half-elf and very nice."
"We need to go home," said Candasar.
"I'm staying here. I like it here. They have dragons carved into the window box. And quilts"
He turned and walked back into the house.
"Ok. Well, this is going to be a problem," said Candasar. "I can't fit through the door"
"Perhaps I should go and talk with him," said Mavis.
"Oh no! You are not going anywhere near him. All we need is another elf female getting exposed to pheromones falling in love with Lothinar." said Candasar.
"That won't be a problem," said Mavis.
"And why not?" asked Candasar.
"Because on the way up here Mo-Rung and I bonded. Lothinar's pheromones will no longer work on me."
"That was fast!" said Candasar. "Why did you do that?"
"Because we both want the same thing said Mo-Rung... Revenge!"
------------------------