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Caesar nodded, running his fingers through her hair gently

"Harrishim, I will gift you the ship all the same, my friend. Rome has a large stadium where horse races are a must have, to keep the bets going and appease our nobles. It would be good for my empire and your trade that you were to compete at least once a year" encouraged Caesar "I have never seen such magnificent horses as yours are" smiled the emperor clearly satisfied.

"You on the other hand, you will be sailing with us... precious... my warships are reaching an empire of dragons with harpoons at hand, gifting their empress with a beautiful slave or two will facilitate our trades and peaceful relations without a need for war.

I have been told the empress has a unique beauty it is thus appropriate she should be surrounded by beautiful slaves to accompany her" noted Caesar watching her stand

How had things gotten so muddled so quickly? Ryiah wondered morosely. Caesar planned on gifting her.... to herself? If her situation weren't so unfortunate she might have laughed, as it was her lips quirked upward in a sudden grin, unable to keep the ironic look from her face. The man's fingers in her hair made her want to shift away, yet she held still until still she'd shot to her feet to confront Harrashim.

That idea had gone south. The man was clearly more worried about appeasing the Romans than he was herself. Turning to Caesar Ryiah lifted her chin, standing straight and, hopefully, composed before him. She *tried* to keep her voice with a hint of respect, to keep the frustration from it. Was that how a slave would sound? She was bad at this... she knew. "Please... sir." She couldn't bring herself to address him as her lord. She was an Empress after all.

"Where is the slave you just aquired, the captain... I would very much like to speak with him." Ryiah knelt back down, bells jingling softly. She turned wide pleading eyes to Caesar, her amber hues clear and strong despite her attempts at seeming weak.

"The rebellious slave is hanging from the ceiling in shackles ready for a whipping, when I get round to it" replied Caesar

"Is he a relative of yours, precious?" quizzed Caesar surprised a slave might dare take interest in another slave in his presence where all interest and attentions should be for himself

Ryiah felt hot anger kindle again in her gaze as well as her chest and she twisted to look for Calico, finally spotting the captain where she had not thought to look before. With a gasp she was back on her feet, her body a bit rigid with emotion. She turned her gaze on Caesar then. A relative? she thought to herself. Nay... he shares half my heart. she didn't speak the words aloud, instead, lifting her chin and addressng Caesar once more, this time without pretending submissivness. This could not continue or Calico and herself would both die.

"You said before you planned on offering me to the Empress of dragons. Well you are in luck. You can make your gift now. I am Empress Ryiah Sendara Bet'Luna. Give me back my captain, and I might consider negotiating peace with you, rather than tearing your ships to pieces as I had planned." Her gaze narrowed and she spoke softly, arms crossing over her chest.

"You will have to excuse me, precious, but an empress doesn't submit to a merchant of horses as a common harem wench of his" pointed out Caesar as a matter of fact

"Still... I will grant you benefit of the doubt and if you can prove your case and accept a marriage between us, I would offer him as your wedding dowry alongside more suited presents of course. That was my purpose for travelling to the land of the dragons after all" noted Caesar quite direct about his politics

"She does if she wishes to avoid unnecessary bloodshed." Ryiah retorted, turning to pull the back of her outfit slightly lower to reveal the scales glistening there to prove her identity. Turning back to Caesar she apoke again. "I am no common harem wench, nor would I have allowed things to go that way further than what was in my control, for my purposes."

Ryiah took a breath, trying to steady her nerve. "I will not consider marriage with you. I am betrothed to another already, and even if I were not, you wouldn't be my first choice... sir. But I will not retaliate against you for the pain you have caused my captain, if you return him to me now."

"Well in such circumstances, I will forfeit your company and beauty and leave you to remain at this harem figuring out your way to freedom until your master brings you to Rome along with his horses. Perhaps if you were to see our wealth and military prowess, your mind might dominate your heart and you will see our union as beneficial for both our empires" mused Caesar swirling his wine.

"I do not expect your love. It is rare that nobility in Rome marries for love, it is always for political gains. You are allowed your own harem too, for love and for pleasure and he will be there, waiting for you to accept my offer. Thus, I am not going to gift you the rebellious captain.

I was planning on gifting the empress a female of beauty perhaps you shall have your freedom instead if I do win your hand tomorrow at the races, that is as far as the offer extends, given your outright refusal to an advantageous union between us and our empires" mused Caesar

Ryiah felt trapped, her gaze going to Calico, who looked very sick indeed. Her plans were falling flat, and she obviously needed to work on her persuasive skills. Standing before Caesar, Ryiah faltered. "Is there nothing else besides marriage you would consider in exchange for him?" She finally asked, feeling weary and sick as well, swaying a bit on her feet until she finally was forced to kneel. Her gaze was uncharacteristically soft, much of her defiance gone from it for the moment. She worried not over her own freedom here, she could leave anytime she wished, Harrashim could not hold her. Yet if Calico were to be harmed, to die, as would she.

As she waited for the man's answer she gathered her strength for the shift. The height of her dragon form would bring her well near enough to Calico to heal him, perhaps then her own energy would return... perhaps they could escape...

Caesar looked narrow eyed yet curious as she became a dragoness of prowess and might, her breath restoring the previously mangled Calico to a healthy well chained prisoner without the least scratch upon him.

He looked fascinated at her ability to restore life and health, clearly, something he was most interested in.

"Now now now... aren't you a beast of beauty and might... I must have you..." mused Caesar fearlessly approaching the dragon to pat the beast touching the scales with admiration.

"Can you heal anyone or just this particular scallywag?" quizzed Caesar seeing yet another reason to press upon the matter of having this woman. Not only was she beautiful but she was also powerful.

Ryiah hadn't intended on shifting so soon, not yet.. but her concentration had been slipping the more sick Calico had become, and she had shifted inadvertently, her form filling much of the tent, the once luxurious clothing laying torn on the ground. Before any could stop her she had touched her muzzle to Calico, restoring his health and a bit of her own vigour. Eyeing Calico's chains, she moved her neck beneath the man so he did not dangle so painfully, taking his weight herself.

Then, she gripped the chain in her maw, attempting to crush them within her jaws, sparks flying a bit as her teeth clashed with the hardened chains.

Growling low she turned her gaze, the same sparking amber hues as her human form, back to Caesar. Harrashim had long since fled the tent, leaving Caesar to deal with the unusual harem slave he'd offered his guest.

"I heal all..." She said, voice angry yet contained. "Free him now." To help encourage the Roman she lowered her muzzle, ignoring his hands upon her, and puffed a steamy breath of vapor upon him threateningly.

"If you are mine... you can have all of him for yourself indeed. I do not give to get nothing in return" pointed out Caesar

"A mighty beast like you with such healing powers is too unique and majestic to simply let you leave, never to be seen again. I'd encourage you to reconsider... my proposal." mused Caesar brushing the muzzle fascinated and wrapping his arms around the beast's neck

"I must have you... one way or other... precious" insisted Caesar brushing the scales gently, as he would his best war horse

Sendara back away a step, pulling her muzzle away from Caesar's grasp, and looking to Calico then back to Caesar, wondering why the captain and holder of her heart said nothing. Why did he not wake?

Trying once again to cut the chains with her jaws, she found them too strong and thick, yet with a mighty pull she dislodged the chains from the tents much softer surface, the length of them falling heavily with a clank to the floor. Turning her head she regarded Caesar with a still kindled eye. "Why should I reconsider?" she asked the Roman with saracasm, tinged with curiosity, her head moving to glance toward the tent flaps. She knew that Caesar's men were many, but she was considering taking her chances. She had flight on her side, and her own weapons were also to be feared. The strength of her claws and the scorching breath which brewed within her. Why did Caesar seem so casual and unafraid? Her gaze narrowed at him.

"Because if you do not comply... it will cost his freedom and life... these chains are no ordinary metal, they are magic inbued and stone at the core so teeth like yours can never prey it opened" pointed out Caesar, a foot stomping on Calico's chest and his unsheathed sword at the man's chest sure to pierce him to death.

"This ruffian is mine by right of conquest, to try to remove him will cost your empire dearly, Caesar does not take it kindly to theft..." informed Caesar plain and blunt

"Now I am taking him back to Rome to my harem of slaves, you may come visit when you earn your freedom back, if you care enough for his embraces. A union between us, of course, would see him entirely yours, you asked the price of his release, it is your hand... nothing less will do" mused Caesar.

"For now, I have a race to partake at, to win you over..." smirked Caesar "If Fortuna is favourable to us, Romans, today at the race, and Athena grants us victory, then rest assured you will by far be extremely well taken care of, no sooner you're mine" assured Caesar already counting on his victory.

At Caesar's words, and his move, nearly running Calico through, Sendara backed away, laying herself down and placing her head nearly all the way on the ground. If you kill him... you will be killing me as well, and that is not merely a figure of speech. The Captain owns half my heart. Sendara sighed, and perhaps if she had been in human form, a tear might have slipped down her cheek. I will go with you to Rome, but you must leave Calico here, free. Must she say goodbye so soon after pledging him her Troth? But at least he would be no slave.

"Let him go free? and risk anyone running the scoundrel through and killing you? Nay... this man is most valuable to me alive than dead, as are you... empress... you will both come with me to Rome, you shall be my empress and he is all yours to keep as you see fit, provided... no harm comes to him" muttered Caesar watching Calico wriggle a little and start to wake up.

"I desire your mighty strength, your incomparable beauty and far more importantly your unrivalled healing power." mused Caesar being quite open and honest about it.

"Still, it is early days to barter you or him, for he belongs to me at present and you belong to Harrishim at present too" reminded Caesar

"I must first compete and win you over, or perhaps arrange a sale if I do fail, then we can negotiate further, marrying a slave wouldn't do in Rome so you shall be my equal once we leave this island" commented Caesar having his men stand and restrain Calico but careful to not harm him in the least

Then I shall be your equal in name only, for all the choice I am given. Sendara muttered as she rose to full height, her hues glittering some. Now... if you would kindly find me some new clothing so that I may resume my human form.. she said, her gaze first on Calico, still chained, then on Caesar. She had rarely felt so helpless when in her dragon form, to be unable rescue her rider but for aquiecing to the Roman. Puffs of vapor misted from her nostrils as she thought of it and she turned to pace the length of the tent.

Pausing every so often, she would nose Calico tenderly, watching him as he ever so slowly woke.

"Go Ares, find her attire..." urged Caesar deciding to grant her polite request.

Ares left the tent on the double, quickly coming to find Harrishim at one tent or other.

"Sir... the dragoness wishes new attire.... go quickly and get some right away" pointed out Ares looking at Harrishim expecting him to deliver some right away. "Worry not, all expenses will be paid for... in due course... Caesar's orders do not wait though" urged Ares counting every moment

Harrishim chuckled. "Is she giving you trouble already?" He asked, sending his man for the requested clothing, his gaze on Ares. "She doesn't seem to have qualms with speaking her mind. I hope she isn't too much for his Lordship to handle." Harrishim raised an eyebrow. "Now, about the race, who will be riding to represent the Romans? My best men are preparing even as we speak. They train for many months for these races."

Stroking his beard, Harrashim continued in an inquiring voice. "Is there anything else you need or desire while here? I hope to keep my honored guests wanting for nothing."

---

Sendara continued her pacing, checking on Calico every so often, her scales glinting as they were caught by rays of dimming sunshine from the doorway as evening drew on.

"Your majesty must excuse my poor form... I was indisposed, too much so to wield a sword" admitted Calico in a cringe "I lost your vessel, my empress, it fell into enemies hands" reported Calico mortified "as have I..." murmured finally sitting up and resting against his toes for a while

"I must admit it has been a long time since I last tasted the bitter sourness of defeat, yet it worries me what will become ofus... they have so many vessels, so well armed and manned... we could not stand a chance even if we wanted to" admitted Calico

---

Ares looked at Harrishim.

"I was hoping to race myself to be honest but Caesar has decided he wants to try out the horses himself, in such case, I can only stand behind and await his verdict, if he is satisfied enough... you shall have a strong trade in Rome" assured Ares calmly

Ares took the robes and rushed back to Caesar's tent, extending the attire at Ryiah for her to get dressed.

Sendara had eventually settled in a crouch beside Calico, trying to ignore Caesar as she focused on her rider's words. She touched him softly with her muzzle. "It seems it couldn't be helped, you were very sick. Just don't go doing anything rash, you share my heart now, remember.." she offered a 'softv draconic smile, then looked up as Ares returned, clothing in hand. Eying them she inclined her head, grateful despite herself. "I wish to shift form in privacy." she added, puffing a breath of hot vapor toward the men, hues glinting as she rose to her full height.