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.
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
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.
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.
"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.
"Very well... take him out..." muttered Caesar having Ares roughly seize Calico and shove him outside the tent, causing him to trip and fall and the quick unexpected push
"Ares... make sure he doesn't dare run..." muttered Caesar coming over to Harrishim
"I am very pleased with the slave and the horses too, I wish to be my own rider for this trial" informed Caesar repositioning the circlet of golden leaves
"Ares... make sure he doesn't dare run..." muttered Caesar coming over to Harrishim
"I am very pleased with the slave and the horses too, I wish to be my own rider for this trial" informed Caesar repositioning the circlet of golden leaves
Ryiah wasted no time in shifting to her human form once the men left the tent though she had given a growl of protest at Calico's rough treatment. Donning the clothing given to her, this outfit mostly a sandy color fringed with purple and golden accents, she waited for the odd sense of the shift to pass. Finally, she glanced around Caesar's tent, unsure if there would be retribution for leaving, yet not wanting to wait around, she moved out of the tent flaps, her gaze searching once again for Calico, worried about what trouble they were putting him through. She also wondered where Taff had gone, and moved in search of Harrishim herself, to make sure the warlock had been freed.
Seeing the bedouin leader speaking to Caesar she hesitated, then approached, chin lifting. At a break in their conversation she turned to Harrishim. "You have released Taff as per your part of the bargain, have you not?"
Harrishim nodded enthusiastically to Caesar, dipping in a small respectful bow. "Of course your imminence, if it pleases you to ride in the race, I will allowit. I am glad the slaves have been to your liking." As Ryiah approached, a stormy look on her face, he lifted an eyebrow and turned back to Caesar, crossing his arms over his chest. "She is unique as well as beautiful is she not?" He asked, knowing the Roman had seen her shift into dragon." Finally he turned to Ryiah. "Yes, my dear. The boy was released. What he does now is of no concern to me. Just make sure you bring no disrepect on our guests." Clearly he was enjoying his sense of ownership.
Seeing the bedouin leader speaking to Caesar she hesitated, then approached, chin lifting. At a break in their conversation she turned to Harrishim. "You have released Taff as per your part of the bargain, have you not?"
Harrishim nodded enthusiastically to Caesar, dipping in a small respectful bow. "Of course your imminence, if it pleases you to ride in the race, I will allowit. I am glad the slaves have been to your liking." As Ryiah approached, a stormy look on her face, he lifted an eyebrow and turned back to Caesar, crossing his arms over his chest. "She is unique as well as beautiful is she not?" He asked, knowing the Roman had seen her shift into dragon." Finally he turned to Ryiah. "Yes, my dear. The boy was released. What he does now is of no concern to me. Just make sure you bring no disrepect on our guests." Clearly he was enjoying his sense of ownership.
"Well then, let us see these fine steeds I have so longed to see" nodded Caesar keen to examine the horses, no less passionate about them than Harrishim was
"I trust you have a personal selection of your liking?" quizzed Caesar interested
He gazed at the island and the tents, quite satisfied all was well settled, leaving Calico at Ares mercy or cruelty, whichever way one would look at it.
"Come then... I have a race to run and win..." urged Caesar quite looking forward to trying out these famed horses
"I trust you have a personal selection of your liking?" quizzed Caesar interested
He gazed at the island and the tents, quite satisfied all was well settled, leaving Calico at Ares mercy or cruelty, whichever way one would look at it.
"Come then... I have a race to run and win..." urged Caesar quite looking forward to trying out these famed horses
Harrashim moved off towards the horse pens, eyes gleaming in excitement. He loved to show off his precious horses. Waving at the various herds separated by pens he looked keenly at Caesar, narrowing his eyes a bit calculatingly. "How well do you know your horseflesh?" He asked with a chuckle. In the leftmost pen were various stallions, mares, and geldings, with many differing pelt selections. "Those ones have partaken in many races, though these mares are past breeding age they have experience often needed in races that call for endurance." He gestured at the next pen which housed horses of pure white coats. "These are my favorite. They decend from Alkoria and Faghan, two horses of such spirit and speed that their offspring are guaranteed to be so. Their pelts are exquisitely beautiful. Their worth is far above the average equine. In the last pen are the young and their mothers, as well as any mares which are approaching breeding age. These need more work to become skilled racers, but of course, all have promise." With this information given, he looked back to Caesar, a smug smile on his face. "Our horses are without rival when it comes to racing."
"What about that one? If I didn't know better, it looks like Zeus' own Pegasus, a winged horse that is beyond compare" noted Caesar seeing this one was kept apart from all the rest.
"I quite would like to try that one... for sure" decided Caesar, seeing a higher quality and strength, a certain fury or boldness that the other horses lacked.
"I quite would like to try that one... for sure" decided Caesar, seeing a higher quality and strength, a certain fury or boldness that the other horses lacked.
Harrishim hemmed and hawed a bit, stroking his beard and shaking his head. "That horse, alas, is not for sale, he is indeed Pegasus a horse above all.. he was a gift, I cannot offer him. Soon I will breed him to make more of his noble race. Of those, perhaps, you may have pick."
Caesar nodded satisfied
"I shall look forward to that. It is said Pegasus grants his gifts to its master's horses, I will thus look forward to a very challenging race" accepted Caesar "if it were mine, I too would refuse to share such magnificent horse" acknowledged Caesar taking another horse for the race and patting it gently very pleased indeed with the quality of the stock
"I shall look forward to that. It is said Pegasus grants his gifts to its master's horses, I will thus look forward to a very challenging race" accepted Caesar "if it were mine, I too would refuse to share such magnificent horse" acknowledged Caesar taking another horse for the race and patting it gently very pleased indeed with the quality of the stock
Harrishim inclined his head a bit, relieved Caesar wasn't going to push the issue. "Pegasus is untested in these races, and while I have no doubt he would win anyway, I prefer to allow all my steeds time to acclimate. The winged one will not be racing this time I'm afriad. He is far to valuable to risk."
Turning he clapped Caesar on the back. "I have ordered a feast in your honor, come, I am sure it is ready by now. Is there anything you wish before we partake?"
Ryiah, meanwhile, had been escorted firmly back to Caesar's tent by Harrashim's men, and now she sat upon a cushion, eyes downcast as she wondered what was befalling Calico. She knew she too would feel pain he was enduring, and for the time beinf at least, it seemed they had not struck him. Her mind roiled as she thought of the life they could have had together ruling her empire side by side. Yet if Caesar had his way, and Ryiah could find no loopholes, she would instead soon be in Rome. Undeniably it would be an adventure to see such far places, yet how would her Empire fare without her? Would her father take up his reign once again?
Turning he clapped Caesar on the back. "I have ordered a feast in your honor, come, I am sure it is ready by now. Is there anything you wish before we partake?"
Ryiah, meanwhile, had been escorted firmly back to Caesar's tent by Harrashim's men, and now she sat upon a cushion, eyes downcast as she wondered what was befalling Calico. She knew she too would feel pain he was enduring, and for the time beinf at least, it seemed they had not struck him. Her mind roiled as she thought of the life they could have had together ruling her empire side by side. Yet if Caesar had his way, and Ryiah could find no loopholes, she would instead soon be in Rome. Undeniably it would be an adventure to see such far places, yet how would her Empire fare without her? Would her father take up his reign once again?
"You are a most pleasant trader, I wish I can meet up your welcoming standards and generosity at my home too" thanked Caesar quite appreciative of the gestures and compliments, his smile drawing wider as he found Ryiah exactly where he had commanded her originally.
"You must eat as well, precious... we cannot have you faint for lack of nourishment" encouraged Caesar, yet again running his ring covered fingers through her red hair
"You have a rare horse and a rare slave, Fortuna must smile upon you, Harrishim" complimented Caesar sitting down with Harrishim to eat, treating him as an equal.
"You must eat as well, precious... we cannot have you faint for lack of nourishment" encouraged Caesar, yet again running his ring covered fingers through her red hair
"You have a rare horse and a rare slave, Fortuna must smile upon you, Harrishim" complimented Caesar sitting down with Harrishim to eat, treating him as an equal.
Ryiah kept her gaze lowered, feeling Caesar's fingers toy with her hair. She glanced at the food placed before her, seeing the ripe fruits, cheeses, and meats which smelled delicious. Her stomach growled but she clenched her jaw and didn't eat. "Unless Calico is given food to eat as well, I will have nothing myself." She murmered, flicking a glance up at Caesar, her amber hues serious.
Harrishim guffawed and nodded amiably to Caesar. "Yes such is true. I have felt very blessed of late. Whether it be lady luck, or one of our gods, I think it high time favor was shone on one such as me." Perhaps not terribly humble of him, but he cared not. "All of these beautiful jewels are indeed a pleasure to own and behold." He continued, gesturing at Ryiah, then toward the horse pens. "One day perhaps you will be so favored as well. A man as powerful as yourself will surely prosper."
Harrishim guffawed and nodded amiably to Caesar. "Yes such is true. I have felt very blessed of late. Whether it be lady luck, or one of our gods, I think it high time favor was shone on one such as me." Perhaps not terribly humble of him, but he cared not. "All of these beautiful jewels are indeed a pleasure to own and behold." He continued, gesturing at Ryiah, then toward the horse pens. "One day perhaps you will be so favored as well. A man as powerful as yourself will surely prosper."
"Ares, bring the slave... I won't have my empress go hungry at any rate" nodded Caesar feeling somewhat in a good generous mood which certainly raised eyebrows among his own generals
Calico was brought before Caesar and forced to kneel, sitting back against his toes wondering if he would be executed on this occasion, a warm smile on his face no sooner he saw Ryiah.
Calico was brought before Caesar and forced to kneel, sitting back against his toes wondering if he would be executed on this occasion, a warm smile on his face no sooner he saw Ryiah.
Ryiah couldn't help the smile that blossomed on her own face as Calico was brought in, the expression softening her features and her gaze as well. Once she saw him given food, she turned to her own plate, and ate a few bites, though despite her hunger she felt she didn't have much appetite.
Inching a bit away from Caesar, she tried to move subtly closer to her captain, her gaze lingering on him as if she could discern how he fared. Leaning toward him she whispered with a hint of her old spirit, as well as a touch of jest, "you should stop causing me to need to rescue you. The adventure never ceases. I am glad you're okay..."
The dinner continued around them, Ryiah only picking at her plate as she listened to Harrishim regale his guests with tales of the bedouins and their lore, often making himself the hero.
Inching a bit away from Caesar, she tried to move subtly closer to her captain, her gaze lingering on him as if she could discern how he fared. Leaning toward him she whispered with a hint of her old spirit, as well as a touch of jest, "you should stop causing me to need to rescue you. The adventure never ceases. I am glad you're okay..."
The dinner continued around them, Ryiah only picking at her plate as she listened to Harrishim regale his guests with tales of the bedouins and their lore, often making himself the hero.
"You need not be discreet about it, precious, if you fancy the man do embrace him... you know I would not deny anything to my empress happiness" assured Caesar
"As for you Harrishim I shall have our bards sing your praises indeed, it takes a man of might to ever subdue Pegasus, or poses a dragon, never mind the ruling beauty that commands them all" complimented Caesar eating and listening in with interest, his men equally enjoying the adventurous feats
"As for you Harrishim I shall have our bards sing your praises indeed, it takes a man of might to ever subdue Pegasus, or poses a dragon, never mind the ruling beauty that commands them all" complimented Caesar eating and listening in with interest, his men equally enjoying the adventurous feats
Ryiah, surprised at Caesar's comment, less surprised he'd noticed her movements, nevertheless wasted no time in moving to sit beside Calico, her shoulder brushing his as she leaned her head lightly on it in a fond gesture. Her glance kept going back to Caesar, as if she wondered if somehow allowing her to be near Calico were a trap. She would enjoy it while she could.
Harrishim, emboldened by the Roman's praise continued his conversation with Caesar until the hour grew late, and darkness had fallen. Finally the man stood and stretched, leaning forward to dip in a bow to Caesar. "The night is drawing on, my lord and I will take my leave of you until the morrow, where we shall see your prowess during the race." He then glanced at Ryiah who sat close to Calico, then back to Caesar. "If you wish her to stay here for the night, I'll allow it, otherwise I'll have my men escort her back to her own tent for the remainder of the evening." He had other women who would attend him that night.
Harrishim, emboldened by the Roman's praise continued his conversation with Caesar until the hour grew late, and darkness had fallen. Finally the man stood and stretched, leaning forward to dip in a bow to Caesar. "The night is drawing on, my lord and I will take my leave of you until the morrow, where we shall see your prowess during the race." He then glanced at Ryiah who sat close to Calico, then back to Caesar. "If you wish her to stay here for the night, I'll allow it, otherwise I'll have my men escort her back to her own tent for the remainder of the evening." He had other women who would attend him that night.
"I would like to own her, be it at the races, or purchasing her afterwards" nodded Caesar
"She can stay, I gather she will make a fine empress... with her prowess" smiled Caesar clearly besotted with her
He saluted Harrishim courteous and made his way to the bed
"Come along darling, you best grow accustomed to sleeping in my arms" prompted Caesar
"She can stay, I gather she will make a fine empress... with her prowess" smiled Caesar clearly besotted with her
He saluted Harrishim courteous and made his way to the bed
"Come along darling, you best grow accustomed to sleeping in my arms" prompted Caesar
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