"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
Harrishim considered the Roman's words, not wishing to be parted from the beautiful empress slave so soon, but not wishing to incur the wrath of the Emperor either. A wager did spark his interest. "I will discuss agreements we might come to on that regard tomorrow before the race." With that he took his leave.
Ryiah felt her stomach twist at Caesar's words, eyes widening and her gaze moving to Calico. "I..." a blush rose to her cheeks as she thought of such a thing even as she felt her head shake. How could she get out of it? They held Calico against her, and her very empire relied on her to keep the peace between the Roman's and herself. "Calico..." she murmered, at a loss as she watched the last of Harrishim's men and women clear out of the room, having cleaned up the feast area.
Instead of following Caesar, as she knew would probably be wisest, Ryiah found herself shrinking against Calico hoping somehow to avoid the night itself. She had never slept in the arms of another, not even her betrothed, and the thought was a daunting one indeed. Trying not to show her sudden fear she lifted her chin, trying to hide behind a veil of defiance.
Ryiah felt her stomach twist at Caesar's words, eyes widening and her gaze moving to Calico. "I..." a blush rose to her cheeks as she thought of such a thing even as she felt her head shake. How could she get out of it? They held Calico against her, and her very empire relied on her to keep the peace between the Roman's and herself. "Calico..." she murmered, at a loss as she watched the last of Harrishim's men and women clear out of the room, having cleaned up the feast area.
Instead of following Caesar, as she knew would probably be wisest, Ryiah found herself shrinking against Calico hoping somehow to avoid the night itself. She had never slept in the arms of another, not even her betrothed, and the thought was a daunting one indeed. Trying not to show her sudden fear she lifted her chin, trying to hide behind a veil of defiance.
"Harrishim... if you wish the empress, I will not deprive you of her warmth, company or services tonight. She is rightfully your slave after all and I have indulged in her company throughout the day, depriving you of her" mused Caesar on second thought waving for Ryiah to go back to her master.
"Enjoy her whilst you can, if I do win I shall surely claim her" smiled Caesar nodding amiccably, no hard feelings at having to let go of the woman
"Enjoy her whilst you can, if I do win I shall surely claim her" smiled Caesar nodding amiccably, no hard feelings at having to let go of the woman
Ryiah felt anger growing, her pride taking a blow at feeling bartered over as one of Harrishim's prized horses. She stood, back straight. "I'll save you both the trouble, and retire to my tent for the evening." She gave Calico a lingering glance then swiftly turned to leave the tent, not bothering to glance over her shoulder to see if the move would go uncontested.
Harrishim's face darkened a bit at Ryiah's refusal of both men, hoping Caesar had not been angered. "I am sorry your lordship, she is a new slave, obviously, and unaccustomed to following commands. She used to give them you know. But it is refreshing when they at least have spirit." He tried to assuage the situation. Finally he cleared his throat. "On the morrow then. Good luck to you. If you win, that fiery handful is yours."
Harrishim's face darkened a bit at Ryiah's refusal of both men, hoping Caesar had not been angered. "I am sorry your lordship, she is a new slave, obviously, and unaccustomed to following commands. She used to give them you know. But it is refreshing when they at least have spirit." He tried to assuage the situation. Finally he cleared his throat. "On the morrow then. Good luck to you. If you win, that fiery handful is yours."
Caesar nodded in understanding
"Yes of course, and with some fortune on my side, she will be giving orders, by my side, soon enough again" accepted Caesar, "We need her to remain in her commanding element, a worthy empress to the mightiest empire for sure" assured Caesar not at all offended at her stomping away
"Do inform her that if she fails to warm up my bed, his half a heart of a brigand will do a lover's duties for the night... on her behalf and in her absence." nodded Caesar patting Harrishim amiccably on the shoulder "Rest well... I certainly shall" nodded Caesar having spoken loudly enough for Ryiah to take heed of his warning.
"Whilst I do not mind sharing the slave for her enjoyment and happiness, I shall certainly partake of the same enjoyment and happiness given her unavailability..." mused Caesar causing Calico to freeze stiff and wide eyed, Ares already nudging him forward with a smirk across his face
"Yes of course, and with some fortune on my side, she will be giving orders, by my side, soon enough again" accepted Caesar, "We need her to remain in her commanding element, a worthy empress to the mightiest empire for sure" assured Caesar not at all offended at her stomping away
"Do inform her that if she fails to warm up my bed, his half a heart of a brigand will do a lover's duties for the night... on her behalf and in her absence." nodded Caesar patting Harrishim amiccably on the shoulder "Rest well... I certainly shall" nodded Caesar having spoken loudly enough for Ryiah to take heed of his warning.
"Whilst I do not mind sharing the slave for her enjoyment and happiness, I shall certainly partake of the same enjoyment and happiness given her unavailability..." mused Caesar causing Calico to freeze stiff and wide eyed, Ares already nudging him forward with a smirk across his face
Ryiah had indeed heard the warning, the seemingly benign words wrapping another clamp around her, tying her tighter though she remained free to take her own actions. She halted in the dark outside the tent, closing her eyes briefly as she fought the turmoil within, hearing Harrishim's responding quiet laughter and agreement. She couldn't leave Calico to Caesar's whim, not the pirate she knew and loved. It would perhaps change him, and she didn't want that. She could be strong instead.
Turning finally with a quiet exhalation she moved back toward the tent, Harrashim passing her on the way. "Good choice girl." He murmered, "enjoy your night." He said with a bit of a smirking smile and then was gone to his own tent.
Upon quietly slipping back into the tent, Ryiah moved to stand before Caesar before she could change her mind. "Please... leave him be. I will sleep in your arms as you wish." She flicked her gaze once to Calico, them dropped her gaze to the floor of the tent. "I am ready."
Turning finally with a quiet exhalation she moved back toward the tent, Harrashim passing her on the way. "Good choice girl." He murmered, "enjoy your night." He said with a bit of a smirking smile and then was gone to his own tent.
Upon quietly slipping back into the tent, Ryiah moved to stand before Caesar before she could change her mind. "Please... leave him be. I will sleep in your arms as you wish." She flicked her gaze once to Calico, them dropped her gaze to the floor of the tent. "I am ready."
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