"Well glad you reconsidered, welcome to our tent. Let's lay down and sleep I must be fresh for the morning challenge and race" nodded Caesar patting the space right by beside him where Calico laid down stiff and tense, curled up fearing the worst that didn't happen.
Caesar moved a bit further to make her space in between.
"In all honesty I prefer the dragroness form, it gives me a sense of safety for few dare approach such mighty beasts" noted Caesar looking at Ryiah to turn into Sendara, ready for bed time
Caesar moved a bit further to make her space in between.
"In all honesty I prefer the dragroness form, it gives me a sense of safety for few dare approach such mighty beasts" noted Caesar looking at Ryiah to turn into Sendara, ready for bed time
Ryiah blinked, then nodded without a word, moving gracefully to lay between Calico and Caesar, her shoulders, left bare with her bedouin attire, brushed both men, her skin warm indeed with her dragon's blood. She tried to control her breathing, fearful despite herself but forcing calm over her features, and keeping her body relaxed. The dim light, for there was none but a low flickering tent sconce, cast is glow over her as she stared upward. This adventure, was one she hadn't seen coming...
Caesar's next words made her glance at him. Her clear amber gaze surprised, her lips parting slightly as she lifted her head to watch Caesar a bit. "You want me to turn into a dragon... while in your bed?" She glanced down, biting her lower lip, simultaneously relieved and cautious. "I will do as you say.. but.. I will require a new set of clothing tomorrow." She finally finished.
Caesar's next words made her glance at him. Her clear amber gaze surprised, her lips parting slightly as she lifted her head to watch Caesar a bit. "You want me to turn into a dragon... while in your bed?" She glanced down, biting her lower lip, simultaneously relieved and cautious. "I will do as you say.. but.. I will require a new set of clothing tomorrow." She finally finished.
"Worry not, precious, you're beautiful enough to require no attire in my presence, futhermore, Rome is wealthy enough to buy its empress a new outfit every hour if it so pleases you" assured Caesar with a warm smile running his hand gently down her shoulder and over the purple scales too, placing a gentle kiss upon her neck
"Now then, be my mighty dragoness that I may sleep at ease..." prompted Caesar
"Now then, be my mighty dragoness that I may sleep at ease..." prompted Caesar
Closing her eyes a moment Ryiah calmed herself as much as she could given her situation, feeling Caesar's soft caress and kiss, then with a soft breath she became Sendara, moving briefly closer to Caesar so she wouldn't crush Calico during the change. Finally, scales glittering once more, and feeling a bit safer herself, she settled back down as well as she could in the space given her.
Turning her gaze toward the tent's entrance, her head up slightly, where she would remain mostly immobile until morning's light, as if she was standing watch for the sun itself. Every so often during the night, she would turn her head and watch her rider, her draconic expression unreadable, yet her tail curled protectively around him.
Up early the next morning Harrishim was already by the horse pens, organizing the race and answering any questions any of the riders might have, even though the race was set for later in the afternoon. He had been told by Ares, after all, the Romans wanted a good night sleep. This race wwould also cover much of the Island, which despite Calico's work the last time he was here, still had sand pits, and poisonous animals. The sand storms had very much lessened in ferocity however, and were not likely to come this time.
Turning her gaze toward the tent's entrance, her head up slightly, where she would remain mostly immobile until morning's light, as if she was standing watch for the sun itself. Every so often during the night, she would turn her head and watch her rider, her draconic expression unreadable, yet her tail curled protectively around him.
Up early the next morning Harrishim was already by the horse pens, organizing the race and answering any questions any of the riders might have, even though the race was set for later in the afternoon. He had been told by Ares, after all, the Romans wanted a good night sleep. This race wwould also cover much of the Island, which despite Calico's work the last time he was here, still had sand pits, and poisonous animals. The sand storms had very much lessened in ferocity however, and were not likely to come this time.
Caesar leaned against the dragon, quite pleased with the mighty beast, and dozed off asleep.
She could have easily crushed him to death but Caesar felt the creature could be commanded and trusted, more so with its rider left at his mercy.
At crack of dawn he woke up smiling satisfied to find the dragon still there.
"Ahh magnificent as can be" nodded Caesar pleased "You stay here and watch over that slave... we don't want him harmed or you for the matter... I have a race to win after all" smiled Caesar with confidence coming outside to greet Harrishim to ask for yet another dress, in fact a collection of them so she could choose her preferred colours
She could have easily crushed him to death but Caesar felt the creature could be commanded and trusted, more so with its rider left at his mercy.
At crack of dawn he woke up smiling satisfied to find the dragon still there.
"Ahh magnificent as can be" nodded Caesar pleased "You stay here and watch over that slave... we don't want him harmed or you for the matter... I have a race to win after all" smiled Caesar with confidence coming outside to greet Harrishim to ask for yet another dress, in fact a collection of them so she could choose her preferred colours
Sendara indeed could be commanded when her rider was threatened at every wrong move she made. Which is why, as Caesar left, she eyed the retreating figure for a long moment then turned to Calico, glad they had a moment alone. The chains you bear... she asked, her voice urgent amd questioning, held very quiet. Can we not find one who will remove them in my Empire? And there is Taff, he could no doubt remove them as well. Why do you stay here as their slave? I will carry you and Taff away, we need no ship.
She watched the the man, her clear amber gaze full of weight. If we cannot escape here, we will both be prisoners of Rome. I feel not the same honor as Taff to remain a slave of Harrishim's, or any other. My duty is to you, and my Empire.
Her voice was regal and serious, letting Calico know she would whisk him away at a moments notice should she think it would work.
Harrishim grinned broadly when Caesar approached to commision the clothing. "Had a good night eh? And are you well rested for the race?" He asked with a bit of a smirk. "My men are the best riders around, and we will not hold back merely because you may have been too preoccupied to sleep." Turning, the bedouin leader ordered a old woman forward. "Get the man whichever garb he wishes for his slave, hold no cloth in reserve. Only the best for our guests."
She watched the the man, her clear amber gaze full of weight. If we cannot escape here, we will both be prisoners of Rome. I feel not the same honor as Taff to remain a slave of Harrishim's, or any other. My duty is to you, and my Empire.
Her voice was regal and serious, letting Calico know she would whisk him away at a moments notice should she think it would work.
Harrishim grinned broadly when Caesar approached to commision the clothing. "Had a good night eh? And are you well rested for the race?" He asked with a bit of a smirk. "My men are the best riders around, and we will not hold back merely because you may have been too preoccupied to sleep." Turning, the bedouin leader ordered a old woman forward. "Get the man whichever garb he wishes for his slave, hold no cloth in reserve. Only the best for our guests."
"I am going to compete for your hand, Sendara.... if the Roman can win you over, so can I" decided Calico
"With or without chains, I trust my skill enough to win this race" mused Calico looking outside the tent as Ares brought to the tent the new outfits, weary of the dragon but knowing better than to upset Caesar's pet
"Still... now... beast... be still..." urged Ares cautiously giving Calico the clothing for him to deliver it to the dragoness unwilling to end up its breakfast
"With or without chains, I trust my skill enough to win this race" mused Calico looking outside the tent as Ares brought to the tent the new outfits, weary of the dragon but knowing better than to upset Caesar's pet
"Still... now... beast... be still..." urged Ares cautiously giving Calico the clothing for him to deliver it to the dragoness unwilling to end up its breakfast
Sendara nodded thoughtfully at Calico's words. Too bad they would not allow you to ride me in the race rather than one of those pathetic horses. She murmered with a hint of humor nuzzling Calico just before Ares showed up with the clothing. She eyed him, snorting hot vapor his way, noting his caution and unease. She was glad she intimidated him, her pride assuaged a bit.
Deciding she would not shift to human just yet, Ryiah bent her neck low and nudged Calico to slip onto her, wanting his presence as her rider again. She left the clothing in the the tent, and once Calico mounted she would move quickly outside, her gaze going longingly to the sky. She didn't want the Roman's to become fearful and shoot at Calico however, and so she remained on the ground, moving toward the race's beginning, toward where Caesar and Harrishim conversed. Once she arrived she said nothing, merely exhaled another steamy breath, and glanced up at Calico to make his announcement of his intentions to ride.
Deciding she would not shift to human just yet, Ryiah bent her neck low and nudged Calico to slip onto her, wanting his presence as her rider again. She left the clothing in the the tent, and once Calico mounted she would move quickly outside, her gaze going longingly to the sky. She didn't want the Roman's to become fearful and shoot at Calico however, and so she remained on the ground, moving toward the race's beginning, toward where Caesar and Harrishim conversed. Once she arrived she said nothing, merely exhaled another steamy breath, and glanced up at Calico to make his announcement of his intentions to ride.
"Harrishim... I wish to partake at the race, I trust my abilities and skills enough to ensure my victory" assured Calico sliding off Sendara "May I be allowed to join the race?" asked Calico dropping to his knees to make the humble petition
"A slave? Competing against Caesar? Are you out of your mind? I would sooner let her compete for your hand than grant a slave the privilege of racing like a free man" dismissed Caesar offended at the suggestion and shaking his head disgusted, not assuming the girl might take up the offer for women were never even considered for such quests in Rome.
Calico sighed and looked at Sendara, not at all liking to encourage her into danger but quite happy to take Caesar's words at face value and let Ryiah try.
"A slave? Competing against Caesar? Are you out of your mind? I would sooner let her compete for your hand than grant a slave the privilege of racing like a free man" dismissed Caesar offended at the suggestion and shaking his head disgusted, not assuming the girl might take up the offer for women were never even considered for such quests in Rome.
Calico sighed and looked at Sendara, not at all liking to encourage her into danger but quite happy to take Caesar's words at face value and let Ryiah try.
Very well... I accept. Sendara said, lowering her head to look at Caesar and Harrishim. For our freedom she added with a low growl. And our ship and men returned to us. Because, why not? Sendara figured she'd at least try.
Harrishim almost burst out laughing at the idea of a woman in his race, then he saw the look in Sendara's eyes and cleared his throat, his gaze going to Caesar. "You know... my Lord... er.. that she is also a slave now. My slave...but perhaps will allow it if you wish."
Harrishim almost burst out laughing at the idea of a woman in his race, then he saw the look in Sendara's eyes and cleared his throat, his gaze going to Caesar. "You know... my Lord... er.. that she is also a slave now. My slave...but perhaps will allow it if you wish."
Caesar frowned at Harrishim's statement that remarked Ryiah as being his slave and remained firm on his stance
"Yes, of course, in that case, my precious cannot compete. Free men shall never race against slaves" rejected Caesar outright, causing Calico to sigh disheartened.
"Yes, of course, in that case, my precious cannot compete. Free men shall never race against slaves" rejected Caesar outright, causing Calico to sigh disheartened.
Taff came over sheepishly looking at Harrishim.
"Sir, would you permit me to be your slave in her place? I offer you sureties that if she fails to return, you may retain me in her place" asked Taff meekly looking at Harrishim
"I will serve and obey you faithfully, for the duration of the race, on her behalf, whatever you would expect from her I will deliver the same service or better" promised Taff, taking a handful of pebbles and waving his hand over them to turn them into diamonds and gold to make the offer more tempting
"Sir, would you permit me to be your slave in her place? I offer you sureties that if she fails to return, you may retain me in her place" asked Taff meekly looking at Harrishim
"I will serve and obey you faithfully, for the duration of the race, on her behalf, whatever you would expect from her I will deliver the same service or better" promised Taff, taking a handful of pebbles and waving his hand over them to turn them into diamonds and gold to make the offer more tempting
Ryiah snorted in anger at Caesar's words lifting her head and allowing hot vapor to waft from her maw towards the leader. "I am a slave in name only. I am Empress of the Tellirin Empire, and a princess among dragons. You would do well to remember this. And your slave... he is my rider, worthy of honor." Her voice slid to the others with anger in its tones, and pride as well, hues glittering as she showed her fangs, before looking to Taff with displeasure. I do not wish you to take my place when I became a slave in part to free you...
Harrashim was stroking his beard in contemplation of Taff's offer. When Sendara turned a threatening eye he raised an eyebrow. "Now now m'dear... no need to go crushing heads. You are indeed mighty, and the best slave in my harem I assure you. But still a slave. We have no Empress here." He then turned back to Taff. "You are not nearly as beautiful as this jewel... yet you do offer amazing things.." his eyes glinted with greed as he seemed to weigh the choice. "Done." He said finally, "but if she does return, she returns to my service. "I'll not wager her freedom, but merely allow her to compete for her riders freedom as my Lord Caesar has said."
Harrashim was stroking his beard in contemplation of Taff's offer. When Sendara turned a threatening eye he raised an eyebrow. "Now now m'dear... no need to go crushing heads. You are indeed mighty, and the best slave in my harem I assure you. But still a slave. We have no Empress here." He then turned back to Taff. "You are not nearly as beautiful as this jewel... yet you do offer amazing things.." his eyes glinted with greed as he seemed to weigh the choice. "Done." He said finally, "but if she does return, she returns to my service. "I'll not wager her freedom, but merely allow her to compete for her riders freedom as my Lord Caesar has said."
Taff looked at Sendara patting it gently
"Your majesty... I know the hefty price you have paid for my freedom and I thank you for it, but if I do not take your place, you will miss the opportunity to compete, please... allow me to serve your master in your name until your return... I cannot offer you freedom, only the chance to earn it back or at least win back your rider " commented Taff looking at Sendara for consent and speaking in dragon language that the others may be none the wiser.
"Your majesty... I know the hefty price you have paid for my freedom and I thank you for it, but if I do not take your place, you will miss the opportunity to compete, please... allow me to serve your master in your name until your return... I cannot offer you freedom, only the chance to earn it back or at least win back your rider " commented Taff looking at Sendara for consent and speaking in dragon language that the others may be none the wiser.
Sendara growled low at Harrishim's dismissal of her power. She considered crushing the man, or at the very least boiling him a little with the scalding water within her. But, for the time being, she held her pride in check and ignored his words, finally turning to dip her head to Taff reluctantly. "Very well.I shall return, and you will once again be free. Calico will be free as well, and then you must take him back to the Empire where he will be safe. He must rule there in my absence. Promise me.... she too spoke in the draconic language, so that even Calico did not understand. If they do not hold Calico... they hold less sway over me."
"I cannot force a man against his will, your majesty. A man in love as he is, listens to no reason and will never part ways from your side and presence, even if you were to marry others... I know him well enough to know he would not forfeit you and leave" muttered Taff
"I will strongly encourage that he returns, but, he is your army general... my empress... orders ought to come from you, rather than a lowly manservant as I am" sighed Taff
"Expect rebellion all the same.... though... he never took heed of your father's orders and I doubt he has mended his ways" murmured Taff
"I will strongly encourage that he returns, but, he is your army general... my empress... orders ought to come from you, rather than a lowly manservant as I am" sighed Taff
"Expect rebellion all the same.... though... he never took heed of your father's orders and I doubt he has mended his ways" murmured Taff
Sendara glanced at Calico, well aware the once pirate did what he pleased, yet she also knew the warlock had powers. Why could you not force him to go? she asked Taff worried what would happen if he attempted to stay with her, or even free her. "You are powerful after all.."
Finally, turned to Harrishim. "I will require riding gear such as your riders wear, instead of the clothing you have given me thus far that is unsuitable for a race." She hoped her demand would be met, unsure if the bedouin leader would give her such.
Harrishim considered a moment, glancing at Caesar. "What do you think My Lord? Shall I let her gear up as the others do?" He stroked his beard, then finally nodded, to himself. "Very well my Lady, as you are momentarily no longer a slave, I will accomodate you. The clothing will be delivered to your tent. The race begins in an hours time. We will wait for no man or woman, so be ready. Choose a mount once you've changed, I will not allow a dragon to race."
Finally, turned to Harrishim. "I will require riding gear such as your riders wear, instead of the clothing you have given me thus far that is unsuitable for a race." She hoped her demand would be met, unsure if the bedouin leader would give her such.
Harrishim considered a moment, glancing at Caesar. "What do you think My Lord? Shall I let her gear up as the others do?" He stroked his beard, then finally nodded, to himself. "Very well my Lady, as you are momentarily no longer a slave, I will accomodate you. The clothing will be delivered to your tent. The race begins in an hours time. We will wait for no man or woman, so be ready. Choose a mount once you've changed, I will not allow a dragon to race."
Caesar nodded in agreement at Harrishim's proposal.
"Dress her well, Harrishim, as a proper warrioress ought to be. She must be protected from harm at all costs. I am competing for her hand after all and loosing her or maiming her because of inadequate attire won't do" assured Caesar with a nod of approval and a wide smile at the prospect of riding alongside her.
This already was promising to be a race to remember for sure, regardless of its outcome
"Dress her well, Harrishim, as a proper warrioress ought to be. She must be protected from harm at all costs. I am competing for her hand after all and loosing her or maiming her because of inadequate attire won't do" assured Caesar with a nod of approval and a wide smile at the prospect of riding alongside her.
This already was promising to be a race to remember for sure, regardless of its outcome
As the afternoon drew closer, riders began appearing from other settlements, other leaders and their best men, horses tacked with fancy reigns and saddles and marked with each bedouins symbols. The air was festive, yet as if the riders were holding their breaths. The beginning and end points of the race had been marked as well as any boundaries the riders were not allowed to cross. Otherwise, rules were scarce and it was every man for himself, often things became rather cutthroat. Harrishim made his waybto the starting line, not riding himself. He had ridden in many races as a young man, and now enjoyed watching others do so.
Ryiah, dressed in bedouin robes, a bit of a sheer veil, and head turban to ward off the blistering sun should she need it. The robes were tied such that they made pants suitable for sitting astride. She had selected a pitch black arabian with a wide dishlike face, and fierce brown eyes. She stroked his nose, wondering how such an animal could carry her swiftly enough to win. Odds were stacked against her as she had not ridden much, though she was familiar with the concept. Standing near the beginning line she made sure she had dates, water, and a few other things to help her along the way, nerves fluttering in her belly. Win or lose, she would do her best. As she slipped upon her steed she eyed Caesar and the other riders, all of them obviously well acquainted with riding, strong, and no doubt fast. But she was light, and her own horse would be swift.
Ryiah, dressed in bedouin robes, a bit of a sheer veil, and head turban to ward off the blistering sun should she need it. The robes were tied such that they made pants suitable for sitting astride. She had selected a pitch black arabian with a wide dishlike face, and fierce brown eyes. She stroked his nose, wondering how such an animal could carry her swiftly enough to win. Odds were stacked against her as she had not ridden much, though she was familiar with the concept. Standing near the beginning line she made sure she had dates, water, and a few other things to help her along the way, nerves fluttering in her belly. Win or lose, she would do her best. As she slipped upon her steed she eyed Caesar and the other riders, all of them obviously well acquainted with riding, strong, and no doubt fast. But she was light, and her own horse would be swift.
Caesar stood mighty on his horse, bursting with confidence and well contained satisfaction, patting the white horse he had selected from those available, a horse that was mature enough to know the race course and trusting the steed to deliver.
He took off the leafy golden circlet from around his head and flung it at Harrishim.
"Take good care of it, for it worth a mighty empire" warned Caesar taking the reins and waiting for the signal, his eyes trailing Ryiah's figure and finding her to be equally attractive and breathtaking as usual.
He took off the leafy golden circlet from around his head and flung it at Harrishim.
"Take good care of it, for it worth a mighty empire" warned Caesar taking the reins and waiting for the signal, his eyes trailing Ryiah's figure and finding her to be equally attractive and breathtaking as usual.
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