"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.
The horn was sounded, and sand flew suddenly as the overeager riders and equally eager horses started off at a gallop, the deep sand churning under hoof. Ryiah allowed the others to blast off before she put heels to her own mount, urging him off as well, in the wake of the rest. She had picked out several riders she thought she ought to keep an eye on, and yet more who she thought were the ones to beat, Caesar included. Just before the race began she caught his gaze on her, eyeing her figure and she flicked her head a bit, focusing ahead as if she hadn't noticed, though her cheeks spoke otherwise.
Letting her horse take the lead Ryiah thought about the challenges ahead, first if which were treacherous sinking sands. It wasn't long until thought they were nearing the area, and ahead she heard the scream of an equine that wrenched her heart. Soon after she came across both man and beast buried nearly to their heads. Gasping she slowed, glancing around as she wondered if she could do anything to help them. She had only herself and a few provisions. She heard the man whispering to his god, and closed her eyes momentarily. She must be vigilant. Scooping up rocks as she found along the way she would toss them every so often ahead of her to make sure her path was not pit.
Letting her horse take the lead Ryiah thought about the challenges ahead, first if which were treacherous sinking sands. It wasn't long until thought they were nearing the area, and ahead she heard the scream of an equine that wrenched her heart. Soon after she came across both man and beast buried nearly to their heads. Gasping she slowed, glancing around as she wondered if she could do anything to help them. She had only herself and a few provisions. She heard the man whispering to his god, and closed her eyes momentarily. She must be vigilant. Scooping up rocks as she found along the way she would toss them every so often ahead of her to make sure her path was not pit.
Caesar made little effort to urge its horse to move, having masterful command of the equine beasts through years of wars and training.
He didn't waste time in pressing forward, quite looking forward to winning the race; he was accustomed to all terrains and was able to identifying the sand patches thus avoiding them altogether by diverting the horse to the left or right of the path.
He too heard the men screaming as they fell into patches of quick sand here and there but remained unphased and unmoved by their pleas for help, he himself was an accomplished murderer so such thoughts as assisting the enemy in their hour of need was clearly not present at all in his mind. He was focused on the race course and the trials that laid ahead.
He didn't waste time in pressing forward, quite looking forward to winning the race; he was accustomed to all terrains and was able to identifying the sand patches thus avoiding them altogether by diverting the horse to the left or right of the path.
He too heard the men screaming as they fell into patches of quick sand here and there but remained unphased and unmoved by their pleas for help, he himself was an accomplished murderer so such thoughts as assisting the enemy in their hour of need was clearly not present at all in his mind. He was focused on the race course and the trials that laid ahead.
Ryiah, having successfully navigated the pits, leaned forward to stroke her horses neck, murmering whispers of encouragement as she gave him his head for a while, his stride eating up the ground. They passed several of the first riders to start off, their own mounts now more tired, her own still going strong. Soon, there were merely three riders ahead. There was perhaps several hours ride until the next oasis had been marked on the map.
Throat parched Ryiah drank some, relishing the cool water as it slipped down her throat, easily moving with the horse beneath her, eyes momentarily closed. Suddenly her horse jerked im surprise as an arrow whizzed by her face, opening a scratch on her cheek and knocking the water skin from her hand so that it dumped into the sand
Gasping in a bit of dismay, Ryiah moved her gaze from the now emptied waterskin, backward where she could see a rider a ways behind, just lowering his bow. Her brows furrowed in anger at the unsportsmanlike behavior, but knew all tactics were within the rules. Having no weapons herself, she bit her bottom lip, a small line of black seeping down from her lip and the cut on her cheek, turning to urge her mount faster.
They soon left the archer behind, yet Ryiah felt on edge, and her throat was soon parched again, with half a days ride to the end yet, and a hour to go until she could refill the skin, danger no doubt ahead as well as behind. Trying to focus, she stroked her mount softly, murmering to him yet again in draconic, hoping the language would sooth him and give him focus as well.
Throat parched Ryiah drank some, relishing the cool water as it slipped down her throat, easily moving with the horse beneath her, eyes momentarily closed. Suddenly her horse jerked im surprise as an arrow whizzed by her face, opening a scratch on her cheek and knocking the water skin from her hand so that it dumped into the sand
Gasping in a bit of dismay, Ryiah moved her gaze from the now emptied waterskin, backward where she could see a rider a ways behind, just lowering his bow. Her brows furrowed in anger at the unsportsmanlike behavior, but knew all tactics were within the rules. Having no weapons herself, she bit her bottom lip, a small line of black seeping down from her lip and the cut on her cheek, turning to urge her mount faster.
They soon left the archer behind, yet Ryiah felt on edge, and her throat was soon parched again, with half a days ride to the end yet, and a hour to go until she could refill the skin, danger no doubt ahead as well as behind. Trying to focus, she stroked her mount softly, murmering to him yet again in draconic, hoping the language would sooth him and give him focus as well.
Caesar on the other hand skipped stopping for water, too worried the water may well be poisoned as he had encountered in the battlefield before. Anything he didn't himself bring of his own stock and accord, he would go without, this gave him lead time, for he knew these horses could go days without food or water and was just as keen to put such claim to the test.
He heard the arrow wizzing past and frowned darkly, not at all pleased that anyone could dare harm his lady love. He spurred ahead into the sandstorm, swishing his cloak over the head to protest himself from the scorching hot wind and wipping sand and pressed on, he would soon see the finish line. It was now that revenge time was to be exacted for daring to attack his fair maid, as the horse rode forward, Caesar spun on his seat so that he could face the two riders behind him, one was Ryiah and the other was the callous bow wielding assassin. Caesar took his dagger from the belt, knowing a well trained horse would simply marched forward and throw the dagger with speed and certainty to make sure the rider behind her would most certainly die from the thrown blade.
He looked a while smirking to see a now riderless horse and turned on his seat again pressing forward.
Now he had to take care of the girl, she was closing in and that wouldn't do, at the same time he wouldn't let her be harmed for it, so he took his travel pouch and poured the contents on the floor for her horse to be distracted, sugar and carrots neatly piled and certain to be too tempting for any horse not to make an imperative halt.
With such a move, victory was certain to be his so he approached the finish line hastily spurring the horse some more. His girl was at stake here and more importantly, his reputation too.
He heard the arrow wizzing past and frowned darkly, not at all pleased that anyone could dare harm his lady love. He spurred ahead into the sandstorm, swishing his cloak over the head to protest himself from the scorching hot wind and wipping sand and pressed on, he would soon see the finish line. It was now that revenge time was to be exacted for daring to attack his fair maid, as the horse rode forward, Caesar spun on his seat so that he could face the two riders behind him, one was Ryiah and the other was the callous bow wielding assassin. Caesar took his dagger from the belt, knowing a well trained horse would simply marched forward and throw the dagger with speed and certainty to make sure the rider behind her would most certainly die from the thrown blade.
He looked a while smirking to see a now riderless horse and turned on his seat again pressing forward.
Now he had to take care of the girl, she was closing in and that wouldn't do, at the same time he wouldn't let her be harmed for it, so he took his travel pouch and poured the contents on the floor for her horse to be distracted, sugar and carrots neatly piled and certain to be too tempting for any horse not to make an imperative halt.
With such a move, victory was certain to be his so he approached the finish line hastily spurring the horse some more. His girl was at stake here and more importantly, his reputation too.
Onward and through the sandstorm Ryiah went, wrapping cloth over her mount and pulling her owm scarf over her head. Behind her, she heard the grunt from the archer as a dagger struck home and she turned her head to spot Caesar, who'd apparently thrown it. Lips pursed she leaned over her mount's head, urging the gelding faster, his hooves pounding the sand as they began to close the distance.
Suddenly her gaze narrowed as she watched Caesar lean low off his own horse to set something directly in her own path. She couldn't see what it was, but she wondered if it was a trap of some sort and veered a bit so as not to head directly towards it.
When they were nearly upon the pile of treats Caesar had left, Ryiah spotted them and frowned, reaching into her own satchel and grabbing sugar cubes to offer her mount as they rode by, the gelding hardly even noticing the other enticing treats. Then, they were on toward the final stretch, Ryiah clicking to her mount softly urging him as fast as he'd go, loosening is head and riding as light as possible.
Ahead, Caesar was nearing as they caught him slowly, passing the only other opponent, leaving Caesar the last, and in first place. Ryiah bit her lip harder, seeing the finish line come into view and riding now just at Caesar's mount's hind end, so close! Calico's freedom, and very nearly her own, hung in the balance, yet she couldn't gain more ground, frustration and failure welling within her as Caesar crossed a moment before her own steed.
Drawing to a halt, stroking her mount before slipping off, she swallowed hard as she glanced toward Calico, face falling. Finally she turned to Harrishim and handed him the reigns, looking to Taff. "I did my best, yet the experience of my rivals was more than my own." She said softly, the blood on her cheek and lip mostly dried, causing a slightly wild and fierce look to settle on her. "Release Taff, as we agreed. I am returned."
Suddenly her gaze narrowed as she watched Caesar lean low off his own horse to set something directly in her own path. She couldn't see what it was, but she wondered if it was a trap of some sort and veered a bit so as not to head directly towards it.
When they were nearly upon the pile of treats Caesar had left, Ryiah spotted them and frowned, reaching into her own satchel and grabbing sugar cubes to offer her mount as they rode by, the gelding hardly even noticing the other enticing treats. Then, they were on toward the final stretch, Ryiah clicking to her mount softly urging him as fast as he'd go, loosening is head and riding as light as possible.
Ahead, Caesar was nearing as they caught him slowly, passing the only other opponent, leaving Caesar the last, and in first place. Ryiah bit her lip harder, seeing the finish line come into view and riding now just at Caesar's mount's hind end, so close! Calico's freedom, and very nearly her own, hung in the balance, yet she couldn't gain more ground, frustration and failure welling within her as Caesar crossed a moment before her own steed.
Drawing to a halt, stroking her mount before slipping off, she swallowed hard as she glanced toward Calico, face falling. Finally she turned to Harrishim and handed him the reigns, looking to Taff. "I did my best, yet the experience of my rivals was more than my own." She said softly, the blood on her cheek and lip mostly dried, causing a slightly wild and fierce look to settle on her. "Release Taff, as we agreed. I am returned."
"These romans are very prayerful men, the gods favour him indeed. With Fortuna at his side, he was bound to win" sighed Taff looking at Harrishim
"You have your hoard of treasure out of me, I trust my services were pleasing enough to compensate for her absence. Any final task or request?" quizzed Taff looking at Harrishim
"You have your hoard of treasure out of me, I trust my services were pleasing enough to compensate for her absence. Any final task or request?" quizzed Taff looking at Harrishim
Harrishim ran the back of his hand softly over Ryiah's cheek. "No need for the long face my dear, you will be well taken care of. You will no doubt be more happy here anyway, without the burden of an empire on your shoulders." Turning to Taff, he flicked a hand and shook his head.
"Your services were more than adequate. You are free to go." He said to Taff. Then moved to Caesar to clap the man on the back, a broad grin on his face. "My congratulations. That was excellent riding indeed. This fiery woman, as we discussed, belongs to you now, as well as your choice of our horses, but for Pegasus. On my visit to your empire, I will bring the best of Pegasus' offspring." Harrishim pressed Ryiah forward a bit to present her to Caesar, bowing a bit as he did so.
"Your services were more than adequate. You are free to go." He said to Taff. Then moved to Caesar to clap the man on the back, a broad grin on his face. "My congratulations. That was excellent riding indeed. This fiery woman, as we discussed, belongs to you now, as well as your choice of our horses, but for Pegasus. On my visit to your empire, I will bring the best of Pegasus' offspring." Harrishim pressed Ryiah forward a bit to present her to Caesar, bowing a bit as he did so.
"Indeed I shall be looking forward to your visit with my greatest eagerness and I do thank you for your gift, so much so that you shall have one of my vessels, despite not winning the race" nodded Caesar looking at Ryiah
"You had your chance and opportunity... henceforth... you are to accept your defeat, the slave belongs to me, and he will be yours only following our marriage" pointed out Caesar in no uncertain terms
"You had your chance and opportunity... henceforth... you are to accept your defeat, the slave belongs to me, and he will be yours only following our marriage" pointed out Caesar in no uncertain terms
Ryiah took a deep breath, inwardly coming to terms with her new position, and the looming future Caesar demanded. Her heart dictated she acquiesce, and even though she often wished she had the ability to disregard such, she knew she could not. Finally she took a step forward, standing before the Roman Emperor and dipped her head in obedience. "I accept my defeat, you were my superior in horse racing." At first her tone was a bit meek, but then as she glanced up at Caesar her clear hues glinted with a hint of draconic ferocity. "But I am master of the skies. You could not best me there. I will have Calico back, one way or another, I promise you that."
Her head was raised now, her posture proud despite her defeat, wind stirring and catching at her bright locks.
Her head was raised now, her posture proud despite her defeat, wind stirring and catching at her bright locks.
"When I get Pegasus child... a flying horse... I shall humour your challenge at the skies too" assured Caesar with confidence
"By then we may have a child to call our own... a ruler of lands and seas" smiled Caesar smitten with her already
"By then we may have a child to call our own... a ruler of lands and seas" smiled Caesar smitten with her already
Ryiah frowned, not wanting to imagine a union with anyone other than the one she'd shared her heart with, much less a child, yet she bit her tongue and said nothing in response, for once staying demure, head turned toward the sea. What adventures would come next? She could at least look forward to that... to seeing new lands. Her gaze also moved around as she searched for Calico, wondering where they had put him.
Harrishim had laughed as he watched their conversation, then moved forward to clap Caesar once again on the back. "You and yours are most welcome to stay as long as you wish, and please take whatever provisions you may require when you choose to set sail."
Harrishim had laughed as he watched their conversation, then moved forward to clap Caesar once again on the back. "You and yours are most welcome to stay as long as you wish, and please take whatever provisions you may require when you choose to set sail."
"No point looking half heartedly for your half heart... I had the slave be taken back to our vessel, he has work to do to prepare the bridal room for us to share tonight.
We are going to have an orgy as we sail back to my empire to introduce you to our people in Rome, unless you prefer to sail back to your empire first so we let your father know of your good fortune?" mused Caesar wondering about the course to take
We are going to have an orgy as we sail back to my empire to introduce you to our people in Rome, unless you prefer to sail back to your empire first so we let your father know of your good fortune?" mused Caesar wondering about the course to take
Ryiah's breath caught, and it was a moment before she spoke, when she did she lifted her chin and looked up at Caesar, giving a nod. "I would like the chance to set things right in my empire before you take me away to Rome. To make sure it will not crumble. My father was not a good ruler, I need to find someone else... someone better suited, less ruthless." Her hues took on a very light imploring look, though she wouldn't plead with the man.
As she spoke of this, her mind began to mull over who should rule in her absence. Her father would turn things the way they were. Morgan? Would he make a good ruler? She wasn't sure he was a good long term choice. As she thought, her gaze found Taff, and the idea flickered through her mind. Would he do it? Would he rule in her place? He was one of the few she trusted, one who also had power. She would ask them when they had a moment alone.
Turning back to Caesar, she lifted her chin again. "I wish for Taff to accompany us back to my empire as well, though he will stay, not head to Rome."
As she spoke of this, her mind began to mull over who should rule in her absence. Her father would turn things the way they were. Morgan? Would he make a good ruler? She wasn't sure he was a good long term choice. As she thought, her gaze found Taff, and the idea flickered through her mind. Would he do it? Would he rule in her place? He was one of the few she trusted, one who also had power. She would ask them when they had a moment alone.
Turning back to Caesar, she lifted her chin again. "I wish for Taff to accompany us back to my empire as well, though he will stay, not head to Rome."
"The sorcerer is a free man, I want no dealing's with Fortuna's pet" informed Caesar "He can go where he pleases, when he pleases, I for one now know better than to lay hand on him... Poseidon has warned me already about the warlock" muttered Caesar gazing at Taff wearily with a touch of fear in his eyes.
"If he wishes to join, he can, for now, I will accompany you to your empire where we shall be wed there and return home with all the honours" mused Caesar
"Harrishim, my friend, we must part ways at once so that my empress may visit her father and give him the good tidings of our marriage. I must thank you for all your services and friendship and I shall look forward to your arrival in Rome" smiled Caesar with a warm smile patting the man amiccably before retuning to Ryiah, extending his arm for her to take it, not like a slave but like a bride
"If he wishes to join, he can, for now, I will accompany you to your empire where we shall be wed there and return home with all the honours" mused Caesar
"Harrishim, my friend, we must part ways at once so that my empress may visit her father and give him the good tidings of our marriage. I must thank you for all your services and friendship and I shall look forward to your arrival in Rome" smiled Caesar with a warm smile patting the man amiccably before retuning to Ryiah, extending his arm for her to take it, not like a slave but like a bride
Ryiah 's gaze cooled a bit, but not wishing to anger Caesar lest he take it out on Calico, she slowly reached out to take the proffered arm, though she didn't look at the man as she did so, and did not glance back to Harrishim either. Instead her gaze found Taff. "Please join us... I wish your council on the journey Taff." Her voice was soft, hoping the warlock would agree as she allowed herself to be led towards the Roman's ship.
Having nothing on the Island to gather, Ryiah was as ready as she'd ever be to return, her heart falling at thought of how different her circumstances were now than when she'd left. Take courage, Ryiah. They cannot steal your pride nor your hope. she would remain regal, would stay herself, no matter where she went.
Having nothing on the Island to gather, Ryiah was as ready as she'd ever be to return, her heart falling at thought of how different her circumstances were now than when she'd left. Take courage, Ryiah. They cannot steal your pride nor your hope. she would remain regal, would stay herself, no matter where she went.
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