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Taff looked at Ryiah and nodded bowing lowly forward in respect

"Of course, your majesty.... it will be an honour to serve" assured Taff following her three steps behind, like all manservants did when following royalty, always one to keep up to protocol for the matter.

Once they reached the ship, the Nonesuch, Caesar entered the vessel far preferring to make her comfortable in her vessel than show her off with his larger one. His generals would bring the rest except the one he had gifted Harrishim, well stocked in food and arms and what was needed for the lengthy journey.

Caesar insisted in bringing the horse that had won him the race as well as hers and they too came aboard.

Calico's crew was well chained and ready to row, Calico manning the helm with a foot chained by it, whilst he calmly remained still awaiting Caesar's orders and direction.

"Off to her empire.... we must visit her father" instructed Caesar letting her lead the way

Ryiah's gaze caught Calico as she was escorted on board, glancing him over to make sure he was unharmed, though likely she'd know if he was, as they shared pain. She mouthed the words, "Im sorry." To Calico, hoping he would understand she had tried her best to win their freedom.

Thanking Taff calmly for coming along. She moved with grace toward the cabin she had used the last few voyages, her mothers old cabin, rather than the captain's quarters. She was indeed glad that Caesar had chosen to take her on board her own ship, rather than one unknown to her.

Calico shrugged his shoulder with a warm smile, quickly lowering his gaze and dropping to his knees when Caesar himself entered the vessel, having been told what was expected from roman slaves before such an important figure as Caesar was.

Once Caesar entered Calico's quarters and the pirate received instructions he looked at Prodius and Rufus.

"Set sail to return home" instructed Calico in his usual commanding voice, keeping up with his captain duties and positions so as to not make Ryiah feel worse for it.

Ryiah, seemingly left in her own quarters alone for the time being. Settled onto the bed, feeling the ship rock and sway beneath her as it was settled into its course. The journey home would not be a long one by sea travel standards, but it would be a near weeks travel if winds were favorable.

Lifting a hand she ran it through her locks, wondering how she would survive such a journey, and have to stand before her father with Caesar at her side when they arrived, to pledge her hand to the stranger, a Roman who'd as soon take her entire empire from her as sip a glass of wine. He had told her he desired her for her dragon form above all, well, she would be only too happy to spend the bulk of her time scaled and armored, as she was much less vulnerable in that form. Her heart though.. seemed as if it would always be vulnerable. What would her father think?

Outside Ryiah heard the commands being given, Calico's voice raising as if he were Captain just like before. The sound did comfort her some, and a smile lifted the corners of her lips, glad he was at least able to have the semblance of command.

Taff knocked on the door calmly, waiting for Ryiah to wake up

"Your majesty, Caesar wishes to dine with you at the captain's quarters" informed Taff polite and respectfully having already prepared and served the food

Ryiah, having changed from her bedouin garb into one of her mothers dresses opened the door for Taff and dipped her head. She'd expected to be summoned at some point. Taking a breath she offered Taff a soft smile, "I am ready.."

Following the warlock she entered Caesar's quarters as he announced her, and stood near the door, biting her lower lip a bit as she lingered... unsure what would be expected of her.

Caesar stood up to greet her, his hand motioning the table that was ready and waiting for her

"Come, sit and eat, you must be hungry after the harsh race earlier" invited Caesar with a broad and warm smile. He may have been an ambitious ruler but he was kind enough a man to take care of her basic needs.

Reminded of the race, Ryiah reached up to touch the wound on her cheek which was dried by now, having forgotten about it despite the light sting which lingered there. Sinking down into the chair proffered by Caesar she looked at the food placed before her, the smell delicious as usual. "I thank you sir." She said finally, lifting her gaze to Caesar, then beginning to dine slowly, her movements sure and graceful.

As always when she wore one of her mother's dresses, the fine and beautiful cloth, she was reminded to remain as regal as she had always seen the woman, her poise and elegance natural and easy. Ryiah only hoped she could seem half as graceful. "Taff the meal is excellent." She murmered, her glance going also to the warlock and offering a smile of thanks.

"You can call me Julius.... Caesar is for the rest of the world to acknowledge their conqueror. Between us, however, you have indeed conquered my heart and attentions like none other has" assured Caesar placing his hand gently on hers.

"What troubles you so much?" asked Caesar seeing she ate very little and slowly at that

Ryiah was surprised at the courteous tone and continued actions from Julius that seemed to show a genuine desire to make her happy. Confused... she frowned a moment, wondering what she really was to the man. There was no denying she felt for the time being like another of his belongings, an item to be treasured perhaps, but a quaint trinket nonetheless. It was a new position for her, and one she would have to grow used to.

She didn't know how far the leader's patience went, nor how much if the truth she could share without provoking his ire. Still...

"You have secured my hand against my will." She finally said, voice and eyes lowered, though she kept her hand still, allowing Caesar to place his upon it. "You hold Calico as insurance against me. Such things...Julius... do tend to place a dampener on my appetite." With the last sentence she lifted her gaze to meet that of Caesar's, her gaze still cool, as if she had locked her emotions, all but her spirited fired, away to keep them safe. Her clear amber gaze was deep with confusion and the struggle to accept all that was happening.

"You are an empress are you not? It has been better I take command of your empire by marriage than by force. Having failed to gain your hand and attentions, my warships were already en route to meet your forces and rest assured that victory would have been mine, with more deaths from your part and a far more bitter relationship. As it is, no lives have been lost in the conquest" commented Caesar calmly, sipping his drink

"As for the rebellious slave, the fool thought he could overtake my might whilst sailing the waters... foolish indeed. Poseidon favours those who worship him" muttered Caesar

Ryiah knew that from a political standpoint, Caesar was right. Far better for her to be the only one sacrificing than her entire empire due to a war she was bound to lose anyway. But such knowledge did not make her feel better. She was a conquest for the Roman, the spoils of war. But such would have been the case anyway. Better she came to grips with it.

Turrning to lift her face towards the ruler she tried to offer a smile. "You are right of course." She finally managed. "And as I love my people, I will do all I can to make you happy, to keep them safe. And to secure them the best future possible. I am not blind, but I do have a woman's heart, despite my draconic heritage. I cannot help my reluctance. Perhaps you will have to grow used to a few things as I will."

"Fortunately for you... I do not seek your love nor will I demand it, friendship in itself will do. I merely seek your respect and your compliance, as well as our common heir to wield power over your empire and mine when my time is done. A dragonlord for Rome would be most imposing and beneficial" mused Caesar

"Anything after that, anything beyond that, you have the scoundrel at your service for company and for your emotional attentions, he is a gift from me to take care of your needs for I am far too busy a man to focus on such weaknesses." admitted Caesar "Rome has no issues with sharing so long you do not neglect your duty" smiled Caesar running his finger down her cheek. "We fully understand marriages are not always to our liking and there is no harm in finding love with others' arms if that is what it takes to keep you happy" assured Caesar

Then the thought came to his mind and turned to Ryiah

"I wish to become a dragon, empress, like you are... I hear your father, the emperor, could make such change happen in which case I will have no need for you and you will be free to leave, if you so wish. That is of course, if I can wield such healing magic for myself" mused Caesar taking out the book from the bag and showing the drawings of the transformation to Ryiah.

"I have yet to find anyone who has managed this but... if there is such a chance... I shall grasp it" assured Caesar with confidence and ambition in his voice

Ryiah listened to Caesar's expectations of her, glad to at least know what they were. When he spoke of transforming into a dragon himself she shook her head. "Such an ability is not merely granted.. how would my father weild such power. It is an innate ability." She mumured confused. "And even if he did so, you would most likely not have the ability to heal - such is only granted to certain dragons. Other dragons have other abilities."

Turning her mind to her father, she wondered how he would react to Caesar showing up, claiming her hand. Would he be angry at the Roman? Or would he relish such a union? She wasn't sure, feeling out of touch with her father recently.

Quietly, Ryiah finished her meal, sipping her wine as Caesar ran his hand down her cheek. She couldn't help but be flattered at his attentions, that he had so singled her out, both for her beauty and for her draconic form. The draconic side of her tended towards pride after all. Yet this pleasure was tempered, and she felt nerves run through her at the thought of being expected to bear the ruler's child. She had never considered such an idea, though it did fall into the natural course of most women's lives.

Her mind turned to Calico, saddened she wouldn't be allowed to marry him, her gaze dropping to the ring on her finger, which now only signified the hope they had shared, now lost. She played with the ring a bit, her gaze going around the room.

Finally she turned her head back to Caesar, toying with a lock of her hair. "You will have my compliance, as far as I find it within myself to give... as for friendship, that, perhaps may come one day." She would try to find happiness again. Perhaps it would come sooner than she thought.

Caesar nodded in agreement, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to meet the dragon emperor

"Tell me of your father, is he likely to grant me my request?" asked Caesar assuming the pair were close and could well guess the outcome of such unusual request.

Caesar's eyes trailing the sea waters and the detail of the Nonesuch. "You have a magnificent vessel, as delicate yet mighty as its empress for sure" complimented Caesar coming on deck, which made Calico grow all the more tense.

He would have like to deal Caesar a good punch for courting his betrothed but with his foot chained to the helmet he had to remind himself of who was the master these days and pursed his lips instead

"My father?" Ryiah echoed softly as she rose to follow Caesar out onto the deck of the Nonesuch. "He is a greedy and selfish man. Unlikely to grant whims unless it directly benefits him. My empire was suffering under his rule. Which is why I took control. He allowed it, at least, which is a point in his favor I suppose." Her tone waa bitter as she spoke of him, no doubt speaking more than words, that they had perhaps once been close but no more. She had found out too many secrets her father had witheld from her, including her own draconic heritage. Secrets that had not been his to keep.

As they moved out on deck, Ryiah spotted Calico, and saw his frown as he saw them as well. Her own face fell, and she moved habitually toward him, brushing a hand across his shoulder before giving him a kiss on the cheek, not bothering to see how it would affect Caesar. "I miss you." She murmered softly. "I am sorry I was unable to avoid this..." she said as well, meaning their current situations. "Perhaps if I had been wiser... I may have somehow done differently." She sighed. She missed their days of carefree sailing, of the jovial dice game she'd learned from Calico, and even their usual disagreements.

"You relish in making my heart ache, milady" sighed Calico in defeat not about to reject her kisses for he had already been warned about any slave shunning mistress or master advances, especially in Rome.

He did like her too, more to his detriment than benefit but he could not help it.

Ryiah drew back, sensing Calico's hesitance over her contact. "Do you wish to pretend you never proposed to me?" She asked him softly, her own heart aching. "I will maintain my distance if you wish it, though you have half my heart, I do not wish to cause you pain, nor troubles." She lifted her chin, speaking truly. She would leave him alone if he wished it. "You will never be a slave in my eyes. I am as much one as you." She added. "You will always be my captain, and friend."

Calico winced. "I taught you better than that surely, why not just defy the man to a fair and square duel?" quizzed Calico

"You are onboard a pirate ship, before a pirate crew and the captain is holding you captive... at sea, challenge his authority, take command of the vessel, woman! On open waters, the sword is mightiest, so make good use of it and the skills I taught you to secure at least your freedom. You have no idea how crushing Roman taxes can be against our poor peasants. We vanquished your father to give those poor rats a chance and now I am bringing an iron fist back to them" muttered Calico

"You know I love you with all my heart, married or otherwise, but these people, these poor people..." sighed Calico troubled, his honorable duty towards the empire's common folk weighing a heavy burden on his mind

Ryiah blinked at the sudden fire with which Calico spoke. She was glad to see he wasn't broken, that the pirate she knew was still there. His words stirred her own spirit, yet ignight her desire to be free once more, a grin spreading over her face. Yet.... Ryiah raised an eyebrow.

"If you taught me anything, Calico Jacksworth it was that my sword skills leave much to be desired. How can I possibly hope to be Julius Caesar?" Her face clouded, "but you are right - I must at least try. But perhaps he will not honor pirate codes. He is not one, after all."