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Ryiah's lips pursed at Caesar's warning, but she softened her features a bit, considering she was his still, at his whim. Swallowing her pride she nodded, though her hues still glinted. "As you wish. I can accept those terms. My dragon and myself are subject to your desires. I am ready to duel when you are."

"Very well, bring the scallywag... chain him to her... I do not fight half a pirate but a whole one" muttered looking at Prodius who made his way to the helm to detach Calico from the ankle chain and bring him over to Caesar who tied her right wrist to Calico's own who towered over her a little, and her left one too

Calico swallowed hard finding the challenge ahead a proper challenge for once, not only he had no freedom to move of his own accord but he had to protect her from the blade as well as himself against a renouned marksman.

"I need you to let my hands and feet guide you, take two swords as well, one in each hand. One to parry, one to strike." asked Calico running his hand down her arm gently if enjoyably, as his hand closed over her fist that was holding the sword

Ryiah felt her cheeks flush at Calico's nearness, feeling him pressed now against her back as his arms were tied to her own. Swallowing hard she wondered how this was at all a fair fight, yet, at least Caesar had granted her a chance, no matter how slim.

Chest moving with shallow breaths, Ryiah gripped her sword tighter, Calico's own grip settling over hers. She nodded, choosing another shorter blade from a nearby rack, and tried to settle it comfortably in both their grips, her gaze falling on Caesar. At least the man hadn't tied their feet together as well.

"Relax, you seem too tense, take a deep breath and relax, your arms must be light like your wings when they gracefully fly through the air taking advantage of the currents, let your grip relax entirely, I will secure the sword, and your hand within mine, and guide your every motion, your every move... almost like when we dance" encouraged Calico his words calm and soft, his skin warm as he talked softly near her ear to teach her and help her succeed.

"Be on guard, when I say, you may need to drop to the ground, or jump up the sails, remember? Use all that is around you" reminded Calico softly watching Caesar throw the first strike, smiling that Caesar's cloak had wrapped onto his arm and foiled the first move altogether causing him an irritated look

Ryiah took Calico's words to heart, trying to relax her grip in his, leaning against his chest ever so softly while keeping her own balance. It was comforting to have him there, despite the extra challenges it added.

Not needing to block Caesar's first strike, Ryiah tried to keep her own smirk off her face so as not to anger their current master. Instead, she kept her face carefully neutral as she began their own attack, spinning to the side Caesar fumbled on to take advantage of his own failure.

Calico guided Ryiah's wrist and blade, sliding it down Caesar's own blade until her blade touched Caesar's sword's handguard, then, holding Ryiah's hand, Calico turned the wrist to make it spin quicker with force so as to cause Caesar's sword to get disloged and tossed aside, teaching Ryiah this which was his signature and most effective move.

Calico smiled and kissed her cheek when she got it perfectly, releasing her wrist so she could be quicker about it and disarm her opponent all on her own.

"Well done... your majesty... seems you need no master-at-arms any more" complimented Calico seeing Caesar look in disbelief that anyone could disarm him so quickly, clearly, Calico's reputation finally proven to be true and muttering a low curse at having to release the man

Ryiah wasted no time in grabbing up Caesar's own sword and turning it to face the man himself, eyes bright with pride and adrenaline, short as the contest had been. She held the swords true, watching Caesar to be sure he would keep his end of the bargain.

Feeling Calico's kiss on her cheek Ryiah grinned, leaning into it a bit, before tilting her head toward Caesar. "Well, Julius? Are we free?"

Caesar stood upright holding his palm out to have the sword returned to him.

"Rome pays.... empress, the vessel is yours as are the slaves onboard" nodded Caesar

Ryiah smiled pleased, nodding to Caesar and returning his sword, then, she used her own blade to cut the bonds which connected Calico to herself and turned to face him.

"Then as rightful owner of the Nonesuch I return her to your command, Captain Calico, you are free, as are your men. We will see the Romans safely on board their own ships before we return to my empire."

"I trust we can remain allies?" quizzed Caesar looking at Ryiah, remaining calm and composed

"Allies?" Ryiah mused, wondering if being forced truly meant they had been allies. But in any case, it wouldn't do to make an enemy of Caesar and his war band, their might and power outnumbered her own. Finally she nodded, holding out her hand toward Caesar. "Yes, I think we can be allies, now that we are on equal footing. I will wish you and your empire well, but my hand is promised to another." With those words she smiled at Calico.

"May I count on your healing in the greatest hour of need?" quizzed Caesar looking at Ryiah thoughtfully

"Will you visit Rome at least once a year that I may bask in your company and beauty and might?" asked Caesar

Ryiah tilted her head in thought, "I will aid you with healing if you strive to lead your people with honor and justice rather than greed and a desire for power." She said softly, eyes flickering slightly as she remembered what Calico had said earlier about the Roman tax.

"And... I should like to visit Rome, I think. It sounds a grand city indeed." She inclined her head in agreement, a smile on her lips.

Caesar nodded waiting for her to escort him back to his ship and making sure to bring the horses with him too, quite eager to try out Harrishim's horses in the Roman arena

These magnificent beasts were sure to win and sure to impress the demands of the Roman nobility too.

No sooner their ships were close enough and the planks secured, Caesar returned to his ships and sailed away to return to his very much distant lands, looking on as Ryiah and Calico steered the Nonesuch in opposite direction to return to their empire.

"Row scallywags, pick up the pace before Morgan grows restless and sends out the army" urged Calico barking orders to get the crew on the move, some scrambling to get the oars, others opening the sails, some securing ropes and everyone making themselves very busy, well aware of the price to pay if Calico was disappointed.

Sunset was as stunning at it could have been and the full moon and starry sky was promising the perfect flight too.

"Come on Sendara, let's take to the skies" urged Calico eager and itchy to have his precious dragon back, having missed the sense of freedom from being able to fly.

Taff talked overboard to dolphins, mermaids and the sea serpent so they all assisted in their quicker return, "Oceania... we need favourable currents tonight..." commented whistling casually as he went back to scrubbing decks before making his way to the kitchen to prepare supper, doing his chores as a cabin boy, as he had been appointed to do and be from the very first time they set sails.

Taff smiled to himself, glad to see things slowly regaining a sense of normality, calm and the sense of adventure ahead of them

Ryiah smiled as she watched the Roman's sail away, feeling things were finally right again, and glad she would not have to marry Caesar after all, would not have to bear his child.

Turning, her face lit at the idea of flying again with Calico and she nodded eagerly. "I'll transform in my room this time, so that I do not ruin yet another outfit." She said wryly, returning to her cabin to undress. Once having done so she quickly became a dragoness and returned to Calico's side, murring as she crouched to allow him access to her neck, glad to feel his weight once again. "I missed you..." she said softly, spreading her wings and taking flight to soar up with the stars, a shadow in the sky to those below.

As she soard, the dark expanse of water below and in all directions seemed to beckon them to explore together. She inhaled a satisfied breath, turning to regard Calico above. "Once we are married... you will be Emporer, and I Empress. We will rule well together. Better than my father ever did." Her voice was soft and musing.

"I wasn't made for stonewalls and lavish lifestyles, Sendara, stiff protocol, boring feasts or living by the rules. I thrive in the thrill of slight wrongdoing, you know, the usual, raiding, stealing, pillaging... adventure, danger, the open seas thus I shall certainly go down in our history as the piratical emperor who was locked up in jail by his beloved wife more often than not.

You know I am a picaroon at heart, dearest, it will take more than just marriage to keep this buccaneer stowed away at the fancy castle. My men might slack and that won't do" mused Calico

"I will look forward to you sending captain Morgan to give us chase... of course... after all, we cannot let an empress of such delicate features go putting my reputation to shame, now, can we?" smirked Calico

"Marry my dragonness... that I shall do... occasionally take you captive, that I shall do too, well... at least try, gotta give my men some booty and some incentive after all, your majesty" smiled Calico, kissing her hand

"As for the both of us, you and I shall have to share life among landlovers and sea dogs, and play it by ear, with lady Luck, lady Rum and a dance of swords.

For now, I shall return you to your empire, to your father's presence and lavish castle so that we can finally wed, before any brigand comes demanding your hand yet again. I almost got robbed, twice, I am not taking further chances, my empress" smiled Calico softly hugging his dragoness, his beloved, the most cherished of treasures, opening his arms wide to feel the gush of wind brush his face and hair, the feeling of ultimate freedom

Sendara continued coasting over the wide and serene expanse of sea, her heart full and as happy as she'd ever felt. Listening to Calico's surprisingly eloquent speech she glanced up at him with a warm draconic smile, a content murring thrumming through her, vibrating her sides. The world, though night, stretched out before her in dusky purple and blue hues seeing easily despite the night. She could see down into the sea, the fish, the whales, the dolphins that swam below.

Suddenly wishing Calico to share her vision she instinctively thrummed at a different pitch, almost a singing note, and a ripple would pass through herself and her rider until Calico would notice his vision changing to see as she did, far and deep the colors both enriched and faded at the same time.

"I would never ask you to settle, my pirate rider. I don't wish you to change. I only wish to adventure with you when the urge takes you to leave. I don't feel that I was born merely for a throne either, yet perhaps the responsibility weighs more heavily on my shoulders than yours." She paused, "I look forward to finally being wed to the one who holds my heart."

She would happily spend the rest of the nigt, coasting and gliding out before the Nonesuch as it glided quietly toward home, glad to have Calico all to herself.

"Well, I still am my father's son, lord Calico Jacksworth Pont-de-Ter, at your majesty's service. I ought to pay a visit at my dominions taking care of my vassals, from time to time, it would not go amiss after neglecting them at great length" mused Calico

"It would be an honour if her majesty would attend a dinner at my household at some point or other, it is a castle fit for dragons, nested up the high rocks, with treacherous drops and no means to get up besides climbing up the rocks. There was a bridge a long time ago but my father had it taken down to protect us from pirates and raiders" muttered Calico rolling his eyes at the drastic measures to stop Calico from becoming his own destiny

"I hope your father approves of the marriage at last..." muttered Calico "It is long overdue indeed" smiled Calico patting her neck gently