Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » Across the Sea [closed]

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

"It matters not to me if my father approves. He already spoke against it, yet his words mean nothing to me anymore. Too much he has hidden and kept secret, too greedy his reign, and too selfish is his heart." Inwardly she did wish her father would chang his ways, but thought it unlikely.

"I would be glad of a chance to visit your house, and dine with your family." she said, murring at Calico's touch.

The two flew through the remainder of the night, Sendara continuing on even if Calico should fall asleep, needing less when in draconic form. When dawn crept upon them, the striking colors splashing across the sky, Sendara would finally angle back down to the deck, her paws touching down lightly and allowed Calico to climb off. Then, she would retreate to her quarters to change back into human form, for when they made port at her her homeland. The ship had made good time through the night, and by evening today they should be in sight of her Empire.

"Your majesty... I must make you aware that my mother passed a long time ago during a pirate's raid and my father died in battle at his majesty's service, my little brother... does not live with us... you probably know him better by the name of Henry Morgan..." muttered Calico in a light cough which explained the rivalry between the pair of them

Ryiah nodded to Calico, coming out of her rooms, dressed once more in a light gown, and stood by her fiance, hair blowing softly in the breeze. Turning she regarded Calico with a sad gaze. "I am sorry to hear that... and somehow I didn't realize that Morgan was your brother." She wondered how hard it had been for the general to kill Calico when the task had had to be done a while back, shuddering at the thought. It had beem hard enough just watching her beloved die.

Wrapping her arms around Calico's waist she rested her head on his chest, watching the sea move by in the wake of the Nonesuch.

"At times it feels I barely know him myself, I taught him too well in the service to duty, crown and kingdom and then we took separate paths, he's extremly honourable and compliant to given orders where I deviated to darker paths" muttered Calico in understanding

"I knew he would do his duty when commanded, exactly as tasked, I trained him myself after all in the art of fighting and following orders... "muttered Calico patting her shoulder gently

The rest of the voyage went smoothly, and eventually the Nonesuch pulled into harbor at the royal city of the Tellirin Empire, Ryiah standing at the helm as the gangplank was lowered, resplendant with a circlet on her brow to denote her station, her chin raised to behold the beauty of the city which stretched out before her, much of which was carved into the mountainside to serve for better defenses.

As she moved down toward the docks, she nodded at her generals and men which came to greet her and escort her to the palace. As she walked she turned to make sure Calico was coming as well, then regarded one of her advisors with a candid look. "I want preparations for our wedding to commence. Too many seem desirous of taking either myself or those close to me captive, and I wish to be married before such happens again." She glanced to Calico to make sure he was okay with the marriage happening soon, her thoughts going to her father.

Turning to Morgan, she asked, "has my father given you any trouble while I was gone?"

"I am entirely devoted to my duty, it is no trouble to serve the royal family in all that is required. I trust the scallywags have behaved honourably?" quizzed Morgan looking back at Calico and his grinning crew who would not wait to touch port to make haste to the tavern to get drunken and rowdy causing Morgan and even Calico to cringe

Ryiah nodded to Morgan, glad things had been under control while they'd been away. She smirked as she watched the crew head off to the main hub of the city to spend their coin. She glanced to Calico to see if he'd do the same, knowing his pirate ways still hrld strong.

Overhead the clouds gathered, threatening a storm, and it wasn't long until the first fat raindrops fell to splash across Ryiah's cheeks and nose.

"I have greater riches to plunder" muttered Calico holding Ryiah's hand into his and classifying her as his greatest treasure

"Until you are wed, brother, keep your hands to yourself" remarked Morgan not liking at all the open advances he was making on her.

"She is free to look and feel to her heart's content, lesser ranked ones like you get to allow her touch whilst restraining themselves, corresponding to the queen in an honourable manner at all times" noted Morgan putting Calico back into line

"I will not have you bringing disrepute to my family name which we happen to share, after all" murmured Sir Henry accompanying and escorting Ryiah back to the castle

"If that's the case, Sir Morgan, then..." Ryiah clasped Calico's hand in her own, creating the contact herself so the Pirate Captain wouldn't dishonor his brother. She beamed at her betrothed, her heart full as they made their way toward the castle.

Turning to Calico, Ryiah leaned over to murmer in his ear, "Is there anything you desire, any special request for how our wedding goes love?" She knew that once preparations got underway, things would get stressful and busy, the planners demanding attentions and decicions. Marriages of sovereigns tended to be made into much bigger affairs than Ryiah would have liked.

"I wish you and I could sail away together and be wed on the Nonesuch, away from all the prying eyes and attentions of the crowds." She added softly with a sigh as they reached the castle. Then, turning toward Calico, she added as an afterthought, "I suppose it's a good idea for you to go check up on our naval forces, to make sure they are in good shape and ready in case Caesar changes his mind and returns to wage war...he didn't secure my hand after all."

"I am sure my beloved brother, general Morgan of the Imperial army and his ever so righteous sidekick captain Prodius will more than gladly arrest any who dares cross the line of propriety" smiled Calico

"If Caesar does dare turn up, we shall be waiting, drunken or otherwise" shrugged Calico not troubled "It was unfortunate he caught me with a fever" muttered Calico

"As for the arrangements, it shall all be done to your liking, my empress... so long it finally does take place" smiled Calico just as keen

And take place it would! The wedding was set to take place in a fortnights time, Ryiah not wanting to wait longer, and the palace staff was in an tizzy of preparations. Invitations were sent out, banquet preparations were made, as well as decoration, theme, music, and many other minute details - all of which caused Ryiah's head to ache.

In the following week she had little time for anything other than decision making, hearings, and audiences, as she tried to settle differences caused by her choice to marry Calico, a known more for his piracy than for his excellent services to the crown. Through it all Ryiah held firm and looked forward to the upcoming nuptials, spending as much time with Calico as she could afford, often sneaking away from dizzying wedding planners to spend a few minutes in his company.

As the wedding day drew nearer, first only a week away, then a mere three days away, Ryiah felt nerves flutter wildly within her, and she was never seen without a flush of excitement causing a blush in her cheeks, despite how tired she felt from all the demands on her attention.

Calico felt, with three days left to the marriage, he had to try to improve the otherwise strained relations with her father.

He came to the emperor's quarters knocking the door softly and respectfully and waiting patiently to be called inside as he formally came to ask for her hand or aleast smoothen their dealings.

"Lord Calico Jacksworth Pont-de-Ter wishes an audience with his majesty... my emperor" explained and self announced Calico wondering how the man would take the question he wanted to ask off him concerning his daughter.

Late Emperor Cyprian Makar Bet’Luna allowed Calico entrance, standing as always, resplendant in his black robes trimmed in gold. Depite relinquishing his daughter the throne, Cyprian retained his authoritative and regal bearing, as well as his pride. He would turn the full might of this gaze upon the man who he knew was claiming his daughter's hand in marriage, despite Cyprian's initial nay-saying. He had not missed the hullabaloo that had gripped his palace as preparations were made.

"Well?" He asked the Pont-de-Ter, raising am eyebrow and crossing his arms. "What is it?" Clearly he wouldn't make things easy.

"Your majesty... I come to formally ask your daughter's hand in marriage..." explained Calico dropping a knee to the ground and lowering the head.

"I know your reluctance given my reputation, but... I have mostly served you well gathering the gem stones to secure your return and your kindred's release from its curse at the cost of my very life. If such be deemed a worthy enough deed, I would like to set animosity aside to marry into your most honorable family.

I may not be the dragonlord, or even a dragon descendant but I do carry half a heart that aches to be united with its other half" assured Calico

"It would sadden me that my empress was distressed over our strained relationship" admitted Calico

"Hmmm... it is true that your sacrifice unlocked my dragon kindred as well as my owm form. Yet you have committed many crimes as well that somehowy daughter overlooks. How do I know that you will cherish her hand, and not leave her stranded with not only half a heart, but a broken one at that?" His eyes drilled into Calico, stern and demanding.