by C Woodward
The day ended quickly and I felt like I was hibernating rather than just resting. I was out of it when Koj finally woke me up the next morning. I wasn't sure it was the next day or if I slept through a full day. He felt I had rested enough to make the flight back to the village. I wasn't as sure, but my wings felt fine and I could keep my arm in the sling while we flew. I guess I was more groggy than worn out.
The flight back was far more enjoyable. I had no worries about having to fight someone, and I knew that I’d see Jerak and Amgati and have a warm bed and blanket. Maybe Koj's mate can make meat pies again. I didn't want to be any more of a bother since Koj saved my butt and had taken care of me the last day or so.
Koj put some bandages over my wounds which helped keep the air out and the balm on. There was no way he could wrap it up to keep any pressure on it but at least flying wouldn’t be torturous.
We took a quick lunch break to rest our wings and check my bandages. I think Koj was eager to get back home and share the news. He practically inhaled his lunch and wanted to get back in the air. I barely ate two bites of my lunch thinking maybe I shouldn't fly on a full stomach. That just meant more room for a meat pie, I hoped.
I was still rather tired from my ordeal and was tempted to bug Koj to stop for another break. It was also sometimes hard to find a good gust of wind to glide on. Most of the ones I caught kept moving and I had to correct myself a lot. It wasn’t too much longer, I hoped. I forgot how far the mountains went and the sun never seemed to move.
A few hours passed and my heart skipped a beat once we saw the valley. Koj showed off and did a spin in the air in front of me. I was by no means confident enough to try that; maybe when I wasn't so tired. We soon saw the village from the sky. I was excited to share my experience with Jerak and Amgati.
A horn filled the air as we got closer. I guessed everyone was excited to see us arrive. I saw a small crowd of draykens standing by when we landed. They could tell, by the looks on our faces, that we had been successful and began to cheer.
"It is such a blessing to have you both returned safely!" Koj's mate cried out in joy as he rushed to hug her. It was rather sweet to see their reunion.
"You truly defeated Gratius and cleansed out the old home?" a voice called out. I saw it was Nahryn. She looked to be almost in tears at the thought.
I smiled, "Yes, it is over. The place is a bit of a mess but its bearable now."
"Hey, Blake!" Jerak called out. He slowly walked over. "I see you got a little roughed up. Maybe I should have tagged along," he joked.
Amgati gave me an odd look and I was unsure why. He stood in the back of the crowd, looked around and gave me a very uneasy look.
Nahryn walked over with a few other drayken women. "I am sure you two could use some food and rest. We had some supplies brought to us from the south. A gift from Milunus." She nodded at the drayken women who were wearing yellow garments similar to the women in that monastery. I could see a few feral dragons with harnesses on them behind the crowd.
"Well, I think this calls for a celebration!" Nahryn cheered.
The draykens cheered along with her. I couldn't help but feel happy at our warm welcome. Everyone seemed to be upbeat and happy now. The only one that seemed out of place was Amgati. He almost looked paranoid and gave me a worried look. I stared at him and tried to understand. I wished he would just come over and tell me what bothered him. I gave up and walked through the crowd to him.
Many of the draykens greeted me and patted me on my good shoulder. I just smiled and waved at them as I passed through. Amgati shook his head at me and looked almost like he wanted to flee from me. I moved past the last of the crowd to face him.
"Blake?" a voice out of view called me. Amgati quickly turned to the source and I didn't need to turn to realize why he was concerned. The voice belonged to Talestria.
Chapter 12
Why was she here? Did she arrive with the feral dragons? My shocked body froze. I couldn't move. She can't see me like this. Why was she here? I felt like I got hit by that halberd again dead center in the chest. Even my breathing was difficult.
"Blakey Poo?" Talestria called out. I could hear her walking toward me.
Before she could see my face, I ran. I moved as fast as I could, not knowing or caring where I headed. A few draykens gave me odd stares but I didn't care. I needed to get out of there. I couldn't believe she was here. What was I supposed to do? The thought of her seeing me like this was unbearable.
I moved toward a cluster of buildings that appeared to be a storehouse. My mind was too muddled to even care. At this point, I was short of breath. I dashed behind the building and stooped over to catch my breath. I leaned back against the wall and stared at the landscape. Rolling hills with tall grass and a few small trees came into view. I slowly walked over to peek around the corner. Everyone was still hanging out where we landed. What was I supposed to do? I could just hide here till I cleared my head. I moved away from the corner and back to my hiding spot. Talestria was there waiting for me.
Her beautiful amber eyes stared right into mine. Streams of tears fell down her cheeks. I couldn't move. My knees shook in horror as I stared at her. She didn't say a word, but just stared back at me. I could feel my eyes tearing up. I would have rather faced any kind of monster, even Xum'gol, rather than having to face her like this. Talestria charged at me and put her arms around me.
My jaw dropped. She buried her face in my chest. I could feel her warm breath and her tears on me. She cried and hugged me tight. I slowly put my arm around her. I could feel my own tears running down my face. I held her head close with my left hand and stared at my inhuman claws.
Talestria finally spoke, "Don't you dare leave me." She looked up at me with her face wet with tears.
Tears welled again in my eyes. I couldn't believe any of this. I couldn't even utter a sound. I looked down at her feeling nothing but shame. I began to turn my head but she placed her hands on either side of my face.
"Don't you dare feel ashamed of what you are," Talestria spoke sweetly.
"I... I..." was all I could utter.
Talestria smiled, "I know you must have been afraid. I was even afraid, but seeing you now..." She put her arms back around me, "We have been afraid of nothing."
I started to really cry then and put my arms and even my wings around her. She was such a beautiful person, inside and out! How stupidly lucky I was to have her in my life.
"You are too good for me," I cried softly.
She looked back up at me and wiped the tears from my eyes. She gave me a warm smile. "I know," then she kissed me.
A warmth filled me inside beyond anything I had felt in a long time. Slowly we moved apart and opened our eyes.
I took a deep breath, "You are fine with this?"
Talestria smiled, "It is different, but your eyes and soul are the same." She bit her lower lip and looked at me, "At the same time, this feels quite exciting, almost forbidden."
I wasn’t sure if draykens could blush but if we could, I was sure blushing at this point.
Talestria giggled, "You're still cute when you blush."
"I didn't know I could blush," I replied.
"Oh, you do. You now have this streak of redness across here," Talestria explained as she place her finger between my eyes and snout.
She stepped back and held my hands. She looked at my kilt, "I like your skirt."
"I think it is a kilt," I corrected.
"I know, just teasing," Talestria grinned. She playfully lifted it, "Hope you don't get any up-drafts with this,"
I quickly put it back down.
Talestria just laughed at my reaction. "I was just curious," she joked.
"This is just crazy," I replied. I could hardly believe how she was acting.
Talestria grinned, "I know. I am just so happy right now." She stared at my bandage, "You’ve been having problems?"
"Oh, this?" I muttered as I placed my hand on the bandage. "I had to take care of a
really nasty thing. It is getting better."
Talestria sighed, "Even as a drayken you get into reckless predicaments."
"I still can't believe you are fine with all this," I mentioned.
"Blakey, remember what I said back in Lyonus?" Talestria asked. She paused for a moment and added, "Sure, I was scared and unsure how to react, but I still love you."
"I love you too," I said with a smile.
Talestria came closer, "Good. I would have had to hurt you otherwise." She then started to laugh. She had an odd sense of humor sometimes.
I put an arm around her, "This will still take some getting used to."
She put an arm around me as well, "Yeah, but when have we ever been normal?"
"Good point," I replied.
Talestria sighed, "I am sure the others are expecting us to come out of hiding."
"Yeah, they must be curious about what is going on," I added.
We stepped out into view. Several eyes in the distance turned our way. I could see Jerak and Amgati standing among the small crowd, facing us. They should be relieved that the drama was over.
Talestria spoke softly as we slowly walked toward everyone, "They are not the only ones."
"Only ones what?" I asked.
She places her hand on top of my tail, "Curious."
My eyes went wide. Oh, man.
Everyone was happy to see us return. They appeared a bit confused about me fleeing but I think everyone pieced together what was going on now. Amgati and Jerak both let out a loud sigh of relief. I couldn't help but chuckle at their reaction. I felt bad for dragging them into all our drama. Somehow I needed to make it up to them.
"So, things are back to normal with you two," Jerak said cheerfully.
"Whatever normal is," I remarked.
"I think normal is boring," Talestria joked.
Koj walked over with his mate, "So, you must be Talestria, Blake's mate, er wife."
"Yup, and your name?" Talestria asked.
"Oh. My name is Koj, and this is Hunis. She is my wife, er mate," Koj explained.
Hunis smiled and nodded at Talestria, "Pleased to meet you."
Nahryn walked over, "Talestria, as High Priestess, I welcome you to our home."
Talestria smiled, "I am honored to be here."
"I hope your trip here was pleasant," Nahryn politely asked.
Talestria looked back at the feral dragons which now had their harnesses removed, and appeared to be resting. "I never thought I would ever see a dragon in person, let alone to ride one. It was quite an amazing experience to be in the sky."
I smiled, "You did better than Amgati."
Amgati groaned, "I prefer the ground, thank you."
Talestria laughed, "You didn't like it, Amgati?"
"No, too much unstable movement for me," Amgati responded.
"I really enjoyed it! I rode the blue dragon over there," Talestria said.
Jerak walked over, "He is a really neat one."
Talestria corrected him, "That's a she and she is very sweet."
Jerak shrugged, "How can you tell?"
Talestria shrugged back, "I was told she was a she. Well, whatever. They are beautiful creatures and I had fun riding it."
Nahryn laughed, "Well, it must be hard for you to tell the difference."
Jerak looked at Nahryn, "We don't exactly get to be social with them back at home. They tend to be less friendly."
Nahryn put her hand on Jerak's shoulder, "That is understandable. Most don't trust outsiders and would more likely see you as food."
"I am glad these don't," Jerak added.
Nahryn giggled a little, "Well. I really need to get going and help get our celebration started."
"Celebration?" Talestria asked.
"Oh. Blake here freed our old home by destroying Gratius, the dragon poacher," Nahryn explained.
"Gratius? Oh, I remember reading that name from my father's old journals. It was back when, oh!" Talestria realized.
Nahryn lifted a brow and I chimed in, "Talestria’s father was part of that group. She had nothing to do with it. She wasn't even born then," I pointed out. I feared this might cause some problems.
Talestria sighed, "My father did some really horrible things. He was mad for power and what he and my uncle did was unforgivable."
Nahryn looked at Talestria, "You don't need to apologize for their sins. I don't want you to feel like you did anything wrong."
"Thank you" Talestria smiled.
"By the way, my name is Nahryn," Nahryn responded.
"Nahryn, thank you," Talestria added.
Nahryn looked around, "Blake, I hope you and your mate are hungry. We are going to feast in your honor!"
I couldn't help but smile. My stomach was about as happy as my heart.
Jerak strutted over casually, "I hope we have meat pies again."
Talestria perked her ears up a little, "Meat pies?"
"Yeah. Koj's wife makes the best meat pies ever!" Jerak added.
I could tell Talestria was getting excited now. She really liked a good meat pie.
The celebration was a real smash. We all went inside the big building which acted as their town hall and a roost for the feral dragons when the weather was bad. There were many large tables lined up and everyone feasted on all sorts of tasty meals. Several of the draykens played music with different kinds of wind instruments and drums. Jerak started telling stories about our old adventures and some he made up. Talestria pigged out until she couldn't eat anymore. I was still amazed at how accepting she was of me, and how much she ate. She could really indulge when she wanted to but she must have broken her record tonight.
The party died down after everyone became full and too tired to carry on. I ended up carrying Talestria as she kind of passed out. I was close to my limit. Amgati and Jerak came over with me as we made the quiet walk back to Koj's house. It was nice of them to let us stay while we were there.
"I am a bit surprised how she reacted," Amgati whispered while trying not to wake Talestria up.
I looked down at her, "Yeah. I am surprised how accepting she is of it all."
Jerak walked by with his arms casually behind his head, "I think she just discovered a new perversion."
I lifted a brow, not sure how to react to that. I wouldn't put it past her but guessed I shouldn't knock it.
Amgati shrugged, "I am not going to comment on that."
"Nor should you," Talestria muttered quietly while still having her eyes closed.
Jerak's face became white like a ghost, "I didn't mean you were one. I just…"
Talestria muttered, "Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. I can like whatever strange thing about my husband all I want. None of your business."
Jerak and Amgati gave me a strange look. I knew I just blushed when Amgati and Jerak started to laugh. Talestria opened an eye which caused them to quiet down. She looked up at me and giggled when she saw I was blushing. Why was that so amusing?
Talestria and I shared the same room where I slept before. Jerak and Amgati moved their bed rolls to the living room but not without teasing me a little. Talestria fell asleep shortly after I put a blanket on her. When I laid down beside her, she was already snoring. I was just unbelievably happy to be beside her again. I let out a quiet, happy sigh and joined her in slumber.
The bad part of being underground was having no means to tell the time. I didn't even think there was a single clock in this village let alone that Koj might have one in his home. Oh well, no matter. I felt quite rested after our good, nights sleep. I noticed Talestria wasn't anywhere to be seen. She got up before me. I wouldn't be a surprised if I really had overslept.
I yawned loudly and stretched my wings out once I made it outside. Things around were pretty quiet. Most of the draykens were back to their daily lives as if yesterday's celebration hadn't happened. I walked around but could not see Talestria nor the guys. I wondered where they had gone.
"Excuse me. Blake?" a female drayken called to me.
She was blue and wore a yellow dress that the women from Milunus' group wore. She timidly spoke, "The rest of your group await you in the meeting hall."
"Oh? I didn't know I was needed," I replied.
"They told me to wait out here until you woke up. They didn't want to disturb your slumber," the female drayken explained.
I thanked her and followed her to the big building. I wondered what was going on but assumed it was to discuss our next big plan. I glanced up at the sky and could see the sun had already moved past noon. Wow, I really slept in. My wound was feeling quite better. I could even move my right arm around without it hurting.