After twenty minutes of entertainment Meeka began a mighty song that made all attention focus on her. The other singers blended in. This was a Utala song of loyalty and respect and the consequences of those against them. The dancers dove deep beneath the water, making it shine brighter than the sun that peeked through the clouds at the same time. And just as the dancers shot out of the water the drummers and dragons beat as one, a rapid rhythm.
As all the dancers were air born the clouds were disturbed until out came the mighty Daku leading the entire flock of griffin’s in a dive bomb, each his size and just as uniquely beautiful. The griffins caught some of the dancers while the rest of the flock spread their wings and soared in patterns no natural animal alive could withstand without some kind of aid. Their wings beat the air, thrumming it in perfect synchronicity with Meeka’s voice, the drums, ocarinas and dragon beats.
And it all came to an abrupt end as each griffin landed at the same time, threw their heads back and released a shrill roar the entire island could hear, even over to the colony in the north.
All that had been sitting and enjoying the show were on their feet clapping in earnest. Not one person was unaffected. Hugs were passed around among the performers who had gotten everything perfectly.
“Never in all my years have I seen anything like that!” Gaz roared.
Daku released another shrill roar and the command it held silenced the entire flock. When every griffin went silent, the rest followed. All eyes turned onto the giant white king, especially after the cubs shrunk down to be no larger than squirrels. “Listen to me now. While the excitement still flows I need everyone to spread out. Cubs, go to someone and stay still. Guests, please remain where you are.” As he said this the griffin cubs were quickly perching themselves on any available shoulder or head. One even stood on the golden eagle, Reece’s, back while on King Skylar’s shoulder. “This memory will be stored for all time.”
One moment Daku stood more than ten feet tall and the next he was less than one and sitting on Cage’s shoulder beside his entire family beside the royal guests. Those who were unprepared for the speed at which they moved were speechless. Cillian and Tiffa were right next to them, but he pointed to fifteen floating marbles and alone said “Everybody smile and look in the middle of the lake. ‘Snapshot!’” there was a momentary flash and then they floated over into his waiting hands.
Just as it was over, the cheering went on and Cage approached with everyone he loved and gestured for Megdline, Frill and Zikon to come over as well. “Hold out your hands ladies.” They did so and he placed a milky white crystal marble in each hand, saving the last for himself.
“What is this for?” Megdline asked as the light strings on those marked began fading fast.
“They remember, Granny.” He said to his first mentor. Cage looked in all their eyes to say “All that you’ve seen from the moment you arrived has been recorded forever in these crystals. It is especially good for the five about to do the ceremony in a little while. I’ve found a way to overcome the once used recording so you can see today again and again. You didn’t see these fifteen crystals till I had them stop for they were moving faster than the speed of light, all around and through us. They recorded everything of the event except the yakking you all did over here. It captured every one of the songs, the music and everything else. If you missed anything, you can now go back. I gave it to you women because not all men can manipulate magic. Simply send a part of your mind into it and manipulate what you wish to see. You can focus on any area displayed, but to activate it simply say ‘Water Ceremony.’” And he held his crystal out and a five inch tall illusion of Meeka, the singers and dancers on the water began to play, the sound seemed to come from her voice. “It is extremely complicated and I needed to work on overcoming a gem’s limitation until inspiration struck. My idea has even made the Rex’s rethinking gemstones and it will either take five hundred separate spell casters working together or unless you are a dragon, it cannot be duplicated. Just learn how to manipulate the images on your own. To skip a section say ‘Skip.’” And as he said it Meeka and the others suddenly skipped to the next song. “And to end it simply say ‘Stop.’ It is that simple.” The images vanished.
“You mean we can relive this memory at any time?” Princess Amy asked.
“Damn right.” He grinned. “And when I said ‘Snapshot.’ I took a picture of everyone. Just be sure your indoors instead of outside and… hold on a second.” He sent a spell and all fifteen marbles were covered. “Sorry, I can’t say the activation spell without draining every drop of power they hold and chancing the loss of what they hold. An experiment made what I recorded really screwy and corrupted. To see us all together at the moment I called ‘Snapshot!’ I immortalized this moment. Be sure you are in a room with plenty of wall space and say ‘Precious Memories.’ And the crystal will project that very image on the walls and factor in depth or a wall’s curve automatically so nothing is distorted.”
Queen Jeanne stepped forward and kissed Cage on the cheek and was crying happily. “I’ve never had such a gift as precious as this… nor has anyone at their wedding. To see and hear all that again and again is a precious gift I’ll covet for the rest of my days. Thank you ever so much.”
“You are quite welcome, but you should be thanking Meeka, it was all her idea.”
“In truth?” The queen held the gem now no longer needing to be silenced, the keyword easily remembered and warning heeded.
“It is, Your Majesty.” Meeka said, weaving her arm through her mans and plucking the gem between her skilled fingers. “When my brother Nolan died, Cage recorded his last words as a spirit, but it lasted only one time. I asked my mate if he could come up with a way to… as he says ‘save’, memories. I wanted to give us all something to remember today and all the hard work that went into making it a success. In a hundred years I want to look and remember today. His mind is amazing…”
“How so?” The queen of Emroc asked.
“Well right now I’m talking to you, listening to Nolan speaking with four spirits, conversing with Daku, writing twenty different books in my office and connected to my island’s wards under assault from over fifteen thousand individuals trying to sneak a peek at us… and I just watched one of Moril’s soldiers squads chase off a rogue dragon. Don’t worry, none are strong enough to get though my barrier or Moril’s patrols.” He explained with a shrug. “And I’m especially keeping my eye on your wife, Kurk.”
Jaws dropped. Especially at Elleanne who positioned herself at his back. No one else had seen her move about.
“So the stories they say are true.” The Vlaran Adventurer’s Guild leader said simply.
“On Earth, you could have been on the team I led. Your skills are quite good. You still wouldn’t beat me, but you’re I’d guess to be Brooke’s better.”
“That was my assumption as well. The way you stood a moment ago would have stolen my weapon and broken my knee in the same strike, all without you using magic to sense me. I would have felt it if you had.” Elleanne walked away.
“Did you get what you wanted to know, Wife?” General Kurk asked as he controlled his anger.
“I did, between us, I’d not walk away. He is stronger than you, by far. He trains daily and has experienced deadly combat more than any man I’ve met.”
“Don’t do it again.” King Tate ordered. She simply nodded.
“Tate, Skylar, this is my son Sean.” Brooke introduced as he and Ollai approached. “And his mate, Ollai.”
“What do they feed you, Boy!” King Skylar quipped.
“Whatever I catch, Good King.”
“Oh, I’m going to like this kid!” Sean smiled brightly, glad his spells were working at hiding his scales from embarrassment. “Tell me, Lad, about your story.” The king and queen followed Sean and Ollai away with several guards to talk.
“I want to play the songs again from the beginning.” Princess Amy said.
“We all do.” Ziko
n seconded without a fight.
Many sat together and watched the songs from start to finish, surrounding the miniature, lifelike images in a ring while eating an enjoying company.
The day passed in what seemed to be the blink of an eye. Ease settled in among the entire area and laughs resulted from the griffin tricksters playing harmless pranks on each other and sometimes on the uptight soldiers. Many lost count from how many times they hit the ground laughing. When it got too hot the adults followed the example of the children and went for a fun filled swim. A truly relaxing day with friends. Hours flew by along with everyone greeting one another.
And then as soon as nightfall came with the final remnants of sunlight Rena walked out from the water and clapped her hands. She looked to her dad and gave the signal. Not a moment later a black bead appeared in front of her lips. In her mind she took a deep breath and hoped to not mess up. She had memorized the words to her own heart and would be the first Utala priestess in six generations to host a water ceremony. Rena looked over and watched her mother crawl out from Tohka’s lap and smiled her complete approval and no matter what happened Rena knew her birth mother was right there for support. Her other mothers stood beside Brooke and also showed just as much love and support. Her dad, still having Daku on his shoulder most of the day, smiled calmly and so too did Daku. Rena about jumped out of her skin as a drenched Metalu shook the water from her reddish fur that looked brown in the fading light, and then sat down next to her, large enough to see eye to eye. Rena finally took a real deep breath and said “Now is the time.” Her voice rose up and above the crashing waterfall so all could hear her. The pea size magic was the only way to send her voice since she cannot do magic on her own quite yet.
Conversations were cut short and all in the water hurried out to look to the priestess. Rena went over what she memorized one final time before saying “As the conflicting forces of nature blur at this hour, so do our sexes. Women are the day. We bring warmth and life to the world. Men are the night. They are our opposite. They are the respite of the sun and allow the world to rest. Uniting at this hour is part of the ancient covenant our people made with the great spirits’ blessing many generations ago with the first kings of Emroc. The water ceremony is our link we remain true to, as is our strength.” Rena caught her mother mouthing along with a smile and a proud tear running down her cheek. “When day and night are as one is the promise of change and hope for new life to our ancestors. We continue this trust for unless we are betrayed, we will continue to thrive and honor our ancient vows to be host to unions of great importance.” Her brown eyes met each individual about to be called out. “King Tate, King Skylar, Prince Sek, Cillian Grandfather and Captain Ean, please enter the water up to your chest. Sisters, stand just at the water’s edge and stare into your mate’s eyes as they will do for you.
The men complied, shedding their weapons and entering the cool water as instructed. Queen Jeanne held her daughter’s hand and Katelyn, while Tiffa held onto her soon to be queen’s and Princess Amy, held on to the healer’s. As a group they walked through the pathways, much as their men had to not hurt the flowers. The women separated as they approached Rena and Metalu and allowed the water’s edge to tickle their toes. Each one gazed longingly into their love’s eyes.
“Sisters, we alone get to choose who is a worthy mate. The men before you have each won the right in your customs. This ceremony is the last chance you have to forgo uniting of one body to make another. The moment you take one step into the water, I will not allow you to step back alone. I will kill you.” Rena drew her knife and readied her stance. “Just one step forward and you commit your entire being to the man before you. You may leave with your life alone, hesitate and die by my hand or join one body in the water which bind us all in life. Make your choice now.”
Without hesitating, all five women entered the water, none so fast as Princess Amy as she about threw herself in her new husband’s embrace. The women barely heard Rena say “Men, take them now and make them sing to the spirits so they and all others know who claims them alone in this life!”
Five women screamed in passion as they were lifted and felt their men enter them. The men carried their new wives locked around their hips away from one another to make fierce love that matched the cheers of those around them, who began to disperse into the forest. Soldiers turned around to give the couples privacy while all the children readied for the journey home on their mother’s’ behest. Extra food was collected and teleported to homes, apartments or to the main kitchens where people could mingle.
In ten minutes almost the entire area was vacated. With the smell of sex filling the air, Sean and Ollai had to excuse themselves and go home for their instincts had been aroused and not even the spell Zikon and Theresa came up with could resist his scales coming out and being revealed. They disappeared quickly.
Brooke scooped Rena up in her arms and gave her a big kiss and said “You did splendidly my child. You made me so happy. The elders were right to name you priestess!” Rena giggled as she was kissed all over her face.
“You made us all so happy.” Meeka said, stealing Rena and giving kisses. Tohka simply gave a tight hug that knocked the air from her lungs and her dad gave her a hair ruffle while on his knees.
When she was allowed to step back she whistled and four girls of the Utala, one being almost fourteen and the rest younger, along with the bruising princess hurried over. Rena said “Dad, we’ll be going to my room to have lots of sex…”
Cage jerked his head and held up a hand to a large soldier. “It’s alright, Pal. You may follow them to keep an eye, but once Rena shuts her bedroom door you nor anyone else aside from my family can possible get inside.”
“I will not allow this, Lord Cage. If the princess is in danger…”
“Her power and knowledge as a witch is older than hers.” He pointed to the oldest girl coming to Rena’s private party. “And I do not allow any type of offensive magic in the bedrooms once the doors are closed. Defensive only. Nothing will happen, my daughter will see to it. Aside from the brat, Rena chose the older girl as she has been learning healing from her exceptional mother so if something bad happens, she can help before I arrive. My kid will kill any trespassers and won’t harm the brat any more than she already has. Each one would slit their own wrists before contemplating coldblooded, dishonorable murder, especially on a guest. And Rena is our priestess. If she says they are going up to have some fun, she is doing just that.” Slightly mollified, Cage returned his attention. “Have fun, Kiddo.”
“Thank you, Dad!” Rena grabbed the princess’ hand and the group raced over to the stone steps and began running up them, the soldier easily keeping pace behind them.
“A shame, we have Ananna Tonight.” Meeka said as she stroked Cage’s lance between the cleavage of her firm butt.
“She’s still asleep in her crib with Metali curled up with her.” Cage growled when she wiggled. “I’ll be putting up a silencing spell and a light dampening barrier if you promise to stop that!”
“Thought you’d see it my way.” She them up and walked away. “I’ll go on ahead and ready the special drinks for our guests’ Night Cap.”
“I’ll go too, Meeka Love.” Tohka said and quickened her pace till they walked together up the steps molded from the cliff itself.
“Poor bastard, do they do that to you often?” General Corbin chuckled and pointed to Cage’s lance at full attention.
“Every chance we get!” Brooke promised and gave her man a kiss before running off after her lovers.
Those nearby soldiers, mages, familiars and the insufferable Daku guffawed or laughed. The other princesses had to turn around in embarrassment after viewing his enormous manhood. “Laugh it up go ahead. I can take it because I know what I’m going to do to them soon enough.” The three women cheered almost halfway up the steps, hugging each other while rubbing their breasts mockingly at him below. Cage let himself relax as he chuckled. “Remember that when yo
u can’t walk straight tonight.” They all squeaked and ran up the steps, hearing laughs follow them the entire way up.
When all the stars came out an hour later, so too did the exhausted couples. Only Tiffa and the queen of Emroc walked under their own power, the rest had to be carried by their new husbands. Tiffa and the queen laughed, calling them amateurs. Towels were offered and in need as each were chilled despite all that exercise.
Prince Sek asked “Love, are you alright?” as she sat on the ground longer than the other women.
She actually giggled “I think so… my legs feel about as lost as my maidenhead you broke. They don’t want to cooperate for some reason.”
The prince’s mother put a hand on his tense shoulder. “Fear not, My Son. Women of her stature often find it difficult to move after her maidenhead was broken by a man of your size and strength…” she lightly smacked him upside the head when he opened his mouth. “I’m speaking, you listen. Carry her and when she can stand on her own, couple again. Her flower is unused by a man and is disrupting nerve impulses associated with proper balance as well as tiredness from sex. See to her needs as her husband, but do not heal her at this time. Her body will adjust, just as it will when you make me a grandmother for a third time. Now get up and hold her close.”
“Aren’t you going to lecture me as well, Mother?” Princess Amy tried.
The queen seemed pleased to be called that now. “You better believe it, Amy. Keep trying to move your legs and tell my son to set you down when you are ready to try. I remember how hard it was when Skylar broke my maidenhead. I couldn’t walk right for almost an hour, but take my advice and have more sex. It will help with tomorrow’s soreness, believe me. I wish my mother had given me such council.”
Once everyone was ready they gathered behind Cage. He walked backwards up the steps and said “I’ve made plenty of rooms for everyone to stay… except for you Granny and Grandpa, you have to stay at your own place.”
Empress's Endgame (Book 5 and final of the Death Incanate Saga) Page 31