Chapter 30: “The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.”

I self-edit and admit editing isn’t my greatest skill. I apologize in advance for anything I missed.

Ethan slowly felt sleep leave his brain and smiled. He was finally back on the Argo with his wives where they all belonged. Somewhere deep down, he felt some irritation that Kendra wasn’t right next to him though. He didn’t understand why, nor why it aggravated him so much. The only thing he could think of was how his dragon side had seethed at her absence last night. The dragon wanted to drag her in here and force her to have sex with him via compulsion.

He pushed the thought away and focused on his surroundings, enjoying the simple pleasure of feeling his wives’ naked skin...

Wait.

As he lay there with his eye closed, he realized that he was feeling something that he’d basically never felt before. Or at least not in his dragon body when waking up with his wives around him. He was feeling cloth pressed up against him, and it wasn’t the sheets either. He cracked an eye open and a massive smile crept onto his face.

In front of him was a mess of red hair that slowly faded to blonde at the tips. Her blue eyes were hidden by delicate eyelids topped with long lashes, and her mouth was formed into the barest hint of a smile. Her breathing was slow, contented, and peaceful. She looked a vision of loveliness; a redheaded angel who was among the most delightful women he’d ever met.

He took a deep breath and let it out through his smiling lips. He was really going to enjoy having Rachel as his wife.

Good morning sir. Alana’s mental voice said directly to him, probably so she wouldn’t wake his other wives.

He had never heard her so happy.

He lifted his head to see that the wood elf was cradled in Rachel’s arms and had a magnificent smile on her face; a massive smile that was would also be appropriate for a post-orgasmic haze.

Morning princess. He said with a wink, then added in a mischievous tone: Whatever could be making you so happy this morning?

She sighed. I thought this day would never come; I’ve dreamed of it for so long.

He chuckled, shaking the three of them slightly, then reached up and tucked a wayward lock of the redhead’s hair behind her small ears. She had beautiful ears; very shapely and delicate.

“Hmm?” Rachel muttered in her sleep, though she seemed to be waking.

“Good morning beautiful.” He whispered into her ear.

“Goo’ morn’ ‘gly.” She mumbled.

He chuckled again. “What brings you here?”

“Hmm?” She mumbled as she started to do that waking-yawning-stretching thing some people do when they wake up.

“Good morning Rachel.” Alana said softly.

The redhead smiled contentedly. “Good morning Alana...” Her eyes flew open and she sat bolt upright, looking around wildly. “Wha...? How...?”

Ethan and Alana laughed, and the sound woke his other two wives. Beth and Taloni started yawning sleepily while Rachel looked completely shocked and out of sorts.

“How did I...?” She looked around, then looked down and sighed — probably in relief — when she saw she was still wearing her red dress. The lower portion of her dress had ridden up a bit in her sleep, exposing the lower half of two very slender and shapely thighs.

“I’m guessing you sleepwalked.” Ethan said between chuckles.

“Rachel!” Taloni and Beth exclaimed at the same time. His two youngest wives dove forward, hugging her from both sides.

“I’m so glad you’re here!” Beth said beaming.

“I knew you’d make it!” Taloni said with an equally exuberant expression.

Rachel glanced at the two of them, then Alana — all three of whom were completely naked — and then she went beet red and looked up at the ceiling, snapping her eyes shut as she did so.

“Ladies, you might want to cover up a bit; I think you’re making Rachel a bit uncomfortable.” He said when he noticed the likely reason for her embracement.

The two blondes disengaged and all three of his wives pulled the sheets up.

“Thank you.” Rachel said as her face returned to a more normal color, resembling her hair tips more than the roots. She looked around and averted her eyes a bit. “Sorry.”

“For what?” He asked.

“Um, for...” She looked around at the bed, then at him.

He reached up and took both her hands. She didn’t resist his gentle pull as he raised them up. “Rachel, let me be perfectly clear; you never need to apologize for being in bed with me. Ever. Understand?”

She nodded, still looking sheepish but also smiling.

“Now, as much as I love having you here, you should probably get going...” He cocked his head to one side. “ ... or maybe I should; anyway, it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride on the wedding day before the ceremony.”

All the girls stared opened-mouthed at him.

“What?” He asked.

“Bad luck to see the bride...” Alana stared at him mouth agape.

“ ... on the wedding day before the ceremony?” Rachel finished looking equally thunderstruck.

“Well that explains it; I’ve been wondering for ages.” Beth nodded.

“Yes, it makes so much more sense now.” Taloni added.

“What does?” He looked around at them, feeling like he was completely missing something.

“If the groom doesn’t see the bride on the wedding day before the ceremony starts, the marriage is doomed to failure; everyone knows that.” Alana said like she was explaining that two plus two equals four.

“If that never happens on your world, no wonder they have such a high divorce rate.” Rachel said in much the same manner as a person who’d just realized that water was wet and deserts were dry.

He burst out laughing.

The girls all stared at him.

“Culture shock.” He finally said when he’d stopped laughing. “Why is a marriage doomed if they don’t meet before the wedding?”

Alana opened her mouth to respond, then closed it and cocked her head to one side. “I don’t know.”

“It’s an old custom.” Beth explained. “From back when the couple would often meet on the wedding day. It gave the groom a chance to inspect the bride and make sure he wanted to marry her.”

“And they often pray together so Illuminar will bless their marriage.” Taloni added.

Beth gasped aloud. “Ethan, you never told us about your meeting with Illuminar!”

“You didn’t?” Rachel asked looking very surprised.

He shook his head. “I was waiting until I could tell all of you together ... including you.”

“Aww.” Rachel teared up slightly.

“Come here.” He said opening his arms, which she fell into.

“ ... but what happened with Illuminar?” Beth prompted impatiently.

He glanced at her, the blonde’s boundless curiosity getting the better of her as usual. She was so cute when she was curious, especially with the way her ‘curious face’ made her dimples stood out.

He smiled at her. “Maybe not the time angel; it is Rachel’s wedding day.”

She nodded, averting her eyes as she did so. “I’m sorry Dominus.”

“No need to be sorry.” He replied kindly. “I’m just saying that I don’t need to explain now.”

“Actually, I’d like it if you did.” The redhead said.

“Oh?” He let go of her slightly to look into her beautiful blue eyes.

“I’m really curious about what happened and...” She paused a second, seemingly searching for more reasons. “ ... and I’ll be better able to concentrate on the wedding if I know.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Please?” His teenaged bride-to-be asked.

“Okay.” He nodded, thinking that there was probably more too it, but not wanting to push right now. Fortunately, his stomach rumbled moments later. “But let’s make it after breakfast.”

“I can take that bowl if you’re done.” Sarah said pleasantly when she saw that one of the inn’s customers had finished his breakfast.

The man mumbled a word of thanks and held it out to her. He was one of the two types of patrons that she really liked. The first type was like him, who were polite and minded their own business. The second type were like Selene, and they were all too rare. They were the pleasant ones who treated her nicely and were kind to her. She wished they had more of them. Sadly, many of the people who came through seemed nervous and unsure about her. She was pretty sure it was because word of her problem had spread far and wide over the years.

She let her shoulders slump as she went to the next table, where a young woman was sitting. She was clad in a white linen dress and something about her seemed to glow slightly. Her heart shaped face was the picture of perfect femininity, and something about her just seemed warm and relaxing; like a flickering candle shining in a dark room.

“Oh, thank you.” The woman in white said when Sarah collected her now empty bowl, which she had already pushed away from herself. She had treated Sarah perfectly and not given her so much as a suspicious look.

“You’re welcome.” Sarah replied with as much sweetness as she could muster.

“Are you okay?” The luminous woman asked. Her voice had a comforting, almost musical quality about it.

I’m ... I’ve been better.” She admitted.

The woman pulled a chair out so Sarah could sit next to her. “Do you want to talk about it?”

The innkeeper’s daughter hesitated a moment, and then shook her head. “I have chores to do.”

“Okay.” The woman in the white dress replied kindly. “Well, I hope things get better for you.”

“Thank you.” She smiled, her dark mood lifting slightly at the other woman’s kindness. She added the luminous woman’s empty bowl to the other one she was carrying and took them into the kitchen. She started humming a Hymn to Illuminar as she washed them to try and cheer herself up. She wasn’t sure why, but that usually seemed to cheer her up.

The singing eventually morphed into a prayer. “Illuminar — blessed be you — thank you for sending Selene here. Please keep her safe and, if it’s not too much trouble, I would really like it if she could come back for my wedding. I know you’re busy with more important things, but I would really like her to be there when I marry Rindrin.”

She looked at the bowls as she set them down to dry, trying not to think of her wedding day.

Rindrin wasn’t a bad guy, and Sarah was grateful that he was willing to marry her. She had no ill feelings for him, but wasn’t attracted to him either. She would try to be the best wife she could of course, but wished it would be with a man she loved. At least she would be married though; she had thought her problem would prevent that for the longest time.

Fortunately, it wasn’t likely that her problem would manifest if she was at home being a housewife. She wanted to venture out into the world and see what it offered, but that wasn’t a good idea with her problem. She didn’t want to hurt anyone else because of it; she’d hurt too many people already. At least being at home, and maybe being a mother, nothing bad would happen. She smiled, and thought about that for several moments.

She was shaken from her reverie by movement outside the window.

Hmm.

That was odd.

At least dozen horses were cantering into the little outpost and her eyes went wide at the unusual sight. She ran to the back door and opened it to get a better view. It was indeed over a dozen horsemen riding in close formation. All were clad from head to toe in chainmail, and each had a conical helmet to add further protection to his head. Each had an arming sword at his side, some had seven-foot short spears, and all of them also carried a heater shield.

In the center of the formation was the only man not clad in chainmail. Instead, he was wearing the finest robes that Sarah had ever seen. She wasn’t sure, but guessed that they probably cost more than what the inn made in a year. He had a sword at his side also and the hilt had a large gemstone embedded in it that was probably worth enough to buy the outpost and everything in it.

She wondered who he was for a moment...

That’s when she noticed the banners.

The lead horseman and the trailing horseman each had a handheld flagpole affixed to his saddle and held steady by one of the rider’s hands. The flag had a green background with a stylized white mountain in the center. That was the flag of...

Her mouth fell open as her stomach clenched.

She could feel the color draining from her face

What was he doing here?

She turned and fled back inside, running to find her father. He needed to know. Neither of them had ever met the man before, but it couldn’t be a good sign that he was here.

“Father!” She called loudly as she entered the main room of the inn, startling some of the guests.

“What?” He said in his usual defeated tone.

“Father, soldiers are riding into the outpost; it’s Lord Farbrottan and his men!”

Everyone in the room froze.

No one moved for several seconds as everyone’s eyes went wide.

Then there was a mad scramble. Everyone stood up at once, leaving everything behind and starting for the door. They all stopped when they heard the horses thundering to it and saw them come to a stop through the front windows. All the patrons turned as one towards the back door, but — judging by the whinnying of horses — that too appeared to be covered by the soldiers.

It appeared the inn had been surrounded.

The various travelers seemed unsure what to do, and then all of them fled to the communal sleeping area; retreating as far away as possible away from the new arrivals.

Sarah took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

She had to keep calm. That was the only thing that would do. If she got too scared then ... she didn’t even want to think about the trouble that her problem would cause. Unfortunately, her present situation was going to make that incredibly difficult.

She gulped as the inn’s door started to open.

Ethan swallowed down the last bite of breakfast and washed it down with a swig of water. The entire crew of the Argo was sitting around the fire, plus Selene and Kendra. Anthiel, Serif, and Raklan were fairly quiet this morning, though the latter occasionally let out a loud belch. Rachel was on Ethan’s right side with Alana next to her; and Beth on his left side with Taloni next to her. The Fey teen was also sitting next to Kendra, who still looked wary and a bit uncomfortable.

Sandwiched in between Kendra and Anthiel was Selene, the FBI agent who’d caused so much trouble for them on Earth. He couldn’t help but be curious about what she was doing here. She was clearly sharp and perceptive, but for her to be here in the Ten Kingdoms...

Hmm.

It was definitely odd.

The woman was gorgeous; drop dead gorgeous and she had wearing a very plain, light grey dress, no makeup, and her silky, caramel-colored hair wasn’t styled either. Just as she was, she could easily do well in a modeling competition. She was an inch or two taller than he was in normal posture at maybe 5’ 9”, but thanks to his Dragon anatomy he could easily stand up taller and still have an inch or two on her.

She was slender without being too thin; her breasts were full without being too large; her legs were long, slender and toned; and she had a perfect hourglass figure. She had the classic look of a Brazilian supermodel with just a hint of oriental ancestry; Japanese maybe. The combination made her look very exotic in addition to being jaw-droppingly beautiful.

He found himself wondering why a woman who was that attractive had decided to become an FBI agent. With her looks and smarts, she could’ve done almost anything. It was interesting that the FBI was her chosen profession in light of that.

She is beautiful, isn’t she. Alana thought to them all.

She is. Taloni said wistfully.

I wish I had her ... well, her everything. Beth added.

All three sounded a bit dejected.

Ladies, I’m not blind and she is gorgeous; but no one is more attractive to me than you girls.

They all sighed as one.

Rachel, Kendra and Selene all looked at them.

“It takes some getting used to.” Anthiel explained with a smile. “He can talk to them telepathically and sometimes they talk amongst themselves in public, and then react without us knowing what was said.”

“What’s that like?” Selene asked.

“Amazing.” Alana said at the same time that Kendra said “Annoying.”

Almost everyone laughed. Even the corners of Kendra’s mouth twitched up a bit.

“So, Agent Dawson,” Ethan began, intending to ask about her story.

“Not agent anymore.” She replied with a hint of bitterness in her voice.

“Oh?”

“Things got rough for me right after you left Earth.” She shook her head with an ironic smile. “I never thought I’d say a sentence like that before ... what? Three weeks ago? That’s about when I saw you leave Earth right?”

“About that.” He nodded.

“Twenty two days.” Rachel confirmed.

Selene shook her head in disbelief. “It’s still so weird.”

“It does get easier.” He offered.

“I hope so.”

“So Miss Dawson, how’d you end up in the Ten Kingdoms?” He asked.

“It’s a long story, and I wouldn’t want to interrupt the pending nuptials.” She nodded towards Rachel, then frowned. “Isn’t it bad luck to see the bride on her wedding day?”

Ethan and his wives laughed, and then they explained about the different custom here in the Ten Kingdoms.

“Huh, weird.” The Brazilian woman shrugged when they finished.

“I know, right?” Ethan nodded.

“Um, I don’t mind if you tell the story.” Rachel said to Selene. “I’m rather curious myself and we have plenty of time.”

He looked at the redhead, but she didn’t meet his eye.

Hmm.

Was she stalling on purpose? She certainly seemed ecstatic about being bonded to him, so it wasn’t that. The only thing that he could think of was the issue she’d brought up before, about how their relationship would work since she didn’t want anyone telling her what to do. That was probably what it was; she was probably stalling so she didn’t have to deal with that.

He was shaken from his reverie by the Brazilian woman though.

“While we’re on the topic of stories.” Selene interjected. “I’d love to hear how you started a human on Earth, came here, apparently became a dragon, disguised yourself as a human, and then went back to Earth; especially how you got back to Earth.”

“You want to go back?” Beth asked.

“Definitely.”

“Serif, Raklan.” Anthiel said. “We’re going to have a crew meeting downstairs.”

“What? Why?” Raklan rumbled. “I’m comfortable right here.” He said while his eyes flicked to Selene’s body.

“Now.” Anthiel said firmly.

The hulking crewman scowled. “But we’ve never had a--”

Serif cleared his throat.

The larger crewman started grumbling under his breath and then stood up.

“But Anthiel, what about the Argo?” Taloni asked. “Doesn’t someone need to mind the helm?”

“Yes.” The high elf looked pointedly at the Fey. “And fortunately she’s becoming a proficient airship pilot who is more than capable of checking our heading every half hour.”

Taloni gulped as her wings fluttered nervously.

“You’ll do fine honey; you can handle it.” Ethan assured her.

Tee still looked nervous, but she nodded. Anthiel, Serif, and Raklan all went below decks, leaving Ethan, Alana, Beth, Taloni, Rachel, Kendra, and Selene sitting on the around the coals that remained from breakfast fire. Ethan couldn’t help but think that he was surrounded by beautiful women, and enjoyed the feeling very much.

Even Kendra — who probably had never taken any pains on her appearance — had a ‘girl-next-door’ kind of beauty that was subtle, but seemed to grow over time. Her jet black hair wasn’t tied back this morning, and it fell in thick waves down just past her shoulders. Her eyes were deep brown, if a bit mistrustful. She had a vaguely Latina look about her, though perhaps with hint of Mediterranean that complimented it. Her skin looked heavily tanned, but healthy nevertheless.

“So, how do we do this?” Selene asked.

“You tell us your story, and then we’ll tell you ours?” Ethan suggested.

“Works for me.” She replied.

He was a bit surprised that Kendra was still sitting there and hadn’t already headed for the hills, so to speak. The dragon huntress had glanced at her airship occasionally so he knew it was on her mind, yet she was still sitting with them.

Curious.

Sarah felt her stomach clench as the soldiers piled in, swords drawn. They looked around and Sarah started to feel her fear rising, and with it...

She gulped.

No.

Not now.

Not with Lord Farbrottan here.

The soldiers started moving through the inn, clearly checking for ambushes or men who were lying in wait. They weren’t very subtle about it either, carelessly knocking aside anything that got in their way. They rounded up everyone in the inn, including Sarah and her father, and put them in the center of the main room, guarding them like prisoners. The soldiers were clad head to toe in chainmail, and each had his sword drawn.

“Hey.” A musical voice said as comforting hand rested on her shoulder. She looked back and saw that the woman in white was standing behind her. “It’ll be okay.”

“I hope so.” Sarah whispered. If she couldn’t keep her fear under control, it would be bad.

Very bad.

“What’s your name?” The luminous woman asked.

“Sarah.”

“My name is Gabriella; I’m pleased to meet you.”

“Likewise.” The girl managed to reply, and even managed a tiny smile. For some reason, she could feel her fear being held at bay while she talked to the luminous woman, which was good. If it stopped being held back ... She didn’t even want to think about it.

“What’s your favorite hymn from the Book of Light?” Gabriella asked.

“The seventy seventh one.”

“Let’s say it together quietly.” The luminous woman said as the soldiers continued their search.

“Um, Illuminar is my Shepherd, I shall not fear.” She said with a trembling breath. She didn’t even want to even consider what would happen if she let her fear get the best of her. She didn’t want these soldier’s blood on her hands, and what they might do to her father afterward in retribution...

She didn’t want to think about it.

She faltered in her quotation.

Gabriella took it up. “When I lie down to sleep, Illuminar protects me. When I rise up, He sustains me.” She prodded Sarah gently to continue it.

The girl took a deep breath. “I will not fear, though ten thousand assail me on every side.”

“Area clear!” One of the soldiers shouted.

“When I walk in death’s shadow, I will fear no evil because Illuminar is with me.” Gabriella whispered softly into her ear.

Sarah whimpered, but somehow she hadn’t lost to her fear yet; her problem hadn’t manifested...

... yet.

It was a minor miracle.

The door banged open and Lord Farbrottan walked in. He was fairly average height, but thin and slightly seedy looking despite the finery he wore. He had frown lines seemingly etched into his face and he wore a scowl that looked as natural on his face as mud on a pig. His eyes were shifty too, like he was constantly wary for new threats that might appear out of nowhere.

“Where’s the innkeeper’s daughter?” He barked.

As one, every patron in the inn stepped away from Sarah except Gabriella, who took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. For some reason, the guards didn’t seem to notice the luminous woman.

“If you trust Illuminar and don’t fear; it will all turn out fine. I promise.” She said with absolute conviction.

Gabriella didn’t step back.

“Chain her.” Lord Farbrotton commanded.

Sarah whimpered as one of the men came forward and roughly pulled her away from the others. Another guard produced two sets of iron manacles and fastened one around her wrists and the other around her ankles. They had done so around one of the pillars that held the roof up, so she was well and truly trapped; chained to the building itself.

How she hadn’t already lost it to her problem was completely beyond her. At every other point in her life, she would have already because of the fear.

She shuddered.

Once she was secured, Lord Farbrottan seemed to relax slightly. “Now, it was reported that associates of the fugitive dragon were seen here. Who knows of this?”

No one spoke.

The lord scowled deeper and rested his hand on the pommel of his jewel-encrusted sword. “If your tongues don’t work, then you have no need of them.”

“I...” Sarah started to say, but he rounded on her.

“Silence demon!” He spat at her as he drew his sword and pointed it at her. “Or your next word will be your last. I’ll not have those who cavort with Saidow spawn muttering foul spells around me.”

She whimpered, but otherwise remained silent.

“Now, who knows of the fugitive dragon?” He said, rounding on the other patrons, and not bothering to sheathe his sword. All looked extremely afraid except for Gabriella. She was completely ignoring him, and instead keeping her gaze on Sarah. For some reason, that was really comforting and made her feel less afraid.

“Two of his wives were here about three days ago.” The innkeeper finally said.

“What of the dragon himself?”

“He was never here.”

Lord Farbrottan scowled even more deeply as he regarded Sarah’s father. The girl felt herself starting to grow even more fearful, and knew what was would come next if that continued: her problem would manifest. A part of her didn’t even mind. A part of her felt safe because she knew that they couldn’t hurt her once she lost control ... But those around her were a different story.

And the repercussions for attacking a lord — both for her and others — were too horrible to entertain.

As her fear rose, Gabriella caught her eye and spoke in a gentle, relaxing tone that no one else seemed to hear. “Don’t fear; trust Illuminar and it will all turn out fine. I promise.”

She held on, but barely.

Finally, Lord Farbrottan seemed to decide that the innkeeper was telling the truth. “Why didn’t you detain the fugitive’s wives? They’re wanted as well.”

“Look at me my Lord.” He replied, indicating his haggard and overweight body. “I’m no match for seasoned warriors.”

“Then your daughter? Why didn’t she?” The Lord snapped back. “The girl’s unholy alliance with Illuminar’s enemy surely gives her the power.”

“Her ... her condition comes and goes. Most of the time, she’s like any other girl.”

Farbrottan looked down his nose at the innkeeper, glaring derisively. Finally, he glanced at two of the soldiers. “Flog him, and then remain at this inn until the dragon returns and slaughter the beast. I want reports every week or it’ll be your heads.”

With that, he sheathed his sword, turned on his heel and strode out, taking the entire entourage with him; minus those two soldiers. Once he had left, the soldiers turned towards the innkeeper.

“Sorry old man, but I got my orders.” One of them said.

“Let me get the whip.” The other said, turning and walking out through the door.

Sarah could feel the fear and fury burning within her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Gabriella looking at her, offering a way to calm down.

But her father was in danger...

She glanced at the luminous woman.

“Trust Him and it will all turn out fine. I promise.” Gabriella flicked her eyes up towards heaven, and no one else seemed to hear her speak.

Sarah hesitated, wanting to trust Illuminar with everything in her, but also fearing for her father. He wasn’t in the best of health and if they truly did flog him...

Her lip began to tremble.

“Keep your eyes on me, and your trust in Him.” Gabriella said kindly and gently, but firmly.

Sarah swallowed, wanting to keep her eyes on the luminous woman’s calming presence — wanting to remain calm so her problem didn’t manifest — but that wasn’t what her father needed right now. He needed to be protected and her problem provided a way to do that. It had helped her in situations like this before, and it could again.

“That’s not a good solution.” Gabriella said while slowly shaking her head. “It will only cause more pain in the end.”

Sarah hesitated, feeling her fear and anger bubbling up to the point of overflowing. She somehow knew that keeping her focus on the luminous woman would keep her problem in check. It would restrain it and prevent it from manifesting. She wanted to keep it from manifesting, but she was worried about what would happen to her father if she did.

The door opened and the other soldier returned.

Behind him, she could see and hear the other soldiers cantering out of the outpost; leaving as suddenly as they’d come. The returning soldier was carrying a cat-o-nine-tails. It was a short handle with nine leather straps and little metal bits of at the ends of them. They metal bits would dig into her father’s flesh, cutting and scarring him. The wounds might get infected, and if they did...