Chapter 50: “For We Wrestle Not Against Flesh and Blood”

I now have an editor, so you all shouldn’t need to put up with my typos and poor/dyslexic editing skills anymore. :)

Taloni sat bolt upright on the bed in the captain’s cabin, awakened from a deep sleep with her heart pounding, hands shaking, and wings buzzing. She looked around the room franticly, seeing nothing out of the ordinary in the near-darkness. The moon and stars were casting a little light into the room, but not a lot. No one else was there except her fellow wives, who were all still sleeping.

She was almost panting and she took a moment to intentionally breathe normally. She put a hand over her pounding heart as it slowly returned to a normal rhythm.

What was that?

It wasn’t a dream because she’d woken up from a sound sleep. She looked down and saw that she was still wearing her self-cleaning dress from the previous day and hadn’t taken it off in her sleep like usual, probably because Ethan wasn’t there. Looking around, Kendra and Beth were still clothed as well.

Alana and Rachel weren’t.

The couple had removed their dresses -- probably in their sleep -- and were both laying on their sides facing each other. They were snuggled up to each other so closely that the Fey teen didn’t think they could get much closer. Their arms were around each other, their foreheads were resting against each other’s, and their breathing was in perfect sync.

That more than anything helped to calm her heart.

Kendra mumbled something and then her eyes fluttered open, blinking and yawning as she woke. The instant her eyes fell on the Fey teen, her eyes snapped open and she sat up. She was clearly still waking up, but also clearly alert and ready for action.

“What’s wrong?” The dragon huntress whispered.

“I ... I don’t know.” Taloni replied. “I woke up feeling like ... like...” She frowned, not able to articulate it.

Kendra had been sleeping between Bee and Tee as she often did. She expertly rolled off the bed to land in a crouched position, grabbing her dragon-steel sword which was at the edge of the bed as she did so.

She didn’t make a single sound nor disturb the still-sleeping blonde.

“I’ll be right back.” She whispered, then silently drew her sword and slipped out through the captain’s cabin door without making a single sound.

Taloni nodded and climbed off the bed as carefully as she could. She managed to avoid waking Beth as well, though she wasn’t nearly as silent as the former Aldmiri had been. She waited in the captain’s cabin for a minute or two until Kendra returned. Her sword was now sheathed and she didn’t look tense, but she did look wary.

“The ship is clear.” She whispered. “What’s wrong?”

Taloni took a deep breath but wasn’t surprised that the Argo was safe. As she thought about it, that strange feeling she’d woken up with didn’t seem connected to the Argo or them. In fact, she felt like it was more connected to...

She frowned.

“I’m going to check on Master.” She whispered, then thought to their husband. ^∗Master, are you awake?^∗

She didn’t get a response immediately and his mental tone was groggy when he did respond. ^∗Is something wrong Tee?^∗

^∗Not here Master, but I woke up with a really bad feeling about something and wanted to make sure you were okay.^∗

^∗Yeah Tee, I’m okay. Let me check everyone else and the area.^∗ About a minute later, he replied again. ^∗Everything seems fine here, was it just a nightmare?^∗

^∗Maybe?^∗ She frowned, not that he could see.

^∗Okay, well I’m going back to sleep.^∗ He still sounded groggy. ^∗Let me know if anything else comes up.^∗

^∗I will Master, good night.^∗

^∗Good night Honey.^∗

She looked at Kendra and whispered. “He says that everything is fine.”

The dragon huntress looked at her for several long moments before whispering in reply. “You are one of the most intuitive people that I’ve ever met, which is saying something. If something is bothering you, there’s likely a reason; what does your gut tell you?”

“I feel like Master is in danger, but I don’t know from what.” She whispered after a few moments.

Kendra nodded slowly, then half-smiled. “More danger than usual you mean?”

Tee nodded.

Kendra’s smile faded. “It’s good you woke him, but we can’t do much from here.”

“We can pray.” Tee suggested.

“Good idea.” The raven-haired woman nodded, then cocked her head to one side. “You usually get up early to pray and read the Book of Light, right?”

“I do.”

Kendra got a thoughtful expression for several moments. “I can’t read Fey, but if you’re willing to translate I might like to join you.”

“Really?”

The dragon huntress nodded. “I used to be a lot more devout, but I’ve slipped since I went solo and left the Aldmiri. I’d like to start again.”

Taloni threw her arms around her fellow wife and gave her a tight hug as she whispered excitedly. “I would love that! Let’s start right after we pray for Master.”

Kendra hugged her back and it was a good hug. Not awkward at all and tight, but not too tight. She must’ve been getting a lot of practice.

Ethan tried to go back to sleep, but sleep wouldn’t come. He had initially thought that maybe Taloni was just overreacting to a nightmare or something, but that seemed less likely the more he thought about it and the more awake he became. She was incredibly intuitive and it seemed like a bad idea to ignore that. The only downside was that he had no idea why she felt that way which made it hard to plan.

He laid down for maybe half an hour before realizing that he was far too awake and he got up. Talven, Salma, and their kids were still sleeping so he did another stealthy reconnoiter of the campsite and surrounding woods, just to be safe.

Everything was still all clear.

It was still dark and the sky hadn’t started to lighten yet when something started bothering him. Well, not precisely him but more his dragon instincts. He’d learned to tell the difference between what bothered him and what bothered the primal, reptilian part of his brain. This was the dragon, but he probably wouldn’t have noticed the feeling if Taloni hadn’t woken him up and he wasn’t paying attention. Frankly, he would probably still be asleep.

Hmm.

He felt ... unsettled.

The feeling slowly grew in intensity over the next few minutes until it was unmistakable. He got up and went to the edge of the patch of trees and looked towards the road without revealing himself.

There was dust.

He frowned.

The road had dust small clouds on it like someone had been galloping on a horse, and yet he had neither seen nor heard one. The dust was only just starting to settle, so whoever it was must’ve passed by recently.

Hmm.

He took a deep breath as he thought about it, but unfortunately got some of that dust into his nose. He wiggled it about for a moment trying to relieve the tickle that had formed before he lost that battle and sneezed.

Fire.

He sneezed fire.

Granted it wasn’t a lot of fire, but it was definitely some. It was more like a little puff of flame, but it was still flame. Oddly, he had felt a slight bit of his mana drain as the fire had spurted out. Not a lot, but definitely some. It appeared that dragons used at least some mana to breathe fire.

Hmm.

Interesting.

He grinned, unsettled feeling and mana cost notwithstanding. He could breathe fire. He wouldn’t be able to use it in a fight for some time, but he was getting closer to using it. His grin faltered as his momentary elation gave way to the persistent, unsettling feeling in the background. Something wasn’t right but he didn’t know what.

He went back to Talven’s family to check on them and they were all fine and still sleeping. Salma was curled up against Talven in a similar way to how his wives often curled up against him, and the kids were sleeping peacefully nearby as well. Ethan paced the camp slowly, trying to figure out what was going on.

Not long after, Ethan started feeling like he was being watched.

The feeling came on gradually, but before long it was definitely there. It was the kind of thing that made his scales stand up just a bit and a cool shiver run down his spine. Suddenly, his dragon instincts were wanting him to run; to flee. That was incredibly rare. The only other time he could remember his dragon instincts telling him to flee like this was when he’d met Sarah. That was the only time. They hadn’t even pushed him to flee when Kyrupto had nearly killed him, and he was a Drago.

Strange.

He was a long way from the innkeeper’s daughter and couldn’t think what could be making him feel this way. There was one obvious explanation, but that seemed way too farfetched. He kept his head on a swivel for the next hour as the sky slowly grew lighter and eventually Talven’s family roused themselves.

“Is something wrong?” Talven asked him after yawning and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

Ethan hesitated, wanting to tell the man but also not wanting to scare the children. “I’ve got a funny feeling. Come on, I’ll tell you about it while we look for some firewood.” He flicked his eyes pointedly at Talven’s sword, then nodded his head towards a less dense part of the small patch of trees they’d camped in.

Talven nodded and stood, grabbing his sword as he did so.

Smart man.

Once they were a short distance away -- far enough to talk but not so far that Ethan couldn’t be back to protect Salma and the children in a flash -- Ethan told him what had happened so far that morning. He also noticed that Salma appeared to be keeping the children close.

Smart woman.

“And you don’t know why you feel that way?” Talven asked when Ethan finished explaining.

Ethan shook his head. “No, but I don’t like being in this patch of trees; too much opportunity for an ambush if something is out there.”

Talven nodded, then inclined his head towards his family, speaking once they had returned. “Okay, time to get moving.”

“But father, we haven’t eaten yet.” His son said, Ben if Ethan remembered right.

“It’s not time for breakfast yet.” Salma said, supporting her husband’s decision. “I think we’ll eat soon though.” She looked at Talven for confirmation.

“We will.” He replied.

It didn’t take long to get everyone out of the patch of trees and Ethan was glad to see the back of it. The feeling of being watched lessened slightly once they were out, but it didn’t fully go away. Ethan glanced behind him every few seconds until they’d put a good half-mile between themselves and the patch of trees. Even afterwards he glanced back often, just to make sure because the feeling hadn’t gone away.

The trouble was, this part of Ivernia had no shortage of shrubs, bushes, and small patches of trees alongside the road which someone could hide behind. Even with as little experience as Ethan had in sneaking, he was pretty certain that even he could follow someone without being seen.

They stopped once they were about a mile away and had found a spot with relatively few nearby things for someone to hide behind. Talven’s family broke out the breakfast that Gabriella had left for them once they sat down just off the road. Ethan insisted on eating the food that Anthiel had packed, at least until the little toddler had precariously and haltingly walked over to him and offered him a small piece of her bread. That brought a smile to his face and he couldn’t turn it down.

He still kept looking over his shoulder though, because that feeling of being watched hadn’t disappeared.

Alana woke that morning to the sun streaming in through the window, feeling simultaneously exactly like most mornings and completely different as well. She always woke up at least partially snuggled with Rachel, but this morning they were completely entwined with each other.

Completely.

Their legs, arms, and even their hair seemed completely wrapped up in each other. She had never been so intimately wrapped up with another person, except for possibly Ethan. Even then, they tended to spoon and so usually didn’t get this intertwined. Making it even better was the fact that they were both completely and utterly naked and so their bare skin was touching.

It was wonderful.

She could think of only a few times in her life when she had been this happy before. Only marrying Ethan and discovering that she was pregnant could top it, and this moment ranked with meeting her parents for how full it made her heart feel.

She sighed.

Rachel smiled slightly, then whispered with her eyes still closed. “I thought you were sleeping.”

“Mmm, I thought you were too.” The wood elf whispered sleepily.

“If I’m sleeping and this is a dream, then I don’t want to wake up.” The redhead said, then several moments later she stiffened up just slightly.

Alana smiled; her friend’s mouth had run ahead of her brain again. It was so adorable when that happened. “If this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up either.” She replied.

Rachel relaxed again and then snuggled slightly closer to her. “And this is okay?”

“Mmm, it’s better than okay.” Alana luxuriated in the sensation as her mind began to drift. She remembered riding at sunset with her wonderful best friend, the delightful conversation they’d shared, and how when they’d slipped back to bed together the redhead had--

Her eyes snapped open as she remembered...

She bit her lip.

Had Rachel really ... Did she imagine it?

“What?” The redhead asked quietly.

Alana looked around. Taloni and Kendra were at the desk talking in low voices, probably so they didn’t wake anyone. Beth was still asleep on the bed and she looked quite out of it. The wood elf looked back at the redhead and touched her cheek where she thought that Rachel had...

Mmm.

She smiled. “Did you kiss my cheek last night?”

Rachel swallowed, averted her eyes, bit her lip, and then nodded slowly. “I’m sorry.”

“Please don’t be.” Her smile widened of its own accord. “I liked it.”

Rachel looked up at her and returned the smile. “Really?”

Alana nodded. “Of course; it’s you.”

Rachel blinked several times as she smiled and it looked like she might cry in happiness. Her voice cracked slightly. “I’m glad.” She looked down slightly. “I was worried that you might not want ... or that I should’ve asked ... What I mean is ... uh...”

Alana raised her arm a bit and rested it on Rachel’s bare shoulder. The wood elf was laying on her right side and the lord’s daughter on her left, which put the redhead’s right shoulder up. It was the shoulder with the burn scar from when they had fought Gonorran. Rachel stopped trying to get the words out at her simple touch.

“It’s okay; I feel the same way.” Alana said gently.

“I know.” Rachel whispered quietly.

Alana smiled at her, glad that her best friend knew. She wanted to share this news with Ethan and turned her mind towards him, but in doing so she felt what he was feeling over their bond. Her eyes widened and she grimaced.

“What?” Rachel’s eyes were suddenly large and fearful.

“Check your bond with our husband.”

Moments later, Rachel also grimaced.

“I think this is worth waking Beth.” Alana said at a normal volume level, then gave the blonde a gentle shake while also thinking to the group chat. ^∗Sir, what’s wrong?^∗

He, Taloni, and Kendra filled everyone in, and Beth woke up in plenty of time to hear everything. The other wives had thoughtfully turned their backs to give Alana and Rachel some privacy to dress. The wood elf didn’t care, but she knew the redhead appreciated it.

^∗That doesn’t sound good.^∗ Selene said when he’d finished; apparently she was awake too.

^∗No kidding.^∗ He replied. ^∗I’ve got Talven’s family here and I feel like I’m being watched.^∗ He hesitated. ^∗No, I feel like I’m being hunted.^∗

^∗By what?^∗ Beth asked.

^∗I don’t know.^∗ He replied. ^∗I even took a quick fly to see if I could see anything, but no dice; there’s just too many places where whoever it is could hide. I think I even caught a glimpse of something moving once or twice, but there’s too much cover so I have no idea what it is. Hell, I don’t even know if it really is something or if I’m being paranoid.^∗

^∗I don’t think you’re being paranoid.^∗ Rachel offered. ^∗Everyone’s favorite Fey is very intuitive; I doubt she was worried for no reason.^∗

“Thank you.” Taloni smiled at her, but it was a small smile and short-lived.

“It’s true.” The redhead replied simply.

^∗Be the hunter, not the prey.^∗ Kendra suggested. ^∗That was one of the first things they taught us about hunting dragons. If you feel like you’re being hunted, you need to change the variables. Find a new location, a new angle, or lead it into a trap. Don’t be hunted, hunt.^∗

^∗But Talven and Salma are there with their kids.^∗ Taloni said fearfully.

The dragon huntress frowned, but nodded. ^∗That’s one thing I don’t have a lot of experience in. We didn’t spend much time protecting people.^∗

^∗Ethan, you said that you felt like you were being watched in the clump of trees before Talven’s family woke up, right?^∗ Selene asked.

^∗Yeah.^∗ He replied.

^∗Then maybe whatever it is doesn’t want an audience when it attacks?^∗ The Brazilian woman suggested. ^∗A fight would’ve woken the others and maybe it doesn’t want that?^∗

^∗That would make sense.^∗ Kendra added. ^∗However, we still don’t know what it is.^∗

^∗And that’s what scares me.^∗ Ethan replied.

^∗Sir, are we sure that it’s after you?^∗ Alana interjected. ^∗That would make sense, but what if it’s after Talven’s family and you’re in the way?^∗

No one said anything for several moments.

^∗That seems unlikely.^∗ Kendra pointed out. ^∗However, I wouldn’t be willing to gamble their lives on it.^∗

^∗Neither would I.^∗ Ethan replied.

^∗I don’t think it’s after them, though I obviously agree about not gambling on that.^∗ Selene added after a few moments. ^∗From what you’ve said, the only people they’ve ever upset was the Ivernian military, and they went out of their way to make sure the family wasn’t hurt.^∗ She paused. ^∗Well, not hurt physically anyway. On the other hand, Ethan’s list of enemies is growing by the day.^∗

^∗Ugh, don’t remind me.^∗ His tone carried the edge of a groan in it.

^∗Good point.^∗ Alana replied.

^∗It seems strange that it isn’t attacking because of them.^∗ Ethan finally said. ^∗Talven is a good guy, but he couldn’t fight his way out of a paper bag, whereas whatever is following me is powerful enough to make my dragon side want to run. I don’t think it’s about witnesses because it could probably just kill them.^∗

^∗Then what could it be about?^∗ Beth asked.

No one replied.

^∗Okay, I’ll keep going as I have been for now and get Talven’s family somewhere safe, then look for someplace to confront whatever it is that’s following me. Hopefully, we’ll get over that toll on the bridge without incident.^∗

^∗Drago, I’ve done missions in Ivernia before.^∗ Kendra spoke up. ^∗The Ivernian soldiers are more susceptible to bribes than most. While you could easily get through with steel, silver might be the wiser choice of metal.^∗

^∗I’ll keep that in mind, thanks.^∗ Ethan replied. There was silence for several moments before he spoke again. ^∗If anything happens, know that I love you all dearly.^∗

^∗Please don’t even talk like that Sir.^∗ Alana replied, her heart in her throat. ^∗You’re coming back in one piece and that’s final.^∗

^∗That’s the plan.^∗ He replied.

^∗And we love you too.^∗ She added after a few moments and all her co-wives echoed the sentiment

^∗Though, not all of us in the same way.^∗ Selene added with some amusement, probably in an attempt to lighten the somber mood.

^∗lol.^∗ Ethan replied.

^∗What does ‘lol’ mean?^∗ Beth asked.

He explained, then added. ^∗I won’t be able to drop Talven and Salma off with their relatives until tonight, so hopefully I’ll be safe until then. Hopefully.^∗

^∗Hopefully you’ll be safe much longer than that.^∗ Alana said. ^∗And there’s still that bounty out on us, so please make sure you keep the disguise gem on.^∗

^∗I haven’t turned it off since we started traveling.^∗ Ethan replied. ^∗Have fun today ladies. I’ll let you know when I drop them off.^∗

^∗Be careful Master.^∗ Taloni said.

^∗I will, and you be careful as well.^∗

^∗We will Drago; I’ll make sure of it.^∗ Kendra said firmly. Alana couldn’t help but smile; the dragon huntress had taken to protecting her new family with the same fierceness that a dragon protects his lair.

“Speaking of.” The wood elf said aloud. “I need to finish enchanting my travel bow so I can wear it like a belt. Given all that’s going on, that’s my highest priority right now.”

“How long will it take?” Beth asked.

“Not too long if I can have a volunteer to donate mana.”

“I will.” Rachel volunteered.

Alana couldn’t help but smile.

Sarah found herself humming as she arranged some fresh fruit on a platter that would be sent up to the great hall. Despite everything she’d learned about Lady Ekthros and the possibility that the woman she’d once thought of as her rescuer might have been her captor, she couldn’t help but feel a certain lightness of mood.

She didn’t need to be afraid.

That simple truth was more freeing than anything she’d ever felt in her entire life and she couldn’t describe the joy welling up in her soul. She couldn’t keep a smile off of her face either.

“Well, someone’s in a good mood.” Fiona said as she deposited a bunch of freshly-washed grapes onto the table.

“I am.” She smiled. “It’s wonderful not being afraid all the time.”

“Aye, I’m seeing that.” Fiona chuckled, then looked at the platter. “That’s looking marvelous; very artistic.”

“Thank you.” Sarah beamed. “My mom always encouraged me in things like this. I just kind of stopped doing them after ... well, you know.”

“Then perhaps you should be getting back into it?” The copper-haired woman suggested. “Anywho, there’s more fruit to be washing.” She headed back to the sink while Sarah incorporated the newly-deposited bunch of grapes onto the platter.

“Hmm, looks good.” The head cook, Marge, grunted. “Lady Ekthros asked if you specifically could take her breakfast up to her.” She was looking at Sarah with a look that was almost suspicious, but not quite.

“Um, I don’t know where her room is.” Sarah replied, not looking forward to seeing her again.

“The directions are easy; you can’t miss it.” Marge replied. “She also wanted you to make her breakfast; something about oatmeal you made for her before.”

“Okay.” The innkeeper’s daughter nodded, but inwardly could almost feel herself tensing up ... then something occurred to her.

She didn’t need to be afraid of Lady Ekthros either.

Sure the lady was probably dangerous, and doubly so if she was dabbling in the dark arts, but Sarah herself couldn’t be hurt by her. Not anymore. Besides, there was no reason to think that Lady Ekthros had any idea that Sarah suspected her of being a mage. She had no reason to think that Sarah knew anything beyond what she’d been told.

She smiled.

She would be careful, but she didn’t need to be afraid. That reminded her of another situation that needed attention. She decided to start asking around to see if she could find Amy, the girl she’d seen being bullied the day she’d arrived in Karnas. Hopefully, she’d get to talk to her that very day.

Realizing that she had a full day planned, she started humming a lullaby that her mother used to sing to her while she finished arranging the tray.

“Liza, sit up straight.”

Selene glanced over to the head of the table as Shara told her daughter for the ... fifth? time that morning to correct her posture. She wasn’t annoying about it, but it looked like the woman’s children would have perfect manners before they turned ten. The girl, Liza, sat up straighter and continued eating her food.

They were in one of the smaller dining halls in Laerten’s castle. Shara and Lyra had invited them down for breakfast in preparation for a long day filled with shopping. The Brazilian woman wasn’t sure what to make of that. Her trips to the store had always been eminently practical and thus she’d never really done a stereotypical girl’s shopping day. Well, maybe when she was younger before her brother had died.

Around the table were Ethan’s wives, Selene, Shara, Lyra, their children, the former queen Hylea, and the former king; Selene couldn’t remember his name though.

“You too Julian.” Shara said to Lyra’s oldest boy, who had apparently been named after the horsewoman’s father.

Julian turned to his mother. “Ma’ma, do I have to listen to Mama Shara?”

The ash blonde gave her son ‘the look’, then nodded.

Julian slumped slightly, then he seemed to realize that he wasn’t doing as told and sat up straight.

Selene chuckled.

“I don’t miss those days.” Rachel said with a smile.

“I’d love to miss them.” Lyra rolled her eyes. “Shar here seems intent on making sure that I don’t embarrass myself with my rancher’s-daughter table manners. The nerve!” She winked.

Everyone laughed, including Shara.

“So, I hear we’re going shopping?” Beth said, her eyes alight with unconcealed zeal.

“Oh no, not today.” Shara replied with perfect composure. “The shops are all closed today for the holiday.”

Beth looked crestfallen for a moment before Shara smiled and Lyra burst out laughing.

“Okay, you got me.” The blonde shook her head as she rolled her eyes.

“There is much shopping to be done and plenty of shops to visit.” Shara said brightly. “I guarantee my husband will rue the day he gave me access to the crown’s purse when he learns of the bill.”

Beth’s smile grew even wider if that were possible.

Selene chuckled, wondering how included she would be. She had been invited to go shopping with them of course, but she vaguely wondered how much of their generosity she should accept. She would be heading back to Earth in the near future and didn’t want to ‘shop and run’. She wouldn’t feel as guilty about it if she was planning to come back to the Ten Kingdoms, but other than perhaps a quick trip to say goodbye, she wasn’t planning to.

“Madam, your special course.”

Selene look over at the server who was extending a silver platter with a silver dome over it towards Alana. The server set it down on the table and then stepped back.

Alana looked at it with obvious confusion. “Special course?”

“Open it!” Beth urged.

The Brazilian woman glanced at their hosts and saw Shara and Lyra giving each other the tiniest of smiles. Alana reached out and removed the lid to see-- What were those? Selene stood up a bit to get a better view. It looked like a half dozen nearly charred mini-cinnamon rolls wrapped around--

The wood elf gasped as she picked one up. “The travel arrows!”

“I thought it would be bad form to subject you to the lewd comments of one of our city’s citizens for a second time.” Shara said. “I sent one of the guards to collect them this morning to spare you that interaction.”

“She’s being modest.” Lyra added. “She also sent some last night to make sure that they were finished by this morning.”

“Thank you.” The wood elf beamed as she examined them. She held the arrow by the nock and it flopped loosely for a moment before stiffening into being as straight as, well, an arrow. The wood elf grabbed the head and nock and pulled them in opposite directions, probably testing their strength and construction.

“Well, he might have been an ass but he knows his craft.” Alana finally said. “They are tight and won’t budge.” She then held the arrow by the nock and it suddenly coiled from the arrowhead up so the sharp point was covered by the shaft. Alana slipped it into her pocket of her dress and it was so unobtrusive that you would’ve never known.