A Dragon's Tale
Copyright© 2022 by Antiproton
Chapter 77: The Other Side of the Tracks
Fantasy Sex Story: Chapter 77: The Other Side of the Tracks - An accident + Magic = A man's mind in a dragon's body. After being pulled into a high-fantasy world of elves, magic, and airships, our hero finds himself chased by lords, hunted by mages, and fighting to protect and nurture those he loves while also fighting his new dragon instincts. I promise a happy ending to this character-driven saga, but don't forget: "the course of true love never did run smooth".
Caution: This Fantasy Sex Story contains strong sexual content, including Ma/Fa Fa/Fa Mult Consensual Mind Control Reluctant Romantic Lesbian BiSexual Heterosexual High Fantasy Restart Magic non-anthro MaleDom Light Bond Group Sex Harem Polygamy/Polyamory Cream Pie First Oral Sex Pregnancy Slow
“And that’s basically what Mage Melek suggested.” Ethan finished explaining to The King and Prince George. They were in a small room in the palace, as Ethan had requested an urgent audience with both of them immediately after the meeting with Lord Farbrottan’s court mage, Theo Melek.
“An embodied Nesteri.” The King mused. “That is truly a task worthy of a prophet of Illuminar -- blessed be He.”
“It is indeed.” Prince George replied. Judging by his tone, he was either deep in thought or his mind was partially elsewhere. “The report from Ivernia of a young giant is extremely recent, and as such, the imperial family hasn’t yet decided how to handle that news.”
“Speaking of giants, how often do you see them?” Ethan asked. “The way people were talking, it doesn’t sound like they’re rare. And the same question about their fathers.”
“There are five remaining giants that we know of, counting this young one, all in the Wilding Lands.” Prince George replied. “Giants are very long-lived because of their supernatural parentage.” He paused again. “The most recently discovered embodied Nesteri was killed by a team led by a previous prophet; I know that much, though I don’t recall the specifics. Honestly, the Imperial family had been hoping that was the last one; clearly it wasn’t.
“Well, maybe this one will be the last.” Ethan shrugged.
“Hopefully.” Prince George replied. “I can send for the empire’s records and see if they contain any information that might assist you.”
“I’d appreciate it, especially any information on how to find it.” Ethan replied. “The Wilding Lands seem like the obvious place to start, given the young giant that the Ivernian military saw.”
“I agree.” The King replied. “It is especially concerning that you consider the embodied Nesteri the source of the influence in the wood elven kingdom.”
“That was just a guess, but it makes sense.” Ethan replied. “I guess we’ll find out. I’m not crazy about taking my family into such a dangerous area, but it seems like I’ll need to.”
“I understand.” Prince George said. “However, sometimes, the closer you are to danger, the further you are from harm.”
Ethan shrugged. “Anyway, I have something I need to attend to outside of Nalatia, and I can’t get there fast enough in the Argo, so I’ll be flying. I’m planning to leave later today.”
Prince George smiled, then looked at The King. “Your Majesty, what is your opinion of Duke Farbrottan’s annual tournament in Ivernia?”
The King got an amused look on his face. “I have, on occasion, attended it. I find the ‘open’ portion particularly diverting. It is unusual for a tournament to allow non-nobility to compete, and even less usual to allow non-knighted men to compete. In general, the open portion is the most interesting and draws the largest crowd.”
Ethan looked between them, starting to feel a little silly that he’d been trying to keep it a secret if they had both guessed.
“It is a shame that it requires a letter of residence from someone in the Ivernian government or military to compete, even in the ‘open’ matches.” The King continued.
“A letter of residence from a colonel would be acceptable.” Prince George replied, then looked at Ethan.
“Glad I have one then.” Ethan chuckled, thinking about the letter of residence that Colonel Forsythe had given him along with a few other papers describing how the tournament was structured, then looked between them as he slowly shook his head. “Am I really that easy to read?”
“Not quite.” Prince George replied. “However, given all that is on your mind and heart that we--” He indicated The King and himself. “--have seen, it was not hard to deduce.”
“It would seem unusual for a combatant in the ‘open’ division to have dragon leather armor or dragon steel weapons.” The King added. “It would, perhaps, behoove you to see if your first wife could alter the look of your dragon steel sword so that it looks more like regular steel. Though, being a tournament, you should only need your elven steel training sword.”
“Good point, but what about my enchanted leather shield?” Ethan asked. “That’s a core part of how I fight.”
“Provided that you do not summon it, that should not give you away.” Prince George replied. “Leather shields are rather common.”
“Good.” Ethan nodded. “And what about armor? My new disguise gem--” He touched it since he was wearing it. “-- should allow me to make my current armor look like something else; suggestions?”
“A gambeson with jack chains?” Prince George suggested.
A gambeson was essentially fabric armor made of many layers of linen sewn together. It could be uncomfortably warm, but it was quite effective against cutting weapons -- unless they were absurdly sharp -- because it was like trying to cut through an oven mitt. Then, ‘jack chains’ were several-inch-long steel or iron chains attached to the gambeson at regular intervals that provided extra defense against cutting weapons. Gambeson was relatively cheap, and the jack chains weren’t terribly expensive either, so it would be reasonable for a commoner to have them. He had even seen a couple of people in Dotmier wearing such armor.
“I would suggest the jack chains look like leather because your disguise gem will not produce the appropriate sounds for a steel-on-steel strike.” The King said. “Using leather enchanted with self-repairing and hardening enchantments is less common than iron jack chains, but is preferred by some mercenaries because it requires no maintenance.”
“Good point.” Prince George said. “In that case, I suggest a leather helmet as well. It’s also less common, but again, preferred by some because an enchanted leather helmet requires no care.”
Ethan nodded. “I can do that.”
“Such weapons and armor will be within the means of a successful mercenary.” The King added. “Your skill and unorthodox blend of fighting styles will be more plausible if you present your background as a mercenary.”
“I’ll do that, thanks.” Ethan nodded. “I should leave my hammer and dagger behind though, shouldn’t I?”
“The combination of weapons would indeed be very recognizable.” Prince George said.
“Dang, okay.”
“The winner of every division is granted a personal, private audience with Lord Farbrottan.” The King added. “Given that he is the lord of Ivernia, it is likely that the winner will be subjected to increased scrutiny before meeting him. That will very likely include a very skilled mage intentionally looking for any signs of a disguise gem; it is unlikely that your disguise would survive such scrutiny.”
“So basically, I need to throw the final match.” Ethan mused, internally bristling at the thought.
“Sometimes, it is advisable to lose a battle in order to win the war.” Prince George nodded. “Knowing how to fight each battle to accomplish the objective is one of a leader’s most important tasks.”
Ethan nodded. “You’re right, and I’m not sure I’ve ever said ‘thank you’ to you two. I’m honestly not that good at leadership and I really appreciate the advice you both have given, and Lord Kalus as well.”
“You are welcome.” The King replied.
“You’re welcome.” Prince George agreed.
“If you have any more advice on the topic, I’m all ears.” Ethan said.
“The essence of leadership is this: leaders eat last.” Prince George replied. “In the Imperial Military, the enlisted men are served their food first, then the officers, then the generals. It is the primary responsibility of a leader to ensure that those in his care are taken care of, and that is only one example. That means when a leader makes decisions, he must make them for the good of all under his authority. That includes himself, but a leader must never put his needs or desires above the good of those under him.”
Ethan nodded slowly. “Lord Kalus would say the exact same thing, I think, and The King has said that.” Ethan nodded respectfully to the elf.
The King nodded back.
“They are excellent leaders, so I am not surprised.” Prince George nodded. “Remember this when making decisions. First, take advice from those you can trust before making them; in an abundance of counselors, there is safety.”
Ethan nodded. “That makes perfect sense.”
“And then second, the more difficult task.” Prince George continued. “You must make your decisions while considering the good of everyone equally, yourself and your family included. You must consider the needs of the meekest person under your authority as equal in worth to your generals, and even your own family and yourself. Decisions must be made for the good of all.”
Ethan took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Again, that makes perfect sense, but sounds like a tall order.”
“Leadership, when properly done, is the most difficult of occupations.” The King said. “Leadership is an unspoken sacred compact: the followers grant the leader the honor, prestige, and resources to lead, and in return, the leader uses those things for the betterment of those under his authority. The essence of leadership is not authority, but service. A leader is granted his improved position not so that he might improve his own position further, but rather, so that he might improve the lives of those under his authority.”
“I like that.” Ethan nodded. “I’m not sure I’ll be any good at it, but I like it.”
“Leadership is a skill.” Prince George replied. “Like any other skill, it should be studied and must be practiced for one to improve.”
Ethan nodded his head in concession. “Fair, I just wish the stakes weren’t so high right now and I could practice with less on the line.”
The King smiled. “There is not one good leader who has not wished for the same.”
“Agreed.” Prince George replied. “To summarize: take counsel from those you trust, and consider the good of all those under your authority when you make decisions; that is the essence of good leadership.”
Ethan nodded slowly, thinking about that and committing it to memory. “I’ll keep that in mind, and again, thank you.”
“You are welcome.” The King said.
“You’re welcome.” Prince George said, then looked at The King. “I would speak with Ethan alone for a moment, if you will give us the room.”
The King bowed, then departed.
Once he had left, Prince George turned to Ethan. “This room is secure, so there is no need to be concerned about being overheard as long as you keep your voice low. Bearing that in mind, Lord Delmar visited me yesterday and told me that you and he have something surprising in common.” The Crown Prince glanced at Ethan’s disguise gem, then at his wings and tail.
“He did?” Ethan felt his jaw drop.
Prince George nodded. “He feared that since one of your wives accidentally let it slip to Lady Delmar, it might slip to others and then become widely known. He was also concerned that you might use it to blackmail him.”
“I wouldn’t, but okay.” Ethan nodded. “Wow, that’s ... wow.”
“How did you know?” Prince George asked. “The Aldmiri watched him like a hawk for a long time after he came to the throne and didn’t have a clue.”
“Ironically, Rachel.” Ethan replied, and then explained about the birthmark that female descendants of dragons have, and how they realized that meant Lord Delmar was a dragon.
“Good to know.” Prince George nodded slowly, paused for a moment, and then looked at Ethan. “So now, I have a question for you. If you were in my position, how would you handle it? I have, of course, informed the emperor. Some on his council advise to keep it a secret, some to proclaim it widely, and there are other positions as well. What say you? What would you advise?”
Ethan looked at him for a moment. “This is a test, isn’t it?”
Prince George was unreadable as he replied. “ Perhaps, perhaps not, and perhaps I merely wish to understand how you think.”
Ethan inclined his head in concession.
Hmm.
His first thought was that if it was shouted from the rooftops, it would solve a lot of problems for him and his family. However, his second thought was about Lord Delmar’s wife, Fiona, Fiona’s son Conner, and the unborn baby she was carrying. As little as he liked Lord Delmar, he could imagine the shitstorm that would descend on the lord’s family if it became publicly known. His family didn’t deserve that.
There was also Narlotten to consider. Ethan didn’t have a special place in his heart for Narlotten the way that he did for Ivernia, but it seemed like a good place from what he’d heard. A shakeup in the leadership could have very negative consequences for the lorddom.
On the other hand, what were the odds that it would stay a secret? He didn’t think they were high, and that was a problem. With as many people who knew, it seemed like the odds of it becoming public knowledge were very high. Assuming that was the case, that really only left the question of how the information would get out, not if it should get out.
“We have a saying on Earth.” He finally said after a moment. “It goes like this: ‘Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead’. With as many people who know, it seems like a forgone conclusion that it will get out eventually.”
Prince George appeared to be watching him carefully as he replied. “And how would you handle releasing that information?”
Ethan thought about it for several moments before speaking. “Well, if I was Lord Delmar, I’m sure I would’ve been thinking about the best way to do it since I became a lord, just in case. So I would probably ask him. You know, assuming he didn’t try to kill me on the spot.”
“And if you couldn’t ask him but had to decide on your own?” Prince George asked.
Ethan tapped one of his toe claws on the floor and rubbed his chin with one hand as he thought about it. “I suppose I might have him make an announcement that he has big news, and he’ll reveal it in a week or two. Then maybe start a rumor that he’s a dragon to see how the populace reacts. That might even give time for some people to speculate that it could be a good thing. That way, the debate has already been started and people aren’t so shocked by it.”
Prince George made another thoughtful sound, though he was still watching Ethan carefully.
“And further, the gossip would give you an idea what people would be worried about too.” Ethan continued. “Ithlan was the first emperor and did fine, though, he went mad later in life and the people might be worried about that. It might be a good idea to have an explanation for why Lord Delmar wouldn’t do the same. It sounds like the people of Narlotten love him, so I’m guessing it would go okay. But then again, I would ask Lord Delmar because he’s probably been thinking about this for decades. I know I would’ve been thinking about it in his shoes.”
“You wouldn’t wish to have it proclaimed widely without delay?” Prince George asked, still watching him carefully with an unreadable tone and body language.
Ethan shook his head. “I don’t think anyone could predict how that would go. As much as I’d like to see Lord Delmar removed from Narlotten leadership, I don’t think an abrupt change would be good for Narlotten as a whole.”
“Good, you were listening.” Prince George nodded slowly. “That’s an interesting and measured approach.”
“I try?” Ethan shrugged.
Prince George nodded. “Now, I believe that with you departing soon, your wives will want your attention. We shall speak again when you return, and may Illuminar guide you on the path of light as you travel.”
“And you as well.” Ethan replied.
Kendra wrapped her arms firmly around her husband’s neck and Selene’s neck as they lifted her out of the wheelchair. Her legs moved under her, which was good because she’d been working on them almost non-stop since the ambush. She managed to get them under her and in a reasonable semblance of where they should be to stand.
“We got you, go ahead.” Ethan said, his tone encouraging.
“Thank you.” She said as she tried to put some weight on them. It sort of worked. They felt weak and floppy and certainly couldn’t hold her up, but she was determined to try.
“You don’t have to push yourself like that.” Sarah said from nearby. “You can take time to recover.”
Kendra shook her head as she did her best to put her weight on her legs. “I’ll start losing coordination and muscle soon. The sooner I can walk, the better.”
“And?” Selene asked.
“It feels like my legs are soggy bread.” Kendra sighed. “I need to exercise them though and can’t do that by myself, so thank you.”
“That’s what we’re here for.” Ethan smiled at her.
For the next few minutes, they held her in a standing position and didn’t let her fall as her treacherous legs refused to perform the way they had her entire life. Okay, ‘treacherous’ was probably a bit too harsh, but it felt like it sometimes.
“You’ll get there.” Ethan assured her. “It’s only been two days and you’re already semi-walking.”
“Thanks.” She replied, still not happy with her progress but vaguely aware that maybe she should be easier on herself. She had no intention of being easier on herself of course, but maybe she should consider it more seriously before discarding the idea.
“And we’re done.” Ethan announced as Kendra’s legs slipped out from under her, though she didn’t fall because Ethan and Selene were holding her.
Despite her protestations that she could continue, her husband scooped her into his arms -- which ended all such protestations -- and he carried her to the couch and sat down so that she ended up on his lap.
“There, that’s better.” He smiled at her. “My brown-eyed beauty.”
Her cheeks suddenly felt a little warmer than usual.
“That’s what makes you blush?” Ethan chuckled.
She nodded, then leaned forward and snuggled into him.
“He’s leaving in a few hours, so it’s time to get those snuggles in.” Alana announced, claiming his left side.
Everyone looked at everyone else, then Selene nudged Sarah forward. “Go ahead. We spend every night with him; you don’t.”
Sarah tried to object, but Ethan’s other wives joined Selene in insisting. That led to Sarah looking down at Ethan’s right side, where Kendra’s legs were somewhat limply lying where Sarah would normally sit, since Kendra was sitting crosswise on Ethan’s lap.
“Go ahead, you can move them.” Kendra sighed. “I’ll do what I can to help.”
“Um, okay.” Sarah hesitated, then sat down and managed to slide under Kendra’s legs with Ethan’s help, and a little help from Kendra herself; emphasis on ‘little’.
“I like this.” Sarah said after a moment of leaning up against Ethan with Kendra’s legs over her lap. “I’ve never snuggled with more than one person. It’s nice.”
“It’ll be two people most nights once we’re married.” Ethan grinned at her.
“Unless you’re stuck at one of the ends.” Beth chuckled.
Everyone pulled up a chair and for the next thirty minutes, they rotated snuggling with Ethan since he would be leaving soon. They talked too, but there was a lot of comfortable silence. Kendra couldn’t help but have a small smile on her face the entire time.
“Honored prophet?” One of the Lightguard said from the other side of the door to the living area of their suite in Nalatia. “The honorable Delabor King’s Herald wishes to see you.”
Beth was currently on Ethan’s lap, so she sighed and then slid off.
“Send him in.” Ethan gave Beth an apologetic look, then looked at the door.
“Honored Prophet.” Delabor bowed once he had entered. “The King wished me to inform you that, if you wish, the funeral for Afisan Lightguard Sentinel, of happy memory, can be moved to this very hour so you might attend.”
Everyone looked at Ethan.
“Absolutely, if the family doesn’t mind.” Ethan replied immediately. “He gave his life to protect my wives during that ambush. It’s the least we can do.”
“It shall be done, honored prophet.” Delabor bowed, then looked at Ethan’s wives. “The closest living kin to Afisan, of happy memory, is his daughter; she wished for you to attend in whatever clothes will keep you safest, irrespective of traditional funeral garb.”
Everyone nodded.
“Oh, good.” Alana breathed a sigh of relief.
“I shall return when it is time.” Delabor said, then departed.
“I forgot.” Ethan grimaced after he had left. “He died protecting us and I forgot to ask about the funeral.”
“Elven funerals aren’t usually so soon after the death.” Alana said. “There’s no reason for you to have worried about it so soon.”
Ethan nodded, though he didn’t look happy.
Ethan pushed Kendra’s wheelchair as he and the rest of his family followed Delabor across the palace’s grounds toward what looked like a large wooden platform. Very large. It was at least forty feet wide and looked to be quite thick. On it were The King, The Queen, Ahjah, Thea, the entire Lightguard except the ones surrounding him, and about a dozen other elves that Ethan didn’t recognize.
All of them were dressed exactly the same.
Every single elf on the platform was wearing extremely simple clothes made of what looked like undyed linen. And by ‘simple’, he meant simple. The women’s dresses almost didn’t deserve to be called ‘dresses’ because they were so simple, almost boxy in design. Even the King was wearing an extremely simple linen garment. It was strange to see because literally every aspect of their culture was covered in exquisitely fine detail. He supposed it made sense that for funerals, they would do the opposite.
Ethan wearing his armor, his wives with their dresses, and the Lightguard in their armor stood out like sore thumbs.
“Honored Prophet.” The King head bowed.
“Your Majesty.” Ethan head bowed back.
“It is traditional in our funerals that not a word is spoken between when the platform begins its descent until we return from the forest floor and the platform has finished its ascent.” The King said.
“Okay.” Ethan nodded, though Alana had already told them of that.
The King stepped back to reveal Afisan’s body. He had been clothed in simple, undyed linen as well, though his hands were on his chest and gripping his sword. Ethan took a deep breath and let it out slowly, then his group joined the others on the platform.
A servant holding a platter approached Ethan, his wives, and the Lightguard members and handed them each a small wooden cup with a few tablespoons of water in it. That’s when Ethan realized that everyone else was holding one as well.
The King nodded to a nearby servant who was wearing normal clothes, and the servant touched a small panel near the large wooden platform. It slowly descended below the level of the palace and began to sink toward the forest floor below. It took several minutes for the platform to finish descending, and the descent happened in complete silence.
It was odd, but the silence did force Ethan to consider where they were and what they were doing. It was a sobering reminder of the stakes they were facing.
Once the platform had settled onto the forest floor, The King led the funeral procession along a well-worn path. All around him, wherever there weren’t any massive tree trunks, Ethan could see small, round bushes that were about a foot in diameter. There weren’t any other types of bushes in this area, so Ethan assumed that they were there on purpose. Maybe the elven equivalent of gravestones?
They walked for about five minutes, then The King led them off the path toward an open grave. There were several elves nearby wearing clothes that looked like everyone else’s, though they had shovels as well.
The King stopped near the grave, then took a step back with everyone else while the pallbearers, who were all members of the Lightguard, came through carrying the body on a wooden frame just large enough for the body. They approached the open grave and set it down next to the grave. Then they grabbed several strips of what looked like silk under the body that Ethan hadn’t noticed.
Everything was done in complete silence.
The pallbearers used the silk to lower the stiff body into the open grave. Alana had told them ahead of time that the stasis enchantment on the body was designed to weaken and then break after a week or two so the body could decay naturally.
Someone who was almost certainly a luminar approached the head of the grave and broke the silence, speaking in the beautiful elven tongue. Once he had finished, he spoke in English, likely translating what he’d just said. “An elf’s spirit comes from Illuminar, and to Illuminar it returns.” The luminar said something in elvish, then repeated it in the common tongue. “As Illuminar formed elves out of the earth, so we return this elf to the earth. May Illuminar welcome him into His rest. Blessed be He.”
Everyone bowed their heads, so of course Ethan did as well.
He had a lot of questions about what was happening, but for some reason, even speaking telepathically so that no one else could hear felt wrong; disrespectful.
He remained silent.
So did everyone else.
After perhaps a minute, the pallbearers stepped away and the men who had been waiting began to fill in the grave. For as much dirt as there was, they filled it in far more quickly than Ethan would’ve thought possible.
As that was happening, Ethan noticed a relatively young elf woman nearby who was silently crying. Beside her, with his arm around her, was a very large wood elf with rough, calloused hands and a rough look about him. However, the way he was holding the elven woman was very tender; he seemed the ‘gentle giant’ sort of fellow.
Once the grave was filled in, the diggers stepped back.
The luminar stepped forward with a small spade in his hand, stuck it into the earth atop the grave, then levered it to create a small hole. He then stepped back and nodded to the crying woman. She took a deep breath, then stepped forward holding something. She paused over the grave, then set what looked like a seed into the hole the luminar had made, then stepped back. She seemed to hold her composure for a moment, then turned and held the elf who had been holding her tightly as her tears flowed freely.
It was still entirely silent.
The luminar used his small spade to cover the seed, then stepped back and nodded to The King. The King walked over to beside the luminar and turned, then held out the small wooden cup he was holding and poured its water over the seed that the woman had planted. He then started slowly walking back in the direction that they had come.
He was followed by The Queen doing the exact same thing, then Ahjah, Thea, and then everyone else. One-by-one, they poured the small amount of water from their wooden cups over the newly planted seed. Ethan and his wives did likewise, and it didn’t take long until the water had spilled over the slightly mounded grave and onto the ground around it.
It looked like the earth itself was crying.
Ethan sniffled and blinked a few times as he walked back. The silence was deafening. Almost everyone around him was tearing up a little too. Oddly, because of the silence and stillness around them, it made everything feel more real. More serious. Unlike funerals on Earth, there were no distractions to take his mind off of why they were there. He found himself glad when they reached the wooden platform and began to ascend toward the city’s level.
The moment the platform finished its ascent, Ethan breathed a sigh of relief.
“Honored Prophet?” A female voice he didn’t recognize said from behind him.
He turned to see the woman who had planted the seed standing right behind him. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
She tried to smile, but wasn’t entirely successful. “Thank you, but my father is with Illuminar -- blessed be He -- right now. I will miss him greatly until we are reunited in the God of Light’s presence, but I am so blessed to call him my father.”
Ethan smiled, or tried to. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“I wanted to thank you for allowing my father the honor of guarding you and your wives.” The elven woman said as she wiped her cheeks. “If I could but ask one more favor from you, even though I have no right to ask?”
“Ask away.” He replied immediately.
“I am with child.” She put a hand over her womb. “If, perhaps, you have time when my child is old enough, could you visit and recount the story of how my father fought to protect the Prophet of Illuminar?”
“Of course.” Ethan promised. “For what your father did for me and my family, I would be happy to.”
The elf smiled. “Thank you.”
Ethan didn’t know what to say. Pretty much everything that came to mind felt entirely hollow and meaningless. Also, it was incredible the conviction that the elven woman had. It reminded him of the Lightguard captain, Halasses Hamellion, or Taloni.
Not sure what else to say, he just stood there awkwardly.
“May the God of Light guide you on the path of light as you travel.” Alana said from beside him.
“And you as well.” The elven woman nodded, then turned to her husband.