“Fat and happy?” The relaxing man asked without needing to look.
“I am now.” The half eagle/lion chirped. “What’s next?”
“Don’t know about you, but I’m really eager to have that surprise Meeka was talking about a couple hours back. Want to get going?”
“Not yet.” And then Daku let out a champion class belch that had both laughing for a good minute with chuckles erupting a few more times before settling. “Now I am.” He leapt on Cage’s shoulder contently and purred.
A smooth motion brought Cage to a stand and with one step they left the beach and an instant later came out in the front yard of Cillian’s house. Wrapped around the dwelling were Ulon and Poli, guarding it. Off behind the barn he saw Sean burning in his sleep with Ollai’s head on his chest with her long tail wrapped around his scaly leg with her arms greedily claiming him as if afraid to let go as he had become her only reason for existing anymore.
“Isn’t young love adorable.” Commented the white king.
“Coming from a guy who has two mates barely two months old?”
“Semantics.” Daku shrugged. “If you want to be technical about it Metalu and Metali’s eggs were laid more than a million years before mine. They are my elders though I have personally experienced more in my million.”
“Say it however you want, but they are still growing their hair and feathers.” Cage laughed as Daku whipped his tail against his opposite cheek while waving at Ulon and Poli. “But I’m glad Sean found someone who loves him. The two of them are quite scared, but the love I’m looking at between them will see them through future hardship.”
He knocked on the front door and Brooke opened it and enjoyed the heated lust that burned in his gaze as he viewed her glorious form. She gave Daku a quick caress on her man’s shoulder before tilting her head up and giving her love a kiss. “Welcome, Cage Love. Right on time. Tohka and Tiffa are bringing out breakfast and she made you hot tea.”
“Excellent.” He grinned and followed her inside to find his family sitting together, naked to the world, but he said nothing. Bouncing in Meeka’s lap was Ananna and Rena was running up and wrapped her arms around his waist. “What are you doing here, Kiddo?”
Rena giggled as he picked her up and embraced her squirming form. “Hello, Dad! Surprised?”
“Happily.” He smiled as Daku rubbed his soft and furry cheek against hers.
“Welcome, Cage!” Cillian’s voice boomed as Tohka was pouring beverages for everyone while Tiffa spooned breakfast.
“Enjoying the breeze finally?” the warlock quipped as his daughter and her mother came around and sat together at the dining table.
The mayor shrugged, but couldn’t hide the grin. “I am after what Tiffa did to me last night when Meeka magically removed the extra skin off my lance.”
Tiffa smacked him upside the head with a spatula and a stern glare. “Don’t embarrass me, but… it did feel more wonderful.”
Meeka shrugged indifferently. “Father, it was a gift for Mother, not you. Mother wanted to know the difference because of my mate and she now knows. After what I witnessed last night I had no qualms doing the two of you a favor.”
“What did you witness?” Cage asked as he slid into the seat beside her after removing his robe.
“It was a few hours ago, but the tribe arrived here yesterday just past noon. Many went home already to be with their families, but some made camp out in the western hills. But when we got there our children were waiting for us. Someone went to retrieve them as a most welcome surprise while also doing some trading. A few of our companions are having conversations with the townspeople because nearly everyone has never seen a dragon, and never so close before. I was shocked to see all but a few wearing clothes.”
Cage raised an eyebrow towards Cillian as Tohka sat down a steaming mug of pine needle tea and bent close to kiss his cheek and sat down beside him. The mayor shook his head with a chuckle and pointed to his beautiful life companion. “Don’t look at me like that. Ask my wife, Cage. It’s her story… one I never expected to work so well to tell the truth.”
Tiffa planted herself sidesaddle on her husband’s lap and wore a smile as if she were newly married and on her honeymoon. And before he could react she shoved a biscuit in his mouth. “That should quiet you down for a moment.” He chuckled and chewed as she slid into the seat next to his and watched Rena drinking her berry juice with delight. Tiffa smiled happily at how large a family she at last has before meeting her son-in-law’s gaze. “I was called to a women’s only meeting hosted by Kitty some month’s back.” Cillian rolled his eyes and chuckled. “It isn’t often all the women of Kote gather together. I didn’t know what it was about, but Kitty wasn’t speaking till all of us were together. It was after Cillian and I returned from the Christmas celebration you invited us to. The Utala had more of an effect on our small town than all of you saving our skins from the bandits. Kitty’s granddaughter was the young lady who swapped clothes with Jada and that exchange among many others made Kitty call for a town-wide women’s’ meeting.
“I didn’t realize what it was about till Kitty had me speak to everyone about what I knew of the Utala, especially why they do not wear clothes. I could not explain everything because of oaths I gave to Brooke and the elders, but what I did say interested the room of ladies. Kitty then proposed a scandalous idea that many scoffed at till she had the room seeing her way. Kitty might aid my husband, but she is the true keystone of Kote. That old woman knows it all. The town’s shadow.” At this even Cillian nodded while spearing a sausage on the end of his fork. “No decision was reached other than to not tell our husbands what it was about and that we would hold another meeting a month after without discussing it together in public, though in smaller groups and secrecy would be.
“By the third meeting and after the great Spring storm washed all the snow away did Kitty gain unanimous approval from all the women young enough to come all the way to the elderly. Fears and concerns were negated and she thanked me for my support, because I agreed after spending time with your tribe… and Meeka’s happiness was evident when you all first arrived for festivities.
“On the first hot day of the year Kitty led the way, walking down the street as she was born and if I were not laughing with the other women and doing the exact same, I would have applauded her unbridled confidence.”
“I’m simply surprised you’ve not spoken of this to Meeka before now. You two chat everyday at sunset. Not even I could have suspected such an outcome.” Cage simply watched Tiffa’s cheeky grin spread. “So how was the fallout?”
“Damn near pissed myself seeing women and girls of all ages naked and wearing knives to their thighs or carrying a bow or spear.” Cillian chuckled. “Only Tiffa had cloth wrapped around her wrist in an emergency that would require her to bind a wound… well when she entered my office as beautiful as she ever is it was hot and steamy inside there for many hours… No man was unaffected. Some stared with dropped jaws. Others were on the ground rolling in laughter. Some of the more dominating men were yelling for their wives or daughters to put clothes on, but in front of every woman of the town standing united or aiming weapons, they were forced to see reason.”
Tiffa continued while watching Brooke lean back, seeming to enjoy hearing this all again. “I had to treat one such man after he was too forceful and his own sister stabbed him in the shoulder when he went to pull his wife away. Then his wife kicked him between the legs and ended their two year marriage that many knew was mentally and physically abusive. She since has moved in with his sister and her husband and are exploring a hidden love neither realized they shared. It was the most scandalous outcome. The shunned husband since left, likely never to return many believe.” Tiffa then smiled. “But Kitty wasn’t done yet as she sat down with the men at Big Tim’s tavern and showed there was no shame in the body one is born with. All is beautiful, even as an old woman who has seen more than most in her time. It was tenuous all that week, but
when the shock wore off as all the women were united and reinforced our men’s needs to see we weren’t helpless, many followed our example. Now only the home guard wear pants and their gloves. Everyone carries a weapon for protection and has found that sensuality isn’t a sin… But rape is punishable by death from the one sullied. In the two months we’ve tried the Utala’s way, six men and a large boy have been proven rapists and were killed the next day. One girl was killed so she wouldn’t say anything, but her murderer was found and put to the sword by Ren in the girl’s place.”
Brooke gripped Tiffa’s arm in support. “But since those seven were culled for being stupid men, there hasn’t been one rape has there?”
The woman shook he head.
“Have you also adopted Utala mating rights?”
“By no means!” Tiffa blurted to her eldest daughter-in-law and was momentarily embarrassed till Brooke threw her head back to let out an infectious laugh. “What I meant” the healer began again more tactfully. “is that we aren’t likely to ever be as bold as native tribal peoples. We will not have bloodshed just to lay with one we love… But a few girls have banded together and have spoken to Cillian and he in turn made it law that no longer must a dowry be exchanged for a woman’s hand. They just must come before him and voice their willingness to bind together. Many of the young and in love are no longer obliged to wait weeks for parents to agree on an acceptable dowry exchange. Now it is like this. If they want to be together, they may get approval for land by either their parents or seized land Cillian will loan from his office as approved by the laws beneath the Vlaran kingdom. It is a rough living out here, but already it is easier to do jobs when I no longer must decide what dress I’ll be seen in. Now I just braid my hair, grab my tools and go help my friends and heal the sick. Even my apprentice Kim has found it easier to simply wash her naked body than a dress after collecting herbs or spending days washing blood from cloth.”
“Where is she by the way?” He asked.
“With her grandparents as their land is where the few dragons that remained here are occupying. She is greatly fascinated like everyone else… except by Ollai who growled when she got too close to my grandson.”
“So how did you take his appearance?” Cage asked while sipping on his tea and offered some to Daku who remained on his shoulder, rather than terrorizing Sassy for the moment.
“Pissed myself, literally.” Cillian admitted. “Good thing I was naked or my pants would have been soaked. The lad was looking over the trees when Rena had me turn around yesterday, after she arrived with Ananna. She laughed at me. He is different for sure and I can’t quite picture him as my grandson when he’s wearing a body of red scales or being a living bonfire as he slept during the night, but” he twirled his fork around. “Sean’s eyes are the same, still my eldest grandchild and I know he is just in a much larger body. Just because I can’t understand what happened doesn’t mean I’ll shun my only grandson… or his new wife apparently, be that as it may. I see how much he loves her and she never leaves his side. Their relationship is… intense, but seeing that boy happy is all I really care about.”
“Thank you for that, Cillian Grandfather.” Sean’s voice loudly shook by the window, one eye peering through glass. “Dad, Ulon and Poli are going to hunt and will return within the hour. They wanted me to tell you.”
“Thanks for he heads up, Buddy. You need to hunt too?”
His bald head shook. “No, Dad. Maybe in a few days. I ate yesterday with Ollai. We shared a moose.”
“Alright. When I’m done catching up we’ll spar. Start stretching.”
“Yes, Dad.” Sean’s head moved away and the ground shook as he walked from the house.
“It is still hard to believe Meeka telling us you killed dragons just a few hours ago. Slaying such great creatures is beyond me.” Cillian admitted.
“Kill or be killed.” Daku said confidently. “Few dragons are a true threat to us and only those from Fire Mountains train as constantly as we. It was a good battle and Cage has proven a true master of his ancestral martial art. Besides, only Cage can train Sean’s new body to its full potential. Sean will have the body and size of a dragon, but the fortitude of you humans to be able to fight on your hind legs. In ten or so years he will be fully mature and few will be his equal. With Ollai forever his, he will be more formidable in her defense and she in his.” Blue eyes blinked before a smile crept in around the pale beak. “Oooh, Saaasssy! Time to play.”
Hearing that, the dog bolted from beneath the table and out the open door Cage made happen from where they sat. The guard dog ran and barked in enjoyment and playful banter as she was chased by an energized griffin nearly exactly her size. They frolicked in the front yard for some time in the cool morning while inside the conversations diverged and evolved, sometimes seriously and others with laughter.
The ground shook as Sean fell like a mighty redwood. A giant green form extended its hand and Sean took it. Standing in the chest of the construct was his dad who transposed his every move through the green apparition. It was featureless, but had a solidity to it that allowed for equal battle. He made it to his feet and wiped some blood from a split lip his scales could not fully protect him from. A quick thought and the wound sealed as he took his fighting stance.
A ruby fist snapped forward, but missed the impact while a sharp knee connected in Sean’s stomach. The green energy of creation withdrew, but not before showing a deep thigh gash where the dragon hybrid boy used his sharp claws. The energy healed faster than flesh, but it was noted.
Sitting on the steps in the back of the house were the rest of the family. Cillian shook his head. “No wonder Sean needs Cage’s lessons. The boy is still unused to his overgrown body. Last time his moves were faster.”
“Cage says its Cube Law.” Tohka said while Meeka was slowly braiding her long hair. “I cannot explain it as well as my love can. Someone on his world called Galileo made the math he showed us when Brooke noticed what you did. I will use the analogy he used for us. Cillian, have you ever seen a buffalo?”
“I did when I was in my king’s service. I saw a small herd on my way to Castle Emroc and they are odd creatures.” The mayor admitted.
“They are larger than deer.” Tohka went on as Meeka began to hum a soft melody. “But in terms of size deer are faster and can leap higher. In this Sean is the buffalo where once he was a spry yearling deer. Sean is heavy. Some of his bones are thicker than any of us are round. Flesh, muscle and scales weigh heavily to make him so he can barely leap straight up anymore. None of us can even lift his head anymore, even if he would allow us to get close enough. Not even his own father can lift his head. Because of the weight, he is also slower in proportion to what you remember. But one step for his is over fifteen for us and double that when he runs. But this odd law also means one punch from our son will be many times greater than any we will ever be capable.”
“Truth.” Ulon rumbled, his long neck curved down to them. “Smaller life forms are better adapted. Our evolution required larger and stronger forms to cope with Valagax’s earlier harsh environment whereas Raliea’s has designed yours due to a softer one. The only species to remain outside the law of proportions are the griffins. Their evolution has given them the benefit to retain proportional speed and strength no matter size. They can stand as mountains and leap miles into the sky or be small as a sparrow and leap five feet or more. White King Daku can match our size, but in direct combat, none can outmuscle, fly or run him. The griffin species are unique only to these universal laws. Sean Two-legs will learn his bodily limits.”
“Thank you for that, Ulon.” Tohka said and got a grunt before the pink face turned back to the action.
“So… in the future his children will take after him?” Tiffa asked, sitting on a lower step between her husband’s legs.
“So we’ve been told.” Brooke grumbled. “I’m going to have to wait another five hundred years to see my son’s first child. They won’t allow Ollai t
o give him children though she has had a moonflow, but we will honor her peoples ways… even if I do not agree.”
“Five hundred years.” Tiffa whispered and winced as Sean took a kick to his scaly balls, deflecting some of the kick with his thigh. “I’m not even near forty and for me that is a good life. I cannot imagine living so long… or waiting.”
“Maybe you won’t have to!” Cage said as he made his apparition vanish and drop solidly twenty feet to the ground. His reinforced bone structure effortlessly withstood the drop.
“And what is that supposed to mean?” Tiffa’s delicate brow pulled together.
“You will find out soon enough.” He said cryptically and looked to the comfortable group. “Sorry to cut our little reunion short, but Cillian, you best get ready. I’m sensing a royal envoy coming from Miot who will be here in Kote within the hour. I’ve already sent the signal to our people and they are leaving for the island.”
“So they are here already?” Meeka asked as Tohka stood and threw her intricate braid over her shoulder to lay between her breasts.
“An explanation would help greatly.” Cillian crossed his arms.
“Nope!” Meeka popped the P and her generous lips quirked. “You kept secrets from me and now I’m returning the favor… but” she considered with a tilt of the head. “I would suggest, Father, you retrieve your sword.”
Cillian’s mind raced as he said “But you know I will never draw my sword unless…”
Tiffa’s hand flew to her mouth as she realized the intention.
Brooke slapped Meeka playfully upside her head. “There you go again, Meeka Love. How can you spoil such?”
“Sorry.” She sure didn’t look it before walking away with a sway of superiority. “Woman, if I didn’t love you I’d teach you a lesson.”
Empress's Endgame (Book 5 and final of the Death Incanate Saga) Page 19
