Empress's Endgame (Book 5 and final of the Death Incanate Saga)

by Jr H. Lee Morgan

  “No, but we are not yet friends so my tribe must not show favoritism at this time. We will kill and wish to not be caught off guard. I will gut you if I see your gem on your staff glow. It is why Dad warned you.”

  “You are frighteningly adorable and make your people proud.”

  “I know.” She replied without a lick of thought or remorse. Her eye shifted.

  “I’m King Skylar. This is Reece.” He stroked the eagle’s feathers and Reece chirped and bowed. “I’m remarrying my lovely wife. These are my sons. That is my grandchild and her mother, wife to my eldest boy.”

  “I’m Prince Sek, here to finally marry the woman I’ve long sought. This is my Familiar…” The corn snake hissed and curled back around his master’s neck.

  “I’m Princess Amy and can’t believe this day if finally here.” The princess beamed and squeezed her betrothed’s hand.

  The rest stated who they are, the four sorcerer’s going last, and afterwards Rena walked slowly back and looked to the chieftain and elders. “I find no untruth in their words. Have you?”

  “None.” Moril said without looking down.

  “No.” Elder Metak planted his long spear beside his foot. The other six elders either shook their head or said ‘No.’

  Rena turned around and brightly smiled “Than as priestess of the Utala, I Rena allow all of you to come onto our land. You know our rules and what will happen if disobeyed. Abide by them and you will have an experience never had before.” The other’s jumped as the Utala cheered and came forward. The soldiers restrained themselves from drawling weapons, but soon found out it was a warm greeting.

  Cillian caught a flying girl and held her to his chest before kissing her cheek and saying “Did we surprise you?”

  Rena giggled and threw her arms around his neck. “Very much, Cillian Grandfather.” He sat her on his hip as he watched Tiffa kneel and kiss Tohka’s belly, a smile splitting her face. He then came over and threw his one good arm around both of his new daughters and got an affectionate squeeze in return.

  Brooke hugged Tiffa and said “It is good to see you, Tiffa. Our sister will not believe… and you’ve done your ears too?!”

  “Yes, and I cannot wait to see my daughter’s face… or my newest grandbaby I’m sensing.” Tiffa smirked as Tohka grinned.

  “So what are you doing here?” Tohka asked.

  “Let us walk and get to the horses to begin the ceremony!” Moril raised her voice well above the crowd. “Get together so we can all go at one time!”

  “Hold that thought.” Tohka laughed as they all grouped themselves together and followed the chieftain down the path.

  None were really surprised when six royal dragon escort’s appeared as Cage’s entrance ward stripped their spell. Moril said “Not to worry you Six, Cage recreated the spell he figured out that King Tate’s castle uses. Any dragons of the alliance are invisible outside the barrier. If you weren’t with us you’d be dead so fear not.”

  Some soldier’s gasped as a giant, human’s white skull appeared and came the phrase “To enter, the answer must be known.”

  Moril said “Of the ancient covenant to all tribal peoples, a water ceremony has been invoked.” The skull disappeared. She then walked forward as the restraining feeling lifted off the group. Instead of walking, the bonded dragons dove off the bridge and into the water to enjoy it.

  “Now we can talk.” Brooke said and watched as Rena crawled up to sit on her grandfather’s wide shoulders.

  Tiffa hooked he arm through both of her daughters-in-law and said “The day after Meeka told us of the attack that we felt the ground shake all the way over in Kote, our king summoned all town and city leaders. I went with Cillian and Dalv, his gray dragon. And Kanna was happy to come with me. She’s become my best friend. When we arrived there was a celebration in Vin’re. We found out about this wedding you brats neglected to tell us.”

  “It was a secret.” Brooke said simply.

  “One I’m glad you kept, even from family.” King Tate said as he eavesdropped. Katelyn hung off his arm listening too. “I chose wisely it seems. Please, go on, I want to hear what you have to say.”

  Tiffa went embarrassingly silent as she still found it hard to be spoken directly to by her king. To aid her Cillian picked up where she left off. “Dalv and Kanna waited outside the city and like now, he’s in my head talking to me. Well I heeded mine king’s summons and he told all of we leaders, among with retired soldiers of rank, who recently bonded to show what they knew. Ren and I paired up and fought without our new power since we weren’t used to it and didn’t want to kill each other. Neither of us truly forgot our lessons as soldiers. Next thing I know General Kurk comes up to us as we lay breathless in the dirt from fighting so hard and makes us both captains of the elite guard and oversee a squadron of fifty men and witches, mostly their wives or lovers. Unbeknownst to me, Princess Amy was in the stands sitting with Tiffa and invited her to the royal library and gave her copies of books on healing through magic. Today is the first day Tiffa hasn’t had her nose shoved deep in a book or seems to sit and stare blankly, but I know she and Kanna are communicating. Then five days ago my king selects me to personally accompany him as his guard and have Tiffa as his healer, after having her show off and prove that although she has been practicing magic for a few weeks, she is faster and more accurate in healing than any healing mage in the Adventurer’s Guild. Cage is also a help from all the notes he gave her.”

  “Like mother and daughter.” Brooke laughed. “Sometimes I have to hide the books Cage got for us from my woman. She is our best healer. Better than our own man. She can even make us orgasm without touching us, but she doesn’t like it unless she does it herself. She does healing better than anyone, Zikon and Poli included.”

  “Quite a boast, to beat a dragon with centuries of experience.” The king said.

  “It is the truth, not a boast.” Brooke looked over her shoulder. “Before my mate asks, did you select Cillian and Tiffa as leverage against Meeka, knowing our mate would do anything for her?”

  This silenced the area near them. It was a challenging tone too. “Put it from your mind, Lady Brooke.” The king smiled, obviously not the least bit offended. “Cillian is a proven warrior who served honorably, did his duty and retired to run Kote better than his father before him. His daily training with my guard is excellent and Tiffa is a remarkable healer, one of the best of Vlara. Personally the thought did cross my mind that if Cage ever stood against me… after he beat me senseless in front of the other leaders, I needed something to at least make him reconsider. But then I came to realize the benefit of having Captain Cillian and his wife near. I’ve learned of the communication used between your wife and her mother, Lady Brooke. Should there be something amiss and the only way for Sir Cage, Lady Meeka, you or Lady Tohka to contact me in an emergency, they can relay their message. They accept the danger of being my close servants and guards, but also gain protection. If Empress Vika had ever tried to take them and force Meeka to draw Sir Cage into the open, she could have. Now though, if her claws come near them, they come near me and I don’t take kindly to my people coming to harm.”

  “Good answer. Now I can make sure my man doesn’t bring you to harm again.”

  Tohka turned and asked “Katelyn, why do you look upon us so oddly.”

  “I’m sorry.” She looked down, but kept walking as her arm stayed clutched in her beloved’s with a frightened death grip.

  “Go on. Speak your mind.” He prompted caringly. “Utala do not lie, nor do they like their questions unanswered. Do not fear them. They will only attack if threatened. If any people on Raliea can be trusted implicitly, tribal people can.”

  Katelyn’s eyes darted around fearfully, showing her time as a slave wasn’t completely gone and never would be. But she swallowed it down to say “Are all women here so tall and pretty?”

  Those listening, which was now everyone, stopped and blinked before many snickered. Brooke came up
, all six foot two of her and smiled. “Yes. Life on the plains was only for the fittest. Small warriors do not live long. You’ve seen my nine year old daughter is as tall as you.”

  “She’s nine!” Katelyn blurted loudly out of complete surprise.

  “I haven’t even gotten my breasts or even my moonflow. How old do you think I am?” Rena asked.

  “Fifteen minimum!” Katelyn replied through the revelation.

  Brooke laid a hand on the small woman’s shoulder. “Ease yourself. My woman Tohka is among the shortest females. Our people are hearty and strong. Weak do not survive in the Utala. If they cannot fight, they die. If they are stupid, they die. If they are deformed, they die. Life is harsh for us, but we are strong. Next to my man, I am the strongest of the tribe. My power as a sorceress and of prowess are second only to the worthy man here who can bed me and give me his babies. Fear not, my daughter finds you worthy to come among us and your mate will give you babies. While you are in our land as guests, we will stand between you and danger. Even Rena will fight for you. We kill to survive so be at peace knowing we are not warring with you.”

  Katelyn swallowed what appeared to be a boulder by how hard she did so, but felt oddly relieved deep down. “Thank you, Lady Brooke.”

  “Fear not becoming a slave of the fools again. You will find we truly loathe the empire, me especially as our woman was taken. Instead of cowering, grab a knife and drive it into the enemy’s heart. Here!” Brooke held out a hand and summoned a knife from home. It was small, but perfectly balanced. She then held it handle first. “Take this. In the morning after you try making a baby with your mate, I will teach you how to fight.”

  “But…”

  Brooke grabbed Katelyn’s hand and put the knife in it. “No woman must fear the loss of freedom to choose by stupid people. We are the bearers of life and to protect it we will kill anyone in our way. You will learn or you aren’t fit to mate.”

  Shakily Katelyn clutched it and looked to her king who was nodding it was a good idea. She then gave a small nod to the rather forward naked woman who dripped with confidence.

  “By the way, where is Sir Cage, Lady Meeka and the rest of the tribe?” King Skylar inquired as soon as they began walking again. “I miss the warlock’s odd sense of humor and that griffin too.”

  “Dad is getting ready. We will ride to the island’s most beautiful place he likes to call Paradise.” Rena answered from atop her grandfather’s shoulders. “We’ll hold the water ceremony there at about noon most likely. You will love Dad’s celebrations.”

  “Will it be better than what you did for us at the Fall Harvest?” Cillian asked while gripping Rena’s ankles.

  “BETTER!” She giggled. “Dad and Meeka Mother will show you something more memorable. We’ve been practicing all week for many hours.”

  “Daughter, be silent!” Brooke barked. “Don’t spoil your father’s hard work.”

  “Yes, Mother.”

  King Skylar elbowed Tate’s ribs playfully. “We’re in trouble aren’t we?”

  “Knowing him… better believe it.” Came the reply.

  “Queen Jeanne,” her bright blue eyes turned on the young priestess. “you seem more comfortable being naked than Dad told me you would be… from when you spoke to him. And by the way, you do have fine breasts. Your large children are proof you chose a strong mate worthy of them.”

  Many laughed, the queen included. “I’m feeling remarkably comfortable actually. I guess it is because everyone else is nude too. It brings back memories of my first water ceremony what seemed a lifetime ago. Doing it again seems right.”

  “Mother, while I’ve got you in such a good mood, I want to marry Ean today too. I love him.” The eldest princess of eighteen years grabbed the startled soldier who looked terrified as his king glared when his daughter’s arm glued to one of his soldiers.

  The statement had the queen look to her husband. “Come now, we both knew they’ve been courting secretly. Don’t give the boy a stroke. She’s six weeks pregnant anyway.”

  “Mother, you knew?” The princess stare slack jawed.

  “I know my children and you forget I can hear all that goes on in the castle. Besides, my crown has wards that let me know what my children do so long as they are in the castle. You’re father and I have known you two have loved each other for three years. And I’m a healer. I know the signs of pregnancy at a passing glance.”

  “Jeanne, you take the fun out of being a father.” The king laughed. “Fine fine, join us you two. And Ean?”

  “Sir?!” the soldier was shocked.

  “You’re going to be a father one day soon. Hurt my girl or step out on her, you’re dead. I’m serious, Lad. The only reason you still breathe is from the day you said you loved my little girl you stopped visiting the brothel entirely. Had it continued… we wouldn’t be having this conversation. You do good to my little girl, you keep your head.” The tone was light, but the smile he showed only promised he’d not hesitate to do it himself.

  “Yes, Sir.” He was then assaulted by a girlish squeal and kissed the princess he loved.

  “Anyone else wanting to take part?” Rena giggled as all the princesses flocked to their sister to congratulate her. “Speak now.”

  “Tiffa, want to? Our girl’s a grown woman with a family of her own.”

  “Why not!” Tiffa laughed. “Might as well enjoy the celebration to its fullest and have sex on top of it all.”

  Elleanne said with the first smile since arriving “Do not even think about it Kurk. I’m not going to ride you in front of strangers.”

  The general threw his head back and laughed in a contagious way that infected the entire area, leaving none immune.

  “You want us to what?” King Skylar said as the group stood up at the apex of the bridge.

  “Slide! Like this.” Rena said and sat down in the recess, crossed her ankles and pushed herself forward. She disappeared as the seawater pumped down it lubricated the path covered over by branches and leaves like a dome. She slid out at the bottom and waved excitedly.

  “Best do it, Husband.” Queen Jeanne smirked. “I think offending that child is a very unwise idea.”

  “Go together.” Moril said. “It is more fun with your mates anyway. It is a shared and intimate experience and faster than walking down. Most children play on this during the hottest parts of the day. Go ahead and try.”

  “Well, why not.” The king and queen sat down, her between his legs. Then they screamed when Moril planted her foot in his back and gave him a shove while Zatal pumped the lever and made water gush through a pipe. His guards ran down the bridge at superhuman speeds with worry, but all sighed when everyone heard the queen laughing so hard she snorted. It was cute and made others laugh. They came out laughing from the rush, their crowns askew and her hair somehow managed to not be ruined.

  Sek and Amy were screaming down the other slide the moment they saw his parents well. It went quickly as most chose to use the waterslide, especially the Familiars. Gaz ran back up for a second ride before the entire group met at the bottom.

  “Oh, we have got to introduce that to our kingdom!” Queen Jeanne voiced while tugging on her husband’s arm. All he could do was agree.

  The slide exhilarated the group as they proceeded down the wide pier and came upon more than fifty horses and six sunning dragons on the white sandy beach with their tails playing in the surf. “What no carriage?” someone asked. “And not even a proper saddle or bridle.”

  Elder Shania spun on the child between the eldest prince and his wife. “Child, our horses are trained better than any you shall ever ride. Do not presume you are afforded privileges here. You are a child. And respect you will show.”

  “Or what?” the snobbish princess sneered.

  Suddenly Rena appeared and grabbed her by the hair and glared. The girl cried out, but not before getting punched in the mouth. “Do not disrespect an elder! Come with me now!” Rena then dragged the girl by her hair, kicki
ng and screaming. The granddaughter of the king tried spells, but Rena’s wards in her knife fended them off like a fly against an entire mountain.

  The parents cried out but Utala warriors stepped between them. Royal guards stepped forward till Queen Jeanne said “Stand down. Apparently my grandchild needs another lesson in humility. Elder, I apologize for her behavior. I believed what Lord Cage had done had been the end.”

  Shania turned. “I will only accept an apology from her. Do not fear for her safety. Rena will not kill her, but she will show respect by the time they return. Was she the one who got Meeka Sister’s older brother killed?”

  “She is.”

  “No wonder Cage struck her so violently. She has been spoiled and doesn’t associate with stronger children who will guide her. Pick a horse and learn how we move them.”

  Most did as she said, but not the worried soldiers bared from interfering. Each person was allowed a steed, but some declined. Jormon was the only one who could properly ride atop his Familiar.

  Ten minutes later Rena and the princess walked out holding hands, the latter cried heavily. The group was silent as they came forward and stopped before the elders. When the princess looked up and her hair fell from her face it showed she received a bloody, split lip and the beginnings of a swollen eye. Many from Emroc and Vlara gasped at what Rena had done, but were silent as the girl said “I’m sorry, Elder, for my actions. I beg forgiveness.”

  All who knew the girl lost their eyebrows to their hairline, never hearing such fall from those lips. Elder Shania uncrossed her arms from beneath her large breasts and her youthful smile softened. “You have it, Child.”

  Rena then drug the girl before her parents and said “Though she is an outsider, by our laws I request permission to mate with her while she stays. She needs sex and to see she is not alone. You’ve not allowed her opportunity to play or have her flower touched. She needs to learn now, before she becomes as corrupt as the stupid people we prepare to kill.”