A Dragon's Tale Ch. 24

"You seem bothered Kendra." He said when he had finished but she hadn't responded.

"Do I?" She replied evenly.

"Let me rephrase; you sound mad as hell that he might be telling the truth."

"What's a 'hell'?" She asked. She thought Ethan had used the term once, but otherwise she'd never heard it before.

"Sorry, slip of the tongue." He replied. "Why does the fact that he's telling the truth make you so mad?"

"I'm not mad." She said as the volume in her voice grew.

He outright laughed this time. "I can see that."

She jumped up from the chair. "Look just because--" She stopped dead as she realized that she was indeed mad; worse, she was showing it.

"You were always so good at keeping your temper in check." He said consolingly. "Feeling a little guilty perhaps?"

She glared at him. "Whatever for?"

"You might've tried to kill an innocent man -- err, dragon -- several times." He replied. "Any good person would feel guilty about that. If you didn't, I'd be worried about you."

"Oh." Was all Kendra could think to say.

"You're doing the right thing by verifying his story." He said kindly. "In fact, I think I can help you with that."

"Oh?"

He nodded. "Arch mages are hard to get an audience with. Fortunately, I've known Elder Goman since, Oh before you were born. If you like, I can invite him here; trust me, he'll come if I invite him."

"How would I get anything out of that senile old fool?" She asked, not understanding.

"Ah, so they didn't tell you. Good for them being discreet." He smiled. "Regardless, he might surprise you; shall I invite him?"

"Sure, but how do you know an Arch mage? Where did you even meet?"

Luminar Kossel smiled. It was the satisfied smile of someone who knew something that no one else did. He seemed to be recalling a fond memory as he replied. "We met a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away..."

* * *

Beth woke up with the muscles in her cheeks almost aching. She didn't understand why they would be aching until she felt Ethan's back touching her and smiled, after which they ached worse. She must've been smiling in her sleep all night for her 'smile muscles' to ache like that.

She took a deep breath and stretched, trying not to wake Ethan next to her.

She needn't have bothered.

"You're awake." He said, turning towards her. Behind him, Alana and Taloni poked their heads up and both smiled at her.

They were all naked; naked and unashamed.

Strangely, and in contrast with the previous night, there was nothing remotely sexual about their nudity. It seemed intimate because they were literally barring all, physically anyway, but it didn't have the same effect that it had the previous night.

The blonde sat up and smiled in return. "Good morning."

She was quite conscious that her own small breasts were sticking out toward all of them. She wasn't bothered by that for some reason, which was nice; strange, but nice.

"We were just talking about Ethan enchanting himself." Alana said.

Ethan held up his hand. "First things first."

He turned to Beth and beckoned her forward with his finger. She fell into his arms and he kissed her tenderly on the lips. Not an arousing kiss, but an intimate one. For a moment, she felt like the only woman in his world, despite the two other naked ones.

"Hi." He said with a grin.

"Hi." She smiled back widely, feeling that slight ache in her cheeks from smiling so much.

Then she looked around, and wiggled in his arms so she fell on his other side with Taloni and Alana, accidentally half-landing on top of the Fey girl in a demonstration of clumsiness that made her go red.

"Oof." The honey-blonde grunted before wrapping her arms around Beth and giving her a hug, which Alana joined moments later, and Ethan moments after that. In the aftermath, Beth ended up between Taloni and Alana, with the Fey teen snuggled up against their husband and Alana at the edge of the bed.

"We were just thinking that it might be a good idea for Ethan to enchant himself whenever his mana gets full, but then only use part of it." Alana explained.

"Oh, good idea." Beth replied. "That way he gets stronger regularly, but has some mana in reserve in case we get attacked."

"Exactly." Ethan said. "I already did a bit of enchanting on myself today, but I think I'm going to do it just before bed in the future. That way I can replenish my mana while I sleep. It seems like the best way to do it. "

"I agree master." The Fey teen said as she wiggled her butt against him. "Do you have any thoughts on the best way to spend the morning?"

"Hmm." Ethan said in mock confusion. "I'm really stumped there. How will you girls keep yourselves occupied? Man, that's a tough one."

"Um, I could keep..." Taloni blushed. "I could keep Beth occupied while you... um... you know, with Alana."

"I suppose if Ihad to." Ethan said with a wink and a heavy sigh, then cocked his head to one side. "So question, I know I enjoy watching it, but do you ladies get intimate with each other because you want to, or because I like it?"

"Why do you ask?" Alana running her hands through her chocolate brown hair.

"Well, because I've noticed you don't seem to have gone to bed with each other when I'm not around. I also noticed you girls have a tendency to do things I like just because I like them. Now, don't get me wrong, I really appreciate that. I just want to make sure you don't feel pressured to do something."

Beth looked at her two fellow wives, realizing that her 'playing' with them was different than with Ethan.

"So, I hope this doesn't sound bad." She said glancing at Alana and Taloni. "But while I really enjoy doing that with both of you, I'm not sure... I mean, if Ethan wasn't there I don't know if..."

"It wouldn't be the same." Alana finished, a pensive look on her face. "Yeah, I see what you mean."

"I suppose I wouldn't mind it without you there." Taloni said to him. "But I don't feel... I don't think I'd be very into it if you weren't there."

He looked at them confused. "So, you're saying that you like having sex with each other--"

"We love it!" All three corrected him at the same time.

He grinned widely. "I'm sorry, you alllove having sex with each other, but only when I'm around?"

Beth nodded, and her fellow wives did the same.

"That makes no sense." He looked confused.

Beth shrugged. "Maybe not, but it's the case."

"Master, I'm not sure I understand it either, but I enjoy it."

"We enjoy it." Alana and Beth corrected kindly.

"Are you suggesting I do the same?" He asked.

"As long as you enjoy us too." Beth grinned.

"Now that, I can do." He said as Beth felt his arousal begin to rise with hers.

She grinned, feeling her smile muscles ache just slightly. Oddly, it was a good ache.

* * *

Rachel had been lying awake in her hammock for nearly an hour before she felt like getting up. She'd woken when it was still dark, and now it seemed that dawn had come. She had spent the morning remembering those two dreams with near perfect clarity; she just didn't know what to do about them. Round and round she went in her mind, remembered the loneliness of the second and contrasting it with the contentment of the first. She knew which one she wanted, but she also knew she would never be able to choose it. She wanted to choose it, but she knew she'd never be able to choose it no matter how much she wanted to.

It didn't matter how much she liked Ethan.

It didn't matter how wonderful he was.

It didn't matter how amazing it had felt to have a daughter and be carrying another child too. It didn't matter how much she dearly wished she could choose it, or how desperately she wanted it. No matter how much she wanted it, when the time came to choose she was pretty sure she wouldn't be able to choose what she really wanted.

She hated that.

But she also hated the lonely, empty feeling of the second dream...

Round and round she went until her head was spinning and she needed to get up. She rolled out of the hammock, also remembering how it had felt to wake up next to Alana the day after Taloni's wedding. If she passed on marrying Ethan, she'd be giving that up too.

She sighed and went to grab some clean clothes.

As she looked through the endless array of practical blouses and slacks that she'd bought, she found herself growing bored of them. They were all too practical, which is what she liked about them when she'd bought them. Now... now she wanted something less boring.

As she looked through them, a bit of red stood at the very bottom.

She pulled it out, remembering the one single piece of attractive clothing she'd purchased in Arcanum. She almost hadn't bought it, but she'd loved it so much that she hadn't been able to resist. She ran her finger over the fabric, trying to justify wearing it.

Then she realized; she didn't need a justification.

She wanted to wear something pretty, so she was going to wear something pretty. It only vaguely crossed her mind as she pulled it on that Ethan might appreciate her more in this dress, but that wasn't why she was doing this. She was doing it for herself, not so he would think that she's attractive.

She certainly wasn't doing it for him, or so that he would see that she could be beautiful like his other wives.

That wasn't it at all.

Not at all...

* * *

"Damn Rachel, you look amazing." Ethan wolf whistled at the gorgeous vision that had just walked up from the lower decks, who was illuminated in the soft light of the just-risen sun.

The redhead blushed, which was fitting considering the color of the dress she was wearing. It was a darker true red, but not quite to marron, perfectly matching her hair at the roots before it started fading to blond. Because the dress wasn't bright, it didn't scream 'notice me' like most red dresses that he'd seen. Instead, it was muted and understated. However, on closer inspection it was stunning.

It was conservative enough that no preacher would have an objection, but hugged the teen mage's figure perfectly. She had a great figure which the dress did nothing to hide and everything to emphasize, yet it didn't cross the line into being slutty, or even slinky. It was a subtle, understated sexy. It came to just below her knees, the sleeves ended mid-bicep, and it only showed the barest hint of cleavage. Rachel was rather more amply endowed than the rest of his wives, at perhaps a full C cup. While this fact was obvious from the dress's cut, it didn't make her look 'top heavy' either.

"Thank you." She replied, looking pleased with herself.

Alana, Beth, and Taloni immediately rushed over to gush at the dress. Ethan chuckled as he continued eating his breakfast, which the redhead had interrupted by coming up from the lower deck. He took another bite, smiling at having yet another beautiful woman on board, and her being clad in a fantastic dress was the cherry on top of a delightful sundae.

He looked back to see Raklan staring. No, ogling. At least he was until Serif smacked him upside the head. Thereafter, the burly crewman restricted himself to furtive glances.

Ethan's eyes fell on Anthiel, who gave him a strange look.

"What?" He asked.

She walked over and sat beside him. "Wife number four?"

"Who, Rachel? She made it perfectly clear that she's not interested."

The elegant high elf gave him an indulgent smile. "I'm sure she did."

He gave her a look.

"That dress isn't an accident you know." The high elf said.

"Come again?"

"You use worms for fish, cheese for mice, and..." She nodded at Rachel in her dress. "...for men."

He raised an eyebrow.

She gave him a knowing smile then stood up and called to his Fey bride. "Taloni dear, the wind today is great for learning how to tac into the wind."

The Fey teen seemed torn, but eventually joined the high elf who started explaining how to fly an airship directly into the wind. Apparently, it was done by alternating moving at a forty-five degree angle to the right and left of an oncoming wind.

"Is that why we changed directions so much on the way to Arcanum?" Ethan asked.

Anthiel nodded. "We were flying almost directly into the wind. Usually that trip would take half the time with a favorable wind. Alas, there's often a wind from the north this time of year."

He nodded.

A few minutes later he'd finished breakfast and turned to Serif and Raklan. "Did you guys want to spend some more time sparring? I could really use the practice."

Serif nodded, Raklan grinned wickedly.

Ethan got up and headed towards one of the stairs to the rear hold were they kept the blunt training weapons. Alana, Beth and Rachel had disappeared from the top of the steps, probably discussing fashion somewhere. He opened the door to the rear hold and was two steps inside before he realized there was someone else in there.

It was Rachel...

...and her dress wasn't on her body; it was in her hand. They both froze for a split second and starred at each other.

"Sorry!" He said as he closed his eyes and turned around.

She wasn't naked.

She had been wearing a cloth wrap around her breasts -- which he assumed took the place of a bra -- and was also wearing a thin undergarment that looked like long shorts. He guessed it was to prevent her from being accidentally exposed while wearing a dress. He couldn't help but noticing that she had amazing skin, and he'd just seen alot of it. His cock reacted almost immediately, and -- being glad his back was turned -- he clicked on his disguise gem to hide that fact.

"I didn't know anyone was in here." He explained with his back turned.

There was a pause before she replied. He heard the rustling of fabric after several seconds and then another silence.

"You really think I'm beautiful?" She asked.

"What?" He replied, not sure where the question came from.

"You just turned on your disguise gem, but you still look like a dragon." She replied quietly. "You only do that when you... I mean when your..." She trailed off. "I'm decent, you can turn around."

He did, peaking through his partially shut eyes to make sure she was dressed.

She was.

In the red dress.

"I was just changing because Alana..." Rachel looked down, then at him again. "I liked the dress so much that she volunteered to enchant it to be like her dress."

"Self-cleaning and self-repairing?" He asked.

She nodded. "Do...?"

For some reason, she seemed slightly vulnerable right now. She was uncharacteristically shy and even a bit bashful. Her walls seemed down right now, much like they had been the previous day when she'd made it very clear that she could never marry him.

"Do you really think the dress is pretty?" She asked.

For some reason, he got the impression that she was asking about a lot more than the dress. Once upon a time, he might've taken the easy route and just said yes. But being married to three wonderful women did wonders for his confidence, and he replied with what he actually thought.

"I think the woman wearing it is beautiful; the dress merely showcases what's already there."

"Oh, wow." She said, seeming to tear up. "That's a good answer."

That's when he noticed that she had a pair of her usual slacks and a blouse lying nearby. "I'll let you change so Alana can start working on that dress."

She nodded, looking uncharacteristically unsure of herself. He wanted to say something, but somehow didn't think it would be wise. He gave her a lopsided, slightly embarrassed smile and then left, closing the door behind him.

* * *

"Damn you Ethan; why do you have to be so wonderful?" Rachel whispered after he had closed the door. She blinked her eyes, trying to hinder the tears that wanted to fall. She'd never received a compliment like that before. Ever. It was so honest, so genuine, and so heartfelt she didn't know what to do.

If he would've asked her to marry him right then, she might've actually said yes.

She was really starting to hate how wonderful that damn man was.

* * *

"You can't possibly be serious." Kendra said as her jaw dropped.

Luminar Kossel chuckled as he leaned back in his chair. To his right, Elder Goman had an amused grin on his face. It had been surprising enough to learn the famously powerful and senile old arch mage wasn't actually senile. But the rest of it...

She shook her head.

They were still in the Luminar's spartan room. He'd sent a runner to fetch Elder Goman, who had come so quickly that she guessed he'd already been in the temple for morning services. That wasn't surprising because nearly all the influential people in the city were, whether they cared about Illuminar or not. It was helpful in a political career to be seen as pious, especially if you weren't.

"Seriously; you must be joking." She repeated.

"My dear girl." Elder Goman said, jumping up from his chair with four times the energy anyone had credited him with for at least a decade. "I have plenty to amuse myself. I needn't add teasing an ex-dragon huntress to the list."

"Ex? Ex-dragon huntress?" She raised her eyebrow.

"Ex." The arch mage nodded. "I do believe your disposition towards dragons is likely to change in the near future."

Kendra didn't like him. He was a pleasant fellow, but he always seemed to know something that she didn't. She rarely trusted people who knew a lot more than she did; that was a good way to end up dead.

Kossel smiled. "You're letting your emotions show again Kendra; you were always so good at hiding them. What happened?"

"Nothing happened." She said through gritted teeth.

He raised his eyebrow looking quite amused.

She eyed Elder Goman. "So, you're saying that Luminar Kossel is from another world -- a place that's only accessible by portal -- that you were there once briefly as a prisoner, and that not only is Ethan from the same place, but he's actually telling the truth about being from another world and what happened there?"

That was the single most far-fetched part of the story. If that were true, she didn't see why the rest of it couldn't be true too.

"We weren't present to hear what he said, but I would bet a full, complete, illuminated copy of the Book of Light that he was." Luminar Kossel replied.

"I'd wager a spellbook." Elder Goman added.

Kendra whistled.

Seeing as all books were copied by hand and it could take a skilled scribe months or years to accurately copy one, that was saying something. Both items would cost equivalent to a couple year's wages for an average working man.

"You put that much faith in him?" She asked.

Elder Goman nodded. "How much do you know about Lord Delmar?'

Kendra shrugged. "He's more powerful than he appears, and has garnered influence with so many lords that he wields considerable influence. Or at least, that's what it was like when I last was in the game."

"He rivals the emperor in influence, though not military power." Luminar Kossel said. "Worse, he has the backing of a dragon and one of my old colleagues."

"Old colleagues?"

The Luminar nodded. "Perhaps you've heard of Lady Ekthros?"

"Isn't she one of his advisors?"

"She is, and her knowledge is both vast and dangerous." Elder Goman looked serious. "But even more dangerous is the black dragon. He rivals a Drago in power, and has been working to increase Lord Delmar's standing for many years now."

"A dragon working with a human?" She frowned. "I've heard the rumors, but that doesn't sound likely."

"It's not likely, and so the truth of it makes it all the more dangerous." Luminar Kossel countered. "Something strange is going on."

"What does all this have to do with Ethan?"

"It takes a dragon to stand up to a dragon." Elder Goman said matter-of-factly. "No mortal army is enough against an elder dragon, and certainly not one as powerful as this black dragon. Frankly, how he became so powerful is a mystery. We need another dragon to stand against him, unless you want to see Lord Delmar ruling the Ten Kingdoms."