A Dragon's Tale Ch. 56

*Thank Illuminar for that.* Taloni said, her mental tone wavering slightly.

Kendra looked around by habit and saw three people leisurely riding into the outpost. The leader was a fit man with sandy blond hair, a short beard that was slightly darker, and bright blue eyes. Behind him was a girl with dark brown hair that was kept off her face with a bow that had an artistic knot at the top. Behind her was a girl with long, unhealthy-looking long brown hair. She was very plain, almost bordering on unattractive but not quite.

"Home sweet home." The second girl sighed as they approached the inn.

*Drago, do you recognize any of the three people riding up to the inn?* She thought to him privately.

*Oh my God.* His stunned reply came several seconds later. *That's Sarah!*

* * *

Sarah yawned slightly, quite tired from the long journey and so incredibly glad that they were reaching the end of it. She had never been so happy to see her father's slightly dilapidated inn. Despite everything with Lady Ekthros and the danger to Fiona and Conner, she felt her spirits lift slightly.

"I will take care of the horses." Ellis said as they all dismounted. "It is too late to start the return journey, so I will lodge here tonight and depart tomorrow."

"Thank you for everything." Sarah said. "We might not have made it without you."

He looked at her. "I think you sell yourself short miss; I would not imagine much would stand in your way if you were determined to pursue it."

She winced. "I'm getting better about keeping my problem under control."

"I was not referring to that miss." He replied with a smile, then led the horses and mule away without explaining.

"He's right." Amy said. "I bet you could do anything!"

"Thank you?" Sarah wasn't sure what to make of that.

"Come on, I know you wanted to see your father and I can't wait to meet Rindrin!"

Sarah chuckled. "Okay."

The two women walked into the inn, passing a woman with raven-colored hair who had just left it as they did so. Sarah noted that the inn was quite full for this time of day. She couldn't remember the last time there were so many people at once, and certainly not at this time of day. It must be because word had traveled about her absence.

That gave her pause.

She wanted to see her father and let him know that she was okay, but should she stay? If her being gone had this much effect, maybe he would be better off if she left after seeing him. Or maybe she should marry Rindrin immediately? Then she could live at his house and the outpost would flourish but she could still see her father regularly.

But Ethan...

She reminded herself that she was betrothed to Rindrin, no matter how much her heart yearned for Ethan. She was determined to be faithful to her betrothed and she would never do anything indecent, but -- perhaps because of everything she'd been through lately -- she could now admit how she felt to herself.

Standing there, she took a moment to say a quick prayer to Illuminar. *Please, if I'm supposed to be in Ethan's life, please send me a sign. Something that I can't miss, something that is obvious and--*

"Sarah!" A man's voice called behind her as the door banged open.

Her eyes went wide as she recognized that voice. It couldn't be... could it?

She turned to see if it was--

It was.

It was him.

Ethan.

For the tiniest, briefest, infinitesimally small moment, Sarah's heart felt so full that she thought it would burst. Him bursting through the door like that while she was literally asking for a sign from Illuminar was just... just... there were no words.

Then she remembered Lady Ekthros.

She remembered the threat.

Her heart started to plummet, but then she remembered something else. She had asked for a sign and been given one. Illuminar knew that she couldn't say anything to Ethan. He'd known that when He'd sent her a sign and He knew that she would have to give Ethan the cold shoulder, but Illuminar had given her that sign anyway. Unlike when she'd given in to fear and not trusted the angel Gabriella, she decided to trust Illuminar now.

She turned to face him and it took some effort to not smile at him. "Yes?"

"You're okay." Ethan's eyes were wide, like he couldn't believe it.

"I am."

"How?" He stepped closer to her.

She stepped back in an obvious way, hoping he'd get the hint. "Did you want something?"

"What's wrong?" He asked.

She didn't reply.

"Sarah?" He took a small step forward.

She took a small step back, keenly aware of how many people were watching this exchange. "What?"

"Did she hurt you?" Ethan asked. Sarah had to resist the urge to let her heart melt at the protectiveness in his voice.

"I think you should go." She said after a moment.

"Go?" He shook his head like he'd been slapped. "Why?"

"You need to go." She said firmly, determined that if Lady Ekthros's agents were watching this rather public exchange, they wouldn't fault her in the slightest.

Ethan stared at her for several moments, clearly confused. Then he lifted his head fractionally and his eyes widened just slightly. "I'm not who she said I am."

"You need to go." Sarah repeated, not sure what else to say.

"I'm almost sure she's trying to create soldiers who are..." he paused, probably searching for the right words. "...like what happened when you were young." He finished, clearly trying not to say 'demon' out loud and probably because of the audience.

He knew.

She didn't know how, but he knew. She didn't need to worry about telling him; he already knew. She did everything she could to keep from reacting while internally breathing a sigh of relief.

"Ethan, leave." She repeated as firmly as she knew how.

He closed his eyes. His head drooped slightly and his shoulders slumped. He swallowed and then nodded. "I'm glad you're okay."

She didn't reply.

She wanted to. With everything in her she wanted to, but she couldn't.

He turned to leave, walked to the door and put his hand on the latch, then stopped. His head came up a bit and he cocked it to one side as if considering something. After a couple of seconds, he turned his head and upper body towards her, still obviously about to leave but also apparently having more to say.

He looked at her for a long moment before speaking. "When is your birthday?"

She stared.

Her birthday?

Why was he asking...?

Huh?

"Why?" She asked in spite of herself. It was just such a strange question.

"I know you asked me to leave and I think I know why." He replied. "And I'll respect your wishes and go, but please tell me when you're birthday is. I'll leave as soon as you do."

She stared at him for a long moment, trying to decide if Lady Ekthros would have any problem with that. She couldn't think of a reason that she would. It didn't run afoul of any of the conditions and Ethan had just said that he would leave when she told him. She certainly didn't mind if he knew and rather wanted him to know.

"Septas seventh." She replied after a moment. She liked that her birthday was on the seventh day of the seventh month. It had long been a superstition that since Illuminar's sigil was a seven-pointed star, perhaps He had an affinity for the number.

Ethan smiled.

It was a small smile but it looked utterly genuine. It reached deep into his eyes as he looked at her. "I think we'll meet again. I don't know when or where -- not here because I'm pretty sure that you-know-who is watching the inn -- but I think we'll meet again."

Then he opened the door and stepped out, closing it behind him.

Sarah smiled.

She smiled wider than she had since Lady Ekthros had threatened her. Ethan knew about the demon-possessed soldiers and he had said that they would see each other again. And what's more, she felt like she had gotten a clear sign from Illuminar. She had no idea how that was going to work itself out, but if Illuminar wanted it to work, she knew it would.

She turned to see the stunned inn patrons, a stunned artistic friend, and her father standing there, all with their mouths agape.

She raised her voice slightly to address the room. "Yes I'm the demon-possessed innkeeper's daughter, yes that was the prophet of Illuminar using a disguise gem, and no I won't be staying for long. I'm just here to visit my father and then I'm leaving again, and yes I'm leaving before bed so there's no need for you all to leave."

She turned to her father. "Hi daddy."

"Sarah?" Her father croaked out like he couldn't believe it was her.

She nodded. "It's me Daddy."

He ran over to give her a hug which she eagerly accepted. It felt good for him to hold her like this again. He seemed younger than she'd seen him in a while, or perhaps it was his relief at seeing her. Regardless, it felt good.

* * *

Ethan took a deep breath and exhaled slowly with a massive smile on his face. Sarah's birthday was Septas seventh. It seemed like Lady Ekthros had filled Sarah's head with lies about who he was, but her birthday was the seventh day of the seventh month. She was betrothed, but her birthday fit the pattern. As had been pointed out to him more than once, a betrothal wasn't a marriage; a betrothal could be broken off.

Given her birthday, it seemed like that might happen.

There was no way in hell that he would ever evenconsider messing with a married woman, nor even an engaged one. But if the betrothal was broken off without his involvement... Well, that was another story. He knew she wasn't thrilled to marry Rindrin and hoped that might lead to her being single again. He wouldn't interfere, but if the birthdays were right, maybe he wouldn't have to.

"Drago?" Kendra asked. She had remained outside to keep watch and thus was right there.

He smiled at her. "I just learned the most incredible thing."

"What?"

"Well, Sarah's birth--"

"Hold fast dragon!" A man called from Ethan's right side.

He turned to see the man who had ridden in with Sarah and the other girl. He had his sword drawn and was in a combat stance. Judging by how he carried himself and held the sword, Ethan could tell that this man was very skilled.

"By the authority of Lord Delmar and under the extradition treaty he has with Ivernia, I order you to drop your weapons."

Ethan looked at him. "How could you tell?"

"Lord Delmar warned me to check for disguise enchantments on any man I met here." The man replied. "Surrender."

"No, I don't think I will." Ethan smiled; nothing could ruin his good mood today.

The man started forward.

"Don't try it." Ethan put his hand on his sword's hilt. "I'm wearing full armor while you have none, I have a longer blade, enchantments to increase my strength, and better reflexes than any man could ever hope to have. I would rather not be forced to kill you."

The man narrowed his eyes but stopped advancing. "I can't let you leave."

"There's literally nothing you can do to stop me." Ethan shrugged. "There's no sense throwing your life away to try when you know you can't succeed."

"The lightning." The man said after several seconds. "I've been trained to see through illusions; let me see you use lightning as proof that you are a servant of the God of Light."

"Sure." Ethan started charging his hammer, casually removed it from his belt, then once the charge was strong enough he tossed it high into the air and released it.

Crack!

He hadn't made it a massive charge, but apparently it was enough. The other man lowered his blade into a more defensive stance, though his eyes were still wary.

"Full disclosure, me using lightning is an enchantment like any other." Ethan said as he returned the hammer to his side. "Anyone who knows how it works can use it."

"You're saying you aren't a prophet?"

"I'm saying that me using lightning doesn't prove anything." Ethan replied, then glanced at Kendra. "My wife and I are leaving. You can try to stop us, but she's more skilled with a blade than I am and I'd rather not kill anyone."

The man narrowed his eyes. "Take one step towards the inn and I'll have no choice but to defend those inside, even at the cost of my life." He hesitated. "But you're right; I can't stop you from leaving."

"Good enough." Ethan smiled, then turned and left. He made sure he was between the man and Kendra and glanced back regularly, but the man didn't make any aggressive moves. He moved to block the inn's door almost immediately, but otherwise he didn't move.

Once they were out of both danger and earshot, Kendra spoke. "What were you going to say Drago?"

"Hang on, let me tell everyone at once." He replied.

* * *

Alana wasn't sure what to say or think after learning about Sarah's birthday. She had told Ethan several times that he would marry Sarah, but getting what seemed like certain confirmation of that was still... still.... she didn't know what it was.

"Hey." A soft, feminine hand touched her own and she couldn't help but smile. The two of them were in the storage room below the captain's cabin, working on the new dresses for everyone.

She looked at her fellow wife and best friend who was also so much more than just a friend before replying to everyone. *Well, I suppose it's official.*

*Not really, but it does seem...* Ethan trailed off.

*Official?* Rachel suggested as she gave the wood elf's hand a gentle squeeze.

*It sounds like that to me Master.* Tee sounded excited.

*Me too.* Beth chimed in.

*Alana?* Ethan thought to everyone. *Your thoughts?*

Hmm, her thoughts. What were her thoughts? There were so many that she settled on the one that mattered most. *I'm choosing to believe that Illuminar wouldn't give you a wife that would come between you and any of your other wives.* She said after a moment. *I... I don't alwaysfeel like that, but I dothink it's true.*

*I promise I'll never let that happen.* He replied.

*Good.* She half smiled. *Then it sounds like Sarah's last name will be Ejder at some point.*

He didn't reply for a moment, but Kendra piped up. *He's grinning pretty widely.*

Alana chuckled nervously.

"It'll be okay." Rachel said softly.

Alana nodded.

*We're going to head back now.* Ethan thought to everyone.

*Okay.* Alana replied. *Oh, don't forget that Myla wanted you to fly her over to the Midnight Sun so that Luminar Kossel could write a divorce certificate to make it official.*

*Right, and then he and I should probably talk about his plans for when we head back to Dotmier.* He replied. *I'll do that when I get back.*

There was a general chorus of agreement, after which Alana looked at Rachel. "Tell me that I'm not crazy."

"You're not crazy." The redhead replied. "Both you and Beth thought she was really nice, and don't forget that part of the reason Illuminar decided to give Ethan multiple wives is that you wanted sisters; would He really give you a horrible one?"

"I believe that here--" She touched her forehead. "--but down here--" She touched her chest over her heart. "--I have a little trouble believing it."

"Would a--" Rachel started to say, then clamped her mouth shut.

"What?"

The redhead shook her head as her cheeks went slightly pink. "Nothing, my mouth was just running ahead of my brain, that's all."

"Tell me." Alana prodded gently.

Rachel shook her head and Alana could tell that she wanted to speak, but she probably couldn't bring herself to.

"Tell me, or I'll compliment you until your cheeks are the same color as your roots." She grinned wickedly.

Rachel blushed.

Then the redhead opened her mouth, closed it, then blushed a little more. "I have that head-heart thing backwards. My heart knows, but my head resists."

"Rachel, you are a beautiful woman." Alana began.

Rachel blushed crimson.

"You have the nicest, deepest blue eyes that make a person want to get lost in them." She continued to her still-reddening friend. "Your skin is like silk or velvet, and I would love to feel it all over my skin while we--"

"Kiss!" Rachel squeaked out.

"Huh?"

Rachel bit her lip. "I was going to ask if you would feel better if I kissed you, but that's silly..." she trailed off as their eyes met. She cocked her head to one side, making her red hair which faded to blonde at the tips wave beautifully. After a moment, she bit her lip and then spoke again. "It's not silly, is it?"

The brunette smiled ear-to-ear as she shook her head. "No."

"Alana, can I kiss you? Would that help?"

"You can kiss me whenever you want, and yes it would help." The wood elf beamed.

Then Rachel did.

In a move that was so shocking that Alanaalmost didn't know how to react, Rachel reached out to pull Alana closer, bent down slightly, and kissed her tenderly on the lips. She hadn't hesitated either; she had just done it.

It was wonderful.

Alana sighed into the kiss as she returned it, savoring the feeling of the most perfect pair of feminine lips in the Ten Kingdoms. She tasted wonderful, better than Alana remembered. Rachel moved her lips slightly on Alana's for several wonderful moments before drawing back slowly with a subtle smile on her face.

"This isn't bad, wrong, dirty, or shameful, is it?" Rachel asked, but it was more like a statement than a question.

"No." Alana beamed.

"I want Ethan to see us kiss." Rachel said after another moment.

"You do?" Alana's eyes widened as her heart inflated.

Rachel nodded. "I think he would like it, and I think that I..." She bit her lip. "I'm trying to get better and I... I don't like hiding that we kiss. It makes it feel, um..." She frowned. "It makes me feel like it's something we have to hide, like it's dirty or wrong, but it isn't. I don't want to hide it."

Alana grinned ear-to-ear. "I don't want to either."

"So then, tonight? Maybe we can kiss goodnight while Ethan is still awake?"

"I would love that!" Alana said, then looked down a bit and saw the fabric all around them, which reminded her of what she'd just learned about Sarah. "Um, would you want to help me with something in the meantime?"

"What?"

Alana took a deep breath and then looked Rachel in the eyes. "I have Sarah's measurements and if she's going to marry Ethan, she'll need a dress."

Rachel nodded slowly. "I can help."

"Thank you." Alana bit her lip. "I... I really dothink it will be fine. I'm hoping that doing this will help make mefeel like it will be fine."

"Alana, no one could evernot love you." The redhead said, then apparently realized what had just come out of her mouth and went the prettiest shade of red all over again.

Alana beamed.

* * *

"How did you know my name?"

Selene looked up at Smithbond -- or 'Clive' -- from her chair in the one of base's interrogation rooms. The aluminum chairs were just as cold and uncomfortable as she remembered and she was pretty sure that he had previously beaten her to a bloody pulp in this very room. The concrete walls and large two-way mirror were identical, though perhaps the base had many identical interrogation rooms.

"I ran into one of your old friends while I was in the Ten Kingdoms." Selene replied, still majorly pissed about the new women around Ethan and that they shared her birthday, beauty, and skills. Frankly, it made her feel replaceable and used. She wasn't exactly dying to marry Ethan, but she didn't like the fact that she had been tossed aside like yesterday's trash. She was acutely aware that she was being unreasonable, but she was so pissed that she didn't care right now.

Thankfully, Smithb-- Clive was around to torment. "He wanted to make sure I called you by your name."

"Who did you meet?" Clive's eyes narrowed and he leaned in a bit closer, making his rather larger frame intrude into her personal space.

"Someone." Selene smirked.

"Commander Marsgrov?"

"Never heard of him."