Dragon's Roust(private)

[Perplexia]

At some point she fell back asleep, and woke up in the afternoon. 'Where are you?' she questioned as she slid to the floor and rang for her maid. Getting dressed she headed down to bid those remaining guests adeau. Gerat had taken it upon himself to make himself known. It was one of the more brilliant things he could have done. The last thing they wanted was for it to appear he hid behind her skirts.

'I'm going to get something to eat and get the mules packed with bread for the outskirt villages if you care to join me my King, so the people may get to meet you.'

Having Gerat there with her brought to light something he said last night. She was no longer alone. He had gifted her with a way to keep her kingdom out of the clutches of her cousin, and in return he got to live the life of a king.

 

[BiSmiley]

Gerat had dressed and gone to the soldiers barracks, Henry eargerly helping his lord into something appropriate for the excursion though Gerat made a few quick refusals of the more showy additions the manservant attempted to add. Gerat didn't need a lavish look, he needed something casual approachable...Or so he said to Henry, his grasp of human fashion was a touch out of date.

He made his entrance with as little fuss as possible explaining to the captains that he didn't wish to disturb the train regimen that was being practiced. Though he did mention he would enjoy partaking of some of the training himself possibly see if he could learn more or possibly teach them something they hadn't known.

The princess' voice chimed within his thoughts 'Down at the barracks introducing my self to our soldiers.' Her suggestion was an excellent one considering he intended on letting himself be known and seen. 'I will meet you there shortly.'

Gerat let the captains know he had to depart but would be paying them regular visits in the coming days, assuring them that he would like to learn 'their' way of doing things before daring to assume any sort of command.

Before long he found his way on foot to the princess letting the bind between them guide his steps "Good afternoon my dear so what is it we have planned for today?" He smiled.

 

[Perplexia]

It never seemed to amaze her that how when he drew closer a calmness over came her. She smiled at him a true smile. Happy to be in his presence again. "I normally go into the outskirting villages and hand out bread to the poor. Sometimes i may join them for a celebration if they have one. Today i thought it would be a great honor for them to be presented to their new King my husband."

Taking his arm they went outside where there horses were saddled and ready for them. With a few guards and a stable boy trailing behind with the donkeys they made their decent down the city waving and stopping to talk to a few of the villagers.

Once across the bridge they made their way to the first village. At first they were hesitant, but slowly people began to approach him. Talk with him, and ask him questions of the land he came from.

 

[BiSmiley]

Gerat found himself enjoying even the mundane things like exploring these small villages. It was truly interesting to see how things had changed in the day to day lives of these humans, though many things had become overly complicated as opposed to the simple beginnings.

Advances in house holds markets and workshops, things he'd never seen before showing genuine interest as he strolled into one of the blacksmithy's on the pairs path. Smiling all the while and involving Rosalynne in the discussion interested in her opinion and what she knew.

The people here were and ever curious, and he was as curious of them asn they were of him, the men women and children showing an obvious and active interest in the land he came from. Gerat found himself speaking of the warrior tribes of his past, honor bound people of the sand and sea, the sprawling jungle packed with dangers and challenges for young warriors.

One man spoke in with a sour expression "Ha, royalty is the same everywhere, all talk while the soldiers and men beneath them are responsible for their 'lofty' deeds." The thick disdain in the man's voice for nobility was hardly blunted by his admirtation for his own princess, his ire seemed aimed at a particular royal.

Gerat's thoughts strung along to Rossalynne 'I'm assuming thats the path your cousin treads? Standing on the shoulders of those below him?'

Gerat turned to the man in response "Not in my experience sir, even royalty and nobility of my people are tested, we are warriors first and foremost." Gerat was recounting the rights of passage for young warriors both male and female alike, in great detail, the harsh training from ones tenth birthday to their eighteenth many didn't survive and those that did graduated by claiming the head of a great beast, a trophy of ascension into citizenship.

After that explanation the villagers were only urged on for more details Gerat smiled in earnest and elaborated as best he could. Though many questions began circling around the fact that neither men or women stood ahead of the other, that everything was earned and deserved. Then came the question about his presence here so far from home "The rite of rule," Gerat recalled the event he witnessed from afar "for king with many sons squabbling for the throne is without honor so there are two choices to be made, leave the kingdom and seize your own life and land, or a duel to the death I chose to seek out my own future, and I found something more valuable than I could've imagined." Motioning to his queen and gripping her hand firmly.

 

[Perplexia]

Rosalynn watched and listened and interacted with the same amount of dignity she always had. Gerat was winning them over with a greater victory then she could have ever hoped for. 'yes' she had responded to his mind when he asked about the path her cousin took.

She listened with admiration as he answered their questions and told his tales, even finding herself picturing them in her mind and believing in the tales he told with such conviction. For a few moments she felt so lucky to have found such a man to marry. Before she had to remind herself, this man was also a Dragon that was merely playing his part.

Rosalynn danced with his children as the men engaged in banter about military and the likes. Things of which they didn't feel comfortable discussing with a woman.

It was this way at each village they went to, his story remained the same detail for detail.

When he had grabbed her hand stating that he had found something more valuable then he ever imagined, she blushed feeling flattered, and perhaps for a moment swooning before reality came back to her mind. As they rode back she spoke to his mind 'Thank you for giving them the gift of hope and pride in their new King.'

 

[BiSmiley]

Gerat nodded to her knowingly 'Ofcourse, it'd be a short reign if I were to do anything less would it not.' The dragon knew well enough how rulers had acted it was a simple matter of avoiding the common mistakes of arrogance, entitlement and righteousness none of which ended well in the long scheme of things. Or perhaps the dragon was truly hoping to find a lasting place among these people...

A subject he'd have to think through much later but now was not the time for such thoughts. "So my queen what's next for our day or shall we find a secluded spot to enjoy a meal?" Wondering if she indeed intended on a picnic as she had suggested earlier.

 

[Perplexia]

"Thank you for reminding me my King" she advised dismissing the guards. She led Garet to a brook that had a small little water fall. Place down the cloth for them to sit on she unpacked the basket. "I use to come here as a child and contemplate the person i wanted to be when i grew up." she smiled filling their cups with mead.
"You tell me that you are grateful to me for this opportunity, yet i will never be able to repay the debt i owe you." 'for saving my kingdom from the hands of my cousin, for the experience you gave me last night, for simply being amazing.'

She blushed a little after finishing the last half of her conversation to his mind. Handing him some bread and cheese and fruit She enjoyed the quietness and serenity of the rushing water.

"I would like us to take the opportunity to get away as often as we can. Our union should be looked at as a great solid one. One that we are connected as one."

 

[BiSmiley]

Being taken to this quaint little spot Gerat admired the simple beauty of it, and even the woman that accompanied him there. Leaning back in the afternoon sun on the blanket she'd lain out. Partaking of the food offered and listening intently 'Are you the person you wished to be?' Gerat asked curiously.

Smiling as she spoke of owing him a great debt Gerat couldn't help but chuckle "I'm glad you appreciate my efforts, you needn't worry about repaying me," Gerat took a drink and turned his eyes to the distant island mount that was once his prison "I value experiences like these far more than you'd imagine, the rare and new, believe me when I say we are even." Gerat finished his words with thoughts 'When I came upon you I had recently freed myself from an inescapable prison, though chance played heavy on my escape.' Pointing out the mount in the distance rising high above the trees.

'I was imprisoned for meddling directly in mortal affairs, and spent an very very long time in the dark of the caverns within,' passing off images of his former cage to her thoughts 'you can't imagine how utterly maddening it is to sit and wait for something to happen, my meals would wander in from time to time, the odd knight or explorer on a quest would charge in sword drawn without hesitation...annoying when you find yourself having to kill your only connection to the world outside.' Self defense always came first.

"I believe our union I believe is stronger than most despite the barrier between us." Gerat making light of the difference in species "The bond between us will go a long way toward that end." Gerat wasn't quite sure if he meant the pact or the simple comfort of being truly honest with her unlike having to deceive most humans...it was refreshing.

 

[Perplexia]

'Are you the person you wished to be?' he had asked her with curiosity. 'I am for the most part, despite my gender i feel that i have made strides in areas where others have failed. After all i am a great dragon capturer', she laughed a little, know it was not true.

'I know that it may not seem like it from the average stand point, but i feel sorrow for you for being imprisoned as you were. I have felt that i have been imprisoned myself to some degree. But then i also worry for you, if your meddling in mortal affairs was so severe, would not what you're doing for me be considered the same?' She questioned with the deepest empathy and concern for his well being.

'I truly enjoy our conversations Gerat, you are so wise, and i find great comfort in your being here. I doubt i will ever remarry once you go. But if i shall, he would have to be at least half the man that you are for me to consider it.'

She smiled blushing again and laying down beside him after she finished her meal.

 

[BiSmiley]

Gerat could feel the honesty in her words 'I'd agree with your feeling trapped' he nodded along 'humans are all so...confined' a sly grin formed over his lips as he bagan to muse 'so many rules traditions, rituals, beliefs, roles, and not too mention stuffy clothes, when did being proud of ones natural form become so obscenely that all your species must cover it up...truly a step back in your culture.' He chuckled following suit and finishing the meal at hand, his comment was totally honest but likely to Rosalynne it was an absurd notion fraught with embarrassment.

'Believe it or not in my culture to cover up or hide our natural forms is insulting, and the basis for deceit.' Motioning to his current state the human form a deception in and of itself.

'Wisdom not shared is wasted, a lesson many dragons could learn, and no helping you is the least of my worries at least it wont change anything,' meaning regardless of his actions he was an outsider and seen as a threat, dragons had long memories 'Besides they imprisoned me by chance and trickery rather than taking direct action, it only means they fear me.' Gerat feeling a swell of pride in that statement.

'Alas my queen I myself am not a man at all let alone half,' laughing aloud at his own bad joke 'Though if your looking for another dragon I know a few lonely fire-drakes if they're still around.'

 

[Perplexia]

Rosalynn couldn't help but elbow him at his last comment. 'you willfully twisted my words' that was followed by a laugh as well. 'I simply meant that you're everything a woman wishes she could find in a male of our species. Too often the men are filled with greed and testosterone. Or feel that they are worthy in some way.'

'I suppose i can understand how your species would find it offensive to have to hide who you are. Perhaps one day people will revert back to a time where modesty doesn't rule our civilizations.'

'I am sorry that your species resorted to trickery as you put it, i suppose there are always those that will view one with your knowledge a threat. Though upon further thought, I can never remarry. How would i then explain my chasement.' she laughed and blushed again.

 

[BiSmiley]

Laughing in response to the sharp jab 'Didn't wish to squander an opportunity to see you blush again.' He smirked taking her hand in his 'I'm sure there are nobler creatures than myself out there.'

Her under reacting to his comment had him a little off put but a smirk returned to him 'Perhaps its a look we could bring back into style, you of all the females I've witnessed in my time have nothing to be ashamed of.' His teasing was likely to get him another jab in the ribs but he was durable enough to endure it for a little amusement.

'Even a human can pose a threat with the things I know.' He mused to her, only to be taken aback by the next comment, she would keep up the charade even after he had left 'Why not pounce upon some unsuspecting yet strapping young gentleman and solve such a inconvenient problem?' Gerat would never understand the human preoccupation with being chaste, why was such a thing so precious when what it barred was such a pleasurable experience by comparison.

 

[Perplexia]

True to his thought she jabbed him again for making such an outlandish statement and making her blush.

'I suppose i don't look at as being an inconvenience. As your wife it would be required of me to give you my virtue as an honored gift. With the extra years you've added to my life I suppose i would find it pointless to watch a different man wither away. As well as with most men you never seem to get what they advertise. There are better things, good things I can do with my time as leader. Although the experience was something of a divine nature.' she blushed profusely.'The emotional requirements of a female is to honor her husband, it is a deeply intimate ritual. I have made my peace with the mind sharing you gave me regarding it, and i thank you for that. But now i will know what i will be missing.'

She smiled softly and rose placing the empty wraps back in the basket. "Darkness shall be falling soon my husband. Perhaps we should make our way back to the castle."