Rider King parts 4 & 5

Next post, I will provide a hierarchy and a map

Dramon leaves to get my cane. Now that I’m alone, I do my best to clean up. My knee doesn’t hurt bad enough to need medicine. This surprises me since the ride had been pretty rough.

I squirm when I think of today “rides.” First I rode Dramon, and then his flying beast.

I struggle to stand without my cane and glare at my destroyed knee. I hate this. I hate this part of me. It has only been a few months, but it feels like I’ve been trapped for a lifetime.

Dramon returns with my cane, and I take it with a ‘thank you’ that I don’t mean.

“There are things I must tend to. I will let you rest.”

I nod. “See you tonight, then.”

“You are free to use what you want.”

“Thank you.” This time, I mean it.

He glances at the blankets that are sticky from the evidence of our consummation, and then he leaves.

I sigh and sink back into his bedroll.

What am I going to do here? A Rider Queen that can’t ride? The only thing I can do is lie on my back and let Dramon pump babies into me. I can’t join him in battle, training, hunting, or building.

What in Xelor did King Centres see in me, a woman with clipped wings? Leading had been my calling once upon a time, but although I still have the spirit, I don’t have the body.

I look at the lingering bits of blue dust on the floor. I’ve never heard of this sexual stimulant. Would Dramon be alright? What if his urges get too distracting? Would he come to me for help?

I shake my head clear. If I keep thinking about sex with Dramon, then I’ll have to wipe between my thighs again.

I look around for a strip to bind my hair. I don’t want to tie it, but I don’t want the poor Rider King to be painted in blue dust all day, either.

I take the strip from a bag and tie it. The hairstyle feels strange, but I guess I’ll have to get used to it.

What other customs did Dramon’s Clan have? As a human who has only lived among one Clan, I’m not familiar with the rest. I’ll have to ask Dramon to give me a run-through. The last thing I’d want is to insult his people.

I sit in boredom for some time, until a friendly, older woman brings me a plate of food. I thank her and eat the delicious meat. It’s more tender than what I’m used to. I wonder what animal it is.

The animals I hunt are always on low ground. I’ve heard there are stranger creatures out there. Rider King Zoro and his Clan settle around open water, where enormous fish are rumored to swim. I’ve never been to an ocean or the volcanic lands of Rider King Rexon, and I rarely traveled through Dramon’s mountains.

After a few more minutes, I peek outside. It’s still daytime, and I’m desperate for a shower.

“Queen?” The older woman from earlier appears.

“You can call me Venus,” I smile at her. “Could you show me where the nearest lake or river is?”

“Lake?” She tips her head, and the decorative ornaments and thin bones in her blue, braided hair flicker.

“A lake for what?”

“To shower.”

“Oh, no, my Queen. We do not do that here. Our beasts do not like large bodies of water since they do not fly too well with wet feathers.”

Hmm, that seems to be another Clan difference. The beasts of my Clan love cooling off their scaly, rough skin. We always settled around a body of water for access.

“I will have some men bring you water. Would this please you?”

“Thank you…”

“Jema,” she completed.

“Thank you, Jema.”

She left, and I didn’t have to wait much for the water and soap to arrive. I rinsed myself off quickly and then washed the blankets. I’ve never been a fan of dresses, so I search for a pair of pants. I snort when I pick out a pair that belongs to Dramon. They’re so large that they would better serve me as a blanket.

I settle with tying together a shift dress that covers my scarred knee. By the time I’m done, it’s dark outside.

The sound of someone entering the tent startles me, because I’m used to living alone.

Dramon is back, and he looks irritated. Is he upset about the wet ground? Or that I made a dress?

He ran a hand through his short hair and grumbled, “My riders spotted Zoro nearby.”

I raise an eyebrow. “What is he doing so far from the islands? He never comes so far in-land.”

“I don’t know.”

Now I understand why Dramon is upset. He’s going to have to welcome Zoro with a feast. This is expected when Clans cross each other.

I would be upset, too. Zoro is an asshole.

“We will leave the day after tomorrow.” He sheathes his battleaxe and sits on his bedroll.

His heavy boots thud on the floor, and the tent feels tight and suffocating. Just like my sex did around his–

I drop my gaze to my hands and let the awkward silence do the speaking for me.

Cloth shifts as Dramon strips down to a state of undress that I don’t dare to check.

He must have washed off the blue dust, and I wonder if the effects are starting to hit him.

I hear the sharp sling of a blade as he sharpens his axe, and I use that distraction to lie on the bedroll. Hopefully, by the time he’s done, I’m asleep.

I close my eyes and stay on the far side of the bed. Dramon doesn’t say anything, so we lie there as husband and wife by title but strangers by reality.

We don’t touch throughout the night. I know this because I don’t sleep deeply. I never do. It’s one of the trade-offs of being a warrior. When Dramon rises at first light, I get up with him.

There is an uncomfortable soreness between my legs. I should ask for an ointment, but I’m too embarrassed about it. I’ve never had this dilemma. No male had ever fucked me so thoroughly.

I guess I’ll just have to ignore it.

“You should get more rest. You need it.”

It’s like he can read my mind or my body.

Dramon fastens the ties of his hide pants, not even caring about a top. His dusty, well-worn boots are already on his feet. His arms already sinewy and veined, ready to take on the day.

He’s more attractive than the gentle morning sun.

“I don’t like to sleep in.”

Sleeping in gives me too much time to think about what’s broken. I prefer being on my feet and fixing whatever I can.

“I will train my men. Will you join me?”

I shake my head. I already know that I would slow them down.

“I will not take offense if you try to exert leadership.”

I know he won’t. Dramon is so purely masculine that he’s immune to insecurity. I know because I used to be like that, too. Purely feminine in my own way.

“I will fish,” I tell him.

I want to contribute to the Clan, but there’s not much I can do with my leg.

Dramon stared for a second, but didn’t argue. “I will see you tonight. I will prepare everything for Zoro’s arrival.”

He ducked out of the tent, and I followed minutes later. A few greetings and plenty of stares came my way. Some people were interested in my eyes, others in my cane.

I asked a boy about fishing rods, and he was more than eager to show me. The adults were more cautious around me.

“Are you looking for something?” An older man asked. I’m not surprised that he has more courage than the younger males, who didn’t want to risk their friendliness getting confused as flirting by Dramon.

“Fishing equipment.”

He helped me gather everything and offered to lead the way. I ignored the whispering couple nearby and gently rejected his offer. He probably had more important things to do.

Flying to the river would cut down travel time by half an hour, but I would rather walk. I still don’t feel comfortable riding Dramon’s beast. I’d rather ride Treysa.

A group of curious boys followed me. Walking through the mountains wasn’t as awful as I expected it to be. The tall trees covered the sun, the morning-cool mist refreshed my skin, and the giggles of children entertained me.

Once at the river, I fished for a while. The children splashed by the shore, and I kept a close eye on them as I worked.

I was grateful for the tasks. It distracted me from what I left behind.

When my stomach started protesting, I gutted a fish and called the children over. They shyly accepted the offering and ate as they splashed.

I fished for about five hours before heading back. I made sure all kids arrived with me and then walked through busy crowds, clouds of smoke, clattering metal, beads, and leaves. Beasts flew overhead and people chatted loudly as they prepared for Zoro’s visit.

I walked to the part of camp that was rich in the smell of spices, burning wood, and smoke. This is where the meals were cooked.

I held up my bucket of fish. “Who should I give these to?”

A man swept in. “Thank you. I will be sure to serve these tonight.”

The thought of my effort being appreciated made me feel fuzzy. I smiled at him, maybe a little too brightly since he squirmed nervously.

I left to wash off the smell of fish, not caring to do much about my appearance. Would Dramon care that I wear no accessories?

I wash my old dress and set it out to dry, then peek outside when someone calls for me.

A man stands there with Treysa.

I thank him and spend some time cleaning her up.

“Fires, Treysa. Your talons are coated in rocks and dirt.”

She made a soft purring sound. She must be hungry and tired after the long journey. I take her around the tent, and she begins to chew on the bark of a fallen tree.

“Venus.”

I face Dramon, and realize that I’ve lost track of time.

“Be a good girl,” I tell Treysa. “I’ll be back tonight.”

I run my hands over my dress. Dramon didn’t seem to care about dressing up for Zoro, either. His hair is sweaty and wild atop his head, his shoulder dusty from a fall he must’ve taken, his pants wrinkled, and his sword dripping in green blood.

I don’t mind the feral look.

He jerks his axe downward, and some blood flicks off. “Zoro has arrived. Are you ready?”

We walk together.

A bonfire cooks in the middle of the camp, and a row of neatly piled furs have been set. In front of the seats are great plates and bowls steaming with food. The row of seats overlook a matted area, where performers would dance.

Zoro was already seated on the far left, and he stood to meet Dramon.

“Winds, Zoro.”

“Winds, King.” He turned to me. “Queen.” His eyes flickered to my cane, as if he needed the re-assurance that I’m still dethroned.

He sat down on his pile of furs, a few feet away. Dramon plopped down in the center, stabbing his axe in the trunk of a tree where it was easily accessible. I sit near it, planning on grabbing it if Zoro pisses me off.

When I sit beside Dramon, eyes turn to me. I don’t understand the attention. I reach for my hair to make sure its still bound, and realize that I pulled the tie off when I was washing Treysa. Is that why people stare?

“Our Queens sit on their husband’s lap,” Dramon explained.

Oh.

It’s going to take me a while to get used to this marriage life. I’ve always been a free spirit. Now, Dramon’s people expect us to be one.

Dramon looked away, not pressuring her into anything.

“Zoro, why are you so far in-land?”

“We are re-locating to the East. It was better to cut across instead of following the shore.”

Dramon didn’t ask anything else. He likes Zoro as much as I do, so he’s not very interested in conversation.

I pick up a plate and I’m pleased to see my fish among the dishes.

Some performers stepped onto the mat. Men and women alike twisted their bodies to the sound of drums. Their dance is more tactical than sensual. Their warrior blood is undeniable.

I’m taken away by their art. They dance as Dramon, Zoro, and I watch in silence. My husband and I clearly weren’t made out to be hosts.

The dancers fall away, and a single man steps onto the mat to do a solo. He steps off, and then a woman replaces him.

Dramon tenses. He freezes in the present, which makes me realize that he has a past with this woman.

She is beautiful. She wears a red tube top and skirt that is draped in the same pearls she wears around her neck. Her hair is loose around her shoulders, unlike most women’s.

There’s something sexual about her lingering stare, and an invitation in her smirk. There’s a story written in the contours of Dramon’s fisted hands and gritted jaw.

The dance begins, and my husband is still tense beside me.

The enchanting woman is a fish, a bird, a snake, a dragon braided into one. She’s strong and swift, brazen and wild.

I will never be able to dance like that.

Pain roars in my chest, so I stand up to run away from my crippled state.

“Venus?” Dramon calls out.

“I’ll just go check on Treysa. I’ll be right back.”

Not many people notice me when I stand. Why would they, when this woman is making love to the air with her hips?

The woman rips her top off. It’s not very surprising. The people of Xelor don’t sexualize breasts. They only cover them for protection. Only humans are shy abour bared breasts.

The beads on her neck dance between her perked nipples. She steps toward the platform, bends at the waist to leave her breasts swinging below, and blows a cloud of blue dust at Dramon’s face.

Oh, fires no. I don’t fucking think so.

My hair is free, so Dramon’s people would assume I’m upset. Something tells me this woman isn’t telling Dramon to please me. She wants him for herself.

I may no longer be a great warrior, but I’m not letting anyone disrespect me.

I walk to my husband and plop my ass on his lap. His gaze drops to me. Everyone’s attention is on me.

I am the dancer now.