That was a good question. Many villagers in the tavern recalled oral
histories about dragons passed down over many generations. Of course, in these
later times, such creatures are believed no longer in existence, the result of
numerous slayings. Then again, there was always a possibly that a few beasts
may be roaming the countryside, but no one had yet to see dragons in the
flesh.
This was echoed by many people who pooh-poohed Edgard's bragging as nonsense.
Naturally Edgard, an arrogant man by nature, sneered at these sensible comments.
His blond hair waved wildly about; his blue eyes flashed. Edgard was
an extremely handsome man, and he knew it. With a tall, powerful build, and
booming voice, Edgard used his physical appearance and outlandish personality to
their fullest. He thrived on attention and praise, chaffed at criticism which he
interpreted as attacks on his honor. Long ago, when Edgard was a mere squire, he
permanently maimed a man for making truthful insights. Edgard didn't care that
the man was a priest, or that he rendered the unfortunate cleric blind and
one-armed.
In a thinly ominous tone, he said through gritted teeth, "I say to you I
shall find the dragons' lair. Between myself and my men, the beasts will not be
long for this world! I know where their hiding place is. It is only a
matter of time before they show themselves."
The short in stature, slender, dark-haired Archel, the youngest and more
impulsive of Edgard's entourage, said to Simon, and to others within earshot,
"My good man, let it be known that I know of the dragons' lair. It is
deep within a forest beyond the meadow. How do I know? Because I, being Edgard's
right-hand man, followed the beasts' trail to an enclosure. I believe the cave
is hidden, and accessed only by those who know the secret password. My mission
is to actually follow one of their minions to that cave and learn the word."
"I know the password." That came from a man who sat by himself in a far
corner. He did not take part in the conversation or company but sat quietly
listening to every word. Archel's mention of the password finally gave this man
reason to speak.
He was not from around here, so the folks could gather. This man was a
stranger, perhaps a weary traveler passing through. His dress was curious, so
unlike the accepted modes of fashion. He was not a wholly handsome man – his
face was long and angular, the body long and spare. He had to be at least six
feet tall but most likely not have weighed more than 150 pounds. The hair was an
abundant reddish mop, the eyes an arresting steel blue. He did not introduce
himself, but reiterated his claim. "I know the password, for I have also
followed the dragons' trail, then remain hidden in the brush until I caught
sight of the female. She is especially dangerous, so take care when you
encounter her, that is if you have the courage."
At this taunt, Edgard snorted, "If I have the courage? Who are you?"
The
traveler only replied, "That is not important. What I am to tell you is for your
own safety. Do not seek out these beasts. It may cost your life."
The older
of the Blue Knight's companions, the gray-haired Herman, who remained silent for
most the conversation, asked, "What is the password? You said you know
it!"
The stranger arose from his seat then made his way to the door. He
turned to Edgard and said, "Firefer!" With that, he exited the tavern.
******
Once they arrived, Medra immediately attacked Samira, heaving her body under the draconic beauty, allowing Samira to tease and torture with tongue and claw. It was good, good! Medra responded to Samira's caresses with equal abandon, kissing and stroking the dragon's glossy black skin, thrusting against Samira's probing tongue. Medra felt the heat of the dragon's breath upon her feminine regions, the long slender tongue playing with the woman's clit. How much she loved her draconic playmate, so much more than any human lover. Ever since her sister's tragic rape, Medra vowed that no man would ever touch her. No! She would give herself to Samira only.
So many things swirled about Medra's mind as she leaned back as Samira made
love to her. Granted, Samira completed the first part of their mission to
destroy Edgard, and Medra still had to expose publicly the Blue Knight's
misdeeds – namely the rape of Mirinda and the resultant baby of which Edgard and
his men never acknowledged.
How dare they wreck havoc on Medra's family!
Mirinda's misfortune was the cap on years of abuse Medra's family endured at
Edgard's hand. The Blue Knight, of course, did all those dastardly deeds for
Theodoric, the very man to whom Medra's father pledged loyalty only to lose his
life. Medra remembered particularly painful episodes: How her father lost nearly
all his property to Theodoric, supposedly due to "satisfy unpaid debts"; how
Mirinda was often the object of Edgard's lust, and that he ultimately quenched
his desire through violent means. Mirinda was beautiful beyond compare and, like
her sister, pledged to remain a maiden. However, Edgard had other ideas.
Medra remembered it well. Mirinda was only fourteen at the time; Medra just passed her eighteenth birthday. It started as any other day. The sisters went to the wood to gather berries and wildflowers. After spending much time in the wood, they stopped at a secluded spot by the lake and enjoyed a lengthy swim. Stripped down to nothing, they splashed and cavorted in the water not knowing they were being watched.
Not far, Edgard and his men stood well hidden within the thicket. The men literally salivated over the girls' beauty. It was no secret that Edgard knew of Medra's special magical talents. They had vowed that they would in time expose her as a witch, thus increasing Theodoric's hold on Medra's family.
They remained hidden until the girls finished their swim. The men watched with uncontrollable hunger as Medra and Mirinda, still nude, began to dress. Edgard in particular admired Mirinda's incomparable beauty, not that Medra wasn't a delight to look at. Mirinda, now at that age when young girls begin to blossom into womanhood, with her long wavy auburn hair, pale skin, and lithesome slender body, inflamed the Blue Knight beyond all reason. Knowing that they were quite alone, the men decided it was now or never.
As the girls, now fully dressed, gathered their baskets and began the long walk home, they were taken by surprise. Edgard, Herman, and Archel ascended upon the girls, blocking any chance of escape.
"Ah, so it is the lovely Mirinda and her witch sister!," exclaimed Edgard
triumphantly as he held the younger girl fast to him.
"What do you want with
us? Let us be on our way!," said Medra as Archel held her at knifepoint.
It
was Archel's turn to speak. "Just a little fun, wench! Now, do as you're told
and you won't get hurt."
Medra tried to kick and scream but Herman and Archel
took her to a nearby tree to which they bound her tightly with a heavy rope.
Edgard, still holding onto a very frightened Mirinda, looked her Medra with
contempt. He was in control of the situation, and Medra finally came to the
realization of what was about to transpire. She knew of the Blue Knight's dark
designs on her sister for Mirinda, days ago, detailed a previous episode.
Apparently, not far from Theodoric's manor, Mirinda was on her way to attend
Lady Griselda, Theodoric's elegant wife. She had barely gotten in the door when
Edgard grabbed her, shoved her into a darkened corner, then began to kiss and
caress the girl despite her repeated protests. Thank goodness one of the other
servants happened by; Edgard released Mirinda at once, vowing to finish the
deed. "I shall have you, girl!," he hissed.
Now, he gets his way, only this time he is forcing Medra to watch! He sneered and taunted Medra with, "O wretched witch! Where is your power now! Why don't you put a curse upon my head? Hah! You don't have the courage! And now, you shall watch me brand your sister. If you say anything to your father, or to anyone else, I shall publicly expose you for the sorceress you are. Surely you don't want to break your parents' hearts by being condemned as a witch. Think of the shame it will bring upon your family if you were to burn at the stake!"
Poor Medra could do nothing but watch as each man took his turn with her sister. Edgard held onto Mirinda as Archel ripped off the hapless girls' dress. Forcing Mirinda to the ground, Edgard duly took the pleasure he so longed for, painfully ramming into her virgin's depths. The girl's screams were too much for Medra as she screamed at the men to stop. She tried to avert her eyes but Herman forcibly held her head; Medra had no choice but watch her the horrible violation of her sister. When Edgard was finished, it was Archel's turn, then Herman's. All the while, they made crude comments on how "awful to despoil this child" and "She's nothing more than a common whore! Just look at her enjoying herself! She's begging for more."
What?!, thought Medra as she remained bound to the tree, thoroughly helpless.
She sobbed uncontrollably as her little sister valiantly tried to fight for her
honor. How brave of Mirinda, at that happy age when young girls prepare
themselves for marriage. And now, all was ruined because of Edgard. How Medra
hated him! What he was doing to Mirinda surely would result in severe
punishment, but this was the Blue Knight who always managed to cover up his
misdeeds. Theodoric saw to that.
And I wouldn't doubt he sent Edgard and
company to "teach Ulric's wretched daughters a lesson."
After each man savagely, viciously, and repeatedly raped the girl, they merely mounted their horses and left. No words or other actions; they left Medra, still tied to the tree, and a badly bleeding and dazed Mirinda. Then men never realized that their heinous crime would come back to haunt them.
******
Samira....
Just when all hope seemed gone, the dragon came to them. At first Medra
feared the beast would kill both her and Mirinda, but she was wrong. Instead,
the dragon, upon seeing Mirinda's limp body sprawled on the grass and Medra
still bound to the tree, introduced herself then said, "Child, what tragedy
befell you?"
Medra, now no longer frightened, told Samira everything; she
didn't leave out any details. Samira, taking pity upon the girls, freed Medra,
then told them that she knew of Edgard and his quest to slay her and her mate
Morib. "He is a profane man as is the one he owes allegiance – that would be
Theodoric. Did you know that Lord Fairfax, long ago, put a price on mine and
Morib's heads? Oh yes, Theodoric gave Edgard that challenge, to kill us.
Violating your virginal sister is just the latest in a long string of crimes
committed by the Blue Knight." Samira then helped the girls home, stopping just
short of the forest clearing. She told Medra that, "I will be at your command.
Whenever you need assistance, I shall come to you. All you need to do is summon
me with this." She gave Medra a tiny silver charm emblazoned with the dragon's
image. The word "Firefer" was etched on the back. "This word will allow you
access to my lair which is hidden within the woods, just beyond the meadow."
Then she told Medra that, "I know your sister is with child. Do not fret, for
this child will be our tool to defeat Edgard and his minions." And with that,
the dragon spread her glossy ebony wings and flew away.
******
"Oh, Samira!," Medra moaned, her mind now focusing on the present. The
dragon's tongue probed deeper within Medra, sending the girl into frenzied
twitching fits of pleasure. How much she loved Samira, and the dragon loved
her.
At last, a spent Medra draped herself over the dragon's body, her leg
caressing the thick shiny black hide as if she still needed the physical
contact. She kissed Samira's neck over and over, cooing sweet words of
satisfaction and gratitude. In her mind, coupling with a dragon – a female at
that – never gave Medra pause. To her, it wasn't forbidden nor evil, but pure
enjoyment. Medra thought of how much she learned from Samira, not just the joys
of the flesh, but the fine tuning of her magical powers. In the years since
Mirinda's rape, Medra's skills increased tenfold. She learned to foresee the
future, and she did just that the moment Mirinda gave birth to her son. Of
course, as Medra and Samira predicted, neither Edgard nor his men claimed
paternity of the child, saying that Mirinda obviously got herself in trouble by
"flirting shamelessly" with a total stranger. This was not true, and, out of
shame, both Medra and Mirinda left the comfort of their parents' home, settling
in the tiny cottage where Medra still resides.
What happened to Mirinda
afterwards? Only Samira and Medra know, and they took great pains to keep the
younger girl hidden all these years. The baby was soon adopted by a childless
couple who lived far from Ninegates. Medra, riding Samira and carrying the tiny
bundle, traveled to another village hundreds of miles way, literally leaving the
child on the steps of the local church. Thinking that her sister's nightmare
over, Medra was warned by Samira that justice had yet to be served. It was then
that Samira and Medra devised a way to avenge Mirinda's rape and the years of
misfortune Theodoric and Edgard wrought.
"There will more trials, for this child and his descendents, at the hands of
Theodoric and Edgard. We have the ability to see the future, so why not ruin
Edgard by other means?"
Medra was not sure of what Samira meant; she asked,
"Are you saying that we defeat Edgard by ruining his future?"
Samira smiled,
revealing her perfectly white, razor sharp teeth. It was an evil, scheming smile
that seemed to set Medra on fire. "Yes!," she replied, "Edgard is to marry soon,
to a maiden handpicked by Theodoric. Their children and their children's
children will continue their wicked ways for generations. Your sister's child
has none of Edgard's dastardly qualities. He is good and sweet, like his mother.
His descendents – well, one in particular – will be the catalyst in our final
defeat of the Blue Knight."
It took many months – years – of planning, but
the scheme paid off beautifully. With one of the last of Edgard's line soundly
defeated, Samira and Medra bided their time. Only at the grand tournament will
Edgard finally receive his much deserved punishment.
******
"Samira, I trust you left no clues as to your handiwork."
The dragon
laughed, a deep throaty, darkly seductive laugh, saying, "My Medra, my love, I
assure you that no one knows a thing. They will look all over for this 'mystery
woman' and not ever suspect that I, Samira, set that fire."
Medra nodded,
smiled, saying, "It is done, my dear Samira. Now, let us leave this place,
although being with you is the joy of my life."
Samira was about to give
Medra another amorous romp when, just then, footsteps could be heard in the
distance. Medra leapt to her feet, surely alarmed that someone dared intrude
during a passionate rendezvous. "After all, no one knows of this place, it is our
and ours alone...but...wait!"
Through the thicket emerged Alice Inskeep the tavern keeper's daughter. A
comely blonde-haired girl of sixteen, Alice seemed out of breath, her clothes
and hair damp from sweat. "Medra!," she called, "I knew I'd find you here!" She
made apologies to both dragon and Medra, acknowledged Samira's presence with a
kindly greeting, then said, "Edgard was at the tavern! He has renewed his vow to
kill Samira and Morib, and a fellow told Edgard the password!"
Now Medra grew
very agitated and alarmed. Not many humans knew the secret password to gain
access to the dragon's lair, now a stranger nonchalantly told the Blue Knight. O
what treacherous creatures these men can be!
"Alice, is this true?" She looked at Samira with pained eyes, saying, "Tell
me this is not true! How can a perfect stranger know the password? Now Edgard
and his disgusting band will be waiting for you and Morib! It's only a matter of
time before your heads grace the walls of the Nine Raven!" Medra was now in
tears because her friends, and lover, were on the brink of certain death. Edgard
could be there now; Morib could be dead already.
To this Samira calmed the
girls, saying, "My dears, do not worry. For this all part of the trap I have
planned for Edgard. If I know him, he will wait until after the tournament, then
make his move. What he doesn't know is that that stranger is..."
After Samira
revealed the traveler's identity, both girls nearly fainted from shock. How can
this be?
"I know," Samira said, "that we wanted to bring down Edgard at the
tournament, but why not do it this way? Don't you see? With the children still
living, we are still in danger. I allow you, dear Medra, to devise a way to get
them here. When they arrive, and they fall for our trap, it will be the
beginning of the end of the houses of both Edgard and Theodoric!"
TO BE CONTINUED...GO TO CHAPTER 3!
Copyright©2003, 2004 by Pepper Shriver*. All Rights
Reserved.
*My pen name :-)