His Right

Sleeplessness. The whispers of the wind around him spoke. They kissed his ears. Taron lay beside Nina in a large bed. Months and months passed. Ryu chose his destiny and the world around them changed. They fled away from the wrath of the dragon god. Wyndia, like all other lands, would survive. This was simply a test and a start to a new story. But Taron’s heart lingered with the vision of Starfyre in his mind.

“Taron...” Her voice softly kissed his ears. “Taron...rouse from thy dream..see me.”

He called to the spirit, her spirit. Closure was a hard thing to claim when all one could remember was darkness. The aura of the divinity dragoness warmed the room around him. He stood alone in the darkness. Alone until she came into the room.

“See us..Taron..” Starfyre’s feet touched the floor. Grass sprang all round them. A plush, moonlit forest surrounded. “Taron....” Starfyre’s hand rested over her chest. She was no longer pregnant. “You called to me...and I came. What vexes thee? Are you not...happy?”

Silver eyes glanced at the appearing bed. Nina lay on it. She cuddled a pillow. Her rounding stomach proof of activity other than kissing. Starfyre smiled and stepped closer.

Taron glanced at Starfyre, knowing that he was still dreaming, but knowing that it was no ordinary dream. He was still talking to her, even though they were many miles apart. While he would have been frightened by such a thing before, now it was almost second nature to him, and he didn't even give it a second thought. "I am," he said, "and yet… not. I am glad for my newfound happiness and love, and I am likewise glad that you have found it as well, but… it's not right that you should be his… slave."

“Slave is a relative word, my friend.” She held his hand as she appeared before him. “We are changing the world...you and I. The paths of dragons walked. New courses have been set. This is an exciting new time.” Starfyre smiled. “For all of us. And while I understand....that you feel upset for me...I have chosen this. My master is something I accept. I have bore him a daughter. Just as Nina shall bare you a young son. It is exciting!” Grinning. “A new wave of heroes. Always Nina? Not anymore. It will be your son who carries on the adventure. Your son...Master’s daughter. Although he was surprised to see her. He thought I would have a son.” She giggled. “But yours and Nina’s child changed that I suppose.”

"And what makes you think that?" Taron asked. "Your child came first, so would have been a daughter before Nina and I conceived. So perhaps you are to bare a son still, just not when he expected." He nodded lightly. It might be a relative word, but it was also a state of mind, and it was evident that she was in that state from her wording. His and Nina's son, but 'Master's daughter.' Not hers. But then, she also accepted it, she had said. So why couldn't he?

“Because....He said I would have a boy so it stands to reason that fate stepped in and meant for you to be with her. See?” Starfyre stepped away. “I am happy, Taron. I know she is my daughter too. I see it in your eyes. And she will know. Master doesn’t treat me like you think. He treats me as his goddess. And that, from Fou-Lu, is a rare gift. So please....ease your heart ache for me. We will always be friends no matter the sides we stand upon. Please, Taron? A new adventure awaits this land. It can’t happen if her people dwell on the past.”

"Maybe you're right," Taron replied. "I guess we shall have to see." He knew she was right about Fou-Lu, and he certainly treated her as a Goddess and not a slave, even though he called her that. He turned from Nina to look at her. "Though there is one thing I am a bit curious about. Is it just Fou-Lu, or… is it both of them?"

“You mean...Master’s other half? He is complete again. The two that were split rejoined. You merely traveled with that ‘heroic, good’ side of Master. Ryu is him. He is Ryu. Although he has gotten much kinder to mortals after the re-joining. I believe it was supposed to happen. So in a sense, it is both but they were always one.” Starfyre answered.

"I thought it might be something like that," Taron said. "It would just be too weird to be something else, I think. Two semi separate beings in one body." He chuckled lightly. "Though, that does bring new light to the phrase 'talking to one's self, doesn't it?"

“Thou art positively silly.” Starfyre gasped and turned. “My master beckons me.” She glanced at Taron one last time. “Remember...this is simply a beginning. Our paths are joined and our children will undoubtedly carry on the adventure. Do not fret and do not ache for me.”

Her form faded as did the room around them. The darkness turned into the castle Wyndia and he was on the bed. Nina shifted in her sleep and cuddled up to him.

“Mm..mmm..Taron?” Nina whispered. “You’re talking in your sleep..” She spoke sleepily. “What’s wrong?”

"Nothing, love," Taron answered, kissing her forehead, resting his arm on her side, his hand lightly caressing her belly and their child. "I was just seeking answers to some haunting questions. A few restless thoughts that needed to be put to rest."

“Like what?” She rolled over so she could face him. “You can talk to me, Love.” Nina touched his cheek and smiled. “My Prince...my future king of Wyndia.” She was still princess so technically he was only a prince still..just as she was princess.

"Starfyre," Taron answered. "I just… didn't think it right that she is a slave, no matter what. It' just doesn't seem right. But now, I think that I shall be alright with it." He lay against her, his body conforming around hers, head propped up on his arm. "Besides, there are other things to worry and ponder about now."

“Ah...well.”Nina pondered. “Maybe you can find a way to free her? I believe like you. Slaves are not acceptable. We shall never allow slavery in Wyndia. Those trying to have a slave shall be promptly punished.”

"I don't know," Taron said. "Even if I do, I don't think I would. It's… something that she wants, in a sense. And even though he calls her slave, she is his Goddess. To free her would be to take that away from her as well. I think that might destroy her."

“So why do you worry?” Nina seemed confused. “I know what I think...but...well...I don’t know. I know that times will be hard ahead. The dragon god had taken over the empire.”

"I worried before, but now, I have… talked it out." Taron smiled, trailing a finger over her forehead, along her nose, over her lips and chin, down her neck, trailing off between her breasts. Motherhood had agreed with her, giving her a soft, sensual glow that resonated within her. "And we will prevail, Love, no matter what difficulties we shall face."

“Even if that means facing her? She serves him....” Nina worried about that small fact.”What if she fights for him?”

"If that day comes, then we shall deal with it as it comes," Taron replied. "I know that she will fight for him, but… in a sense, now, she fights for us. So perhaps that day might not come. He is whole now, and has a sense of both sides, and with her added influence, it might not be as bad as we think it might."

“She fights for us? What do you mean?” Now she was even more confused. “What?”

"I've known her all of my life, and she's a good person inside. She wouldn't just stand by and let Fou-Lu destroy everything," Taron said. "No matter how loyal she is to him, she couldn't do that. Not before, and especially not now as a mother. I think fatherhood might change him a little. Think about it. What do the legends say about when he becomes all powerful? Don't you think that if he was going to destroy everything, he would have done so already?"

“I don’t know....” Nina looked unsure. “There is still that possibility. She does accept her self as a slave.”

"That's true, but she also has the power to sway his actions, at least to some extent." Taron chuckled lightly. "Slave is a relative term in that sense."

“Whatever the course, Love. We will make it somehow. That much I have faith in.” Nina smiled. “I have faith in you.”

“But do you have faith in your self and her to do the right thing should worse come to worse?” His own voice whispered in his ear.

Only time would be able to tell. But for now? He had a life with Nina to live. He had to trust what he had in front of him else he would lose it all.


The end....for now.