dragon.
None but a story, you said.
And of the riches in the village?
It's all under one's feet and before one's eyes. That is real.
The people say they've chosen me, said Wyl.
For what?
A new era of prosperity, more than enough for all.
Raef, you thought, the cunning and cowardly. If Wyl found a dragon hoard, he knew the people would get no more benefit than a generous banquet. As a prince, he'd enjoy the riches on top of his inherited wealth. If Wyl failed, you would not be surprised if Raef commissioned a journey of his own. If Wyl died, Raef might have to quest himself, but if he survived, he would one day be King.
You watched Wyl sit on a cushioned bench. His back widened as he leaned forward. You placed both hands below his shoulders. Comfort for him, contact for you.
They say I'm a good, brave, and worthy prince and only a man such as this can attain these boons, said he.
In that instant, no, Aoife, you didn't think the full thought. The glimmer came and went. You felt a shiver at your core and smiled wide with no idea why you were smiling. It was only a nameless, formless possibility at that moment. Then you said:
Wyl, you are a good, brave, worthy prince.
He asked if you believed so. You did. You did. Your hands moved into the brown curled scruff at his neck. He sighed a creature's content.
Now here. Your heart tears.
I'm afraid, Aoife.
You didn't deserve his honesty even though you had earned it. His vulnerability was what brought him to you. He trusted you. He desired but also loved you. You wanted what no ordinary woman could have and he was able to give. Influence, intercession. Your life existed as it did because of him. He never once took advantage or liberties. He wanted to. You could tell in his eyes what he wanted. Good, decent, charming Wyl.
What did you do? You didn't console him. No, you pressed your breasts to his back and wrapped your arms around his neck. You let him untwine you and lead you to sit on his thighs. You let him hold you. | why had this taken so long? | You wanted to grab him by the throat and kiss him until he couldn't breathe. | would you know how to do that? | Instead, you sat with his flesh bone heart under your palm. His mouth was on your temple until asked he:
Tell me. You would know. Is there a map to where the dragon lives?
Of course not, you said.
WYL'S PHYSICAL STATURE SUGGESTED POWER, ACTION, AND CONFIdence, but he was guileless, almost innocent. He was a man who meant no harm. | do you love him now, too long later, too late? | You believed his decency was his saving grace. You feared it was also a weakness. He had hardly traveled outside of his kingdom. You had less so, only across the river, only for a day, night, and morning.
On impulse, you gave Wyl the amulet. You told him anyone who held it was promised safety. When he asked from where it came, you claimed it was an old gift. When he asked where he should begin his journey, you suggested he start east. You could say no more because you knew nothing else. You didn't send him to the people across the river. You wouldn't risk their seclusion. As it was, you felt your actions violated an unspoken promise.
You said he would likely have to ask directly about the dragon that guarded a great hoard. He'd learn soon enough, wouldn't he, if the dragon was a lie.
Wyl had no choice but to quest. The King understood it was wise to go with what the people had chosen. That was their tradition, the power they were allowed to wield. Honor it. His younger brother's zeal was manic and infectious. Raef took great delight in the danger his brother would face, although he didn't acknowledge any peril. Big brother, find the treasure and make us rich! said he at a crowded dinner one evening. You wondered what had gotten into him.
So the King agreed to send his favorite son on a quest to find a dragon. What a farce, you thought. Yet there it was.
You kissed Wyl goodbye in private. A kiss that threatened to wear through woven
None but a story, you said.
And of the riches in the village?
It's all under one's feet and before one's eyes. That is real.
The people say they've chosen me, said Wyl.
For what?
A new era of prosperity, more than enough for all.
Raef, you thought, the cunning and cowardly. If Wyl found a dragon hoard, he knew the people would get no more benefit than a generous banquet. As a prince, he'd enjoy the riches on top of his inherited wealth. If Wyl failed, you would not be surprised if Raef commissioned a journey of his own. If Wyl died, Raef might have to quest himself, but if he survived, he would one day be King.
You watched Wyl sit on a cushioned bench. His back widened as he leaned forward. You placed both hands below his shoulders. Comfort for him, contact for you.
They say I'm a good, brave, and worthy prince and only a man such as this can attain these boons, said he.
In that instant, no, Aoife, you didn't think the full thought. The glimmer came and went. You felt a shiver at your core and smiled wide with no idea why you were smiling. It was only a nameless, formless possibility at that moment. Then you said:
Wyl, you are a good, brave, worthy prince.
He asked if you believed so. You did. You did. Your hands moved into the brown curled scruff at his neck. He sighed a creature's content.
Now here. Your heart tears.
I'm afraid, Aoife.
You didn't deserve his honesty even though you had earned it. His vulnerability was what brought him to you. He trusted you. He desired but also loved you. You wanted what no ordinary woman could have and he was able to give. Influence, intercession. Your life existed as it did because of him. He never once took advantage or liberties. He wanted to. You could tell in his eyes what he wanted. Good, decent, charming Wyl.
What did you do? You didn't console him. No, you pressed your breasts to his back and wrapped your arms around his neck. You let him untwine you and lead you to sit on his thighs. You let him hold you. | why had this taken so long? | You wanted to grab him by the throat and kiss him until he couldn't breathe. | would you know how to do that? | Instead, you sat with his flesh bone heart under your palm. His mouth was on your temple until asked he:
Tell me. You would know. Is there a map to where the dragon lives?
Of course not, you said.
WYL'S PHYSICAL STATURE SUGGESTED POWER, ACTION, AND CONFIdence, but he was guileless, almost innocent. He was a man who meant no harm. | do you love him now, too long later, too late? | You believed his decency was his saving grace. You feared it was also a weakness. He had hardly traveled outside of his kingdom. You had less so, only across the river, only for a day, night, and morning.
On impulse, you gave Wyl the amulet. You told him anyone who held it was promised safety. When he asked from where it came, you claimed it was an old gift. When he asked where he should begin his journey, you suggested he start east. You could say no more because you knew nothing else. You didn't send him to the people across the river. You wouldn't risk their seclusion. As it was, you felt your actions violated an unspoken promise.
You said he would likely have to ask directly about the dragon that guarded a great hoard. He'd learn soon enough, wouldn't he, if the dragon was a lie.
Wyl had no choice but to quest. The King understood it was wise to go with what the people had chosen. That was their tradition, the power they were allowed to wield. Honor it. His younger brother's zeal was manic and infectious. Raef took great delight in the danger his brother would face, although he didn't acknowledge any peril. Big brother, find the treasure and make us rich! said he at a crowded dinner one evening. You wondered what had gotten into him.
So the King agreed to send his favorite son on a quest to find a dragon. What a farce, you thought. Yet there it was.
You kissed Wyl goodbye in private. A kiss that threatened to wear through woven
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