Thanks to Ves’s unexpected illness, a formal oath swearing to Senotraxia did not take place. It had been planned for after the wedding. As a result, a far more informal event took place after Ves was feeling better.
What resulted was a simplified version in which groups would swear oaths of fealty to the dragon in exchange for permission to settle the land. The awkward part was now that she was the dragon’s Consort, she had to sit through the whole affair with the groups also swearing to her as well. Even though she was only a figurehead while Setsu and Farren did the real work, Ves’Nell was now in charge when the dragons were gone.
As a result, things had gone pretty much how she expected. The dragonewts were more than happy to swear to the dragon. A few did have hesitations towards Ves, but as a whole kept it to themselves. The foxkin were far more pragmatic about the whole affair. To them, this was more of a business deal than anything.
The last group was the first to have some refuse the oaths. First off, Xeeta had happily sworn herself to Senotraxia. The woman had a gleam in her eyes that only made Ves wary. Surprisingly to Ves, the mute woman Alice had sworn as well and was selected by Senotraxia to be Ves’s personal handmaiden.
The remaining humans, though, had declined. With the promise they would be free from their contracts, most of them had lives to return to in Kohdessia. Ves couldn’t blame them, while they had plans to build a proper settlement, living out here was still hardly better than camping. A hard change for anyone used to city life.
With all the formalities complete, it was finally time to celebrate. The whole population of a little over one hundred individuals was currently sitting around enjoying a spread of roasted meats and simple stews. Even the few barrels of ale looted from the slavers were cracked open. It was a far cry from the stuffy parties held in Kohdessia, Ves had to help at those from time to time, and while grand they it was all about posturing and politics.
This, on the other hand? This was far simpler, with the only ornamentation being nature itself. However, the dragons had used a bit of magic to entice some out-of-season flowers to bloom. They were beautiful and would likely have filled the air with a lovely floral scent had the smells of cooking and campfires not smothered them.
Currently, Ves was sitting next to Sen, with Taythes, Setsu, and Farren close by but letting the new throuple take center stage. While they had no chairs and were largely eating from their laps, it was comfy enough. The pelt from the horned bear had been recovered and, after some work, was turned into a reasonably comfortable throw rug.
As Ves dug into a delicious raw deer leg, her wife, a fact that didn’t quite stick yet, gave her a curious look. “I take it your diet has changed, as correct me if I’m wrong, it’s not normal for humans to eat raw meat.”
“It did, while I can eat them, cooked foods just taste off now, like something missing. Nell and Ogata think it's due to nutrients being lost when cooking. I guess cooking makes it safer and easier to digest food, but that’s not really an issue for us. Save stuff like rocks, I think we could safely eat just about anything. Hope that doesn’t weird you out.”
Sen chuckled and shook her head, “Not at all, I’m rather fond of a good deer leg myself. While in our humanoid forms, dragons can enjoy a finely prepared meal, it’s not like we eat like that all the time. Especially for younger dragons that can’t transform, we eat raw game we catch like any other predator.” As if to prove the point, Sen reached over and grabbed part of the leg before popping it in her mouth. As many of the others still gave her and Nell odd looks for their eating habits, knowing Sen understood brought a smile to her cheeks. Seeing this, Sen gently wrapped her hand around Ves’s waist, pulling her in before kissing her on the head.
Flustered Ves spoke up, “What was that for?” she asked softly as she could look around and see giving her warm smiles, as if they had just witnessed something heartwarming.
“It’s not my fault you’re rather adorable,” Sen replied. Ves just blinked for a moment, unsure if anyone had ever used those words to describe her before in her life. “Adorable? Have you seen our claw? Are you sure you have the right word?” Ves replied, feeling awkward at the compliment.
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“Perhaps you're right, but don’t worry,” Sen replied with a mischievous smirk before she leaned in close to Ves’s ear, whispering in a sultry voice, “I’m the sort of dragon who finds a well-manicured claw very attractive.”
Ves just looked up at Sen, stunned, before looking back at her claw. A claw that she realized had been recently fussed over by a few of the dragonewts before the party. Even oiling it up to give it a lovely sheen. She then looked back at Sen as she connected the dots, and her ears quickly turned a bright shade of scarlet. Realizing her claw had intentionally been dolled up for Sen was a piece of information she didn’t know how to handle.
Thankfully, she was saved by a gaggle of children running up to greet them. “Congratulations!” they all shouted in unison before handing over two crowns woven from wild flowers. Not missing a beat, Sen warmly beamed at the children before accepting the crowns. “They are wonderful, did you make these yourselves?”
The smile of one of the girls grew so wide it almost looked painful. “Yep! Me and Itomi weaved them, while the boys gathered them!” the girl said as she gestured to the girl next to her then the others.
“They are beautiful, thank you. Would you be willing to place them on our heads?” That got the children excited as they eagerly scampered forward. Ves watched Sen gracefully lean down and allow the children easier reach as Ves followed suit. After the children were done, they stepped away as Sen thanked them again. Looking closer at the crown on Sen’s head, it really was beautiful and suited the dragon. Granted with a whole field of magically bloomed flowers around them, the children didn’t lack material to work with.
“That crown looks lovely on you, my consorts,” Sen spoke as she softly reached over and brushed back a strand of hair that fell loose when the children placed the crown on her head. Ves was used to being the flirt, sweet-talking the quiet ones back at her master's manor, her one avenue to feel some sense of control in her life. Being the one flirted with was an entirely new experience for her. One, if she had to admit, she didn’t mind. Maybe this marriage wouldn’t be so bad after all. Flustered, she reached down to grab a drink while Sen gave her a knowing smile. She was doing this on purpose and enjoying it.
‘Sen, please go easy on us. I think the beating of our hearts has spiked.’
The dragon raised an eyebrow, “Hearts?”
“Nell was upset about getting stabbed in one, almost killed us a while back. So she added a second,” Ves answered as the cool drink started to calm down her racing hearts. Sen seemed taken aback by this for a moment before she donned a mischievous look. Before she could say anything, a gentle cough from Setsu brought the throuple back to the moment. It seemed the children had broken the ice, as before them now stood a long line of well-wishers. It was well into the evening before they were done.
Exhausted Ves was led to a tent layered out with the finest furs and bedding to be found in the camp. Seeing the arrangement of flowers and incense burning, she turned to look at the dragon next to her as it hit her. Having been sick the past few days, this was essentially her wedding night, with the mood intended by the tent being obvious. Ves could feel her cheeks heat up as she could only assume they were turning bright red. While she was no virgin, it’s not like she knew Sen all that well yet. Adding Nell into the mix, well, tonight was not something she was honestly ready for.
As if sensing her hesitation, Sen gently placed a hand on Ves’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I wasn’t planning to do anything to you two tonight. I would rather we take time for the three of us to get to know each other better. Besides, I don’t know about you, but I don’t really trust the soundproofing of this tent.” She then walked over to the bedding and lay down, patting the open space next to her. “I have a long flight back tomorrow, and I know you’re not completely recovered. Let’s just get some sleep.”
‘You ok with this, Nell?’
‘I won’t lie, I’m a bit disappointed, as I have been extremely curious, but Sen has a point, and it has been a long day.’ Nell’s answer caught Ves by surprise. She had meant if Nell was ok sleeping next to Sen. Apparently, she had been the only one of the three ready to go all the way. So, taking that as a yes, Ves hesitantly curled up next to her dragon wife and quickly fell asleep in the powerful woman's warm embrace.
Come morning, it was time for Sen to leave. She had already stayed for several days longer than planned and was desperately needed to return to the war with the undead on the eastern side of the mountains. Taythes, on the other hand, stayed. He wasn’t that good of a fighter, so it wasn’t a huge loss for him to stay a bit longer to help ensure things were going smoothly.
As the whole community gathered to see her off, wishing for their queen’s safety, Ves hesitantly stepped forward. She figured she could at least hug the woman, one which Sen gladly returned before she ushered Ves away to give her room to return to her true form. Back in her dragon form, she gave the crowd one final farewell before, with a powerful beat of her wings, she shot up into the air. Only taking mere moments before she was out of sight beyond the tree line. Oddly enough, the clothing she had been wearing was left behind on the ground completely undamaged. How the dragon pulled that off, Ves had no idea.
After Sen left, it was time for the real work to begin. If they wanted to turn this place into a proper settlement and somehow one day a city, well, there was a lot to do.
