Chapter 188 – Meeting a Goddess

*** Esiyae ***

"You did what?" I ask the stupid caretaker. I got the Princess and the slave without her, yet here she is, acting like I need her now. She meddled and walked into my room like she is in charge. I'm a fucking Princess!

"I gave them what they are owed," she says, sitting down at my desk. "Your Mother warned you, and you ignored it. So I did what was needed. Stop trying to get revenge for your failures as a child. Elora was stronger than you and still is. Deal with it."

"They killed my wife!" I say.

"A wife because you were too weak," she says. "I get your anger, but you got her killed. All you had to do was instruct them to tie up the slave, and she would be alive. The number of women lost on this trip comes down to you failing to be stronger and smarter. You took charge and got what was asked. If you want the success, you have to accept the failures. I know that Elora does. I did some research, something you may have wanted to do more of, and found the Princess was drilling her maids on the correct way to fight together after one lost their arm in a mission. You invaded, death could happen, and that isn't the enemy's fault. They don't wish to be taken."

"Princess Esiyae, we are nearing the port," the captain says.

"And?" I ask.

"They will need to speak with you so we can make the repairs," the captain says.

"Are you sure we can't make it back?" I ask.

"Yes, your Highness. The magic holding the boards in place is already starting to give. If the seas get too rough, they'll simply break. If we get in a fight, we'll sink in a minute," the captain insists. The annoying bitch just sits with her stupid smile. "We need to go now."

"Fine," I say, getting up from my bed. I miss the extra furniture of my room. How anyone could like this rocking motion is beyond me.

I follow the captain up to the deck and take a look at the small island. The port takes up most of the coastline. The main use of the city is to make a stop without going into the Elagwyn Empire.

"How long should the repairs take?" I ask.

"Day, maybe two if they don't have the staff," the captain says.

"Good," I say. "Tell everyone to be ready to sail tomorrow. The city knows to get the royal ships done quickly."

"We aren't the only royal ships in the water," the captain says. "They signal. I have the flag up already. They have docks ready for us."

"The talking part?" I ask. She brought me up when they didn't even have docks ready?

"Soon. We will be the first to tie up," the captain says, and the crew runs around to get us into the port.

...

"Who's the captain?!" some official calls over the side after we finish tying off. A stupidly long process.

"Me," the captain says back. "But you can talk to Princess Esiyae about the details. After, I will go over the damage. Just some minor patches for most of the ships."

"Fun," the official says. "Well, come on down here, Princess!"

I am going to kill this woman. "I am coming," I manage to say. Fucking ordering me around.

"Yes, Mommy paying?" the official asks once I'm on the dock.

"I have the gold. I was told a day by the captain. I want to be sailing again tomorrow," I say. This girl's clothing doesn't even fit her, and she dares to talk to me about my Mommy!

"Hmm, you would be cut'n people in line. Everyone wants out by tomorrow, but few have the gold," she says.

"Do you know why people stop here?"

"We don't ask bout the cargo Lady. Extra hundred gold and I can help get you on your way tomorrow. If your captain's right bout the damage, of course," she says. "You got it? I need that gold now."

Bitch is begging me to wring her neck. Hundred gold, so she does an easy job now? I'll have to come back here and get my gold back. "Fine," I say, handing over a sack. The rest of the crew has started unloading. My single maid comes stumbling out. Unable to handle the rocking of the sea.

I can already hear her muttering about being on land again.

The official stores away the bag and heads up to the deck where my captain awaits, while I just wait for the slut and whore to come down. That bitch better be with them, handling everything, now that she wants to be in control.

*** Alzi ***

I gave up on my classes. Just letting them fill up my vision.

Elora did pull me into her arms again. Petting my stupid hair. Even humming for a bit.

"The ship stopped," the Princess says. "Maybe they will let us off for a bit."

"Can we..."

"No, I promised to play by the rules," the Princess says. "Until our ransom is paid off or another tries to free us, we stay with them. No tricks or anything."

"Stupid," I say, closing my eyes to hide my next label.

"It keeps us from having to be chained up," the Princess says, my collar cold against my skin. "Our mana forcefully drained from our bodies. So a little stupid, but it helps us for now."

"Girls," the shifty bitch says, pushing through the door. "We'll give you a day on the ground to help make up for the treatment so far. The food will be better."

"Shall we, Alzi?" the Princess says, her strong, remade arms loosening around me.

"Do we have a choice?" I say, getting up. "The lunch kind of ruined the desire for more food."

"We don't have a choice, Alzi," the Princess says. "But you aren't wrong about the food. Still, let's take the better beds."

"Bed," Shifty says. "You are married, after all, and I think you both are pregnant, so there is no harm."

"Just show the way," the Princess says.

I'm guessing heels are banned on ships. Moving up required climbing ladders, and I'm sure even I would struggle to climb them. But after three floors? Levels? We see the sky.

Ships are everywhere around us. The city sprawls over the coast, looking to make as much room for the boats as possible.

"Here are some sandals," Shifty says, tossing them at us. "Hurry, please. The longer we wait, the longer it takes to leave. Rules and all."

Isn't she just telling us to slow down? Why would I speed up when someone is chasing after the Princess?

"Put them on Alzi," the Princess commands. "She doesn't know how everything works."

I start to move before the collar can push me. At least they aren't just a plank of wood with some leather. It's not much better, but good enough, I guess.

They push us towards a plank of wood and down to the dock. A crowd of armored women are waiting for us already. Shifty heads down in front of us, me next, and then the Princess.

A woman in a strange outfit is waiting, separate from the rest of the women. Her eyes follow me as I descend off the stupid boat. A small smile on her face.

"Hello, may I talk with the dragon?" the woman asks. "I believe she just completed her class."

"No," Shifty says.

"Sorry, I am a priestess of Power," she says again. "First temple was put up here. I believe the dragon should visit for a bit."

"Can you not see she is a prisoner?" shifty says again.

"She is pregnant, is she not? Carrying a child she does not want," the Priestess says, her smile looking more like a mock. "Do you wish for that to be known by the Queen? I am sure she would have something to say about someone forgetting the rules staying here. I think the dragon's owner should come as well. The temple will return both. You can wait outside if you like."

"Since when does the Goddess of Power have a temple?" the Princess asks. "I've been looking for word of one for a little bit and never came across one."

"Just installed. She was a part of a ritual with another Goddess and got lucky," the Priestess says.

"Who is the Goddess of Power?" I ask.

"One who presides over the classes and skills. She directs the system and makes the general rules but does not give out the classes," the Priestess says. "The Goddess lets the other patron Goddesses direct those within her rules. I think you can understand what she may want with you."

So it is a certain person looking over me fucking me over. Having fun watching their little pet get pregnant over and over. They must have been bored while I was in the Princess's home, so they sent this new bitch to resume their favorite play.

Glad someone wants to pay me for the trouble.

"Fine," Shifty says. "One hour."

"Do not time the Goddess," the Priestess says. "I would hate to find the great Goddess of Power decided to take control over your classes."

"They need to rest," Shifty says. "But we will wait. Please show us the way, Priestess."

The strange Priestess starts walking towards the city. At a steady pace, her head stays still on the shifting dock. That could be the window just making it look like she is staying even. It is strange to look through. Hopefully she gives me something good for all the trouble my patron Goddess is putting me through.

Wouldn't mind worshipping her if she does.

Maybe she'll take my collar off?

No, that would be getting too much. Taking away the other Goddesses' favorite little toy would be stupid just after she got her temple. Can Goddesses lose temples? Why would she go to some random island?

Just getting off the dock takes a while. Then we walk through the city and bustling crowds. Little shops line the street shouting, hoping for us to stop and buy something from them. We reach a building with a few statues out front of a woman, likely the Goddess of Power.

It is nothing grand, but it is bigger than my old home. But even the brothel was bigger than this. Though the brothel was popular, and I'm guessing the Goddess still needs to work on getting a following, I would imagine the one looking over classes would get some prayers from the desperate.

Like me.

Shifty and her guards stay outside while the Princess joins me and the Priestess inside.

The inside is sparsely decorated like the outside. There are just some wooden pews before a raised platform, no altar or anything. It's kind of like the worshipping house my town had.

She motions for us to sit down. I'm guessing I need to pray for anything to happen, so I bow my head and close my eyes.

"Hello," a woman calls out. "Mother has asked me to help you out."

I blink my eyes a bit and find the window gone. Instead, there is a beautiful pregnant woman lying down in front of me.

"Mother?" I ask, my eyes glued to her face.