Champion, Chapter 24: Voice of Reason

AidanThe RealmsSecondday, 3rd week of the 9th month, Age of the Chosen 1Early AfternoonOutside Ceallach Macht, Mistvale Highlands

Aidan and Brighid walked alongside the caravan all the way back to Ceallach Macht. Along the way, numerous Starchasers came up to him, thanking him for saving them. Aidan didn't have the heart to turn them away, but his exhaustion must have come through because a group formed up around him, intercepting well-meaning well-wishers and taking their names for his later review.

By the time they reached the city, Aidan was back astride Brighid, a compromise that came about when she refused to let him stumble along on his own feet any more and threatened to carry him around in her arms. Aidan knew she'd do it, but he had just enough pride left to balk at being treated as an invalid. When Brighid knelt and let him onto her back, a murmur went up from the crowd around them. No one spoke out or turned their back on the pair, however, and petitioners continued to speak to the attendants.

A crowd of Starchasers met them at the central plaza, with more pouring out of the communal homes as word spread that the caravan had arrived. Murmurs spread through the gathered crowd as they saw the survivors' condition; while most of the major injuries were healed, almost everyone was covered in dirt, bruises, and scratches. They also couldn't help but notice how many faces were missing.

Before the crowd could become too worked up, Eilwen stepped forward and raised her hands for silence. "You all have many questions, and they will be answered, I promise. For now, what you need to know is this: our land and people were attacked by an adult dragon." Cries of dismay filled the air, but Eilwen held up her hands, and after a moment, the noise died down. "I understand your reaction. I felt the same. I stood my ground before the wyrm, not because I was brave, but because I gave up. I knew that there was nothing to be done. A dragon! In the Highlands! None of us could stand up to it, not without warning and preparation."

She shook her head. "But I was wrong. I gave up on the Starchasers too early and too easily. And, more to the point, I gave up on Aidan. It is no secret that I have opposed him at every turn. I had my reasons, and I still do not like many of the changes his presence has brought. I could argue that it was he who brought Karsarrym upon us, but I will not—for it was Aidan who fought the wyrm off." A susurrus of whispers spread through the listeners, and this time Eilwen didn't stop them.

"Yes, others participated, and among them, Ysbail deserves special note for her role in the fighting, but I watched the entire battle. I saw how Lord Aidan committed himself to the fight with his whole heart. I looked on while he faced down the dragon's breath two separate times. It was Lord Aidan's magic that scarred our enemy's face, and it was Lord Aidan's elementals—in the guise of creatures I have never seen before and hope never to see again—that tore open its chest and blinded its left eye. I no longer have any doubts."

Eilwen turned to Aidan, still hunched against Brighid's back, and gave him a deep bow. "Lord Aidan, I have wronged you. I thought you to be nothing more than another power-hungry human who seized on an opportunity to enrich yourself at our expense. I knew you to be powerful, but I did not believe that you had our best interests in mind. I say now, before every Starchaser assembled here, that I was wrong. You are a Starchaser in spirit."

All Aidan wanted was to take a nap, but he recognized the importance of the gesture Eilwen was making. "Lift your head, Eilwen. I accept your apology, though I deny the need for you to give it. You acted with the best interest of the tribe at heart, and while that has caused us to come into conflict, I respect you all the more for it. I was an outsider, dangerous and powerful. Why should you trust me?" Aidan bowed his head to Eilwen in return, then grinned at her. "I will say, though, that if you really want to apologize to me, you can bake me one of those honey-cakes."

Laughter rippled through the crowd, lifting the serious mood. "In all seriousness, though, we did not manage to kill Karsarrym. He was battered and wounded and fled to recover his strength, but he will be back. The Council and I spoke on the subject, and we have plans. All we ask is that you all give your full effort to the tasks in front of you. There will be other announcements made soon, but for now, I need rest. Please, forgive me for withdrawing early, but the Council has everything in hand."

Aidan slumped back down against Brighid's back as she walked into Caer Macht. The crowd parted without a word, turning to watch as they vanished into the tunnel under the hill.

"Well, after that, there will be no problem filling out the ranks of your personal guard, my Lord," Cai said once they were inside.

"You have won over the entire Council now," added Llwyd, "and most of the people. I expect Ceirios will be elevated within a week."

"Oh, don't read too much into what Eilwen said," Aidan laughed. "She doesn't hate me anymore, but she still doesn't approve of the changes I'm going to bring. She's not going to stop voting against me; she'll just be doing it for more honest reasons."

Further discussion was derailed by a black-furred form teleporting onto Brighid's back and standing up to rest her paws on Aidan's shoulders from behind. Riama yowled her displeasure and sent him <distress anger terror> "You left me behind! I could feel your fear, but I couldn't help you!" She dropped back down onto all fours, then wormed her way in between Aidan's chest and Brighid's back. "You are never to do that again!"

"Sorry, love," Aidan said out loud, withdrawing one arm from around Brighid's waist to pet his familiar. "I didn't know where you were. And, to be honest, it's probably better that you weren't there. You couldn't hurt the dragon, and I don't think you would've survived that first lightning breath."

"I do not care! You will never leave me behind while you fight again!" Despite her fierce words, Riama purred and rubbed her snout against Aidan's belly.

"What is it with the women in my life getting demanding all of a sudden?" Aidan asked the ceiling.

"Oh, you have not seen demanding yet." Aidan could hear the smirk in Brighid's voice. "I hope you are not actually expecting to sleep for a while yet, my love, because you just defeated a dragon in combat, and that makes me very, very needy."

"Oh, Lord, you're going to finish what the damned lizard started. Be ready to avenge me, Cai, Llwyd!"

"Nope, not stepping in that one for you, boss. We will be out here where we cannot hear the yelling and moaning." Llwyd saluted from the entrance to the altar room.

Cai waved at them, calling out to Brighid, "Make sure he gets a good night's sleep afterward!"

"Traitors! I'm surrounded by tyrants and traitors!"

AidanThirdday, 3rd week of the 9th month, Age of the Chosen 1Early MorningThe Lord's Chambers, Caer Macht, Mistvale Highlands

Aidan woke the next morning with a groan. He felt like he'd spent too much time in the wrong part of the gym the day before; his muscles were strained and sore, and he felt like he was covered in bruises. That being said, it was still a pleasant way to wake up. He lay against Brighid in a tangle of limbs, his head pillowed on her bare bosom and her chin tucked against his hair. Riama was curled up in the small of his back, purring ever so softly in her sleep; unusually for her, she hadn't left the room when he and Brighid made love.

He smiled, remembering how attentive Brighid had been, not even letting him move to please her while she worshipped him. He'd teased her some by processing his level ups—spreading his Attribute points mostly to his mental stats with a little in Toughness and Endurance—but she hadn't batted an eye. In the end, she worked him to multiple peaks, and he gave her some relief with Magic Hands.

Brighid was awake; he could feel her breath in his hair, and it didn't have the rhythm of sleep. "Good morning, my beautiful love."

"Good morning," she responded, kissing the top of his head.

"Sorry if I upset you yesterday afternoon. I was exhausted and hurting, but that doesn't excuse it." Aidan squeezed her with his arms; Brighid squeezed back.

"I know. It is hard, sometimes, for me to remember how far you have come. When I first met you—what was it, two months ago?—you were as weak as a newborn kitten. Two Argyle Rattoks almost did you in; do you remember that?"

"I do remember. That was the first clue that I was in another world rather than just playing a game. At the time, it was the worst pain I ever felt."

Brighid rubbed his back. "And now you could annihilate an entire swarm of them without taking a scratch. You grew so powerful so fast, but part of me still sees you as that helpless little foal."

"Oh? Was that what attracted you to me? You thought I was helpless?" Aidan teased his lover.

"No," she denied, "that was because you did not—do not—act like anyone else I have ever met. I will not deny that I enjoyed teasing you about how inept you were, though."

Aidan chuckled. "That first night, when you came down to the stream to bathe with me, blew my mind. I don't know if I've mentioned this to you, love, but you are absolutely gorgeous. I never really even registered the possibility that a centaur could be attractive to me before I met you. Not to put too fine a point on things, but you do have a horse's butt."

Brighid squawked in mock outrage, but Aidan kept talking. "Don't get me wrong, I could appreciate a beautiful horse, but it's the same sort of appreciation that I have for looking at the sunrise over the hills; a piece of natural art, but nothing personally relevant. But that was never the case with you. From the time you barged in on me that first morning I never saw you as anything but the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen."

Brighid wriggled in embarrassment but subsided after Aidan kissed her sternum. "I know I've said it before, love, but you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I know I make things hard for you sometimes; I'm moody, I'm easily angered when I'm stressed, and I want to protect you just as much as you want to protect me."

Aidan shifted, moving back a little so that he could tilt his head and press his lips to Brighid's. She melted into the kiss, letting out happy little moans as their tongues dueled. Riama sent Aidan a disgruntled, "Again?" before stretching and making her way out of the room; Brighid giggled when she saw.

Aidan broke the kiss, then ducked his head to kiss and nibble along Brighid's neck. "I want you to know that even when you're wearing this," he placed a kiss next to the charm that dangled from Brighid's collar, "you can always overrule me. In fact, I want you to. If you think I'm going too far or doing something boneheaded, I want you to tell me so, just like you did at the forge that day. Don't let me lose myself. I trust you to keep me grounded."

Brighid snorted a good-natured laugh. "As if I need your permission for that," she teased him. "I told you, I serve you out of love, not duty or obligation. I love being your meek, horny little mare, but first and foremost, I am your Soulmate. My love compels me to check you when you overreach."

"Ah, as always, I worry about things I have no control over," Aidan chuckled. "What I do have control over, though, is making up for yesterday afternoon. You did all of the work and received little of the reward. It's my time to return the favor."

"Are you going to show me just how much you love my horse's ass?"

"I'm going to show you how much I love my Soulmate's ass—and every other piece of you I can get my hands on."

Brighid moaned as Aidan's hands started to roam across her torso. "Mm, and you have so very many hands at your disposal."

"All the better to pamper you with, my love."