Disclaimers: See Chapter 1
Additional Note (Please Read): This story is tied in with, Xena & Gabrielle: A Turn of Fate.
The Conqueror & Ri
A Twist of Destiny
By Ahkiken
Chapter 8: Confirmation
Shadow galloped down the trail leading to the Corinthian Gulf, transporting his mistress and her battle equipment to the ship's berth. The Conqueror was wearing a grey tunic that fell below her knees, with the chakram clipped to a black belt that encircled her waist, and dark boots on her feet.
The Lord of the Realm was looking forward to getting an early start on setting sail for her voyage as the vessel came into view. After speaking at length to the Chancellor last evening, concerning her decision to travel to Crete, she'd summoned her General of the Sixth Army to assemble one hundred and fifty of the finest warriors, then prepare a ship for embarkation at first light.
Pulling on Shadow's reins with her bandaged hand, the Conqueror brought the ebony warhorse to a stop in front of the gangplank that connected to the moderate sized vessel. The azure-eyed Ruler turned her head to espy the direction from which she'd come, thinking of the trim, strawberry-blonde she left behind in the castle without saying good-bye. She reminisced about the chaste kiss they'd shared in Minerva's temple, and it made the Conqueror smile slightly at the memory.
'I should have told Ri I love her.' The Overlord ruminated.
Out the corner of her vision, the Conqueror saw the General standing atop the deck. Adorned in purple armor, a kopis was sheathed on the warrior's back, with numerous daggers surrounding her waist.
"Morning, my Lord!" Her voice rang loudly whilst descending the bridge.
"Good morning to you, General Glaphyra."
The woman, whose long, blonde hair was tied to the back of her head, stood near the steed and its owner. With a right fist over her emblem chestplate, she bowed.
"Everything is in order, my Liege. We are ready to embark at your command." Glaphyra announced.
"Excellent." The Conqueror replied. "Have a couple of your men ferry my saddlebags on board, and one to stay behind to take Shadow back to the Corinthian stables."
"Turel, Oris, and, Gagius!" The General yelled. "Come aid our Lord Conqueror!"
The three purple armored men rushed to carry out the decree.
They all did their customary salute when Glaphyra gave each of them their task, "Turel, and, Gagius, bring our Lord's bags up to her quarters. Oris, you will not be travelling with us. You are to return the Conqueror's warhorse to the stables at the castle. Report to Lieutenant Dex, afterwards."
"Yes, General." They said in unison.
The two soldiers began lifting the saddlebags, lugging them to the ship, while Oris waited beside his Lord and her horse.
The Conqueror dismounted and spoke quietly to Shadow, stroking his black mane, "Sorry, boy, but you can't accompany me on this expedition."
Shadow neighed in protest.
"At least you'll get to spend Cronus with that Palomino I know you like."
Her statement got a soft whinny from him.
The Conqueror finished coaxing Shadow further, "Now be on your best behavior, and don't do anything I wouldn't."
Next, she turned away as Oris mounted the dark steed and sped off.
Walking up the ramp, Glaphyra confirmed, "Now there is only one hundred and forty-nine soldiers."
"It is of no consequence." The Conqueror grinned. "I'll be an addition to your shortfall."
The General of the Sixth Army smiled, too.
On the deck, the Conqueror was met with hails from the troops whom were graced being in her path.
"At ease." The Conqueror averred to them, prior to asking Glaphyra, "How did your husband take your charge?"
"He was kinda disappointed. Not because he'll miss me." Keeping stride with the Conqueror, Glaphyra smirked. "But simply 'cause he didn't get the opportunity to be in my stead."
"I hope he wasn't too upset."
"He'll be alright, my Lord. Darnelle already had his fun. He couldn't wait to tell me what happened in the Throne Room with the Envoys, whom he'd abandoned me on the training field for. So likewise, I'd rubbed his face in it that I was selected to go on a mission with you. And if he's angry once we return to Greece, I'm sure it's nothing a little makeup sex can't cure." Glaphyra responded.
The Conqueror laughed as they made their way below deck to her cabin. Entering inside, the older woman sat down in her chair behind the desk. Her body was tired from barely sleeping because she dwelled on Ri constantly through the night. She had a mind to lay on the bed that was to her left in the spacious compartment.
Glaphyra watched the Conqueror close her pupils and relax in the seat. "My Lord?"
"Yes?" She kept her eyelids shut.
"Are you sure we should be going to Crete?" The blonde voiced her concern. "What if Brutus attacks us? You were hostile to the men he sent."
"I doubt Brutus will be irate over the death of a slave, and personally, I don't think he's dumb. He needs me, and I intend to expose that fact." The Conqueror answered.
"What if you're wrong?"
Cobalt orbs shot open, rooting the General in place. "It'll prove a couple of things, and it will be terrible for him, not us."
"What are those two things, my Lord?" Glaphyra ventured.
The Conqueror's eyes narrowed. "One, Brutus is an idiot; it'll cause the destruction of his army in the end. Two, he'll lose any chance of securing an alliance with me; which will leave him isolated in the war with Marcus Antonius and Octavian."
"Are you certain Octavian and Antonius will unite together against Brutus?" Glaphyra questioned.
"I'm counting on it." The Conqueror avowed.
Glaphyra was confused. "But surely Antonius and Octavian hate each other. They are the most prominent contenders to fill the power vacuum in Rome."
"And Brutus' the wildcard I'll be using. I'm usually not incorrect anent to these Romans and their penchant to ravage areas of Terra. The whole goal is to keep this conflict off of Greek soil. With the exiled brothers hiding themselves, as well as their armies, in Dia, they are making the Realm a target for warfare. I won't allow that. Their expulsion may provoke contention whilst confronting them. I am not dogmatic to reject that possibility, but when it is over, Brutus and Cassius will be departing Crete." The Conqueror elaborated.
"I wish you would have apprised me of this last night." The General began to jest. "I would've brought less soldiers."
"We'll be fine, General Glaphyra. That is why I required the greatest of your fighters. The Sixth Army is supreme when it comes to a phalanx formation, thanks to you." The mixed raven and silver-haired female extolled.
The purple armored General beamed at the praise, contented that the Cronus she'd spent in Sparta away from her husband and daughter had paid off. "Thank you, my Lord."
"No, the thanks go to you, Glaphyra." The Conqueror professed, closing her weary lids again. "Lower my banner from the mast, and tell the captain to set off. We will first tour our borders to make sure we don't have any unexpected surprises before heading for the island of Dia in Crete. Please, do not disturb me unless there is trouble."
"As you command, Lord Conqueror."
Glaphyra did her salute, exiting the cabin, while the sleepy Conqueror slipped into the land of Hypnos.
{C&R}
Dressed in a plain tunic with brown boots, whilst inside the sole establishment of its kind to open early in the morning, Tessa sat in the tavern, drinking her ale in delight. She decided to get herself a strong drink after a raunchy night with a handsome guy whose name she didn't bother to ask for. However, the sex was really good, causing the Lieutenant to fall asleep in his arms. Waking up to extract her naked body from his embrace, she'd returned to her own residence in the barracks with the Fifth Army.
"Isn't it too early to indulge?"
Tessa recognized the voice. "General Darnelle, I-"
"Lieutenant." Darnelle cut Tessa off, taking a seat across from her at the table. "I came for some ale as well."
Tessa collected herself, gazing at her General who was donned in a light-brown tunic with a dark-brown vest covering it, and black leather trousers. His long, brown hair, that was a comparable color to hers, fell back as he took a swig from the tankard, and she remembered when it was shorter.
"What brings you here, General?"
"Need to drown out the thoughts of bad news." He muttered.
"Personal, or professional?" She probed.
"Professionally." The General downed the remaining spirit. "A mission we were passed up on."
"Well..." Tessa started, concealing her dismay. "Peace can be..."
"Boring." Darnelle implied, holding up his empty cup. "Hey, keep these coming for both of us."
The barmaid approached, placing two extra tankards down on their table.
"Thanks." Darnelle affirmed.
"Thank you, also, sweetheart." Tessa winked at her.
"You both are welcome." She blushed, traipsing to another patron.
"She's cute." The lascivious Lieutenant commented.
"I wouldn't know, because I solely have fondness for one woman in my life." Darnelle admitted.
"Of course it's General Glaphyra." Tessa mumbled the obvious. "Shouldn't it be two women, counting Iona."
"Nope. She's my pride and joy. There's a difference." The mentioning of his daughter's name reminded the General of her recount apropos to the events in Clydmus' class. "Iona commended your weapons demonstration."
"Yup." Taking a sip from her single-handle vessel, Tessa smirked. "I'm the best."
"Iona was incited by it so much, she wants to become a warrior now." Darnelle supplied.
"Like mother, like daughter." Tessa enunciated.
"Glaphyra doesn't think kindly of the idea." Darnelle unveiled to her in advance of grinning. "You missed out on a vigorous training session yesterday, Lieutenant. How are your feelings on instructing a classroom?"
"It was okay, but kids aren't my thing. You have to be mindful of the words that comes out of your mouth around them, and shit like that. I couldn't wait to get out of there." Tessa confessed.
Darnelle chuckled. "If you've always felt that way, why did you volunteer your services?"
A widened smile formed on her lips. "I got the chance to meet the Conqueror's Handmaiden, and let me tell you, she is incredible."
"Before the Conqueror fought in the Battle of Corinth, thus winning it, Ri used to stay among me and my family while the Chancellor was on progress with our Lord." Smiling knowingly, Darnelle queried, "Ri's quite the storyteller, isn't she? She used to tell them to Iona when-"
"Yeah, Ri is truly talented." Tessa interrupted. "But I'm not speaking 'bout that. I am referring to her beauty. She is, somewhat, flirtatious, too."
The General of the Fifth Army had begun laughing at his Lieutenant's expense. "Calm your libido, Tessa. You don't know Ri and her ways. She's really benign. That's all."
Getting mildly irritated from Darnelle's laughter, Tessa claimed, "I can ascertain when a person is being a flirt or not. Mark my words, General. If she's truly a maiden, I am going to be the first to fuck-"
"Lieutenant..." Darnelle gently rested the tankard onto the table, his amusement vanishing. "Ri is a friend of my family, especially my daughter. Don't disrespect her, or you'll find yourself demoted and cleaning stalls for the rest of your life."
Tessa was sternly castigated, making her realize the bounds she had overstepped. "My sincere apologies, General. I do fancy Ri, but I'll never say anything lewd about her again."
"Apology accepted, Lieutenant Tessa. I'll chuck it up as drunken talk, as long as you can refrain from being that outspoken again. Let us finish our drinks and be merry." He asserted, draining his ale and saying, "Another."
As the barmaid's footsteps were moving towards them, Tessa whispered in good humor, "I bet you I'll fuck the bar wench, though."
"Tessa, she is a friend of my family also." Darnelle joked.
"Oh, come on." She whined, unbelieving.
They both laughed, whilst the unsuspicious female gave them their third round of drinks.
{C&R}
Three candlemarks later, Ri was putting on her gold-colored sandals. The storyteller's attire for today consisted of a green chiton, which covered her knees, and was matched with a bronze belt encircling her waistline.
She had a late breakfast, and was grateful that the Prince of the Realm had not come to her room during the morning. Ri remained agitated with Lyceus for betraying her trust and wasn't ready to see him. Her footwear on, she traipsed to her closet, looking at the turquoise dress she'd worn yesterday that was hanging inside.
It was wrinkled below the waist after being hiked up her legs during the ride on Shadow with the Conqueror. The pilgrimage was bumpy at points, causing Ri's hands to rise and accidentally graze her Lord's chest. Prior to the Conqueror's conquest of Corinth, a similar incident had betided while she'd first rode with the Gerent to Minerva's temple when she was younger.
["Hold on Ri, we're almost there." The taller lady says, holding me firmly.
I'm too frightened to articulate any words, and I do not want her to hear the quiver in my tone. I nod in front of her chest, which feels soft and comfy on the back of my head, but with the big, scary animal moving so fast, it makes my head bump something hard directly on the center of her breasts.
I wish the jerky ride would be done soon, 'cause I don't like this horse we are riding on. He's the reason for my fear, nonetheless, I want to be brave for my savior. I haven't seen her since she left for a castle somewhere in Corinth. I have fun with Meleager, who calls me his niece, and Lyceus, although he avoids me lately.
Once they go on their frequent leaves, I visit another family. They are nice to me, and I love telling stories to their young daughter, Iona. She really likes them, too. Notwithstanding, I miss the raven-haired woman I'm with right now.
I have no idea where we are going, nor do I care whilst we travel past homes, taverns, marketplaces, and people, on this clear day. I'm just happy she decided to take me, because being with her brings me comfort.
Finally, the horse comes to a halt and she whispers in my ear, "We are here."
The sentence makes me joyful that the jarring journey is over. Milady jumps off the enormous horse, thereafter, she casually picks me up, as if I'm nothing but air, setting me on the ground.
She begins caressing the mane of the enormous, four-legged beast. "We will be right back, Nightmare. Don't wander off. Okay, boy?"
He emits a loud neigh and it startles me.
"Do what you're told." She finishes, turning to me. "Are you ready, Ri?"
"Yes, Milady." I reply, hurriedly finding my composure.
Taking my hand, we start to walk forward to a stone temple atop a layer of stairs.
The horse let loose a snort, and his owner yells back, "Remain there, Nightmare, or no apples!"
"Will he leave?" I inquire.
"No... He knows better. Nightmare love his treats."
Continuing our ascent, I ask, "Where are we, Milady?"
"We are in Corinth. I seek Minerva's blessing."
So this is Corinth.
"For what?" I'm curious.
"Something that will change our lives forever." She answers with a huge smile on her face.
I adore her rare smiles, so I'll cease my game of catechism, because I don't want it to fade. She opens the mahogany door and we step inside.
The temple must not have many worshippers and money from the appearance of it. Derelict comes to cerebration as I look at the rotting wooden altar and the cracked, discolored walls. The only thing that appears nice is the gold statue, which I am positive resembles the patron diety of this sanctuary.
A female who's wearing a ragged, grey robe with brown, shoulder-length hair and amber eyes, walks across to us, greeting my guardian, "Hello again, stranger."
"How are you, Nemina?"
"With the Purge war still ravaging our country, things could be better, but I can't complain while Minerva continues to make a way for all people to honor her." Nemina expounds, her gander falling on me. "Who is this? She wasn't with you during your earlier visitations. Is she your child?"
Mine and Milady's eyes meet each other's for a split moment. I do not know what I hope for her to declare, but I could never see her as my mother. I wonder does she see me as a daughter figure.
"No." Milady responds. "She is not my child. Her name is Ri. She's ten years old and special to me."
"Hello, Ri." Nemina asserts.
"Hi. Are you a Priestess?" I blurt out.
"Yes, I am the High Priestess of this temple." She proclaims, preceding asking Milady, "Speaking of names, what is yours? We would like to show our appreciation to you for the offering you'd bestowed, by praising your name to Minerva."
Though I'm accustomed to simply calling her what I do, Nemina's query coaxes me into wanting to learn Milady's true appellation, too. To my knowledge, no one announces it, and she hasn't ever spoken it either.
Milady seems unfazed. "No thanks is needed, really."
" And humble as well." Nemina realizes no cognomen is forthcoming. "I will leave you two alone to pray. May the wise goddess bless and keep you both always."
The High Priestess turns and strolls off. Therefore, Milady grabs my hand and we traverse toward the altar. She kneels at it, lightly bringing me down with her to do the same. Closing her eyes in orison, I can't cease watching her, wishing I could pry into her mind and learn what her prayers consist of.
Reluctantly, I also seal my orbs to thank the goddess for delivering me into the life of the lady beside me. For allowing Milady to rescue me in Cirra from the slavers whom wanted to use me for ill purposes.
I'm concentrating so thoroughly on delivering my own thankfulness to Minerva, that I squeeze my eyelids tight, making them crease, until Milady speaks to me, "Ri?"
I open my irises to descry her.
Her facial expression is quizzical. "What are you doing?"
"Thanking the goddess."
"Well, be careful." She grins. "We don't want you to burst a blood vessel from such a simple act."
Her sense of humor is dry, but it always manages to tickle me. I can now discern she acts a certain way with me, and show others a contrary deportment. Nemina can attest to that. Milady's mien hadn't changed throughout their interaction, even when she sought her name. Milady is a warrior foremost and probably chooses to be serious around everyone she meets. I am glad she sheds shards of her stoicism for my benefit, and maybe hers as well.
Suddenly, she places a small piece of gold in my grasp and I glance at her questionably.
"That is to be set on the pedestal once your prayers are completed."
Quickly comprehending, I close my eyes again, and supplicate Minerva for what I honestly want more than anything else on Terra. Afterwards, I put the golden alloy on the altar.
"That was fast." She mutters, scarcely bemused. "Go outside and wait by my horse, Ri. I'll join you shortly."
I rise to my feet and sadly exit the temple. Why did she make me leave her side? Have I upset her in some way? Did I do the prayer wrong? Looking down the flight of the steps, I behold the black steed, and his brownish eyes are glaring at me. There's no way I'm standing by that horse. It wants to eat me, I know it.
A little while later, my beautiful savior comes out of the temple and I notice a bandage is wrapped around her left hand.
I run to her, grasping the injured appendage in mine. "Milady, what happened?"
"Nothing to worry 'bout." She dismisses my question. "Why aren't you with-"
"I wanted to wait right here for you." I interject.
She expels a breath. "This is relatively a small matter, Ri, but when I tell you to do something, it's for a reason, and I expect for you to do it."
I don't understand what the problem is between waiting for her by the door, or near the horse.
Still gripping her hand, I lock irises with her. "Forgive me, and don't be mad, please. I... I'll follow every direction you give from now on."
She caresses my face, moving my strawberry-blonde tresses behind my ear. "I'm not mad at you, Ri. I purely don't want anything harmful to befall you. Look at my warhorse."
I do as she orders, seeing that the giant steed's sight is on us.
"Nightmare is acutely aware and protective of what belongs to me." Milady informs.
That's why he was staring at me.
"I told you to stand next to him because he will protect you from danger. By you being so far away from him, all Nightmare can do is neigh wildly in order to alert me, and what if..." She stops speaking abruptly and bend to my level, face-to-face. "I lost a very dear friend named Iolaus 'cause he didn't listen to my instructions. What if someone tried to hurt you and I didn't make it to you quick enough? You are too important to me, and I'll be consumed by grief. Can you ken that?"
I accede to the severity of her tonality, and my fingers automatically touch her jaw, wanting to mold it into the visage I like. "Yes, Milady."
She's delighted by my response. It's not the countenance I was going for, but it'll do as she stands to her full stature, and we descend the stairs to her horsey. I remain afraid of his height, but it's good that he knows I belong to Milady.
"Good boy, Nightmare." She pats his nose. "I have a tasty treat for you when we return to King Glaucus' castle."
"Will I be going to the King's castle, too?" I query, hopeful I don't have to return to Tegea without her.
She settles herself on the horse and shakes her head in the negative. I become saddened by the answer, even as powerful hands stretch out, and I raise my arms to be lifted onto the horse in front of her again.
"Not yet. However, goddess willing, you'll have your own chamber and wardrobe in the castle with me." Milady murmurs in my ear, making my nose crinkle at the confirmation.
"Milady, can you guide your horse while I hold onto you from the front, facing you?" I quiz timidly.
"Ri, I have many skills. Is that what you want to do?"
I nod, then suddenly my petite frame is picked up and turned facing her. I wrap my legs around her waist, clinging my arms to her tunic.
"Minerva is answering my prayers." I state, snuggling into her breasts like pillows, deducing that there is something metal on the middle of both of them.
"And what was it you've prayed for?"
Gazing up at her, I apprise, "We'll be together forever."
That's the beam I was looking for as Milady kisses my forehead.
"Remember to hold on tight." She reiterates.
The horse begins walking in a trot and an inquiry piques my brain, "What did you pray for, Milady?"
"For our future, Little One." Her cerulean orbs sparkle. "To change our lives forever."]
Their lives did change, and it seemed to be altering even more, now that Ri was going to be courted by her Lord.
The storyteller couldn't distinguish with certainty what she was rubbing against all those years ago. Howbeit now that she was older, Ri knew. They were circular rings of some kind on each breast, piercing the Conqueror's nipples.
The dream from last night was fresh, and she could call forth the sex scene, but realized that the younger Conqueror in her fantasy didn't have pierced breasts. The room they were in was a tad darkened, simply illuminated by distant candlelight, nevertheless, Ri could still see the Conqueror's dark areolae, the sapphire irises, and her muscular body.
She began focusing more on the details of herself with the cropped hair, firm abs, and something else on her back. It looked like a tattoo, and the appearance of some sort of animal, or a creature with wings, but it was too obscured to scrutinize accurately.
'I wouldn't ever decide to get anything ugly like that on me.' Closing her closet, she verbalized a soliloquy, "It is just a dream. I don't have to take it so seriously."
A tap on her chamber door ended whatever rumination she could had conjured up anent to the lucid vision.
'Probably the Prince.' Ri dreadfully assumed, traversing to the door. "Who is it?"
"It's Iona."
Opening the doorway, Ri let the teen, who was decked in a yellow tunic with a black sash circling her hips, cross the threshold.
"Good morning, Ri." She greeted.
"Morning to you, Iona. I like the new look."
Iona's blonde hair was loose and fell down the sides of her face, instead of the normal ponytail fashion.
"Thanks." Iona vocalized shyly. "I came by last evening, but I got no answer."
"The Lord of the Realm summoned me, and I had to be with her." Ri stated.
"Understandable. When duty calls, you have to respond to it. My mother is..." Iona's sentence faltered as she glimpsed the sparkling necklace on her friend's neck. "By Vulcan, where did you get that?"
"It was a gift." Ri concisely avouched.
Iona's hands traced the outline of the platinum chain, mesmerized by its glimmer. "An expensive gift, I see."
'Exactly.' Ri cogitated.
She still couldn't believe the outlandish price of the Conqueror's symbol to her.
"Who bestowed it to you?"
Iona's probe had almost caused Ri to stumble. "A special person whom is dear to me."
"Does this individual have a name?" Iona snickered.
"When is your next class?" Ri countered.
"In a candlemark. Why?"
"I have a lunch appointment with the Chancellor, and I need to ask Minya to make some accommodations. If you come with me to the kitchen, I'll tell you what you're dying to learn." Ri offered.
"Of course, I'll go with you." Iona got excited. "You have to tell me everything."
"Sure."
"Hang on." Reopening Ri's door, the teenager became puzzled. "Don't you have a session with Master Eramus?"
Smiling, Ri graciously elucidated, "Let's agree that it's handy to know people in high places."
To Be Continued...