By The River
#2 of Eca and Otsi
Otsi and Eca are off to get married. But something might cross their path first.
"I have to admit, this decision of yours did take us off guard," said the figure in the black cloak.
Otsi nodded. It was a fair observation. Not many dragons made their pairings official via a marriage. Even among the noble classes such customs were the ways of the people of the low lands, not the mountain dragons. It also made the inevitable separation after a few centuries less tricky.
"Well, there is some political concerns," Otsi replied.
His associate's face wasn't easy to spot under the heavy coverings. And she liked it that way, even in private with trusted friends.
"I was under the impression that those matters had been resolved," replied Optan. "Or is this something different?"
Otsi flicked one of his long slender ears. "Technically..." The dragon looked to Optan. "Let's say my father and her father have some history."
The figure nodded. Otsi got a glimpse of the end of her muzzle. It lacked fur or scales or even skin. The exposed bone was perhaps the least frightening thing about her appearance of course, but Otsi had not seen much more than what he did then.
"Might this disagreement be on the subject of Spines ridge?"
Otsi gave a nod as he shuffled some more papers into his case.
"Though that's more or less an excuse for the hate. It runs a bit further back. The Halcyon lands have butted up against my family's castle lands for probably a thousand years. The ridge is just a useless rock and isn't even strategically useful if there was ever a fight in the area. I think it might be my father slept with his sister when they were both quite young."
"That might do it," said Optan. "And... how exactly is you bouncing off to have a ceremony that no one cares for going to help end this animosity?"
"Probably won't," said Otsi as he looked over a sheet of paper. "But Eca believes that if she can get the two in the same room they might actually talk or something." He shrugged. The paper was detailing a list of bandits who were targeting royal caravans from the south. He figured that it might be useful to inquire about them once he got to the mountains. His reasoning being sometimes everyone you know has information you need, but if you don't ask, you don't know.
"Eca is a good negotiator."
"Better than most," said the dragon giving the royal advisor a wink.
"I don't think she convincing you to be monogamous has anything to do with her negotiating skills."
"Oh be kind."
Optan shrugged. She wandered to the side of the office and began to inspect one of the paintings. "Is there anything I should be keeping tabs on for you while you're away?"
Otsi nodded. "I left a list of names and manners in your personal office. I left off two of course, both of which you should be very aware of. But you know..."
"Yes, no need to speak further there. Anything else?"
"My uncle will be available to send for me if you need such as he has no interest in ceremonies. There's been a rumor that that baron fellow from the edge of our colonies might be sending a delegation up. I have someone keeping an eye out for their ship. And there's been a number of pilgrims from the Cult of Happy in town of late. I don't expect anything from them, but you know me."
Optan turned towards the dragon again and nodded. "Large gatherings of anyone make you nervous. Your paranoia keeps you employed, but doesn't make for a reasonable outlook in some cases."
"Fine, then ignore the happiness patrol. But when they piss off the market masters for massive thefts and being annoying, don't blame me."
The robbed figure shrugged. "Be careful yourself."
"We'll be flying most the way."
The hour was getting late and the terrain was still filled with trees. Eca and Otsi had descended quite a bit, but without a good landing spot they were starting to get a bit worn out. The mountains loomed large in front of them, only a few dozen more miles to go. But as was usually the case on such a journey, the flight up was done in the morning and not at dusk.
Otsi spotted a rocky outcropping poking out from the forest. It had been a while since he had taken this route but he remembered it from a long time past. He gave a wave to Eca and soon they were both gliding towards it. The two dragons gave a circle of the rocks before Otsi began to make his landing. The top of it was fairly flat, but didn't leave much room for landing or take off. But with a little finesse he managed to swoop it towards the side and hit the ground between the rocks and the trees. Going from the landing run to a job he quickly moved out of the way and without much hesitation pulled the straps on his luggage, letting it fall from his front and to the ground well before Eca had come to a stop.
The packs they wore had to be carried on their fronts of course. Their wings required a good range of movement in order to maneuver through the air. And years of traveling and flight have gotten most the civilized dragons of the region used to making use of such gear.
Otsi leaned back and popped his back. Eca dropped her pack and chuckled. Talking in flight was sometimes tricky due to the air flow and whipping sounds of the air so unless necessary it was usually done in silence.
"I was getting worried there," she said. "I don't know this area very well. And I get the impression neither do you."
"Heh, you're right there," he said as he squatted over his pack. "Think this will make a good spot to camp? Or should we go into the woods a bit?"
Eca shrugged. "I'd rather not lose our landing strip, but it is a pretty obvious landmark. There should be a small river a bit that way," she said pointing into the dimly lit woods. "If we can get down the ravine might be nice to get some fresh water."
Otsi nodded while grabbing his pack. Soon they were leaving the rock and heading into the woods. The area was technically royal lands, and thus generally untouched due to the distance to settlements. The queen had suggested they go that way in order to insure a safe and quiet trip out of the low lands. The wedding was still a couple weeks off, and the implication was that if they wanted to get lost there for a few days, no one would mind or bother them.
The sun was slightly below the horizon by the time they found their way to the edge of the river cut. The trees pushed right up to the edge before giving way to a earthy incline and then a rocky cliff. The lovers edged along the cliff and soon found a way down. The river wasn't to far below at least, but looked quite shallow. The edge of the water did leave a few places to walk where their scales could remain dry as they edged towards an alcove.
"This is perfect," she said as she dropped her pack inside. There was enough room for both of them to lay, for their things, and perhaps even a small fire. She pulled out a small lamp and got to lighting it.
Otsi cleared off some of the sharper rocks and bramble from the spot before sitting down. It had been a very long day to get here from the capital and both were beat. The dragon pulled his sword belt off as well and tossed it to the side. He was soon joined by finance. He smiled at her before slipping his toes into the running water. It was very chilly, but nothing compared to what they'd be feeling on the next part of their trip. And even that was a chill they were quite adapted too, despite their lack of fur.
"This is nice," she said before flopping her tail over his.
He nodded and leaned against her, tossing an arm around her shoulders. "If we head out early we can probably be beyond the front range by noon. Then to your family's castle by dinner?"
"Probably."
Otsi awoke slowly. He groaned slightly as his mind slowly emptied itself of fog. He could feel hot breath along his upper back. He smiled.
And that's when he realized that his wrists were tied together. And so was his ankles. And his wings were bound as well. And trying to open his mouth wasn't going to work either given the thick leather bands holding his jaw shut.
His eyes snapped open. Eca was still laying in front of him, similarly bound but otherwise as she had been after their fun the evening before. He growled and tried to roll over to confront his enemy.
"No ye be not doing that no no no," said a very deep voice after a rather large foot grabbed his side and held him fast.
Still, Otsi tried to turn his head. It was still dark, but he could make out the leg attached to the foot upon his side. Well, if it could be described properly as a leg that is. The creature it was a part of was quite known to be able to run on six legs, but could use the first two as arms as needed. Also quite visible were some of the unusual semi-exoskeleton like plates that seemed to grow out of every part of its flesh. The orange and black color was harder to make out in the dim moon light. Their captor was an Apolytam.
He knew what this person was now at least, but not who.
Eca began to stir. Otsi growled louder which helped. When she was fully awake her eyes grew wide in panic. And then narrow in anger. Otsi began to concentrate.
"Dragon dragon dragon, don't be the so angry," said the voice moments before Otsi could feel a large tongue slide along his back. "But feel free to use up ye strength. I do be a liking 'em pliable and limp if possible."
Otsi was pushed fully onto his belly. This person was stronger than he was by far. Otsi suspected even his muscle bound father might have issues in a fair fight. But dragons never fight fair of course. But neither did their captor, who then grabbed the dragon's tail, one of the few things left untied.
"If I could be a risking ye's yelping, I'd undo ye maw thong there, but ye know, hehe..."
The dragon's tail was pulled high and very quickly Otsi felt his entire body fell upon by the Apolytam. This knocked the wind out of the much smaller dragon. The Apolytam lifted slightly as he adjusted the dragon a little with three different limbs, giving the dragon just enough room to breath again. If not for his struggle to breath, his panic would of involved the feeling of something hot and damp along the back of his leg.
"Thinks I be having enough for both ya's. But if not, I can keeps her around longer than I can be a keeping ye."
The Apolytam slid forward and Otsi felt the unwanted rubbing against his rear. The Apolytam were massive creatures, but he was thankful they were not fully proportional in that department. Usually.
"Now muzzled or not, be a singing for me..."
Otsi tried to yelp, and it was quite loud. As the beast buried himself inside the dragon every part of him seem to explode. His concentration broke and what little charge he had built up arced in his mouth. The dragon's rear spread wide as the cone like cock pressed in and in.
"Delightful ye a being oh yes yes!"
Still struggling to breath, Otsi raced to figure out what could be done. He gave a few test thrashes but the creature above him cared not. Instead their captor began to bomb his rear hips up and down enthusiastically. It wanted to get its pleasure, and quick. Otsi figured he had at least that going for him.
The dragon then tested his bonds. Still no luck. He could feel some of his own blood leaking down between his legs. He tried to slam his head back, but his sharp horns hit solid bone.
"No silly silly, I knew ye a being to tries that," he said before huffs. "Not first dragon I be a hunted."
Otsi's heart sank even further. Their captor was one of those Apolytam. Most were a bit more civilized, but a few clung to the old ways. Both the dragon's would likely be dead and eaten by the end of the day and then the Apolytam would slink off to a cave to hibernate for a few months until the next traveler entered the area. The ache in his backside at least was now not the top thing on his list of worries.
Otsi glanced to Eca. Her eyes were fixed on the beast above the dragon. Piercing, unmoving, full of hate, and unfazed by what was being done to her lover and fiance.
The male dragon began to feel dizzy. The pain was finally getting to be too much. He was losing what little strength he had fast. He tried to say something but it came out muffled and quiet, barely audible over the sound of blood slickened cock sliding through his bowels.
As his body started to go limp, his eyes sought salvation one more time. The alcove was mostly as they had left it, except their weapons had been moved further away and were now jumbled in some new items, probably brought by the Apolytam. No help there.
"There you are going," said the Apolytam as the dragon's movements slowed. "No a sense in letting ye hole go to waste now."
The beast sped up its thrusting. The dragon could feel the grips on his sides tighten. The maddening squelches filled their ears. The dragon's wings were being rubbed raw by the rough edges of bone. Otsi fought valiantly against his instinct to black out. Apolytam semen leaked from his rear between thrusts. The beast pressed down and the dragon's tail almost snapped as it was bent the wrong way. Otsi again tried to yelp.
"Good yes, too bad I can't keeps."
The beast began to pull out. A creamy, brown, and red gush escaped against the dragon's leg. The Apolytam slowly stood up.
"Good dragon," it said before taking a few steps to the side.
Otsi slowly turned his head to see the creature that just raped him. The visage was unknown to him. But the Apolytam's skull like face had a crack upon the side in the shape of the old symbol for sunshine. He had read about this bandit.
Tep Wiserkashat had some decades previous been a blight for travelers along the western coast south of Dithorn. Vicious and prone to not letting there be survivors. Had gone missing when a proper hunt was sent for him. Word had come up a few weeks previous that he had been sighted again in the south corner of the kingdom in a rather large brawl. Since then a caravan had gone missing a bit further north.
And now he was here. And slowly positioning himself over Eca.
Tep positioned Eca under him as he had done to Otsi. Her death glare moved forward. Otsi wriggles slightly rolling a little closer.
"What? No," said Tep before slapping one of his very large paws against the dragon's back. The crack of pain disabled the male dragon.
"Good, now a for ye gal."
Tep slowly lowered himself down. His cock, still quite engorged and covered in an awful mix, rubbed against her rear as he lifted her tail out of the way.
"I can never decide which hole to use... I'll do as ye man friend probably used them."
Otsi couldn't see where he was sticking himself. But as he began to recover a little he noticed Eca made no sounds of protest. Still feeling faint, Otsi witness Tep start to hump his fiance.
There was but one chance. Even if he had the strength and the time to cut himself free, going for the weapons wasn't going to end well. He slowly rolled towards Eca and Tep.
Eca's eye darted towards Otsi. She was burning up in her silent suffering. She slowly moved her snout towards Otsi. The male dragon continued his slow progress to his lover's side. Finally he rolled so his back was pointed towards them.
"No snuggling till I'm done and ye a being cooking little boy," said Tep. But he didn't push the dragon away, instead focusing on his using of Eca's womanly passage.
Otis felt pressure against the back of his head. But it was not Tep. The pressure on his horn threatened to tilt his head back but Otsi used the last of his strength to keep his head still and slowly pull it against the pressure.
Caught on his horn was the strap around Eca's mouth. And then it slid free. She turned her eyes to the near by leg of Tep.
Otsi felt the drop in pressure and rolled back as Eca opened her mouth and quickly latched onto the spot just above the oddly shaped paw of the Apolytam.
"What?" said Tep moments before his entire body was filled with electricity.
Eca held on fast as the beast above her jerked and twitched. Her teeth, where they were not blocked by boney plates, did their best to sink in. Everyone could smell the burning flesh.
Tep's heart seized. But his body kept shaking even as the last of Eca's built up charge finally dissipated through his flesh. She let go of his leg, the beast's cooked blood fresh upon her tongue, and did her best to wriggle out from under him as he slowly lowered to the ground.
Tep was too big to move. So they decided to let him rot in the alcove. All the same, they sliced off his head and stored it in a hollow log a ways from the river.
They sat upon the rocky outcropping they had spotted from the air.
"Did that just happen?" he asked.
"Yes, yes it did."
All of their stuff was scattered around them, mostly packed up. Also with them was Tep's pack, half searched.
"We'll have to tell them when we arrive," she whispered.
"Of course." Otsi nodded. He grabbed their assailant's bag again with one of his toes and dragged it closer. "Its crazy that this guy stumbled across us."
"He's probably been out here for ages. This is not a frequented area."
"Maybe..." he said seemingly in thought. "But I had word that he had been spotted much much further south last."
"You... you know who that was?"
Otsi sighed as he riffled through the pack. "Its my job to know about the worst of the worst." He reached in and pulled out a tube. "Now this is unexpected."
Otsi popped the tube's end open and tilted it into his claws. A piece of paper slide out. He unfurled in and began to read. Eca looked over his shoulder and did the same.
"Well... this is disappointing."
Eca nodded. "But why would Optan try to have you killed?"