"It is rather routine stuff, when we don't have a handsome stranger interrupting our life," she said with another teasing grin. "I was appointed by my sister many years ago as head of our defenses, and I spend most of my time training for that."
"Your sister?" Ibalked. "You mean you are Queen Nerissa's sister?"
"Yes, I am, but don't be so worried about it," she said with a casual shrug. "I was never fit for the life of royalty. I always felt better with a
sword or spear in my hand and my feet on the ground. My sister recognized that in me and planned accordingly. She is a very insightful and fair leader."
"What kind of training do you do?" I asked curiously. "What kind of defenses do you need? This seems to be a pretty peaceful place and not in need of much in the way of a military presence."
Mira narrowed her eyes and took a swig of her drink. At first, I thought she was suspicious, but then I realized the fire in her gaze was
anger.
"I wish you were right, but unfortunately, we face many obstacles and foes," the warrior growled and clenched her fists. "Our island is
surrounded by others with … umm … inhabitants who wish to control our land and our people. We often must fight to keep these raiders from taking everything away from us, including our people. They come here, and they
burn our crops, rape any woman they can overpower, and kill any who won't bend to their wishes. Many of our enemies wish to enslave us for their personal use, to turn us into concubines for their harems."
"That's fucking awful," I growled. I was absolutely dumbfounded by this new knowledge. It was obvious the island was primitive, but I thought that was mostly due to their devotion to their religion and the requirements that they live simply and humbly, as the queen had said. The idea that they continually had to fight for their freedom to keep from becoming some
wanna-be pirate's whore infuriated me.
"Such is our life," Mira muttered as she sipped her drink and watched me carefully.
I downed the last of the ale in my cup and poured myself some more. I needed something to calm me down so I could think straight again. I was somewhat surprised at how quick I was to anger at the idea of these women being treated like chattel. I'd been raised by strong and fierce women and held nothing but respect for the fairer sex. To think some men still wanted to keep them underfoot lit a fire deep in me.
Not on my watch.
Then an idea struck me.
The queen had said I needed to prove myself trustworthy. So,I was going to help these women in any way I could to build the strongest
defenses possible. The Coast Guard might not have been a badass combat unit like the Marines, but I knew some survival and offensive tactics. With my help, not one of these women was going to become Long John Silver's bitch, not while I was still standing.
"Tell me how I can help," I said as I looked up and met Mira's gaze.
"I don't see how you can help us." The warrior shrugged. "You are but one man, and we still don't know if we can trust you."
"I want to help," Iinsisted, "and I can help. I swear, you can trust me. I'm not a great warrior, but I knowhow to sail, and I--"
"You must earn our trust first," Mira explained with a shake of her head. "Even then, as I said, you are but one man, and you mentioned to my sister you wished to return home, so--"
"Tell me about your training and fortifications," Iinterrupted. "I served in a branch of the military back where I am from. Like I said, I'm not a great warrior, but I know a thing or two about building a strong
defense and progressive offense."
"You were in the military, but not a great warrior?" she asked as she raised an eyebrow.
I didn't quite knowhow to explain the differences between the Coast Guard, Navy, and Marines to a woman who didn't know anything about my world, so I took a few seconds to choose my words.
"The part of the military I was in served on boats that patrolled the oceans on the borders of my country. Sometimes we would fight, but most of the time we saved people whose ships were sinking or who had gotten stranded."
"Yes, that doesn't surprise me about you." Mira grinned. "You keep saying you want to help us."
"It's the truth." Ishrugged. "In the Coast Guard, we often try to
combat people sailing their boats into our territory, which sounds like the problem you are dealing with. This is why I'm offering to help. I really do want to prove I'm a good, trustworthy man."
"Hmmm," Mira hummed as she studied me. "I might be interested in your help and input, but not tonight. Tonight, let's just enjoy the peace on the island, with fine drink in our hand and … adequate companionship."
"Hey!" I protested with a frown, but Mira just chuckled, and the
sound was as melodic as the waves on the shore were, so I couldn't be angry.
So Ilet the thoughts of improving the island's defenses and kicking pirate ass go for the moment. I knew I'd need to prove myself, and I
understood their reasoning. It seemed like most men they came across were raping pirates, so they had a good reason to be suspicious of me.
We spent the next few hours swapping stories of fights we'dbeen in and the mischief we got into as children. I didn't press too much for details, though. The subject of Mira's parents, especially her father, seemed to be a touchy subject, and I didn't want to ruin the surprisingly goodtime we were having. We'd begun an unspoken drinking contest, and that led to me
teaching her to arm wrestle, where she beat me a solid two out of five times.
Mira also taught me a game of balance and strength where you had to try and stand for the longest time on a small elevated platform about the
size of a cantaloupe. She showed off by standing perfectly still on one foot for five minutes while I could barely last two minutes, not that being
completely drunk helped at all. We were in the midst of a one armed pushup contest when there was a slight knock followed by a giggle at the door.
I looked up to see Talise, the healer, standing there with a basket
across her arm and a cloak pulled over her head. It did little to hide the look of amusement on her face at seeing two drunks making total fools of
themselves. She sashayed in as both Mira and I quickly, though a bit
unsteadily, got to our feet. Mira did a much better job than I did, considering it took me two or three tries to stand up.
"I thought you might be hungry," Talise said as she set her basket of goodies down on the table. Then she peered into the almost empty jug of ale and shook her head with a smile.
"Olofi's Nectar? And not just a tasting, by the looks of it," she
admonished. "The two of you are going to have an interesting morning, to say the least."
"Ben is the chakillya tamer of his world!" Mira slurred with pride. "That's an ale made from spooky plants called chactuses!"
"Spokey, I mean pokey plants, not spooky!" I corrected and noticed my tongue was very heavy in my mouth.
"Still,I doubt it has the effect of a goddess made nectar, dear Mira," Talise chuckled as she shook her head at us again.
"Don't be such a nag, Talise," Mira teased with a toothy grin. "We aren't fledglings anymore."
Talise walked over to Mira, kissed her on the top of the head, and gave her a one-armed hug.
"I don't mean to be a nag, Mira," Talise said with a smile. "I just know what a night of drinking with you can lead to."
"Hey now, I can't take the entire blame for that night," Mira laughed. "Especially the part with the peacock feathers and my brother."
Both women laughed heartily, and it sounded like wind chimes.
Talise placed one softhand on the side of Mira's face and patted her cheek fondly. "I am glad you have possibly found a new carousing partner. I know you have missed itsince Arrick was lost."
I wanted to ask about Arrick, but something told me now was not the time. If I was patient,I hoped all would be revealed to me. These women were secretive, but they had every right to be. They wouldn't have lasted as long as they had without keeping steadfast to their ways.
I just wanted to help them survive, though. I was becoming strangely fond of them, even Sela and her insistence on poking me with her spear.
Maybe I'd hit my head harder than I thought, or maybe it was the absolute craziness of this situation … but I never wanted to be the cause of these women's pain, only a reason to celebrate. Maybe over time I could help them build their defenses, teach them what I knew, and together we could live in peace on this island of paradise.
Wait … was I seriously considering staying here?
I pursed my lips and thought about it. Yes. Yes I was, but maybe these were decisions I should make when I was sober.
I glanced up at Mira and Talise, and they were both staring at me with softened looks.
"Sorry," Ihiccuped, "didI say something?I didn't m-mean to. I was curious about who this Aaro--Arrick person is, but I didn't want to be rude, so I decided not to ask." Ifrowned. "Wait, didI say all that out loud, too?"
The healer glanced back at Mira as if to ask permission for something and was answered with a firm nod.
"Arrick was my mate, my betrothed," Talise explained in a
melancholy voice. "He was also the brother of Mira and Queen Nerissa. He was born after Nerissa, so he didn't have the royal responsibilities and was free to do as he wished. Mira was a year younger than him and followed
him everywhere. They were more than just siblings, they were the closest of friends."
"He sounds like a good guy," I said politely as I narrowed my eyes and tried to sober up. They were talking about this Arrick in the past tense, so I could tell where this was going.
"He taught her to fight and to survive as best he could," Talise went on. "He could be diplomatic when he needed to be, and he tried to teach Mira that,but not much of that lesson stuck."
"Watch it, woman!" Mira growled with a mock scowl. "I can be diplomatic if I wish,I just rarely wish to be."
Talise's delightful laughter spread out across the room in answer to Mira.
"I have only seen it happen one time, but that, too, is a story for
another night," she said as she giggled some more. Then she sighed as she glanced back at me. "After Arrick was lost, Mira took it upon herself to look after me. I am much better at saving lives than I am at taking them. I was ever grateful considering all the men in my life had been lost. Arrick was the last."
I didn't know what to say. Give my sympathy? Would it seem sincere?
"Talise, I am so sorry for your many losses--" I started to say, but she cut me off.
"Ben, you have no reason to be, but I appreciate your graciousness," she said as she reached out to touch my hand. "Mira and I started taking
care of one another. Eventually, we developed a strong kindredship and
share a home. Many of us women do. It is much easier to take on the trials of life when you have someone to help. I am just lucky enough to have
found such a stalwart friend in Mira. Together, we have helped ease one
another's pain, though I think she has done more for me. I could never replace the brotherly bondshe had with Arrick."
I looked up to see Mira wipe a single tear away that ran down her beautiful face. The gold of her scales made the tear shine in the firelight, and I felt a huge burst of admiration for this stoic woman. She'd lost so much, yet she still persevered and kept looking for ways to improve.
"Now, Mira has met you, and you can almost match her drink for drink!" Talise giggled and suddenly brought joy and light back into the
room.
"Hah!" Mira snorted. "He wishes he had my forthistudes, forjistuth, uhh …"
"Fortitude?" offered the only sober one in the room.
"That's what I said!" Mira shouted and took another drink of the ale.
I grinned and felt this huge swell of happiness, something I'd never experienced before, and something I never wanted to lose.
Fuck. I was never drinking this nectar again. It turned me into a mushy chick.
I needed to call it quits. I'd always been a happy, lovey-dovey drunk, and being around two sexy serpent-fish-monster-alien girls who needed my help was affecting my disposition.
"Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me this story," I said as I struggled to keep the slur from my words. "I hope I can prove myself
worthy."
"Mira might not be convinced," Talise say with a soft smile, "but I could tell you were worthy the moment I saw you. I have an extra sense
about these things. But, for now, it is time for you to get your rest. You will be moving to much better accommodations tomorrow, and the queen wants to give you a tour of the island."
"I am still not so sure I can sleep--" I started to say, but once again I was cut off.
"I will stay with you," Talise offered with a smile. "So will Mira, if she wishes."
Mira simply nodded her head and began to remove her boots. Then Talise climbed onto my bed and motioned me over.
"Uhh, okay," I said, and then I almost cursed myself for opening my mouth. I wasn't sure what was going on, but I was game and didn't want to talk myself out of it.
After I finally worked up the nerve to climb in after the healer, she laid down on her side and snuggled close to me. She placed her head on my chest, started softly singing, and ran her fingerslightly along my stomach.
Then I felt Mira climb in behind me, and she also laid her head on my chest, draped one leg over mine, and wrapped one arm around my waist tight. The warrior was asleep in a matter of seconds, and I pulled both women closer and drifted offright with a smile plastered on my face.
"Ben … Ben … you must wake up!" said the voice of an angel.
I cracked my heavy eyelids open to see the gorgeous face of Talise before me. She was a beautiful sight in her soft pink wrap, and her hair was braided into a bun at the nape of her neck. She smelled sweet like
honeysuckle,and her smile made me swoon, even though I was hungover.
"Ughhhh, who hit me with a tank?" I grumbled in pure agony. "The room is spinning too fast to get off the ride."
"Welcome to Olofi's Revenge," she said with a giggle. "I was afraid this was going to happen to you."
"Where's Mira?" Igroaned. "I need to know she is miserable, too …"
"Mira wasn't much better off than you before she took my advice," Talise chuckled, "which is just what you are going to do right now. Here now, sit up, Ben."
I sat up with her help and did okay until some devious being suddenly flipped my world upside down and my stomach with it.
"Oh gods…" I gagged before I started to heave.