My two cats take me to my nexr world trilogy plus related stories by D.A. Sanford - HTML preview

Chapter 8: Summoned by a Dragon

Both Abigail and Hilda were amenable to staying here at the manor. It looks like Abigail has sunk the hooks in Chip and is reeling him in.

Hilda on the other hand is shy but I’m sure the three wives are gently steering her so that her real feelings come out. I know that she will be a great harem member but I think of when the dam bursts on her emotions I’m going to have to have Chris on call to mend my injuries. I’ll enjoy every minute but I accept everything about her.

I love each wife equally for themselves because they each have their own unique qualities, unique personalities. Even if they were to ask who’s my favorite, I would have to answer all because they are.

Chip came to me the other day looking for advice. He said that he had feelings for Abigail.

That he would like to have her for a mate but needed to consult with me to get my permission.

I looked at him strangely.

“Why do you think you need my permission?”

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"I’m your servant" he states it as if I had title to him,

“Chip, I have said before to others, and yes, when you have been in hearing distance. You are my friend first and foremost. You don’t have to seek permission but if that's what you need you have my blessing. You both can stay or if you want to move on, I’ll miss you but I will not stop you.

Chip seemed pleased “I, no we wish to stay with you. I stay because we also share both worlds. Also, there’s Missy and the Watcher."

“Why don’t the two of you go into town and purchase a large bed for the two of you. There are larger vacant rooms that you will need to move into. Want a thrill? Tell Abigail that I want her to pick the room. On second thought I’m going to tell her myself.”

Missy is always prowling around somewhere near me.

“Missy” I yell. “Would you get Abigail for me.”

I hear a loud “Okay”

While waiting

“I need an answer to something. Are you okay with me asking a question about something from the old world?"

"I’m okay, ask away”

“In the old world you would stay with me when I felt all alone with my sad thoughts of what was taken away from me. Staying with me made me feel less alone. I ask one thing of you, back in there you used to sit on my lap but sometimes you would look up at the ceiling behind me. What were you seeing?”

Chip quickly answered, “The Watcher was giving me instructions.”

“What instructions?”

“To keep on talking to you and sometimes act up”

“That incessant meowing was irritating sometimes!”

“The Watcher said that it would get your blood flowing”

Missy enters the room with Abigail in tow.

“Abigail, I have an order for you.”

Chip grimaces as I say to Abigail,

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“Chip’s room is too small. I need you to find him a suitable room that will comfortably hold a large bed and belongings for at least two people. Oh, by the way, I have told him to go to Beall and buy a suitable bed for that room.”

“Thank you” she says. “Chip would have picked out a utilitarian style bed. I’ll choose a room then we will pick one out.”

“Abigail, buy a comfortable but sturdy bed. It’s on me. A celebratory gift. I’m sure that the harem will have others.”

Missy is bouncing with joy.

“The harem will most certainly will have gifts. After all she is now my sister in law.”

She hugs her brother then whisks her sister in law away to find them a suitable room.

Later that day it was announced that Chip and Abigail are now mates. They will stay on at their current jobs. Missy was actually happy for Chip and greeted Abigail as her sister but as an in law. She was not part of the harem. Harem was special family, not in the same was as Chip is to Missy. The pair were blood bond family but the harem bond is a self-chosen bond.

Special.

Hilda came to me to talk. She was talking to me more and more. It seems that she is warming up to me. I have already, so all I can do is wait on her. I’m quite sure that if I asked my wives, they would all mention the Watcher., so I don’t ask. I’ll wait. Hilda trains along with us but she has a different style. It looks good I may just copy it some other time.

Then I remember something. Each one of us has developed their own skills and trained hard to master that skill. I had the ability to procure others skills but after the elation of having the skill set I desired, no let’s be truthful, I envied, it felt like I was a thief. A thief of their effort, their dedication to that skill and I just cheapened them by using copy. I promised myself that I would cherish everyone's skill not covet them. In the end I did not want to use Copy and Paste anymore.

I decide that I want to spar with Beez. I need to practice the dance of the daggers. We both grab the blunt wooden daggers we kept in the area's weapons locker. Beez faced me. I count

“three, two, one” and the dance was on We were both so involved with the dance that we did not notice that the others had stopped and were watching the two of us. Hilda especially.

She tells Missy that she feels that she should learn that style.

“It could come in handy in an enclosed area where swords can’t be used.”

“Just ask Bebe, she will be glad to teach you.”

The next day Beez is showing Hilda the basics of the dagger dance. Two beautiful ladies, I love them both, are so different in their size that it is almost laughable unless you know them.

Courage and generosity are being shown. The courage that it takes for someone as 62

impressively talented as Hilda is to ask for help and generosity that Beez has to teach someone else their knowledge. I have a greater satisfaction knowing that I have such talent on my side.

The two of them go on to be a joined offensive terror force that none survive to tell the tale.

The enemy just seem to disintegrate into chunks of body parts. Those that see it will use it to scare their children into being good or the high low twin terrors will get you. By the way, that is an awful way to traumatize your kid. Scarred for life. Please don't do it.

After the training session was over. We started towards the manor for breakfast. Beez catches up with me, takes my hand, then slows down to let the others go ahead. She definitely wants something.

“Master, do you like Hilda?”

“I really like her, no, I know I love her for her like I love you for you.”

"Good! Hilda is shy, I don’t think she has the nerve to make the important move. She needs you to take control. In her situation. I feel it may be that she is waiting on someone to dominate her. Being so powerful, she needs to feel vulnerable to be able to show affection."

Beez continues "I talked to her, she said she has never found someone that she had these feeling for that she has for you. You are, in her opinion, an excellent all around combat leader.

One she can follow knowing that your people come first.”

“So, what’s the action I need to do?” I ask.

“You need to pull her aside. I do mean pull her! She needs to be confronted with an order like question. A question that gives her a choice of which commands she would like to follow knowing she does not have a third option of not to follow either of the two."

“Like what” I ask.

Beez looks at me with an exasperated look.

“Men! Totally clueless! You need to confront her in a command voice and tell her how you feel. Tell her that you want her in the harem. Then give her the order to either be knocking at your door being ready for night bed maneuvers. or not show and just be part of the team like Chip and Abigail. If what I feel will happen, happens, dominate her in the bed then tell her you are claiming her like you claimed both Chris and I were. Then mark your claim."

Thinking about it, Beez is right. I feel that it is the proper action. I get cleaned up and after I notice Hilda is almost done with her breakfast., I abruptly stand and my chair goes sailing back.

I look at Hilda and command her to stand. I remember those drill instructor movies and use that voice. My three and Abigail are watching the situation eagerly. The only thing they are missing is the popcorn as they sit forward on the edge of their chairs.

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Hilda is stunned.

“I SAID STAND UP! DO YOU HEAR ME?!”

Again, from those movies. She immediately stands. I march over to her and look up into her eyes that show she has no idea what the hell is going on. In almost a growl I say

“Listen to me. I love you and I want you in my harem. You are to be in my room by nine pm tonight ready for our joining. I will claim you and then mark you as mine. Talk to Beez as to what that means. If you are a no show then I will have your answer. You will still be on the team but just as team member, like Chip and Abigail. Now answer me now, HOW DO YOU

FEEL ABOUT ME?”

“I love you” she says meekly

“I can’t hear youuuuu!”

“I LOVE YOU” she shouts.

“GOOD! You have your orders, choose one.” I pivot then march away thinking that I shouldn't have this grin but tonight should be good. Meanwhile I start to hear the high school girl’s voices coming out.

Promptly at nine pm there as a knock at the door. “Enter” and the door opens. There coming through the door which she had to duck slightly to get through, was Hilda. She was dressed in a thin night gown. I feel Missy and the other two had a hand in this. She did not say a word, just stood there.

“Have you come to a decision?” knowing that if she was here, she wanted to be with me. “I want you to tell me why I should accept you.”

“You are brave, smart and caring. In this short time, I have seen you do marvelous things, generous things and I have found myself falling in love for the first time in my life. You have shown that you care for the person regardless of race. I love you and want to be in the harem.

Please claim me and give me your mark. Please be my master.”

By the time she got out those words, I already had my arm round her neck and was pulling her down for a kiss. The night was more than I expected. She did want to be vulnerable in her night life. She wanted to have times where she was being told what to do rather than in that combat mode all the time. Hilda found she could relax and just be a woman rather than that warrior. She was very happy and very relaxed by the end of the evening.

Needless to say, those three were at the door in the morning as Hilda kind of drifted out of my room. She had a glow, and they giggled like teenagers. “Welcome sister. We now need to talk about the harem and the Watcher."

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Shortly after that, I came out of my room to find Chip there waiting with a smirk on his face.

“Not you too!”

“Noooo, that’s not my business. I’m here because we received a letter from Drako saying that you and your harem are urgently needed at his estate as soon as convenient,”

“Does he say what’s the matter?”

“No just that it is urgent.”

"I guess we need to meet in the war room. Have everyone meet there in a half an hour, I need something to eat. I’m drained”

“I did not need to know that” Chip remarks.

I clap his arm, smile then went to get breakfast.

With the addition of Abigail and my now forth wife Hilda, I’m glad to have a room just for our planning and meetings. The office can now be just for meeting with clients.

“Now that we are all here, we’re traveling. My friend Drako has sent me a message saying that I need to go to him. He stated it was urgent. He said that I was to bring my harem. Of course, Chip and Abigail are welcome to come unless you would like to spend some weeks alone.”

My women snicker and Abigail is embarrassed. “No, we'll come with you but for once we may make some noise ourselves.” Chip looked like he had a plan.

“To continue. There is a decent road leading to his estate so this time the women can ride in the carriage. Our provisions will be in the wagon. This will save us from the saddles if you know what I mean. Chip, you have the wagon, I'll take the carriage."

Abigail speaks up, "I'll be on the wagon"

Chip tells her "I will make sure that we have the buck board padding."

"Don't want to hurt her butt" after a short pause, Missy finishes with "while on the wagon."

"I have also procured a very large tent that has a well-padded floor mat. It’s big enough for the five of us plus room for expansion, if the occasion arises. Chip you can have my other one unless you feel we need to bring more tents.”

Abigail answers before Chip can “Your other one is big enough.” Everyone enjoys his reaction.

“A week up and a week back. I don’t know what is wrong so I cannot say how long we will be there. Is everyone on board?”

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Missy raised her hand. “Your tent. Do mean to say all of us will be in the same tent?”

“Any objections to my tent plan?”

I hear almost a simultaneous "No sir!”

“We leave in the morning”

Surprisingly it is Hilda that says “Why can’t we leave this afternoon?”

“Great idea” the rest of the harem kicks in.

“No, we have things to do today.”

“Just spoil the fun, killjoy.”

It's morning and my girls are already debating how far we were going to travel before we set up camp for the night. Their general condenses is that we go no farther than we can go by noon.

The poor horses. Their pulling a wagon and a carriage. They needed the rest. Horses need the rest? I need the rest! Those women are awfully concerned for the horses all of a sudden, yea right! All they are thinking about is the tent. Right now, I get the feeling that I will regret the purchase but maybe I won't.

Despite the wishes of my harem, we stopped for lunch then continued on. For the most part the day's travel was pleasant. There was one incident. It was midafternoon when we all sensed that there was something lurking in the woods. Abigail jumps off the wagon seat and disappears into the woods. As fast as she disappeared, she came back.

"There is a pack of wolves stalking us. Around twenty more or less. We're going to be attacked very soon."

The pack tactics are predictable. The leader with a few of the pack will appear before the potential victims. Stopping the victim’s movement. The rest of the pack will then come out from behind and encircle the prey. This pack is no different. I figure that this will be good practice. We will be able to take care of them.

"Let's let it happen. This will be a substitute for our missed mornings exercise."

It was almost a minute later that the leader and his escorts jump into our path. Then we hear growling all around us.

"It's show time!” I yell. then we jump into action.

The leader was chopped up mid howl. Then their numbers started to drop. Some wolves chose the smallest of us as their target. They must have thought that they could take the 66

small one then cut and run. Wrong, before they could make their move, Hilda ran over to Beez. It was the first live combat appearance of the high low twin terrors.

Unfortunately, for the wolves, that easy prey just became the ultimate butchering team. You could almost swear that you could see a wolf skinned, eviscerated, dissected and if they had the butcher paper you would find the cuts of meat neatly wrapped, on display for the customer to take home for supper. The only thing we saw was the blur from two sets of blades. It reminded me of a blender from the old world.

Those wolves seemed to be chopped up and down without a cut or nick on my wives’ skin, let alone a single hair touched, on either Hilda or Beez. They were working in a synchronous perfect harmony. Practice makes the difference. They alone took out half of the pack. Not a single wolf got away.

When it was all done, all the rest of us could was to stare at the two, then, we could not help it, we started to clap. Both looked embarrassed but had enough presence to take a bow. We came over and there were plenty of hugs.

"I am so lucky to have this new talent show up in our team."

Christine interrupts "Not luck" I think, don't please don't but she did, "the Watcher knows what is best for us. Then sends us who we need."

Leaving the mess, scavengers will clean up the remains, we set off. That whole fight happened so fast that the horses did not get a chance to run. We set off, despite the pleas from four 'tired' wives that we need a night’s rest.

"We need to put a great distance between the mess and us so we will still travel. The tent will wait for a few more hours."

Even though they know that I am right, they still groan as they get into the carriage.

Much to their discomfort, we traveled another three hours until we found a nice spot to camp.

An open meadow that afforded a clear parameter but also a clean stream abutting it. We set up and our mage was able to rearrange some of the river stones to form a decent size pool with her earth magic. Then with fire magic she heated the rocks and water to a pleasant temperature. Our own spa.

"Now" Beez says "You two men go hunt supper. Make sure you are gone for an hour."

"Why an hour?" was asked.

"Because we are a mixed crowd of women. If it was just the harem and Justin, we would not think anything of a mixed bath. With Chip and Abagail here, we need to be discrete. Go hunt now" and all the women chase us off.

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No sooner have Chip and I disappeared from their sight, clothes went flying and five naked females collectively sighed as they settled into the warm water and soaked their weary bones.

The talk was about the day, the fight and the anticipated night time activities.

Missy tells her sister in law "Abby, we are not going to be a quiet bunch tonight. Some of us are very loud" she hesitates then adds "sleepers, if you get what I mean."

Abby replies "I won't be bothered, I'm a screamer." They all laugh then trade night time tales.

We came back with a few rabbits and some birds. The women were sparkling and smelled wonderful. Smiles all around. We were ordered to go to the pool and clean up. It seems that we could not peek at them but they had no concern for our privacy. Both Chip and I gave a mock argument but we did not really care if they saw us naked. It's a guy thing.

Fed, relaxed and still somewhat light out, almost as if it was planned, the women say that tomorrow was going to be a long day and we need the rest. Abigail goes to her tent and mine go to our tent.

We both get up to follow our wives when Chip tells me "Good luck"

I say "Same to you"

With that we are prepared for the long night's battle. I can't say that Chip will have an easier time but the way my ravenous pack looks as I enter the tent of my impending vanquish, I think of that Roman coliseum saying

"We who are about to die salute you" Let the battle begin.

Next morning, we both emerge from both tents. Both of us look like we have been through hell and lived but not by much.

I turn to Chip "At least you only had one to contend with."

"I don't know about that. She was moving so fast that I thought there were multiple Abby's."

We try to laugh but the women file out of both tents. With both a relaxed look and mischief in their eyes

Abigail says "there were multiples of me."

My women add "It didn't tire us out but we noticed that Chris might need to use high heal on you because it seemed that you were shooting powder towards the end, right before you passed out."

Now all the women are laughing outright.

"Chip let's break camp and go without breakfast." I tell him.

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"Oh no you don't. We need food!" they reply.

We ate packed up and continued on. I don't know about Chip but I am really considering stopping at noon. It would be nice sleeping under the stars knowing that the harem is safely tucked in the big tent. I'll guard it from outside.

Chip's earlier words when it was just two wives,

"Be careful of what you ask for, you might just get it."

I really need to do something about my stamina. Maybe Christine can really help.

The rest of the trip was relatively quiet with the exception of what seemed endless night skirmishes. Honestly, I really need to get some rest. We are getting close to Drako's territory and I don't know what is the urgency.

It turns out to be ironic that what he wants is…….

-

Chapter 9: Sorra’s Destiny

It started several months ago when Drako returned to his estate. He takes his humanoid form then announces

“I’m home.”

“Father, how was your trip?” his daughter Sorra asks.

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Drako Leader of the Clan of the Dragon Sorra of the Clan of the Dragon Sorra is the apple of his eyes. She so resembles her late mother now that she has grown to the age her mother was when the two of them fell in love. He misses his wife a little more now that their daughter has grown to be so much like her with the exception that her mother was human.

“It was mostly routine and somewhat boring with one exception. Guess who I ran into on the way home?”

“I would take a wild guess and say Justin?”

"Justin it was. He is on a mission going to look for a lost healer. They were camping for the night. I saw them and stopped for a quick visit. Since home was close by air I came home.”

Sorra was ready near to flying out the door,

“Where is he? Just point in the direction. I have to see him. I need to ask him something.”

“You can’t go right now. I insist that you stay here.”

“Why should I?” It was a sort of demand rather than a question.

“Because he was bedding down for the night.”

“So” she interrupted.

“Please let me finish.” he told his daughter.

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Her father knew before tonight that Sorra has been enamored with Justin ever since her father brought Justin home one day years back. Sorra is a beautiful eighteen year old dragon newt. She has fair skin with red hair that comes down to her retractable wings. Sorra loved his tales and trained to become one of his team, also his wife.

“If I may continue, as I said he was bedding down for the night with his two wives. So, you do not want to rush in to chat.”

She is stunned.

“Two wives?”

“Yes, he has two wives. A felid and a goblin both very attractive, both deeply in love and so is he. You can tell just by looking at them.”

Sorra is surprised at that and deep down she is a little panicky.

“What if he has a limit on the number of wife’s he is willing to take.” The gears in her mind are grinding.

"Father, I have to get down there now. The question I have to ask him is would he have me for his wife. Now I really need to ask that question before he reaches his limit of wives.”

“He is on a mission to find that healer. The team is still days away from the first area to search. They will look for a week and then move to the next location. They will continue until they find the healer hopefully alive or they find a body. Then they have weeks until they return to his manor."

"You need to convince me that you are in love with him, not just infatuated, not desperate about missing your opportunity. Think of how you will convince me to let you go because of love, not just intrigued with his adventure tales. I insist that you take two weeks before we talk reasonably about this matter. The last thing I must insist on is that, if I agree with you, he must agree to make you one of his wives and consummate that before you leave with him."

"You are aware of our tradition. The Matriarch of our clan must confirm the consummation by watching the act. Your mate can also have a representative witness. Being a rudimentary harem, the first wife most likely will be the one. The Matriarch and your mate’s representative will leave the room once they are satisfied that the act has been completed."

"The Matriarch will come out and announce her certification or declare no marriage due to failure to consummate. The harem witness will have their own form of declaration. Once you have been declared mates you will no longer be able to say you are a member of the Clan of the Dragons. You will be declared a member of your mate’s clan. In this case the Clan of Martin. Are you willing to do as I ask and accept the ceremony rituals?”

She hates that he is right. What is Justin to her real or just infatuation, and does he have those feelings for her

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“I accept your conditions.”

“Good. When you can convince me, I will send a letter to his manor asking him to come here with his harem to meet with us. I will only tell him that it is urgent. He will come here straight away when he reads that it is urgent. I will also alert the Matriarch. I will send them the same day as I give my consent. Time wise this meeting will not happen for at least two months. Are you still okay with that?”

“Yes" she replies.

“Thank the gods, if you left now and joined with him, you would disgrace yourself and I would have no choice, by our laws, to disown you. You would be an outcast for your life. No dragon or dragon newt would help you. I love you too much to see my daughter an outcast. Please do not give in to the temptation and go to him now. I will hear you in two weeks.”

Sorra tells him

“You do not have to worry. As much as I really want to go, I will not because I respect you and know you enough to know that you only have my best interests in mind. I’m going to bed now and will start to prepare my answer by asking myself your questions. I love you dad.”

She turns and goes to her room.

It was a hard fought battle with herself but after the two weeks Sorra comes to her father.

Drako simply asks his daughter

“Have you come to convince me about Justin and his harem. Are you willing to join yourself to his harem? To share his life with other women”

“Yes”

“Why”

She takes a deep breath with a true quiver in her voice,

“I love him and will accept his harem if they will accept me. I cannot see my life as complete without Justin in it. I want to marry him. I want you to approve, but if you do not, I will leave to join him even if I get disowned even knowing how much it will hurt you. I’m sorry father if that hurts you.”

He stops her right there

"Daughter, if you had compromised on the feelings that I already knew you to have for him, I would have been greatly disappointed. I had heard the determination in your voice but when I heard that you even would become an outcast for him, I knew that your love is true. I am so proud of you. You are a true lady. No longer my little girl. You have my approval and I will send letters to both Justin and the Matriarch.”

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With tears in her eyes

“Daddy, I’m still am and will always be your little girl.”

She throws herself at him, kissed both of her father’s cheeks and cries for a long while. They are tears of joy and tears due to fatherly love.

Fast forward to today, I am here with my harem and team in answer to my friend’s urgent letter. I am sitting across from Drako. He has asked that he be able to talk alone, with the exception of Chip because he knows Chip’s position. The women are being entertained by his daughter.

“Drako, what is this matter that you need my help with? You didn’t have any details so I am wondering what is so urgent?”

In another end of the castle, the women are with Sorra. They are having tea and light snacks.

Missy, Beez, Christine, Hilda and Abigail are there. It starts out as idle polite chatting until Sorra coughs loudly to get their attention. She remembers that her father told her that a felid and a goblin were Justin’s wives.

"Missy, Beez, because you are Justin’s wives”

She is stopped by Missy “You are correct in that the two of us are Justin’s wives but now I need to say that Christine and Hilda are also his wives.”

Sorra is taken back “Then maybe I’m too late”

Missy knows what Sorra wants to say

“You want to become a wife of our husband don’t you. We have already discussed this. We have it, on good authority, that you will be a perfect fit. We wives love Justin for what he is. He means the world to us and he feels the same about all of us. We also consider each of us as sisters. We are going to accept you as a sister after he takes you and marks your as his.”

” What, what, how did you know what we were going to discuss? What is on a good authority?”

Missy answers “I’ll stop you right here. That information is only known by the four of us. You will not be brought in on that until you become one of us. You have to agree on that. One other thing, you will not be allowed to tell anyone outside of the harem what we tell you especially Justin. Can you abide with that.? If not, we’re done here.”

“I will abide with that. I want to be his wife and your sister.”

Sorra turns her attention to Abigail but Abigail picks up on it.

“Oh no, I’m not part of that party. I’m the mate of Missy’s brother Chip. Chip also has not told me about the authority other than the fact the it only concerns Justin’s well being.”

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Missy pipes up gleeful “I’m going to be an auntie soon. That’s another thing, we wives cannot conceive just yet and you won’t. Be assured you will eventually but not for the foreseeable future”

Sorra is just at a loss.

“What are you saying” Justin is astonished at what he just heard his friend Drako say.

“I said that I would like you to take my daughter, Sorra, as your wife. She is in love with you, has been for a few years. She is now eighteen, so she can marry. She has shown to me that it is true love. I like your character. I would feel at ease knowing that my daughter will be cared for. Per our Clan of the Dragon tradition, she will come with a considerable dowry. Will you accept my daughter?”

“I have seen her as a cute young girl and then as an attractive woman. I need to discuss it with my wives. If I get their approval, I will accept Sorra as my wife.” We shake hands and Chip says that he is witness to the agreement.

Before we can get up, almost on queue, Missy pokes her head into the room and only gives me a thumbs up. Then closes the door.

I turn to Drako “I guess we have their answer, father.”

Drako cringes, “Don’t ever call me that again, it’s creepy”

We have a good laugh and meet up with the women. As we are around the table enjoying a good meal,

Sorra stands up. “Justin I want to marry you and join your harem. Will you have me?”

I stand and walk over to her, look her in the eyes and hold her hands. “I would be happy to have you as a wife but isn’t the proposal supposed to be made by the groom?”

Turning to the harem “I ask you Missy, Beez, Christine and Hilda what do you say?”

Missy has always been the spokesman for the harem. She stands and comes over to us. She takes Sorra’s left hand from me leaving me holding the right hand.

Missy says “We, the wives of Justin’s harem, accept you Sorra and look forward to you becoming a sister.”

With that said, everyone claps and congratulates us. Drako now stands and announces that the Matriarch should be here three days from now to officiate. He turns to Justin

“She will certify the consummation of the marriage. It seems that Missy is your first. Will she be your observer?”

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“What are you talking about?”

"The act of first coupling must be observed by the Matriarch so the marriage can be certified.”

"Oookay someone has to watch? I good with that. The trip here, all the wives were there in my tent. Things happened very frequently, only two is doable but Missy, you cannot jump in”

“Why not?" she says sarcastically”

I answer “Maybe on the second or third night but not that night.”

"I'll take that as a dibs"

The three days pass quickly and right on time the Matriarch arrives but she says that it will be tomorrow for the joining. She wants to talk with the harem, then me. Today, she needs to be satisfied as to our sincerity because I’m a human. I hope prejudice isn’t going to interfere. It doesn’t. She is comfortable with the harem and me being a human. The thing she had to see is the dynamics as a whole. She wanted to see if it is a good situation for Sorra.

The Matriarch finally is satisfied so she announces,

“The marriage will take place tomorrow at two in the afternoon followed by a feast. At four in the afternoon the four of us will retire to the room especially prepared for the consummation.

When we are satisfied, we two witnesses will leave and wait by the door while you get dressed. Then you will be presented as mates.”

Missy had informed the Matriarch earlier and now informs the gathering that the harem has the claiming ritual, the shoulder bite. The four current wives show their shoulder bite marks.

Missy explains that this was started with Beez and the next night Missy got hers. The other two got theirs during the first time.

She says “Sorra and the Matriarch have heard and both agree to the harem claiming mark.

When Sorra is certified as her mate by the Clan of the Dragon she will be told to show the harem the mark. She will then become our sister for life.”

In what seems an instant, today is the day and two pm arrives before we know it.

At the hall door Missy announces to the gathering “As our harem sister’s mouth, I announce the arrival of Justin Martin, our husband, the groom of Sorra. and the chief of the Clan of Martin." She opens the door and I step into the hall. The door is closed behind me.

Drako then says “As father of the bride I announce the arrival of Sorra of the Clan of the Dragon. The future mate of Justin Martin.” He opens the door and Sorra enters the hall.

Now Drako announces “All stand as the Matriarch of the Clan of the Dragon enters the hall”

Everyone is standing when he opens the door. Everyone bows as she enters the hall.

75

I was dressed in the finery that Drako’s tailors made for me. It is an amazing fact that they could make me what could be only described as a tuxedo but with small artificial wings embroidered on the back. Feels weird but seeing Sorra in what resembles fancy battle armor but made of bright sky blue leather with a jeweled sword at her side. The Matriarch is dressed in a sky blue ceremonial robe befitting royalty.

She now speaks “I have interviewed all that are concerned and have found that they are true to their feelings. Both Justin Martin, his harem and his clan will accept Sorra as an equal member of the harem and of their clan. To use their term of acceptance, Sorra will be their life’s sister.”

The Matriarch turns to Justin.

“Justin, will you ask Sorra your question”

“Sorra will you, this day become my wife and sister to the other wives?”

Sorra answers “Yes”

The Matriarch turns to Sorra.

“Sorra, will you ask your question.”

“Justin, will you accept me as your mate and be my master?”

“Yes”

“Now,” the matriarch states to the gathering, “Let us now have a feast to comfort this prospective mating couple.”

The crowd gives a cheer as the banquet begins.

I know that we should not be eating our fill before the second part of the ceremony. Much to my chagrin, I look at the plates that are presented to Sorra and I. There is very little on the plates as opposed to the others. Sorra is just picking at the small portions. I ask her about it.

She answers me.

“We are not supposed to eat all of this small portion. Everyone is fed now. After we have been certified, we will have a private dinner back in the room that we mate in. Then spend the rest of the night there.”

“Sounds delightful. I really look forward to seconds.”

Joking I add “food of course.”

She had a confused look but I will clear that up later tonight.

76

The time comes. The Matriarch rises from her seat

“Missy of the Clan of Martin, will you be witness, along with me, of the consummation of this couple?”

She rises “Yes I will represent the harem wives in the Clan of Martin on this matter.”

I find it funny how Missy, that casual fun loving berserker felid, is acting so formal. I hope she is remembering to breathe.

“Are the two of you, Justin and Sorra, ready to have your marriage certified?”

We rise and both say yes.

The Matriarch and Missy turn to lead us to a room off the dining hall. It has been prepared with minimal furnishings. There are two plush but regal looking chairs side by side. The chairs are facing a large mattress like cushion on the floor. On one wall is a door and on the opposite wall is a similar door. We are instructed to go through those doors. Sorra to the right and I to the left.

The door opens up to what is a small dressing room. There hanging on a hook is a blue robe and a wicker basket on the small shelf. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out what I have to do. There is a sliding panel that shows servant can access the room.

I place all my clothes in the basket, put on the robe and reenter the room. Sorra reentered soon after I did. We were instructed on the solemn ceremony but also instructions that we need to just enjoy ourselves. We did.

After a long time both the Matriarch and Missy reenter the hall. Missy can’t help herself. She is using her hand to fan herself.

The Matriarch leans over to Missy

“You are very blessed with that man.”

“We have a lot of fun”

They both have a smile. Shortly after we are dressed in very similar outfits. I have the jeweled scabbard and Sorra had just the sword. Now we emerge from the room.

In her most formal voice, the Matriarch announces,

“I hereby certify that now they are mated. Sorra is now to be called by her new clan’s name Sorra Martin.”

She looks at Sorra. Sorra looks at me, taking that jeweled sword off her belt, she kneels down and presents me with the sword, raised it in both hands like an offering to a god.

77

“Please use this sword to protect both me and the Clan Martin.”

I take the sword and put it in the scabbard. Then Sorra stands back up.

Now Missy talks,

“Sisters of the Martin Clan come forward and show your claim marks to Sorra Martin.”

The three come forward, Missy joins the line with her sisters and they all expose their shoulders revealing their bite scar. Missy returns to the front.

“Sorra Martin, show the harem that you have been claimed by our master, Justin.”

Sorra exposes her shoulder showing the new bite mark. Missy applies a dressing on the raw mark then turns to the wives.

“Sisters, come greet our new sister.”

Here come the teen girls again.

The last statement is by the Matriarch.

"Now by the mating of Justin and Sorra Martin, there is now a deep bond between the Clan of the Dragon and the Clan of Martin. Be assured both clans, there is now a bond that can never be broken. We of the Clan of the Dragon now welcome our new clan brothers and clan sisters. Welcome Clan of Martin.”

Again, cheers go out to both clans.

Missy whispers to Sorra

"Tomorrow we will have that talk we mention the other day. Your questions will be answered.

Remember that you a sworn to secrecy. Justin knows we share that secret and will try to get you to spill the beans. We have an answer for him. Your will remember it any time he tries to find out."

Now Drako stands

“Sorra, my daughter and now of the Clan of Martin comes to that clan with her dowry of twenty large golds and all the personal possessions she has. For those who do not know the dowry is not really for Justin. It is so Sorra has money and does not become a financial burden to her clan. I know Justin that you don’t need it but it must go with her. With that may we welcome Justin and Sorra of the Clan of Martin”

There is a cheer.

My women gather around. There are hugs and kisses from and to every one in the now Martin Clan.

78

I say “I kind of like the sound of that. Are we now the Clan of Martin?”

“You bet your ass we are” the now five women say in unison. I guess that is that.

“I do think that the way you four were claimed by me was a lot easier. No wait the three of you. Missy took hers in a sneak attack.” to which the felid answers

“But it seemed like a good way to wake you up since part of you was already up! Sorra, we will talk later."

The party eventually winds down so both Sorra and I return to the room for the night with no need for observers this time. There was a small supper left in the room for us with drink and flowers. It was a wonderful night.

After a few more days it was time to return to the mansion. First though there is the tent. Will I get any sleep? Who knows.