Centaur Warlod 2 (complete)

    I’m not used to sea travel, being on a ship is foreign to most centaurs. But after being the ship for a few days, I think I’ve finally gotten my sea legs. Usually, on these matters of conquest, I would bring Sorik with me, but this time my queen insisted on joining me. Unfortunately, she is worse at sea than even I am. She’s been dealing with bouts of seasickness ever since we started the voyage. She wanted to come with me, not only because she has been tired of the palace, but because Dali knows she would be of some help to me. Much like Sorik, she is good with people and is a fantastic negotiator. I just hope she isn’t exhausted by the time we reach dry land.

    Not too long ago, a pirate lord by the name of Bray reached out to me. Apparently, Gnolls have taken over his harbor and home, as well as another pirate lord he is acquainted with. They have both been ripped from their islands and ports by the infestation and have taken asylum on the island of the pirate lord Breifstienn. These three men have been fighting off the Gnolls for a decade as Bray explained to me. He sent me a ship, hoping I could be of some help to them. If so, the three of them would give me their fleets to add to my army.

    The port of Briefstienn was a sprawling place. It was an island off the coast of the Rakshasa kingdom in an inlet that led both to the sea and to the strait between the two continents. It was a prime location, I would have to tell Lord Briefstienn I was impressed he was able to protect it for so long.

    As we stand on solid ground, my door queen retches one last time into the ocean. “Are you ok?” I ask her, stroking her hair away from her face.

    “That was horrible!” She points at the ship. “How am I supposed to survive the trip home? Thank the gods I was able to keep my appetite, I could have dehydrated!”

    I kiss her forehead. “I’m sure these pirates know a trick or two to cure seasickness. We’ll speak to them on the subject once we’re done with negotiations.”

    She sticks her tongue out. “I need a drink.”

    “We can provide that,” a gravely voice replies. 

    I take hold of Dali’s hand as a man approaches. He is tall and broad-shouldered with golden scales. He removes his hat and bows before me. Beside him is a woman with a long, dark braid and narrow eyes. She stands still as Bray bows. 

    Bray stands back up. “Chief Demir, I’m glad you could come on such short notice.”

    I place my hand over my heart. “Your offer was too good to turn down, Lord Bray.”

    Bray glances at Dali and smiles. “I see, so you brought your new queen with you as well?” He kneels before her and kisses her hand. “It’s a pleasure.”

    “Not for me,” Dali huffs.

    “Forgive me, she dealt with some terrible seasickness on the way in,” I reply. “I’m afraid she is not her charming self.”

    The woman with Bray steps forward. “I’ll take care of that,” she says.

    “This is my wife, Miki,” Bray says. “She’s a doctor, she’ll help get your queen into proper shape.”

    “Thank the gods, someone who knows what the hell they’re doing.” Dali follows Miki as I send one of my guards after them to watch over her.

    “Do you feel like meeting now or should we wait for you to rest up as well?” Bray asks.

    I shake my head. “I would like to talk now if possible. I was hoping to bring Dali with me, but if we start with introductions, we can continue later.”

    “Sure,” Bray shrugs. “Whatever.” He leads me to a manor on the hill. Once inside he takes me to a hall where I hear two men arguing back and forth. The men are Autry, a white lion Rakshasa, and Breifstienn, a buffalo Minotaur who owned this island. Sitting at the opposite end of the table were two women, one whose skin was a deep, dark brown and the other who looked like she was made of pearls. They were playing cards while the two men bantered.

    “Do you two never shut up?” Bray scoffs as he walks into the room.

    Autry takes a long drag of a cigar before blowing out a cloud as big as his mane. “Is this the centaur you keep bragging about?”

    “Bragging?” I laugh.

    “Bray has some sort of crush on you,” Briefsteinn adds.

    Bray scoffs. “I know something promising when I see it. Now both of you shut up and fly right.” He takes a seat at the table.

    The woman with dark skin stands up. “I suppose you want me to fetch drinks?” She glares in Autry’s direction.

    He reaches out to her as she walks towards him. He kisses her on the cheek, and she steals his cigar, taking it for herself. “I wouldn’t mind something to eat, love,” he growls.

    She blows smoke in his face. “I bet you would.” She glances around the table. “What about the rest of you boys? Do you share my husband’s appetite?”

    “Never, but I wouldn’t mind some of that stew you make,” Bray smiles.

    She then glances at me. “And you?”

    I place my palm over my heart. “I would be a fool to turn down home cooking.”

    She nods and walks back towards the kitchen. The other one, the girl who looks like pearls, runs over to Briefstienn and sits in his lap. I see her wings, and I recognize her kind. They were a rare breed of fae who had been slaughtered and tortured for their ability to makes gems with their tears. No wonder Briefstienn is so well off.

    Briefstienn holds his treasure and kisses the top of her head. “Can we get this going then?” He growls.

    “We are trying,” Bray scoffs at him.

    “I want the both of you off my island as soon as possible,” Briefstienn huffs. “My hospitality is wearing thin.”

    “Do you think we want to be marooned here? We both had our own fortunes and homes. This is humiliating for us both!” Autry snarls at him.

    “Yes, about that,” I interrupt. “How did the Gnolls invade so easily and so quickly? I know they have been a problem for decades, but they’ve never been quite so successful.”

    “They’re an infestation,” Autry snarls. “They work like bees in a hive but are as foul and disgusting as cockroaches.” He then motions to Briefstienn. “This one here has been fighting them since he was young.”

    I glance at the minotaur. “Is that true?”

    “He doesn’t like talking about it,” the fairy in his lap says, glaring at me. 

    “Mynie,” Briefstienn growls.

    She sighs. “The gnolls raided his country. They kidnapped him, raped him and beat him. He broke free from their capture. He saved me from them as well.” She squeezes his hand tight. “Now, his fellow lords have been ripped from their homes. How do you think we feel? All we have these days are rage! And it is all because of her!”

    I furrow my brow. “Her?” I ask.

    “The Empress,” Briefstienn growls. “Bethsabe.”

    “She’s as mad as she is brilliant,” Bray scoffs. “She’s a raving lunatic, like a toddler having a tantrum. But, she’s brilliant too. Probably one of the best military leaders I’ve ever seen.” he then smirks at me. “You two could be equals.”

    “What about King Amit? Even Czar Gregor and his polar army?” I ask. 

    “Are you trying to be humble?” Bray laughs.

    “You two stop flirting!” Autry bangs his fist on the table. “We are talking about a grave matter here! I want my home back! I want my ships back! I am sick and tired of my children crying at night from nightmares of these vermin!”

    I look at him. “I’m sorry.” Hearing of his children, my heart softens a bit. Dali and I have been trying for a baby since we wed. I hate to admit it, but I have come to adore children. “I want to help you. Do not believe anything else. Your fleets are great, and I want all of you as my allies.”

    “I do not want to conquer,” Briefstienn snarls. “But pissing off those creatures has been my goal since I gained my first ship. I have spent my life making my fortune by cutting them off at the pass. Most of my crew and the people on this island were once slaves captured by those filthy shitbags.” He clings to Mynie, and she holds fast to him. “I will give you everything if you give me Bethsabe’s head.”

    I smile at him. “Why am I flirting with Bray when I should be flirting with you?”

    “Hey,” both Mynie and Bray sneer at the same time.

    Autry’s wife, Simone, returns and serves us her stew. She’s still chewing on Autry’s cigar which she hands back to him. “Excuse me again,” he says. “I have to go take food to the children.”

    “Why not bring them down?” I offer. “I would love to meet them?”

    Simone glances from me and to her husband then shrugs. “Better they make a mess at the table then in their rooms.” She goes on up the stairs.

    Autry glares at me. “What is your goal?”

    “My queen and I are trying for a child,” I admit. “Besides, is it not your children who give you the most fire to fight? Are they not your greatest inspiration?” I smile at him. “I want to stoke your fires. All of you. Besides, children are smarter than you give them credit for. You might be surprised by what they have to say.”

    The sounds of a stampede comes roaring down the stairs. Two children race to the table, both of them climbing all over their father. One is dark like their mother, his mane has yet to grow in, but his neck is fluffy. The other is a little girl, all white like her father and she’s adorned in the pinkest dress I have ever seen.

    “Andre, Lusea,” Simone scolds, taking Lusea from the top of her father’s head. “Sit down and behave, we have company.”

    Lusea waves at me. “Hi!”

    Andre ducks his head and clings to his father’s arm.

    “You’re a centaur right?” Lusea asks, tilting her head to one side. Her little ears flick back and forth.

    I smile at her. “I am.”

    “How many stomachs do you have?” Lusea asks.

    Autry growls at her. “Lusea, what kind of question is that?”

    “Cows have an extra stomach,” Lusea replies. “I was wondering if centaurs do too!”

    “Centaurs are horses,” Andre huffs.

    “Don’t horses count as cows?” Lusea asks.

    Bray is snickering, trying to hide his laughter as Briefsteinn shakes his head. “Aren’t these the most amazing kids? Their dad’s arrogance and their mother’s mouth.”

    Autry snarls across the table at Bray, he then reaches down and pets Lusea’s head. “I’m afraid your lessons aren’t taking if you think cows and horses are the same, my darling.”

    Simone serves the children their food, and they eat viciously.

    “You two make beautiful children. Are they twins?” I ask Simone.

    “Thank god no, but this beast over here can barely keep his paws off me!” She glares at Autry. “I just had Lusea, and he goes and puts Andre in me! They’re barely a year apart.” She sits down with the kids, cleaning off Andre’s paws.

    “Are you a pirate too?” Andre asks me.

    I smile. “No. I’m a king.”

    “Whoa!” Andre gasps.

    “Do you need a princess?” Lusea raises her hand high up.

    I smile. “I do need a princess. How did you know?”

    Lusea giggles and covers her mouth with her paws. “If you’re a king, why are you here?” She asks.

    “I’m looking to help your parents,” I reply. “As I understand it, your homes were taken. I’m here to get them back for you.”

    “Are you going to fight the Gnolls?” Andre asks.

    I nod. “I plan on throwing them into the ocean for you?”

    “Why?” Andre tilts his head. “Wouldn’t it better to have them join you?”

    I furrow my brow and lean towards the young boy. “Why would you think that?”

    “Isn’t it better to make more friends than enemies?” He chews on his claws. “That’s what mama said. But…” he fidgets in his seat. “It’s better to have more friends.”

    I smile at him. “You’re very right, young man. That’s very smart.” I look to his father and Briefstienn. “See? What did I tell you? That sounds like a plan to me.”

    “Make the Gnolls allies?” Autry scoffs.

    “It’s a cute idea,” Briefstienn snorts. “But it would never work.”

    “The Gnolls are obviously much more educated than they were in our youth,” I say. “They took over both your islands with amazing speed. They’ve been trained, and they would make a powerful army. If we can rip them from Empress Bethsabe’s clutches and put them to work for us, isn’t that better? You said so yourself, Lord Briefstienn, you’ve been trying to piss the Gnolls off for as long as you can remember? What better way to piss them off than to turn them against one another?”

    Briefstieen and Autry exchange glances while Bray chuckles. “See what I mean? It’s brilliant.”

    “I can’t take credit.” I offer my bread roll to Andre. “This little one here is the true tactician.”

    Andre takes the roll and grins.

    “Why don’t you think about it? I want to check on my wife.” I rise from the table. “Thank you for your hospitality, Simone. Your cooking is extraordinary.” I then reach into my pockets and produce a couple of trinkets. I give one to Lusea and Andre. “These will bring you luck,” I tell them. “So keep them close to your heart.”

    Bray leads me to his home where his wife Miki also runs her small doctor’s office. I find Dali eating when we arrive. She’s drinking down a hearty bone broth, and her color has returned to her cheeks.

    “Did discussions go well?” Miki asks Bray.

    Bray kisses her cheek and grins. “Very well. This one here is much more devious than I gave him credit for.”

    “Let’s leave these two alone for a moment,” Miki takes his hand. “They have something to discuss.” she leads him back outside.

    I look at Dali. “Is something wrong?” I kneel down before her, clutching her small hands.

    She grins at me. “My king,” she whispers. She runs her fingers through my hair. “I wasn’t seasick.”

    “Why are you smiling?” I ask. “Are you truly sick?”

    “It wasn’t seasickness,” she bops the tip of my nose. “It was morning sickness.”

    I furrow my brow. “What?”

    She takes my hands and lays them over her stomach. “This little one is growing.”

    I press my face to her belly, kissing them and I wrap my arms around her. “Please do not toy with my heart!” I cry. 

    She giggles and pets my head. “I would never, my love. You are soon to have your precious heir. So you best hurry and get ready to give them the world.”

    I look up at her as tears stream down my face. I kiss her and whisper my thankful prayers to her. “You are my miracle.”

    She chuckles. “That is true.” She gazes into my eyes. “But I won’t be the only one for long.”

    I hold her close and whisper prayers over her. “We will return home as soon as possible.”

    She shakes her head. “Worry not about me. Worry about gaining the trust of these men. Tell me, what all did you discuss? I do not want to be kept out of the loop simply because you could not keep your seed in check.”

    I chuckle and kiss her again. “My plan is to steal the Gnolls away from the empress.”

    Dali looks at me like I am stupid.

    “No, listen,” I kneel before her again. “These Gnolls are educated and trained. If we can sway them to our side, imagine what sort of army that could mean for us?”

    “Do we even need them?” Dali huffs. “They are a disgusting lot, I do not wish to do any business with them.”

    I cup her cheeks in my palms. “That is not the way to think, my love. These Gnolls could be my demise if I do not find a way to deal with them successfully. They could prove to be of use to us!”

    She sighs. “What makes you think this is possible? This plan sounds far too innocent for you.”

    I laugh and nod. “It isn’t my idea, I must admit. But I can see the possibilities with it. Gnolls are not known for their loyalty. If we can turn them to fight for us, just imagine how vast my armies could be.”

    “While that is true, what will it cost us to find this out?” She strokes my cheek.

    “We will find out once we go to liberate Autry’s and Bray’s ports. These are small, isolated trials so if we cannot sway them we will annihilate them all.”

    Dali frowns at me then sighs. “Ok fine. How long do you expect all this to take?”

    “Hopefully, no more than a few months.” I lay my hand on her belly. “I promise, we will have our baby back at home. I want them born on the Western Steppes like I was.”

    “What’s this ‘we’ nonsense? I’m the one having it! I’m the one pushing it out.” She shakes her head at me. “You best hurry then. I was an impatient baby and came early. This little one is both of us, they will be eager to see the world they inherit.”