Ren was escorted to the house that Aleyda and Ceti were resting in by one of the village guards named Sthora. She also looked like the rest of the village, as she had draconic features such as scales and horns, but she also looked different than the other women he had met at this village. She had skin that was similar to Ren's and had light blue scales matching her long hair; her horns were of a golden color, which matched her eyes; and unlike Ashastha, she had golden and light blue wings coming out of her back. She, like the other girls, also had a very well-sized chest along with barely any clothing; however, she did have what looked to be metal covering certain parts of her body.
"Could you not stare at my wings?" Sthora said to Ren.
"Sorry, I was just admiring them; I had never seen someone with wings before." Ren said in response.
"So I guess Queen Ashastha didn't show you hers." Sthora said.
"Ashastha has wings?" Ren asked.
"Yes, she has a special trait that not many have; she can choose not to show her wings by hiding them." Sthora said.
"But I've seen others in this village without wings? They couldn't possibly have the same trait?" Ren asked.
He was genuinely curious about the people of this planet; he wanted to learn about them as much as he could.
"No, some of our people in the village have wings and some don't." Sthora said.
"May I ask why that is?" Ren asked Sthora.
"Our people have been through many wars; however, not every tribe of people was completely annihilated. The previous ruler of our village, Queen Ashastha's mother, made her village a sanctuary for all the women who were forced out of their homes during the war. Resulting in many different tribes uniting under her banner. My people were from one of these tribes." Sthora explained.
"Do you know why she made this place a sanctuary?" Ren asked.
"One reason was that she was a very caring person; she saw how war destroyed our people's very way of life and came to an agreement with all the other tribe leaders that this place was a true neutral ground. The other tribe leaders were honorable and agreed to make her village untouchable. When a tribe was near total defeat, some of its men took their wives and daughters here for sanctuary while they went back to fight and die in the pointless wars. The other reason why the previous Queen did this, I will not say, that is only something that Queen Ashastha may share with you." Sthora explained.
"Why were so many wars fought if they were 'pointless' like you said?" Ren asked.
"Ask the Queen that; I should not answer as my viewpoint is very biased. Queen Ashastha would tell you the honest truth." Sthora said it with a very angry expression.
"Okay, I'll back off that topic." Ren said, seeing the anger in Sthora's face. "I didn't mean to make you upset."
"It's okay; you are a curious foreigner to our planet. It was almost certain you'd ask questions about our people. I do not mind answering what I can, as long as you don't mind me not wanting to answer some." Sthora said as she smiled at Ren.
"Thank you. I hope when the rest of the people I came with come, you and your people will accept us the way you have me." Ren said.
Sthora sighed "Sadly, not all of our people are as open-minded as myself and Queen Ashastha; you will have to win over the trust of some who think we should force you to leave."
"There's those who want us to leave?" Ren asked.
"Yes, Laelli, who has amassed quite a bit of support, suggested we force you and your people out through violent means if necessary. Queen Ashastha refused her and said, that we should talk with you first, then choose how to respond." Sthora answered.
"I understand, and that's one more thing for me to be grateful to Ashastha about." Ren said.
The two walked to a cabin with two other guards outside of it; one had red scales and wings to match her long red hair, and the other had blue scales and wings the same shade as Sthora but with long black hair.
"Xysira, Zenrina any update?" Sthora asked the two girls standing guard.
"No ma'am, we believe the two have woken up, one of them was particularly loud in wanting out." The red-headed girl said.
"That must be Ceti, I doubt Aleyda has enough energy to create a scene." Ren thought to himself.
"May I go in?" Ren asked.
"Go ahead, Ren; maybe you can calm them down." Sthora said.
Ren walked into the house and could already hear yelling.
"LET ME OUT, YOU STUPID DRAGONS!"
"Yup, that's Ceti." Ren thought to himself.
Ren walked to where the sound came from and saw Ceti sitting by Aleyda's side, who was resting on a bed.
"Is she doing alright?" Ren asked, surprising Ceti.
"Ren? You're alive!" Ceti said in surprise.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Ren asked.
"Those guards wouldn't say anything, and the woman who interrogated me didn't mention you at all." Ceti responded.
"Well, I'm fine, barely a scratch besides a bump on the head, but what about you two?" Ren asked.
"I just got some scrapes and bruises; Aleyda got the worst of it; their healer came in and treated her while they asked me questions, and she's getting better." Ceti explained.
"But what's going on out there? Are we going to be prisoners?" Ceti asked.
"No, luckily not. I talked to their queen, and me and her came to an agreement of co-existence while we stay here on this planet." Ren said.
"How did you manage that?" Ceti asked, surprised at Ren.
"I just...talked? Didn't do anything special; we just talked about each other's people, and we came to an agreement that if we don't attack, they will help us and teach us about the threats on this planet, like that monster we met." Ren said.
"How do we tell the princess, though? If she or any of our troops run into one of their people, things could go bad." Ceti said.
"I already thought of that; the Queen said she would withdraw her scouts for the night, and tomorrow I, along with some of their guards, will be going to our camp to meet with Lucillia and bring everyone here to the village." Ren explained.
"I'm not sure about this..." Ceti said.
"Just trust me, if they meant to harm us, we would be dead by now, and they wouldn't have treated Aleyda." Ren said.
"Alright, I'll trust you; hopefully this agreement stands." Ceti said.
"It should; I didn't get a feeling that the Queen would lie to me, but there are some among this village less than pleased by our presence; that group right now is our biggest threat." Ren explained.
Ren told Ceti about what Sthora told him about the faction that is against them being there while explaining everything, and when Aleyda had woken up, Ren quickly brought her up to speed as well.
After Ren explained everything, Aleyda asked to talk to him for a second.
Aleyda looked at him, still feeling the pain from her side, before she said "Thank you, Ren; you saved my life."
Ren looked back at her with a genuine smile and said "Of course, I'd never leave someone behind."
This made Aleyda smile as she closed her eyes again to rest.
"So I have to ask...where will you be sleeping?" Ceti said "There's only two beds here."
"I actually didn't ask..." Ren responded.
Ren walked back to the front door and saw Sthora and the other guards standing there.
"Hey, uhm, Sthora, where will I be sleeping?" Ren asked.
"You will be taking refuge in the Queen's house; a guest room has already been prepared." Sthora said.
"T-The Queen's house? But why would I sleep there?" Ren asked in a panic.
"As of right now, you are the emissary between our two peoples, making you one of the most important people in the village, so as a result, Queen Ashastha decided to place you in the most well-protected place in the village. Myself and four other guards will be taking shifts guarding the outside of your room." Sthora explained.
Ren, despite trying to talk his way out of it, was eventually forced to go to the guest room in the Queen's house and was greeted by the Queen herself.
"Hello Ren, your room has been prepared." Ashastha said.
"Thank you, Ashastha, but if I may ask, why again make me rest here? You could just add extra security to the house my people are staying in." Ren said.
"It's for your own protection; next to me, you are now one of the most important people in this village; we can't risk something happening to you, as well as some of my personal reasons." Ashastha said.
"Personal reasons?" Ren asked.
"We will get to that, but firstly, let me show you to your room." Ashastha said leading Ren and Sthora to the room.
The three walked down a hall before reaching a room that was guarded by the guard that had dragged Ren originally to Ashastha's house.
The guard opened the door, allowing Ren in, with Ashastha following him.
"This room is nice." Ren said, looking at the room, it wasn't big but definitely an upgrade from the room he had woken up in. There was a bigger bed with more furs, as well as a stand next to it with a candle.
"Good, I'm glad you like it, Ren." Ashastha said with a smile on her face.
Ashastha took a deep breath before asking Ren a question.
"Ren...now that you are here, there is something I must ask you." Ashastha asked.
"What is it?" Ren asked curiously about what she would want from him.
"I ask for you to do something for me." Ashastha said as she took the cloth off her chest, revealing her massive chest entirely, causing Ren to blush.
"Please...mate with me."
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