The Ruby Empire

Demir the Centaur: Part Two

Female Reader x Male Monster

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.