The Wyvern and the Vixen

The Princess and the Prima

Arianna, golden hair strewn over the pillow, was wakened by one of the maids. The woman received a glare for her efforts to finish her task. Dawn had not yet broken, the barest chirp of birds hardly even started to break the quiet of the night. But as the maid informed the woman of her intentions, the king having asked that she join him in holding a meeting concerning the dragons that had been terrorizing the land, Arianna was dressed and striding down the hall in her breeches and a sturdy shirt. 

"Father," she bowed before continuing to the seat next to him and crossing her legs. The town healer, Burne, and a knight that the king always had protecting her, stood in front of the two. A small, bowed man with the distinct impression he should be a rodent, stood next to the king. He may have been the court diviner but Arianna hated the man, always insisting that she should find a husband while casting lewd glances in her direction. "What is this concerning?"

"We've been informed that an assassin is destined to solve these issues that have befallen the land," he replied to her. "She should be here at any moment. To think a woman could be our only hope."

Keeping her animated reply to herself, Arianna kept her eyes on the doorway. The kingdom was run by a sexist pig, her father she regretted to be descended from. Always of the mind that women should take the home role in every household, and they had no use aside from household chores and bearing children. Which caused his daughter to dress and act in a way to prove him wrong. She fought, rode, studied war strategies, and more. He'd never had a son, scorning his daughter that he had seen taking it's place instead.

As soon as the assassin slid into the room and stood next to the healer, her heart leaped. It wasn't that the woman was beautiful, though her features were as graceful as any of the nobles, it was the air she had of pride in her skills. A single glance from her, sent chills down her spine, making Arianna acutely aware of the room. A slight blush tinging her cheeks as she felt what she heard other women talking of, desire. As the king cleared his throat, Arianna shifted in her seat slightly. "Ferus, you have been summoned to accompany my daughter Arianna. Your quest is to locate and attempt to appease the assembly of dragons that have been plaguing the land. Not just this kingdom, but all of them. You will have Burne and Sir Allard join your group. A healer and a knight will be essential in accomplishing the task."

"If I may," Ferus interrupted the man sitting on the gilded seat while ignoring the guards who placed spears near her. "If you're sending myself, a healer, and a knight, then why are we tasked with carrying your daughter as well? Does she possess any skills that would be of benefit to this request of yours? Or is it simply our gift of you shunting her off on us so you can do as you please?"

"How dare you!" The king exclaimed, his face ruddy in outrage. "Whether she has skills that are of use or not is no concern of yours! It is a direct order that you bring her along!"

"Whatever you say sire," flippantly dismissing his rage, Ferus rolled her eyes before casting Arianna another glance. She had some scarring, faint but present, which unless she had gotten stuck with sewing pins, meant she knew something about fighting. "I'll be waiting in the stables for whenever she deigns to accompany us."

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Ferus had almost gone off on her own, disliking that she had to drag a royal brat along on this trip. Though everything had been gathered long before she'd gotten back to her horse, the dark red mare just as anxious to leave. It wasn't used to being in a building, having been kept outside, she was trained well to come when called and never wander. But the princess apparently knew of some shortcuts between here and there, as she was perched on a dappled bay horse which stood patiently. 

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"We'll camp here for the night," Ferus nodded toward a clearing that backed onto a large cave. In case they were followed, it was the best place to defend themselves. The horses were tethered to a fallen tree on the edge of the camp where a brook ran. The men felt the need to gather the wood and start the fire near the cave's entrance. Ferus leaning against the walls, looking for any signs it was occupied by something other than bats. There was nothing, pity, she'd have enjoyed trying to scare the princess back to the castle.

"Miss Ferus," a delicate voice came from close behind her, a hand on her hip lightly. "I was just curious if, while the others are doing their tasks, we could..."

"Could what?" The tone was cold but intentionally so, she didn't get this far in the job and live, by being nice. Casting an inquisitive glance at the woman, she turned around slightly.

"Um... I have heard of the desirability of many of the men, but am ashamed to share with the other noble women that I have yet to experience it. I'd ask this of the others but they would tell my father of such discrepancy. If you could, would you be able to stand in for a man? I understand if you decline," Arianna tried to hide the fact her cheeks were aflame. Hoping she didn't say no, as the desire she'd felt at first meeting had not lessened, the ride may have evened heightened it. A slight pulsing coming from her loins which she wasn't sure to how to handle.

"Why not? But the first time is supposed to be painful," Ferus kept a length of leather and a long smooth metal implement made that resembled a man's equipment. Mostly because some of the working women were uncomfortable at first that a woman desired their services. It made them feel more at ease, until they were sufficiently distracted.