Eulia And The Butterfly Dragon

Chapter 31 The Tower

Eulia's withdrawal into her own mind abruptly ended when a thick blanket was wrapped over her. A gentle voice whispered to her as her hands were held. "We have a tub of warm water and scented soap ready if you wish."

"Please!" she whispered back as tears again began to flow and her tremors intensified. She wanted to say more but her voice failed. She looked into the faces of two middle aged women who guided her steps to the waiting tub. They appeared gentle and caring.

"You're safe for now...do you have a name?" Eulia nodded.

"Eulia."

"That's a pretty name. Here we are, we'll help you into the bath." Eulia stepped into the bath as the blanket was removed. She sank into the warm water until it reached her ears. She sighed deeply and began to wash herself. The soap smelled of heather. "Take your time Dearie. We have clothes for you too." The tub was drained and refilled a second time so she could rinse in clean water and wash her hair. Eulia sat in a chair in front of a mirror and brushed out her hair. The act of brushing then braiding her hair had a calming effect on her. She had a large towel wrapped around her. The two women opened a wardrobe containing several dresses after assisting her into a soft cotton chemise, a corset and two petticoats.

"Those are MY clothes!" Eulia exclaimed. "And my jade necklace!" She pulled her green dress from the closet and dressed.

"You must be hungry," one of the women said softly. "Just follow us." Eulia followed women into a small chamber. The walls were whitewashed. It had two lamps. A soft upholstered couch for two and a small table for two. "This is your boudoir while you are in residence, my name is Ruth my sister is Agatha."

"Residence...HA! Prisoner in reality."

"His lordship prefers to call it residence," Ruth said softly. "Please sit so we can serve you. Our tower cook is quite gifted."

Eulia took the offered seat and looking at both women and said softly, "Thank you."

Having not eaten in several days Eulia was hungry and was tempted to simply wolf down the meal that was presented. "Will you join me?"

"Thank you Dearie, that is forbidden," Agatha said.

"Do you know why I'm here?"

"You're a dragon rider. You're for his lordship's carnal pleasure.That is the purpose of this suite of rooms. I'm sure a woman of your 'profession' would know that." Ruth said with a knowing smile. She looked at Agatha with a smug superior smirk.

"What if I refuse the offer?"

"His lordship can be very persuasive," Agatha said dismissively.

"I've seen his persuasive tools on the way in."

"He also wants your dragon," Ruth added, "We have three other rooms prepared for additional guests."

"More dragon riders I've been told," Ruth said. "This is so exciting. And two extra including a little girl." Eulia froze as intense fear and anger threatened to overwhelm her. Her stomach twisted in knots and loosing her appetite she forced herself to eat.

"Does his 'lordyship' Arsenio always get what he wants?" Eulia said innocently.

"Yes," the women said in unison.

"Do I get to go home when I've done the deed?"

"On no Dearie," Ruth said, "this is your permanent home until his lordship is finished with you."

*****

The butterfly dragons burst onto the annex flying erratically and chirruping loudly. Pinkey landed on Phoebe's shoulder then jumping to Jo's. The little dragon was so excited that she was not understood for several minutes. "Euly is alive and apparently unharmed," Phoebe shouted.

"Can Pinkey take us there?" Teddie asked.

"Don't just off," Agnes cautioned. "Go when its dark. This calls for stealth."

"Pinkey can carry her the message pack," Jacob suggested.

"And Euly's pendant," Elodia added.

They had ten dragon riders present with them and all ten of them insisted on going. Jacob managed to convince his sister to allow him to travel with her. Eulia stood by the small barred window next to her bed. She has finished her meal and was wearing her short shift in preparation for sleep. Pinkey slipped through the window landing on her shoulder. She made a cooing sound as she rubbed her face on Eulia's cheek. She heard a familiar voice. "Euly!"

"JAKE! You came!" Boo was clinging to the side of the tower and she saw Jacob and his sister buckled onto the dragon's saddle.

"We are making plans now sweetheart," Jacob said softly.

"Jake, they are planning ..." her words were cut short when Ruth and Agatha and two uniformed guards stormed into the room. No longer smiling sweetly the two women regarded her,

"Who were you talking too?" Ruth said accusingly.

"Myself, you can see for yourself." The guards shoved her from the window and looking out saw nothing. Then she was left alone. Seeing the leather pack on the butterfly dragon she opened it finding several blank papers some pencils and her dragon pendant. Retiring to the small table in the boudoir she started to write after putting the pendant on. The pendant glowed blue and she felt comforted by her renewed contact with her dragon rider sisters. High over the city the dragon riders began keeping a vigil working in groups of three to keep watch over their sister.

Eulia was awake and restless long before the first rays of the sun filtered through the barred window. Pinkey was waiting and had several letters for her. Rebecca and Amanda had been flown to Mabel's farm for safe keeping. The dragon riders were maintaining flights over the farm to prevent any entry onto the grounds. A rescue was planned for late tonight as both moons would be full. She was informed by imperial invation that she was to attend a formal dinner with Arsenio and his court that evening. Her derringer was in the backpack with the letters and she had hidden it in the wardrobe just as the small hip bath was carried into her room along with buckets of steaming water.

"You can have breakfast after your bath," Ruth said. "His lordship has had a special dress made for you this evenings celebration then the both of you will retire to this room."

"If I refuse?"

"That was tried once," Agatha said, "the results were not pretty." The smile she gave Eulia was unsettling and lethal. It was a cobra's smile.

"Well I guess it's date night then."

"I'm glad you decided," Ruth said softly, "we do enjoy your presence."

"It will be so nice to have the other rooms filled again too," Agatha said wistfully. "This place is so muck livelier when his lordship is home."

Preparations for the rescue were in full action. Every dragon rider insisted in being involved. Mari was now walking about weakly but was still to dizzy to sustain flight. The dragon was teased mercilessly about having a head as thick as a rock and Boo taunted her calling her numb-skull. Jacob, David and Jeremy would join the mission. They all met in the annex to go over the plan.