The rest of the meeting was spent hashing out the logistics of the three kingdoms consolidating in Britannia.
When it was over Raymond and Alecia left immediately to go visit Nikki in the infirmary.
On the way, Raymond turned when he heard hurried footsteps behind him. It was Samantha, who nearly knocked him over, running in for a big hug.
Ray laughed as he hugged her tight then kissed her forehead. "Hey it's good to see you Sammie."
"You're a brute, Sir Raymond!" She said pouting in mock indignation, as she continued to hold herself against him.
Ray chuckled, stroking her hair. "What 'grave offence' have I committed now, Princess?"
She looked up at him, playfulness in her big gorgeous eyes as she rested her chin on his chest. "How could you leave the council chamber without speaking to me, and who is this girl following you around?"
Alecia raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
Ray laughed. "This is Alecia of the Dragonkin Clan, and she is not just following me around. She's been my companion since LaSpania."
Sammie's eyes widened and she stood up straight. Her eyes darted back and forth between Ray and Alecia."
"Wait, you don't mean Princess Alecia of the DragonKin, do you?"
Alecia inclined her head with a smirk. "Pleased to meet you Great Sage."
Sammie blushed and returned the nod, slightly embarrassed. "Um… Likewise. How did you two come to meet?"
Raymond waved the question off. "It's a story for later. Right now we are on our way to check on our friend in the infirmary, that's why we left so quickly."
Alecia snaked her arm around Ray's and pulled herself close. "Yes, that right master, I mean Ray, we must be going." She made her voice small and urgent while flashing Samntha a mischievous grin.
Ray shook his head. "Don't do that." he admonished, knowing exactly what the dragon girl was up to. "But yea, let's go. You coming Sammie?"
Sammie looked at the two of them, understanding crossing her face. She took his other arm as he turned toward the infirmary. She leaned behind his back and hissed at Alecia. "I had him first."
Alecia swung her tail behind Ray's back and smacked the elf on her butt.
A few minutes later they entered the castle's infirmary. They found Nikky sitting up in her hospital bed tearing into a bowl of stew, and what was left of a small loaf of bread.
Ray smiled when he saw her, relief flooding his body. "Looks like someone is feeling better."
Nikki looked up and squealed when she saw Ray. "Ray! Alecia! Oh I'm so glad to see you!" She put her arms in the air and motioned them to come to her.
They sat on the bed on either side of her and she hugged them both tight around their necks.
Sammie stayed back but couldn't help but smile at the sight.
Nikki looked at Ray, nearly in tears with apology. "My Alpha, I'm so sorry! I got careless, there's no way that brainless slab of meat should have been able to beat me!"
Ray smiled warmly. "It's alright you gave him everything you had, I'm just glad you're ok. You gave us quite a scare."
Alecia chimed in. "Yea, plus I had to leave my post to clean up your mess. Don't do that again."
Ray smirked. "I'm pretty sure I remember hearing you screaming something about hurting your sister."
Alecia blush slightly and turned her face away. "Well… yea, he had to pay for hurting my sister."
Ray chuckled and leaned close to Nikki, he put his hand up near his mouth, pretending to hide his words from Alecia. "She made him pay alright, she burned him to a crisp."
Nikki giggled putting a hand on Alecia's thigh. "Is that why I woke up craving beef?"
The three of them shared a hearty laugh.
Raymond held out a hand to Samantha. "Nikki, this is Samantha, Great Sage of Americus. Sammie, meet Nikki."
"Beta of the Wolfkin Clan, of course." She interrupted with a wry smile, inclining her head to Nikki.
"Pleasure." Nikki said. She smirked at Ray. "Is my Alpha collecting princesses?"
It was Ray's turn to blush. "Not on purpose." he said laughing
"Hold on." Sammie said suddenly, tilting her head as if she just remembered something. "I thought the WolfKin Alpha only had sons."
Nikki sighed and smiled, blushing slightly. "He did."
"But you're…"
"Not quite what I seem."
"But you look so…"
"Magic is an amazing thing honey."
"But do you still have a…"
"Yes, I do, magic can only do so much."
"Have you and Raymond…"
"A couple times now. He doesn't seem to mind much, and neither does Alecia."
Samantha flopped down on a neighboring bed. "I think I need a minute."
Nikki giggled and kissed Ray on the cheek. "She's cute, I see why you like her so much."
Sammie looked up. "They know about us?"
Alecia nodded. "No secrets among family."
At that moment, a soldier walked quickly into the infirmary.
"Sir Raymond, the General is requesting your presence in the brig. The prisoner is asking for you."
Raymond nodded briskly, his smile fading as he rose to his feet. "Lead the way."
"Hold on." Nikki growled as she grabbed her gear. "I am not missing this."
Raymond watched her move as she got dressed, looking for any sign of lingering injury. When she finished, he nodded and they all left.
The trip to the brig was a long one. Along the way Alecia filled Nikki in on what she missed while in the infirmary.
Raymond and Samantha were both quiet the whole way. They walked hand-in-hand but each was lost in their own thoughts.
Raymond reflected on the attack and the ongoing mission to save the world of Althea. Would he have to worry about another attack while he was away?
He mulled over his current situation with his three lovers, wondering if and how they would get along.
He thought ahead to his upcoming quest. He assumed the dragons were metaphorical or at least metaphysical. Now he had to find and meet one. He hoped he was up to the task.
When they finally made it to the brig, Raymond thought dungeon would be the better word for it.
Stone floors and walls, iron bars on the cells, the smell of damp earth and despair, all markers of a classic dungeon.
Raymond greeted the general with a firm handshake. "You wanted to see me? What's the situation?"
The general shook his head. "She refuses to say anything except that she will only speak to 'the warrior that defeated her'. I guess that's you."
He gestured to a cell and Raymond followed with his eyes.
She sat on a cot, teeth gritted and breathing heavily, Una the Minataur, burns still covering half her body.