Timeless Crusaders: Chapter One/Part Two

"Good morning lovelies," I chimed as we entered the stable’s main room. Suddenly, giant animal heads peered from behind their simple rope enclosures.1

"Is that a wolf?" Jasper gasped and pointed down the corridor. 2

"Yes, that is Timberon. Gavin is bound to three wolves, Timberon, Maxa, and Blaire." I said petting Maxa's soft massive muzzle. Their eyes smiled and their tongues flopped as they panted happily. We moved on to the next creature that was also happy to have some company. "This is Cameroon. Adrian's bond-mate. She is a great lynx who is soon to have cubs. She is such a sweetheart too. Oh, she also has five long tails which is weird for lynx cats because normally they have no tails."3

"Is that a giant tabby approaching?" Jasper asked again. 4

“Your eyes do not deceive you. Jasper, this is Jack, our steward over the lower fortress."5

"Nora, I am glad you are here." He spoke into my palm affectionately and respectfully. I scratched his ears. 6

"The cat is talking!" Jasper freaked for a moment. Jack snorted.7

"Who is this, Nora. We are not used to outsiders."8

"This is Jasper. He is the son of the Three Sons, like I am a daughter. Your allegiance should be placed in him as much as it is in me. He is also my lover."9

"Lover! Lucky lad."10

"Jack is very old fashion and doesn’t accept new terms, such as boyfriend. Jack is 300 years old. He’s been in our family since he was a kitten. He is pretty extraordinary, but he is like any house cat. He loves a good petting. He is the watch-cat of the stables. He keeps any intruders out and keeps the rodents at bay, and he makes sure the animals are fine all the time."11

"It is a pleasure to meet you Jack." Jasper said to the cat. Jack bowed.12

"It is an honor to be your servant, Sire."13

"Jack, has Dad taken Ambrose, Winston and Maria with him?" The cat shook his head and padded away and stopped.14

"Ambrose, you and yours have visitors." At Jack's word, a massive bull reindeer stepped out onto the cobblestone floor out of his massive stall, followed by a younger bull and a doe.15

"Jasper, these are my father's reindeer. Ambrose is his loyal steed and bonded creature. Winston and Maria are his children and they are also bonded to my dad. Ambrose has a saddle and armor and the other two have their own armor. Reindeer always have antlers, their gender doesn't matter. They are very sweet. But Ambrose is very protective of my father and his children. He may not like you right away. The way he stamps his foot, he doesn't like you being this close to me." Jasper nodded and stepped back. "Jack, will you tell him that Jasper belongs to me." The cat's great head nodded and then Ambrose was put at ease and walked up to Jasper and breathed in his scent. Jasper held up his had and Ambrose put his muzzle on his hand.16

"That is a sign that he trusts you," I reassured.17

"I'm glad," Jasper sighed. 18

"Would you like to see my bond mates?" Jasper nodded and took my hand. I led him deeper down, a wide, low flight of stairs. We entered the cavern and the stalagmite rose from the floor and the ceiling. "My dragons are very protective, so it would be best if you stood in the doorway while I called them." Jasper nodded and reluctantly let me go. I went out onto the stone landing ledge and whispered to them. Jasper winced as he heard the roar of them waking up. My red drake climbed up onto the ledge, his black malicious looking talons scraping against the rock. The emerald swooped down and landed on the rock next to his brother. Their heads tenderly lowered to my level to receive my affections. Gentle tendrils of smoke puffed out of their nostrils as they purred. "I missed you, my loves." Their amber and blue eyes smiled. "I have someone for you two to meet. Do not be afraid, he is bound to me. You are my friends, comrades, my strength, and my protectors. He is my human mate. Do you remember your mother and father, how they were lovers?" I tried to explain my relationship with Jasper to them. They were angst. "He will not steal me from you. He will trust you, my dragons, he trusts you with his treasure for I belong to him.I am his gem. I am your sister. He will be my husband someday, my life partner. Do you understand?" They eased their tension and began to purr in comprehension. "Jasper you can come closer now. Pace your self slowly though, let them look you over before you arrive at my side." Jasper nodded and slowly walked out to meet my dragons. When he arrived, the dragons snarled to test him, and he did not move. Once they were satisfied and stopped communicating with each other they put their heads down next to him too look at him closely. They then nuzzled his arms, giving him their trust. "The red drake is Simon, and the emerald is Blue. They pulled their heads away from Jasper and nuzzled us together. "They want to see your affection toward me, make sure its real, for they can read through it. I have to warn you, if its not real, they will know, and you will be devoured."19

"I have nothing to fear." Jasper whispered confidently. He pulled me close and tenderly kissed me, and as the dragons watched the kiss became more intense. The kiss slowed and let up, allowing room for air. The dragons were satisfied. I kiss each of them on their heads and dismissed them. "I will come back for you tomorrow; we leave for your home in the morning." They purred and went back to the deep caverns to sleep.20

"Spectacular,” Jasper said, as he pulled me in for another dramatic kiss. "We should probably get back before your parents get worked up about something. I nodded in agreement a bit reluctantly.21

"We also have to pack our trunks before tomorrow morning." I added. Jasper nodded. "So, let's head to the Linen Room and get some clothes. My dad said you can bring your own undergarments, thankfully, but everything else needs to fit into society." We made our way back to the linen room and Jack followed us to make sure everything would be suitable.22

"Jack, what will we need to take?" I asked. Jack cleared his throat.23

"You both will need to pack riding breaches. I would suggest you pack two pair each. Jasper, yours are in that closet and Nora, yours in that drawer. Generally, male clothing is all on the left and female clothing to the right of that. Nora you will need a few corsets, and female common shirts. Jasper, you will need common shirts. I would probably pack 6 each of those. Hmm, Jasper you will need court dress which should be in that closet there. Your father has your emblem cape. Since you are still unmarried you do not need a hat. Nora, your formal gowns are in that closet chest. I do not need to tell you to choose something feminine do I?"24

"No Jack, a mix between modesty and being a scandal I know." Jack deliberately nodded his head up and down causing Jasper to laugh.25

"You both will need two pair of boots, one for war and one for common dress, and Nora you will need slippers and you, Jasper, will need soft boots for court." Jack paused to think. "Oh, Lord Martin reminded me to tell you both to pack night clothes of your choice, modern or mine, for you two will be sharing a room. The King likes to see his Three Son children close to marriage and it is customary for the closest wedded couple to make it clear by sharing a room. It might have two beds, it might not. You will always be undisturbed so you can wear whatever you wish to bed. Lord Martin warns you Jasper that clothing is a necessity." Jasper smirked and nodded. "Lady Mother, wishes you to pack modern toiletries and first aid however, illness for the Three Son offspring would be tragic. You can take this things but you cannot share them in that society for it will corrupt their way of life. Do you understand this?" We both nodded. "In that case, I think your clothes are packed. I will have the trunks waiting for you on the other side. Make sure you pack these satchels with your toiletries. You will want to wear your padding and armor there, and be on your mounts. Jasper, I have word that your mounts are on their way with Lord Gavin, he has picked it up for you." Jasper smiled.26

"Now you will meet Raven and Sargon, Nora. I'm sure they will adore you." I laughed. "Jack is my armor here?" Jasper asked.27

"It will be arriving late tonight with your steeds. Tomorrow, both of you will be leaving at four in the morning with Lord Gavin. I suggest you pack your toiletries and deliver them to me as soon as possible to put them in your trunks and transport them to your rooms in the next realm. Just put them in the elevator shoot and send them to me, I will be waiting."28

"Thanks for all your help Jack. Will you be coming with us?"29

"No my Lady Angel, I am needed here, your mother has tasks for me. Cameroon is also to deliver soon." I nodded and kissed him on the head and scratched his ears. He purred as we left the lower basement corridor.30

"Man, we've been down there all day. Time sure escapes in the dark." I laughed. “Let's get those things together for jack and then eat some dinner and then go to sleep. Armor takes a while to put on as you know. And I have to dress two dragons too, and probably ready dad's herd."31

"What about Gavin's pack."32

"They have a light chain mail and chest plates. Gavin will have time to suit them up. All of the animals will be feisty tomorrow and will be very cooperative, they are going home."33

We packed up the things we would need to stay healthy, clean and groomed and delivered them to Jack the cat. My mom made a delicious meal of smoked trout with basil potatoes and fresh fruit. Bread and cheese was served after that to much on until we slept. "I will wake you up when we need to get up. I love you."34

"I love you too, my darling." I left my heart in the spare room and I went up to my loft.35

The next morning, my dragons woke me with a whisper. "It is time dear-heart," Simon spoke into my mind. I loved my dragons, I loved being able to share thoughts with them. I sauntered excitedly down the stairs and opened the door to the guest room. Jasper was sleeping on his back, his arm resting across his eyes and the blanket was nearly up to his chin.36

"Baby, its time to get up. We have to get dressed." I said as I kissed his sleeping lips. They responded and then melded themselves to my own. It was a moment of early morning bliss. "Lead me away, my love."37

"We are going away, to someplace dangerous we have never been. Let's go." I said as I weaned him out of the bed and tossed him a pair of wool socks. " You will want these. We have to go to the Linen Room first to get on common clothes, and then to the stables to dress the beasts. We are last, and my mom and grandmother will help us suit up." Jasper nodded. When i got into the Linen Room, unthinkingly I nearly stripped down and put on a pair of padded riding breaches and a silk common shirt with my modern underclothes on.38

"Nora, you change fast." Jasper said a little bit in awe.39

"Now is not the time for modesty. We don't have any time to loose." I said as I pulled on my pair of boots. Jasper was nearly dressed and was starting to put on his boots. I twisted up my hair and secured it in a pony tail. I cemented it with modern hair product by the time Jasper was dressed and ready to go. I handed him his wool black beanie. "Ready?" He nodded and we went to the armory.40

"Jack, we're ready to suit up the lovelies." I said into the stable. The reindeer trotted up the stairs and waited in the training area, and so did Gavin’s wolves. My lovely dragons flew out of the staircase and frolicked in the air together, joyously. Then, Jack led the most beautiful pair of Clydesdale sized tigers into the armory. Once they rested eyes on Jasper, they were glowing and they pranced affectionately up to him. He whispered into their muzzles and stroked their chins as they purred. He turned their attentions to me and they panted interested.41

"Nora, meet my cats, Raven and Sargon. My white and black cats." Cautiously, I approached them and held out my hand. After a few sniffs and a couple pats and pets, I was welcomed into their cat family.42

"They are lovely."43

"Not as lovely as you." Jasper whispered into my ear and then kissed my cheek. 44

"Is the tiger armor here Jack," I asked. He nodded and signaled with his tail to the pile next to the dragon wear. Within an hour, the dragons, tigers, and deer were dressed and ready to go. Jack assisted the wolves scoot themselves into their fittings. I strapped on their chest plates and then called my mom and grandmother who came quickly down. It was three o'clock. We would be leaving in an hour to a place so fantastic and unbelievable, I could barely comprehend it myself. I had to understand. I could die over there in battle. My grandmother strapped on my ivy greaves as I put on my gloves and emerald gauntlets. Before that I had put on my padded shirt and leggings. My leg armor was then put on followed by the chest plate over the leather corset. My grandmother tightened up the strapped and I was ready. I looked to see Jasper nearly armored. I walked to my weapons loaded my arrows into the quivers on the dragons. I sheathed my punching blades and dual knives into their locations and snapped them in. My lovelies were ready. I turned to see Jasper suspend his Morning Star from his Sargon's side. On the other side, 4 spears and pikes were carried from leather loop holsters. On his tiger queen, a few more spears were strapped on and then two, one handed scythes with long handles. "Are you ready?"45

Jasper nodded.46

"Is that all the armor you wear? No helmet? Why such light armor?"47

"I'm a flyer remember, I move where the dragons move. I also leap from dragon to dragon and I need that mobility."48

"You leap?!" He gave me a startled, worried look.49

"Don't worry, they catch me. I also stand, run, and dangle from Simon and Blue as well." They are the warriors in the sky, I just am the artillery. I mean we have fire too. Don’t worry Jasper; I have been trained in all fields relevant to flying."50

"Nora, you are so unpredictable."51

"Well sometimes when you want to fly, you have to leap first and have dragons to catch you." Jasper shook his head, still a little is disbelief.52

"Nora and Jasper," my mom started. "I have attached a water satchel and a parcel of food to each of your beasts. It is for reserve only. The king will always feed you at least 5 times a day I’m sure." We thanked her and we headed down into the lowest part of the keep, behind Jack.53

"This is the door to Lornocran, Lord Gavin will meet you here by coming through this door. This is where you are to wait for him." Jack said and then he left. The door's frame curved into a massive arch. It was wide enough for my dragons and tall enough for the reindeer.54

"You look rather dashing and bad-ass in your black armor, Jasper." I whispered in his ear, causing him to blush a wee bit.55

"You do too." He replied as he walked towards me and pulled me to his waist. The armor made things a but clunky and awkward, but it was adorable. I closed his visor and then opened it again.56

"Sweet helmet," I started, but it faded as somehow the mood changed. I fell into dark amber eyes. "Last kiss in Portage, Michigan."57

"Last one indeed."