CHAPTER 4
-Conversations
-
The castle was surprisingly calm after the unconscious guards were
found and it
was discovered that the crown jewels were missing. The facts were
reported to
the King's man-servant who passed it to the King and his wife Lumi. The
ruler
of Atanva threw a fit but ordered to hide the thievery from public to
prevent
any rumours and ruckus. The queen on the other hand was more worried
over their
only son and went to his chamber, although it was already late and she
guessed
Syran was already asleep. She cautiously opened the door and peeked
inside, saw
her son sleeping and smiled. Lumi was about to close the door when she
caught
sight of Syran's clothes scattered all over the floor, something that
was not
typical for her son. The queen furrowed her brows and then went into
the room,
lit an oil lamp on Syran's bedside table, sat on a chair close to the
bed and
shook her son's shoulder gently. "Syr, honey. Wake up!"
Syran moved a bit when feeling something shaking him and opened his
eyes
sleepily. When he saw his mother sitting beside his bed, his eyes
opened wide
and he looked around in confusion. "What?" The young man felt
embarrassed – he was naked under the covers! Quickly Syran
pulled
the coverlet
higher, peeking at his mother and blinking. The prince knew this was
bad, bad,
bad... BAD! That damn thief! How could he have done this? Syran felt
endlessly
stupid, lost for words. "W-what?" He repeated, nothing else came to
his mind. Maybe his mother did not know?
Patting her son's head with a smile, the queen chuckled. "You know,
Syri,
I've seen you naked numerous times, so no need to be ashamed in front
of your
mother." Then she became serious. "Are you alright?"
Syran still felt embarrassed! After all it was different because now he
was a
grown up man and... and just had sex! With the thief! This was
horrible!
"I-yes..." He whispered. "What happened?" The small man had
a bad feeling; this was about the jewels, wasn't it?
Looking worried at her son Lumi furrowed her brows again. Something was
off. Syran
was nervous, but about what? "The crown jewels were stolen. The two
guards
at the treasure room's door were found unconscious but there is no sign
that
the thief left through any guarded exit. Your father wants to keep
still and
investigate without attracting public interest. Well, but that aside,
Syri...
Are you alright? You seem nervous..."
"I-I'm fine, I just... I don't remember..." He blurted nervously.
"I don't remember," he repeated. "I have a slight headache. Can
I go back to sleep?" He wanted out of this awkward situation and he
wanted
that fast!
Lumi felt her son's forehead. He was a little hot and his face was a
bit red.
"Do you have a fever? Shall I call for the doctor?" She wanted to
lift the covers to feel for Syran's tail and see if it was
hypersensitive to
touching - a sure sign that he was ill - but her son clutched the
covers close
to his body. "Syran?" she asked a bit worried.
"No doctor!" He denied quickly, "I'm sure I'll be fine if I get
some rest." He nodded. "Please mom?" Syran asked and his heart
was beating madly. He felt like he would die from the embarrassment.
Lumi nodded and got up slowly. "I guess you are right. You are a grown
up
man, right Syri?" She wanted to turn to the door when something caught
her
sight. "What is that?" She asked and bent down. "Oh my!"
She grinned. "A hickey! Who is the lucky girl?" The queen asked and
took her seat again, leaning forward, interest gleaming in her eyes.
Syran's eyes widened again, his hand quickly going to his neck. Damn
that Jaro!
He wasn't sure what to reply. 'Think Syr! Think!' His mind was
screaming but
gave no answer to him. Dammit! "Mom..." He whined. "I want to
sleep." Perhaps she would just let it go?
Lumi waved her son's comment aside. "You can sleep later. Now satisfy
your
mom's curiosity. Who is it? Your maiden?" She pondered. "No, I think
she is too old. Or do you like them old? And what did you do? Kissing?
Or even
some touching?" The queen smirked. “Did my little boy get
lucky?”
"Mom!" Syran gave her a shocked look. "It's silly to talk about
this with you..." He muttered. "It's nothing serious..." Why
couldn't he have a less inquisitive mother?
"Awww, come on, don't be shy, Syri! You know, your father and I do it,
too." Lumi grinned. "Otherwise you wouldn't be here." Then
something came to her mind. "Or wait... Is it one of the guards or male
servants? You never showed real interest in the girls though some tried
to
catch your eye..." Her mien darkened for a moment, but then she smiled
again. "So, who was it? And how was it? What was it? Nothing serious
but
fun?"
Syran blushed at the mention of her and his father. "It was... one of
the
guards..." He decided to lie. "Nothing serious but fun. Happy?"
He asked. "Can I sleep now?"
"Who?" Lumi asked and then spoke more to herself. "I have to
talk with the doctor that he gives you some special oil..." Looking
back
at her son, she said: "Fun is fine! But don't fall for one of them. Oh
and
keep it discreet, we don't need the castle to talk about your bed
partners..."
Looking around at the scattered clothes she grinned. "Did you even get
to
bed?"
Syran's blush deepened. "Mom!" He whined again. "I don't want to
talk about such things with you. You are my mother, it's embarrassing."
Lumi huffed playfully. "Why is it embarrassing? I even explained to you
how sex works. So no need for false shame. Do you have questions? Be
careful!
Oh and how does he look? Perhaps we share our taste in men?"
She just wouldn't give in Syran realised and started thinking through
the
guards they had, the few that he had seen looking at him in certain way
and
well he could pick the one he liked the best. "He has those ginger
coloured ears and hair, tall...green eyes..." He listed. "And I don't
have any questions..."
Lumi sighed a bit dreamily. "Yeah, tall guys are the best. And green
eyes
are good." She suddenly sniffed and then grinned broadly at her son.
"You two did it a little ago, huh? But Syri, you should wash
afterwards.
Or lick yourself clean... Or let him lick you clean!"
"MOM!" Syran felt his ears fall little flat from his embarrasment His
mother was such a perv, who knew? "I will take care of myself, please
can
I sleep now?"
Lumi sighed. Her son was so uncooperative. Just some small talk between
mother
and son was too much? "Well okay, little white ear." She bend down
and kissed Syran's forehead. "He smells nice," she chuckled and then
got up. "Good night, Syri."
"Goodnight mom," Syran whispered with a small smile feeling more
relaxed now; danger avoided. But he would need to find Jaro! And get
those
jewels back! How dared he to steal after what they did? -that bastard.
Lumi collected the scattered clothing and placed them on a chair when
she saw
the secret door was open a bit. "Syran!" She said with a stern voice.
"Were you outside?"
Syran felt the colour draining from his face as he looked towards the
door,
"I uh..." he trembled slightly and tried to stop himself. What should
he say?
Lumi returned to the bed. "Young man! Were you outside or not?" She
furrowed her brows, and glared at Syran. "It's not one of the guards,
right? You have a lover from outside, right?"
"I-I just went to get something from the kitchen, maybe I forgot to
close
it?" Syran answered nervously, hoping she'd believe it.
"I am your mother, Syran. I know when you are lying!" She sighed and
then took a seat again. "Come on Syri, tell me. I won't tell your
father." She gently petted Syran's hair.
He bit his lip and drew his knees close to his chest. "He's from
outside..." He admitted finally. "You won't tell father?" He
made sure even though his mom had promised.
"Sure, little white ear," she smiled at Syran's small form. He was
still a boy at times and she admitted that she liked it. "Just tell me,
I
won't tell anyone if you don't want me to."
He hesitated, thinking it was better to lie still a little. He couldn't
tell
his mom that Jaro had stolen the crown jewels! "It just fun, exciting,
but
harmless... he's been with me a few times and I was out to see him."
"You were out without guards?" Lumi sighed. "Well... And you
walked back home covered with your semen?" She smirked a bit when Syran
blushed. "But Syri... Well, how does he look and what does he do?"
"He's a ...trained blacksmith." It was the first thing that came to
his mind. "He's tall...dark..." Syran bit his lip.
"Handsome..."
Lumi had to smile. "So we share our taste in men. You wanna tell me his
name?"
"I would rather keep it to myself for now. Do you mind, mom?" Syran
asked.
"No, not really. But we will have to be more careful. Two guards will
go
with you from now on. After all, you are the prince. Oh and Syri, it
really is
just fun?" She looked intensely at her son, searching in his gaze.
Syran nodded quickly. "Yes, just for fun, " he said, still slightly
annoyed and bitter at Jaro. And two guards? That wouldn't work. "I can
look after myself," Syran added.
"No. I promised to not tell your father, but I insist on two guards."
She had seen something in her son's eyes she didn't like. "It will be
guards I trust and who will be discreet." 'And only report to me. I
will
have to have a talk with that blacksmith,' Lumi thought. "I care for
your
safety and I don't know that blacksmith. Also, there are thefts and
worse out
there!"
Syran nodded feeling slightly defeated. He would have to think of
something to
get those guards off his back. "I'll be careful," he promised.
"But now I really need some sleep." The blond smiled at the queen,
glad that she wasn't mad at him.
"Okay, my little white ear." Lumi bent forward and kissed her son on
the forehead again. "The guards will be ready tomorrow or the day
after,
so no more sneaking outside till then!"
Syran sighed. "Alright." he promised, though secretly he was plotting
how to go out later on his own. Guards would just stand in his way to
find
Jaromir and get the pendant back. "Good night, and thanks mom."
"Good night then, Syri." Lumi walked to the door and then turned one
last time, looking sternly. "One more thing Syran. I don't need to
emphasize that you cannot under any circumstances show him or anyone
else the
secret passage to your room!" Her face softened. "But now sleep, my
big boy."
Syran nodded. Thank god she didn't know the whole truth! He still
cursed his
own stupidity, cursed how weak he had been, not able to fight the lust
he felt
towards the darker Ylvas. He would have to work on that! But already
his mind
started to wander towards the pleasurable memory of their encounter...
What was
it in Jaromir that got to him so? Syran felt confused over his feelings.
-------------- Other place around the same time --------------
Kolli glared at the man irritated while poring himself and his brother
a drink.
"It shouldn't have been that damn difficult," he told to the armed
man who stood at the door bowing his head.
"I'm sorry my lord, but the prince was not at the ball. Rumours said he
was sent home, but none of my men saw him or his guards leaving."
Kolli walked closer to where his brother stood and gave him his drink
before
taking a sip from his own glass. "It seems that Zandoran suspects
something..." He muttered before looking back at the man and waving his
hand to dismiss him. "You may go, we call you back if you are
needed," he told him.
"Very well my lord." The man bowed again before turning and walking
out of the room closing the door behind him.
Kolli turned once more to his brother eyeing him carefully. "Corrav, I
hope you have not talked about our plan to any outsider while visiting
that
tavern of yours," he said keeping a calm voice.
Corrav sipped lazily at his wine, leaned back in his chair a bit
provoking.
"Nah, I am no blabber mouth. Are you sure those mercenaries of yours
can
keep their mouth shut when they rest their drunken faces in the
cleavage of a
cheap wh*re?" He lifted a brow.
"Who knows... Bunch of idiots who can't do one simple thing right!"
Kolli growled, completely dismissing the thought that he had failed as
well at
his first attempt – he hadn't been properly prepared then.
Kolli
sighed then.
"Well be it as it is, Zandoran seems to suspect something and now we
have
to think of another plan. I have no doubt that he's increased safety
measurements around that brat."
"Yeah, you are right. I guess there won't be many openings for now. But
didn't you say they go hunting in the spring, a bit south in Kensihli?
I have
an hidden outpost there, so we can retreat there for now and prepare a
trap." Taking another gulp of his wine Corrav twirled the mug between
his
fingers. "Though I hate waiting..."
"Syran also just might go out on his own. I know he has done it before,
so
he might do it again. We should keep an eye on the castle," Kolli said,
sipping at his wine again, trying to think. "If only there was a way to
sneak our men inside, get their trust, get one of us to guard the
prince..." He grinned at the thought; how amusing it would be!
"Kolli, you know as well as I know that the prince's guards are
selected
from the queen and the king themselves. Only guards that served for
many years
and have gained their trust are considered to guard their precious son.
So the
only possibility would be to get one of them, blackmail them or bribe
them." Corrav put his mug on the table, looking at his older brother.
"But those guards are said to be very, very loyal and I am not so good
with the subtle ways... That is more your part."
"Well, we try to find out their weaknesses.” Kolli pondered
for a
few
moments and then decided: “We set out that trap you
mentioned,
observe the
castle and the prince's movements. If he goes out, even with some
guards, I
guess we can set up an ambush. Eventually something will win us the
prize. For
now we have to wait and hope for the brat's own foolishness." Kolli
grinned.
Corrav grinned back. "Sounds like a plan. You know, brother, I don't
like
cities. So you watch the castle and try to "convince" the guards and
I will return to my outpost and set up some traps." Getting up Corrav
smirked. "I will take some toys with me for the long winter nights, but
in
case that little brat falls into my hands, how unharmed do you need
him? And
should I send you his tail tip or an ear?"
Kolli grinned at him. "I am not overly concerned of his well being, but
I
guess we shouldn't go overboard with cutting parts of him too soon." He
chuckled and winked. "If you get him, send a word to me, then we'll
see."
Corrav nodded. "Okay, but I won't treat him royally." He then tapped
his chin. "Or I will just do that. Anyway, so we have an agreement? If
I
don't hear word from you, I expect you mid spring at my outpost."
Pouring
himself another mug, the tall man chuckled. "Oh, and just so you know,
I will
take that wild cat Karina with me. She may be your wh*re and earns you
lots of
money but she is great with her mouth. See it as my early New Year
present and
who knows, I may give you an even bigger one back!"
Kolli rolled his eyes, slightly amused. "Very well, I suppose I
wouldn't
want my brother completely bored in his duty." He then added: "Just
don't forget your duty despite that wicked mouth of hers." Kolli winked.
Corrav smirked. "I won't. I know that area like the back of my hand and
have many traps and outlooks where my men have a good sight on the
landscape. I
will know of any by passers." His grin grew. "Or trespassers in this
case!"
"Good." Kolli nodded. "I only wish I could see Zandora's face
when he will learn that we have his precious little prince." He sighed
dreamily, hating his half-brother with passion.
"I am sure of that," Corrav replied, knowing of Kolli's obsession he
had with Zandoran and the despise and hate he felt for the King. "Good,
I
will leave this night and arrive at my outpost in three days. I will
leave my
mountain eagle here, you can contact me with it." With
this he left
the room.
TBC.
Web
published: November 13th, 2009.
My Secret Shore
© KOLGRIM and NIRKAL 2009