CHAPTER 7 

- The day after -

Jaromir shivered a little because of the wind that was blowing for a few hours now, propelling snowflakes into his face. He hated the winter and the cold and sneezed. "Stupid Atanva!" he cursed. Well, at least he was on his way home, out of the cold, had the crown jewel with him and Jaromir grinned. Then an image of Syran's hurt mien flashed through his mind and he sighed. Well, the prince would get over it and live a happy life, being pampered all day and night and one pendant won't change that. He was deep in thoughts and didn't realized the ambush till suddenly two guys stepped out of the underbrush, one grabbing for the reins, the other holding up a long spear.

"Don't try anything funny!" Said the one holding Preeno's reins. "There are crossbowmen in the trees and when you dare to move without our order you will look like a porcupine." Jaromir just nodded, cursing silently over his state of distraction and hoped they were just some highwaymen that took his purse and then let him go, but he somewhat doubted that.

Jaromir was brought to a sordid shack, where a man ransacked his coat and pockets not too gently while another rummaged through his saddlebags. The guy smirked when he found the pendant and Jaromir gritted his teeth - now he had to steal it back once again! Suddenly the man's facial expression changed from victorious to surprised.

"Hey Roald, come here for a moment." The one who was called came and looked at the jewel, his mien showing the same surprise as he examined Jaromir.

"This is suspicious. Let us bring him to Corrav, I think the boss will want to talk to this guy personally."

After an hour or two Jaromir was brought into a small castle that was hidden in the mountain and then he was disrobed except for his underwear and thrown into what seemed to be the prison cell of this castle. "Hey, I will freeze to death with this few clothing!" he complained but that only earned him laughter. One guy leered at his half naked form.

"I will warm you later, if you want, Southerner. That is the Northern way to keep one warm..." With this he threw the iron door shut, laughing. Jaromir shivered and he wasn't so sure if it was only because of the cold.

Jaromir sat down on the floor where a patch of dirty hay laid, hugged his knees to his chest to keep some of his body warmth to him and thought. This was bad, they had taken all his picklock and other tools, so all he could do now was waiting till this boss talked to him. The door opened again and the man that had leered at him entered, which caused Jaromir to tense immediately. The guy laughed roughly.

"What, can't wait to have me take you, huh? But you have to wait till my shift ends." The guy placed a mug with water and some bread on the floor and a thin looking, ragged coat. "Here, I want you healthy and breathing later on. I don't go for corpses, that is more Krister's liking - so you can rest assured that even when you die you are cared for." The guy smirked. "Oh, and the boss is out hunting, so you have to wait a little longer to talk to him, but I will make the time worthwhile later on." The guard then stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

**^^**^^**

Syran sighed, unsure how long he had stayed there; leaning against the tree lost in his thoughts.  Suddenly he heard a crack somewhere near that startled him. Probably a broken tree branch- he thought as his heart started race inside his chest. The young prince hurriedly tried to reach the reins of his loyal horse, but couldn’t as the animal got scared by a rock that was thrown before it.

"Shit...Not now…" The small white eared man pleaded to the cold air around them. "Calm down Valo, please," he begged the horse realising that he needed to make a quick escape. Valo neighed and rose to his back feet’s when another object was thrown from another direction. Syran managed to get a hold of the reins but the horse was still far too restless to make it possible to ride.

The prince felt tired, desperate and he knew they were there, somewhere close and he was alone and hurt and… This was all that stupid thief’s fault! He heard the hurried steps and the snow that scrunched under the heavy boots, out of the corner of his eye he saw the glimmering steal just before it came contact with his throat, softly pressing against, not harming but presenting a threat.

“Let go of the reins, prince…” The man holding the blade spoke behind him. Slowly his hands obeyed, numbly falling beside him. He knew it… Knew this would happen, because of that stupid thief! “Don’t move, don’t fight.” The voice continued and Syran smiled bitterly as another man took Valo’s reins, trying to calm the animal at which he himself had failed.

A third man approached, wearing a smug expression over his face.

“Kolli must reward us for this catch,” he cheered, holding up a black scarf, standing before the prince who gritted his teeth, his eyes growing wide as the man reached to touch his hair softly running it between his fingertips. Their eyes met and the man smirked. “It is as soft as I always imagined…”

Syran felt repulsed, more of that look and the sound of the man’s voice than by the actual words but his mind was blank of any sharp reply, but he was sure his expression spoke his disgust better than any words could.

“Your highness, we have to cover your eyes now. I’ll be gentle, don’t worry.” The man continued in sugary tone that send unpleasant shivers through Syran's body, but he didn’t fight as the scarf was placed before his eyes and then tied from behind. Escape was impossible under these conditions if he valued his life and he did. The prince was quite sure his half uncle didn’t want him dead, not just yet at least, but he also knew his well being wasn’t Kolli’s top priority either, so just how far could he allow his men go? This troubled Syran more than he would have cared to admit.

Getting saved by Jaromir the previous night had gotten him nothing but the loss of his virginity and a broken heart and kidnapped again, Syran thought as he found himself in the same situation tied and riding to an unknown destination with Kolli’s disgusting soldiers. Though, he didn’t really love the thief, he might have been naïve, but not that naïve! Love wasn’t that simple… He barely knew the bastard, but still… He… he had liked him, he had had a crush on him and Syran had hoped… He wouldn’t have slept with him had he known that it would mean absolutely nothing for the Southerner. He should have rather slept with that ginger eared guard back at home in his castle! Now he regretted that he hadn’t, at least his guard would have had the sense to appreciate it!

He was getting uncomfortable, his bum was sore and the hard saddle didn’t feel good at all. Syran tried to shift his position, make himself little more comfortable, until his actions caused a chuckle from behind and the body pressed closer and Syran felt something poking against him that made him tense. “My prince, if you keep wriggling like that, I might need to make a little stop with you before we get to our destination…” The man breathed making Syran shudder.

Finally they stopped and the man jumped down and reached for him.

“Right this way your majesty…” The tone came out slightly mocking as he was roughly being led inside a building. Stone floor, Syran guessed by the echo that their boots made.

Another stop and Syran heard a heavy door closing behind them. His hands were released and the blindfold taken off. The room was simple, dark, chilly, had a stone floor just as he had suspected, a table and candles on the walls.

“We have to inspect you, your majesty,” the same man who had ridden with him sneered. Another man reached to pull his jacket off making him growl in anger.

“Just a standard procedure, your highness.” They snickered as they stripped him and went through his belongings. Syran felt his eyes watering but he gritted his teeth’s to stop himself from crying. He wouldn’t give the assholes the pleasure of watching him in tears. He was allowed to keep his underpants and it was only a mild comfort, but still a comfort. Someone placed a blanket over his shoulders.

“You will have company your highness. You can warm up each other, or perhaps we’ll be given the permission to do that for you later.” One of the man chuckled as they dragged Syran towards the basement.

Jaromir had drunken and eaten a bit - no need to get weak or even starve, right? - and now rested on an improvised bed made out of straw when the door opened. He didn't look up when he suddenly heard a surprised yelp and a well known voice called out: "You!" Jaromir turned and was sure he looked as surprised as the prince did.

The guard grinned. "Oh you two know each other? Well, then enjoy the alone time." He pushed Syran into the cell and bowed down mocking. "Your majesty, enjoy your stay."

Syran's heart started to beat faster; he was so annoyed and tired! The situation had just gone from bad to worse. He wrapped the blanket tighter around himself glaring at Jaromir. How was this even possible? "If I was on better mood I guess I might find this amusing..." he muttered.

Jaromir blinked. "Syran? They got you? Did you follow me?"

Syran chuckled bitterly, sitting down on the farthest corner possible from Jaromir. "Don't think too highly of yourself," he warned. "They have been trying to capture me all along, remember?"

"No, I only know from this one incident the morning after... we got to know each other. So, who are those men?"

"My grandfather had two bastard sons and these are their men," Syran replied coldly. "Why did they get you?"

Jaromir scratched the back of his head. "Well, I was inattentive for just one minute and then they had me. I guess they rob people just for the fun and the money but they... Well, they found something that made them a little wary of me..."

Syran stared at him for a moment. "The pendant," he realised and then started to laugh. The pendant that had caused so much trouble! His laughter finally died down and he stared at the ceiling with bitter amusement. "I'm here, you are here and they found the pendant and they know it's my family’s... “ A small pause before he continued with a heavy sigh. “They will ask questions."

"Well... Sure they will. But I guess you are safe, you are more worth alive. I, on the other side, am just too much trouble to keep alive, I guess," Jaromir noted a bit bitter. "Well, perhaps they keep me as the castle whore, if I am lucky..." The thief sighed. He needed to find a way out here. And he needed it fast but his mind was blank, he was shivering and he felt the cold creeping into his bones. Jaromir rubbed his chest. "It's too fucking cold here to think straight," he muttered to himself.

For a moment Syran just glared at the thief, ‘The bastard!’ he thought wrapping the blanket tighter around himself, but even beneath it he was shivering. Why should he care about Jaromir? Care whether he was cold or warm? He shouldn’t! Jaromir was an asshole!. ‘Let him shiver there and be miserable!’ A voice inside his mind screamed. He took another look of the shivering black eared man and his faint attempts to warm himself up and Syran cursed silently to himself. ‘I shouldn’t care,’ he thought as he got up, approached and finally sat beside the other arranging the blanket on them both. “This doesn’t mean that I’m not still mad at you…” he muttered. “I just… your body is warm and I feel cold,” Syran explained not looking at the other anymore.

Jaromir thankfully wrapped a part of the blanket around him and scooted closer to Syran, the body warmth drawing him closer. "So, I guess you haven't hid a picklock somewhere on your body?"

"Didn't happen to swallow one, no." Syran sighed allowing the closeness. It made him feel better and tense at the same time, unsure how to think about the situation now. He realised  that they needed away out, but how?

Jaromir got a bit sleepy. The warmth that seeped through the blanket from the smaller man comforted him, lulled him into drowsiness. He knew he had to think of a way to get out but the cold had worn him out and Syran's body was a very welcome source of heat, one that was even better than a fire. Jaromir pressed closer to the smaller man and rested his head on the other's shoulder, starting to fall asleep.

Syran looked at Jaromir whose eyes were closing as he was drifting off to sleep. For a moment the prince hesitated, but finally rounded the other with his arm; just to share his body heat better, he told himself. They were captives together and that meant that there were bigger issues to deal with than being annoyed by what had happened earlier between them. He tried to think, not feeling sleepy, much too restless for it. The prince decided to let Jaromir sleep while he tried to create a plan that would help him to flee – and perhaps the thief, too.

After a while the white eared prince heard approaching footsteps and soon enough a guard came to view. The man raised his eyebrows seeing them close like that, a smirk appeared on his lips and Syran did his best to keep his facial expression neutral.

"I see you have made yourself comfortable, your majesty." he spoke up and Syran saw the cup he was holding; water most likely.

The small man smiled slightly surprising himself with how calm he felt. "I do not like being cold, so I do what I can with what I have," he answered.

"Indeed." The tall guard eyed him with curiosity before he slid the cup  between the bars inside the cell.

In that curious gaze Syran saw a glimmer of something else, something he might be able to use to his advantage. “I am feeling a bit hungry, don't I get anything to eat?" Syran asked with a confidence of royalty, as if the situation and the cold, damp cell didn’t bother him.

"And what would your majesty desire?" the man asked, tilting his head and grinning in somewhat lecherous way.

"Some meat, fruits, perhaps some wine? Surely it's not too much to ask?" Syran smiled keeping his gaze on the man, who chuckled in amusement.

"We will bring you something your highness..." he said and turned to leave.

"I do like fish as well!" Syran informed and again the man turned to gaze at him. Syran gave him another sweet smile; he could see the man was confused but definitely curious... Syran felt his heart starting to beat faster with excitement. Might it be possible? Might it work? He had to be patient, had to plan even better. The prince bit his lip nervously stroking Jaromir's arm.

Jaromir slightly woke up from his slumber when he heard voices. He listened to the talk and glanced at Syran secretly through half lidded eyes. Was there a flirtatious smile? There was a small sting in his heart but he quenched it. He had told Syran that there was no chance for them and it was the truth, so the prince could flirt with whoever he wanted. But still, their capturers? The thief then felt Syran's hand on his arm and felt a bit confused.

"You know..." the man started, eyeing the prince keenly. "... it is not an easy task for me to bring such treats here..." he said slowly.

Syran smiled, secretly continuing to stroke Jaromir's arm under the blanket. "Well, you look like a man who gets things done, surely you must be some kind of a head guard here? And I would be very... grateful... I am so hungry," Syran said and crowned it with a small, cute pout.

"I'll see what I can do..." The man decided, winked at the prince and left. Syran released a small sigh that he had been holding and closed his eyes for a moment.

When the guard was away Jaromir opened his eyes, looking at Syran who looked a bit tense. He lifted a brow. "Was I so good that you crave for more already?" The tall man asked with a sharp tone in his question that he didn't want there.

Syran turned to look at him, surprised at first then annoyed and then almost amused. He decided not tell the man what he was planning, somehow the idea to annoy him seemed appealing now. "I'm hungry and I want decent food," he answered calmly pulling his arm away from Jaromir.

Jaromir took a deep breath. Syran was right, and after all it should not matter to the thief at all. "Do what you think is good for you, Syran. But..." Jaromir hesitated for a moment and looked away. "But be careful, okay? There are things that can go terribly wrong with sex..." The tall man sat up and stretched a bit. The long nap had done him good, he was more relaxed and rested. Now he had to think about getting out here.

"Terribly wrong?" Syran raised his brow. "What? You have had that?" he asked. "And damn right I'll do what I see best!" He nodded and his stomach growled confirming his hunger, reminding him further that he hadn’t had a single bite of food that day.

Jaromir sighed and then smiled. "Alright, do what you want..." He got up, and the blankets dropped from him and the tall man felt the cold getting to him. He wrapped the cloth around him tightly and started to walk up and down the cell. "Think, Jaro, think..." He then stopped and called out of the cell. "Hey, I have to take a leak!"

Syran watched the other, wrapping himself in the blanket. He really wanted a bath as well to properly clean himself from Jaromir's... scent.

Another guard approached the cell. "What's with the noise?" he asked, grinning as he looked over at Jaromir.

"I have to use the bathroom and you don't want me to do that here in a corner in front of the prince, right?" Jaromir replied.

The guy glanced over where Syran sat and the prince glared back. The guy smirked. "Awww, we wouldn't want to upset the royal blood now would we?" He chuckled and drew his sword out. "Fine, hands up where I can see them."

Jaromir provisional fixed the blanket around his hips and shoulder and held the hands up, hoping that the guy wouldn't shackle him.

"Now, if you try anything at all, just one wrong movement, I won't hesitate to use this." The man held the blade out. "It's really sharp." He smirked. "Would be such a shame to use on such a handsome thing..." the guard said and opened the cell door. "Plus there are lots of guards around," the man added.

Jaromir nodded. He didn't want to try his chances now, perhaps at the second or third time, but this time it was just a scouting mission. Yes, a mission, that sounded good. Made it sound more like he was in charge of what happened. The dark Ylvas followed the guard upstairs and then was led outside and started to shiver in that instant.

"You piss here, Southerner," the guard grinned but didn't make a move to turn around.

 "Erm, turning?" Jaromir asked.

"You take me for a fool?" the ruffian asked, a grin glued to his lips. "You want to take that leak or not? We're all men here, nothing I haven't seen before," he winked.

Jaromir gritted his teeth. He was sure the other wanted to have a look, but then again there was nothing the black-eared man could do against it. After all he should be glad that the guy only looked and didn't touch him. So he turned, pulled his underwear pant down, saw how cold it was and peed into the snow. Looking around he watched for security measurements and saw none - even the gates were open. Well, this freezing cold was the best security because Jaromir guessed that he would survive for perhaps 15 minutes before he was just a big frozen piece of Ylvas ice. He shook his dick, put him back into his pants and turned.

"Can we go back in please?" he asked, his feet starting to ache.

The guard had enjoyed the view; the dark Ylvas was exotic to him and he wouldn't mind having a piece of that tanned skin. He smiled and licked his lips letting the prisoner stand there for a minute before he finally nodded and gestured Jaromir to move before him. "Would you like me to warm you up Southern? I could do that, you know, no problem." He grinned to himself focusing on watching the man's backside.

Jaromir shuddered inwardly at the offer. Aside from the not so attractive outlooks he had smelled the man - actually it was impossible to not smell him - and saw the dirty face and clothing and he was sure the guy did not care for any hygiene elsewhere. And the thief liked his bed partners clean and good smelling. So before he would take such desperate actions he would like to find another way. "Sorry buddie, I am not like this. One tail on an Ylvas is enough for me," he lied.

"A shame..." The man sighed still watching keenly at the man as he led him back to the cell; well at least he got some eye candy and perhaps later...? "Ok, inside Southern," he commanded.

Jaromir went back into the cell, again shivering. Well, the result from his small 'mission' was crushing. He could try to knock out the guard, then undress him to get the clothes - the thief shuddered at the though of wearing stinky clothing but he could wash them later, but unfreezing in the spring and still living didn't seem possible - but then he was still in the middle of nowhere and he hadn't seen the stables... Well, perhaps if he pulled of this act in the middle of the night? He could then sneak around to look for Preeno and security might be slacking...

Syran noticed Jaromir getting back shivering and sighed raising the blanket slightly. "You can come and warm up next to me," he offered.

Jaromir nodded absentminded, slipped under the blanket and scooted close to the smaller, but wonderfully warm man. Should he take the little guy with him? "What have you done, that these guys want you, Syran?" he asked, pressing closer.

"Just being the prince and the only heir to the grown." Syran sighed. "They'll blackmail my father I'm sure... " The small man bit his lip realising how bad it really was. "Probably with my life or my safety." Syran felt scared then and it became even more important to make his plan work with the guard. Where was he?

"Hmm, I see..." Jaromir's feet were cold and that was one of the things he absolutely hated and so he pulled at Syran and wriggled, while his thoughts were running. Could he leave the white-eared man behind? Well, his life wasn't in direct danger. Or would his father sacrifice his only son? Then again, he had heard and seen the guards and it didn't seem as if Syran's well-being was important to them when they so openly asked for sex. Well, till now they asked but there was no guarantee that they didn’t start to become demanding or  just took what they wanted. And if Syran was only a bit like him, he would hate to be arrested and robbed of his freedom. Well, if there was a chance he would help the small man - who poked him in the chest. Jaromir looked at Syran who fumed and wondered why he was so warm and then realised it - the prince sat on his lap, chest to chest and Jaromir's now warm feet rested against the others warm buttocks.

Syran frowned at him. "I did offer to share my body heat, but not like this!" He hissed and tried to wriggle from the man's lap, feeling annoyed; he wouldn't forget so easily what had happened that morning.

"Um, well yeah..." Jaromir was a bit reluctant to let the source of warmth go. "But this way is the most efficient one, like the night when you were wearing those wet clothes and we pressed close to warm you, you remember?" he tried to reason.

"That was before you turned out to be a complete jerk." Syran huffed, wriggling again, not wanting to admit that in some way he did find Jaromir's lap a quite comfortable and warm resting place.

Reluctantly Jaromir let go. "I wasn't that bad," he said. "But I might have a plan to get us out here, so rest assured, prince." Jaromir grinned and ruffled the other's hair. He kinda hoped that Syran would not move away, but he couldn't blame him if he did.

Syran moved to sit next to Jaromir. It was colder there and part of him wanted to move back where he had been but... he definitely didn't want to give Jaromir that satisfaction! Then the small man heard the steps approaching again and soon enough he saw the guard from earlier who was carrying a tray. Syran's eyes lit up and his stomach growled again at the smell of food, delicious food!

"I have something for you your highness..." The guard grinned. "Come closer!" he commanded and Syran hopped up wrapping the blanket around his shoulders. He smiled at the man approaching the jail door slowly.

The guard opened the cell and motioned for the prince to step out. "We can eat in my room. My shift ended this moment and I have a fireplace and wine... And a warm bed." The last part was purred with a big smirk on the guards face.

Jaromir heard that and didn't like it one bit, but what could he do? It was Syran's life and yeah... "Be careful, Syr," he said to the blond and pulled the blanket tighter around his shoulders, already missing the other's warmth.

Syran knew it was his chance. He felt nervous but he had to try and calm now, couldn't let his nerves ruin it. "Hmm... sounds much more comfy than this rotten cell here," the prince agreed with a small calculated grin.

The guard let Syran out and then closed the jail door, smirking at Jaromir before turning and leading the way upstairs to a room at the end of a floor. He entered the room and placed the tray on the table. A fire was crackling in the fireplace and the guard turned to look at the prince, admiring the shiny hair and silky fur. That would be a wonderful lay and something he could brag about for ages. He smiled brightly. "Then my prince, take a seat and eat up. I open a bottle of wine." He stepped closer, sniffing the blond hair and then purred into a white-furred ear: "I am Aimo and it will be a pleasure for me to serve you."

Web published: January 8th, 2010.

My Secret Shore

© KOLGRIM and NIRKAL 2009-2010

Persistance 10

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