by Luke, Monica
“I understand,” Ven said proudly, happy they trusted him to do it alone.
Without stopping once, as fast as his horse could go, Belon raced back to Ivodgald ahead of Enek and the other men, who had to pack their things first and as soon as the guards saw him coming, informed Aderac, who went to their chamber to wait for him.
“Where is King Aderac?” Belon rushed into court and loudly asked one of the guards.
The guard said nothing; instead, he looked towards the hallway that led to the chambers.
Belon immediately walked out and turned down the hallways.
“Where is King Aderac?” he asked impatiently, when he passed another guard.
“In his chamber,” he answered as Belon rushed passed him.
Belon’s steps even heavier when he walked with a determined purpose or was angry. His belt clang from his axe, knife, and sword as he walked, which Aderac heard as he got closer, and so filled with anxiety he was rushing to him, he could hardly breathe.
“Aderac! Aderac!” he loudly shouted when he burst through the door, making it clang loudly against the wall, “Are you well? Is there trouble? What is wrong?”
Anxiously, Aderac threw his arms around him to hold him.
“Oooh, Belon,” he said beside himself, “So awful was my dream; awful it was.”
Belon put his arms back around him to hold him.
“Are you well?” he asked worriedly still unsure what was wrong, “Is there trouble?”
“So troubled I am from my dream,” Aderac confessed, as he held him more tightly, “I dreamed that I could not hold you. I dreamed that someone harmed you Belon, and I could not hold you.”
Because of what he said, Belon pulled his head away and looked at Aderac dumbfounded, but when he did, so genuine was his expression and worry for him, although, he wanted to be angry with him for sending for him in such a way, he couldn’t and instead held him again.
“So silly you are my cherished one.” He lovingly coddled instead, “Death faces me in all things as one in love with a king, as well as in command fighting battles and wars for him.”
“I know such, but never have I dreamed of you in such a way,” Aderac’s anxious words. His tone expressing clearly how shaken and vexed he was by it, “And it troubled me.”
Belon laughed and shook his head, but deep within, Aderac’s obvious worry only made him love him more deeply.
“Are we now so deeply in love with each other that even a dream cause frets?” he crooned, as he looked at him lovingly and rubbed his nose to Aderac’s nose.
“Yes, we are Belon,” Aderac averred, “Yes, we are.”
“I will stay the night, my love, and ride back in the morning.”
“Must you go back?” Aderac pleaded, as he looked at him, “I beg you Belon, stay with me.”
Belon looked into the eyes of his love and saw the worry in them.
“The way you look at me,” he admitted, weakened to his core, “I cannot leave you with such a look as that in your eyes.”
Aderac inhaled relieved.
“Let me speak with Enek,” Belon said, as he put his arms around him, “And when done, I will hold you as you speak your dream.”
“Ah Belon,” Aderac’s relieved words, already beginning to feel better, “It is within your arms that I am only comforted.”
Still slightly concerned Ven may become overconfident commanding alone, he sent Enek to aid him, or at least be a visible reassurance, then as promised went back to Aderac, who was pacing while waiting for him. When he walked back inside their chamber, Aderac again rushed to him and threw his arms around him.
“Now,” Belon said lovingly, as he walked him to their bed so he could hold him more, “Speak of your dream,” and Aderac did.
As obeyed, Enek and the men rode back to Ven, but when they got close to the Jeboric villages, as they crossed an open field, all stopped horror-struck at what they saw.
“Get this to Grand Commander Belon!” Enek shouted, while staring down at Ven and the other men. All brutally massacred and their bodies stripped bare and strewn about. “…with haste!”
As commanded, he rode back hard; then once he reached the main doors into Ivodgald, jumped from his horse and ran inside.
Hurrying down hallways and skipping stairs two at a time as he climbed them, when he reached Aderac’s chambers, he gave the guard Enek’s sealed letter.
“With haste give this to Grand Commander Belon,” he said to Ciron, as he panted from running, “If you do not such will be his wrath.”
Both sleeping soundly, suddenly awakened by a persistent determined pounding on the door, Belon sprang up; then hurried to it,
“Why the hard banging?” he, in no way bashful about his body asked, while standing in front of him completely naked.
Ignoring it, but annoyed, at once Ciron gave Belon the letter, and after he closed the door and broke the seal, his brows deeply furrowed as he read it.
“What do you read Belon?” Aderac asked, as he jumped out of bed and hurried in front of him.
“I charged Ven to deal with them. It was his first to command all alone,” he answered, as he walked around and read it, “And he and those with him are now all dead.”
Aderac gasped shocked; then watched and waited patiently as Belon hurriedly relieved himself at the chamber pot and washed up, then after he put on his clothes and belt, he hurried in front of him, but not close.
After Belon sheathed his sword, his brows furrowed the entire time he dressed, he now looked at Aderac, who, fearing he was angry for sending for him because of a dream, had held his tongue.
Staring up at him, Aderac breathe quietly, waiting, fearful, and anxious, wondering what words Belon was about to speak.
“Come closer to me Aderac.”
Aderac obediently darted closer.
“I beg that you not be angry with me,” he said, as he now stood close.
Belon looked at Aderac surprised and put his arm around his waist. “Angry, how could even for a moment believe such?”
“I sent for you,” he emotionally said, fearing he was, “I sent for you to come back.”
After putting his other arm around him, Belon wrapped him in them, before tenderly rubbing his nose with his, and as his brows straightened, Aderac sighed relieved.
“You saved my life,” he consoled him, as he held him.
“Then you are not angry?” Aderac asked, and again sighed.
“Angry that who I love, loves me such that he worries for me,” he avowed, “I hope to never be such a fool.”
“Belon, I beg you be on your guard,” he fretted, as he dug his forehead deep into Belon’s chest, “… and wary in all things.”
Putting his hand under his chin, Belon kissed him.
“I shall,” he assured him, and again as now something they did to show their love, he rubbed his nose to Aderac’s, who although worried for him, smiled as he watched him back from him, then turn and walk out the door.
After he closed the door, Aderac flung his body onto it and inhaled hard three times to calm himself before he got back into bed, but unable to go back to sleep because of worry. Something he always did when he worried, he jumped out of bed and paced back and forth until he tired.
As Belon walked quickly down the hallway, Gueden, who was purposely waiting by the stairs for him, stepped out from behind them.
“Belon,” he called out loudly to get his attention, as he quickly heavily walked.
“What?” Belon turned, and asked impatiently, “I have matters to tend.”
“I heard such,” Gueden said, and gave his advice, “And I shall offer you this Belon. You must crush with fury and haste any rebellions so none will believe he is a weak king for his ways with you. If you do not, this shall be one of many matters you shall have to tend.”
Belon looked at him, but didn’t speak; instead, he only nodded, and again hurried away.
His mind troubled with thoughts of Gueden’s words, he had anothe
r under him gather more horse guards along with more of his red men; then hurried back to Enek to find out exactly what happened.
“Speak it,” he simply said to Enek when he got back.
“One survived for a time and his last words were Ven was able to reason with their leader, who agreed to bring their tolls to Ivodgald within three days,” Enek spoke, “They left peacefully, and reasoning all went well were not on their guard when men came out of nowhere and attacked them.”
Belon groaned angrily, as he thought of how to deal with them, and agreeing with Gueden, that the rebellions rising here and there were only to test Aderac, decided to heed his advice.
“Ready yourselves,” he commanded and pulled his hair back; then banded it, before he wrapped his palm, “And for Ven and my other men, and our king, no man with me shall have a sword not soaked with blood.”
As dusk approached, Belon, Enek, and those under his command rode towards the Jeboric villages, and overconfident by their quick slaughter of Ven and those with him, gathered it would be just as easy with Belon and Enek and charged them.
“I will see you in the middle,” Belon said before in unison, he and Enek divided, and as they did, men fell behind Belon to the left and Enek to the right just as trained to do.
No match for them, without mercy, Belon and those under him cut down the men that charged them; then once those lay dead strewn about like how they did his men, they again divided and rode to the Jeboric villages, which numbered about four with small huts between them.
All night long, Belon and Enek’s divided band killed every man and woman over or under a certain age, and afterwards Belon had the children sold, which numbered just over fifty-eight into slavery.
As punishment for their defiance by not paying tolls to Ivodgald and disrespecting King Aderac, Belon plundered the villages and had all the spoils taken back. He also made certain to leave all he let live desolate and burned all the villages to the ground.
Finally, as a message to all, he had the Jeboric village leader’s body chopped into pieces and some of him sent to the other village leaders across the lands.
As they prepared to return to Ivodgald, Belon beside Enek while both looked at the smoke filled sky, Belon happened to glance down and saw a gray and black puppy sitting close in a field staring at him, and such was its color that it reminded him of his horse.
When Enek saw it too, he took out his sword and rode towards it to kill it.
“No,” Belon quickly stopped him, taking pity on it.
Belon rode over to the whining puppy.
“It is likely a Jeboric puppy,” Enek commented, “It will turn on you and bite you when it grows.”
Ignoring his comment, he jumped down and picked up the puppy, which wagged its tail and tried to lick at his face, and as he watched, Enek couldn’t help but laugh.
“A friend you have made,” he teased Belon, who had to extend his arms to keep it from licking on his face.
As it frantically tried to lick him, Belon now laughed too.
“I will take it to King Aderac. I know he will be pleased.”
After all the men had gathered, and not one of them killed or badly wounded, Belon tucked the puppy into his pouch, and all returned to Ivodgald.
Such was the deed of Belon’s wrath; it spread as far as the people of the Vells and from that retribution on, all brought their tolls dutifully to King Aderac and the rebellions ceased.
Chapter 37
“Belon, Belon!” Aderac excitedly yelled. Suddenly appearing over the hill with Belo, Belon’s gift that Aderac loved instantly, barking and running right behind him.
“Belon!” Enek yelled to get his attention.
Belon turned, then when he saw Aderac riding hard towards; jumped on his horse to meet him halfway.
“Aderac,” Belon said when he got to him, “What reason is there for you to ride so hard to me?”
“My love.” Aderac breathed in hard to catch his breath, “I wanted you to hear it from me. King Rone of Worrlgen has died.”
Belon’s expression showed both shock and sorrow. “When? How?”
“The letter did not say how Belon. It did not say,” Aderac answered and moved his horse closer to Belon’s, then put his hand on his thigh to console him, “But it was not long ago.”
“I must go to WorrlgenHall.” Belon knew, as he put his hand on top of Aderac’s hand when he did, “And leave at once.”
Aderac nodded agreeing completely. “Go to WorrlgenHall with haste and I will join you soon.”
Surprised, Belon looked at him.
“Should you journey so far?” he questioned concerned, “Are there any you trust with Ivodgald while away?”
“Dare any betray me or seed treachery,” Aderac said proudly. “And bring about my love’s wrath.”
“Then, I will not tarry,” he said relieved, “I will leave right away, and you,” he added, “With haste join me that I may not be apart from my joy for long.”
Aderac smiled.
“I will do such,” he readily said, then rode away signaling for Belo to follow.
“Aderac,” Belon called out quickly when he began to ride away.
“Yes my love.”
“I spoke I would leave right away,” he said; then roguishly smiled, “But never before pleasuring you and tenderly holding you.”
“So silly you are Belon,” Aderac replied, always weakened by how Belon looked at him when he planned to be passionate with him, “You know I knew that even without speaking it,” then turned and rode away.
**
Without stopping, Belon and his chosen rode to WorrlgenHall, and as soon as he made it into the king’s court, hurried to Baric; then kneeled in front of him.
“We are filled with sorrow for the king, who is no more. King Aderac has sent me ahead to speak such words, until he can speak them himself and shall soon,” Belon said solemnly, and bowed his head, “And may the new king live long.”
“Rise, Grand Commander Belon,” Baric said; then touched his shoulder, knowing his was sincere in his words.
After he rose, Ogorec standing close by, Belon went over by him to stand.
“Grand Commander of so large a kingdom,” he teased when he heard his named called with title, “Someone has indeed moved high in place.”
Belon merely chuckled. “I moved from deeds Ogorec, from deeds.”
“Ah, from deeds,” Ogorec teased more, “But, what sort of deeds?”
Both could not help, but again chuckle.
“Your journey was hard rode to get here so soon,” Ogorec said, “Let us drink so you can unwind.”
Belon agreed and followed Ogorec; then after they had a few drinks in the men’s hall, Belon leaned back and put his feet up.
“Are such tales true?” Ogorec asked, gathering he was more relaxed now, “That you along with your men killed all the people of the Jeboric tribes and sold the children?”
Belon sighed long and loud. He was not proud of it, nor did he boast about it, but out of love, would do again.
“Not all, but most is true.”
Ogorec grimaced, as he thought of it. “And chopping the body of the Jeboric leader into pieces?”
“True.”
Ogorec shook his head at the notion. “Belon, dare your temper bring such a deed, I reasoned such was behind you.”
“And it is,” he defended his actions, as he sat up and put his drink down, “Dare the blood of many be the same over a long time or the blood of many the same and done with haste. Rebellions are such and will be such as long as those who bring them about reason they can. For him and any who set themselves against him, they will know my wrath.”
Ogorec sat back in his chair and looked at Belon; then nodded agreeably.
“Dare one harm Ovfren and not reason any less.”
Both nodded to the other, and Ogorec took another drink, but as he did, he noticed Belon’s extravagant belt with the head of horse made of silver on his buckle and sheath, and
in the steel of his sword, which he didn’t notice on his last journey.
“Still well tended to,” he teased, as he now looked at the sheath before he took the sword out and looked at it. “And when I speak well, I do mean well,” he added while testing its weight in his hand, before he looked down the sharp edge of the obviously well forged steel, “I know this is without question made from the richest ore iron, by the most skilled of swords smiths.”
“Just loved,” Belon teased back. The thought Aderac’s gift warming him inside out, making him relax again and lean back, “And much.”
Ogorec laughed.
“I can see that well by what is written on the guard;” he said, before he gave him back his sword, “And the feeling for him is the same?”
“I must confess no,” Belon answered, as he sheathed it again.
Surprised, Ogorec looked at him curiously, concerned what possible came between them, yet have him make such a vow for his sake only moments ago.
“No.” Ogorec’s brows furrowed, “What has quelled what was once so strong?”
Again, Belon sat up.
“Quelled?” he looked at him puzzled, “I am overjoyed that I do not feel the same for him. It is much deeper that just to speak his name puts me in such a state I do not know up from down. When away from him, I long for him and at night it is such that I toss and turn unable to sleep just as I hope he does when away from me.”
“Is he coming soon?”
“He is coming soon,” Belon answered, and smiled, “And as we speak would not be soon enough.”
**
After putting Gueden in charge as the king’s voice, Aderac journeyed to WorrlgenHall escorted by the other half of Belon’s select he trusted above any, along with his own personal guard Ciron, and when a scout saw him coming, sounded the horn and signaled.
Aderac now a king as well, even though, he was honoring him, Baric wanted to return his hospitable gesture when he visited Ivodgald, and rode out to greet him.
Although, wanting to rush to Aderac, Belon controlled himself, and remained behind Laad and the others; then when Aderac got even closer, watched as Baric jumped from his horse and walked to Aderac, who jumped off his to greet him back.
