WORRLGENHALL

by Luke, Monica

  “Who and how?”

  “Those Segorans.”

  Laad’s eyes went from questioning to squinting expressing his suspicion, which Baric noticed.

  “Speak it,” he prompted.

  “In your council chamber, my king,” Laad urged, “Away from the ears of all, but those trusted.

  “Very well.”

  Once in the king’s council chamber, Laad informed Baric of his suspicion, and that they held a man in one of the dark rooms.

  “Put him to the task and question him at length,” Baric ordered, curious what he may know. “I want answers.”

  “And if his answer is what we fear?” Laad questioned, knowing the fated consequences.

  “We have both of them within our walls, and the other is dead,” Baric frankly answered, “If it is, they will join him.”

  **

  “Is it true?” Loth asked Ogorec when he passed him. “Is King Thogor dead and is Lord Cadon in one of the chambers healing?”

  “True,” Ogorec answered, “While you and Laad were away, his men and Lord Elgen brought him here after his claim that the Segorans sneaked into camp and killed the king, a guard, and his first in command.”

  “How many where there?” he asked suspiciously.

  “We have not been able to ask him,” he answered, certain it was only because it was a lie, “He claims he is to wounded to speak of it now”

  “Is that so?” Loth questioned, thinking along the same lines as Ogorec. “For one who has had his brother slain, why would he hold his tongue?”

  “With him, I care not what he does,” Ogorec’s indifferent reply, “Or if he lives or dies.”

  “What of Lord Elgen?” Loth now questioned, “Was he hurt as well?”

  “He was not.” Ogorec said, as he began to walk, “And is the one who found him and told us what we know.”

  “Hmmm,” Loth only offered, as he watched Ogorec walk away.

  New suspicions flooding into his head as Loth turned, when he saw Laad walking from court, hurried to him.

  “I gather you know,” Laad said, as he approached him.

  “Yes,” Loth replied, as he walked with a disgusted look resting on his face, “Lies upon lies.”

  “Let them build their lies,” Laad shrewdly commented, as he paced him walking, “Soon enough, we shall know what is true.”

  Noticing he turned down a different hallway, instead of towards the dark rooms, Loth questioned him.

  “You are not going back to the dark rooms?”

  “No, let the guards of it put him to the task as they question him,” Laad’s answered while walking towards the gathering hall to get something to eat, “And later we shall hear his words.”

  Loth agreed, but asked one last question, as he stood and watched Laad continue ahead.

  “Does Belon know?”

  Forgetting about Belon, Laad halted his steps.

  “No, he has not left King Aderac,” his answer, as he turned, “Reveal nothing to him until we know more.”

  “I was told Belon already sent for his men,” Loth now informed him.

  “What?” Laad asked, his face showing surprise, “When?”

  “Why do you look surprised? Loth questioned knowing he shouldn’t have been with anything concerning Belon and wrath, “You knew well, Belon would when they took King Aderac.”

  Frustrated Laad’s body spun around twice in the hallway, until he again faced Laad.

  “Errrrr.” He exhaled hard fearing chaos was soon imminent within the walls of WorrlgenHall and in the land, “When?”

  “Just before he rode out to search for him,” Loth answered, “He sent a messenger back to Ivodgald.”

  “We are barely back within the walls.” Laad huffed, “And already you know this.”

  “Word of things as this spread with haste and that you know...”

  Laad stroked his chin as he thought. “Then you believe it is now to late to stop them,” he gathered.

  “Yes.” Loth had no doubt, “Some saw him pierce his thumb for some reason and press it to the message. Whatever the meaning, has me believing they are coming for wrath.”

  Laad had no doubt. “Then for now, do what you can to keep him from knowing until…”

  **

  Days since his injury slowly Aderac’s wounds and ribs began to heal, and Belon not leaving chamber, stayed dutifully and devotedly close by his side.

  “Honey,” Aderac suggested, after noticing, although lovingly tending to his every need, that he seemed bored, “You have remained beside me without fail. I want you to get out of this chamber to stretch those long legs of yours.”

  “I will not, until you can leave it as well,” Belon vowed to him, as he helped him back to bed from using the chamber pot.

  “I will be fine,” he asserted sternly, “I want you out of the chamber and you will obey.”

  Belon smiled at how silly he sounded commanding him to get out of the chamber.

  “Well, I have been commanded by my king, I cannot refuse,” he said, as he lay in bed beside him, “I shall watch the guilds for a time, see Rulgesic’s son as promised, and have a drink in the men’s hall, then come back.”

  “Yes Belon, do such,” he readily agreed, “I shall read while you are away.”

  Belon leaned over to Aderac.

  “Muah,” he sounded off playfully when he kissed him; then got out of bed, “Stay in bed and do nothing foolish.”

  “Go.” Aderac prompted, “Off with you.”

  Just as Belon said he would, he went to see Rulgesic and watched for awhile as he trained the lower guilds, offering tips of his own; then once done, went with him to see his son.

  “Come, let us have a drink in the men’s hall,” Rulgesic said cheerfully since his day was done.

  Although, he told Aderac he would do that with Rulgesic, Belon’s thoughts only on him since he left his side, he changed his mind.

  “Aderac is alone,” he said, feeling slightly guilty for leaving him, “And held to the chamber. When he is healed more, I shall.”

  “Very well.” Rulgesic understood.

  Hurrying back to be with Aderac, after he got just inside the door and heard strange voices, he curiously quickly rushed through the foyer.

  His eyes instantly widening showing surprise, his mouth dropped open following suite.

  “What do I see?” he asked when he stepped farther inside and saw Aderac naked in a chair with two female servants washing him.

  “Back so soon. I reasoned you would be gone a long time,” Aderac casually commented when he peeped over the top of his book thinking nothing of it as he read, “Baric came to the chamber to see how I was while you were away and sent two servants to care for me.”

  While Belon stood and watched, he said nothing against it at first, but when they became more familiar with him, moving slowly up his thigh to wash him, he frowned.

  “Uhuuchmmm.” He finally sounded off, clearing his throat when he noticed they had moved to his inner thigh and were still gradually washing upward.

  Belon walked over to the two women gently taking both by their arms and escorting them to the door. “That will be all.”

  “Belon.” Aderac looked up surprised. “They were still washing me.”

  After closing the door, Belon walked back to the chair and stood over Aderac.

  “Mmhmm. They were washing you?” he sarcastically repeated and crossed his arms. “And well on the way to washing what?”

  “That is nothing,” Aderac dismissed Belon’s sarcasm. “They are only servants.”

  “No women or men, servants or not,” he asserted, “Shall touch you there, but me.”

  Aderac burst into laughter and grabbed his side.

  “Well,” he said playfully, then grabbed the cloth and threw it at him, “They were not finished.”

  Belon took the cloth, then began were they had stopped. His strong hands rubbing Aderac’s inner thighs, at first able to easily read thinking nothing of it whi
le the servants washed him, as Belon now washed him, he could no longer concentrate on his book and it fell from his hand.

  When he heard the book’s thud on the floor, Belon looked up and noticed Aderac’s head leaning backwards. “Are you enjoying me washing between your thighs?”

  “Ah, Belon.” Aderac moaned. “I am enjoying it. I am.”

  “Do you hurt much?” he asked wanting him.

  “If I must thrust.” He regretted, wanting him just as badly, “It will hurt my ribs, and I cannot open and close with mouth with ease.”

  Belon put the cloth down.

  “I can open and close my mouth with ease,” his willing salacious offer as he opened Aderac’s thighs more to move farther between them, “And shall upon what I see has become rigid for me.”

  “Oooo Belon.” Aderac moaned even more loudly when he felt Belon’s mouth wrap around him, his eyes now rolling into the back of his head in complete ecstasy, “Oooo, umm Belon.”

  Chapter 48

  “Riders come!” the guard shouted from the tower and signaled to another to sound the warning horns, then as the others rushed to the tower to look out, after a familiar messenger rode ahead, he halted the horns.

  The crest of Ivodgald around his horses’ neck and on its banner, he knew the messenger was from Ivodgald and signaled to sound another horn alerting all he no longer suspected danger.

  “Who comes?” Laad questioned, already climbing the tower when he heard the previous horns.

  “The banner on the horse is from Ivodgald.”

  “Get Belon,” Laad ordered and turned to go back down the wall, but as he did, he noticed Belon walking up the steps towards him.

  “When they took King Aderac,” he said, as he climbed them, “I sent for them. When he heals, we shall deal with the Segorans who took him.”

  “Belon,” Laad finally said, knowing he had to tell him after trying to hold off as long as he could because the man in the dark rooms refused to speak, “I must have a word with you on that matter.”

  “Let it be later,” he said, while descending the steps, “I want to ride out to greet them.”

  After calling for his horse, Belon followed the messenger back to meet with the men he summoned, but when he got closer, his eyes squinted displeased.

  “Dare you leave my treasures?” he asked when he got close enough to scold him, “Who is seeing that they are safe and well?”

  Enek knew to explain quickly when heard the stern tone in Belon’s voice.

  “You wrote our king was taken and put your blood seal on it,” Enek answered, “I trust none more than I to help you in all things, or to fight to get our king back, as well as bring to heel those who took him.”

  “I found him and we killed those who took him,” Belon responded, and jumped off his horse, “And I gave you a greater task Enek.”

  “That is true,” Enek replied, then turned to the wagon behind him and shouted to one of the drivers, “Open the wagon!”

  Slowly, the door to the wagon opened and out sprang Ihon and Beladera, along with Belo, and at once all ran straight for Belon.

  “Father!” both shouted loudly as they ran, with Belo barking loudly his greeting behind them.

  As a smile swept across his face, Belon dropped to one knee; then opened his arms wide to receive them both, along with Belo.

  “Such a surprising pleasure this is,” Belon’s joyful words, “I have missed my little ones.”

  “Where is father?” Beladera asked first after racing into his arms.

  “Hop on both of you,” Belon said, as he lifted Beladera onto his horse first, then Ihon behind her, before he jumped on himself, “And we shall go to him.”

  “We will all be right behind you,” Enek cut in, his tone light; already knowing Belon felt guilt for not trusting him.

  Belon turned his horse and gave Enek a sheepish grin.

  “Why did you not reveal they were with you?” he chided, but truly happy he brought them.

  “What joy would be in that?” Enek teased, “And I wanted to see the look on your face.”

  “And who is command of the men?”

  “My brother Cyorec, the horse guards and Ecklend with the foot guards, the others are still in their places.”

  Belon nodded content with the two he left in charge.

  “I shall deal with you later for disobeying,” he playfully chided; then spurred his horse forward.

  When Belon rode back through the gates, Laad and Loth looked down and noticed had returned with two children, then after both looked at each other puzzled, went to meet him.

  “Look,” Loth mentioned, as they walked, “The red headed boy must be Belon’s.”

  “And the girl,” Laad surmised, “Is the king’s daughter.”

  “Is it true?” Loth now curious, “That King Aderac gave the boy his name and had it written in the royal scroll of Ivodgald?”

  “It is true.”

  As both stood and looked up at him, when Belon jumped down, then lowered the children down, he noticed they said nothing waiting curiously to know about the two most recent guests.

  “This is Beladera and this is Ihon,” Belon proudly introduced, as he rubbed both of their heads lovingly.

  Laad and Loth tried to smile, but within there was much concern.

  “Welcome little ones,” both greeted pleasantly, but Laad added to Belon, “You did not speak of them coming.”

  “I did not know he brought them,” Belon’s quick remark before he hurried away with them.

  Laad and Loth looked at the other.

  “King Aderac’s daughter’s name is Beladera,” Loth then teased, “I wonder how he came up with that.”

  “Is there no end with you?” Laad voiced annoyed, “I am wary to have them here at such a time.”

  “I know what is within,” Loth said at once, “I shall have the guilds be on watch without fail, walking within WorrlgenHall and outside of it.”

  “That young boy,” Laad added, well aware of the importance that both be kept safe, “Could indeed be the next King of Ivodgald, and the young girl, if custom stays true, could be wed to King Baric’s son and a queen.”

  “First tasks first,” Loth said, not concerned with what was farther into the future, “…keep them safe, so they will get older to be so.”

  Excitedly, each holding his hand, with Belo right behind them, Belon rushed with the children to the chamber, but instead of going right inside, he made them wait just outside the door.

  “Aderac,” he teased with him when he came inside. “Two are outside the door to have a word with you who would not wait.”

  Aderac’s brows joined, expressing his annoyance.

  “Belon,” he complained, annoyed he even allowed someone to come to it, “I am within our chamber and in no mood to see anyone, send them away.”

  “You would never send them away.” He slightly laughed and opened the door, “They are coming in.”

  Again, Aderac looked up; then slammed his book shut to show more of his annoyance, but when he heard a familiar bark, his brows lifted as the children rushed inside.

  “Come children, come!” he yelled enthusiastically, opening his arms wide, “Come to me children, come to me!”

  “Father!” they eagerly yelled as they did.

  Once they reached the bed, they jumped onto it and bounced onto Aderac, who at once groaned in pain, but held them lovingly back.

  “How did you hurt yourself?” they asked concerned.

  “I fell off my horse,” Aderac answered, thinking quickly, “And am held to my chamber, but I am fine.”

  Pleased at how happy he was, Belon walked to the bed and sat down beside them all.

  “Belon, Belon,” he said overjoyed, “Such a wonderful pleasure this is.”

  “Enek brought them,” Belon said, not taking the credit, “And just as you are, I am pleased as well.”

  Aderac began to move to get out of bed.

  “I am filled with joy,” he said
as he did, “And cannot lie about.”

  Tenderly, Belon eased him back down by his shoulders. “You still cannot walk about with ease.”

  “Belon,” Aderac said firmly, “I will not just lay and do nothing. I want to move about with the children.”

  Belon huffed, but knew Aderac meant what he said.

  “Lay one more day,” he compromised, “Then slowly and carefully, you can move about, but only a while at a time.”

  “Very well,” Aderac acquiesced, before he spoke to the children “One of you read to me.”

  “I will, I will,” both eagerly agreed.

  “One at a time.” He laughed, “My books are on the table, both of you get one.”

  While the children sorted through the books to find one to read, Belon kissed Aderac.

  “Well, as they read to you,” he said, and leaned his face closer to Aderac’s, “I shall leave to speak with Laad and Enek for a time.”

  “Yes, honey,” Aderac’s reply, as he felt his lips on his forehead.

  Aderac sighed, as he watched Belon head towards the chamber door; then looked excitedly over to the children, “Hurry children and find a book.”

  **

  Knowing the children would keep Aderac busy by reading to him and talking non-stop of their adventures as they rode to WorrlgenHall, Belon knew he had time to waste, and looked for Laad.

  “Are the men settled?” he asked Laad when he found him.

  “They are in the guard garrison’s and the horses are in the pastures instead of the stables.”

  “And Enek?”

  “Is the tall one with the blond hair the first in command under you?”

  “He is.”

  “Loth took him to the men’s hall for a drink.”

  Belon nodded; then turned to walk there to speak with Enek.

  “Belon,” Laad said hesitantly, but unable to wait any longer, “We must speak.”

  “What is so dire?

  “Follow me.”

  Curiously, Belon followed Laad and familiar with WorrlgenHall. When they turned down the fourth hallway, then descended the stairs, he knew they were walking towards the dark rooms. “Who do you hold?”