by Luke, Monica
**
Following protocol, none from WorrlgenHall rode out ahead of King Aderac, and as they waited by the gate, when they saw Aderac wearing his more adorned king’s clothes, were surprised by how regal he looked.
“King Aderac king’s clothes sit well on him,” Loth teased, but was impressed, “He has the look of a king.”
As they lined the gate, when King Aderac and Belon rode by, those from Worrlgen began to fall in line behind them, including Ovfren, but when Enek passed him, he purposely turned his head knowing his eyes would beam, and speak who was in his heart.
Feeling the same way, when Enek passed Ovfren, he intentionally looked ahead ignoring him. Yet, when his horse passed him, he could swear his entire body felt literally heated.
All rode out to the glens, with King Aderac in the lead and Belon right behind him, and as soon as his horse guard lined in front of everyone else saw him, every man jumped off his horse and bowed to King Aderac.
“Rise!” Aderac shouted.
After all rose, one from the horse guard began to walk forward, and when he did, right away Enek jumped off his horse to go to him.
Once both were in front of each other, they nodded and looked each other up and down to see who had gained or lost weight, then threw their arms around each other and hugged hard.
Watching it, Ovfren uneasily tightly gripped his horse’s reins as his thighs tensed and his back straightened fighting to show no emotion, but within his stomach somersaulted with jealous fits of Enek’s passionate hug.
After Enek hugged the man, Belon jumped off his horse and gave him a hearty hug then the man turned and stood in front of King Aderac.
“Great king,” Cyorec said, as he bowed his head and gave him a sealed message from Gueden, which Aderac quickly tucked away not even bothering to read it, “By your command we are here willing and ready to obey.”
Aderac nodded, and spurred his horse forward.
“Men of Ivodgald!” he shouted, as he rode in a straight line in front of the horse guard, “You are here to join might with those from Worrlgen. We shall march and lay to ruins the vile kingdom to the south known as Celgon!”
As the men roared, Aderac continued.
“And why do we march to bring them down?” Aderac asked, then answered, “For the reason, any and all against Worrlgen are against Ivodgald just as any against Ivodgald are against Worrlgen, and any and all will be wiped from the face of this earth!”
Again all roared; then Belon jumped on his horse, and rode in front of his horse guard.
“Second commanders break the men into place. Make your tents, and prepare to train.”
When Enek walked back to his horse, Cyorec hurried behind him and playfully grabbed him, then when Ovfren saw them wrestling about, again he grabbed his horse’s reins, but this time so tightly his knuckles turned white.
As he watched them enthusiastically openly wrestle his whole body completely stiff now, was so jealous he wanted to kill the man.
“Enough,” finally, Belon had to yell at them, as if hyperactive children, “The men are watching.”
“Who is Belon’s first in command wrestling with?” Loth finally asked, as all looked on curiously.
Still wrestling, again Belon admonished them.
“Volenek and Cyorec,” Belon said more sternly, using Enek’s full name, “You brothers can wrestle later.”
Although, still laughing hard, both finally stopped and when Ovfren heard Belon say the word brother, relaxed no longer jealous.
**
Once, all began to ride back towards WorrlgenHall, as Belon and Aderac sat watching the men make their tents, Belon brought up something Aderac said.
“Great were your words to the men,” he commented proud of them, “But you know you will not march with us to Celgon. You will remain here.”
Aderac looked at him to see if he was actually serious, and from his expression knew that he was.
“Belon,” he said piqued, “I am king. Dare a king not march with his men?”
“I shall march for you,” he protectively said, “You will remain within WorrlgenHall.”
“What about my cousin?”
“He will march to Hemrock.”
Now feeling even more insulted, Aderac bucked. “Why can he march, and I cannot?”
“For the reason he is not my love,” Belon answered as if a proclamation, “And I will not crumble inside should he be harmed or slain.”
Although, moved by his loving statement, it didn’t sway Aderac.
“I cannot remain behind, and my men march to war without me.” Aderac asserted, “I cannot. I cannot.”
“You can, and will,” Belon asserted back; “And I will hear no more words about it.”
“How can the men proudly look at me, their king, doing nothing, as they ride off to die?” Aderac asked, his voice rising slightly in angst.
Belon refused to comment further, and looked ahead, then after staring at him for a few minutes waiting for a reply, when he realized he wasn’t getting one, Aderac turned his horse, and angrily spurred it away.
Guessing he was going ride back to WorrlgenHall, Belon didn’t turn right away to look at him, but once he did, noticed Aderac riding west.
“Where are you riding?”
When Aderac wouldn’t turn or answer, Belon called again.
“Aderac!” he yelled, this time louder and firmer, “Where are you riding?”
Angry with Belon, Aderac rode even harder determined to show he couldn’t control him in everything.
“None of your concern!” his obstinate reply, “Dare you command and control me, even in front of my men? Belon, I am their king!”
Knowing his stubbornness, Belon spurred his horse forward hard determined to catch him, but since Aderac was an avid skilled rider, he couldn’t.
“If you will not stop!” Belon threatened once he realized he wouldn’t be able to catch him, “I will strike down your horse to make you stop!”
Aderac slowed; then stopped, huffing loudly through his nose while he waited for Belon.
“What has come over you?” Belon asked, and puzzled by his behavior when he caught up with him, he looked at him oddly, while he waited for an answer.
“Do not ask that foolish question?” Aderac blurted his snapping reply.
Frowning from his snap, Belon jumped off his horse.
“Get down,” he said, as he looked up at Aderac.
“No,” Aderac’s obstinate words, and still very angry he looked down at him and rolled his eyes, then turned his head away.
Although, amused by how silly he looked when he rolled his eyes. Belon fought not to laugh, knowing not to take Aderac’s feelings lightly. “Please get down, my love.”
Unable to refuse, Aderac loudly huffed and jumped down, but stayed stubbornly close to his horse instead of going to Belon, who when he didn’t walk over to him, held open his arms. “Why are you angry with me?”
Belon’s body as if a magnet, in less than a second after he opened his arms drew Aderac into them.
“Belon,” Aderac spoke why right away, “It is a must that I ride with the men. I am their king, and they must know I am not afraid.”
“I am the commander,” he said, knowing well the laws of Ivodgald, “And can ride in the place of the king, and shall, and dare any reason you are afraid. I, and all, know you are not.”
Again, Aderac frowned, pulling slightly away. “No one shall hold me in high regard if I do not. I have never been in battle.”
“And by the very blood within me,” Belon again asserted, “Will you.”
“But, Belon.”
“Never, will you.”
“The men must see me Belon.” Aderac knew pleading his case, “They must.”
Now Belon’s turn to huff, he did and loudly.
“Aderac...” he said, again about to argue, until he looked into his eyes and saw how disappointed he looked that he might not be able to ride with the men.”
&
nbsp; “Yes, Belon.”
“We shall meet in the middle with an agreement,” Belon grabbed his waist, and spoke his compromise, “Ride out with the men, but you will remain far behind the battle line.”
“But...”
“I swear to you Aderac,” Belon interrupted, his voice stern before Aderac could finish whatever he was about to speak, “I will yield to nothing more, no matter how much you pout or how fast you storm away.”
Knowing his mindset when he makes decisions that involve keeping his loved ones from harm, Aderac mumbled slightly annoyed, but understandably lovingly.
“Agreed,” he said, as he tilted his head to look up at him, and when he did, Belon kissed his forehead, before moving to his nose and mouth.
“Strike down my horse, will you?” Aderac said, as his brows rose questioningly.
“Maybe, juussst maybe, I spoke to boldly,” Belon said, and slightly laughed.
“Mmhmm, maybe,” he teased, “But you got me to stop.”
Both laughed and kissed.
“Come,” Belon now said, and turned to get on his horse, “Learning can hold this day. After the children eat, we shall all go riding.”
**
Later, after training most of the day, in the men’s hall, Cyorec sat beside Enek and talked about all that went on at Ivodgald while he was away; then when one of the servers came over to pour more drink into his cup, he looked up at her and grinned.
“The women here are pretty,” Cyorec commented, “Tell me brother have you gone through all of them? Did you leave any for me?”
“My head has been filled more with battle plans,” Enek lied, not ready to reveal he had fallen in love, and who with.
“Ooh, brother,” Cyorec teased, “You need to unwind, and I shall have to see about helping you do it at once.”
Enek sighed annoyed, knowing how his brother could be when it came to women, and in truth, how he used to be until Ovfren seized his heart.
“You…” Cyorec said to the woman, “Do you have a friend for my brother?”
The woman smiled.
“Elva has had her eye on your brother for some time,” she revealed, “Yet he finds no time for her.”
“Ah, brother, I am ashamed of you.” Cyorec looked at him. “We shall have to remedy that.”
“I am always tired, and not in the mood for such,” he objected, “Do not.”
“Come now, you know I will not stop until I sway you,” Cyorec reminded, as he poked his elbow into Enek’s rib.
“Brother,” Enek said, while making his face stern, which Cyorec knew whenever he did, that he meant his words, “No.”
“Very well,” Cyorec relented, when he looked back at the woman, “Tell your friend, I am enough for two and more handsome.”
“Careful,” Enek teased, as he stood, “That they not drain all your strength such that you can do nothing else.”
Both laughed, then Enek walked from the table towards the door, and as he did, he saw Ovfren coming his way.
About to pass him, just as both went through the threshold in opposite directions; he slowed just enough to get word a few words to him, while looking inconspicuously forward.
“Far back stables,” Enek whispered quickly.
Knowing he meant as soon as possible, Ovfren paced by the table impatiently waiting for his food, then as soon as he got it, hurried away.
Well aware Ogorec would be leaving the king’s private chamber soon, he raced down the back hallway, then looking this way and that, walked to the back stable; then after looking this way and that, casually walked inside.
“Is anyone here?” he asked loudly to make sure it was empty.
When he heard no reply, right away, he ducked into the back stable, where Enek usually kept his horse, then as soon as he saw him, rushed into his arms.
“Uh,” Enek said in an exasperated tone, as they grabbed each other and frantically kissed, “Dare you pass me, and I not touch you.”
“Ssshhhh,” Ovfren said, and began undressing, “We do not have much time.”
If Enek could, wanting to rip Ovfren’s clothes off him to get him naked more quickly, he helped him undress, then once naked, both got behind several heaps of straw.
Wanting to speak while they excitedly embraced, but fearful of someone hearing them, they contented themselves by letting their deep heavy breathing speak for them as their flesh vigorously joined and parted.
Finally, their rhythmic trusts taking each to his climactic peak, after Enek regained his breath, he pulled out of Ovfren and stood, then extended his hand to pull him up.
As both quickly dressed, while Ovfren got the straw out of his hair in the back of his head, Enek kissed on him.
“Am I missed?” he lovingly teased his question. Playfully pulling pieces of straw still stuck here and there.
“Missed,” Ovfren repeated, as he ran his fingers into his hair vigorously making sure all the straw was gone, “You are more than missed; you are loved.”
“Umm.” Enek hummed pleased, “I had well be.”
Looking this way and that, about to sneak out they stopped when they heard footsteps coming towards the stable, but only two men walking by probably to go to their chambers, once the steps faded, Enek walked out first.
“What a time, then leave,” he instructed, and gave him a small quick kiss.
“Enek,” Ovfren said, and quickly pulled his arm to keep him from walking away, “Dare I not hear them?”
Enek looked at him, pleased he was upset at not hearing his words.
“Do not be silly,” he affectionately said, “Before I took another step my words to you were to be of my love.”
“My ears are waiting.”
Tenderly, Enek moved his mouth to Ovfren’s ear. The heat of his breath sending chills all throughout his body; he wanted to fall back onto the straw, and again feel Enek’s deep thrusts.
“My grey eyed Ovfren,” Enek softly slowly whispered, “Is who I love and only love.”
Ovfren smiled, knowing he would never tire of hearing him speak of his love for him.
“Go,” he then said.
“Do not make me long for you,” Enek said, as he quickly kissed him again.
“I will not.” Ovfren beamed.
Looking this way and that, Enek sneaked away, then after waiting in the shadows, when he was certain all was clear, so did Ovfren.
**
That next morning as Belon, Enek, Cyorec, and those in lower commands trained alongside their horse guards. Since Ogorec was beside King Baric in court, Ovfren went to the horse pastures, but he took the long way so he would have to pass them, but most of all, pass his love.
When Enek saw him coming over the mound, pleased to see him he almost smiled before quickly catching himself, then when noticed that he stopped to watch, decided to entertain him.
“Come brother,” he jovially said, “Let us do what we did as boys when we rode alongside the other.”
“We have grown to tall for that,” Cyorec said hesitant.
“Always wary,” Enek teased, “Or is it that the two women you had last night have you well worn?”
Cyorec laughed.
“Ah, my brother offers a challenge,” Cyorec accepted. “And, I have yet to refuse one.”
Playfully, both jumped on their horses, then began to ride hard alongside the other.
When Belon saw them, he stopped practicing and shook his head disapprovingly, before all from the horse guard along the first row stopped as well to watch.
As they rode beside each other, carefully both began to rise until standing, then once their horse’s trotted side-by-side steady, at the same time, they jumped from their horse onto the other’s, then once they were steady on it standing, again jumped back on their own horses.
When they successfully completed their stunt, all who watched gave them a hearty cheer, included Ovfren, but when they got back in front of Belon, he was frowning.
“Both of you could have broken your necks
,” he chastised, “Where would my horse guard be without its two most high commanders. Shall I find two more to replace you who are not so careless?”
“No,” both, as they often did, replied in unison. “We will not do it again.”
Belon nodded; then pursed his lips and shook his head at how childish they behaved when together, before he began to walk away.
“And another thing …” he said, as he turned, “Well done by you both.”
After Belon chastised him, Enek looked over to Ovfren debating whether to go speak to him, but as he did, Cyorec looked over at Ovfren too. “Who is that?”
“I gather a high guild,” Enek answered.
“What does he want that he sits and just watches looking foolish?”
Enek shrugged his shoulders trying to be indifferent.
“I do not know,” he lied, “This is their land not ours. I gather they can ride and watch what and who they wish.”
“I shall ride out to speak with him, and find out.”
“No,” Enek blurted, knowing he’d probably say something rude to Ovfren, “I will.”
Thinking nothing of it, Cyorec shrugged his shoulders.
“Very well.”
Quickly, Enek turned his horse and rode out to Ovfren, careful to keep his distance.
“We are watched,” he alerted so he wouldn’t do anything that could give them away.
“I see such.” Ovfren noticed. “I was on my way to the pastures, and took the long way hoping to see your handsome face.”
Patting the side of his horse’s neck, Enek turned his head away to reply.
“And I am glad to see your handsome face as well.”
Both sat side by side, struggling to look at everything around them except each other, yet uncontrolled, their eyes fell to the other’s, then fixed in desiring gaze making them want to leap off their horses and into the other’s arms.
“I want you badly,” Enek quietly professed, wanting to grab him at that very moment, “We must embrace as much as possible. Soon we will be apart for some time.”
“I know,” his anguished reply, “And miserable I will be.”
