When they left the baths, Kerrien showed Rithvik around a little, thinking of all the people he'd met in Salamar. Sometimes someone recognized and greeted him, but he had no idea where Braedick lived.
"You know a lot of people here for such a big town," Rithvik said, impressed. "You're better known than in Cinnae."
"Yes, I have both friends and foes here. In Cinnae it was just acquaintances. Hey, look who's here!" He crouched as a large and sociable cat – with a robust bone structure, rectangular body shape and a long, bushy tail – brushed his boots with a loud meow. It was already purring loudly as it rubbed against him.
"Hello, One Sock! How is my gentle giant doing?" Kerrien asked, caressing the silky flowing coat that was all shades of brown except for one white paw which had given the stray cat its name. One Sock purred under his fingers, closing its eyes and sitting down. Kerrien chuckled. "Did you miss me?"
"It seems to have missed you," Rithvik commented. "Is it yours?"
"It's a stray cat, Rithvik, I don't have a house," Kerrien reminded him, absently stroking the cat's fur from its ears down to its tail. "He's reputed for his intelligence and playful, gentle personality, so everybody likes One Sock around here. Some say he has dog-like characteristics. Come and meet the best cat this side of town."
Rithvik crouched next to him and tentatively held out a hand. One Sock sniffed it then offered his head for a caress. Kerrien led Rithvik's hand onto One Sock's fur, but Rithvik quickly backed away under the intensifying purrs of the satisfied cat.
"He's not going to scratch you if he's purring," Kerrien said, amused, scratching the cat behind its ears.
Rithvik shrugged and rose. "Sorry, for me cats are only good to free houses and castles of mice."
"This one is also a very good hunter. If I ever buy a house, I'll have him to keep it empty of mice."
Kerrien leaned to kiss the furry head. "Have to go, pal. See you around."
He rose and One Sock looked at him before a final contented rub on his boots.
Kerrien resumed walking under Rithvik's curious eyes. "I can tell you're a dog lover," he told the prince. "Sometimes you behave like a puppy dog."
"That's not true!" Rithvik protested, making him laugh.
"It's fine, Rithvik, really. You like horses and dogs, I understand you have no room for cats. I don't think One Sock would get along with Sharixen anyway."
"It's just... I think cats are very selfish, unlike dogs," Rithvik said with a little shrug.
"I find great affinity with them, while you're more of a doggy type – as a Human, I mean."
"I've been wondering about that. I know you're a stray cat and I'm probably the lost dog, but we could still be happy together. I mean, at my father's castle one puppy dog grew up with a batch of cats. At first it was the cat mother that protected it, but when it became a big dog, it was the one protecting its cat siblings."
"So you intend to become a big dog and protect your elder cat sibling," Kerrien teased. The animal connection was fun but sounded quite accurate. They were a team like cat and dog, but Rithvik was right, that didn't mean they'd fight. They actually got along fine and worked well together.
Rithvik shot him a chiding glance.
"I'm not a dog and you're not a cat," he said a little bluntly. "And we're teammates, we protect each other. Right?"
"Absolutely." Kerrien put one arm around his shoulder as they entered the busy marketplace. Teammates sounded fine. Lovers not so much.
***
"Hey, Kerrien, long time no see!"
"Braedick came back alone, I thought you were dead! Where were you?"
"What kept you away from wonderful Salamar?"
"Who's this gorgeous young man?" The last question came from the mouth of a tall mercenary called Terrowin. He had bronze eyes and a lustful stare. He'd always envied Braedick and Kerrien, and was obviously as much taken by Rithvik as Druxarlo had been. He was brave and very graceful, but his lust for handsome young men had put him in trouble more than once.
"I'm Rithvik," the fallen prince answered, oblivious of the danger.
"And he's with me," Kerrien added bluntly, squaring his shoulders.
They'd bumped into Terrowin as they headed back to their room after eating with other mercenaries at the Star. The paved street smelled of flowers because of the shop that opened its windows where they'd stopped. The breeze brought the stable's odor in short whiffs from further down the street.
Sounds of a much busier, larger street came from behind and Kerrien only wanted to push Terrowin out of the way and drag Rithvik to the safety and privacy of their room. After the good, it was time to meet the bad side of Salamar, after all.
Terrowin scoffed. "So who dumped who? Does Rithvik know about Braedick? He's here, you know?"
"Of course I know, he told me he'd come back here when we parted," Kerrien replied through clenched teeth.
"I know everything about Braedick," Rithvik added with his most innocent smile.
"Really? What?" Terrowin asked, skeptical, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I know that I'm better." Rithvik grinned. "And Kerrien is mine."
Kerrien clenched his fists, cringing. He can defend himself, obviously. I should stop trying to protect him.
Terrowin shook his head. "I don't know where you found him, but you deserve each other," he said with contempt. "I think Braedick dumped you because you're not that young and handsome anymore," he added, pointing his finger at Kerrien.
"I think you're jealous because Braedick never gave you a second glance," Kerrien retorted.
"Kerrien is the most handsome man that ever was," Rithvik added promptly.
Kerrien rolled his eyes. "Rithvik, please."
"I know, I know, I'll shut up," Rithvik muttered, lowering his eyes.
"You should have seen him fifteen years ago, Rithvik," Terrowin said. "He was indeed the most handsome man that ever was. Him and Braedick. And they both knew it. The world didn't exist for them."
"We were in love," Kerrien replied. "And we were young."
"Dumb and full of cum." Terrowin smirked. "We all were. Constantly in love with each other."
"That was lust, not love," Kerrien retorted. "Yes, we all experimented. The elders taught the younger ones. And then we started feeling something special for one or another. Braedick had a crush on the captain, until we lost him."
"We all loved Captain Merek," Terrowin said gloomily, averting his eyes. That was why the company had disbanded when the captain had been killed on the battlefield. "Everything was different afterward."
"Indeed. I fell in love. Others did as well." Kerrien thought about Braedick, but also Kolia and Joris, another steady couple of mercenaries who were still together. "But of course you have no idea of what love means. When you stop thinking with your dick, maybe."
"There's no room for love in a mercenary's life." Terrowin spat. "But there are teams. And you and Braedick were so taken by each other that you were both awful teammates."
"And that's why we left. That's why now I'm working with Rithvik and not joining another company. And it's none of your business."
"Soon we'll see you behind a shop counter too," Terrowin said, waving them good-bye. "What a waste..."
"What did he mean?" Rithvik asked puzzled. "I'm not standing behind any shop counter! I was a prince!"
"I don't know what he means," Kerrien snapped. "He's an asshole. Just ignore him."
He took his eyes off Terrowin's back and turned to look at Rithvik.
"Listen, I'm quite well known in this town, and I'd like you to be quiet when I meet people. Just let me do the talking, will you?"
"Yes, Kerrien," Rithvik whispered, wrapping him in an adoring stare that made his heart beat faster. "Sorry."
Kerrien shrugged and looked away. A part of him was slowly filling with thoughts of Rithvik while the other still wondered what happened to Braedick.
***
And then he saw him. Braedick was still handsome
– tall, blond and blue-eyed – but he looked tired. Kerrien held his breath as he observed his former companion-at-arms with his arms full... with family.
Once upon a time you only wanted to travel and fight, Kerrien thought. Now look at you. Husband and father like so many others. What happened to your wish to be different? What happened to our dreams?
"Kerrien?" Rithvik called in a low voice. "Are you all right?"
Kerrien snapped out of the contemplation of Braedick. He had let his lover go precisely because they had different goals. They'd been happy together, but at some point Braedick had become restless, and eventually they'd split. It wasn't a complete surprise to find him married with kids.
"I'm fine," he answered, exhaling. "I'm glad I came back, after all."
He glanced towards Braedick one last time and met the blond man's stare. Braedick flashed his dazzling smile at him and waved. Kerrien waved back, but didn't move. He had stopped under a tree next to a fountain in an open air market and pretended to look at the selection of stalls around him.
"Kerrien Wolfsbane, when did you come back?" Braedick's voice was close now.
Kerrien turned. Braedick had a blond toddler in his arms and was followed by a brown-haired woman with fleshy lips and a little girl of about four. He'd been quick to find a wife and breed.
"Two days ago," Kerrien answered, ignoring the rest of the family to stare at his former lover. He'd loved Braedick so much... not even his first love, but definitely the greatest. Except it was over now. And it didn't hurt anymore. "How have you been, Braedick?"
"I'm good," Braedick answered. "This is Eldryn." He moved the toddler from one arm to the other. "Eldina." He put a hand on the head of the little girl. "And Undia." He pointed at the woman who barely nodded.
"Nice to meet you," Kerrien said, shoving his hands in his sword-belt so he wouldn't have to shake any. Not that Undia or Braedick offered theirs, but he didn't know what else to do.
"And your friend is?" Braedick asked, staring at Rithvik.
"I'm Rithvik," the prince answered promptly.
"I see you replaced me," Braedick said with a smile.
"Not really," Kerrien muttered, averting his eyes. He should, though. He would, now that he'd seen that Braedick had moved on. I shouldn't have kept hoping that we would get back together.
"What kept you?" Braedick chided. "He's very handsome."
Yes, I know he's beautiful. Beautiful sleeper, beautiful fighter, beautiful hunter, beautiful rider... And he's keeping me under a spell. So, no thanks.
Kerrien gulped. "I see you're dutifully breeding like you wanted to, so I wish you all the best," he said. "Since you're not wearing a sword anymore, I assume you changed jobs."
"Undia is a dressmaker. And her father has a shop, so I help him."
"From mercenary to shopkeeper, good for you." Kerrien felt more and more disappointed. At least he knew what Terrowin was talking about, now. Braedick had ended up behind a shop counter. What a waste indeed.
"Kerrien, you can't fight forever." Braedick's smile vanished. "I have a family to take care of. I can't afford to be killed. I've been in the town militia for a couple of years, but Undia felt it was too dangerous."
"It's your choice, Braedick, and I'm happy for you. Now if you'll excuse me, I have other people to meet."
Kerrien decided to move away from his ex-lover. He couldn't stand what Braedick had become. He still couldn't believe that Braedick had turned from warrior to shopkeeper. I should have known. The marriage fever hit him and I lost him forever.
"Kerrien?" Rithvik reminded him of his presence and he slowed his pace. "It's almost dinner time, shall we head for the Sterling Star?"
Kerrien was glad Rithvik hadn't immediately asked questions about Braedick. He was still quite upset from the meeting when they retired to their room to get some sleep. Rithvik went to his own cot without trying to convince him to share, like he'd done before.
"Rithvik, I'm sorry," Kerrien said, sitting on his own single bed with a sigh. "I guess I owe you some explanation."
"I thought you didn't want to discuss him," Rithvik replied, serious. "I don't know what's so complicated about your relationship – it's obviously over."
"Yes, but I had to see him again to realize it," Kerrien said. "I did love him very much. That's why I let him go when I realized he was changing."
Rithvik nodded. "Are you trying to teach me a lesson?" he asked, frowning.
"No, I'm just saying what happened. I've given up hope of being set free by you."
"And you still see me as a burden."
"You could say that."
Rithvik sighed and lay down. "Good-night, Kerrien," he said, rolling on his side and giving his back to Kerrien.
Kerrien blew out the candle and fell asleep, more confused than ever.
***
Prince Ronan of Salamar was born that night. The town awoke to the sound of drums and trumpets that announced the heir had arrived. The little boy was healthy and not blind, thus the king and queen were overjoyed. Celebrations would last for a week all over the city.
Kerrien and Rithvik weren't really in the mood for celebrating anything when the news broke, but they went out anyway. Bards and entertainers filled the streets, and often music played all day long in houses and inns. Even at the Sterling Star Inn a group of musicians played happy tunes every night.
Kerrien had never been much of a dancer, but he could tell Rithvik really enjoyed it. The fallen prince couldn't be still when music was around. He joined group dances throughout the streets and even went to a ball at the king's palace, where he dazzled all the ladies with his smile and his dancing skills.
"I sure hope you're not doing any spell with your dance steps," Kerrien said during the last day of celebrations, as they ate at an open air stall in the main square.
"You're the one obsessed with magic," Rithvik answered with a shrug.
"You're the one who went to a school of magic," Kerrien replied. "Joris hasn't come back yet... He used to get the best jobs with Kolia since he was a magic user."
"Are you saying I should become one?" Rithvik rolled his eyes. "I'm having a hard time becoming a mercenary already!"
"I think you're doing quite well as a mercenary – although we haven't done another job since Druxarlo..."
"I've done well at today's tournament. You should have tried too."
"I'm not a valiant noble knight, Rithvik! I'll leave the honors of best dancer of the court and champion of the tournament to you!"
"Do I hear a hint of envy?" Rithvik teased. "You're so busy mentoring me that you don't think I can teach you anything?"
"I think I'll never stop learning, but there are things I really don't care about learning," Kerrien replied. "I like watching you dance and joust, but this doesn't mean I want to try it."
Rithvik sighed. "That's fine. I don't want to live on tournaments and lustful, bored women anyway..."
Kerrien chuckled. "I actually see you as a courtesan in some court, you know? All dressed in silks and damasks, entertaining the ladies..."
"Kerrien! I can entertain men, maybe, but... no. I only want to entertain you. So I will try to earn a lot of money so we can buy ourselves a castle and I can be your courtesan!"
"I'm a mercenary, I don't need a castle, nor a courtesan! I've used prostitutes before, and that was enough!"
"Well, when you decide to settle and buy a house, I'll be your whore and take care of you." Rithvik grinned. "But you don't seem willing to settle yet."
"I don't know, I like my nomadic life. I like traveling."
"I like that too. And we're spending a lot of money in this town once again," Rithvik said. "But at the same time I don't want to get back on the road yet. I like it here."
"Then we should sell the horses and find some steady job."
"I don't want to sell Sharixen!"
"Rithvik, horses are a luxury. Either you use them, or you don't keep them just because!"
Rithvik pouted an
d looked away. Kerrien shook his head. "Let's go," he said, since they'd finished their meal.
He rose and took the wooden bowls back to the counter. Then he heard Rithvik gasp and grab his arm as if he were scared.
"What now?" Kerrien snapped.
Rithvik's eyes were wide in fear. "That's Manusia!" he whispered. "But he can't be! Manusia can't stand the sunlight!"
His stare was on another young man with very long, dark-blond, wavy hair. Kerrien noticed the androgynous beauty and lack of facial hair. The headband kept the hair down, but Kerrien caught a glimpse of a pointed ear.
"Pointed ears?" he said, puzzled.
"Manusia is half-Genn and half-Human. Well, Norina was Human before becoming the Queen of Darkness," Rithvik said, squeezing Kerrien's arm with both hands. "Let's go, I don't know who that is, but he scares me!"
Brown eyes met Kerrien's and the androgynous youth smiled, heading towards them. He'd come out of the palace and Kerrien started to wonder about Joris's true nature as well. Kolia's lover was very blond and always hid his ears under a headband and his flowing mane. Maybe both Belfi and Joris were actually Genn, members of the now invisible Magical Races?
Rithvik tried to drag Kerrien away, but he stood his ground.
"Hello," the blond greeted. "My name is Belfi."
"Manusia's twin!" Rithvik whispered, terrified.
"Yes, I'm Manusia's twin." The blond smiled. "You must be Rithvik. He was very fond of you. Am I correct that you've been trying to get in touch with him again, lately?"
Rithvik shook his head, hiding behind Kerrien, who rolled his eyes.
"Yes he did. Thank the gods it didn't work." Kerrien didn't feel threatened by Belfi who smiled.
"I felt it," he said. "And so did Manusia, but he was busy. Helping a lustful Human to get his revenge... I don't know why he's still trying, he's not leaving his underground kingdom while I'm alive..."
"Did you kill the demon?" Kerrien asked.
"He's my twin. I can't kill him. But I can make sure he stays in his kingdom of darkness."
"How did he get in touch with Rithvik two hundred years ago?"
"He used the eclipse. That's how he managed to take control of Rithvik's body and destroy the royal family."
Fairy Tales Revisited on Silvery Earth Page 23
