Apprenticed to Pleasure

by Brandon Fox

  “I’m not going to give you details. Thane can do that, if he decides to. But you already know the art uses sex to create and guide energies. You can probably make some good guesses.”

  Nicolai took up the story. “For the next year, they were inseparable. They made discoveries that laid the foundation for the art, learned how to do some simple manipulations. It’s hard to get Thane to talk about those times, but when he does, he glows. It was the happiest time of his life.” He sighed and fell silent, as if reluctant to continue with the tale. Sorel picked up the thread.

  “Then Lord Tolmin’s daughter, Ossia, was arrested. She was accused of taking part in a plot to overthrow the zamindar. They took her to Chanture’s prison for questioning. Lord Tolmin was in a frenzy. Thane and Lucian decided to try helping him, though up to then they’d never used the art for anything except pleasure. Their knowledge was limited.”

  “I think Thane felt responsible for what had happened,” Nicolai added. “He and Ossia were good friends, and he’d told her how the gentry oppresses the peasants. Suspicions about her role in a plot were likely right. Thane thought he’d brought this calamity onto Lord Tolmin’s house.”

  Sorel resumed the story. “The prison is a massive fortified building near the heart of the city. Thane and Lucian took a room at an inn just outside the prison walls. Using all the skills they had learned, they managed to create a warp in the kei. It made everyone in the area who wasn’t already asleep fall into deep slumber. They were able to walk into the prison, take the keys, and find Lord Tolmin’s daughter in the dungeon. Their plan seemed to be working. But when Thane picked up Ossia to carry her out, she awakened. That upset the spell they had woven, and everyone else snared in the spell woke as well.”

  Nicolai’s face clouded, his eyes showing deep pain. “They fled the dungeon and ran for the prison gate. Thane carried Ossia, who was injured from questioning, while Lucian grabbed a shield to protect their backs as they ran. They were almost outside the prison walls when a guard dropped the portcullis. Thane and Ossia were already past it, but Lucian was trapped inside.”

  Nicolai took a ragged breath before continuing. “There was nothing Thane could do. He took Ossia to safety, then went back to the prison. It was impenetrable. The zamindar’s sorcerers soon put Lucian to torture. The magic used in the escape baffled them.” His face was bleak, his voice hushed. “Thane knew how intensely Lucian suffered. Their bond was deep. There was no chance of escape, and Lucian feared that pain might force him to betray Thane. So when he was left alone between tortures to regain his senses, he chewed off his tongue. He drowned in his own blood.”

  For a while they rode in silence, subdued by the story. Soon the meadow had ended and they were back in the forest. Shadows covered them, and the air felt colder than ever.

  Finally Sorel spoke, his voice soft. “Thane almost died from grief. But Lord Tolmin convinced him that Lucian would want him to live. Out of gratitude for saving Ossia, he gave Thane a small estate in a valley where he owned a vineyard. He turned Thane’s mind back to botany and encouraged him to pursue the discoveries he and Lucian had made.”

  “He must be bitter,” Ander said.

  “At times. But that’s not Thane’s true nature. He has great capacity for love and pleasure. Now he pursues the art and the zamindar’s downfall. He gathered a band of comrades who share his hopes. His estate has become a school of sorts.”

  “Is that where you and Nicolai met?”

  Sorel laughed. “No, we met at a festival in Detva. But that’s another story. Some other time.”

  There seemed nothing left to say, and they continued the journey in silence. Water droplets glistened on branches as the sun got high and snow began melting. Ander was almost comfortable, at least when they traversed sunny openings in the forest, but as the hours passed, his hunger grew insistent.

  THE sun had passed its zenith when the forest fell away, and they entered fields surrounding a small village. They came to a halt and surveyed the cluster of buildings.

  “Should we circle around it?” Nicolai asked. “It’s not likely the cuirassiers have been here, but there’s no need to take chances.”

  Sorel gave Ander a careful looking-over. “Maybe. But I think Ander could use some food. We all could. If I judge it right, we won’t make it to Thane’s estate until after dark. We’ll stay warmer and ride faster if we’ve had a good meal.”

  Nicolai turned to Ander. “What do you say?”

  The village looked sleepy, a tiny settlement deep in the forest. His hunger and the prospect of a cold ride into the night made a compelling argument.

  “Let’s take a look. It seems safe enough.”

  Nicolai nodded his consent and led the way into the village. Rugged log structures, their sharply pitched roofs designed to shed snow, lined a few dirt streets. The only noise was the sound of a hammer striking an anvil inside a forge. They soon found a log cabin displaying a wooden sign shaped like a tankard. Leaving their horses in a shed at the side of the building, they entered the inn.

  Stepping inside the dimly lit room was like entering a cozy burrow. A fire burned in the hearth at one end of the room, and a low ceiling kept the room warm. Coppery light filtered through thin mica sheets that sealed the windows for the winter. Two men and a woman sat huddled in conversation in one corner.

  A cheerful red-bearded man wearing a greasy apron greeted them as soon as they entered. Soon they were seated by the fire with bowls of rabbit stew, fresh bread, and mugs of cider. They settled in to enjoy the food, too hungry to talk until their first bowls were mopped clean with bread. Ander relaxed as they started on second helpings, realizing how content he felt. He looked up and caught Sorel watching him with an understanding smile.

  “No, I don’t know what you’re thinking,” Sorel said. “But I can tell when you’re feeling good. It pleases me. I hope we get a chance to strengthen the bond and bring Nicolai into it.”

  Ander nodded, feeling warmed. “Me too. Can… can you tell how Nicolai feels?”

  Sorel chuckled softly. “Oh yes! But that’s something you’ll learn about later, if Thane approves. For now, the bond between you and me is just strong enough to make sure I can bind you to your oath.”

  Ander was beginning to suspect that bonds could have interesting possibilities but realized he wasn’t going to find out more until he’d proven himself. Looking at the compelling pair, he remembered Sorel’s comment about how they’d met.

  “You said you and Nicolai met at a festival? Was that before you knew Thane?”

  Nicolai nodded, putting down his spoon. “We’ve been with Thane for two years now, but we met about six months before that. I was working a festival when I saw Sorel in the crowd.” He looked at his partner with a gaze full of affection. “It was lust at first sight. He kept rubbing his crotch and smiling at me while I was trying to perform. I had to cut my act short because he was making me so hard.”

  “You’re an entertainer?” Ander was surprised, given Nicolai’s gentle manner. “What do you do?”

  Sorel’s eyes sparkled. “He’s an acrobat. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen him do flips and handstands in nothing but a loincloth.” He gave Nicolai a friendly leer. “And his skill comes in handy for other things too. He can bend in ways that are most interesting.”

  Ander’s face reddened, and his pulse raced. He gave Nicolai a surreptitious glance, imagining his athletic body straining in gymnastic exercises. He had no trouble imagining how striking that would look. He turned back to Sorel. “What about you? Were you an entertainer too?”

  Sorel’s brow furrowed. “No. Mostly I was a troublemaker. The son of a wealthy merchant. But I didn’t want to spend my life trading bolts of cloth and crates of spice. I fought with my father all the time. He was determined to have me stay in the business and marry a wealthy friend’s daughter. It would cement a trade alliance.”

  “That’s one of the reasons he took me home with him,” Nicolai added. “To de
fy his father. And sure enough, we got caught in his father’s library with our cocks down each other’s throats to the balls! I thought the old goat was going to keel over on the spot.”

  Sorel didn’t look the least bit repentant. “He finally threw me out. Once it happened, it was a relief. I had my life back and was free to do as I pleased. So I set out with Nicolai to look for a trade that suited me.”

  “What did you—”

  Ander’s question was interrupted by a noisy group of bearded men swaggering through the front door. There were four of them, dressed in grimy wool jerkins and battered leather pants. Long knives hung at their belts. They took seats near the door and pounded on their table to demand the innkeeper’s attention.

  Ander could smell the stench of their unwashed bodies from across the room. He knew their kind: drifters looking for trouble. They were the type of men Lady Tayanita turned around and pushed out the door so fast they never had a chance to get something started. The innkeeper bustled over to the new customers.

  The seedy newcomers muttered among themselves as they cast hostile glances around the room. Their attention made Ander nervous. “Maybe we should be going,” he said softly.

  “I believe you’re right,” Sorel agreed. He stood and reached for his cape. Nicolai and Ander rose from their benches and started to follow him.

  As they approached the door, one of the men, a thickset rogue with a ruined nose, stood and blocked their way. He crossed his arms and stuck out his jaw aggressively. “We was just wondering where you’re from, strangers. We ain’t seen you around here before.”

  Sorel looked up from fastening his cloak. “We’re from the north, friend. Seeking buyers for the kingdom’s finest linens. Would you be interested?”

  The man snorted, then squinted and ran a hand through his filthy beard. “I think you’re a liar. We been up north ourselves, didn’t see nobody else coming this way.”

  Nicolai stepped forward. “We must have taken different trails. But we have to be on our way now. Good day.”

  The man didn’t budge. “We hear the seraskier down in Pella is lookin’ for three young bucks. I figure you might know something about that.” The man’s friends rose to their feet.

  Sorel looked calmly at the aggressive drifter. Then, without any change in his expression, his right foot lashed up and out in a lightning-fast kick. It connected in the middle of the man’s chest. Eyes bugging out, unable to draw a breath, he clutched his stomach and fell to his knees.

  Sorel sprang for the door with Ander and Nicolai on his heels. At the same time, the other three thugs lifted their knives and moved to intercept them.

  With a quick gesture, Sorel produced a knife from inside his cloak. It was a short blade but enough to make the attackers pull back from their rush. They formed a loose circle around Sorel, looking for a chance to take him.

  Sorel didn’t hesitate. He threw his knife at the closest adversary, burying the blade in his neck and then diving in the direction of the man closest to Nicolai. The man lunged at Sorel, swinging his knife into position to hack, but Nicolai grabbed his arm and gave it a powerful jerk. The man screamed and jumped back, his shoulder sagging from its socket.

  The remaining man was already moving toward Nicolai with his blade raised. Nicolai’s back was turned, and he couldn’t see the attack coming.

  With an incoherent shout, Ander jumped on the drifter’s back. The man staggered and attempted a stab at Nicolai as the northerner turned around, but Ander dragged his arm down just enough to spoil the thrust.

  Nicolai drove his right fist into the man’s stomach. He crumpled in a heap with Ander on top of him.

  “Let’s go!” Sorel shouted. They stormed out. Four new horses in the shed, likely belonging to the drifters, were dispatched to the forest with swats on the rump before they mounted and galloped out of town.

  Riding hard, they got well into the forest before slowing to a canter. Mist streamed from their horses’ nostrils.

  “Do you think they’ll follow us?” Ander asked, turning to look over his shoulder.

  Sorel shook his head. “They got hurt too much. But they’ll go straight to the nearest stockade and report us to the cuirassiers. We’ve delayed them, but we’d best make haste.” There was no disagreement.

  The ride was exhausting, and night had fallen by the time they entered the valley where Thane’s property lay. Ander had spent the afternoon worrying about his meeting with the powerful mage, but by the time they arrived at the edge of Thane’s holdings, he was too tired to worry about it.

  Elaborate gardens, lightly shrouded in snow, began to appear in clearings along the trail. They rode another half hour along the banks of a river before arriving at Thane’s manor.

  A small castle stood on the bank of the river, a large cylindrical tower rising from one end of the gray stone fortification. A bend in the river protected two sides of the structure.

  The manor had obviously been a provincial fort at one time but over the years had been softened with windows and plantings. Ander guessed that the castle hadn’t seen war for generations.

  Nicolai led the way through an arching gate and across the courtyard to a barn, where they handed their mounts over to a stableboy. Then he turned to Ander and put a hand on his shoulder. “I haven’t thanked you for helping me at the inn. I’d have a knife in my back if you hadn’t stopped him.”

  Ander blushed, flattered by the praise. “You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help.”

  Nicolai squeezed his shoulder before releasing him. “Let’s find Thane. I hope you’re ready for this.”

  “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s get it over with.” They huddled together for warmth while crossing the courtyard. Despite the friends by his side, he felt a pang of fear. Then it was too late to worry. They had arrived at the base of the tower.

  Sorel grabbed an iron ring attached to an oak door. He pulled hard, and the door swung open. Nicolai beckoned for Ander to enter. “Your time has come. If you have the will, a new world awaits you.”

  Ander stepped inside.

  Chapter 5

  ANDER found himself in a large entrance hall. Huge beams supported the ceiling, and blue slate tiled the floor. Intricate tapestries decorated the stone walls, and oil lamps shed soft light. He looked around nervously, wondering where the sorcerer who owned the castle might be.

  “You can wait in the study while we find Thane,” Nicolai suggested. “It might take a while.”

  “All right,” Ander said, trying to calm his jitters. Sorel opened a tall door reinforced with elaborate black ironwork and ushered him through. The study, while elegant, was less intimidating than the entry hall. A fire burned in the hearth, and well-used furniture cluttered the room. Bookcases lined the walls between stained glass windows, and piles of books covered the tables in a casual disorder that was somehow reassuring. Ander settled into a brown leather couch facing the fireplace and held out his hands to warm them.

  “We’ll have someone bring food,” Sorel said. “Make yourself comfortable.”

  Ander nodded gratefully, the light from the fire feeling like warm sun on his face. The chill was already beginning to seep from his bones. Sorel gave him a pat on the back and then went with Nicolai, closing the door behind them.

  Several minutes passed while he pondered what they were telling Thane and how the mage might react to his spying. His throat went dry, and he started feeling hot. Standing up, he took off his poncho and dropped it on the sofa. He was about to go look at some curious bronzes on a bookcase when the door opened behind him.

  Ander spun around. But instead of an angry sorcerer coming to deal with a meddler, there was only a young man carrying a wooden tray laden with food. He was dressed in a plain white tunic, brown leather pants, and moccasins. Ander’s breath went out in a whoosh.

  The youth twisted to nudge the heavy door shut with a foot and then turned. He appeared to be Ander’s age or a bit younger and was very well favored. High cheekb
ones and lean features accented beautiful wide-set eyes. Browned skin and a well-muscled body suggested he spent more time laboring outdoors than in the kitchen.

  “Sorel said you’d be hungry.” His voice was another surprise: a soft bass, gentler than Ander would have expected from a sturdy laborer. He crossed the room with the poise of an athlete and put the tray on a table beside the sofa.

  “Nicolai and Sorel asked me to keep you company until they get back. Is that all right, or would you rather be alone?” He looked at Ander deferentially. Dramatic eyebrows arched above eyes that shifted between blue and gray as he turned his head in the firelight.

  Ander almost didn’t hear the question. There was something knowing about the other’s gaze, as if he were looking straight into Ander’s soul.

  After a startled pause, he answered. “Yes. I mean no! Um… I mean, it’s fine with me if you’d like to stay.” He blushed and sat on the sofa, gesturing at the tray. “Would you like some of this? It’s more than I can eat.” Bread, fruit, sliced meats and cheeses, and a flagon of hot mulled cider filled the tray.

  A sunny smile brightened the servant’s handsome face. He took a seat on the sofa next to Ander and reached for a thin slice of cold beef.

  “What’s your name?” Ander asked.

  “I have lots of names. The cook calls me ‘Catfish’ because she says I’ll eat anything. And the house minstrel calls me ‘Donkey’, says I sing like one.” He folded the meat into a small square before popping it into his mouth. “You can call me Val.”

  “Val. Um… I’m Ander. Thanks for bringing the food.”

  “My pleasure,” he replied. He poured hot cider into a blue porcelain mug and handed it to Ander. “Believe me, this is more fun than what I was doing earlier. The chores around here never end.”

  “Have you worked here long? Do you know Thane? I’m here to meet him.”

  “Everybody here knows Thane. This is a small estate. Did Nicolai and Sorel tell you what we do here?” He reached for the tray and took a piece of bread, then bit into it eagerly.