"Arabian Nights"
Part 26
by Beryll
With a small subconscious smile Sean stopped in the arched doorway to prince Viggo's study to watch the one man he would gladly call master. The prince was so caught up in his work that he hadn't noticed anybody enter. And as Sean was 'just a slave' in the eyes of the guards outside the door, they had not thought to alert the prince of his arrival.
An oversight that Sean would later mention to Karl. It wouldn't do that an assassin could slip by the guards if he just dressed up as a slave. Even if it was a known slave.
Sean had visited the prince quite often in the course of the last week, Karl devising this or that excuse to create opportunities. Most of the times it were just a few minutes but Sean was grateful for every single one of them.
Sean took another step forward, his feet making a slight sound on the polished marble floor and immediately Viggo raised his head from the papers he had been studying, alert to any danger. This simple gestures reassured Sean. Even is the guards were lacking, his prince was well able to defend himself. Still Sean wished nothing more, than to take his place at Viggo's side again to guard his back, like he used to do.
A smile lit the prince's face, when he noticed Sean and again Sean felt awe that Viggo was really happy to see him. He knew that Viggo must have guessed some of the things that had happened to his old friend during his capture. It would not have surprised Sean if Viggo had turned away in disgust. There still were enough times when Sean wished to turn away from himself in disgust. He still could not bare to look into a mirror.
"Sean." Viggo's voice shook him from his dark thoughts. "Are you here to safe me from the paperwork?"
At that Sean had to smile again stepping closer to the desk, then bowing deeply. "No, my lord. I fear I bring more. I am to deliver this missive from my master." he said, depositing another scroll on the crowded desk.
Of course this was just a ruse to give Sean an excuse to go visit Viggo. Sean had watched as Karl rolled up the empty paper, sealed it and then handed it to Sean with a grin. No matter how hard he fought the feeling - slowly, slowly he was beginning to like the captain of the guard.
"How are you, my lord?" Sean asked, seeing that there were lines of worry on his prince's brow and that Viggo looked tired. And of course he preferred talking about Viggo much to talking about himself.
The prince rubbed his temple. "Tired. There is much work to be done. I can't help but admire the caliph for dealing with all this on his own up to now. He is indeed a very capable man. And he does deserve a helping hand, someone to share his burden."
Sean walked around the desk till he came to stand behind the prince. Gently he placed his hands in Viggo's neck and started massaging the knocked muscles there. Being of service to him felt too natural to resist.
With a slight smile Sean remembered that Karl was just as grateful for the few moments when Sean felt able to trust the captain enough to grace him with some relaxing massages as well. But never there was more than that between them. Sean knew well how much the captain desired him. That Karl did not press him in any way, was slowly gaining him more and more trust on Sean's part.
With a grateful groan the prince let his head fall forward, enjoying the sensation. After a few minutes Sean felt the tense muscles relax.
"I swear your hands are magic." Viggo sighed happily.
Sean smiled. "You drive yourself too hard, my lord."
Viggo just grunted and Sean continued his work on the prince's neck and shoulder, working out the last kinks. "Where are your two desert kittens?" he asked curiously. "Shouldn't it be their job to see to your well-being?"
He had seen neither of the boys during his visits with Viggo during the last week, but he had never actually noticed their absence, assuming that they were doing whatever it was that Viggo kept them busy with.
"I have given them into training." Viggo answered, his muscles tensing up at that thought. "They were more trouble than help. Neither of them knows how to behave."
Sean stroked his neck reassuringly. "You miss them?" he asked gently.
Viggo nodded, then turned around to face Sean, so Sean could see the longing and sadness in his lord's face. "Yes, very much. I... I did not want to give them away. I know it is better for them and for me... but still my heart just wishes to go and get them back and apologize for ever giving them into the hands of another. Even though I know Ian will not hurt them." With a defeated sigh Viggo let his brow rest against Sean's thigh.
Sean could not help but pat his prince's head like he used to do when they were both much younger. "I'm sure it will be all right." he said. "Have you checked on them?"
"No." Viggo mumbled, muffled against Sean. "If I go there and have one look at them I know I won't be able to leave them."
At that Sean could not suppress a low chuckle. "You are too soft of heart, my lord." he admonished softly. "Would it please you if I went to check on them and then came back here to report on their well-being?"
Viggo glanced up at his most trusted friend with hope shining in his eyes. "That would please me very much."
Sean sketched a bow and smiled back at Viggo. "Then it shall be done. It is my pleasure to be of service."
---
The inner yard of the slave training ground was filled with the soft, steady beat on a tambourine, the labored breathing of two slave boys and the tapping of feet on ground. A slave girl sat in one corner, providing the beat of the tambourine, Elijah and Orlando were practicing hard on their dancing skills.
Neither of them had possessed any when they had started their training a week ago but under the merciless tutelage of master Ian they had learned quite a lot in the short time. That they were both young and agile helped a lot.
Still master Ian was anything but satisfied, calling for repetitions of steps missed again and again till both wished nothing but to drop to the ground in exhaustion. Any thoughts of rebellion had long been drowned by simple lack of energy. Ian kept their minds occupied and their bodies tired.
Ian smiled almost imperceptible. Slowly, slowly they were starting to slip into their roll, accepting commands without hesitation. That was the first step, breaking them in was the hardest. Then he would have to put them back together again. After all they were to serve the prince not only with blind obedience but with their bright minds as well.
His train of thought was interrupted by a polite cough from behind him. He had not noticed another slave entering the yard, but when he turned around, he was not overly surprised by the fact.
Although he had not met him so far he had heard quite a bit about the new barbarian slave Sean the captain of the guard kept. There were some rumors that he was somehow connected to the prince, but nobody knew anything definite. Still, Ian thought, it would have been wiser for Karl and Viggo to keep things more secret still.
The slave bowed deeply, but Ian immediately noticed, that it was not the deference of a slave to a noble but of a warrior greeting another. Ian didn't mind. He had been training slaves for years and he was quite able to determine when something was beyond his skills. Nobody would ever make a good slave of this man. He was sure of that.
"Yes?" he asked, curious why Karl had send this man to him.
"My lord Viggo sends me, to inquire about the progress of his two slaves." the barbarian explained.
Ian smiled and pointed at the two boys who had stopped their exercise as soon as Ian turned away from them, both kneeling on the floor now, trying to catch their breath.
"As you can see their diligence still leaves a lot to be desired." Ian said.
He noted with interest the reaction Elijah was presenting when he noticed the blonde slave. For the first time Ian read strong positive emotions in his face, not the usual stony mask of defiance but genuine affection and maybe even longing. So maybe this was a person that the young slave did care about. Something that would definitely be good for him. At least better than trying to shut himself off from all feelings like he had been trying to do for the last week.
"Would you like a little demonstration so you can report to the prince in detail?" Ian suggested, wishing to further study the reaction this Sean had evoked in Elijah.
Sean nodded. "I'm sure that would please the prince."
Ian turned back to the boys and clapped his hands. "Bring refreshments." he commanded and both hurried back to their feet and into the building, while Ian showed Sean to a small alcove, strewn with pillows around a low table.
"There is still much for them to learn but they begin to show sign of progress." Ian explained, when they were both seated. "Tell the prince declawing them is a delicate process if one does not want to hurt them and therefore takes some time."
Sean bowed his head slightly, but Ian still noticed the worry creasing his brow. So there was some affection on his part as well.
"They are fine." he added, this time more for Sean than for the prince, earning him a startled glance from the blonde. Ian just smiled politely.
Then the boys returned, each carrying a tray, managing to look something pretty close to graceful. They knelt next to the table to deposit a pot of tea, two glasses and a plate with iced fruit.
Ian motioned to Elijah to pour the tea as he was much better at it than Orlando so far. But this time Elijah's hands were shaking and he nearly spilled the tea before even getting close to the first glass.
Gently Ian reached out a steadying hand. Elijah glanced at him under lowered lashes just like Ian had taught him to do. There was much insecurity and emotional turmoil in his eyes. Ian held his gaze, conveying with just his look, that he trusted in Elijah's abilities. For a long moment they looked at each other, Elijah realizing for the first time that his teacher did not mean him any harm. Then he suddenly drew a deep breath, visibly calming himself.
When Ian let go of his hand it was steady again and he poured the tea, smiling at Sean with a lot more coy sweetness than Ian had taught him. Ian suppressed a smirk when he noticed the answering smile from Sean, gentle and somewhat protective. This might indeed prove very useful.
They shared the tea in silence, the boys kneeling close by motionless and attentive.
They cleaned off the table with satisfactory efficiency when Ian and Sean were finished and then withdrew as gracefully as they had arrived.
"Impressive." Sean commented when they were out of hearing range.
Ian shrugged. "They still have a lot to learn." He looked at Sean thoughtfully. "Tell your master that he is welcome to check on them again, if it eases his heart. And should he be able to spare you from more important duties, I would welcome the opportunity to test them on you again."
Sean nodded, bowing his head again. "I will tell him. And also that his boys are well and he need not worry about them. Though I fear he still will."
Ian smiled. "As is the right of any prince worth his title."
If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Beryll
go to PART 27