"Arabian Nights"
Part 28
by Beryll
The large courtyard was filled with the sounds of swords meeting swords and the glaring light of the afternoon sun. The heat trapped in the walls surrounding the yard rose from the ground making the air waver.
The white flagstones paving the training yard of the caliph's palace were well worn. Generations of guard's had trained here.
Prince Viggo stopped in the shadow of the arched entrance and watched for a moment. After Sean had returned to him, telling him that his kittens were fine, he had felt bone deep dread lifting from his spirit. The thought that they would be angry or maybe even hurt had plagued him more than he had realized.
As always Sean had known immediately what would help to take his mind of all the paperwork for a while as well.
Viggo wasn't quite sure he would be welcome to train with the common guards but he had hoped to find Karl here and he hadn't been wrong.
The captain of the guard had stripped down to his billowing pants and was instructing some new recruits. There were four of them going up against him armed with wooden swords and he was easily keeping all of them under control. An admiring smile appeared on Viggo's lips as he watched the man he had come to call his friend twist and turn and strike. And it was not solely admiration of his swordmanship.
Watching Karl move only added to the heat trapped in the yard. At least Viggo thought so, wiping sweat from his brow. He still wasn't completely used to the temperatures of his new home.
Slowly he made his way along the yard's wall over to where Karl was training, ignoring the curious glances of the guards. The captain of the guard had already noticed him by the time he had got there and had paired off the recruits to train together.
Karl bowed deeply. "My prince." he welcomed Viggo.
Viggo nodded in greeting. "Captain. I have come to realize that I have been somewhat lax in my own training since I have come to this hospitable palace. I would like to get in shape again."
Karl smiled. "I do have to say your shape leaves nothing to be desired." he said, the slightly sleazy note to his voice not lost on Viggo.
"I disagree." Viggo countered, giving Karl's bare muscled chest a long look of appreciation. "I have heard that you have been harassing your men with your eagerness to train, Captain. I would like to divert your eagerness from them to me. Will you oblige?"
"It will be an honor." again Karl bowed. "Though I suggest we move to a more private surrounding."
Viggo couldn't suppress a grin. "Afraid your men might witness your defeat?" he asked.
Karl shrugged. "More afraid they might witness their prince dirtied and beaten." he returned the playful banter, picking up his tunic, armor and weapons.
Together they left the training yard, moving to a small inner court near Viggo's quarters. There Viggo discarded his robe as well, facing Karl wearing only his pants and boots now.
Slowly Viggo withdrew his sword from it's sheath, weighing it in his hand. He hadn't had reason to draw it since he had been found by Karl in the desert. Beside his ring it was the only thing that remained in his possession from the time when he had been a Danish prince instead of an Arabian one. It did look very alien compared to the scimitar Karl held. But it felt just like it always had - like a natural extension of Viggo's arm.
Slowly they went through some simple moves together without actually engaging, just matching each other's moves. They quickly realized how much their fighting styles differed though. And Viggo also felt the weight of the weapon increase in his hands the longer he moved. He really was out of shape.
Finally they stood opposite each other again. Karl saluted him, calm, not even breathing hard while Viggo already felt his arms tire.
"Shall we see who wins this match?" Karl asked.
Viggo smiled. "I fear there is no question about that." he said ruefully. "Be gentle with me."
Karl grinned in answer, then attacked.
For quite a while the only sound in the small court were the clanking of steel on steel and the increasingly labored breathing of the two men.
Viggo fought with the will not to give in to his complaining body. They were of matched skill, that became obvious to both of them quickly, each being able to surprise the other with moves they were unfamiliar with.
The captain of the caliph's guard moves with the agility of a desert cat and Viggo promised himself, that not only would he train with the man more often but also that he would seek out the times when Karl trained with the other guards so he would be able to enjoy the spectacle of watching him fight when he did not have to concentrate on parrying his attacks.
Sweat was running down both the men's bodies and again Viggo felt a different kind of heat run through his veins as well. Karl exuded an exotic beauty that Viggo found nearly impossible to resist the longer their fight wore on.
Suddenly they were standing so close to each other that Viggo could actually feel the heat of the other man's body, their swords crossed between them, each fighting to gain the upper hand. They remained locked in that struggle, muscles aching but neither willing to give in.
With Karl's face so close that their noses nearly touched Viggo's attention inexorable was drawn to the other man's mouth, slightly opened in an attempt to claim more precious air. And with reckless abandon Viggo leaned forward that last inch and pressed his lips to Karl's.
This startled the captain so thoroughly that he not only lost the struggle but also his footing, stumbling backward, losing the grip on his sword as well as his balance.
Moments later they were both on the floor, Karl on his back, Viggo on top of him. There only was a second of doubt for Viggo, then he saw the raging fire of rising passion in Karl's eyes and Viggo leaned down to claim the other's mouth again.
This time his kiss was returned hungrily. Rational thought seemed to flee the court in a hurry, as eager hands explored hot sweaty flesh, tearing at the meager remains of their clothing. Pure want and need made a lengthy foreplay an impossibility.
A brief struggle ensued with the two warriors rolling across the floor wrestling for supremacy to determine who was going to take who, rank entirely forgotten in this primal moment.
Had Viggo been able to think clearly he would probably have lost this fight, but his body was in command and drew strength from an unknown source, allowing him to gain the upper hand.
Karl gave in with a deep moan, exposing his throat to the victor and eagerly spreading his legs for him. Hungrily licking and biting at the offered throat Viggo took only the absolutely necessary time to prepare his more than willing partner.
When Karl slapped his hands away and instead grabbed Viggo's ass pulling him closer with a feral growl, Viggo didn't hesitate any longer. He pushed into the other warrior in one long thrust, closing his eyes in bliss at the tight heat.
Both men gasped for breath, fingers digging into heated flesh hard, pleasure indistinguishable from pain. They started to move simultaneously, seeking to fan the consuming fire that seemed to run along every single nerve.
Their coupling could only be called frenzied, biting, scratching, pushing against each other as hard as they could in a race to gain completion. Karl was the first to scream his release, followed only moments later by Viggo who felt like the world was going black for a moment as he spend himself deep inside Karl's body.
Breathing hard, eyes still closed they remained locked in their fierce embrace, both trying to calm down enough to face what had just happened between them.
Their efforts were interrupted by a soft cough from the entrance of the small court.
Viggo and Karl practically jumped in opposite directions, each frantically trying to find some piece of clothing to cover themselves, belatedly realizing that they had pretty much ripped what they had been wearing.
"May I suggest you post a guard at the entrance when you undertake a training session next time." Ian's gentle voice broke through their confusion. "Or maybe retire to more secluded quarters?"
Viggo took another deep breath, calming his racing heartbeat. Then he glanced up at the slave master from where he was sitting naked on the ground.
"Sound advice as always, Master Ian." he replied, his voice shaking only slightly. He even managed a smile.
Ian in turn managed to turn his grin into a slight smirk. "Though I must admit it was a spectacular sight."
That comment made both Viggo and Karl blush crimson.
Ian continued unfazed. "Actually it is a nice coincidence that I find both of you here as I wanted to talk to you both anyway." he said. "My prince, there is an issue about those two slaves you have given into my care that is wish to discuss." he changed the subject elegantly.
Viggo fought hard to bend his thought into that direction but he wasn't quite able t ban all of the images of Karl still flitting through his head.
"The two boys make good progress, as I am sure Sean told you. I would like to give them a subject to train on. As you have better things to do I am suggesting Sean take on this duty. Both of the boys seem to somewhat like him. If Karl is willing to lend him to me for this task, that is." Ian explained.
Karl quickly nodded. "Of course. If it pleases my prince?"
All Viggo wanted to say was that he couldn't possibly be pleased more by Karl than he was right now, but he kept his mouth shut and just nodded.
"Good." Ian smiled. "I will expect Sean at the slave training ground tomorrow morning then." He looked first at Viggo then at Karl. "I will leave you now, I am sure you have much more 'work' to do." Then he turned and left the court, looking as dignified and aloof as ever.
Karl got up as well, picking up his tunic where he had put it before they had started training. "I'd better go too." he said without looking at Viggo.
Viggo got up quickly and grabbed Karl's arm, before he could even put on the tunic. "Karl... if this was not what you wanted please tell me now and it will never happen again. But don't just turn from me."
The captain of the caliph's guard looked up at Viggo in surprise. "My prince, I... this is what I wanted. Ever since I found you in the desert. But I... you shouldn't feel obliged..."
Viggo laughed freely, feeling like a weight had lifted from his heart. He pulled the slightly reluctant Karl into a tight hug. "I don't mind feeling obliged, my friend."
Slowly Karl relaxed into the embrace, then returned it. "Friends?" he asked.
Viggo pushed him a bit away to hold him at arm's length to be able to look into the other warrior's eyes. "Always."
If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Beryll
go to PART 29