"Arabian Nights"
Part 75
by Mel
The Caliph’s birthday was as chaotic as the kittens
had predicted. Viggo had purposely kept them in the shadows, allowing only
Billy and Jared to serve him officially. Billy would be able to sense any
magic use and general discontent on those presented before him. Jared could
keep his head during unwanted advances and was surprisingly politicly savvy
enough to diffuse a tense situation with a few, well chosen words.
It left Elijah, Orlando and Dominic to deal directly with the servants as
they brought food too and from, with requests from dignitaries to see Viggo
and handling the multitude of gifts that seemed to swarm around the new Prince.
For a moment Orlando wished he could be cuddling at Viggo’s side like
he’d seen other Lord’s vapid consorts doing. But then he remembered
that being the perfect little slave was a revolting thought and would settle
quiet happily for making the older man laugh.
Eric and Sean had come and gone a few times. Though Eric seemed at ease, flirting
shamelessly with the three of them hidden in the wings only to turn and greet
someone quiet formally, Sean seemed a little green. Too many people Eric told
him. Elijah had taken him aside, murmured appropriately soothing words and
fed him tea, all the while glaring murderously at Eric.
Orlando thought Eric handled the glares quiet well, by ignoring them. Instead,
he told tales about the gifts the Caliph had received so far.
“An emissary from the east brought him yards of pure silk in any colour
you can imagine. The Caliph could have a different outfit for every day of
the year,” Eric’s eyes smiled as he talked. “With a different
turban to match.”
“We are busy,” Elijah stressed quietly, the line of his lips thin.
“Perhaps you could-“
“Oh my!” Whilst they were kept out of the way they still had a
clear view from the court yard into where Viggo was entertaining. Liv stood
at the door, looking beautiful, if a little harried. In her hands was a light,
gold chain, and sitting demurely at her feet was a lion cub.
Orlando had only seen lion cubs from the sidelines of processions, and mostly
in cages or with handlers and whips. He forgot his half finished tray, and
the dignity that Viggo was finishing with, dashing out towards the adorable
creature.
Its fur was on the darker shade of gold, brushed till it shone, with paws
that should have been too big for its little body and a tail that had a few
freckles at the tip. Blue eyes watched Orlando wearily as he fell to his knees
before it, making soft cooing noises.
“Can I touch it?”
Liv smiled despite herself. Run off her feet the last thing she had wanted
to do was deliver this gift to the Prince. Yet, with all hands already full
and she the only one pausing at the time, the duty had fallen to her. “Yes,
you can pet him, be gentle though. He’s said to be remarkably tame,
but he’s still a wild animal.”
“Does he have a name?” Dominic had ventured out behind Orlando,
intrigued despite himself. The dignitary left quietly, the Kitten’s
given a small reprieve from their duties to look at the small animal. Orlando
held his hand out slowly, letting the little creature sniff it delicately
then nudge his fingers for a pet.
“His name is Dave, the Caliph thought you would have more use for such
a gift,” the teasing light in her eyes drew a smile to Viggo’s
lips. He knew that the cub was really a gift to his Kittens as well as Liv
did. She passed the chain to Jared, the most reliable looking of the boys,
and took her leave, hoping to be able to find time to sit for a moment before
she was needed again.
The childhood friends shared a smile as Orlando carefully lifted the cub up,
rubbing noses with the docile little creature.
“Please tell me we have a few moments between people for just ourselves?”
Eric touched Viggo’s shoulder lightly. Another grin that reaches his
tired eyes, the touch lingered and reminded them both of more exciting things
they could be doing.
Elijah scowled his way even harder, making Eric withdraw his hand with a sigh.
Was there anyone in this room he could be friendly with without ruffling the
blue eyed boy’s feathers? Viggo looked confused for a moment but Jared
was bringing the lion cub to him for a pet, the rest of the kittens trailing
along behind, waiting for their turn to cuddle or pet it.
“There isn’t anyone else until after dinner,” Dominic sighed,
relaxing into the cushions. “You will both have to make an appearance,
but wont be required to stay for the whole meal. We made sure you only have
to see one Lord after dinner as well, you’re day tomorrow is already
quiet full.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to go home?” Eric teased both
Sean and Viggo with a smile. “You only have to marry a noble lady, produce
a few heirs, all the hunting you could want. Not the endless politics or death
threats. You and Sean could travel with me a bit-“
“Why would they want to go with you?”
Elijah stood, his hands balled into fists, glaring at the man beside the Prince.
Whispering poison ideas into his master’s ears. Into Sean’s ears.
“He’s only teasing, Lij,” Orlando whispered, reaching for
his friend’s hand.
“You come in here with your stories and you touch-“ my sean. Elijah
floundered slightly, trying to put it all into words. Trying to make it come
out. “Sprouting stupid ideas of leaving.”
He’s going to take Sean away.
“I hate the way-“
“Elijah!”
Sean rarely raised his voice, and certainly never to one of them. And never
to Elijah. His eyes narrowed a little, a bit angry, but mostly confused.
“Apologise to Eric. You should know better then to talk to anyone like
that. Especially my friend.”
There was silence as Elijah’s eyes widened, staring at Sean. Anguish
written all over his young face.
Eric moved to stand, but Elijah was already turning, running, tripping over
his own feet in a mad dash to make it out the door. Getting away. Eric shot
Sean a disapproving look but didn’t say anything. It wasn’t the
first time that Sean’s complete obliviousness had hurt someone.
“Let him have some time to himself,” Viggo said as Jared and Orlando
both made to go after him. “He’ll come home when he’s ready.”
Settling unhappily the boys turned their attention to the gift, playing with
the cub. Viggo snagged Billy’s attention.
“My Lord?” he asked softly, sitting on the other side.
“Is my new pet safe with them?”
There wasn’t any need to explain what he was really asking.
“As safe as any live animal is with them. I sense no magical enchantments
or curses on him. Other then being well trained, there’s nothing special
about this cub,” Billy smiled. “Well, unless you count its ability
to be hugged by Orlando and coming out unharmed.”
“Maybe I could ask him for some pointers,” Viggo said with a laugh.
“He has that affect on people doesn’t he?”
“It’s something special,” Eric added, “that he can
have this whole room in love, in lust and wanting to protect him without actually
realising it. It would be a fearsome asset if he ever noticed. Who is the
shadow in the doorway?”
“What is he doing here?” Viggo hissed standing.
“Karl!” Orlando was on his feet, a smile in his eyes as he noticed
the Captain in the doorway. Jared stiffened in fear, the reaction prompting
Dominic to move and he straightens up in response, moving so he’s slightly
in front of their teacher.
“Did the Caliph finally let you come and visit us?”
Sean moved to just behind Jared, one arm wrapped firmly around the young man’s
waist. Eric watches, fascinated, he hasn’t seen Viggo and Sean in such
a state for many years. He doesn’t have to think to hard on what this
man could have done to spark such a reaction. His own hand moves to his sword,
easily in arms reach out of habit.
“Karl?” Orlando looks up into the face of the man he grew up with.
“What’s wrong? Are you all right? Did something happen? You’re
so pale-“
“Get Out.”
There’s a slightly rough hand of Viggo’s on his shoulder and Orlando’s
alarmed by the venom in his voice. He looks around, at everyone huddled a
little around Jared, at the murderous fury in Viggo and Sean’s eyes.
The hand pulls him away from Karl and he looks at the Captain, at the way
he shakes. At the fear that eats away at the man that Orlando knows.
“You’re not welcome here.”
Viggo’s anger is barely contained. Orlando knew there was very little
that was keeping him from attacking Karl.
“What’s going on?” Orlando manages, “Karl, what’s
happened?” He doesn’t understand. Karl is his friend, weren’t
he and his Lord friend’s too?
“I,” Karl tries to speak, his voice strained, trembling.
“Leave here, now.”
“Karl?”
He turned quickly, leaving, Orlando watching for a moment before wrenching
himself from Viggo’s hold, making to go after him.
“Leave him, I wont have him hurting you too,” Viggo snarled.
“I don’t know what’s going on,” Orlando stared at
the Prince, “but Karl would never, ever, hurt me. Something’s
wrong with him, my lord, he’s scared of something. I can’t leave
him.”
“Orlando-“
“How can you just let him go when he’s hurt?” Orlando breathed,
staring in disbelief at the two men who were supposed to be Karl’s friend.
He had thought they loved him too.
“He forfeited all that when he hurt Jared.”
Orlando shook his head, staring when Jared nodded, looking from one to the
other. He knew he was oblivious, but to miss this, to not see this. Karl hurt
someone, someone like Jared, who was by far the nicest, sweetest person Orlando
knew. He didn’t want to think that this could be happening, but at the
seriousness that enveloped the room, he knew that it was. Karl had done something
unspeakable. But he also hadn’t told them why.
He took a deep breath, looking straight into Viggo’s eyes.
“There must be a reason. There must be something wrong. Because a moment
ago he was hurting so much he couldn’t breathe. And no one has asked
him what is wrong. I won’t leave him alone. You have to let me go to
him. It’s time someone looked after him for a change.”
Jared nodded. He needed to know too. That was enough for Viggo, if Jared was
alright with letting Orlando go after him, then Viggo had to be as well.
“Be… be careful.” Viggo managed. Orlando would go with or
without his permission. He only hoped that what Orlando said was true, that
Karl would not hurt him.
Orlando kissed him gently, running out the door, chasing Karl.
If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Mel
go to PART 76