"Arabian Nights"
Part 93
by Mel
When the first reports of the Prince missing buzzed past Karl's ears he admonished the servant for spreading vicious rumours. It wasn't long before the whispers grew loud enough to take Karl from the new men and towards the Prince's quarters. He was sure it was some sort of crazy misunderstanding, but it was one that Sean could clear up quickly.
The Prince's rooms were empty, surprisingly, for lunchtime. No kittens lounging around in the garden or in the courtyard. About to leave and continue his search elsewhere Karl paused at the archway when a raised voice sounded from the weapon's room.
Karl was a little shocked to see Sean right up in the face of one of the guards. The only thing that was stopping him from getting violent appeared to be Elijah and Jared having both grabbed at him.
"You must remember something else," Sean was shaking in an effort to control his temper. "How does a favoured Prince of the realm simply walk out of the city?"
"There was nothing wrong, sir," though the guard was a little rattled, he was holding up well against Sean's anger. "He took one of his own horses and left the city via the North road. Nothing was amiss in anyway."
"Thank you, you can return to your post," Karl stepped forward, the guard's gaze was thankful. He nodded quickly, a 'thank you Captain' on his lips as he made his way passed. "Will you two leave us alone for the moment?"
While Elijah looked a little unsure, Jared quickly ushered him on his way. With only a backward glance Karl and Sean were left alone.
"So it is true then." Sean looked ready to kill, the normally controlled warrior taunt and furious. Karl understood, even with the calming words to the guards and Kittens. Viggo missing was something that could rock the shaky internal political balance, everything Hugo had crafted over the course of his birthday could be lost. And what was worse news like this spread like wild fire. Within a couple of days the whole empire would know.
There was also Karl's own tormented feelings to take into account. The kidnapped Prince was not only his charge, but the man he hoped to mend a friendship with. To loose Viggo now, with so many things left unsaid, it was something Karl wasn't ready to accept. Not too mention how the kittens were dealing with it.
Sean didn't seem to be dealing with it much at all.
With a howl like some wounded animal Sean slammed his fist into the wall, rattling the weapon stand near by.
"You need to calm down and tell me what's happened." Karl took a step forward only to have Sean snarl at him.
"They've stolen them away. Eric and Viggo." He began running his shaky hands over his body. For a moment Karl wasn't sure what was going on, if Sean was having some sort fit, till he pulled a piece of paper from his back pocket, tossing it in Karl's direction. "My two best friend's, Captain," he used the title with as much contempt as he could muster, "and some madman has them."
Karl read the note with a terrible feeling sinking into his tummy. It was just the sort of action Viggo would have taken if it had been any of the people around him were taken. It was Sean it would affect the most, to loose both men in one instant. At the moment he was unreasonable, Karl could see it, he was close to breaking point. He'd had to get the Kitten's out but now that he had Karl was unsure what to do with this mess of a man.
"I've looked after him his whole life," Sean seemed to be talking to the wall more then Karl. "They called him my little Duckling. I watched him grow as a charge, then a friend and confidant. And Eric-" a pained expression passed across his face. "And now he has walked out on me AGAIN! Damn Viggo, how can you do this to me??"
Karl took a deep breath. He knew he should be off organising a search party, or finding where the Prince was, but right now Sean was a danger to himself. Right now he was about ready to run back into the desert with no plan, no help, to save the men he loved. And then Karl would loose him too.
"Sean, I know this is hard, but you have to calm down. You're no help to Viggo and Eric like this. You'll get yourself killed."
"You think I care?" Sean looked over from his wall, furious eyes taking in the Captain before him. "Anything could be happening to them now. They could be tortured, raped."
There were shadows in Sean's eyes, shadows he'd thought the Kittens and the Prince had chased away. Demons he'd seen before in a frighted moment, when Sean had woken from a nightmare, seen when Sean had come so close to breaking apart. But these demons were furious. They were ready to kill, or be killed. Sean obviously didn't care very much about what could happen to him in the process.
Karl would not let him go out now, not with this look in his eyes. Not when he was reckless enough to die.
"I'm leaving," Sean blindly grad a spear from the rack. "I have to get to them."
"You're not going anywhere," Karl stepped in his way, blocking the exit. If he raised a weapon against the other man now anything could happen. He had to hope that his empty hands would calm Sean more than any threat might. He had to keep his head or he would be one of the people Sean killed today. "You will wait till we can organise a search party. You don't even know where they are, Sean."
"Out of my way," Sean didn't bother with any sort of comradely. Karl suspected at the moment he was beyond all that. That even Elijah could have been standing before him right now and he wouldn't care. "I don't want to test this on you."
"And I am not moving, Sean," Karl took a step forward. It was reckless, but he needed to get through to Sean, needed him to calm down, then they could get to saving the Prince. "I'm not getting out of your way. I'm standing right here till you come to your senses."
Sean let loose a hollow laugh. "My senses have never left, Captain. They know exactly what needs to be done. Now you'd best move, this sharpened blade is meant for others."
It rested against his collarbone, the tip of the spear pressing just enough for Karl to feel the pinch. He didn't move though, and he held Sean's stare. He could see the demon's faltering as it clicked that Karl wasn't going to move. He growled but Karl refused to move an inch.
"Damn it Karl, move."
"I won't," another step forward. "We will save them Sean, I swear it, but we have to find where they are first. We have to plan this. You will have to wait just a little longer."
The demon's faltered further before the spear pressed harder against his neck. "They're hurting, they could be-"
"Dead." Sean flinched and Karl hated that he had to be harsh about this. "They could be, but you will be if you run off like this. And then who will be able to save them if you cant. Please just wait a little with me."
"I cant," Sean was breathing heavy, like he was fighting. Karl could see the fear and confusion warring in his face and he dearly wanted to curse Viggo for leaving Sean like this. He held his tongue, in case Allah was listening and decided to punish the Prince.
"You can," another step forward and the blade dropped away a little. "It's easy enough. We can find who sent the letter, the Caliph has many men who work with him who could find the information out. We can go save them together, and no on has to die."
"Someone will pay for this," Sean all but whispered. "Someone will pay for hurting them."
Karl reached out, silent agreement coursing through him. Sean stiffened when his gentle hands touched his arms before relaxing, resting his head against Karl's forehead. Karl ran his hands up his arms, feeling the tension still beneath the skin. He had to calm Sean down, he was still ready to fight, to kill anyone in his way.
Taking a chance he leant forward, brushing his lips against Sean's. He drew back slightly, before leaning back in. The touch was searching, in stark contrast to the last time Karl had kissed him. Karl wondered what he was looking for when a inquisitive hand brushed against the middle of his back. They mapped him through the cloth, Karl's traitorous body reacting, arching into the touch.
It wasn't like Karl had ever imagined his first time with Sean.
"Your back's sensitive," Sean murmured against his lips, Karl could only nod. Too many beatings had left their mark, the scar tissue sensitive against such a gentle touch. "Are you trying to distract me Captain?"
"I was," Karl liked the feel of Sean's lips against his as he spoke, "but I fear it's backfired and I am the one being distracted."
"No," Sean's hands trailed up his spine, flicking at the ends of his braided hair, "no, your methods are working just fine. Did you think much beyond this?"
"I wasn't really thinking at all," Karl licked at the lips, wondering if Sean would taste like this elsewhere.
"Perhaps you should start," Sean wrapped his fingers in Karl's hair, tugging, pulling his head backwards. "Or I could do the thinking for you."
Karl was practically ready to go along with whatever Sean wanted, especially when his lips found the cord of his neck, nipping and sucking at it. He arched against the touch, amazed at the change in Sean. Eric had been good for him, raised his confidence. Karl didn't know the man very well, but sent a prayer in his direction. Anyone who could bring Sean back out of his shell was well worth saving.
With that he heaved Karl off his feet, draping him over his shoulder like some savage. Karl couldn't help the breathless laugh that escaped, Sean's hand coming down on his arse.
"That'll be enough laughter out of you, Captain," Sean remarked, smack turning to a caress, dragging a moan from Karl. "I'm sure there are more interesting things you can be doing with your mouth once I get you in my bed."
Karl shivered, the promise in Sean's voice leaving him giddy. Viggo and Eric were important, and they would find them, they would save them. But first Sean needed this, needed something to wipe the demons from his eyes.
If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Mel
go to PART 94