Sandstorm (55 page)

It was only as he passed it, lying on the hard-packed dirt, that he realized the ribbon had come out of his hair. How he hadn't noticed, Kiah didn't know - but then he seldom noticed anything when he was riding.

Nor did he notice the men until he reached them, attention exclusively for his horse.

Three of them, all bare-chested. Unmistakable sign of the King's harem.

He really was an idiot, being knotted up over a king who had men like that at his fingertips.

According to the law, now that he was twenty one and formally presented to the court, Kiah was a full adult - but he suddenly felt still very much a kid.

Hiding with his horse when the real world was more than he could take.

"You ride horses like Nanda plays music," said the first man. His grin was the sort his mother liked to call troublesome - his dad always said that meant she really liked it, and that it was only trouble because she let them get away with stuff. His hair was short, and he had a more relaxed manner about him than the other two.

The second had shoulder length hair and skin not quite as dark as the first man's. He was…still, even as he too smiled at Kiah. "A fine horse. I think it puts some of the royal stock to shame. What's his name?"

Kiah realized belatedly, horrified, that he was still mounted. He scrambled off his horse and ducked his head in a belated bow. "His name is Summer Storm."

"You don't have to bow to these clowns," the third man said, laughing at their replies. He was exotic, nothing like the few foreigners Kiah had seen before. His skin was almost white, and his hair was like pale gold. Eyes the color of the sky.

Kiah looked away when he realized he was staring.

"Where did you learn to ride like that?"

"Um…my dad says he put me on a horse one day because he couldn't think of anything else to do that would keep me out of trouble."

All three men laughed, nudging and shoving each other as jokes and jeers flew between them.

Kiah felt ugly next to them. His hair was a mess, he was in older clothes so his mother wouldn't screech about him ruining his new stuff - and he'd abandoned his robe for just pants and undershirt.

Nine years he'd waited for this…meeting? Reunion? And so far all he'd gotten was ten minutes with his 'hero' and 'pretty hair', the realization that his worship had been a childhood crush and now it was an adult crush - and now it was being rubbed in his face just exactly why that crush was hopeless.

"I'm sorry," he managed. "Am I keeping you from the training ground?"

"Hah!" The middle man exclaimed. "I'd like to see Bey stay on a horse for more than five seconds."

"And you're a master horseman, my decadent monk? I'd say Witcher and Shah are the only ones that wouldn't embarrass themselves on one of those beasts." He motioned to the foreigner. "Any good with a horse, Witcher?" Bey grinned suddenly. "Or are you only good for m-" His words were drowned out by a grunt of pain as an elbow drove into his gut. "What was that for, Aik?"

Aik glared at him. "Behave."

"You're a fine one to talk."

"Both of you knock it off. I think you're scaring him." Witcher smiled kindly at Kiah. "They're always like this. You get used to it - or at least learn how to shut them up."

Bey grinned. "Are you going to shut me up now?"

"Not that way, I'm not."

"That's no fun."

Kiah wondered if he could just go. As amusing as they would be ordinarily, every word and gesture and look between them just reinforced that it wasn't something he'd ever have. It was, he realized bitterly, something of a relief that it had taken this long to realize what he wanted. Hadn't had enough time to get attached to the idea.

Though it certainly felt like he was attached to it.

"If you'll excuse me," he said quietly. "I need to take care of my horse." And he turned away before they could keep him there - assuming, of course, that they wanted to. Which, he had to admit, was wishful thinking.

Kiah hurried across the course, pausing only to retrieve his lost ribbon before he vanished into the stable and began to take care of Summer Storm. "Some idiot I am, huh Summer?"

Kiah asked, resting against his side. "How much dumber can I get?" Pushing away from his horse, Kiah left Summer to his dinner and steeled himself to go back to his rooms.

Where his parents would know he was upset and frown and mom would fuss - and as soon as they left the beatings would commence, because that was the only way his brother would finally shut up and stop teasing him. Which Kiah knew he was going to do.

He wondered how long he had to wait before they'd let him slink away home. There was just no way he could stay, even if the King gave him a place in the stables.

"You ride beautifully, Rakiah."

Kiah grinned. "Yeah! Night Dancer taught me! And dad."

Shahjahan laughed "They both taught you very well. I have soldiers that don't ride half that
well. I should have you come back when you're older and teach them." He smiled.

"I can come back?"

"Kiah," his father said in the Tone. "Your manners are terrible. Say thank you, don't ask for
more favors."

"Yes, sir." Kiah said, frowning at being yelled at. "Thank you, your Majesty."

"You're very welcome. You should come back when you're older, Rakiah. I would like to see
how much you improve."

Kiah grinned. "I'm going to be the best! Even better than everyone that comes to our dumb ol'

contest."

"Kiah!" The Tone again. Some of Kiah's smile faded as he realized he was going to get A
Talking To when they got back to the room.

An unfamiliar laugh kept his father from saying more, and Kiah stared at the pretty-haired
man. What was his name? Nan-nan-nan..da! Nandakumar! He'd made him laugh. Was that a
good thing?

"I think Nanda agrees with you, Rakiah. When you turn twenty-one you shall have to return
and show me how great you've become. If you want, I will give you a place here. How does
that sound?"

Kiah could only stare, until his father shook him hard by the shoulder and then he
remembered to say 'yes' and 'thank you' and 'your majesty' and go up and down a whole lot.

Just wait until he told brother this. Maybe he wouldn't even push him in the fountain now.

Kiah halted as he realized there was someone else in the stables. "You still ride quite beautifully, or so I am told. I hope Bey and the others did not scare you away. They were told to behave," Shahjahan said with a smile. "But Bey especially tends not to."

"M-Majesty." Kiah bowed his head. "I'm sorry - am I in the way? I didn't know you were going to be here."

Shahjahan's smile faded into concern. "Of course you're not in the way. I did say you had complete access to the palace. Has someone displeased you?"

"No, Majesty." Kiah looked up, confused. "I'm fine."

"Hmm…" Shahjahan said, and moved closer. "Yet even when you were presented, you seemed unhappy. Perhaps it's simply that you've grown quiet over the years." His smile returned. "I'm afraid my memory is of a rather talkative, colorful child."

"Colorful?" Kiah blinked at the adjective. "I think my mother would say you're being nice about it."

Shahjahan laughed. "So you have not grown quiet with adulthood."

"I guess not," Kiah said, and managed a genuine smile of his own. "Majesty," he thought to add belatedly.

Which only made Shahjahan laugh more. "So, my Rakiah. Are horses what you would like to have at my palace? Is there another post you would prefer? From all I have heard you would make a fine trainer. Your beauty there is fine indeed."

"Summer Storm?" Kiah asked. "He's my pride and joy. There's no better horse."

"I believe it." Shahjahan stepped closer, into his space, and Kiah wondered when the stables had gotten so small. "So what were you hoping to have when you returned to my palace, Rakiah?"

Kiah shook his head. "I hadn't thought past returning. I wasn't even sure you'd remember some idiot kid who couldn't shut up."

"Few children around the palace are as charming as you were, Rakiah."

He really wished Shahjahan would stop saying his name like that. Like it was…significant.

Special.

"If I were a less selfish man," Shahjahan said, and he reached out to touch Kiah's hair, brush it off his shoulder. "I would place you here, and see what magic you could work with my horses. But I'm afraid I'm rather more selfish than most realize, and so I was hoping to keep you for myself."

Kiah stared, feeling very much like he was a gawking twelve-year old kid. Except at twelve he would have had no idea what the King was implying. At twenty-one, he knew exactly and wasn't quite sure he could believe it.

"But I don't think your family would be too happy with me."

Thoughts of his family tricked a smile to his face, and Kiah rallied his flagging nerves. "My father will be mad to lose a good slave, but my mother will like the peace and quiet and I'm sure my brother will have to be dumped into the fountain again."

Shahjahan laughed and opened his arms, and Kiah found that stepping into them and leaning up to meet his King's kiss was far easier and possible than he had dared to hope.

"I think this is the first time we've had a private dinner since Kiah joined us," Nanda said thoughtfully as he knelt on a large, soft mat set out for him in the middle of the room. His hair, loosely bound, fanned out around and behind him. Wine was set nearby, and Nanda sipped at it before picking up his instrument and settling it in his lap.

Shah smiled as he settled back into the pile of cushions and pillows arranged for him on the long, wide rug that covered the majority of the floor. Stretched out along his side was Witcher, eyes closed as he relaxed, one arm stretched across Shah's chest. "I think it is, and long past time we had one. We've had more than enough court for a bit, especially Kiah I'd imagine. When was the last time we did this?"

"Far too long ago," Witcher said with a yawn, settling in closer, content to half-doze while the others played and talked. He smiled faintly as Shah teased his skin or played with his hair, but otherwise did not stir.

In the center, Nanda finished tuning his instrument and began to play a quiet, cheerful tune.

He kept his eyes open, trusting his fingers to play while he conversed with Shah on the events of the day.

On either side of a small table, Aik and Bey were drinking. Rather than sipping leisurely at wine, they drank a dark amber liquid, emptying the shallow drinking dishes in one swallow.

"Come, Kiah." Bey motioned him over. "Don't stand over there all night. Come play with us."

"Hmph." Nanda paused in a recounting of some incident to eye them disdainfully. He glanced at Kiah, expression a gentle warning. "Don't be as foolish as those two. It's far more amusing to watch them in their drunken stupor than to join them."

Bey made a face. "You're just mad because you can't hold your liquor."

"I would rather have my dignity," Nanda replied tartly.

Aik threw his head back and laughed. "You can't argue that, Bey."

"No," Bey said solemnly. Then he grinned and held out his dish. "But I can drink to it."

Chuckling, Aik complied and refilled it and his own. He motioned at Kiah, who remained at the edge of the rug. "Coming?"

"He's only been here two months, Aik." Witcher opened one eye. "Don't attempt to corrupt him too much yet."

Bey snorted. "So says the happily corrupted witch."

"Be quiet," Witcher said, but retreated, cheeks flushed.

Kiah laughed and finally moved to sit down in front of them.

Aik held his own dish, refilled, to Kiah's lips. "Drink quickly or you'll have a hard time breathing."

Though he did as instructed, Kiah still wound up doubled over, coughing and gasping for air.

Aik and Bey laughed as they helped him, and even Shah chuckled as Kiah slowly recovered.

Nanda rolled his eyes. "And here I thought he might be one of the intelligent ones." Beneath his fingers, a playful spring dance shifted to the sharper, shifting tones of a ship lost at sea.

"Never drink with a pirate."

"Or a monk," Witcher added.

Shah chuckled. "What does it mean, do you suppose, that a monk and a pirate get along so splendidly?"

"That someone needs to look more closely at what the monks do with their time?" Nanda posed as he shifted into a tune of his own composition, derived from the holy chants Aik occasionally recited in his morning prayers.

Aik and Bey laughed.

"Want to try again, colt?" Bey asked, offering his own dish.

Kiah hesitated, eyes still burning from his first try.

"Hmm…" Aik looked at Bey, expression sly. "Perhaps we should play…."

Bey grinned. "Winner gets to? Or loser has to?"

"Winner gets to, I think." Aik said after a moment. "There's no way he'd be brave enough for loser yet."

Kiah frowned. "Why do you say that?"

"Because," Shah said with a laugh. "The first thing they challenge the other to do involves aggravating Nanda in some way."

Nanda made a face at all of them and said nothing.

"Hmmm…" Kiah frowned. "I think I probably should have listened to Nanda." He grinned as the room erupted in laughter.

Aik and Bey exchanged another look. "Well, we'll play. You can watch and learn, and play next time."

"So loser has to?" Bey asked.

"Of course," Aik said calmly as he refilled their dishes. "But let's save Nanda for last this time, since that's 'the first thing we always do'."

"So what shall it be?"

Aik tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Loser has to…steal Witcher from Shah."

"Go ahead and try," Witcher said lazily.

"Mmm, a challenge."

Kiah laughed. "You sound like you want to lose. What does the winner get, whenever you finish?"

"The top," Bey and Aik said together, smirking at each other before they tossed back their drinks and began the game.