WORRLGENHALL (89 page)

 
     “I want to enjoy my stay,” Aderac said pleasantly, “And not be bound by title and place. I am here to watch alongside Belon and want you be with me as you would any other visiting. I will see my cousin later.”

 
     Just as asked, all treated Aderac as any other visitor and that night in the king’s hall, the men all ate, drank hearty, and talked pleasantly about the upcoming vies and who they favored.

 
     When the hour became late, Aderac, who drank a little more than he should have while he talked and jested with all at the table, stood, and a little plied, he bobbled and slightly stumbled before using the table to balance himself.

 
     “Such dread to leave all the pleasantries,” he slurred, as the room spun making him open and close his eyes several times hoping to still the swaying tables and teetering chairs, “But, I am well tired and shall withdraw for the night.”

 
     Even though, he asked they treat him as any other, all quickly bowed their heads when he rose to leave the table.

 
     “I reason he is a little more than tired,” Belon stood and teased, then rushed over and grabbed his arm to help him walk, “I will see him off to bed and withdraw as well.”

 
     That morning when Belon got out of bed, it woke Aderac, and after he stretched, he sat up slightly to see what Belon was doing and immediately grabbed his head from a pounding headache.

 
     “Oooouuuuuu,” he said at first, followed by an, “Umm,” when he saw Belon across the room relieving himself, as he immediately forgot about his aching head, and now stared lustfully at his tight muscled perfectly shape rear.

 
     Belon turned, as his hum sounded throughout the chamber. “What was the umm for?”

 
     “It comes to me,” Aderac answered, groaning as he sat up more, “That we have not embraced once after we left Ivodgald. What of the promise you made to press me under you?

 
     “Well, such was my want when we came to bed,” Belon teased, “But someone in this chamber fell into a fast drunken sleep and it was not me.”

 
     “Is that so?” Aderac playfully questioned, not remembering anything after his fifth hearty cup of wine and ale, “Well, we shall have to take care of that at once and wildly.”

 
     As Belon stood across the room, Aderac looked at him from head to foot. His eyes marveling from how after all this time still no fat had gathered anywhere on his body, and all his muscles graced his form to work in complete harmony to do whatever task needed.

 
     “So wonderful is your body Belon,” Aderac’s praise, as he eyes gave him a lustful come-hither look, “And I so enjoy the look of how your hair flows gracefully down the center of your stomach to what pleasures me.”

 
     Once done, Belon began to walk towards him. “Stand for me, my want.”

 
     Excitedly, Aderac stood in bed, hoisting his shoulders back so his body would be straight to give Belon a perfect view.

 
     Pleased with what he saw, Belon lustfully quickened his steps.

 
     “So fit you have become and stayed and you keep your body smooth as I desire,” Belon complimented him, “And what is between your thighs is big and long. It makes me moan and pant with pleasure, as well as when in my mouth is a task to hold within when I drink from it.” 

 
     Whenever Belon spoke naughty Aderac turned red, and this was no exception.

 
     “Someone is turning another color.” Belon laughed knowing why.

 
     “That, I am,” Aderac freely admitted, as he laughed too, then fell backwards onto the bed before he opened his thighs wide and touched himself, “Now press me under you.”

 
     Happy to obey his order, Belon dived onto the bed making Aderac laugh when he did, then he hummed deep when Belon crawled up to him while between his legs.

 
     Looking up and handsomely smiling, as he made his way between his legs, when Belon kissed his scar as promised; Aderac dug his fingers into his scalp.

 
     “Thrust into me such that I can take no more,” Aderac’s begging plea, “And beg for mercy.”

 
     “You wish is my command,” Belon whispered, as he body now pressed him down.

 
     When it did, Aderac put his arms around him, placing one hand around Belon’s back and the other hand on his rear tightly gripping it, before his leg shared a space on it with his hand.

 
     “I want you, and will pleasure every part of your body.” Belon moaned into his ear; then stuck his tongue deep into it before nibbling on his earlobe.

 
     “Seize what is yours.”  Aderac hissed, as he felt the tip of Belon’s wet tongue in his ear. “Seize it. Seize it.”

 
     Just as Aderac hissed and spoke, horns sounded. Instinctively Belon’s head popped up. “Some who are strange come.”

 
     “How do you know?” Aderac asked, as his eyes suddenly opened when Belon stopped.

 
     “I know by the sound and length of the horns blown.”

 
     Right away, after he spoke, he rolled off Aderac and bounced out of bed.

 
     “Belon,” Aderac said, and rose curiously, “Where are you going?”

 
     “To see who comes.”

 
     From his words, Aderac leaped out of bed after him. “What do you mean?”

 
     “To see who comes,” Belon answered, while beginning to dress.

 
     “This is WorrlgenHall,” Aderac said, and grabbed his arm, “You are not first in command any longer.”

 
     Completely forgetting that, Belon stopped.

 
     “Such is true,” he admitted, “But now I want to know.”

 
     Like cold water suddenly splashed on his heated body, Aderac sat back down dazed, then looked at him.

 
     “You were about to pleasure me,” his reminding words.

 
     Hearing the disappointed sound in his tone, Belon turned to him and saw the disappointed look on his face.

 
     “I know and forgive me,” he said, as he quickly sat beside him, “It was my habit to rise.”

 
     Aderac touched his knee.

 
     “I understand.” He tried to sound unphased.

 
     Belon leaned towards him and began kissing him, but knowing him well, Aderac knew his mind was elsewhere.

 
     After they kissed, Aderac sighed and rolled his eyes playfully.

 
     “Silly you.” He knew, “Your head is on who comes not matter how hard you try for it not to be.”

 
     “Have I made you unhappy?” he asked, while giving him a sad puppy-dog face hoping that would keep him from being angry.

 
     “I shall be only if when you find out who comes,” Aderac answered lovingly, “We do not begin where we have stopped.”

 
     “We shall indeed,” Belon assured him.

 
     As he watched Belon dress, Aderac sat quietly; then moved back onto the bed to lie down.

 
     “What are you doing?”

 
     “Going back to bed,” he answered, wondering why he asked, but didn’t question him.

 
     “Dress, my sweet,” he said, as he kept dressing, “And get the answer with me.”

 
     Gleefully, Aderac sprang out of bed pleased; then playfully chided him while he rushed to his clothes. “So demanding is this man I love.”

 
      A
s
t
he others waited at the top of the battlement wall, Loth turned surprised when he saw Belon and Aderac climbing the stairs to look out with them; then when he looked at them oddly, Belon shrugged his shoulders.

 
      “It is still within me.”

 
      “Who comes without sending word?” Baric now asked, as he climbed the stairs with Ogorec right behind him.

 
      “We do not know, my king,” Laad answered, “But it shall soon be made known.”

 
      Only minutes after he finished his words, a messenger and two men rode close and handed a folded paper to one of the guards at the gate.

 
      “Word has reached the people of the Segorans, a tribe south of us,” Laad said aloud, after he came back with it, “Who want to vie for the gold.”

 
      “The vying is only for the two kingdoms asked,” Baric shouted down.

 
      After the guard relayed the information, the two who rode in with the messenger, spoke. “We ask that you meet with our leader, who is waiting just beyond the glen.”

 
      Laad and Baric looked at each other suspicious of his request.

 
      “You rode to me,” Baric said, “Have him ride in and I will meet with him in my court.”

 
      The two men nodded and signaled for the other to follow; then once they were father down the road, Baric turned to Laad.

 
      “Gather some guilds and have them to ride out to see just how many Segorans are gathered.”

 
      Laad only need nod to Loth who had already started down the stairs.

 
      As Loth went the other way down the wall to gather the guilds, Belon and Aderac followed the others to court.

 
      Once inside court, all waited quietly, but inside their minds flooded curious thoughts about this strange tribe from the south that journeyed to WorrlgenHall, and how they even knew about an upcoming private vie.

 
      When the horn blew announcing they had returned, Laad meet with them at the large wooden doors into WorrlgenHall, and although his demeanor wasn’t unwelcoming, let them know by his expression ; they came unannounced, which was not acceptable.

 
      “No weapons are allowed in the king’s court,” Laad said tersely, “You may have them again when your leave, should you leave.”

 
      Cautiously, three held out their arms for them to take them, but didn’t offer to remove them themselves.

 
      “Remove them,” Laad commanded one of the guards; then stood aside, “Follow the guard down the hallway to the large brown doors.”

 
      Their steps rhythmic, as each stayed in time with the other on the stone and wooden floors, all in court heard them coming, then after a pause the doors swung open and every eye fixed on the Segorans.

 
      The first they noticed. A tall-balled man whose skin aged by the sun looked leathery. His eyes squinted and overshadowed by his bushy blondish eyebrows. His forehead permanently furrowed from either age, worry, or both, and his mouth hidden by his moustache, all thought of him as odd looking.

 
      As they observed more, they noticed his left ear missing, and a huge scar down the same side of his head, and from it, all gathered he was a man of many battles.

 
      His body stout, it was spring, yet he wore furs and if they didn’t know better because he traveled from far south, would have believed he was connected in some way to the People of the Vells.

 
      With him two younger and brawny men who also wore furs, and the two resembling the first, other than their heads still adorned with hair, made them gather they were probably his sons or grandsons.

 
      All waiting for someone to speak first, when one of the younger men finally opened his mouth to speak, the older balled man raised his hand to silence him.

 
      “I am Arh from the Land of Hills,” he spoke with a thick accent, “We come to fight for the prize of gold.”

 
      Baric paused, before speaking. “Did your messenger give you my words?” he asked, trying to be as polite, “It is not for all. I have not heard of your tribe before this day.”

 
      Impetuously, Aderac spoke out. “How did you know there was to be one from so far away?”

 
      His attention now on Aderac, he answered. “Birds fly near and far and whispered it in my ear.”

 
      Baric frowned from his evasive answer. “Dare you insult?”

 
      “Just as you learn of things,” he simply replied, “Is the same for us.”

 
      Certain his tone and words were condescending, Baric now leaned forward.

 
      “This vie is open to only those asked. We know you have journeyed far. You may rest just beyond the glens, but before the sun sets be on your way.”

 
      As he looked around the court, all looked back at him waiting for his reaction.

 
      “We shall leave, but not without a riddle.”

 
      About to refuse to hear it, Belon’s curiosity got the best of him. “Speak it.”

 
      “What happens to what is made of sand when water rushes over it?”

 
      Knowing the answer, Baric now angrily looked at him. “You do indeed insult,” his sharp words, “Was it your will to journey so far to die?” 

 
      “I shall answer,” Arh said instead, “It is washed away until nothing of what it once was remains.”

 
      Baric’s body instantly sprang erect; and he shifted in his seat into a position as if ready to lunge at him at any second. “Your tongue is bold!”

 
      Both looked at the other with intent stares; until Loth walked into court and spoke to Laad, then Laad walked over to Baric and whispered into his ear.

 
      After nodding to Laad, Baric slightly calmed and continued speaking.

 
      “I offer you a riddle as well,” he now said calmly, “What happens when ice is crushed by a stone?”

 
      “Bold words in kind,” his reply knowing the answer, as well as the returned threat he gave him.

 
      “And meant to be,” Baric said callously, “Leave Worrlgen’s land with the men you rode with or have the answer shown to you at once.”

 
      “And should we tarry?” he challenged.

 
      “It is not Worrlgen that is the ice.”

 
      Unafraid, Arh looked at him defiantly, as Baric now stood and walked down the stairs and closer to him. Both men the same height, the younger looked right into the eyes of the older.

 
      “Whatever was your cause, it failed. I will not be baited by you,” Baric’s still calm, but stern words, “Find another kingdom to play your childish games with, this one refuses.”

 
      Arh stiffened and spat on the court floor, and when he did the sound of steel quickly pulling from sheaths echoed loudly throughout court, but Baric raised his hand and ordered them sheathed, then as Arh looked at all, he turned and stormed out with his sons or grandsons behind him.

 
      Incensed, Baric at once walked from court, hastily bypassing the quorum to go to his private chamber with Laad and Ogorec right behind him.

“
What do you reason?” Baric asked once inside, when he sat and leaned back in his chair.

“
Just as King Aderac spoke,” Laad answered, “How did they learn of it from so far away? Could it be that those from Celgon spoke of it and knew they would journey, and once denied be insulted?”

Baric nodded.
“Yet again, dare I reason treachery?”

“
What is your wish?”

Baric
’s temples began to spasm, as he stood. “In three days they will be with among us with their fake loyalty. When they come we shall soon know their intent.”

Surprised by the theatrics, still sitting in court, Aderac looked at Belon.
“What was that all about?”

 
     “I shall not be taken aback,” Belon shrewdly answered, “If I learn that those from Celgon are behind it.”

 
     Since still early, the quorum dispersed to gather again later in the morning if King Baric wished it, and as the court emptied, Loth still inside, turned to Belon and Aderac.

 
     “I am going to the gathering hall,” he casually said, “Laad and King Baric will, I gather, speak of this all morning.”

 
     Belon looked at Aderac, remembering his earlier promise.

 
     “It is early,” he said, and grinned at Aderac, “We must end a task we began when we woke.”

 
     Aderac’s face went flush. “Yes, and it is dire.”

 
     Loth looked at both oddly and suspected what was so dire, but kept his comments to himself.

 
     “Very well.” He nodded respectfully; then walked away.

 
     As both walked to back to the chamber, Rulgesic came walking down the main hallway.

 
     “Belon,” he called out when he saw him.

 
     His name called boldly loud, Belon turned and saw Rulgesic quickly walking towards him smiling; then once close bow his head to Aderac.

 
     “Please.” Aderac gave him leave, “I am just like any other while here.”

 
     “Old friend,” Belon greeted pleasantly.

 
     “You have yet to see my son.”

 
     “Son?” his questioning eyes showed his disbelief.

 
     “Well, if you journeyed here more,” Rulgesic teased, “You would know I wed and have a son, now come.”

 
     Belon looked at Aderac, before he agreed to go with him.

 
     “Go,” he granted, “I will wait for you.”

 
     “Are you sure?” Belon questioned, knowing how excited Aderac was as they walked back to the chamber.

 
     “Well sure.” Aderac nodded. “Go.”

 
     After touching his hand, Belon turned and went with Rulgesic. “And who is this woman foolish enough to wed you?”

 
     “Seda.”

 
     Again surprised to disbelief, Belon stopped. “How did that come to be?”

 
     “Ogorec and Laad, along with his wife Nona had a hand in it.”

 
     “Ah.” Belon nodded, well aware that they would have been relentless in trying to get the two together.”

 
     “So,” Rulgesic asked. His curiosity getting the best of him, “Never would I have reasoned you with…uh him.”

 
     “And why?”

 
     Rulgesic raised his eyebrow at Belon because he knew him quite well and reminded him of it.

 
     “I know you as well as I know the back of my hand,” he commented as they again walked, “And of your tastes, and old friend, you strayed far from it.”

 
     Belon only smiled to himself and offered not comment.

 
     “So,” he urged, “How did you two come about?”

 
     “Ha.” Belon could only laugh to himself, “Such a tale is to long a tale.”

 
     “Then shorten your tale.”

 
     Certain Rulgesic would not stop until he got some kind of answer, Belon decided to answer without answering.

 
     “Old friend,” he would only offer, “The love I once had for your brother, does it still come to mind.”

 
     “If I let it”

 
     “Your brother was my star that lined the sky, and I saw him as a wonder to have and hold. King Aderac became all the stars that lined the sky and became my wonder to have and hold, as well as love for life.”

 
     As they walked and talked, Rulgesic gave Belon a hearty pat on his back.

 
     “It comes to me of how we were when we rode the lands, and of the many women who so willingly offered themselves to us that we enjoyed. Far we have come from then to now. My love for Seda is like that of the stars as well. My heart cares to love no other.”

 
     “Have we become weak?” Belon teased, “And tamed.”