Dreams of Fire and Gods 2: Fire

by James Erich

  Fortunately Geilin stepped in before Koreh could come up with an angry retort. “Your Grace, if the Taaweh wanted to take over Harleh, I doubt they’d have to resort to anything so dubious as a claim to the title. And I don’t see what tactical advantage they would gain by taking the city out of Sael’s hands.”

  Worlen growled in frustration, but this appeared to calm him down slightly. “You’re right, of course, Master Geilin. But why else would they take him?”

  “I suspect our friend Koreh may know the answer to that,” Geilin replied. He looked at Koreh and quirked an eyebrow at him. “Am I right?”

  He knew the Taaweh’s plans almost as well as Koreh did, since Koreh had come to him begging for help, but clearly he wanted Koreh to elucidate.

  Koreh hadn’t wanted to discuss this with the vek, but he realized now that there would be no escaping it. “I was hoping to convince the Taaweh to let me go alone,” he confessed, “but they have a plan to rescue their… queen. It involves both me and Sael going into the mountains.”

  The Stronni would kill any men who ventured into the mountains, and from the expression of horror on the vek’s face, this wasn’t lost on him. Worlen’s eyes went wide as he exclaimed, “They’ve sent him to be some kind of sacrifice?”

  “No… Your Grace,” Koreh managed to choke out the title. “They wouldn’t have sent him without me. I think… it’s possible that they’ve taken him to explain what needs to be done.”

  “ What exactly needs to be done?” Worlen asked, enunciating every syllable sharply.

  “It’s my job to get us to the chasm. Sael will have to fly us up to… whatever you want to call it. It’s a stone building, the old Great Hall of the Stronni. Now it’s basically a tomb where they keep the Iinu Shavi—the queen of the Taaweh. Once inside, I’ll have to wake her.”

  How he was supposed to do that, Koreh still did not know. None of this was doing anything to appease the vek. He looked furious. “They’re sending two boys to risk their lives rescuing a corpse?”

  “No, Your Grace,” Koreh replied patiently. “She isn’t dead. She’s been held prisoner for a thousand years, and the Taaweh need her back.”

  “Then let them rescue her! They claim to be gods, don’t they? If they think this is so simple that a half-trained mage and a street urchin can pull it off, why haven’t they managed to do it themselves?”

  “Your Grace,” Geilin interjected, “the Taaweh appear to have a severe handicap that has made this impossible for them—they must remain in contact with the ground in order to function.”

  Worlen snorted contemptuously. “Some gods,” he muttered. Koreh seethed at the remark, but Geilin gave him a warning look and he held his tongue.

  “This is why the Iinu Shavi is suspended above the chasm in the first place,” the wizard continued. “The moment she comes into contact with the earth, she will become too powerful for the Stronni to contain. The Taaweh seem to believe that rescuing the Iinu Shavi is the key to bringing about a short end to the war between them and the Stronni. And ending the war quickly is the best hope we have of surviving it.”

  “Yes, yes, yes,” Worlen said impatiently. “But what do Sael and Koreh have to do with it? They can’t hope to survive a confrontation with the gods!”

  “No. But Koreh has been trained in Taaweh magic. And unlike the Taaweh, he can function inside the suspended hall. He simply needs a vönan, or even an apprentice vönan, to lift him up there.”

  “But whythem? They’re boys! It’s absurd.” Geilin apparently didn’t have an answer to that question. He looked to Koreh, but the young man shrugged. “I don’t know why they’ve chosen us,” Koreh said.

  He chose to ignore the vek’s constant insistence that he and Sael were merely “boys,” as if that made them incompetent. The man had forced Sael to take charge of the city, hadn’t he? Now he couldn’t be trusted to lift Koreh up over a canyon?

  “I know why they’ve chosen us,” Sael’s voice said, startling everybody in the room.

  They all turned as he stepped forward out of the darkest corner of the room, looking ethereal as the flickering light of one of the beeswax candles illuminated him.

  Perhaps only Koreh noticed it—the momentary expression of relief that passed across the vek’s face. It was gone almost instantly, replaced by the man’s usual air of condescension.

  “Sael,” Worlen said dryly. “How nice of you to still be alive.”

  “I’m alive and quite well, Father. Thank you.”

  “Have you been with the Taaweh?” Geilin prompted. Sael nodded. “They took me to see the Iinu Shaa. He showed me things….” Sael seemed to be unable to articulate just what he’d seen. He gave up trying and merely said, “If Harleh is to survive… and Worlen, as well… we have to attempt this.”

  Koreh stepped closer to him, fighting the urge to draw Sael into his arms. That would have to wait until Sael’s father was out of the room. “You said you knew why they’ve chosen us.”

  “Yes,” Sael replied. “Because we’re willing to die for this… and for each other.”

  Chapter 9

  SAELwas exhausted. The argument with his father had dragged on for what seemed like hours, and not even Koreh had taken Sael’s side. He was willing to undertake the rescue of the Iinu Shavi himself, but when it came to Sael accompanying him, Koreh had been just as stubborn as Sael’s father. He insisted there had to be some kind of alternative to putting Sael in danger. It was sweet, in a way, but tedious. Sael hated being treated like a child in need of protection.

  The only good point in the evening was when Koreh had informed him they could spend the night together. The Taaweh didn’t require him to return to Gyishya immediately. So after the older men were finally convinced to leave the argument for the morning, Sael at last found himself alone with his lover.

  He walked around the room, snuffing out candles until just the one on the bedstand remained lit. All the while, Koreh stood motionless, watching him with a sullen expression on his face.

  At last, Koreh said, “I could always refuse to do it. Then there would be no point in sending you.”

  And Harleh would be destroyed, along with Worlen. “We can talk about it in the morning,” Sael said diplomatically as he unknotted his belt. “Can you help me with my boots? I don’t want to wake my valet at this hour.”

  “You can’t get your own boots off?” “Fine,” Sael replied, his patience beginning to wear thin. “I’ll do it myself.”

  He sat down in one of the highbacked wooden chairs at his table and began to fight with the ridiculously elaborate buckles on the boots. After a moment, Koreh gave in and knelt to help him, saying with a dramatic sigh, “I suppose we’ll never get to bed if I don’t help. Why do you wear something this complicated?”

  “They’re for formal functions. I must have hundreds of different outfits now. Thank the gods my valet knows what’s what and I just put on what he tells me to.”

  Koreh frowned and Sael decided to change the subject. Koreh always seemed more annoyed than impressed with all the trappings of Sael’s new position.

  “Thank you for saving me from the assassin.” Koreh looked up from the buckle he was struggling with and gave him a shy smile. “I live to serve, Your Lordship.”

  “Oh you do, do you?” Sael asked, laughing. “I’m your humble servant.”

  “I’m sure you are.”

  Finishing with the last buckle, Koreh pulled on the boot. It resisted for a moment, but he pulled harder, with Sael bracing himself against the table until the boot slid off. Koreh fell back hard on his rump and tossed the boot aside in disgust. “Stupid thing!”

  They wrestled the second boot off, and then Koreh stood up and commanded Sael, “All right, now let me sit down and you can help me with my boots.”

  Sael stared at him in surprise for a moment—apart from his father, nobody gave Sael orders anymore—but then he stood up and allowed Koreh to sit. Sael knelt in front of him and began to unlace the cross-garte
rs on the simple peasant boots Koreh was wearing. It felt silly, considering how easily Koreh could have managed on his own.

  “We’re not going to start playing games about who’s in charge in this relationship, are we?” Sael asked.

  Koreh smiled down at him. “I won’t if you don’t.”

  “I’ll try to remember that.”

  After Koreh’s boots were off, Sael couldn’t resist reaching up underneath his robe and undoing the knot in the front of the simple loincloth Koreh wore. Koreh made no move to stop him, and when Sael began to pull the long strip of linen away, Koreh obliged him by lifting his buttocks off the chair. Sael removed the loincloth and then reached up under the robe again. This time, his hand encountered bare skin. He explored with his fingers, causing Koreh to lean back and close his eyes in pleasure, until he said in a ragged voice, “Let’s get out of our clothes and into bed.”

  Despite the late hour, they made love slowly and more than once. When at last they gave in to their exhaustion, Sael leaned out over the bedstand and snuffed the candle there. Both young men could see perfectly well in the dark, so they held each other, breathing softly and running their hands languidly over their sweaty skin.

  Koreh said, “There’s something… I don’t know if they told you.”

  “What?” “One of them told me that, if we try to rescue the Iinu Shavi… one of us will die.”

  Sael gazed into his eyes for a long time before responding. Finally, he said, “Nobody can predict the future.”

  “They can.”

  “No.” Sael shook his head slightly, as much as the pillow would allow. “I don’t believe it. They may see possibilities, but… I’m not going to die and I’m not going to let you die.”

  Koreh reached up to caress the side of Sael’s face. “I’m not afraid of dying. But I can’t lose you.”

  “You won’t.” Sael smiled. “We won’t. We’ll be fine.” KOREHwoke to find Sael sleeping in his arms for the first time in weeks, and he prayed they would be able to stay like this for another hour or two. But he should have known better. As he watched Sael’s beautiful sleeping face, fighting down the urge to brush his fingers along the soft lips because he didn’t want to wake him yet, there was a quiet knock on the door. Koreh remained silent, hoping whoever it was would go away, but a moment later the door opened and a man walked in carrying a small tray with tea, cream, and sugar on it.

  The servant looked young— probably about the same age as Koreh and Sael—and was dressed immaculately. Not a hair on his head seemed out of place; not a loose thread protruded from the seams of his clothing. Likewise, his features were well proportioned and utterly free of blemishes. Not strikingly handsome, perhaps, but certainly attractive, and Koreh found himself wondering if Sael had selected him in part because he was pleasant to look at.

  If the servant was uncomfortable at finding the dekan sleeping in someone’s arms, he gave no sign. He calmly placed the tray on the table and then turned to Koreh and bowed slightly.

  “I beg your pardon, sir, but His Lordship has been requested downstairs.”

  Sael stirred when the young man spoke. He blinked and looked first at Koreh before turning his head and seeking out the source of the voice. “Jekh?” Sael asked. “What is it?”

  Jekh bowed once more, lower this time, and said, “Good Morning, Your Lordship. I’m sorry to disturb you. But the vek has requested your presence.”

  “‘Demanded’ seems more likely.” “Yes, sir,” Jekh replied with only the merest hint of a smile. “There appears to be a serious matter that requires your attention.”

  “What serious matter?” Sael asked as he climbed naked out of the bed. It still amazed Koreh that someone so chronically shy in front of most people could walk around stark naked in front of his servants without a second thought. But then they were servants, not people.

  The valet moved to the wardrobe and selected a robe for Sael to put over himself. “The man who was captured last night appears to have escaped, sir.”

  “Escaped!” Koreh exclaimed, sitting up in the bed.

  “How?” Sael asked. Jekh held the robe while Sael slipped his arms into it. “I’m afraid I don’t know the details, Your Lordship. Apparently when someone checked on him this morning, his cell was empty.”

  “I assume a search is being conducted?”

  “Yes, milord. Shall I draw up a bath for you?” Sael shook his head. “There’s no time. Find something for me to wear, please.” He turned to look at Koreh, still watching from the bed. “Are you leaving right away?”

  “I have no idea,” Koreh responded. “I’m here until somebody comes to fetch me, I guess.”

  He was disappointed that Sael didn’t look pleased by this news. Not that he looked displeased, really. He just seemed distracted. Of course, he had good reason to be. Koreh himself was reaching out with his magical senses, touching upon the shadows in the keep, anxiously searching for any trace of the assassin. But he found nothing.

  Sael sat down at his dressing table and allowed Jekh to run a comb through his soft, pale hair. Koreh felt a brief surge of jealousy at the thought of this man having such an intimate relationship with Sael. He saw Sael naked, helped him dress, combed his hair. Did he help Sael bathe? How far didthat go, Koreh wondered?

  He did his best to push the thought out of his head and climbed out of bed. “Jekh,” Sael said, as the valet set the comb down on the table, “could you see if there’s something of mine that Koreh can wear? I don’t think the Taaweh robe is such a good idea in front of my father.”

  Koreh would have found that annoying, since he couldn’t care less about what the vek thought, but when both Sael and the valet turned to look at him, Sael seemed to notice for the first time that Koreh was naked—in front of Jekh. He glanced from Koreh to Jekh and back again and his face suddenly turned bright red. Jekh seemed not to notice, but Koreh found it amusing.

  “Master Koreh appears to be close to your size, Your Lordship. I’m sure most of your clothes will fit him.”

  “Nothing elaborate,” Sael said. “But something appropriate for breakfast.” He stood up. “Help me dress first. Father must be throwing a fit.”

  Jekh returned to the wardrobe, glancing over his shoulder at Koreh. “Would Sir like a robe?” he asked.

  It took Koreh a moment to realize the valet was referring to him. “Oh. Am I supposed to?”

  “Please!” Sael said, finally acknowledging his embarrassment with a small laugh. “I apologize for this situation, Jekh. It must be very embarrassing.”

  Jekh held up a robe and Koreh slipped his arms into it. “Not at all, Your Lordship,” Jekh said, as he cinched the robe at Koreh’s waist. “I really wasn’t thinking.”

  “It’s quite all right.” Koreh wasn’t certain what exactly was inappropriate about the situation or whether he’d done anything wrong, but he sat down on the end of the bed and waited while Jekh helped Sael dress.

  Chapter 10

  SAELknew he had only himself to blame for this morning’s… awkwardness. His valet had probably been embarrassed enough at finding Sael and Koreh in bed together. But for Koreh to then start wandering around the room naked in front of Jekh! Of course, Koreh knew nothing about dealing with servants. No doubt he assumed there was no difference between Jekh seeinghim naked and Jekh seeing Sael naked, though it was in fact enormously different. Jekh was Sael’s valet and paid to be so. Koreh walking around like that in front of Jekh… well, it had seemed so sexual!

  I should have insisted that Jekh bring us both robes before either of us got out of bed, Sael thought. Next time he would.

  “What happened to that cranky old man?” Koreh asked as they were walking downstairs.

  Sael had to think for a moment to recall who might fit that description. “Which ‘cranky old man’?” he finally asked when he drew a blank.

  “The one who kept walking in on us in the morning the last time I was here.” Sael laughed. “Oh. You mean Diven? He’s around the c
astle somewhere. Why?”

  Koreh seemed to be mulling something over. “I thought he was your… dresser.”

  “My valet? No. He’s the head butler. He was just watching out for me for a short time when I arrived. But he has plenty of other duties to attend to.” Sael stopped walking and looked Koreh directly in the eye. “Why are you asking about him?”

  Koreh glanced quickly at the two guards trailing behind them, as if he didn’t want to speak in their presence, so Sael motioned for them to hold their position while he took Koreh’s arm and pulled him a little farther down the corridor.

  “What’s this about?” Koreh looked uncomfortable. “Nothing. I was just wondering why you had a new guy dressing you.”

  “I needed a full-time valet. That’s why.” Koreh was closed off in that way Sael hated—the same way he was once closed off when he came back from loading carts all day in the courtyard. It meant he was angry about something but he didn’t want to come out and say it.

  “What’s the matter?” Sael asked him.

  “Nothing. Jekh seems… fine. Competent.” Suddenly Sael understood. Koreh was feeling the same thing Sael had felt when he saw Koreh standing naked in front of Jekh—jealousy. He knew it probably wasn’t wise, but he couldn’t resist a slight smile. “He’s goodlooking, isn’t he?”

  “I suppose.”

  “And he sees me naked pretty much every day.” Koreh didn’t respond to that, but his mouth was closed so tightly that his lips were almost white.

  “He’s just my valet, Koreh,” Sael said reasonably. “He doesn’t sleep with me; he doesn’t touch me when I’m bathing. He’s just a servant.”

  Koreh looked as though he wanted to say something, but he glanced at the guards standing nearby and pulled away from Sael. “Fine.”