Second Born

by Lance Wilson

  Attonnan’s mind races, how could this be, why would he want to speak with him, had he done something wrong. He only nods and walks over to where Lord Fuma had gestured. It is not far from his right hand and next to master Iyasu

  “My commander here tells me that you have bested ten of his students, and were not even touched by them, is this true” Lord Fuma asks calmly but already knows the answer.

  This is perfect, he was sure after the raid on the Unagi that Attonnan was a better fighter then most. But to learn that he had bested ten of the finest students in the entire Hojo clan. This was more then he could have dreamed. He will make Attonnan his lap dog, much like the way he has tamed these wolves, and then when he is finished, he will be sure that Attonnan will be the finest swordsman this part of the elf lands have ever seen.

  “It was only a training spar sir” Attonnan says calmly and turns a bit red

  “Yes well, my students do not hold back. So training or not, he still bested them” master Iyasu says and smiles at Attonnan.

  “So he did best them.” Lord Fuma says a smile coming across his lips. Please let this be true, he has been looking for a swordsman, at least, since Kenshi had left his services.

  “Well yes, not in record time, but untouched, so I’m sure time means little to you when compared to that” Master Iyasu says and Attonnan watches as Fuma only nods.

  “I have work for you Attonnan, first I would like you to join me at a party I will be going to. It is the western coast so there will be traveling. But other then that, I had another proposition for you” Fuma says and watches as Attonnan’s eyes go to Lady Elana. There is fear and hate in his eyes as he looks at her.

  “Is there a problem Attonnan?” Fuma asks calmly smiles, he can’t say he enjoys seeing the fear in his eyes, but the hate shows promise.

  “Why is she here” Attonnan asks his eyes never leaving Lady Elana

  “She has a rather large part to play in my next proposition. I would like to make you a Hojo elite, to do that you must go through certain training. Training only the ebony hand can provide” Lord Fuma says and watches as Attonnan’s head snaps to stare at him.

  “What” he asks fear running though him his heart feels like it stopped for a moment. How could this be, the ebony hand are only skilled in torture. What kind of training could they provide?

  “Yes, well you see a Hojo elite must be able to endure quite a lot of pain” Lord Fuma says and watches as fear drifts over Attonnan. The wolves smell it and begin to growl again.

  “But, but Lord Fuma” Attonnan says, his voice soft and weak, a helpless and lost child again

  “You must trust me Attonnan” Fuma says and walks over to him laying his hand on Attonnan’s shoulder

  “I… . I trust you.” Attonnan says his mind reeling.

  Fuma wouldn’t hurt him. Wouldn’t make him go through this for nothing.

  “We shall start tomorrow” Fuma says and lowers his head with a smile. Attonnan cannot help himself but steps closer to Fuma tell he is pressed against him.

  Fuma looks up with smile on his face; Lady Elana and master Iyasu smile back at him. They have seen him work before and this is going just as all the others have. Attonnan trusts him completely.

  “Attonnan, it is late in the afternoon. Dinner will be in the works by now. You should get ready” Fuma says gently pushing him back so that he can look Attonnan in the eyes.

  Attonnan’s eyes are still the bright simmering blue, a fire still sparkling in them. But now they are rimmed with tears. But there is a smile on his face nonetheless.

  “Get ready, what do you mean” Attonnan asks calmly his mind still drifting to the idea of Elana taking control of his training.

  “Lord Iyasu, summon the page again. I would like him to send my young apprentice to the bathhouse” Fuma says with a smile on his face

  Yes the bathhouse. It will be perfect for Attonnan. He will make sure that Attonnan is bathed in hot water and lavished with attention, but not too much. There is no need far anything intimate, he is not quite old enough for that yet. Then, then he will have Attonnan rubbed down with scented oils. He knows that the more attention that he makes sure Attonnan receives then the more he will fall into the trap set for him. Attonnan will trust him with every fiber of his being and never question him. The training will also help with that. Elena will of course do her job and see to it that he is ready for pain, and every night when she is finished with him, he shall go to Attonnan, lavish attention and care upon him. Attonnan will see him as a father, a savior, this is how this works. By the time all these thoughts run through his head there is a young page standing before him. A bright smile on his face

  “Your name page” Fuma asks as the young man drops to his knees places his hands and forehead on the ground in a bow.

  “I am Aang, page of the first rite.” The young boy says never moving, keeping his forehead to the ground.

  “Aang, I want you to take young Attonnan to the baths, when you get there, tell the old woman these words. 2, water, oil, nothing more. Do you understand” Fuma says smiling at the young boy. He is too young to know the code of the baths.

  “Yes” Aang says a bit confused at the words but nods nonetheless

  “Repeat them for me please” Fuma says making sure that everything is done properly, if the code is wrong, then Attonnan might get more then he bargained for.

  “2, water, oil” he says calmly but Fuma shakes his head

  “Not quite, 2, water, oil, nothing more. Repeat it again” Fuma says a bit displeased but he can see the mistake easy enough. He just didn’t realize that the words nothing more were part of the orders

  “2, water oil, nothing more” Aang repeats calmly, making sure to get it right

  “Perfect young Aang. Now go. Your services here speak highly for your master’s teachings and your discipline. You make the Hojo proud” Fuma says and watches that with those words young Aang’s eyes light up like a hundred suns. There is a glow with him now.

  Aang only nods and walks over to Attonnan. Attonnan only looks over and smiles to Aang. Oddly as they look into each other’s eyes there is an odd understanding, an odd resemblance between them. They would do anything for Fuma, he is there Lord but it seems to have a deeper bond to it. With a bow to each other they walk out of the thrown room

  The two of them walk for some time down the halls and past the people. Aang keeps his head forward not really paying any attention to what is going on around him. Attonnan however is still in awe of the place and his head moves about as he tries to take in as much about this place as he can. Soon the two of them get to a basic door that has been painted red; on the door is the outline of a serpent in black. Aang himself has never been past this door. The pages baths are a bit beyond this, only once you reach a full student, or an apprentice to a master are you allowed in these baths, he has asked some of his older friends what goes on that is so different but all they seem to do is blush and chuckle to him. Slowly he opens the door taking a deep breath. As soon as Aang walks in he is stopped. An older woman with long gray hair and a face that shows of age, but at the same time an odd delicate beauty to it. Her hair is pulled up into a bun and her face is perfectly covered with makeup. She has light green eyes and she is dressed in a long silk green robe with some red embroidery on it. The edging is red as well and the robe is tied closed with a red sash. She smiles at Aang as she places a hand on his shoulder. If she could count all the young pages that have tried to get into these baths during her stay here, well it would mean that she had a lot of free time.

  “Judging by your clothing dear boy you are only a page, and you are not welcome beyond that door.” The old woman says sternly, but without anger.

  Aang only blushes, what she must think of him going where he is not welcome.

  “Sorry mistress, but I am not here for myself
, I know the baths for the pages is just down the hall two more doors. Lord Fuma sent me here for his apprentice. This is young Lord Attonnan” Aang says and steps aside so that she can see Attonnan.

  Attonnan only stands there taking deep breaths. The room is not quite like some of the others. There are large black pillars and all over are sashes and banners of silk, the room has a kind of sent of some kind of flower, he can’t say what kind though. The woman smiles over at him, he is a fine example of young elfhood. He has a thin but muscular build. His long raven black hair seems well taken care of, but what attracts her attention the most is his eyes. They are a royal blue color, but it is the fire in them that draws her, not the color.

  “You are not from around here are you young master Attonnan” she says looking him over. Looking at him, she over looks all the things that she sees before her, the pale skin, the black hair, and the eyes. It is the lack of the Hojo markings. It is not something in the skin, the face or any of that; it is something more in the spirit of the man. Something more.

  “I. I was a young prince of the Unagi clan, before.” but Attonnan cannot bring himself to finish the sentence. He barely remembers the attack, it seems his mind through the day has been slowly pushing it out of him, making him forget things, things that don’t matter anymore, things he doesn’t want to remember.

  “Enough of that. What did you want for your bath” she says and gently lays her hand on his shoulder

  “What, what did you mean” Attonnan says now turning a bit flushed, his brother had told him of baths like this, and how they would be treated, he said that since he had never been to one that it could only be what he had heard himself. But he was told that they would be given women, and that they would do anything that he or his brother asked.

  “Mistress, actually the orders were simple. 2, water, oil, nothing more” Aang says his eyes glowing with pride as he repeats the orders given to him by Fuma.

  “Oh… well that simplifies things here, Attonnan, this young woman will lead you to bath 3. Wait there please” she says calmly and smiles at him.

  Nervously Attonnan nodded and looked around. What was he to do now? The old woman could see the shock on his face. This explains why he was only to be bathed. He might be of age to be with a woman but he is hardly ready.

  “Down the hall third door. Go on now” she says and then looks over at Aang, Aang only nods and turns to walk away. Attonnan watches as they Aang walks out of the room but then is quickly distracted he feels something tug at his sleeve. He looks down and finds that it is a small girl dressed in a high collar dress with full sleeves.

  “Are you Attonnan?” She asks calmly smiling at him and then blushing she remembers to bow.

  The old woman only chuckles and shakes her head. She is young and will learn everything she needs to in time. For now a few mistakes are expected.

  “Why yes I am. And what is your name” Attonnan says getting on one knee. She reminds him of his little sister Maeraer when she was little.

  “I am Toph, please follow me,” she says then with a quick spin she starts to walk off. Attonnan quickly follows tell he is led to a door.

  “In here please” she says and opens the door.

  Attonnan only takes a deep breath and then with a nod he walks in. the bathhouse is like all the other rooms and everything is made of a glossy black stone. In the middle of the room is the bath, it is sunk into the floor and looks big enough to fit a good four or five people with ease. It is already filled with clear hot water that steams. On either side of the bath are small tables and on them are small glass bottles filled with kinds of liquids. Attonnan can feel his heart begin to pound and his knees begin to shake a bit. Attonnan only takes a deep breath and begin so undo his sash.

  “Now now. That is our job my young apprentice” a woman’s voice says from behind.

  Attonnan turns to find two women about his age and a half standing there. They are dressed in outfits never before seen by him. Only a thin black cloth covers there breasts and a then a long loin cloth held to them with a thin golden chain for a belt. The loincloth hangs all the way past the knees. Both are elves and like everyone else in this place they have grayish skin, but there is a kind of glow to it with them. Attonnan’s eyes can’t help but roam over their bodies, the succulent curves of there body, the way there hair hangs gently over there shoulder and falls just at the breasts. His blood begins to rush as they walk to him.

  “I” Attonnan begins but is stopped as the woman on the left gently places a finger on his lips.

  “We are your bathers. Please allow us.” The other says and slowly her hands make there way to his sash. Her hands work his sash and before he knows it the sash is undone and she smiles to hear him gasp.

  The other moves behind him and from there unfolds his shirt then gently places it on one of the hooks on the wall. Then, the woman in front gently sits him down on a bench and removes his shoes. Both of them smile and look over him. He is smaller framed but his muscular physique more then makes up for it. Both of them can see his chest rise and fall in rapid succession. Slowly they guide him into standing again, the pants fall without any persuasion. Attonnan feels this and instantly turns a bright red. The female in front of him only chuckles and leans in kissing his neck.

  “Do not shy away.” She says in a deep seductive voice.

  The other gently takes his hand and starts to lead him to the bath. The first of the females steps on the crotch of the pants so that as he steps forward they do not follow and trip him up. Attonnan’s mind goes blank he can’t think of anything, all he can do is react to what they want him to do. The woman leading him sees the blank look on his face and his skin turning the most precious shade of red and only chuckles. She has seen this too many times. Even the fiercest warrior started out not much different then this. Slowly she leads him into the bath step by step following him in. normally they would strip down to nothing with him, the orders were to give him only a bath and then massage him down with oils after. So they will do only that. Normally they would do a bit more, but those were not the orders and seeing him in front of her now as they walk deeper into the large steaming tub, she can see why. He is within the age, but still so much a child. She is almost sure that if she did try anything the poor boy might faint. Once they are in the middle of the tub she walks him to an edge where he can sit lean against the edge and relaxed. Attonnan now only a puppet for them does just that. The second woman soon joins here with a small crystal bottle with some kind of bright blue liquid in it.

  “So how is the young one” she asks her counter part smiling

  “Petrified” she says chuckling as she lets her fingers gently run though Attonnan’s hair.

  “I think we can help with that” she says and then gently walks over to him.

  The hot water reaches just past her belly button. She smiles to see him watching the both of them, a look of both shock and, surprisingly enough, hunger in his eyes. The first woman gently dips her hand in the water then dribbles a bit of the liquid on them. She then gently places her hands on his chest and begins to rub him down. She feels his muscles relax and watches as he closes his eyes. The second woman reaches over past his head and then grips a large pitcher. She dips the pitcher into the water and then slowly let’s the water pours over his head soaking his hair. Attonnan is completely at there mercy. The soap that she is rubbing his chest and now arms with is giving off a kind of flowered scent. He can’t name the flower and it isn’t one he has smelled before but for some reason just the scent of it is putting him in an extremely relaxed state. He hears the other woman grab a crystal bottle; this one has a kind of milky white substance. He feels her pour just a bit into his hair, he can feel it’s cold slickness pour over his scalp. Gently she moves her fingers over his scalp working the liquid into his scalp. This liquid gives off a different scent, a scent of milk and honey. Mixing with the sc
ent of the flowers he begins to almost nod off, the heat of the water relaxing his muscles, the women working them gently as if they know just what his body needs, and the scents of the liquids calming his mind. With the help of her counter part the women gently lift him up so that he is now sitting on the edge. The one washing his hair keeps behind him. To make sure he stays in a sitting position. The one in front pours some more of the blue liquid in her hands and begins to wash his legs and feet. As soon as she hits his feet Attonnan gives out a long low groan of pleasure. The women only chuckle and trade glances. She keeps working the feet massaging them making him groan even more. With a sly smile she moves her way up his leg, to his thigh and then, then to his most intimate of places. Attonnan’s eyes flash as he feels her soft and gentle hands move over his manhood. He gulps a bit then gasps as her hands glide over him.

  “Remember a bath, nothing more.” The woman washing his hair says smiling at her counter part.

  “I know, but he must be cleaned. And besides, he might be enjoying it but he is far from aroused” she says gently holding Attonnan’s manhood out so the other can see, it is not fully erect and she has already finished.

  The other nods she had faith enough in her partner but just had to make sure they were following orders. Sure Attonnan might want them to go further but they were told that they couldn’t and so they won’t. Only a fool disobeys Fuma. The second woman reaches for the pitcher again and again fills it with the water. Then with her counter part she gently lifts him so he is sitting back down in the tub. Once he is sitting in the tub she pours the water over his head washing away the soap making sure that the water flows away from his face. She repeats this a few more times. Making sure to get it all out. Then gently the two of them sink into the water with him and then just lean against him enjoying the hot water. Attonnan is in heaven.

  They sit there for a good fifteen maybe twenty minutes before the woman get up and the second of them walks over and strokes his cheek.