by Stevie Woods
Waiting outside was a large wagon with four heavy horses in the traces. At the rear were two steps into the bed of the wagon, and it was with difficulty Hollis and I climbed them. Two guards accompanied us and Kano mounted the wide driver's seat. The driver flicked his whip, one identical to the one Kano used, and the horses set off.
* * * *
We drove slowly back through the city, though it was a different route than the one we had taken on the day we arrived in this benighted place. I knew Liander was concerned, but as I'd said, maybe this was for the best. At least we were together at last, literally chained hand and foot and if the opportunity arose, at least now we could take it. I tried my best not to think on how unlikely that would be.
We sat very close together in the bed of the wagon, the guards, one on each side of us, taking the narrow bench seats along the sides. Liander was staring upward.
"What are you doing?" I asked him, though the odds of keeping our conversation private were next to nil.
"Seeing if I can spot the citadel. Most of them are situated on high ground, making them difficult to attack," he said.
"That's true."
"I can't understand why we never saw anything before," he said.
"Probably because we had more important things on our minds," I suggested.
Liander didn't bother to answer.
While pretending to look straight ahead, or in fact straight behind as we were facing from where we had come, I was assessing the route and our surroundings. As we turned a corner into a wider thoroughfare, I was pleased to recognize some of the landmarks I had noted on our route from the docks. I was determined to keep its location firmly in mind so when we reached our destination I would know the direction we would need to take when--it had to be when; I could accept no other possibility--we escaped.
When the wagon came to a halt at yet another large set of gates, I was surprised at what I saw. If this was their citadel, it was no wonder we hadn't seen any sign of it before. It was set a little above the rest of the town, but not enough to stand out from other buildings climbing the hill toward the rear of it. Its position was not what I would have expected for my definition of a citadel. It was certainly a large, rambling building and once perhaps it might have owned the name citadel. The thought occurred the town had been built up to it. Now, though, it seemed little more than a tumbling down ruin, though the central area where the gate was situated looked in much better condition. Liander looked at me with a raised eyebrow, and I shrugged letting him see a grin, quickly hidden.
The large gates proved to be much thicker than any we'd seen before, but as we traveled through, it was obvious repairs were being made. The original lock was heavily rusted and beyond use. When the wagon rolled through the gate, we watched as a huge slab of wood, probably a squared off full tree trunk, was lowered into place using a block and pulley system to seal the gate. Below the wooden bar was a lock plate, which was also orange with rust. Everything I saw convinced me I was correct in my supposition that this place was ancient and had been abandoned for a long time. My interest was piqued as to why--and why it was being repaired now.
I turned my attention to our present predicament. We were inside a large courtyard area and again there were guards high up on the interior wall, each armed with a lienda. As I was studying the guards and the layout of the land from a military point of view, I could see Liander studying the architecture and the design of the place. Opposite the main entrance, across the huge courtyard was an impressive building, not dissimilar in size to the royal palace of Tesla. But this had thick walls full of arches along with high, narrow windows and a flat crenellated roof, definitely a much older style. I only got a quick glance, but I could've sworn I saw more guards up there.
The wagon took us across the courtyard and stopped outside a thick door inset into an archway to one side of the large central building. Nearby was a corral for animals and a kind of storage area full of wagons of various sizes and purposes.
Kano jumped down, the guards alighted and together they formed a loose semicircle around the exit from the wagon. Kano ordered us to disembark. We climbed down with difficulty, and I took hold of Liander's arm to assist him, more an act of mutual reassurance than that he actually needed the help.
Kano smiled at us and then--after we'd struggled to alight--the bastard ordered the guards to remove our ankle shackles. I would so love to meet that whoreson when I wasn't in chains.
Kano shoved open the door, and we were pushed inside to find ourselves in a thin passageway. Kano led the way, and we followed along behind, the guards constantly shoving us with thumps to our backs. We each gripped the chain in an effort to support one another as we stumbled along. I was fervently praying they wouldn't separate us into individual cells, even if that meant leaving us chained together. The passageway was not very well lit, but at least it stayed on level ground. I had feared the cells may be underground.
After a while, at regular intervals along the passage, I saw narrow doors, which I guessed were cells, but Kano kept leading us on. Eventually he turned right down another passage and finally he stopped and unlocked one of the skinny wooden doors and, to my relief, gave us both a hefty shove inside so we fell in a jumble of arms and legs on the hard packed earth floor. Kano gave a harsh laugh as he slammed and locked the cell door.
We looked at each other, and I saw the relief and joy break out on Liander's face. Before the laughter I could see bubbling up inside him broke out, I put a finger to his lips and mouthed, No. He frowned, and I cupped my ear and mouthed, Wait. He nodded and we listened carefully, and after a moment, we heard them moving away, Kano's voice clear as he told one of them to take up a position at the end of the passageway.
"Okay," I whispered, "but keep it quiet just in case. Any thoughts?"
"You mean besides carnal ones?" he asked huskily.
"Oh Lords, Liander." I closed my eyes, trying to shut out the image his words brought. "Not now, Liander, please. As much as I would like nothing better, I need to get us out of here, and I need your help." I opened my eyes and saw...a smile.
"I'm sorry," he said, not sounding the slightest bit repentant. The bastard was playing with me.
"Oh, you'll pay for that," I said smiling.
"I'd ask you how, but I think perhaps I should wait and see." Liander smiled, looking up at me from under his lashes, and I felt a rush of emotion for him. I wanted to hold him close.
He interrupted my pleasant thoughts as he continued, "Thoughts, you asked. First of all, this is much older than the city out there. Not sure what happened here, but I think the people living in the city are not the original inhabitants. I got no more than a glimpse of the outside, but it was huge, Hollis, and I think the walls are only about half the height they were. There's an indication of towers and did you see the construct at the end of the lead wall? And then there was..."
I let him wax lyrical and selected the important facts. It made a lot of sense that these people were scavengers who made a lifestyle out of robbery and violence, and perhaps later turned to stealing people to make into slaves.
I realized he'd stopped talking and I looked up to see him scowling at me.
"Ah, you're back with me. I knew you tuned me out sometimes, but I thought this time my observations might be important?" he complained.
"I was listening, most of the time. You make a lot of sense, as usual." I grinned. "They've obviously repaired the main parts they use and, at first glance, the cells seem pretty secure."
"Er, exactly what I was saying."
"Ah, okay." I shrugged. "We'll have to bide our time and see what they want from us. Watch and learn."
"Learn what though?"
"More about this place, in particular its relation to the docks and, hopefully, for me to come up with a plan to get us out of here."
"For us to come up with a plan. I'm going to be looking and thinking, too."
"We will likely get very little warning when our chance presents
itself."
Liander looked as if he was about to say something, but changed his mind. After a minute or so, gesturing at the only window in the cell, he asked, "Can you see out?"
"Come here," I said as I moved toward it. It wasn't very big and too high up to be of much help. Liander had to give me a leg up as it was a little too high for me to see out, but the chain being at full stretch made it difficult, and I only managed a quick look before I slipped down again.
"Couldn't see much," I muttered. "Mostly scrub land, a few trees in the distance and off to one side, the edge of the city. The city must branch off this way or something."
"I wonder what'll happen next," Liander mused.
"I imagine they're thinking up a way to demand a ransom for you. Rubbing their hands together at their great fortune."
"Ransom for us," Liander said.
"I'm not worth ransoming," I said, holding his gaze. I had thought about this during the journey here and I didn't want to voice it to Liander, but I didn't think I had the right to keep it from him either.
Liander looked at me, frowning, but he didn't say anything, for which I was very grateful. I had no wish to explain to my prince it made more sense for them to kill me and get rid of my nuisance value.
After a moment Liander said, "Hollis?"
I glanced at him and I could see the wheels turning; he was thinking again. Could be dangerous that, but I loved his imaginative mind as much as I loved his beautiful body. "Liander?" I responded.
"Seeing as all we can do is wait..." He looked at me from under his eyelashes again. He had to know what that did to me. "Would you like to kiss me?"
"Like to? I've wanted to kiss you for longer than you'll ever know." I put my free arm around his shoulders and pulled him to me. I'd wanted this for so long and although I'd never expected our first kiss to take place in a dungeon, I didn't care one bit. I finally got to feel his lips against mine. Warm, soft and welcoming.
Chapter 10
Oh Lords, it was like coming home. It was even better than my fantasies--the strength of Hollis' hand on my neck, his warm breath ghosting across my face, his lips so much softer than I expected, and, oh, the taste of him. He pulled me closer, if that was possible, pressing his lips firmly against mine as his tongue flicked out and licked my lower lip. I opened up to let him in and his tongue slid languorously along mine. I moaned deep in my throat at the sensations flicking fire along my nerves.
I put an arm around his waist, pulling him against me. My instinct was to rub my other hand over his chest, but with our wrists still chained, we ended up gripping each other's hands between us as we continued to kiss. I felt my cock lift and begin to fill as he moaned into my mouth. Then all at once he pulled away from me and looked at the locked door.
"Wha...what's wrong?" I asked, not believing for a moment it was anything to do with the kiss. I'd felt his...interest grow, too.
"They're coming," Hollis said, frustrated.
"Bad timing," I whispered. "Or not, because I wouldn't have liked them to walk in on us...later."
"You saying I have no control?" He grinned.
"Don't know, do you?" I asked brushing my hand over his cock still tenting his pants.
Bastard! Hollis mouthed as the door was unlocked.
We were bantering to cover our concern about what would happen next.
Kano ordered us out of the cell. The guard with him was carrying a lienda and he stood back as we passed. We had gone perhaps half the distance back the way we'd come in when Kano turned down a side passage. We hadn't gone far when the passageway widened out, the light increased and at the end we saw a staircase. We climbed up the steep steps to a door on which Kano knocked. The sound of a bolt being drawn was loud in the enclosed space and then the door was opened. Another guard stood there, stepping aside to allow Kano to lead us through. Behind us, the door was locked again, and we continued on.
It was clear we were in one of the better-repaired parts of the citadel. There were rugs on the stone flags and tapestries lining the walls. There was a fire roaring in a large fireplace at one end of the huge room. Kano just walked us across the room, though, and took us through yet another door, into another passageway. I was surprised I didn't feel more fear as I walked toward the unknown. Perhaps I was but fooling myself and I was so afraid my senses were paralyzed. I needed the reassurance only Hollis could give me, but when I glanced at Hollis, I saw his attention was on where we were going, gathering information as we moved. I took a deep breath; I had to be strong. It was what he would expect.
We turned down yet another corridor and I wanted to scream. Would this journey never end? We came to a pair of double doors and again Kano knocked, but this time he waited for the call to enter.
He pushed open the door and, taking a firmer grip on our chain, Kano tugged us inside. The door closed behind us, and this time the guard stayed on the other side of the door.
The room was large with high ceilings and thick, colorful rugs on the floor. Dominating the back wall was a row of three tall, narrow windows. I couldn't see what was beyond because they were draped with layers of fine busily patterned fabric, but the windows must be partially open as the drapes were billowing a little.
As I expected, Cor'lyn was in the room, but he wasn't alone. There was another man with him, seated in a high-backed chair lined with cushions. Cor'lyn was standing by the chair, and they were sharing a drink, some kind of alcohol I guessed judging by the slight flush on their cheeks. I got the distinct impression from his colorful attire and manner that the guest had some power in this place. It was confirmed when Cor'lyn gave the man a deferential nod before turning to Kano. At Cor'lyn's glance, Kano brought us forward to stand directly before the chair.
"Kano," Cor'lyn said softly, and immediately Kano unlocked and removed our chains.
I rubbed my wrists, glaring balefully at Cor'lyn and his companion.
"Welcome, Your Highness," the stranger said.
"And who might you be?"
Cor'lyn stepped forward. "Allow me to introduce High Councilor Briahm. Councilor, meet Prince Liander of Tesla."
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Highness." Briahm remained seated as he inclined his head in my direction.
"I hardly consider it a pleasure to be kidnapped and kept in chains, High Councilor," I responded. I knew enough about this society to understand Briahm held an important position, more or less equivalent with their prime minister. From what I understood, these people didn't have kings or royalty, having disposed of such institutions long ago.
"I assure you, if I'd known your identity, you would have been given better accommodations. I'm known for my hospitality."
"Still in chains, I imagine." I had no patience for this kind of conciliatory talk. His actions were in direct contrast to his words.
"There are chains and then there are chains, Your Highness." The man had the audacity to smile.
"Oh, drop the title, Briahm. You have no respect for me, and I find it insulting. I'd like to see you speak so dismissively of chains when you've worn them every day for as long as I have." I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I could feel Hollis bristling beside me and discussing our captivity with this man would avail us nothing. "And what brings the High Councilor to this small backwater? Here to buy slaves?"
"My presence here is no concern of yours," Briahm said sharply. Then he gave a small smile and added, "However, your presence here is certainly of interest to me. I have long wished to encounter a member of the ruling house of Tesla."
"And why would that be?" Hollis queried before I could respond. "You have plans?"
Briahm sat up straight in his chair, his eyes chips of ice. "You allow your attendant to interrupt his betters?"
"Hollis is not my attendant. He is my Guardian and there is none better!"
"Guardian?" Briahm shifted his gaze to Hollis.
I didn't like the way his eyes narrowed as he studied Hollis. Damn, I had said too much. I
cursed myself then for allowing my temper to control my tongue.
"That explains his skill," Cor'lyn commented. "One of the guides at the school thought Hollis should be teaching there."
"School? You dare to call that place a school?" I demanded. I stepped closer to Cor'lyn, my anger rising.
* * * *
I had to stop myself from stepping in front of Liander as he challenged Cor'lyn. I could sense something else was happening in this room and I needed to be prepared for when I would really need to protect my prince.
"What is your full name?" I was surprised Briahm was addressing me and I forced my attention back to him.
"Hollis," I responded.
"I said your full name," Briahm repeated, the self-satisfied smile crossing his face again. "Though, I think I already know it. You are Hollis Amin Destriore, yes?" He glanced at Cor'lyn. "This is even better than I could have hoped for. When you told me you had a prince of Tesla, I thought maybe the gods had given me a sign, but this...this is like a gift from the gods."
This was worse than I'd feared and I made myself look straight ahead. I wouldn't look at Liander because he would read too much in my eyes.
"I'm not sure I understand, High Councilor," Cor'lyn said.
"You should read more," Briahm retorted. "Hollis Amin Destriore is one of Tesla's most renowned generals. He led their army in defense of Tesla when the Bartisoris tried to invade five years ago--after he had almost single-handedly modernized their methods and weaponry. I read he had retired, but I had no idea he was acting as Guardian to one of their princes. And why only the third prince, General? Surely you merited the heir?"