Special thanks to Tav for beta’ing. =)
Dedicated to the Yaoi_Arslan ML.
My Lovely Artist
Chapter 1
It was shortly after midday; the jolting three-day ride on his weary horse was coming to an end. He was thanking every deity that ever graced man's tongue for that as the last village came into view.
They had decided earlier that on their return trip they would stop here and make themselves presentable before heading to the Palace. There was nothing pressing to report, so the luxury of a bath and a few tankards was affordable. By nightfall they would both be sleeping in their own comfortable beds after months spent chasing renegade Lithunain soldiers across the border.
"Must be market day," Quishward mumbled, his normally booming confidant voice dry as husk, as they veered away from the village square to avoid the mass pileup of Noblemen, peasants and hustling servants.
"Must be."
Reining in his horse at the village stable, Daryun slowly dismounted as a stable boy came running. Every muscle in his thigh ached. Surely he wasn't getting old already, he thought. He tried to mask the stiffening discomfort he felt and failed miserably.
"Brush them down and feed. Make sure they get plenty of fresh water." The stableboy silently nodded at Daryun's request as he took their horses in hand.
"Isn't that Lord Narsus' mount?" Quishward inquired, staring over Daryun’s shoulder.
Glancing over, Daryun followed Quishward's gaze into the stable in search of the familiar beige stallion that had served Narsus since the beginning of the war. "Yes it is."
A low contemplative "hmm" was all Daryun caught as he turned towards the inn. Perhaps they'd find his reclusive friend there. The two men headed towards the crowded inn.
"You know, Daryun, I have been thinking. Our enemies know of the gigantic role Narsus played in winning this war."
"True, he was legendary even before this war when his tactics won a battle for King Arislan’s father.."
Quishward nodded at Daryun's statement, his lips pursed in thought. They were silent by the time they entered the inn and made their way to a corner table.
"If you wanted to weaken a country what would be the first thing you'd do?" Quishward seemed determined to talk about something relating to Narsus' well being.
"Well..." Daryun thought a moment. "I would think I would make a go for the highest ranking officials next to the King. Usually they are not as well guarded. And I cheat when I say it because Narsus has used the exact same tactic."
"Exactly." Quishward gave Daryun a knowing look. "When Narsus is out he never has a guard. Maybe his servant Elam but what can a boy do if his Master is being attacked from all sides?"
"I have broached the subject with him but he just shrugs me off saying he knows how to take care of himself." My opinion seems never to matter to him, Daryun bit off.
"Well regardless of what Lord Narsus thinks, I believe, my friend, that Lord Narsus should not be running around outside the castle walls without an escort."
Daryun was already well aware of the reception such a suggestion would have with their freespirited Advisor. Indeed, Daryun thought, Narsus would be whole-heartedly against any such tactic, preferring his freedom. But if anybody could make Narsus do something it was Arislan. After all it was Arislan that had finally convinced Narsus to wear the Parse uniform whenever they were out on the field.
After a moment, he decided to vocalize his thoughts. "Well, it's been my experience that King Arislan has more influence on Narsus then anyone. I don't think it is something that we should broach with him directly."
Daryun returned to his memories as silence reigned while an unnaturally large buxom woman served their ale. "I want to know where all my key people are with a glance and black amongst so much gold and red, helps," he remembered Arislan saying. Arislan had made that decree only after a battle where Narsus had been cutoff by the enemy while they had fought their main body, no one missing him until he had been so worn down by injury that the enemy was preparing for the killing blow. They had barely made it in time to save Narsus.
When all had been said and done Narsus had tried valiantly not to let the young Prince know that he was worse off than he'd let on. He couldn't help but remember Narsus fainting dead away into his arms from the loss of blood. Narsus had received a slash that went from his shoulder and angled down to his hip bone. The lower area had to be stitched. An arrow had left its mark across his forearm. Arislan had not left a man standing on the enemy lines that day.
"You are a friend of his?"
Daryun started at the sound of Quishward's voice, not realizing he'd been so lost in memories. He shrugged. "At one time we were."
"Hmmm. Then you probably couldn't tell me if Lord Narsus favoured a particular person."
"No."
"Ah, well. I was thinking of asking him to the King's ball."
Asking Narsus to the ball. Daryun almost unseated himself. He looked at his riding companion. "I had no idea you had a leaning in that direction Quishward."
Quishward laughed loudly, attracting the attention of several young maidens scattered throughout the crowded inn. Quishward interested in Narsus!
"I have only meet one man who has given me pause, Daryun, and Lord Narsus is that man. I have often found myself wondering what it would be like to have the power to silence his sharp tongue with just a knowing look or with my own plunged deep into his throat. Such power is tantalizing to imagine. Honestly, Daryun, you can't tell me you haven't thought of it."
No I can't, Daryun thought. "I have been rather busy, Quishward, chasing down renegades."
"Excuses makes for a cold bed I say," Quishward stated dryly.
"What? You gentlemen sleeping in the barn again?" No one in the world had a voice like the one that reached Daryun's ears. Deep yet soft in its masculinity. An undertone of romanticism behind it except of course when its owner was being sarcastic. Then it became a "bite you in the ass" tone.
"Good afternoon, Lord Narsus."
"Good afternoon, Generals. Mind if I join you?" Narsus eyes seemed to linger on Daryun with a slight smile gracing his lips. If anyone would decline Narsus company it would more then likely be Daryun.
"By all means. We were just discussing you." Daryun volunteered.
Narsus' slightly raised eyebrow implied the connection to their last statement of 'a cold bed' having not gone unnoticed. Quishward flushed slightly and Daryun found it hard not to find some amusement in his look.
"Well, one would think after weeks on the road you'd find something more interesting to discuss than me. Perhaps a more interesting pasttime would be to find a way to warm a cold bed."
Quishward's face glowed a brighter red as Narsus chuckled. Seating himself in the empty seat next to Daryun, he added, "So, how was your adventure?"
"Adventure? It sounds as if you miss it."
Shrugging a slight shoulder Narsus turned to answer Daryun's inquiry. "In a way I do. Court life can be worse then a battlefield sometimes. No matter who is the King, the underlying politics amongst the Noblemen are still the same."
"Like?"
"Oh, hogwash like, 'If I become closer to Narsus would that get me any closer in the King's favor?' or 'I wonder who Narsus slept with to gain his position.' I've heard it all before. Most but not all Noblemen are rats in a race to the esteemed throne." There was a new tone to Narsus' voice, that of loneliness, which he tried to hide with that famous flashy smile that seemed never to touch his emerald eyes.
"Well, then I am glad I am a lowly General."
"There is nothing lowly about you, General Quishward." Perception is everything, and had a pair of ears overheard that comment and not known the beginning of the conversation one would have thought Narsus was flirting with Quishward. That was exactly how it was perceived by the dark haired warrior seated next to Narsus. Daryun's chest constricted. A cold grasp of fingers seemed to entwine around his heart, making it beat abnormally faster, making him pale to Narsus innocent words.
Or were they innocent? He wondered as he watched Narsus and Quishward exchange looks. Daryun didn't bother lying to himself as he recognized the sharp pangs in his chest as jealousy.
A young page, dressed in the colors of the Royal house, approached their table. In his hands he held a parchment which he handed directly to Narsus. Narsus seemed to drain of color himself as he stared at the parchment. It was then Daryun noticed his bandaged hand, a hand that had been resting -- or had it been hidden -- under the table on his thigh.
"What have you done to yourself, Narsus?"
Daryun watched as Narsus looked at his hand, a frown marring his features. "An overzealous student and my own stupidity. Which reminds me, I need to stop by the smith's to inquire of flat-edged practice blades."
"Have you had that looked after?" Daryun's nervousness and Quishward were both forgotten as he leaned forward and grasped Narsus by the wrist, his numerous years of acquaintance with Narsus making it acceptable. He was pleased that Narsus was neither offended nor jerked his hand away. He began to frown himself at the faint traces of blood lining the bandage.
"It occurred yesterday morning so I am sure it will still bleed slightly."
"Slight?" Daryun inquired dryly. "If it still bleeds, Narsus, then it requires stitching."
"Nonsense." It was then that Narsus tried to withdraw his hand but Daryun did not allow it. He'd spent too many years on the battlefield not to recognize an injury not in good standing.
"You will, Lord Narsus, have that looked after or I will have King Arislan do it. As for practice blades," Daryun released his wrist, "I recommend wood."
"And then what? Deal with splinters in my student's hands?" Narsus turned and in his agitation clumsily began opening the parchment.
"Daryun is correct, Narsus, you should have that checked." Quishward decidedly made his presence known once again.
Too easily Narsus sighed in resignation. "Fine, gentlemen. I will have it looked after as soon as I return."
Daryun knew that Narsus' preoccupation with the parchment had made it too easy to get him to agree with anything he'd said. It was then he became observant: there were faint shadows under those emerald eyes, a slight shake of a hand which was only noticeable when his hand was still.
"And when may I ask will that be, Lord Narsus?" Daryun inquired, knowing Narsus’ habit of disappearing for days at a time.
Inquiry ignored, Daryun noted Narsus frowning again, Daryun wondered if it had anything to do with what was in his hand. "Well, we will know in a minute, my friend."
Daryun and Quishward politely waited as Narsus rushed through the missive. It had been sealed by the King's own insignia. Slowly a rare genuine smile graced Narsus' beautiful features. "Well, gentlemen it would seem that I'm the proud father of a three year old daughter."
"A father?"
"Yes. As of this morning. I have been waiting on this missive. Arislan has approved." Turning, he acknowledged the Lady-in-waiting that had mysteriously appeared behind the courier.
"My name is Beth, your Lordship. I have been sent by King Arislan, with your permission, to assist in any way I can."
"Splendid. There is much to do." Turning back to Daryun and Quishward, Narsus added, "I promise to explain later but for now if you'll excuse me gentlemen, I have a daughter that needs tending."
Quishward turned an expectant look at Daryun after Narsus' departure. "Any clue?"
"It would seem that Narsus has adopted an orphan." It was no secret that Narsus had a big heart when it came to children, he was a natural with them. "When Narsus found Elam, he had wanted to adopt him but King Andragous would not approve. He stated that the child was well below his Lordship status.
"Ahh. I am happy for him."
"As I." Daryun gave a shadow of a smile as his eyes followed Narsus across the room.
"Well, then, all the more support for our argument in regards to Narsus' safety."
"Very true."