Thanks Tanahome for the beta.

il mio artista bello

My Lovely Artist

Chapter 7

Author: RoninBrat

It wasn't hard for Narsus to lose his escort, riding hard and fast once he'd cleared the city walls, his Mustang the fastest thing on four legs, compared to their brute war horses. He supposed he was going to get into a lot of trouble for this if word got back to Arislan about his antics. But was it Arislan he answered to now?

These were not the intended Pars’ escorts, no, these were Hermes' personal picks; brutish men who had no real desire to guard the one man that had helped conquer them. Their duty was to guard the deviant devil's strategist; the one truly responsible for their defeat. They kept their distance, yet Narsus could see the resentment in the eyes that followed him.

Narsus scowled, leaning lower over the silk mane of his horse, giving the beautiful beast between his thighs full rein. So, he continued to suppose, he'd find out just how far he could push the King's cousin.

It had been an incredibly grueling week; Plagued by meeting after meeting, council after council. Maryam's country men coming in by the scores, only to go over the same again and again. More than one map had to be adjusted. New maps drawn. Strategies argued. And resentment growing as Hermes more and more saw the logic he had laid out before Maryam's council and Hermes' generals. Most of the resentment was coming from Hermes' group. Perhaps it was best that no Pars shogun was participating in this.

But these things had not sent him running today. No. It was those damnable dreams. Not just any dream either. These dreams just had to be exotic in nature; making him run, instilling the need to escape. He was exhausted. He'd not had a decent nights sleep the past week. All because his body was craving the one person he could never have. Daryun.

The dreams almost always left him craving, aching. So real in their reality. He could almost feel Daryun's hands on his body. This burdened his heart heavily. What had triggered it? Quishward and his sudden attention? Narsus scowled. A lot of people like Quishward had crossed his path, always seeking to warm the bed of the country's advisor, the lunatic artist, the Devil's strategist.

No.

Narsus had received the looks after his acceptance to help the Prince and the Commanders being informed that they were not going. Dark, scowling looks he could not ignore after the meeting broke up.

Long after the council room had emptied, he and Daryun had argued. Narsus had never done as much talking and convincing as he'd done that evening. He still wasn't sure why he had to convince Daryun of anything. But Daryun knew everything he'd spewed out were valid arguments to the cause. Daryun could not dispute anything he'd said.

The looks had been dark and thunderous in the beginning; could have even catalogued some as murderous. And who exactly had Daryun wanted to murder? Narsus hadn't been sure. But those looks soon turned into something else. Something Narsus had not expected. Daryun had looked hurt. Dejected. But before he'd been able to soothe even that, Daryun had stormed out. And he'd been left feeling bewildered.

And still, why, after much speculation, had he had to explain his abrupt decision to Daryun?

Why?

Damn it all!

"Damn you, Daryun."

Having given the horse free rein, Narsus had been unaware that his silly horse had taken them off the main road; not until he felt the snap of a tree branch hitting his face and tangling painfully in his hair. The pain having brought him to his senses, finally noting that his horse was leading them to the nearby stream that ran a short distance from the main road.

He could no longer hear the pounding hooves of his escort. He had thoroughly lost them. Although small, the Mustang could out run any horse. Pulling her up gently, slowing her pace before they both got hurt, Narsus slowly maneuvered them through the thickening forest path. He'd had no real destination when he'd gone tearing out of the city gates. He only wanted his freedom. Time alone. And it sounded like he had it.

Sliding off her back, before she'd even came to a full stop, Narsus grabbed hold of her rein, leading her towards the water, treading slowly over rock and brush until both of them stood, ankle deep in the crystal clear water.

It was a beautiful day in Ekubatana. A perfect day to ride. Warm the breeze that caressed his disheveled, rebellious hair. The water lapped gently, soaking his soft boots; designed more for walking the halls of the castle then treading on rough ground. But it didn't bother him. He was no lazy Lord, whiling time away in the comforts of silks and servants. He had never really been that, despite impressions.

Stroking her slender neck, as she dipped her head gratefully toward the fresh water, he soothingly spoke, "There you go, girl. Sorry about that."

Leaving her standing unattended in the water, Narsus headed back to the shore. If four escorts weren't out looking for him, he'd be tempted to take a dip. As it was, he had no desire to get caught with his pants down.

Beginning a stretch, Narsus stared up toward the heavens, admiring its clear blue skies. He wasn't sure what his mind's eye sought, until he stared so far out into its endlessness, and located the right shade of blue just off to the far horizon, beyond the heavens.

Narsus frowned. He couldn't go on like this.

The strategist of two nations managed to spend a long peaceful moment alone, speculating , before its’ illusion was shattered. He'd been squatting by the bank, twirling fingers in the water when he felt cold steel at his throat. He had not heard so much as a sound of the person's approach.

In addition to the blade at his throat, Narsus felt the tap of another against his chest. It was Hermes’ disdain that broke the silence. "So you say you can defend yourself. Show me."

With practiced ease, the blade slipped easily into Narsus’ hand and he stood. Having barely enough time to register that it was Daryun’s sword he’d been handed, Hermes struck.

"Your enemy is not going to give you warning." There seemed to be a satisfied smirk when the two swords clashed; Narsus barely getting his sword raised in time for the block. The echo of steel resounded through the forest, sending creatures nearby scouring for cover.

They parried in such a fashion for several strikes; each testing the other. But then things grew serious; the strikes more aggressive.

The mock battle went from one end of the small clearing to the other. They each had shaved more than their fair share of brush. At one point they'd even treaded through the stream, soaking themselves. But Narsus had moved them quickly from there, unable to get a balance in soft boots and damp, slimy soil.

Hermes skillfully managed to flatten the blade the times it made contact with Narsus' person, sending jolts through the strategist’s body. It wasn't often the Prince got through his defenses but, when he did, it hurt like hell. A thigh. A rib. Once even across his buttocks. Hermes only laughed, taunting him. Narsus was very much beginning to feel like a naughty child being disciplined by his sire.

But what Narsus lacked in brute strength he more than made up for in speed, getting just as often through Hermes' defenses. With practiced ease of a sensei, he too, flattened his sword before coming into contact with flesh. When this occurred, Narsus would witness determination born anew in the eyes of the Prince.

There were advantages to brute strength. It always wore down the smaller opponent and soon Narsus was beginning to feel the affects in his arms and shoulder which was unmerciful in its ache. It would take more than a hot soak to recover from this.

His defeat came as Hermes sword bore down, arching, ending at his throat before he could even get Daryun's sword up to block. He would have been beheaded had this been real. Narsus couldn't help but to at least take some pride in the fact he would have died sword in hand.

Both panting heavily, it was Hermes who found his voice first. "You escaped your escort. Men bound to protect you. I trust we will not have this incident again?"

"No, milord."

"Look at me when you say that, Lord Narsus."

Narsus raised exhausted eyes, "No. It will not happen again, Prince Hermes." His gaze locked and held angry ice blues, every welt issued from Hermes sword igniting in that stare.

With a nod of assent, Hermes lowered his sword. "Very well, I have your word then. If this is to happen again, Narsus, I will have you confined to your quarters."

With long purposeful strides, Hermes went to his horse. "I will say that you put up a good fight. Years ago, you might have even defeated me. I'd always wondered who would have come out on top the first day we met."

Hermes smile was cruel, but it softened after a moment. "Lord Daryun has requested permission to oversee your combat training. I see nothing wrong with that and I highly suggest you take advantage of it. You've been long off the field."

Startled by reference of Daryun, Narsus looked at Hermes, wondering all the while where exactly Daryun was. "As you wish, Sire."

"Good. I can't think of a better man."

It was after the Prince was out of sight that he realized the only thing holding him up was Daryun's sword.

A short time later the strategist felt the presence of another.

“Not a word, Daryun.” Narsus held up his hand in hopes to stop any chiding remarks from issuing forth from his friend’s mouth.

Luckily, for Narsus, Daryun didn’t feel any words were needed as to seeing Narsus so thoroughly disciplined. Hopefully the artist would learn not to play with his new liege. Still Daryun couldn’t control the smug look that crossed his features nor his dry retort. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Narsus.”

Narsus just shook his head, rolling his topaz colored eyes. Looking down his gaze caressed the length of Daryun’s sword and declared, “I am blaming the sword.”

“I’m sure you are.” Amusement remained in Daryun’s voice as he watched his friend. “It’s not everyday Lord Narsus gets his ass kicked.”

Narsus looked up sharply at Daryun. “Thought you weren’t going to say a word?”

“You’re the one that keeps talking about it. I’m just commenting.”

It was hard not to stick out one’s tongue in response. Instead, Narsus lifted the sword and very gallantly handed it Daryun hilt first.

Daryun accepted the sword, lifting it to survey the scratches on the blade. Hermes had not been playing.

“If you are not doing anything tonight bring it by and I’ll buff the scratches out for you.”

“Actually I was hoping to be doing something tonight.” Daryun started, returning his attention to Narsus.

“Oh. Well. . .” Narsus turned and headed toward the stream. His pace leisurely.

“I was hoping to persuade you to come down to dinner tonight. You haven’t been down in a while.”

Stopping, Narsus turned once more and looked at Daryun giving him a sad little smile, “Oh? How very kind. Well, I’ve been sort of emotionally drained. I haven’t much felt like keeping pretenses.”

“You don’t have to keep those with me, Narsus.”

“I know Daryun.” Turning away again, he continued his trek to the stream. “But others–“ Narsus left those words unsaid and continued with-- “Actually I thought you were still angry with me.”

“I am. But I’m getting over it.”

Narsus’ rich laughter filled the surrounding woods. Growing serious he glanced sideways at Daryun as his friend fell instep with him, “I must say that I am glad.”

Narsus could have said so much more but he didn’t. It was enough for Daryun to know that his anger affected him.

 “So is that a yes?” Daryun asked as he watched Narsus bent down to the stream, pushing loose strands ofsable behind his ear before splashing water on his face. He watched mesmerized as the water darkened some of those strands.

Finishing his task, Narsus looked up, one eye closed against the backdrop of sunlight, droplets of water clung to his lashes, caressed the lines of his face, “How about a compromise? Dinner in my rooms? Perhaps you’d be interested in meeting Darya. If I recall correctly, she was asleep during our trip to Ekubatana.”

Darya. Yes, Daryun had quite forgotten about the little girl Narsus had adopted. That the possibility that Narsus spending what little free time he had with her. “She doesn’t bite does she?”

“No. Not yet.” And Narsus winked.

***

comment: roninbrat@aol.com